CHAPTER:  UZURI AND UGAS

	A few evenings later Uzuri was meeting with the pride sisters to 
discuss the approach for the night's hunt.
	"Tonight we'll come into the Southern meadow.  There is a group of 
Tommies down there and if we move fast, they'll still be there if those 
hyenas will shut up and keep out of our way."
	"How will we approach them?" Ajenti asked.
	"We'll use the double blind method.  You take the right side with 
Yolanda and Isha will come with me on the left while Fini leads the rest 
of you around through the wadi to wait for the signal.
	"Sarafina is sick," Ajenti said.  "Remember?"
	"Okay.  Then Yolanda can lead that group."
	"And who will that leave on the right with Isha?"
	She struggled to concentrate.  "Oh, Beesa can do it.  I don't 
care.  Let's just do this thing before the darned gazelles go home, OK?"
	Uzuri paced away nervously.  She was in her season, a time in her 
life that could make her feel very special or very alone.
	She sat down and sighed deeply.  Rafiki was confined to the baobab 
or she would have asked his advice on what to do.  Maybe he had some 
kind of herb to find her lost powers of concentration and dull the empty 
feeling inside of her.  The temptation to push past the guards and plead 
for help was great.
	Still she could not risk two visits in such a short time--it might 
arouse suspicion.  She sighed deeply again.
	Then she remembered who she could turn to for advice.  Ugas was 
just across the Western Border.  She had not accepted his invitation to 
come back, but this would be the time.  He would dispense more of his 
fatherly advice and compassion.
	"Beesa, I don't feel good.  You lead this hunt the way we've 
planned, OK?"
	"Sure, hon."  She drew close and whispered, "You got yourself a 
Honey Tree out in the bushes?"
	"Beesa, you should be ashamed!"  She added in a whisper, "Girl, I 
wish!"
	"There's been a rogue male sighted to the south.  Maybe you two 
will hit it off."
	"Beesa!"  Uzuri groomed one of her paws nervously.  "I'm not 
selling myself to the highest bidder.  Still, thank you."
	Her remark was casual, but her inner turmoil was great.  A 
lioness' natural drives are as strong as a lion's.  Aiheu did not make 
them to rebel against the natural order of things, so she found herself 
at odds with her own body, a conflict that left her no place to run.
	Making sure no hyenas followed her, she went to the east and 
finally slipped into the neighboring territory.  "Ugas?  Are you out 
there?"  There was no answer and she realized just how disappointed she 
was.  "Ugas??"
	"Uzuri!" a rich voice said at last.  The lion hurried over, his 
face beaming.  "I've waited for you.  I thought you'd forgotten me."
	"I see you haven't forgotten me," Uzuri said.  "Thanks."
	"You're unforgettable," Ugas said.  "I enjoyed our talk, but I'd 
like to get to know you a lot better.  Can you stay a little longer?"
	She bowed her head.  "You said if I had a problem I could come to 
you.  Does the offer still stand?  Can I tell you anything?"
	"Anything at all, my dear.  I'm so glad you came back--I've been 
really worried about you."
	"I don't know what to do anymore.  I can't hunt with those hyenas-
-well most of them.  Some of them aren't half bad, but that Pipkah--
ugh!!  And their Incosi is a she-devil!!"
	"You didn't come here to talk about hyenas."
	"You're very perceptive for a male."
	He laughed.  "It doesn't take much perception to tell what's 
bothering you."
	She cleared her throat self-consciously.  "Well, uh, yes.  Ugas, 
I'm so alone and confused!"
	Ugas smiled sweetly.  "Uzuri, you're not alone now.  And perhaps 
you're not as much confused as you are frightened."
	"Frightened of what?"
	"Frightened of this."  Ugas drew close and touched her cheek with 
his nose, then kissed her lightly.  "Simple closeness.  Letting your 
feelings show.  Do you have a consort?"
	Uzuri looked at him timidly.  "No.  Why?"
	"Because all I could think about for the last moon was your 
beautiful, sad face.  I wanted to kiss away your tears forever."  He 
nuzzled her, and though surprised, she did not pull away.  "I've never 
seen your smile.  I bet it's beautiful."
	"You're toying with me."
	"I'm too old for subterfuge and subtle gestures.  Now let's see 
that smile.  Think of something happy.  Like maybe fresh antelope."  He 
looked into her eyes deeply.  "Not good enough?  Then imagine the look 
on Taka's face if he caught us making passionate love behind Pride 
Rock!"
	She tried to look away before the smile covered her face.  Hiding 
behind a paw, she felt like slinking away, but he looked around her 
camouflage and said, "Oh, it IS a pretty smile.  You should do it more 
often."
	"You're terrible!"
	"I know.  Quite wicked.  And if you can pardon me for dreaming out 
loud, I really would like to make passionate love to you.  You make me 
tremble."
	Uzuri shoved him with a paw.  "You aren't serious!"
	Ugas looked at her pleadingly.  "I was never more serious.  When 
you get to be my age, you see more and more yesterdays behind you and 
fewer and fewer tomorrows ahead."  He sighed.  "I have no son to inherit 
my kingdom.  I was almost desperate enough to form a loveless union, and 
then you came.  Uzuri, I could love you.  I could love you with my whole 
heart, my whole being.  You've awakened feelings in me that I thought 
were dead.  Am I selfish to want both a son and a little happiness 
before the sun sets on my life?"  He waited a while for her reaction, 
but she stood unmoving, staring at him.  
	He bowed his head.  "I'm sorry.  I still feel like the same young 
lion inside, before the evening aches and pains settle in.  Sometimes I 
forget that I'm just an old fool."
	"Ugas, I'm sorry.  I didn't mean...."
	"No need to apologize.  Why would you want a broken-down has-been 
like me when you're so young and beautiful?  I wasn't always old.  There 
was a time when I might have lured you away from that lonely lifestyle 
and made you happy.  Please tell no one you saw me this way out of 
respect for the Ugas that once was."
	He turned and trudged away, his tail hanging limply and a distinct 
slump to his face and ears.
	"Ugas, wait!"
	He turned and looked at her, tears in his eyes.
	"Only if you will pledge to me," she said.
	"And tie you down to an old carcass?  How long could I make you 
happy?"
	"However long it would be is that much more than nothing.  And I 
could give you sons."
	"You just pity me.  I shouldn't have begged you.  Maybe it's 
better that I go now before you do something out of pity that we'll both 
regret."  He turned and trudged away again.
	"I don't pity you, Ugas.  I want to give you a son.  My world is 
slowly crumbling around me--I need your love.  Come back and I'll prove 
it to you.  You're a dear, sweet creature and I've been thinking about 
you since we met--all the time."
	He stopped and looked back.  He straightened to full height and 
looked like a real lion again.  "Please Uzuri, I have feelings.  Don't 
say that unless you really mean it."
	"I never say what I don't mean."
	Trembling, he stalked over to her, his gaze locked into hers, and 
he held out his left paw to touch her shoulder.  "Before I lose my 
nerve, I'm going to say it!"  He drew in a breath, let it out in a sigh, 
then said, "Before the gods, before the stars, before the assembled host 
I swear to give you my protection, my life, and my comfort forever."
	She purred and nuzzled him.  "Till the last beat of my heart, to 
the last breath I sigh, our lives are one, so help me gods."
	He took his large paw and fondled her cheek.  "I've only seen you 
twice.  Once for an evening.  And once more for the rest of my life.  
Bless you, Uzuri!  You'll never be lonely again, and you'll never feel 
regret or hopelessness again.  Come, let me show you around your new 
home!"
	"My new home?"  Her smile dropped.  "This is foolish.  I can't be 
your queen!  I have responsibilities and family.  They need me!"
	"Uzuri!  Oh gods, what are you saying?"
	"I'm sorry, Ugas.  Our vows have not been sealed, and it's best 
that I leave now."
	"No, you just can't!"  He ran in front of her and stared at her 
with wide eyes.  "Please, Uzuri!  Beloved!  Can't you at least stay with 
me as you can get away?  I want you by my side always, but if you can 
only visit, don't renounce our pledge!  I'll always be here when you 
need me.  I didn't want to beg before, but I'm begging you!  Uzuri, I'm 
begging you!"  
	"Ugas, please don't!"
	Tears began to stream down his face.  "If you leave me now, never 
come back.  You remind me of too many things I've lost--youth, beauty, 
hope."
	"Ugas, don't cry!"
	"Why shouldn't I??  If it bothers you, go tend to your 
responsibilities and you won't have to watch."
	"Fine."  She turned around, her nose slightly lifted and began to 
trot away.  But after a few steps, her head lowered and her ears drew 
back.  A tear ran down her cheek.  "What am I doing??"
	She whipped about and ran to the old lion, nuzzling him 
desperately.  "Forgive me, darling!  Forgive me!"
	Ugas nuzzled her face, then rubbed against her neck, walking 
slowly along her and letting his tail stroke her under her chin.  "Since 
you stumbled into my life, you're all I think about.  You're the first 
thing I want to see in the morning, and the last thing I want to see at 
night.  I want to fill my senses with you!"
	She sighed deeply.  "I've never felt this way before."
	"I thought I'd lost you, but when you came back, I knew it was our 
destiny to be together."
	"If it is our destiny, then it must be so."  She nuzzled him 
passionately and purred.  "Ugas, make love to me."


CHAPTER:  PARTING OF THE WAYS

	The morning sun painted Pride Kopje with golden optimism.  Uzuri 
missed the shelter of her old cave, but she delighted in the feel of 
Ugas' mane and felt very safe with his strong arm around her.  Still, it 
was time to go, and she gently and quietly worked her way free of her 
lover's embrace and got to her feet without waking him.  For three days 
she had craved his closeness and whispered a thousand loving names in 
his ear.  For three days her grief and loneliness had been lost in his 
love.  But the light of dawn was revealing more to her than the savanna.  
She could see clearly that her sisters would miss her, and they were 
suffering for lack of her leadership.
	She considered waking him to whisper farewell, but thought better 
of it and silently trudged away.
	Ugas felt cold, and opened one eye.  "Uzuri!  Are you leaving 
without saying good bye?"
	She looked around.  "Ugas, beloved, you looked like a sweet little 
cub lying there.  I didn't want to remember you sad.  But even the best 
dream has to end, and it's time for me to go."
	He stood quickly.  "But you're taking my heart with you!  When it 
crosses that boundary, it will cease to beat!  Uzuri, have you learned 
nothing in these whole three days?  Nothing at all?"
	"I must head home--there are others counting on me.  But someday 
when things are better for my pride, I will come back to stay.  Till 
then, remember what you agreed to--when I have to leave I will leave. 
You agreed, remember?"
	"I remember, but...."
	"But I'll be back, love, and we'll take up where we left off."
	"Please hurry.  I'm not getting any younger."
	"None of us are, Ugas."  She ran back and nuzzled him.  "Don't 
worry if your heart leaves with me--I've left mine with you.  It will 
always be with you, wherever I go."


CHAPTER:  JUST BETWEEN US

	Ugas' love had taken on life within her.  Uzuri was both proud and 
worried.  For a while she could conceal her pregnancy, but as days 
turned into weeks, the other lionesses began to talk behind her back 
that she had the light in her eyes.  
	Finally when the changes in her weight and balance began to affect 
her hunting, there was no need to pretend any longer.  Her sister 
Sarafina was chosen to confront her because of her own daughter Nala.  
No one would dare imagine that Taka was the father of Nala, nor would 
they speculate about Uzuri and Taka--it was just too awful to think 
about!
	Sarafina thought of a dozen different approaches and discarded 
them one by one.  Finally, she saw her sister alone and had worked up 
the nerve.
	Nuzzling Uzuri gently, Sarafina purred, "I'm so happy for you, 
Sis."
	"About what?" Uzuri said tensely.  "Have you heard some good news 
that I don't know about?"
	Fini laughed gently and kissed her.  "No, Sis!  I don't see how 
you couldn't know about it.  There's a miracle happening inside of you."
	Uzuri did not speak.  Sarafina squirmed in the tenseness of the 
moment.  "Look, Sis," she said at last, "you have a heart full of love.  
I know how fond you were of Nala, and how you liked to groom her and 
play with her.  And I used to pray that you'd fall in love and have 
children of your own.  Let me be the Aunt that spoils the kids.  Confide 
in me, Sis.  Please?  Don't shut me out of this part of your life--I 
didn't shut you out."
	Uzuri looked down shyly.  "How many times did you practice that 
speech?"
	"A dozen times at least.  Only because I love you so much.  Hon, 
you don't ever have to be alone, not as long as I'm around."
	Uzuri drew close and in a near whisper said, "Pray that at least 
one is a male."
	"I guess so--but I thought you'd want all daughters.  You know 
that sons are a heartbreak when they have to leave.  Unless you're a 
queen, anyhow."
	"And who says I'm not a queen?"  Uzuri smiled.
	"Oh my gods!  Not--HIM??"
	Uzuri thought for a moment, then burst out laughing.  "You mean 
Old Droopy Drawers!  Shame on you for even thinking it!"
	Sarafina breathed a relieved sigh.  "You had me worried, girl!  If 
you're a queen, then that time you were gone for three days...you 
weren't really sick!"
	"I was in season and left for three days.  Now I'm pregnant."  
Uzuri glanced at her out of half-closed eyes.  "You know, with your 
ability you should have been hunt mistress instead of me!"
	"Now, Sis!  Spare me the sarcasm and tell me all the details!"
	"Well all the details is a bit much--right now anyway--but he's a 
king and yes we're married.  He's a little older but he could charm the 
thorns off an acacia.  He's sweet and gentle and...."  She drew close to 
Sarafina's ear and added, "....remarkably entertaining!"
	"Oh you little devil!" Sarafina said with a squeal of delighted 
approval.  "Does he have a brother?"
	"Don't you WISH!"  Uzuri purred, examining her claws and meeting 
Sarafina in a sly sidelong glance.  "When the time is right, our son 
will go meet him and take his place as prince.  Then he'll be king 
someday.  Of course that can be postponed indefinitely--I'm having too 
much fun.  Besides, I love him.  He's just like a lonely cub.  When you 
see him, you want to protect him and make him feel happy."
	"I'm so glad for you, Sis!  But you're not going to leave us, are 
you?"
	Uzuri's pained expression left no doubt how she felt.  "When 
things get better.  But right now I'm not going to leave you in the 
lurch."
	"I love you, Sis.  I might just come with you.  Little Nala too."
	"Fini," Uzuri purred, nuzzling her.  "My happiness would be 
complete.  But tell me about your mane event."
	"He's a rogue lion.  I don't want to say too much right now, but 
we've seen each other as often as possible.  He's a little older too, 
but very sexy.  I don't know what's best--youthful enthusiasm or the 
wisdom of age...."
	Uzuri giggled.  "NOW who's the little devil!"

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