Last Taste of Freedom

Heavy padding could be heard throughout the area as a heavily pregnant lioness came into the neutral territory. She had told Scar, who was wary of her actions, that it was just a simple stroll and to Heshima it was. It was her last taste of freedom before she gave birth which she could tell would be in the coming days. So many lionesses died during the birthing process and it scared her, but something calmed her, telling her not to worry. But once the cubs were born she wouldn't be able to leave Pride Rock for a few weeks. Hunting was always a big no for her but now that she had a family to take care of, there wouldn't be any more of it.

The female walked over to a lone tree and stared at it, this tree was the last place she had seen Simba at before his death. She missed her friend so, even if they weren't really close. She remembered the day well, bright and sunny, Simba had just bested Tojo in climbing the tree. But then again, who didn't best Tojo in climbing? It was one of the rare days that Heshima hung out with the cubs with her being with her mother she rarely had friends. But then, Mufasa had called and the cubs dispersed.

'Mufasa, Simba,' Heshima thought to herself, placing her paw against the tree as if trying to feel their presence through the tree. This tree was the only thing she had left of her 'friend' and it pained her so. "Why did you have to die?" The thought was more open this time, a small tear rolled down her face which was quickly wiped away. The female sat down and looked to the sky, the clouds were scarce today, no rain would come.

A silent vow finally came out, "Simba, I'll make sure my sons will be the princes that you were. I promise, I won't let this kingdom fail!" The lioness then silenced herself, she was breaking a large rule that Scar had placed on the kingdom, no talk of Simba or Mufasa. Mourning was over with, but it was still there for Heshima. Something didn't seem right, but she wasn't in the shape to investigate. For now, she best just enjoy the peace.

The female had sat in silence until she heard the padding of paws in the distance. Soon enough, a pure white lion stood before her, studying her. He didn't seem threatening and due to her state she knew that he wouldn't touch her. Especially since the hyenas and Scar were so easily on call. "You can come closer you know," It was stupid that Heshima was doing this, the sense of security her pregnancy gave her could be cut in an instant, the male could be violent and attack, killing not her but worse, her unborn litter.

But as she studied the male, his features became more familiar, and the scar on the side of his face sealed the deal. She had known this lion briefly as a cub when she was on her rare outings with Simba and the others since he visited from their sister pride over the mountains. She knew that the male wouldn't remember her, but he'd remember Nala and Tama and all the others who were still alive and well. But still, she had to question,

"Ismahel?"

Heshima smiled and shifted in her place, "We met once before, and I never forget a name. I'm Heshima, the quiet cub who was with Simba and Nala when you came," The expectant mother's voice hitched at Simba's name, the memory still too fresh even after so many years. Scar looked horrible when he returned, and when Sarabi went into tears, everyone knew that something terrible had happened. Heshima never truly recovered from the incident, but was forced to put on a smile at the end of the day.

The creamed color lioness noticed that Ismahel eyed her stomach, but she wouldn't say anything unless Ismahel said something. She chuckled, "Although I was almost always in the den when the cubs went to go play," The days of her youth had been so free, so easy to live by. But now she fought for survival, and she knew her cubs would have to endure the same pain that she felt as well. It was now a sad time to be of the Pridelands Pride, but it was just something the female had to deal with.

A smile was on her face as she prodded the male's paw with her own, "So what has become of you and the Coldlanders? We haven't heard much news from you guys at all,"

A smile formed on Heshima's face as the white male remembered her. It was unclear whether he was just saying it or not, but the expectant lioness didn't care. His words seemed true enough for her to buy in so she might as well go with it. But what came next out of Ismahel's mouth was shocking. The sister pride of her own was pretty much desolate. The female had half a mind to talk to Scar about the situation, but she felt as if he would use this information to his own advantage.

Then it his Heshima, Ismahel was now king! This may be neutral lands that the two were in, but if Scar wandered out here looking for the female, the pure white lion would certainly be attacked. It put the female in sort of an unease and she looked over her shoulder for a minute just to make sure Scar wasn't coming. The female turned to the male, "Wow, royalty huh? Must be pretty neat, even if everyone's left," The female nodded at the sound of the death of his family, and Shinikizo being the only one to stay, Ismahel's life seemed to be pretty parallel with her own for the time being.

The female sighed, "Mom and Dad both died as well, rogue hyenas killed them both after King Scar claimed the throne. Mom a few months after Dad though," Heshima went silent for a moment, but then smiled and laid a paw on her swollen belly, it was evident that she was due in the coming days. "Yes, the Great Kings of the Past have given me this blessing of being a mother. Rafiki says that it will be a large litter, I hope it's true! After all, my cubs are going to be an heir to the throne once they're born,"

Hopefully, Heshima added in her mind. Her worst fears were that the litter was either all females or deceased males and that something went wrong. Scar would most likely exile her while keeping her cubs in his possession, and then Heshima would have no place to go. Although not to that much extent, Heshima's worst fears would be realized before the sun was down today.