"Please don't say honorary lioness, " Zazu replied, staring at her bloody cheek. "I don't look good in red."

"No, I meant hero."

"Hero? Me?" Zazu bowed with a flourish. "Pardon my manners--you're both quite welcome. It was the least I could do under the circumstances. All in a day's work, you know. And since you won't be needing a chaperone, I'll leave you alone. Be good, now."

Zazu flew away, but Tanabi and Misha were not alone by any means. The other lionesses stood about smiling, the sort of smile that made Tanabi feel shaved of all his fur. "Ladies, don't you have somewhere to go? Huh?? Well find someplace. Scat! Shoo! "

"Oooh, they want to be alone! " one of the lionesses said, coyly. It started a chorus of giggles.

"Talk about ingratitude, " one of them chimed. "I don't have to hang around here and take this abuse. I'm leaving."

Misha watched them go slowly into the tall grass. "Tanabi, they helped us. Do you really think that was the right thing to do?"

"Yes, Honey Tree. And I'd do it again."

She nuzzled him. "Just checking."

Isha’s son Habusu was more than a best friend of Tanabi. He was in every way a brother. Because of this, and the strong feelings engendered by the kidnapping, there were many reasons why Simba did not want to lose Habusu.

Still he had the obligation to do something concerning Habusu since his mane was fully grown and he was well past his second birthday.

Each moon, Simba would make a sacrifice to Aiheu and pray that the gods would permit him a little more time. Just why he did this, and how long he expected to keep it up he would not say.

Finally, when Zazu came flying in excitedly with news from outside the kingdom, Simba called the whole Pride together from the oldest to the youngest. “It’s happening! ”

“What’s happening??” Sarafina asked

“You’ll see! ”

Isha came out to see what the commotion was about. Simba nuzzled her warmly. “Isha, I want you, Mabatu and Miss Priss to come with me. We’re having a Pride Moot at the eastern meadow. And your family will sit by me.”

“I’m honored.” She looked at him worriedly. “Is today the day I lose him? I’m supposed to get two days notice.”

“You will never lose him. I swear.”

“But the gods?”

“The gods will rejoice.”

“It’s him, isn’t it. He’s come back for me?”

Simba smiled broadly. “I’ll give you two guesses.”

Isha’s face beamed with joy. She nuzzled Simba and annointed his mane with her tears. “Bless you. Bless you! ”

“Now now, ” Simba cautioned, rubbing her gently with his paw. “You don’t want to smell like another lion when your husband comes.”

When the Pride had gathered on the eastern meadow, there was a lot of speculation what would happen. Most of them had heard rumors that Simba planned a special mantlement ceremony for Habusu that was only rarely performed. The others thought Rafiki had found a reason for Habusu to stay, and perhaps be the Prince Consort. They were expecting adoption proceedings. But whatever they thought, they waited silently and all eyes were on Habusu.

Several minutes passed. Simba waited patiently, erect, and as long as he sat there, no one would stir. A few cubs played in the grass, but as long as they kept it quiet no one seemed to mind. But the adults and older youth sat stock still, waiting for Simba to give the word to begin.

An hour passed. Many of the lions were very restless. Would Simba ever say, “Begin”?

Then Zazu broke the monotony. “Here he is! ”

A large, shapely lion with a rich, dark mane came out of the shadows. “Isn’t he handsome! ” one of the lionesses whispered.

The stranger looked at Kako and said quietly, “Mother.”

Kako left the ranks and covered the space that separated them, putting her arm over his shoulder and nuzzling him. “My son, my son! ”

So this was the heir to Taka’s kingdom, the son that had returned. Many of the lionesses stared at what the adolescent had become. The miracle of his maturity was all the greater because it was not seen unfolding day by day.

Kissing his mother, Mabatu gently led her aside, then went to Simba. Falling down before him, he said, “I touch your mane.”

“I feel it.”

“And what brings you to my kingdom?”

“I come to claim what is mine—if she still wants me.”

“Yes, yes, YES!! ” Isha sprang forward and raising on her hind legs wrapped her arms around his neck, pawing him and nuzzling him. “I’m yours forever! ”

At this, all semblance of order was lost. “Big boy, you’re in for some loving tonight! ” Sarafina cried.

“I’m the real Isha! ” Ajenti shouted. “She’s an imposter! Take me, take me! ”

“Way to go, Isha! If you get tired, send him my way! ”

“Enough of this, ” Simba said, calling for order. “Can’t you see they have unfinished business?”

“Can we watch?” Sarafina said.

“Shame on you, Fini.” Simba had to chuckle at that remark.

In the calm that followed, Mabatu beheld his son for the first time. “So this is Habusu. He is my son, and the one true heir.” He nuzzled Habu and added, “It is a small kingdom. I share it with an old lion who lost a challenge. We are a matched pair, a sunrise and a sunset. But he is a dear friend, and you will grow to love him.”

Lisani came up and nuzzled her mother.

“And who is this?”

“Lisani, but we call her Miss Priss. Beesa’s daughter. My sister died some time ago.” Isha looked at her compassionately. “What do you want to do, Miss Priss?”

“I want to go wherever you go. But the nickname stays here, OK?”

Mabatu smiled. “Fair enough, Lisani. I guess that makes five of us.”

“You’re taking two of my best lionesses, and a second son, ” Simba said. “You better leave before I change my mind.”

“Three of your best lionesses, ” Kako said with little modesty but great effect. “Someone has to make sure my son is eating right. And my daughter.”

And so it was that the visitor from the east went back the way she came, taking her mystery with her. But this time she was surrounded by the love of her own family.

Sarabi was stirred from sleep by a gentle but firm paw. She opened her eyes, but seeing the darkness of her cave grunted and closed them again.

“Sarabi, ” a lion called gently. She started. “Sarabi, over here.”

She looked around, and standing before her was her heart’s desire. “Mufasa! ”

Mufasa went to her, nuzzled her and kissed away her tears. “My love.”

“Don’t leave me, Muffy! Stay here, my love. Stay.”

“I can’t stay long.”

Sarabi’s eyes began to well up with tears. “How long then? A day? An hour?” She spoke in a whisper—“Another minute?”

“Long enough to take you with me.”

She touched him with her tongue. He felt warm and alive, not like a ghostly spirit. “Will it hurt?”