Extra Chapter 4

The day after, Asafa noticed how old Zuberi had gotten, he probably didn't have much time remaining, so he decided to stay here until Zuberi passed away.

Truthfully, when he had returned, he didn't think such a long time would've passed that he wouldn't recognize anyone else but Zuberi, he felt very unfamiliar here.

After Zuberi's death, he felt like this would no longer be his home...

Honestly speaking, he missed Balooo and Bagheera, those two fools reminded him of Timon and Pumba, and also Imani, and also Hamu. Simba as well... Kind of.

Asafa smiled as he thought back to everyone.

"Are you fine grandfather?" Zuberi asked as he looked Asafa smiling, there was a hint for sadness in that smile.

"..."

Zuberi had asked a lot of questions regarding his travels, even more than the cubs.

Asafa noticed how adventurous Zeburi seemed even at his old age... It must be connected to his recklessness... Which reminded him of his younger brother, Simba as a cub.

"How long are you staying here grandfather?" Zeburi finally asked the question he feared asking. He didn't want his grandfather to leave, but he had noticed that his grandfather didn't seem at home here anymore...

"I'll stay for a while." Asafa said looking away.

Zuberi understood what he meant and smiled, he understood that he wouldn't have to say goodbye to his grandfather again in this lifetime.

"Thank you..."

For 3 weeks, Asafa stayed with the pride, and every lion challenged him to a fight, to see if the legends were true, even Tafari couldn't keep his paws from challenging him, and all of them learnt humility.

Asafa didn't even try, they were that much weaker.

Only after three weeks did his grandson, the former king, Zuberi surrender to old age.

The pride cried and even Asafa felt heavy as everyone gathered on the pride rock.

Tafari tried his best to seem strong but his grandfather had been more of a father to him than his own father, who had passed away when he was just a cub.

So alrhough Tafari's face was hardened, it was obvious to anyone that knew him that he seemed more feeble than ever.

Asafa stared up to the sky that was covered by gray clouds, and and the clouds started dispersing as the sun shone on the pride lands.

It was only then that Asafa felt a calm enter his heart as he smiled.

The sun rays warmed him up, the exact same way the love for Zuberi warmed him up.

Asafa smiled looking up.

'Father, Mohatu, Imamu, Zawati, Tukufu, Nala, Ayana, Zahara... All my children, Zuberi.... Are you all looking down on me from up there?' Asafa wondered as the sun rays shined on him.

'I was slow in joining the circle of life... So be patient and wait for me.'

"This is the circle of life." Tafari said, his voice heavy. He turned to the skies and roared for his grandfather, the pride followed him and roared.

Asafa looked at the familiar sight and began roaring as well.

The next morning, Tafari woke up and found that Asafa was by the exit of the pride cave, feeling panicked, he ran after him.

"Great grandfather, where are you going?"

"Tafari... It was nice meeting you, but I need to continue my travels..." Asafa said in a smile, it was time for him to leave, this place held no place for him any more.

"..." Seing how saddened Tafari seemed,Asafa felt a bit of warmth in his heart.

"Please wait a moment..' Tafari said as he returned to the cave, Asafa wondered what he was about to do.

Thats when he came out of the cave with all the cubs, over 8 of them, not only his children, but his nephews and nieces.

"Look at him, he is our great elder Asafa, make sure that you imprint his looks into your minds forever."

Tafari commanded the young ones, they just nodded and stared intensely at Asafa.

Asafa looked at Tafari wondering what he was up to.

"Well, you age so slowly, next time you feel like coming home, my generation might have passed away, so if you should ever feel nostalgic or homesick, there will always be someone that remembers you here... I'll even command these cubs to make sure that their great grandchildren will remember you." Tafari said.

It was at this moment that Asafa realised how similar Tafari is to both Zawati and Simba, not his brother but his daughter and son. Each of them were extremely sympathetic and empathetic to their siblings.

And it seemed like this descendant of his, Tafari had inherited thsoe characteristics, even though he looked like his uncle, Scar.

Asafa smiled at Tafari.

"Well, I have another reason to visit now, just make sure that you don't wait around like your grandfather." Asafa laughed out before walking down the pride rocks, excited for any new adventures he might find himself on.

The End

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