Peace for the Soul ~ A Lion King Fanfiction

Chapter 4: Wounds

It's been a few days since the war ended. My Father is hosting a ceremony among the whole Pridelands to celebrate our victory, and to commemorate all we have lost in the war. I walk past all of them and to the nearby watering hole to get some space. It feels strange, being the leader of the Lion Guard, the protectors of the Pridelands, and the war being over. Just like that, all those years of fighting came to an end in one night. But at what cost? Many fields and groves have been torched, numerous Pridelanders have joined the circle of life, and...

"Kion?" It was my sister, a sweet and familiar voice. "Hey Kiara, What brings you out here?" She comes and sits by my side, "I could say the same to you, silly!" I turn my head away from her, so as to not reveal my scar, all while hanging my head low, "Kion, I know what your thinking." I snap my head back and give her a glare, "How could you possibly know how I feel! I've fought in this horrible war for the majority of my life, seen countless fields torched, many animals join the circle of life, and watched my best friend die, all while you just 'prepared to be queen'!" She flinched, I could tell I struck something, so I calmed back down.

"I'm sorry Kiara, I've just been... on edge lately." She pulls me into a hug, I want to fight it, but something urges me not to. "I can't pretend to know what you feel right now Kion. But I know what's on your mind, Rafiki told me and Father about the journey he believes you need to take..."
I look into her eyes, she seems visibly concerned, but not too much to contradict her confident nature. "We've all heard of the stories of beyond the backlands, Kion." Her subtle grin fades as a look of fear seems to take its place, "I've heard the stories too Kiara, but if what Rafiki says about my scar is true, maybe there is some truth in this journey."

She looks at me with a confused look, "Your scar? What did he tell you? I figured it was just a mark." I cover it with my paw, hoping to scratch it away, but to no avail. "I don't know if I am the one supposed to tell you, but after everything I've done, I think finding mental clarity is something I need, and now that we are in peacetime, the guard will have little trouble with me gone." She looks confused, "The guard is not coming with you?" I shook my head,
"Rafiki said this was a journey for me to take alone, they can't clear my mind for me, this has to be something I do on my own. Besides, the Pridelands need them more than I do."

Kiara gives me a nuzzle on my shoulder, telling me everything I need to know. She loves me dearly, knows what I must do, but will miss me in my absence. She turns to pride rock and walks back to our home. I hear her talking to someone in the bushes nearby as she walks away, I dread the thought because I know who it is.

"Kion, we need to talk." I hear my Father day from behind. "There is nothing left to talk about, I need to do this." "Kion," he said sternly, "I did what I had to do out there, son. I need you to understand that." Memories of that dreaded night resurface.

'Dad, what are you doing!'

'What I have to do for my Pride, son! Do not question my judgement!'

'Father, this is unjust! These hyenas...'

"Kion, look at me." My father said in his stern tone, snapping me out of my trance, "Im leaving tomorrow Father, I have fought enough in the last few years and need some clarity. But know this, I could care less all the time we've shared together, your no better than the spirit I vanquished that night." I tuned and walk back to pride rock, where my sister was waiting.

"Did Father talk to you?" I walk past her, not bothering to answer her question. "Kion!" I stop, clearly she is upset about something, I slowly turn back to her. "What won't you tell me about that night?" I shudder at the thought. "Our Father isn't who I thought he was. Forgive me for ignoring you, I need to rest." She just sits there, a little flabbergasted and still, not knowing how to react.

I retreat to the den to try and get some rest before I leave on my journey. Would it be worth it? Could I find the peace and clarity Rafiki told me about? Would I be able to accept myself for what has happened? I didn't know, I only wanted to leave this place and get away from my Father. I close my eyes and drift off to sleep.

I see myself running in an open field, holding a gourd in my mouth, surprisingly keeping up with Umeme.

'Let's go Kion! Just a little more distance to cover!'

I turn to see the sun setting and I pick up my pace,

'Come on Kion, do this for Mom and Dad,' I told myself,

'We're here!'

Umeme and I race through the den and give our gourds to Rafiki, who is standing over my sick parents.

He mixes the ash from the gourds with his herbs and let's my parents inhale the powder,

'Kion...' my Dad awakens,

I rush to nuzzle him, then turning to my mom,

'Mom?'

Rafiki place more powder by her nose, holding a grim look on his face,

'Mom? Please, get up, I'm home.'

Rafiki places his hand on my shoulder,

'I am sorry Kion.'

'No, no this can't be true! Mom! Please!'

Umeme turns and leaves the den, tears in her eyes, just as the rest of the guard shows up,

I lift my head from my moms muzzle, starting to cry uncontrollably,

'Where is Nala?' I hear my Dad say...

I awake in my den heaving for air and almost screaming. Luckily I didn't wake anyone up, or so I thought. I walk out of the den and to the Pridelands border. A voice makes itself heard, "This is it I guess." I turn surprised to see my sister had followed me, "I guess it is." She looks down, clearly sad, then back up. "Will I ever see you again?" I dreaded that question ever since I decided to make this journey. "I don't know Kiara, but know this. There's not a day that will go by that I won't think about you. Your a lot like Mom you know."

She looked up to me, now teary eyed, "You dreamed about her again, didn't you?" I nod my head, disgusted that that time of my life still haunts me. "Kion, there are some people we can't always protect, it's a lesson we both must understand as leaders." I bite my tongue, what does she know about not being able to protect someone? I then remember my outburst at her the other day, and remember to keep my emotions in check.

She walks up and gives me a gentle nuzzle, I break from it and look at her, wondering if this will be the last time we see each other. "Take care of the Pridelands in my absence Kiara, I know you will do what you must." I then turn and cross the border, not knowing what the next day will bring, but knowing that I will not return until I have found the peace that I so desperately crave.