Disclaimer: Most to all characters in this story are taken from The Lion King. I take no credit in the creation of the movie, and/or its publication.

While "Here Lies Taka" is my favorite, (of my own writing) I'm hoping that this story can top it. Due to the graphic nature of this story I've decided to rate it 'R', but it'll probably end up getting 'NC-17' on the TLK sites I submit it to.

PS: Long live Christine Morgan's "A matter of pride". I worship that story!!

My name is Zuri, and I am a very lonely Cheetah. I'm an orphan, and I spend my days hunting for myself, chasing off hyenas from killing my baby brother, Kario, and defending myself from being raped by other males. But being an independant cat isn't the best. I've noticed that being a lioness gives cats a sense of security. But lionesses live in a harem! A sick system where one male gets about seven lionesses to hunt, pamper, and mate with him! My dream was to have a male lion as my sole companion. Someone who had the potential to give love in great amounts: Both physically and emotionally but someone who hadn't mated with everyone in sight. There were few male lions that roamed Pride Rock. The #1 choice among the lionesses, was Mufasa, but everyone knows he's been mating with Sarabi and Sarafina. Then there was Taka.

Taka was the most wonderful lion in the world to me. Even though he was outcasted by his Pride, I still admired his character from afar. His cunning intelligence sprinkled with a bit of malicious intent. That charismatic personality all matched is appearence as well; That beautiful slender body, sharp green eyes, and a trail of black mane fur growing down his neck and spine. I desired to have him all for me, and no lioness could share him: His heart or his seed....

I decided not to resort to such silly fantasies, and continue my watch. As I was out viewing the vast grasslands, looking for predators, I heard a familiar, chilling scream in the distance. I turned around, and realized I had failed to notice a panther moving in to slaughter Kario. Even though I could the black monster moving in on my defensless brother, I had the terrifying notion that I wouldn't get there in time to save him. I raced as fast as I could, with every second of time against me.

"NO!!!!! LEAVE HIM ALONE!!!!!!"

-"He's mine, Cheetah!"

I refused to surrender; Kario meant the world to me, and I would die fighting for his life. I underestimated his mighty strength, he pinned me within seconds of the fight, and sunk his jaw deep into my flesh with claw-like teeth. The savannah grass became painted with martyred blood, and stained my fur, entirely changing me to the color of my beloved Taka. All at once I lost hope; There was nothing more I could do. Every scene turned deep red; Submurged, in death, and gargling my own blood. The red vision was now becoming blurry, but I was able to make out one last scene. I saw a blurry figure intimidate the monster away from my brother. The figure came over to my body, along with a crying Kario.

-"ZURI!!!! NO!!!"

The Figure came closer, and licked my face. I opened my eyes widely to see that a black maned lion came to my rescue, and saved my brother's life.

"It'll be okay Zuri, I have you."

I arose from unconsiousness to find myself in an unrecognizable cave.

...."Taka.... thank you, for saving our lives. We are in your debt."

He smiled widely at me.

"Its nothing at all. You can stay in my cave until you heal."

"Oh, Taka!"

-"I don't mind it at all. I could use the companionship. Now go to sleep."

For the next week I continued to heal, and Taka treated me like his Queen. He'd have lionesses gather more food so Kario and I could eat. I also noticed that Kario greatly admired him. He's love to play and wrestle with Taka, seeing as though he never had a playmate other than me. I couldn't let go of such a wonderful lion, The emotions of lust and love merged into a natural high; Everytime I saw Taka, my spirit exploded with ecstasy I was desperate to have him, but never having a lover, I asked my long-time friend, Zira, for advice.

"Zira, how do I get Taka to notice me?"

-"He notices you, Zuri."

"No, but I want to get to...um... *know* him."

She chuckled slightly, but proceeded to answer.

"You want Taka?"

"Yes! Every nerve in my body screams for his love! How do I get him to notice me?"

-"He notices you, Zuri."

"No, but I want to get to...um... *know* him."

She chuckled slightly, but proceeded to answer.

"You want Taka?"

"Yes! Every nerve in my body screams for his love! How do I get him to love me?"

She grinned widely and whispered in my ear what I should do. I pulled away from her in shock, but I still agreed to do it.

I found him sleeping alone in his cave in such a lewd position; Lying on his back with his hindlegs open. But to my suprise, he wasn't aroused. I crept over to his hindquarters and blew gently on his cream-colored lionhood. He moved his back leg rapidly. A wide grin crossed my face while I marveled at his growing, slender erection. He began to wake up, so I went over to his muzzle, spread my hindlegs, and dripped small drops of sexual arousal on his black nose. He arose from his slumber in a state of shock.

"Zuri...."

At once he noticed his own unsheathing, and turned red with embarrassment. Immediately I felt moral shame for such strong advances.

"Oh Taka..., I'm very sorry. Its just-- "

-"Yes?"

".....I've known you for quite some time now. I care for you, and I want to be your mate."

He looked over and smiled at me, understanding my feelings. He came up to me, and rubbed me with affection; I loved to listen to his deep sincere purring. Without words he seemed to express identical feelings. We gazed hypnotically into each others' eyes, and silently agreed to eternal companionship.

"Zuri..., I have never mated before. The lionesses are interested in my brother, and not me, which leaves me inexperienced."

-"That doesn't matter. I love you Taka."

I inhaled deeply, and proceeded to present to him, swelling larger than ever before, knowing that Taka would be my deflowerer. He placed his maw deep into the soft entrance, brushing the insides of my folds with his whiskers. I started shaking in pleasure.

Afterwards, he gently mounted me, and started licking my back passionately with his stiff tongue, preparing me for what was yet to come. He took the tip of his head, and slid in as carefully as possible, which was momentarily uncomfortable, but the physical pain was drowned out by the emotional love I felt for him. It was almost without warning, he exploded a mass of male passion into me! It was the most wonderful feeling of my life. We roared simultaneously in sheer enjoyment from one another.

I completely forgot that being a lion, Taka had the capability to give love all through the night without tiring, which was something my body simply couldn't recieve. My hindlegs buckled after the first hour and a half, and I almost fainted.

"Are you alright, Zuri?"

I was too tired to verbally answer, but I nodded. He came over to my face, and licked my cheek.

Over the next few weeks Taka spend the days playing with Kario, and teaching him about life's lessons. When nightfall came it was my time to spend with him. We spent nights in my cave together, nothing sexual, for fear of traumitizing my brother if he caught us in the act of mating. But if both of us succumbed to sexual urgings, we would go elsewhere in the savanna to make love.

When I wasn't spending time with Taka or Kario, I'd be with Zira., sharing typical female stories with her. But I noticed a change in Zira; She had been sulking and crying much more often, and refused to indulge in conversations about Taka, which she and I enjoyed all the time.

"Zira, I'm very worried about you. You've been extremely sick, and unhappy for such a long time. What's been bothering you?"

-"Zuri, I don't know how to tell you, but.. I love Taka."

At that moment, the whole world came to a complete stop.

"...I've always cared for Taka, and I am need a mate for my pride."

I had no idea what to say, but the words just stumbled out of my mouth.

"Its alright Zira, I'm a cheetah, and I wonder all the time. I won't be here after I become pregnant, Mufasa might decide to kill my cubs."

She looked up at me with a face soaked in tears.

"....breeding of the species isn't looked up upon in Pride Rock, so even if I wanted to, my relationship can't be forever. I have to find a suitable male cheetah, and leave here."

-"You mean, you would give up Taka, for me?"

"Y--yes."

For some reason, we came to terms with each other; I knew what I was saying was true, and yet, I was happy for Zira, but very hurt for the inevitable future that was coming. We hugged each other goodbye, knowing that this might be the last time we'd see each other again.

-"Oh Zuri, I'll never forget you for this. You'll always be my best friend."

I left the Outlands that night, and probably for the last time.

Now it was time to tell Taka. My heart filled with anxiety and tension, but I had to tell him. I approached him with open distress; He came to my dismay at once.

"Zuri, what is it?"

-"Taka, this is very hard for me to say, but it has to happen. Zira needs you, and she loves you very much.: You need to start a family with her to carry on your pride. I am not protected in Mufasa's congregation of lionesses, he'd come out to harm my cub to minimize competiton for meat. I have to leave Pride Rock, and the Outlands."

Taka didn't utter one word, he just embraced me tightly. Small tears dropped frim my face, and soaked into his fur. We licked maws, and said our goodbyes. He went out to play with Kario one last time to make his last memories of Taka happy. That night, the two of us left Pride Rock with Taka and Zira shouting goodbye in the distance.

I moved far out east from Pride Rock, and resided in the jungle. Eventually, Kario grew into a young adult, and moved away from me as well, which gave me the opportunity to look for a good mate. I found a rouge from the western region of the Pride Lands. We mated, and I seemed to concieve rather quickly. I gave birth baby boy cub with a deeper skin tone, fewer spots, and a slender body.

"He doesn't seem to have many of my characteristics, but is still very beautiful. What shall we name him?" My mate asked.

I grinned slyly and simply replied: "Taka."