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Chapter 7:

Remembering the landscape from when Sarafina and I left the jackal community, I was able to find the connecting road and successfully made my way back to Crix's village. Maybe the Tree of Life was right to have Ok'wana tell me that my shattered heart would only heal by helping those in need. The heaviness bearing down on my soul felt lighter already.

The hike took longer than I anticipated. It was more like four hours instead of two. By the time I crested the hill to see the jackal city on the horizon, I realized I hadn't eaten any breakfast, nor had I packed provisions. My stomach was twisting with hunger pangs. I double checked my pack to see if I still had some American coins. I'm sure I could trade one or two for a meal.

Getting to the outskirts, I witnessed a few humanoid jackals using a domesticated water buffalo to pull a plow through some fields. One of the them turned and waved a friendly hello. There seemed to have been another group of jackals helping each other hoist up the fourth and final wooden wall to complete another quaint structure. Either a house or storage. They seemed to enjoy the constant motion of expansion and development.

Walking further into the town, several nodded and acknowledged my presence.

None seemed to fear my arrival. I could smell the familiar aroma of fresh bread. My stomach twisted again and my mouth watered.

"Lochlann!" came a voice from my right.

It was Crix, his wife and children walking with.

Kiak, his oldest came running to me. His appearance was much different from when I saw him a few days ago. He had fallen ill before my arrival to deliver Crix back. But after giving him the Fruit of Rebirth, he quickly recovered. But looking at him now, his fur was more vibrant than his siblings. His eyes lacked any evidence of rough outdoor life. He looked to be in his mid-teens by now, and his body was toned and healthy.

He jumped up to my chest to land a tight hug. I returned his fervor. Crix came up with a gentle smile. His body still seemed worse for wear. I am sure some of the damage done by years of hard labor would be permanent, but the joy evident in his eyes and smile clearly trumped his past injuries.

"It is good to see you again, Lochlann," he gave me a gentle side hug while I was still holding his son aloft, "Or should I call you Bridge-Walker?"

I gave him a curious look.

His wife put her hand on Crix's shoulder, "The birds have been spreading word of your success in Uji's trade agreements. They tell us the Bridge-Walker came to help connect our regions."

I gently put Kiak down, and held my stomach, "I don't know about that. I do know I'm hungry, though."

Crix and his family invited me into their home. We sat around a small table where they fed me plenty. We told stories of our past while one of the younger children sat on my lap. I did my best to explain where I truly came from. I don't know if they believed me, but they did sit and listen. Some of the children got bored of our conversation and left to play outside. Kiak sat next to me, his eyes never leaving my face. I also learned of the jackal community, and their purpose in the "circle of life." They never dealt with currency. It was always about getting what you need from the circle by giving to the circle. The jackals had no greed. If only my own world could learn from their behavior.

Hours later, I was heading out while Crix and Kiak decided to join me for a few miles.

"Listen, Crix. I worry about you. I'll be gone tomorrow morning, and I don't think I'm coming back. I came here to help you. My purpose here is done."

That word echoed in my head a few times: Purpose. I slowed my pace a little, realizing this might be how I would get over my unending grief. Purpose. Direction.

"But, you don't have to worry about me, Lochlann," Crix was slowing his pace to match mine.

I explained to him that part of the trade agreement and partnership between Pride Rock and Uji was a union between the leader's granddaughter and myself. I told him that I would be gone before that union ever came to fruition. If Pride Rock couldn't succeed in another Trial of Skerkte, they would cancel the agreement and require their lost labor to be restored.

Both Crix and Kiak agreed they would be sending birds to listen in on any outcome of the trial, and would be ready to vanish if needed.

Before we parted ways, I knelt down to Kiak. To remember me, I gave him my watch. It was expensive, but the WNC gave it to me as a Christmas gift. I could always get another one. We waved to each other one more time before I lost sight of them.

I didn't realize I spent most of the day with Crix. It was hard to remove the smile from my face.

My thoughts moved to Sarafina. It would be a great bookend to my trip here if I could just see her one last time. I was having a hard time defining my emotions when it came to her. Logic was telling me to keep distant, and never get involved with something that could never happen. The false hope would send me into another wreck.

But my heart kept telling me that both of us needed to feel loved. My loss left a hole in my soul, but just the thought of embracing Sarafina made me feel like that part would heal, and I could feel whole again. Even thinking about her emerald eyes looking into mine put a spring into my step.

The image of her watching Mufasa pleasure his lionesses left me frustrated. She was a passionate lioness. Yet, her only purpose in life was to bear children. She didn't seem to realize that her soul was a priceless diamond, meant to be loved and treasured.

Aside from our short intimate moment by the campfire, I don't think she ever got to feel connected with a lover.

Stop it. Stop thinking about getting involved.

It’s just that….just that….ugh….I never got to say goodbye. I owed her that much at least.

These thoughts consumed me for the next few hours of lonely travel back to Pride Rock. Once I arrived, my checklist was simple. Find Sarafina, and tell her how special she really was. How important. Even if it was just for Nala.

Just...don't...get...involved. I reminded myself several times that my life and home is not here.

I made my way towards the center of town, and when I rounded the corner to the ambassador's facility, I stopped in my tracks.

Reptiles.

There, in the middle of the townsquare, standing between the Ambassadors' facility and the Monolith Palace, was a small group of reptile humanoids. They seemed to be grouped up with around three to four well­ built carriages. Not pulled by horses. These carriages were designed to be pulled by the larger brutes standing around. There must have been about four of these hefty creatures sitting on the ground, basking in the sun.

Another eight greenish reptiles stood around as well. They appeared to be a variety of species similar to those that I was familiar with in the savanna back home. Geckos, skinks, monitors, and alligators. Each one wore decorated uniforms, featuring light blue cloths and pads accented by gold trim. A similar colored flag showing a set of ships floating on a series of scales was flown above each of the impressive carriages.

Fuck. It was the Uji nation. Were they here already? I looked at my watch forgetting I gave it to Kiak. I looked up at the sun, but it was about to set. I quickly turned around to avoid being seen, but a finely clad Leopard was standing right behind me.

He spoke up, "Bridge-Walker, the council has been waiting for you. Please, follow me."

"Listen, I have to-"

"Do not make the council wait any longer. Uji's representatives have been here for a while now, and have been hashing out details with our officials. But no commitment will be been made until you are present at the hall."

The leopard stepped in the way of my failed attempt at a retreat.

Maybe I could just show up for a little bit, and then figure out a way to escape the halls. I needed to find Sarafina before the sun came up the next morning.

As we walked, the leopard looked up to the sky and spoke, "Let the council know the Bridge-Walker has been located, and we are making our way to the chamber now."

I looked up as well, and noticed an eagle was tailing us from above. It soared off towards the monolith.

When I made it to the chamber within the palace, I noticed it was filled with activity. A mix of feline beasts bearing the reds and yellows of Pride Rock and more reptiles wearing Uji colors. Some were seated at a table with scrolls to read over and sign. What I found most fascinating was each feline being accompanied by small, yellow-bellied songbirds perched on each shoulder. They appeared to be whispering something in their ears while communicating with the reptiles.

The room got quiet when I entered. Smiles on the faces of both nations became apparent.

"Ah, there is our kingdom's shining light!" said a panther, looking up from the vast amounts of scrolls placed in front of him at a table, "We can finally get to some serious business."

I must have looked thoughtless to the rest. Mostly because I wasn't thinking of anything else other than saying goodbye and leaving.

I glanced around the room to see if Sarafina was present. I could not locate her beautiful eyes. All I saw was a flurry of representatives moving about the room.

Amongst the plethora of bodies scurrying about, something on the other end of the room caught my attention. It was an unmoving, singular figure. I couldn't get a clear visual of who this was, until the bodies parted, and the figure was unmistakable.

Standing still, staring straight at me, wearing a long flowing sky blue thinly veiled silks, with gold and silver buckles to accentuate her hourglass figure was The Flower of the Dawn. She wore small, chained jewels on her head that sparkled in the torchlight of the room. Her smooth, scaly hands clasped together while she made a slight movement with her head, signaling me to move to the right of the hall by the empty stadium seating.

Wordlessly, I obeyed her wishes, and moved to the sparely-populated seating area of the room. She gracefully glided my way to sit beside me. Like a gentleman, I stood waiting for her. I was surprised to see the vast contrast of status when I saw this similar group of reptiles at the great hall in Uji. I thought they were more like barbarians, but looking back, I realized, they must've just been having a fun time without the politics of formal appearances when they were relaxed at home.

As she got closer, I noticed a few things. She never broke eye contact with me. She smelled of fresh flowers and had a small blue bird on her shoulder. It took off and landed on mine, right next to my ear.

I jolted slightly, not knowing what to expect, before the bird spoke with a gentle, feminine voice, "Hello Bridge-Walker. I'm here to help translate for The Flower of the Dawn."

I tried to look at the small bird on my shoulder, but it continued, "Don't mind me. Pay attention to The Flower of the Dawn.

Although she does not have the vocal capacity to speak your language, she does understand it quite well."

I switched my focus to The Flower. Still unsure what to expect, I said to her, "You look beautiful tonight, Flower of the Dawn."

She closed her eyes as if to blush, and made a subtle curtsey. Then she spoke. It was a series of soft guttural noises peppered with clicks and tweets.

"What an exceptional night. To see the sun kiss the horizon like it did so many times before...my eyes will never tire of such beauty from the natural order."

Wait, was this how their language was translated? Such emphasis on emotion coming from what sounded like a harsh language.

The Flower spoke again, while the bird's overlapping voice translated, "For the marvels

of what time brings, I want to thank such wonders for permitting my senses to converse with you again."

"Uh...y-yes. It is nice to see you too." I stammered out. I must've sounded like a savage to her.

She said something while she motioned with her hand to sit, "It would truly honor me and my ancestors if you would rest your legs and sit next to my presence, and breathe the same air as I do."

I sat down and took my eyes off of her only for a moment to observe the flurry of activity. She sat only a few feet away with her hands clasped together. We sat in silence for a few moments, until I awkwardly broke it, "So, it looks like all of this is a big deal for Pride Rock and Uji, huh?"

"Both of our wonderful nations have been waiting patiently, in the glorious hopes of bringing our souls and hearts together in the spirit of superior companionship." She sat in silence for a moment, then continued, "My ancestors give thanks to you with grace and optimism because of what you showed us at our great hall."

I turned and looked at her, "Listen, I'm sorry I hurt one of your guys. I know you folks respect strength and all, but it might have been luck."

I was trying to be modest.

"You must realize that, although you had impressed our people, it wasn't the sheer strength of your body that made my grandfather feel a connection with your place in the circle." She turned her attention away from the busy council and looked at me, "It was the strength and beauty of your courage."

I blinked. How should I have responded? Thanks?

She broke her gaze and looked off with sudden embarrassment, "I would like to ask if you could find it in your warm-blooded heart to forgive me and my-" she paused. The bird speaking to me waited for her next words, "My transgressions."

I thought for a moment, and remembered the night I woke up from my wet dream, to see The Flower of the Dawn having my full erection deep in her mouth with her forked tongue wrapped around it.

I felt embarrassed, and probably appeared very flustered, "Ah, well, that's fine. I didn't mean to startle you."

That was the only thing I could come up with as a response.

Not looking at me, probably embarrassed herself, she explained, "You fought Rock­ Tooth. This wonderful soul is a blessing just like all of Uji's hearts and minds. His dedication to the honor of our land is sometimes unmatched in glory. But with a full heart, his precious mind sometimes forgets to clean his scales."

She looked back at me and moved her lizard­ like head closer to my healing shoulder. "The Trial of Skerkte was an amazing display of strength and courage, but the wound Rock­ Tooth left on your shoulder had me worried of the terrifying infection to follow."

I reached up and touched my healing injury. It was almost gone. I hardly felt anything there.

She reached for a pouch on her side, "Uk'rha is one of the many blessings gifted upon our people from the sea that which we come from. But, for such a precious gift to work so quickly and efficiently, your body needs to be in a state of-" she paused again.

She looked at her bird on my shoulder. Spoke a few guttural noises again, and nodded.

The bird continued to speak for her, "Needs to be in a state of adrenaline."

I thought for a moment, then replied, "So, I assume you wanted to treat my wound without me knowing. That's why you snuck in?"

"That was my heartfelt intention, decided with the upmost respect and consideration. For waking you from the dreamworld was not

what I planned. Treating your wound and leaving before you knew was, how I felt in my own heart, the best scenario."

She smiled a little, "But the destiny of our actions opened the veil and I am truly sorry for causing you discomfort of the utmost level."

I snorted, "Discomfort."

My nerves relaxed a bit. This humanoid reptile was truly a graceful creature. She was also very good with her words. I replied in jest, "I, uh...l hope I didn't cause you any discomfort."

The Flower looked down and closed her eyes. If a reptile could blush, I'm sure she would have turned bright red.

She replied, "Considering all things in which

the circle provides our great world, I must confess that my eyes, mouth and..." the bird paused speaking for a quick moment, "...other things, found it a rather joyous and pleasurable experience."

We sat in silence for a while, watching the council make more arrangements. Once in a while, a Pride Rock or Uji member would glance over at us to see our disposition.

Then my curiosity got to me, "Flower of the Dawn, your nation seems like a wonderful and honorable one. Why do you force slaves to work for your people?" I was thinking about the beaten Crix, and the anger that filled me from imagining reptiles whipping his innocent back.

"Our nation of Uji, for all the wonders and glories which our people work and provide for other nations, we do not force slave labor of those

who do not deserve it. In fact, our belief is that all living creatures deserve their life with the kindest of days and nights."

My head tilted in confusion, and pivoted slightly to get a better look at her. She did a double take at my stare.

She responded nervously, "The dreaded criminal you fought to free from our hold was working towards his freedom to enjoy his life and the-"

"Dreaded criminal?" I cut her off. There was a new anger building up. I was in shock.

"Yes," she responded. "The wonderful nation of Pride Rock, at times, feels they should execute some of the worst criminals; especially assassins of the King. But our nations had to intervene in these horrible practices, as we truly believe all souls are worth saving. So we take those who-"

I cut her off again, "Assassins of the King? Crix isn't an assassin. Who told you he was an assassin?"

The Flower of the Dawn clicked and tweeted, which the bird translated to "Scar."

What the fuck?

She saw the shock on my face, "What bothers your heart, Bridge-Walker? Scar told us that the jackals had been planning an assassination, but he felt their efforts would have been thwarted by catching the mastermind. We agreed to save his life by taking him under our watch."

Was Scar framing Crix for something? This made no sense. I put it off.

"Scar is not here and Crix is safe," I thought to myself.

Soon enough, the council was done with their arrangement, and we all stood up to adjourn. Queen Sarabi came into the hall wearing flowing red and yellow flowing robes.

There was still some worry on her face, but she quickly put on her public demeanor, "Now that all the arrangements are made, we would like to thank our Bridge-Walker, or Lochlann," she made eye contact with me, "for making all this happen for us."

She clapped her hands, and a storm of lionesses flowed into the hall with baskets, satchels, and bags. They all handed the gifts to any reptile standing about.

The Queen sauntered over to The Flower and I.

I really couldn't tell if her smile was genuine or not. She gave me a hug and a small peck on the cheek that was accompanied by a tickle from her fuzzy royal muzzle. The bird on my shoulder fluttered about to give the Queen room to converse with me.

"May your union be a true symbol of our nations growing together," she said.

She then moved to The Flower.

The Queen clasped her furred hands around her smoothed, scaled fingers, "I wish I could make it to the wedding, but there are some urgent matters I must tend to. I need to make sure I am here when my husband and son arrives back home."

The Flower bowed low and kissed the hands of Sarabi. She said no words.

The meeting must have taken hours. Once it ended, I soon found I was being escorted out of the palace by an entourage of well-dressed reptiles. By the time I made it outside in the late night, my mind was racing.

How was I going to make it home? If I couldn't make it to the lake in time, could I find another way back? Should I have just gone along with the wedding and make the Flower of the Dawn my wife? Mufasa even said the reptilian females are fiercely loyal to their mates.

Mates.

The Flower was pretty good with her tongue, and seemed rather interested by potential physical pleasures with me. Would it be worth it?

But what about Sarafina? Her caravan would be leaving tomorrow. Back to the kingdom of Kessit (wherever that is). I needed to see her before I left. I didn't have much time.

As my mind spiraled, I found myself in frant of The Flower's covered carriage. It was beautifully carved from large trees, edged by an organic-looking, twisted driftwood. A work of art.

A large brutish figure stepped up to open the door.

It was Rock-Tooth.

He looked at her with the tenderness of a loving brother. Then, he used his basketball size hand to guide her inside. Once she was inside, she looked at me, waiting. Her bird perched on her shoulder. Rock-Tooth turned to look at me as well. I expected to see a look of vengeance, but there was only respect in his eyes. His hand gently reached out towards me.

"Flower..." I said with some trepidation.

She looked out the door, eyes telling me she was ready to listen.

"I..." I couldn't find the words. I didn't want to disappoint her. Did I tell her I wasn't coming? Did I tell her I needed to go home?

Flower extended her green hands out to me. I stepped up and held them for a moment. She was listening with intent. The bird must have known, so it flew to my shoulder.

"I need some time to say goodbye to my friends. Just give me some time."

She gently squeezed my hand.

Her clicks and gurgles had been overlapped with the bird saying, "For the one who brings courage and love to my home, we shall patently wait. For you do not need permission to follow the will of your soul. Seize this moment to remember the faces of your precious friends, and rejoice in knowing that your journeys to Pride Rock will never cease. As long as your heart beats."

She let go of my hands. A forked tongue slithered out to taste the air, and her eyes portrayed the kindest smile.

The bird spoke again while Flower replied, "We promise to stay here until your return.

Even if the morning sun kisses the sky again." The bird flew back to The Flower of the Dawn and happily perched on her shoulder.

With haste, I sprinted to the ambassador's facility and flung open the doors, "Sarafina!" I yelled her name.

A few birds and feline humanoids looked up from their torchlit desks. All writing with quills on parchment.

One of the hornbilled birds replied, "She isn't here. She packed up the last of her belongings for tomorrow's journey."

Dammit. Where would she have gone?

I ran outside and into the Monolith. The guards posted outside had just witnessed my exit, and therefore paid no attention to my sprint back into the palace.

"SARAFINA!" I yelled at the top of my lungs.

"Shhhhh!" one of the cheeta servants hushed, "Quiet. The royal family are all in bed by now."

I ran upstairs to the hallway with wooden statues. I peaked into the room where Sarafina and I watched Mufasa and his wives.

She wasn't there.

I sprinted down the hall, and looked out the balcony where we watched Nala train.

The courtyard was empty.

Cupping my hands to my mouth, I yelled out for all of Pride Rock to hear, "Sarafina!"

Nothing.

I was starting to panic. I looked down at my empty wrist expecting to see a watch.

FUCK!! What time was it? I knew there was plenty of time before the sun came up again.

Sarafina, where were you? I just wanted to see you one more time. I wanted to see your eyes. Listen to your voice. I wanted to feel your purr. Just give me this one last chance.

My mind was beginning to reach a point of desperation. Someplace I hadn't been before.

I was terrified.

As I ran out of the palace, I ran to the riverside where we watched the moon together.

Empty.

"Sarafina."

My voice was beginning to quiver. My hope to see her was vanishing.

I jogged back to town square. Looking about, I noticed Zazu fly into one of the portals in the ambassador's facility. I ran back inside.

All the while, the reptilian crew sat and relaxed contently by their carriages.

I was almost out of breath, "Zazu!"

His long-beaked head turned to me while he sat at the headmaster's perch.

"Master Lochlann," he looked surprised to see me, "You're supposed to be on your way to Uji. Your caravan awaits."

I didn't care what he said, "Where is Sarafina?"

He paused to think for a moment. "She did say she would be staying at the outskirts of town tonight. She wanted to be left alone with her thoughts before tomorrow's journey back home."

Outskirts of town.

"Shit, ah, thanks Zazu!" I yelled back to him while I burst out the door.

I had an idea where she might be. I was very familiar with, and kicked myself for not thinking about it

It took all my energy and will to sprint towards my destination.

The torchlights in this part of town became sparse. The streets got darker the further I ran.

None of the homes had any light since most of them had been abandoned. Except one.

Down the street was evidence of life, with some light coming from one of the small huts. My hut.

I jogged over to the lonely, occupied home. Slowing to a walk, I couldn't see through the windows since the curtains had been drawn. I approached the door and listened.

A sniffle. I heard this sniffle before.

I grasped the handle of the door and turned it, but it was locked. My logical thinking was quickly departing. The conflicting thoughts of panic and dwindling hope were messing with my head. I would have normally asked, "Sarafina, can you unlock the door? It's me, Lochlann."

That didn't happen. With my heart beating out of my chest, I used my full weight and kicked the door in.

Sarafina.

The lioness who removed the painful grief from my soul.

Her back was to me at first while sitting on the bed I had slept in the night before. But the sound of the door slamming open caused her to quickly turn around, ready to defend herself in this one room hut, lit only by the warm glow of a singular lantern.

My heart was pounding. Some from the exertion of endless running through the night to find her, but most just from seeing her emerald eyes again. Adrenaline pumped through my veins.

She was in tears, and holding my blanket close to her face. Her expression quickly turned from sadness to shock. She lowered the blanket and her mouth fell agape, as if words tried but failed to leave. She was wearing the same leather top and patterned wrap that hugged her waist as when we first met.

"Lochlann, what are you-"

I closed the door, and moved the table to keep it from opening again. If there was a guard nearby, he wouldn't be coming in here tonight.

If there was any thought in my mind to stop, it was shoved far away from any decision going forwars. There was an unstoppable desire to fall all-the-way-in love with Sarafina.

I walked towards her while she backed up a little, clutching the blanket to her chest, "I thought you left to go back ho-"

She didn't finish her sentence. My lips found their way home to hers. All my caution of "should I" or "shouldn't I" left long before I kicked the door in. Sarafina was denied of true love her whole life. She was denied what it means to love and to be loved. She was denied of pure passion. She had given so much to so many, and had gotten nothing back, other than her child who would soon be pawned off for political gain.

Sarafina deserved better. She deserved to feel loved.

My passion and drive for her made our bodies slam against the wall behind her. She dropped the blanket and wrapped her lioness arms around my shoulders and across the back of my neck. She whimpered in my mouth, and pulled me in to close whatever centimeters remained between us.

It seemed that her desire to fall in love by far had matched my own. I felt her heart pounding into my chest, and our pulse seemed to sync with the same amount of intensity.

Her feline mouth opened much more as she used her hand to grasp the back of my head, locking our passion together in the kiss we both had been yearning for. She whimpered while her slightly-barbed tongue eased its way further into my mouth. I reciprocated by dancing the tip of my tongue on the smooth bottom of hers. My intruding tongue could feel her sharp, long canine teeth. If there were any final doubts of our interspecies union, it all vanished beneath our harmony of moans. The soft fur and whiskers around her lips caressed my face, and instead of recoiling from such a unique feeling, I craved even more of it. Much more.

One of her legs slowly made its way up to my hip, and with utter instinct, my arm latched to the bottom of her thigh to hold it there. I pushed our bodies further into the wall as if I couldn't get enough of this beautiful lioness, and begged to see if there was more I could get. The pressure between our bodies increased, and her last leg touching the ground raised to wrap around my back.

I didn't want this to end. I would ruin kingdoms to be with her here. In this solitary hut, away from everyone.

We broke our kiss just so we could get some air. Her fuzzy cheeks became moist from a set of fresh tears. Her eyes welled with moisture while she started to memorize my features.

I was gasping for breath. My heart was about to explode. She spent her whole life studying others to understand and predict their thoughts. If I wished for the chance of her reading me correctly, I begged for her to be right tonight. Before I could recover, she closed the distance again to lock our lips together, as if they never should have parted.

I felt the large paws of her hind feet interlock above my waist, pulling me in tighter (as if there was any wiggle room left). The passion between our entwined human and feline bodies multiplied when she pulled me in.

Then, she pushed my chest away, but still did her best to keep our lips locked. The little bit of room left between us was used to unbutton my shirt.

The backpack I had on fell to the ground with

a thump. I broke away to look at her eyes. They opened enough to look down at my chest, before she quickly made due with the rest of the buttons.

I pushed our bodies against the wall once more while she pulled my shirt free from my chest. Her hands caressed my pecks. They had been dampened from the sweat of exhaustion. I could feel the mix of pads and fur while she moved her hands around new territory. With my bare skin, I could feel some of the fur between the various leather padding and straps that kept her chest in place.

Then she began to purr.

The organic reverberations felt at the core of her body sent me over the edge. To deny any living being the pleasure of holding a purring lioness against their body was a tragedy. I was running on pure instinct and desire to engage our bodies in a dance of natural passion.

I grabbed the underside of her firm feline rear, and lifted her higher. Our lips left contact again, and a surprised giggle left her mouth as I brought our entwined bodies to the lone bed in the middle of the room. I gently lowered her onto the bed, her lips trying to find their way home to mine again. I crawled on the bed with her, and Sarafina expertly sat up to connect our mouths.

She really loved kissing.

Why would anyone deny this beautiful lioness such simple pleasures?

I thought back on all the times I watched her use her finger to gently touch her lips, almost as if this was a rare experience that only few could achieve. For years she watched the others around her get pleasured while she toiled with envy and unachievable lust. It had all been bottled up. Now the valve was open.

I reached back to unbutton her top. It was a confusing array of strings and straps. I felt lost, like I was back to in my awkward senior year, trying to unbutton the bra off Sandra's back. Through our closed eyes, I felt a smile appear between us. She reached back, and in a few moments, she pulled free all the leather straps and strings holding her top on.

I slowly pulled her top down, my fingers traveling along the top of her furry bosom. The tips of my digits were electric with the sensation from her soft fur, and soon found the bare skin of her areola. Once my hand caressed the sensitive spot and located her erect nipple, her mouth broke away from mine, as she arched her head up to exhale a subtle moan, barely heard over her breath. Her hand grabbed my gently touring fingers and pressed them into her chest, encouraging me to clasp with a little more pressure.

She was about to find her way back to my mouth so she could resume our addiction to each other, but I used the free moment to lower my head and latch down on her nipple, using my tongue to circle her areola. I was rewarded with one of her first moans of pure pleasure. I'm guessing the sound surprised Sarafina herself, because she quickly put her hand over her muzzle, almost in embarrassment. I switched to her other nipple and latched down. The deep, organic rumble within her core increased, and my instinct had me craving for more of her purr.

She leaned backward, so I used the support of my arms and face to gently lay Sarafina down.

Then, for a moment in time, my morality returned and I sat up. Her bare chest was presented while Sarafina's hands held on to my forearms. Both of her legs were positioned to one side of my knees.

I spoke for the first time since entering the hut, "Sarafina, I wanted to let you-"

"Shhhhh" she put a finger up to her lips and closed her eyes. With her eyes still closed, she spoke, "Just...just let this happen. No words. Let our Circle turn together."

She punctuated her statement by slowly bringing one of her legs straight up, across my chest to position it on the other side of my lap, making our bodies symmetrical.

With her eyes closed, I brought my hands back up to begin their new journey of her chest. Her head arched back once again, letting out a contained moan. I started to admire the coloring of her fur in the dim light.

The soft fur starting at her muzzle was lighter in color, and it made its way down her chest to somewhere past the wrappings on her waist. My fingers glided across her toned stomach, and soon found the wrappings. This job might be easier. Her chest was heaving in anticipation.

I grasped the wrappings and gently pulled down. It had enough slack that I was able to pull the whole wrapping off her hips. She had a darker brown undergarment. A simple cloth was wrapped a few times around her loins to protect her womanhood from the elements.

In the warm glow of the singular lantern, I noticed the brown cloth was also glistening with some moisture. I slowly pulled this off her pelvis and tossed them to the floor.

I sat back just to gaze upon the creature before me, as nature intended. Sarafina opened her emerald eyes to watch me admire her. I could have said a million pleasing words to her based on what I saw, but I already knew she was reading me like an open book. The look she saw in my eyes conveyed hunger to please any of her wishes. This was her night.

My hands moved again on her lower abdomen. The pelvis slightly protruding from her waist began the perfect 'V' shape that guided both my hands and eyes to the lovely flower that I doubt anyone ever got to fully appreciate.

I looked into her eyes, and now, I could read what was going on in her mind. As I lowered my head, keeping eye contact, her emerald orbs widened a little. I could tell she was unsure about this upcoming feeling. I was sure she saw this happen multiple times with other lionesses. She must have wondered what this felt like.

Another aspect caught my attention, one that was fairly novel to me, was the presence of a lioness's tail swinging about just below my face. Another reminder that although Sarafina and I had belonged to two different realities, our growing bond blended our differences into one union of lovers.

Ever so slowly, I ran my tongue along the side of her lightly-colored, furred groin. Yet another indicator that this was not a human with matching skin. Rather, this experience was filled with a lioness's soft coat to relish.

She inhaled quickly and was now looking at the ceiling. I soon found my mouth dancing with her feminine folds. The blankets on the bed tightened. She was grasping for something. Sarafina could no longer control the movements of her pelvis. I positioned my broad shoulders to lock into her hind quarters while grabbing her upper thighs, so I could keep her positioned where I needed her to be. The fur on her legs portruded through my fingers as I gripped harder.

I kissed and licked the outside of her nether regions, before my tongue worked its way slightly deeper inside her womanhood.

Sarafina cried out to the moon her acceptance of the finer pleasures of what lovers really do in blanket of the night.

Her body attempted to move away from the sheer amount of stimulation she was experiencing, but my grasp on her thighs guaranteed her path to pure and unadulterated ecstasy. I shifted my body to sit up while still holding her pelvis with my shoulders. Her body sat slightly inverted while I continued to taste Sarafina's nectar that no one in Umbra had ever given a thought. Her hands soon discovered something else to hold: the headboard above her. Eyes closed again, lost in erotic passion. Her mouth fell open again as she gasped for more breath.

Then her eyes opened wide.

Looking at the ceiling, her body tensed up, before she cried out again. I felt the increase in her natural lubrication with my mouth. The general area around her groin and my jaw became damp with her first orgasm.

I loosened my grip on her thighs, gently laid her hips back down on the mattress, and crept up to meet her mouth. She grabbed both sides of my face and pulled me in as if the minutes separating our initial kiss had been years apart. Her barbed tongue courageously found its way deeper into my mouth. She seemed to suppress the barbs quite well. There was no poking or hooking, just the sensation of smooth bumps canvasing the top of her tongue.

After some time of breathless kisses, her hands found my belt and pulled it loose. In a short time, my pants found their way to the floor.

I was amazed by the way she wanted to savor this moment. The quiet before the storm. While my body was bridged over her, Sarafina locked her eyes with mine. To look away from her would have been a sin. With her eyes locked on mine, she blindly ran her hands along my pecks and down my ribbed abdomen. Her hands soon discovered what humans had to offer. Not breaking our stare, her eyes slightly narrowed, feeling my throbbing girth pulse between her padded fingers. Sarafina clasped my shaft and slowly pushed it against her soft, downy-like abdomen. The vibrations of her purr kept my erection quite rigid. To know what this purr felt like from the inside, I was craving to find out.

Even though I knew she was wanting what all lovers offered, I paused to speak.

She brought her finger to my mouth. Tonight, she wanted our eyes, hands, and bodies to tell a story of love.

I bent down to kiss her.

Suddenly, we both heard something from outside.

Screaming.

Several shouting voices of anger and urgency in the distance, near the center of town.

We both sat up to listen. I couldn't hear much. Taking my naked body off of Sarafina, I walked over and moved the table away from the door. I cracked it open slightly. Then, from all the commotion, I was able to pick out a single phrase:

_ King Mufasa is dead. _