Taka was a lion who inspired pity for a while, then contempt and finally anger. Uzuri had pitied him once. She had reached the stage of contempt during his difficult adolescence. Now she had reached the point of anger, a white hot anger that could swallow up the moon and the sun and make the rivers run red with blood. She was headed to the eastern meadow, ready to leave and never come back.
Being hunt mistress was her sense of belonging, her identity. Uzuri was beautiful, but she always saw herself first as a good provider and a leader. That night by siding with Pipkah, Taka had stripped her of all she held dear. She felt naked and ashamed and very angry. If he did not appreciate her talents, she would find someone who did.
Uzuri had no idea where she would go. Indeed, the world beyond the Pride Lands was unknown to her and fraught with danger. The intimate knowledge of her home that made her such a fearsome huntress would be gone. She would see only what was in front of her nose.
As she calmed down, her reckless courage failed her and she felt very vulnerable and small. Could she leave her sister Sarafina and young Nala? Could she spurn Ajenti’s sage wisdom, Beesa’s compassion and Yolanda’s gentle advice? And then came the terrible thought of losing Rafiki’s matchless devotion.
She realized she could never turn her back on those she loved. And the void her anger left behind filled with fear. Glancing about, she saw a large pair of eyes glowing in the moonlight.
“Oh gods, no!”
She backed back. It was a male lion! She turned and started to run.
“No, wait!”
“Leave me alone!” She ran madly toward her territory and safety.
“Please, come back! I’m not going to hurt you!”
“Leave me alone!”
She ran blindly into some hedges and got tangled. It only stopped her forward progress for a moment, but that was long enough for him to catch up.
“I’m too old for this,” he complained, wheezing. “Are you all right?”
“I’ll protect myself!” she snarled defensively. “Let me go! I don’t want to cause trouble, but I’ll fight if I have to!”
“I don’t want you to fight,” the lion said soothingly. “You came on my land and almost walked into me. Won’t you at least introduce yourself?”
“Sorry,” she said stiffly. “I’m Uzuri. Glad to meet you. Can I go now?”
“Sure you can,” he said gently. “Run away if you must, but don’t tell them I harmed you. At least tell them the truth, and be sure you get my name right.”
“I don’t know your name.”
“You never asked me. I’m Ugas.” He smiled bashfully.
“I’m sorry. I’m not always this rude--uh--Ugas.” She relaxed. “Are you the King here or a rogue lion?”
“I’m King here.” He drew near enough to reach out and touch her with a paw but he made no move to do so. His large, beautiful eyes swept over her face in a search for understanding. “Uzuri, you look depressed. Is everything quite all right?”
“I’m fine. Just fine.”
“Your words say you are fine, but I see something in the way you’re standing, the set of your ears, even the way you look at me. It’s as if your whole being is crying out for help.” He sat like a sphinx and began to idly groom his mane and said matter-of-factly, “You were thinking of running away.”
“How did you....says who??”
“Don’t be upset, my dear.” He smiled pleasantly. “You can confide in me. That’s the best part of meeting a stranger--you can say anything that comes to your mind. I’ve lived a long life--maybe I’ll have the answer you’re looking for.”
“No, it’s nothing, thank you.” She licked her paw nervously but looked into Ugas’ eyes and his warm, fatherly smile. “Well, yes,” she said at last. It felt good to admit it. “Our King is dead and now his brother is ruling the Pride Lands. I’m sure he means well, but he’s....”
“But you can’t stand him. Mufasa was a good friend. Scar is...how shall I put this...acting like himself.” He shrugged. “So are the rumors true? Are hyenas really living on Pride Rock?”
“Yes! Oh gods, it’s awful!”
“And terribly unfair to you, hunt mistress. I hear your first joint effort was a disaster.”
“It sure was!” She gasped. “How did you know that??”
“I have eyes and ears all over. Even Zazu.” He saw her expression of shock, but only nodded and began to examine his claws. “Don’t look so surprised. His mother lives here, and she’s a first- class gossip. And then Mufasa used to always do border patrol with me before ‘IT’ happened.”
“You walked the line together?”
“He’d nod at me, and I’d nod at him. He never said much, but when he did speak, it was always something worth hearing. And the first day he wasn’t there, I had this horrible emptiness inside.” He sighed. “I didn’t realize Simba was dead too, not for several days. Taka didn’t tell me anything, and Zazu hasn’t been back.”
Uzuri hung her head. Tears began to run down her cheeks.
“You poor dear thing,” Ugas purred, reaching up with a paw and wiping her face.
She looked into his gentle eyes and saw genuine compassion. “You really liked Mufasa, didn’t you?”
“Yes. And the child, too, for I have no son of my own. I used to think Mufasa was so lucky.” A tear slid down his cheek. “You’re a parent. Surely you understand.”
“I understand, but I’m not a parent.”
“You’re not??” He looked surprised. “As beautiful as you are?”
She looked down, embarrassed. “You flatter me.”
“Oh no, my dear. You are beautiful. And when you cry, the beauty goes all the way through.” He lifted her chin with a paw and looked into her sad eyes. “I bet a smile would have the same effect.”
“I don’t have any smiles left.”
Ugas kissed away the new tears. “You pierce my heart with a thorn, child. Taka is so full of hate--I’ve seen it when he walks the border. He glares at me and shouts, ‘This land is mine! You want it, but you’ll never have it!’” He nuzzled her. “There is no hate in me, Uzuri. Come with me and I’ll see if I can find a few smiles left. Meet the others--they could be your pride sisters.” He watched for her reaction, but when she said nothing, he added, “I’m offering you freedom, my dear. Freedom and friendship.”
“You’re very kind, but not now. I have family there.”
“Bring them with you. Don’t go back to Taka--it’s not safe while he’s there.”
“Thank you, but it’s my home. There’s more at stake than family and friends. You understand, don’t you?”
“Yes. Do what you feel you must.”
She sighed. “Well, it’s time for me to make my report. You’re such a kind lion, Aiheu would listen to your prayers. Say a prayer for me.”
Ugas nodded. “I will. Take care of yourself, dear.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Call me Ugas,” he said, rising and touching her cheek with his nose, then kissing her lightly. “Come back to me.”
“When?”
“Any time you want to see me. Any time at all. That goes for your friends as well.”
She felt of his cheek with a paw. “Yes, I might just do that.”