Jedi Guard Ch2 WIP
A preview of the 2nd Chapter of Jedi Guard.
Luke sat by a fire as the Lions tore into a wildebeest the Lionesses had brought back. Uru approached and placed a large chunk of meat in his lap. "Thanks." Luke said, grabbing a poker he'd made of a tree branch. He'd sharpened it throughout the day, as a means of staying occupied. Grabbing the meat he stuck the poker through the center of it and held the meat over the fire. "Why are you burning it?" Uru asked puzzled. "I'm not burning it, I'm cooking it. If I ate this raw, I'd get sick. My body can't handle raw meat." Luke replied. Uru smiled as Luke continued spinning the meat over the fire. "Your kind never fails to interest me, Luke. To think you're so much different, yet so similar." She said lying down. "True, we are alike in some ways. We've both lost loved ones due to those who intended for us to die. We both want what's best for our Kingdoms, and we both care for our families." Luke replied as he blew out a flame that had caught on the meat. "Too true." Uru replied as she watch the flames lick at the piece of meat. "You know, Taka has taken quite the liking to you." Luke smiled. "Really? How can you tell?" Uru smiled. "You're the only one he's talked about all day." Luke smiled. "And what about you, Mufasa, and the King? How do you feel about me?" Uru smiled. "I like you, Mufasa I'm not sure, and Ahadi is..." "Is?" Luke asked as Uru remained silent. "Hesitant."
"Ah. That would explain why he's been distant towards me today." Luke said, Pulling the meat out from the fire, as it was now cooked. He took a bite as Uru smiled. "I'll talk to him. I'm sure if you two just talked for a while, he'd discover you are an amazing human." Luke nodded as he swallowed a mouthful of meat. Luke smiled, "You know, when I got here, my main goal was finding an ally that could aide in our war. Now that I'm here, I don't care. I mean I do care about my family and friends. But, if I wasn't found, and was allowed to stay, I'd be happy."
"I believe the Great Kings brought you here to aide us. They work in mysterious ways at times." Uru said looking up at the stars over Pride Rock. "Well I'm not sure if any Kings brought me here, but the Force may have had something to do with it too." Luke replied. "Another thing we have in common. We both trust in mysterious forces that shape our destinies." Uru said as Luke smiled. "My Father believed he could control his destiny in life. In the end, he fulfilled the Force's plan for him. I miss him. I barely knew anything about him, but I miss him." Uru smiled. "When you miss him most, look to the stars. All the great Kings live there, along with those who sacrificed themselves for a Greater good." Luke smiled and looked up. "I heard a story from my master, Obi Wan. He told me, my father's dream was to see every star, and every Planet. I don't know if he succeeded, but I'm sure if he's up there, he's happy." Uru smiled. "I'm sure he is very proud of you Luke." Luke smiled as he heard a voice through the force: "Stay safe, Luke. Be strong."
"I will."
That night Luke was awoken in the den by a furry body climbing onto his chest, causing him to wince from his injured ribs. Ahadi had been hesitant to allow Luke to sleep among the pride, but after some pleading from Uru and the cubs, he agreed. "Taka? Everything okay?"
"I had a bad dream. Can I sleep by you?" Luke nodded as he slowly sat up causing Taka to move. "What was it about?" he asked as Taka seemed frightened again. "A lion. He was really scary. He had a bunch of Hyenas with him."
"Hyenas?" Taka nodded before continuing. "There were two others, a lion that looked like Mufasa, only older, and Mufasa. Mufasa was stuck in a stampede and the scary lion threw the other lion off the cliff. Mufasa couldn't get away and-" Taka trailed off as tears began to form in his eyes. "Shhh it's okay, Taka, It's okay. It was just a dream. Dreams are just pictures in your head. They can't hurt you. Just close your eyes and sleep. Everything will be alright." Luke assured the cub clutching him gently to his bare chest. Taka gently licked his cheek before nestling against him as Luke layed back down. "Luke?"
"Yeah?"
"What will you do if the lion is real?" Luke thought a moment before answering, "I'll protect the pride." Taka smiled and nestled between Luke's arm and side, before falling into a deep sleep. Luke also closed his eyes and allowed sleep to take him.
Ahadi awoke the next morning, the sun was just peaking over the horizon as he walked to the lip of the cave. He passed Taka and Luke who were still fast asleep as he walked out of the den and down the slope. Slowly he walked to the water hole and lapped up the cool liquid. He smiled grimly as he pulled away. "It seems emptier every day." He said to himself. He stared at the watering hole as he considered what to do. It hadn't rained in many moons and he was starting to worry. If the rains didn't come he may have to start rationing not only the Pride's water, but ALL the water in the Pridelands as well. Quietly he turned and began walking off toward his daily rounds, stopping when he heard his son. "Dad!" He turned forcing a smile onto his face. "Good Morning Mufasa, did you sleep well?"
"Yeah, can I come with you?" Mufasa asked with a large smile. "All right, but if I tell you to go home you do as your told." Ahadi replied turning to walk away before stopping. "Mufasa, go and see if the two-leg feels strong enough to join us. Ask Taka if he would like to come as well." Ahadi said wanting to get to know the human better. Mufasa smiled sheepishly. "What is it?"
"I uh, kind of, accidentally.. Um.."
Ahadi sighed. "Mufasa you know I'm not good at guessing what you're thinking and I'm already starting late. Now what happened?"
10 minutes earlier
Mufasa awoke as his father quietly slipped out to do his daily rounds. Quietly he got up from the Royal Perch where each member of the Royal family slept. Silently he made his way through the maze of Tails and legs. He spotted the Two leg, Luke who Taka had taken quite a liking to. As for Mufasa himself, well he was uncertain. The Two leg seemed nice and had saved Taka's life, he even killed the beast, but his Dad said Two legs were dangerous. He stopped as he passed him, noticing his sleeping brother clutched gently to the two leg's side, his bandage was a bright pink over his injured eye. A pang of guilt struck him. He'd overheard his mother and Father talking last night, though they thought both cubs were asleep. "I cannot believe he'd be so foolish as to go out there even though I specifically instructed him not too. And to drag his brother along! What in the great Kings above was he thinking?! They could've been killed!"
"I know Ahadi, but we should be greatful Luke showed up, they'd both be dead without him."
"I am greatful Luke showed up, but I fear him."
"Get to know him better tomorrow. I just talked to him most of today and he's quite kind. You two have more in common then you think my love."
"Perhaps you're right. You know, I was second guessing my decision to make Mufasa king upon my death, now I know my decision was right. Taka's too recklace. This proved it. He could've gotten he and Mufasa killed."
He stood looking at his brother, before leaning in and licking his cheek gently. "I'll tell him the truth. I promise." Turning away from his brother, Mufasa took his first step, just as Taka flicked his tail under his brothers paw.