Under the Acacias cotpl-4

by John H. Burkitt

  Togo gaped wordlessly as Vianga praised Kombi nonstop. A lead weight seemed to fill his stomach as he turned to stare at his brother, his jaw trembling. “I..I guess you win, Beebee,” he croaked.

  “Hmm?” Kombi looked away from Vianga. “Oh yeah!”

  “Good luck.” Togo turned and paced away slowly, his tail dragging in the dust. Even in extremis, he did not want Vianga to see him cry-- or Kombi for that matter.

  “Togo?”

  “What??” he said tremulously. “Leave me alone!”

  “Hey... no hard feelings, okay?” Togo turned to see Kombi carrying the rabbit toward him. Laying it at Togo’s feet, he turned away. “You keep it, Togo.”

  Vianga stared at Kombi in wonder. “You are so SWEET!” Togo watched agonized, as she leaned over and kissed Kombi’s cheek. A beatific grin lit his face, and he nuzzled her in return, purring.

  “Well, you know, I have to look out for him. I mean, he IS my brother-” Kombi froze, staring at something behind Togo. “Uh, I gotta run. Seeya later, okay?” Without waiting, he turned and trotted off quickly. Vianga stared after him. “You’re lucky to have such a wonderful brother, Togo.”

  “Yeah.” Togo wrapped his forepaws around his head in shame. Warm breath puffed in his ear as he was nuzzled softly. “WHAT??”

  “Jeez, cool it!”

  Togo looked up to see Habusu looking at him oddly. “Oh, hey, Habu.”

  “What’s shakin?”

  “Nothing,” Togo sighed. “Nothing at all.”

  The older cub looked over at Vianga. “Hey, Vivi.”

  “Hello, Habu,” Vianga said in a voice that fairly dripped sweetness. “Looking handsome as ever today, I see.”

  “Thanks,” he said, grinning crookedly. “Oh hey, Kombi brought you the rabbit!”

  “Yep.” Togo grunted.

  “Wild. I tell you what, your Mom had a time catching that sucker this morning.”

  Togo lifted his head to stare at Habusu. “What?”

  Habu nodded. “Uzuri finally caught it a while ago; she gave I to Kombi and said to share it with you.” He stared in wonder. “I’m surprised he didn’t eat it himself. No offense,” he added hastily. “But you know Kombi.”

  “Yeah,” Togo growled. “I know Kombi, all right.” he looked at Vianga, vindicated. “See?? I TOLD you he couldn’t do it! That was a dirty, underhanded trick!”

  Vianga dissolved into giggles. “Wow! He’s smarter than I thought!”

  Togo and Habu looked at each other. “What??”

  She giggled again. “Boy, he really pulled a fast one on you. He’s so clever, you have to think twice before you go up against him!” She batted her eyes and sighed deeply. “What a lion!”

  Desperate times called for desperate measures, Togo decided. He made off purposefully through the grass, and before long was sitting before the pride’s shaman, parading his woes before the mandrill. Finally, Rafiki shushed him. “What do want ME to do about it?”

  Togo squirmed uncomfortably. “Uh, well, uh...can’t you, like give her something to make her love ME instead?”

  Rafiki’s eyes widened in surprise. “Tell me young buck, if I DID have such a thing, would it be right to use it on her when she is already in love with someone who loves her back? How would your brother feel?” Rafiki peered at him, interested. “And could you REALLY enjoy a love from someone that comes from a drug instead of their heart?”

  Togo wilted. “I guess not.”

  Rafiki patted the young lion and laid an arm across his shoulders comfortingly. “There, there, son. You’re going through a difficult time right now. Believe me, Rafiki knows.” The mandrill chewed the inside of his cheek for a moment, thinking. “Has your mother talked with you yet about...lionesses?”

  “No, she hasn’t.” Togo frowned deeply. “She probably thinks we’re still too young.”

  “I can’t imagine why,” Rafiki said, smiling at the cub whose mane was little more than a shaggy ruff around his neck at the moment.

  “Yeah,” Togo said, not seeing the amused look on Rafiki’s face. “At least Isha told us the truth about it.”

  Rafiki’s smile froze. “Oh?” Visions of the sultry lioness having a heart-to-heart with the two cubs about the facts of life made his heart skip a beat. “And what did she tell you?”

  Togo recounted the somewhat vague details Isha had given him, and Rafiki relaxed as he mentally chastised himself for having so little faith in her. Clearing his throat, he stroked the thin mane on Togo’s shoulders as the afternoon crept gently past, and began to speak, slowly revealing the wonderful secrets that life held for a lion, the things Ugas would have told his sons had he been able to.

  At last he sat back, sipping at a bowl of water to soothe his dry throat. “Well?”

  Togo gazed thoughtfully out at the grassland. “Wow. That’s really...something, Rafiki. Thanks!”

  “Of course.” Rafiki sat back and smiled. “Anything else?”

  “We-ell...”

  “Come on, out with it.”

  Togo glanced at him. “Is there REALLY any such thing as a love potion? I’d really like to know.”

  Rafiki sighed. This WAS Ugas’ son, after all. Reaching into a small alcove in the side of the baobab, he withdrew a small leaf wrapped tightly around something. “Here. I believe this is what you want.”

  Togo’s eyes grew large. “Awesome!” He bent to pick the bundle up.

  “Listen to me carefully, son. I’m giving you this as a special gift. I want you to keep it, not use it.”

  Togo drew a puzzled frown at that. “Huh?”

  “This is to keep you honest, my boy.”

  The young lion drew back indignantly. “Who, me?! I’m always honest!”

  “Of course,” Rafiki said dryly. “That’s why I entrust this to you. Because I know that every time you look at it, you’ll think better of meddling in the lives of others.” Rafiki laid a hand on Togo’s head. “You’ll never use it. Every time you see it, you’ll feel proud of yourself for doing the right thing.”

  Togo’s chest swelled with pride and purpose. “You betcha!”

  A short while later found the adolescent lion proudly laying the wrapped bundle before Vianga. “Look what I got for you, Vivi!”

  She eyed the leaf warily. “What is it?”

  “A treat...a sweet treat for a sweet girl.”

  She giggled shyly. “Thanks. Even if you did slobber on it.”

  “Sorry.”

  “That’s okay.” Sniffing the concoction, she picked it up delicately, chewed, and swallowed.

  Togo eyed her apprehensively, heart pounding. “How’s it taste?”

  “Okay.”

  “How do you feel?”

  “Fine.” She stared at him because he seemed to be waiting for something else. “It was very nice, Togo.” She looked into his searching eyes. “Thank you very much?”

  “Is that all you feel?” He looked disappointed.

  “Oh, you want a kiss?” She gave him the briefest lick and said, “There. I hate to run but I have a date with Kombi.”

  She started to walk away. Then she looked back. “What was in that thing?”

  “What does it matter? It didn’t work.”

  “Where did you get it?”

  “From Rafiki. He told me it was....” He looked down.

  “A love potion?”

  “Yeah.”

  “That explains it. Gods, that’s strong stuff!” She fell at his feet and pawed at him. “I’m ready, Togo! Take me!”

  “Take you?? Where?”

  “Make love to me! I’m on fire!”

  Togo backpedaled madly as Vianga nuzzled his face and chest vigorously, prostrating herself before him. "Love me, Togo! Love me quick or I'll kill myself!"

  "Well, I...." He closed his eyes tightly as if it could make her go away. “We’re not old enough. Do you know what they’d do if they caught us??”

  Her passionate kiss made his eyes fly open.

  "Run
away with me. So what if we're not old enough. We'll hack out a living in the wilderness, just you and I facing danger and hardship together, but we'll have our love. Our love, Togo!"

  "But Vianga...."

  “We’ll make love morning, noon and night! I’ll live for your touch--your closeness--your beautiful body next to mine as we climb to the skies together and cry out from the dizzy heights of passion!” She began to writhe sinuously before him.

  “Vivi, get a grip on yourself!”

  A burst of uncontrolled laughter erupted from a nearby bush and Kombi tumbled out, staggering weakly. “You dope!” He walked over to Vianga and nuzzled her cheek, grinning as she returned his affections.

  “Hey!” Togo said. “What’s the big idea!”

  Kombi rolled on the ground, laughing. "Let that be a lesson to you, brother. You're messing with MY girl. She and I have this special thing, see, and you can't be a part of it. Did you think that was a love potion or something?? That was only cough medicine."

  "It was?" Embarrassed, Togo squirmed and tears began to roll down his good-natured face. “You let me make a fool of myself?? How could you do that to me, Kombi! How could you be so cold!”

  "Love potion! How could you be so stupid! You should know I'm her honey tree. She doesn't even know you exist. It’s not your fault-- you didn’t have a chance with me around. I’m the love doctor!"

  Vianga frowned. “Beat it, love doctor. I want a second opinion!” She pushed away Kombi and nuzzled Togo, wiping his eyes with her paw. “I’m glad I found out who the real love doctor was before it was too late. I’ll follow you anywhere--all you have to do is ask.”

  "The joke is over," Kombi said, incensed. "This isn't funny anymore."

  "Who asked you??" She looked penetratingly into Togo's eyes. "Who needs him? He's so conceited he's swelling up like a carcass in the sun. He’s not gentle and sweet like you."

  "Don't try to pull the same trick on me," Kombi said. "I'm wise to you."

  "Put a paw in it!" she shouted. She turned to Togo and nuzzled him again. “I’m sorry I came on to you like that. It was a nasty little joke and I’m sorry. You tried to trick me and I just wanted to teach you a lesson.”

  "You sure did. If you'll dump him that quick, you'd dump me too. Vivi, you’re very pretty, but you’re a shameless flirt, and that's not what I need." He took in a deep, cleansing breath, let it out and smiled broadly. “It doesn’t matter one way or the other ‘cause I’m cured of puberty! No more symptoms at all! See, I can look right at you--nothing happens! I can kiss you!” He jumped down and gave her a lingering, passionate lick. “Nothing happens! I feel so much better, I ought to thank you! I don’t know about you two, but I’m going to play tag with Habu.” He turned and left.

  She rubbed her cheek where he kissed her and shuddered. She padded after him. "Togo, wait! I think I love you!"

  "Vivi, come back!" Kombi chased after her. "TO-GO!! VI-VI!! Wait up!!"

  CHAPTER: THE SHADOWS GROW LONGER

  Ugas’ eyes half closed as Rafiki’s herbs had their desired effect and the old mandrill’s hands worked his stiff joints. “I’m sorry I’ve been so long coming,” Rafiki said. “I’ve had to nurse Simba through a nasty fever.”

  “So how’s my second cousin doing?”

  “He’s fine now.”

  “Is he like his father? I mean, I really miss old Mufasa’s gentle wisdom.”

  “You knew him well? I thought....”

  “That lions are territorial? We are. But we always walked the line between our kingdoms at the same time each week.” He sighed. “He would never say much. But I always looked forward to seeing him. And the first day he didn’t show up, a small part of me died.”

  “I had no idea. If you cared for each other, why have territories at all? I mean, it makes no sense.”

  “It makes perfect sense. We have duties to perform, duties that Aiheu gives us.” Ugas put his paw around Rafiki and drew him close. “One of them is to hunt and feed our children, and territories help us do that. Does that mean we hate our prey, or that they don’t deserve to live? I think not. Life is a struggle, but it is in the struggle that we define ourselves and find our place in the universe.”

  “So it really is duty that keeps us separated from the ones we love?”

  “Yes. But ultimately it is love that brings us together. When we’re reunited before Aiheu, there will be no territories. When I see Muffy again, I’ll do more than speak. I’ll nuzzle him and share jokes with him and see if I can best him in wrestling. I’ve always wanted to take him on, no holds barred. He was such a big lion, so full of power and resolve.”

  “You must have given this a great deal of thought.”

  “Yes. Death is like a distant mountain. At first it’s all gray and green, like a mist. But the closer you come to it, the more you see. You begin to make out separate trees and rocks. I’ve come to see it all too clearly now.”

  “Oh no! You’ll outlive us all.”

  “Yeah, right.” He coughed as if to drive the point home. “We all have to die sometime. But before I go, I want to meet my sons. I want to look into their eyes and tell them I love them.”

  “Are you sure you have that much time left?” Rafiki asked, amused but a little judgmental. “You’ve been very busy.”

  “I don’t have much time left,” he said. “And you know I meant Togo and Kombi. They’re the only sons I have--all the rest are daughters. Ah, that’s it, rub further to the left....oh, yes!”

  “Those two are quite a sight,” Rafiki said, rubbing harder.

  “They’re Uzuri’s. That’s good enough for me. I love that girl.”

  “You love all lionesses.”

  “I LIKE all lionesses. I LOVE her.”

  “Well you’d BETTER love her!” Rafiki said sharply.

  “What do you mean by that??”

  “If you ever hurt her, I may be only an old monkey, but I’ll get you. I swear I will! You take care of that girl, you hear me??”

  “Calm down, will you? Not so hard with the hands, you old monkey!”

  “She means the world to me. I won’t have you treating her like a plaything to toss aside when you’ve had your fun!”

  “Calm down! Your face is turning red! Besides, you’re rubbing my fur the wrong way!”

  “I’m sorry. I guess I’m playing the honey badger.” He gave Ugas’ shoulder a pat. “So you really love her?”

  “I’m deeply in love with her. Just like you are.”

  “Well I....” Rafiki was supremely embarrassed. “I love her, but I wouldn’t say I’m IN love with her. I mean, not THAT way.”

  “Come now,” Ugas said, patting his shoulder with a large paw. “Let’s be honest. I won’t be upset by the truth. Now before Aiheu, can you truthfully say that you’ve never had one small inkling of attraction to her? Your wife has been dead all these years. Uzuri does practically everything for you a wife would do. She has even groomed you.” He smiled. “I can tell by looking at you that you feel threatened. You’re very transparent, and the guilt leaves tracks all over your face.”

  Rafiki looked down. “Ugas, you wouldn’t understand. I mean, sure. Sometimes I wish we were--the same kind--you know. But I pray about those feelings and they go away.”

  “You’re giving me half an answer. Rafiki, Aiheu knows your heart. And so do I.”

  Ugas drew him close with a paw and patted him gently, nuzzling him with his large face. “She has that effect on people. In your heart, you know that even the stones and the grass she step on love her. I count myself lucky that I can act on that love. We see each other as often as possible, and not only when she’s in season. Sometimes we sit under the stars and talk for hours.”

  “About what?”

  “Oh, one thing she really likes is star lore. What she doesn’t know about the night sky isn’t worth knowing. I can tell--in my younger days, I was quite a scholarly type. As deadly serious as a baobab tree in a rain storm.”

  “I didn’t
know that.” Rafiki cleared his throat. “Does she ever talk about me?”

  “Oh does she ever! How cute your little girl was and how pretty your wife was, and how you work miracles on her stiff shoulder--I can tell from personal experience that you do. You’d think she was your mother the way she talks about you. And did you really stop Akase’s miscarriage with Heartleaf?”

  “Yes. With Maraliscus. The combination kept it from poisoning her but stopped the contractions. It was touch and go there for a while.”

  “Uzuri has good taste in friends--she doesn’t smile at everyone that nods their head at her. She cares for you a great deal. More than she probably lets on.” He drew close and said in a near whisper, “If you were a lion, I’d be insanely jealous. Odds are five to one she’d be married to YOU right now.”

  Rafiki rubbed more and more slowly as a dreamy expression crossed his face. “Don’t be foolish,” he muttered. “What an odd notion!”

  “I want her children to inherit my kingdom,” he said matter-of- factly. “That was our understanding from the beginning. I would give her love, and she would give me sons. And she has--twin sons when I thought I only had daughters in me. We must not let them slip away.”

  “I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Can you arrange a meeting? Just them, their mother and I?”

  “I’ll do what he can.”

  “You’ll do better than that. Her happiness means everything to you. You’d do whatever it takes.”

  Rafiki looked down again. “Yes, I would.”

  “And Rafiki, I’ll be gone long before Uzuri. You know I’m rather old.”

  “You shouldn’t think that way.”

  “Why not? It’s true. And I know I’ll be leaving her alone.” He looked at Rafiki intently. “I want to know she will have someone to look after her. Swear to me--swear by Aiheu’s holy name--you will see she is well tended to. Let no harm come to her.”

  “I swear.”

  Ugas put his large paw on Rafiki’s shoulder and gave him a soft pat. “Someday, somehow God will reward you for all this.”

  The mandrill looked up. “He already has, my old friend. More than you could imagine.” He hugged Ugas around his strong neck and said, “She talks about you too. All good things. I just thought you’d want to know that.”