Worries, Shock, and Changes. (open)

[summerrain]

Zazu fluttered out of the cave, landing on a rock just outside. He looked toward the east, the sky just beginning to pale toward dawn. He pulled his wings in close. None of the cubs would be up this early. He didn't have to worry about becoming a pouncing target until after sunrise. It was a nice morning, normal for Pride Rock, but something didn't seem right with the hornbill.

He was worried. Where were they? They should've been here at least five days ago. The little one was due to take his place once his time had ended, but... Where was his Zuzi? And her mother?

He sighed softly. All could tell that Simba was getting on in years. What no one seemed to notice was that Zazu himself was even older. He would probably die in his sleep before Simba, and definitely before the young Princess's cubs were grown. He needed someone to take his place. There was only one problem. She wasn't here. What would he do if she didn't show up?

[Koda]

Simba was getting along in years but he still tried to make his regulur rounds though it took him longer then it did before but he enjoyed getting out of the den instead of waiting in there like he had nothing to do which he did, he padded down the savannah his orange fur waving softly in the breeze. He was a little nervous today and he could not tell why, maybe it was because he could sense the emotions going around and then noticed Zazu sitting on a rock facing the dawn and approached him quietly as he loved frightening the poor bird.

He cleared his throat and waited for a few minutes before speaking, "Zazu, what is wrong my friend?"

[summerrain]

Zazu jumped, falling sideways off the rock. "It's a wonder I've lived this long," he muttered, righting himself. "Especially after Mufasa's pouncing lessons... I must thank you for not making my a target for Kiara's lessons." He settled himself on the ground at the King's paws. "I've never been able to hide anything from you..."

He sighed softly before continuing. "I've been expecting someone, but they should've gotten here a while ago." His eyes showed the worry he felt. "I was hoping to make her my successor." He laughed quietly. "I sould like a leader of something when I say it like that." He looked over at Simba. "We both know we won't be around forever. You have the one who will step up in your place. I just need to find mine. The only problem is-" He was cut off by a sudden squealing from the sky.

The little form crashed sideways into the King's mane, somehow remaining untangled, only to keep going and land in the grass nearby. Zazu quickly flew over to the small creature. "Zuzi!" he called, surprised. Suddenly, Simba's presence was forgotten. The little hornbill righted herself, shaking her feathers. Small wounds were visible on her chest and back.

"Papa," she said quietly. "Papa, the hyeenas... They got mama... She said... That she wouldn't... Wouldn't last long enough for me to find you..." Zuzi was shaking, her eyes squeezed shut. She cuddled up with Zazu, who slipped a wing over her small form.

"You made it to the Pridelands, and for that I am glad," Zazu said, his voice suddenly heavy with sadness, yet light with relief. "You are alive."

"But Papa... Mama isn't..." Zuzi whispered sadly.

"You are," Zazu said. "That alone will make her happy."

Simba's presence had been momentarily forgotten, until that point. Zazu nudged the smaller, lighter version of himself into attention. "Zuzi, this is the Pridelander king, Simba. Sire, this... This is Zuzi. My... Daughter."

[Koda]

Simba had been getting ready to reply to Zazu when he heard the sudden squeal but was not about to turn his head in time to see what it was before he felt something crash into him and he shook his head softly as he looked upon the small form and was startled to see a slight resemblance to Zazu though of course she was more feminine as was evident by her voice and manner.

His eyes grew soft as he heard that she had lost her mother and he listened as Zazu comforted her before nudging her to attention and nodded his head to her as he was introduced. "It is very nice to meet you Zuzu, welcome to the Pride Lands."

[summerrain]

Zuzi dipped her head. "Thank goodness I finally made it..." she said breathlessly. "We got attacked by leopards in the Jungle, then the hyeenas found us while we were sleeping..." She shook out her feathers. "It was so scary!" She cuddled close to Zazu again, who sighed.

"You're safe now," Zazu told her. "There's no need to be afraid."

"But... What if the hyeenas come looking for me?" Zuzi asked, her voice steadying a bit.

"Then either Simba here, or prince Kovu will chase them out like the mangey pooches they are," Zazu assured his daughter. She laughed again, somewhat louder this time. "Like Mufasa did when Simba and Nala went beyond the borders." He gave Simba a sly glanse, but the King would know he was just saying it to help ease the heart of the young hornbill.

"A... Alright," Zuzi said with a small smile. "Can... Can I come to Pride Rock? The flight from the elephant graveyard is really long, and I didn't want to stop until I got here." She stumbled slightly, flaring her wings to catch herself. "I'm usually a bit clumsy on the ground though..." she admitted softly.

[Koda]

Simba listened as Zuzi told them what happened and a slight smile came to his face when he saw her cuddle up to Zazu while Zazu tried to comfort her and when she asked what if the hyenas came looking for her he chuckled softly when Zazu called them mangy pooches and cleared his throat. "Didn't you use a similer word when my father went chasing them out of the pride lands?" He said chuckling and then turned his attention to Zuzi who was asking if she could go to Pride Rock and he nodded.

"Yes, you may. But I have to warn you, there are some cubs out there who will most likely use you for pouncing lessons." He chuckled andshrugged when she mentioned being clumsy on the ground. "Arnt we all? Go on, we'll be right behind you."

[summerrain]

Zuzi laughed quietly. "Thank you," she said.

"I had enough of pouncing lessons from you sire," Zazu told them as the pair lifted off the ground. They didn't go too high, though. Zuzi's small wounds were more obvious, at least the ones on her chest, when looked at from below. "And I do believe I did. Juat after you pounced on me," he laughed. Zuzi followed close behind him. The little hornbill found the relationship between the King and her father very interesting. It was actually rather entertaining, hearing the stories from the past. She was content to just listen for the moment.

[Koda]

Simba chuckled as he watched the two take off flying and headed the way they were flying, he and Zazu used to not get along so well considering when he was a cub he thought he knew it all and that being king would be a lot of fun and games which when he grew older he realized that this was not to be and being kind held a lot of responsibility. "Well, you have to admit it has been fun Zazu!" He shouted after them with a grin while he made his way to Pride Rock and was glad to see that Zazu found a successor for otherwise he wasn't sure what Kiara would do without an advisor but he did not have to worry about that anymore.

[summerrain]

Zazu laughed. "Perhaps for you sire," he said. He got quiet, then lowered himself closer to the King. "I have to admit, though, I cannot imagine the day when the Pridelanders have lost you." This he said so only the King could hear. "If Kovu becomes King because of your death, sire, it will be a bittersweet day indeed." Zazu knew he was not the only one who felt that way. There were many other Pridelanders who had been muttering and whispering about the impending turning over of the Pride. Simba had done so much for the Pride since Scar's disaster of a reign, and few were willing to relinquish that.

Zuzi stayed up in the sky, curious as to what her father and the King were talking about, but knowing that it was probably not something she was meant to hear.

[Koda]

Simba chuckled along with Zazu and listened intently as Zazu spoke to him about his inevitable death and he sighed while nodding as he had been thinking and worried about the exact same thing, the pride would not take it well when he died and even though he knew Kovu could handle it he knew the pride was not ready to let of their king. "I know this Zazu, but Kovu is ready. I have trained him for the inevitable and he will have to do his best to lead this pride when I am gone."

Simba was no longer worried about dying as he had accepted it as a part of the circle of life and at finally he would see his father again whom he missed dearly though he did come to visit him in his dreams sometimes, "Soon I will pass on Zazu, I can feel it. I don't when and I don't know how but I know it. Yet I am finally at peace about it."

[alixjohn110]

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[kathryncristal]

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