#huzuni

[beatriz-lioness]

Random TLK OC fixation let's goo - height and age chart!

In order, from left to right:

Midra: 3 months/moons old

"Junior": 2 years/seasons old

Huzuni: 6 months/moons old

Tayari: 3 months/moons old

Amanika: 3 years/seasons old

Jasmini: 4 months/moons old

Liyongo: 1 year/season and 11 months/moons old

Their ages are up to change still 👀

I'll be fixing their color pallets/designs and adding other characters later on (their parents and Mrembo- and maybe Amanika's bff too [a fox]!)

[madkakerlaken]

Zakia's sire and dam! Both are redesigned and re-thought Sangre and Ariga. Damu (Blood) is the usurper of the Burnt Forest, who killed the previous king and "married" his daughter Huzuni (Sadness) to claim the throne. He was born into the pride to some high-ranking lions and would inherit their position, but it was not enough for him. Zakia didn't get much attention from her vile father, but she was Huzuni's only will to live. Damu was disappointed to get a daughter and tried for an heir with other females, but without any luck. In the end his own ill ambition (indirectly) killed him - when he tried to manipulate Huzuni to give him another cub, Zakia slashed his throat in an unstoppable fury. Not only did she win her mother's freedom, but also the leadership in the Burnt Forest... and deep gratitude of the pride.

Yes, I know, lots of designs with head stripes and brown fur - but that's how I wanted to design the pride. They come from the same environment and bloodlines. Of course, new members like Barbora, Asaya and Ruki bring some new looks with them. Stay tuned, I might design more OCs that I won't use again lol. These two here are very minor characters, they probably won't even get their reference sheets, but I wanted to portray the queen's parents.

Damu, Huzuni and artwork (c) @MadKakerlaken

[mask-of-prime]

TLK: Huzuni

Name meaning: “Grief” in Swahili Gender: Female Age: Around 2 ½ years (at death) Cause of Death: Childbirth Complications Distinguishing features: Light-colored ear tufts, elbow tufts. Relatives: Scar’s Keenest of Sight (Father), Unnamed Mother, Chumvi (Mate) Kovu (son), Kiara (Daughter-in-Law), Scar’s Bravest (Father-in-Law)

_____________________

Decided to make biological mother for Kovu based on that screenshot of Darrell Rooney’s reply on a Facebook post saying Kovu was an orphan. She is a rogue that mated with Chumvi (who she bumped into when passing by the Pridelands) and eventually died giving birth to Kovu.

My idea for her name and backstory comes from the lyrics in Not One of Us, when the animals sing “Born in grief, raised in hate”. Knowing Zira’s name means “hate”, I went and named his biological mother Huzuni, which translates to “grief” in Swahili. In this case, it would make what the animals are singing a bit more prophetic and kind of creepy, so what they meant was that Kovu was “Born from Grief, raised by Hate”.

Kovu is the overall spitting image of Huzuni, but he inherits a richer, dark brown pelt, pale yellow eye scleras, lack of ear tufts, and downward-facing cheek fur from his father Chumvi, and a mixed mane color from both parents (black and brown hair).

Personality: Huzuni, like her father, is cautious and insecure, and was very nervous to meet Chumvi, his sister Kula, and Kula’s friends Tama and Nala as she feared she would not be accepted and possibly even be harmed. In contrast to her father, however, she does not dwell on how unsanitary food may be as the circumstances of being a rogue has forced her to take whatever she can get to survive. Her mature, hardened personality contrasts with Chumvi’s insensitive and somewhat ignorant personality. Chumvi no longer believed his pride was better than other prides and thus matured after getting to know a rogue like Huzuni, who essentially reformed his mindset with her teachings and upbringing.

Voicecanon: Irene Bedard (speaking)/Judy Khun (singing) as Pocahontas

I was going to have a MUCH longer description that got even deeper into her life but I thought it was too long, so I might save it for some kind of one-shot fanfic.

[beatriz-lioness]

Oop, this one has been sitting in my WIPs for a while now... I wanted to redraw all of (actually, one generation) my old and first TLK OCs, which I used to write about. Unfortunately, the story got deleted from my blog :( it was very cringe but I enjoyed it nonetheless

More about the characters below the cut:

*Names are up to change, I made this real quick. The OG names aren't fitting

Amanika (Dark black lioness): Oldest of the bunch and one of the protagonists. She was the daughter of an older friend of the king, who got banned with his mate and cub after he tried against the queen's life, who was pregnant with her first litter at the time. Months go by, she and her brother meet the king's sons hanging in the outlands. More time pass after that, they meet again in the current age of the image. The rest's story.

Safari II* (Yellow lion with green eyes and red feathers): Second oldest and the other protagonist. He's the first born of the king and have a crush on Amanika due to a prophecy. He had been attacked as a small cub so he have lots of scars all around his body. Lions close to him call him "Junior" for short.

Liyongo (Lion with blue eyes with his tongue sticking out): Middle child and younger brother of Amanika. He's very annoying and overprotective. Has born after the exile. Younger than Safari by a few weeks or so.

Huzuni (Cub with green eyes and dark ears): Second born of the king and the queen. Unfortunately, the queen passed away soon after his birth. Safari's his role model, and he can be very attached to the older brother. He was very little when he met Amanika and Liyongo.

Jasmini (Cub with dark brown fur): Youngest sister of Amanika and Liyongo. She used to spend a lot of time with their mom, so she barely made any appearance in the story. Younger than Huzuni and older than the king's twins.

Midra and Tayari (Fat cub with green eyes and grey cub): Twins, litter of the king and his second marriage after the first queen's death. Tayari was born weaker due to a genetic disease. They're the youngest cubs of the pride.

Mrembo (Lion in the background): Older between all of them, it's a rogue who use his appearance to get what he wants from silly lionesses he finds in the way. Tried to seduce Amanika once.

[mask-of-prime]

TLK: A Thousand Years

Fanfic below

“Let’s name him Bahari. Er- No, wait! Maybe Tangawizi, sounds kinda spicy and edgy!” said a male voice from a cave just outside the Pridelands.

“How do you know it’ll be a boy?” asked a female.

“Well, it’s all I can really come up with. Besides, you don’t know if it’ll be a girl!”

The pregnant lioness rolled her eyes and sighed, “At least come up with a feminine-sounding name, honey.”

“That can work for any cub!”

Huzuni raised her eyebrows impatiently. She was not gonna dwell on this the whole day.

Chumvi huffed, “Hrrrgh, fine! Alright. Ummm... Hasira?”

“That’s a tad harsh.”

“Ack,” Chumvi shrugged and swing his paws in front of himself in disbelief, “you asked for feminine! I thought feminine AND edgy would satisfy us both!”

“What about something softer like..... Shauriana?”

“I’ll admit, that is beautiful. But.... you got any other ideas in case it’s a boy, though?”

“Kanusho?”

Chumvi arched an eyebrow, “I thought you didn’t want a harsh name...”

“Hmmm...” Huzuni glanced up in thought. She suddenly remembered what had lingered in the back of her mind all day. Ever since she met Chumvi’s sister and friends, she felt this… relief, a reassurance that not all prides were unwelcoming and in fact were friendly because they were a pride. Ever since they said if they were able to, they’d make her one of them. She felt… accepted.

“How about... Kukubalika?” she finally suggested.

Chumvi scoffed, “No way, that’s too long to even remember.”

“We can call him ‘Kooky’ for short.” Huzuni smirked.

Chumvi winced, “Oh, heck no.”

Huzuni chuckled. She couldn’t wait to celebrate her acceptance with the birth of her cub.

_______

Huzuni was due any day now. No, it felt like any minute now. The lioness had been going through contractions that woke her up one morning. But these contractions were unbearably painful. Did all lionesses go through this?

Chumvi and Huzuni were taking a walk. The male was unaware of his mate’s pain. But that was all because she didn’t tell him as she had a notorious habit of hiding what was wrong with her. Soon, a contraction pulled Huzuni to the ground.

Chumvi caught Huzuni during her collapse, “Whoa, whoa, whoa! What’s happening to you?”

Huzuni winced and panted, “Chumvi, I-I think it’s time!”

Before Chumvi could respond, he heard a distant cackle. The hyenas that chased the insolent male lion months earlier finally caught up to him, spotting him out in the open. Huzuni heard it too, her heart dropping at the familiar sound.

“W-What was that?” the lioness nervously stuttered.

“Oh no, it’s the hyenas that chased me before!” he hurriedly walked Huzuni back to the cave.

Huzuni burst into a panic, “What?”

“Hey, hey, hey-”

“Why didn’t you tell me you were being chased by hyenas?!” Huzuni hyperventilated and started to cry a bit, the trauma of the hyena attack from her cubhood coming back to her.

“Hey, hey, hey, hey!” Chumvi gently laid Huzuni down in a secure part of the cave, “I’ll hold ‘em off. Please don’t stress out. It’s not good for you right now. I need you to focus on the baby.”

Huzuni nodded and pushed. Chumvi couldn’t decide if he should help her or fend off the hyenas. The hyenas sounded like they were coming sooner than the baby.

Chumvi kissed his mate’s forehead, “Remember, focus. You can do this. I’ll be right back!”

Huzuni pushed harder, panting uncontrollably. Everything felt so hot all of a sudden. She felt horribly dizzy and shaky. The push caused another painful shift, but the cub still wasn’t out. A loud roar slipped from her lips as she gave the last push. She could be heard from outside the cave.

Not good.

The hyenas followed the source of the noise and rushed near the entrance, only to be blocked by Chumvi. He did not let them any further inside. Meanwhile, the cub was finally properly born, but with a price…

Huzuni took the cub by the scruff of its neck and placed it between her arms. Fighting off her dizziness and heavy breathing, she gazed upon her beautiful baby boy. Her cub was born, but not without massive blood loss along the way. Not a normal sign of labor.

Huzuni knew what was coming. As a rogue, she knew what it was like to almost die, This felt much closer to death than all of those other times. Starvation, dehydrations, and infections did not compare to this.

Knowing these would be her last minutes on this Earth, she mustered up the strength in her voice to hush her mewing baby with her final lullaby.

“I have died everyday, waiting for you. Darling, don't be afraid... I have loved you for a thousand years...  I'll love you for a thousand more.”

Huzuni felt her body begin to drop. The cub still mewed, the lioness gently shushed him as she caressed his cheek with a paw. She continued her song.

“...all along I believed, I would find you. Time has brought your heart to me, I have loved you for a thousand years... I'll love you for a thousand... more...”

Huzuni felt her cheek touch the floor. Despite her vision fading, all she saw were the highlights of her life flashing before her eyes. Her mother’s tales, the hyena that marked the start of her life to come, her hellish, unforgiving life as a rogue, the lion that brought her out of that hell.

She closed her eyes tightly. Her life would now be free of worry as her soul escaped all of her past and possible future troubles.

Huzuni went limp. She was free now.

Chumvi finished wearing the hyenas out by running and performing sharp turns that required much stamina. He ran home, still full of energy from the chase. Nothing stopped him more abruptly than what lay before him.

The lion froze as his eyes fell upon the sight of his mate lying dead in a pool of blood. The flies already gathering around the lioness’ gray, motionless corpse. The living cub mewed as it blindly wandered away from his mother.

Chumvi rushed after his son to keep him from possibly squirming out of the cave. He looked back up and began to sob uncontrollably, getting up to nuzzle Huzuni’s cooling body.

“B-a-aby! P-lease, n-o!”

He barely looked up as he heard the hyenas returning. Above the laughter of hyenas, he heard the mewing of his cub. He looked down at his new responsibility, pulling it closer to his chest.

“I promise I’ll keep him safe, baby.” he knew that’s what Huzuni may have wanted.

The hyenas burst through the entrance, creating a circle around the new father. What broke the circle, however, were hyenas that made way for something. Behind them entered a lioness. Chumvi’s teary eyes widened as his jaw dropped.

“Zira…”

The lioness by that name grinned evilly. She puffed out her chest as she gazed down at the runaway lion. She stifled an urge to laugh as she looked down at the pathetic lion that lied on the floor crying.

Chumvi growled, “These filthy hyenas shall perish for all they’ve done. Taking the Pridelands and the lives of our loved ones! Us lions will prevail!”

“Oh, is that so?” Zira cooed, “That’ll be the day.”

Chumvi was shocked, realizing Zira, unlike the other lionesses in Scar’s pride, was affiliated with these hyenas. He was all alone now.

“Kill him.”

In a snap, the hyenas tore Chumvi apart. He let out a final, garbled roar.

Under the commotion squirmed a baby cub, whose squeaks in distress were heard by the lioness. Zira walked up to it and got a closer look at its features.

The baby’s eyes finally opened to the first lioness he’d ever seen in his life, revealing beautiful, emerald green irises. Zira gasped.

He looked just like her beloved Scar.

Meanwhile, the hyenas, unaware of what their lioness was looking at, knew it was their job to eliminate any male lion on sight, so they charged after the baby cub.

Zira leapt over the cub and swiped at the hyenas, “STOP, YOU FOOLS!”

She glanced all around before composing herself, “We’re taking this one home. I have… a great use for this cub.”

Zira looked down at the cub, giving him the unmistakable look of possession and determination. She caressed his cheek, a sinister grin creeping up her face as she thought up a brilliant name in homage to her king.

“I’m going to have my beloved Scar say ‘hello’ to his new heir. My new son…..

Kovu.”

THE END.

[mask-of-prime]

TLK: With a Grain of Salt - Part 2

Fanfic Below

Nighttime. The two rogues almost made it outside the border. Huzuni sensed Chumvi was slowing down a bit. She stopped in her tracks as she heard the male sigh. She frowned and tilted her head as Chumvi’s head hung low.

He noticed her sympathetic look and began to explain, “I’m sure gonna miss my sister. We bicker a lot, but… that doesn’t mean I don’t care about her.”

Huzuni frowned, yet she was utterly touched by his words. What a sweet thing to say about his sister! Maybe he did have a heart under that bigoted, arrogant shell. But still, she wondered; “Why can’t she just leave with you?”

“Lionesses can’t leave. Scar’s orders.”

She nodded, then came up with an idea. She gestured a direction with her head.

“I saw a little cave pretty close to the border, maybe your sister can visit you there from time to time. I’m sure no one would worry about what she’s doing since she wouldn’t be too far off from the Pridelands.” she led the way once more.

_________

"Here we are.” Huzuni smiled, proud to have found the cave.

Her smile faded shortly after, however. She realized she was about to say goodbye to what may have been her only chance of having someone to talk to. She was still a rogue, unfortunately, she had to make a run for it before this lion could possibly deceive her. She had experienced deception all too much in her life.

Something hindered her from her thoughts, however. In fact, she felt she couldn’t control her legs, even. She suddenly collapsed.

Chumvi sat up, “Hey, are you alright?”

Great, what was she afflicted with this time? She listed all the things that have been wrong with her before in her head, identifying the problem, which had been severe dehydration.

She put a paw to her aching head, “Water… I just… I need water. I totally forgot to get some at the waterhole. Stupid me.”

Chumvi looked all around the area. Glimmering under the moonlight was a small puddle. He turned to Huzuni and placed her in the cave.

“Stay here and rest, I’ll bring it to you.”

She arched an eyebrow. She could see the deception coming. She knew all to well you couldn’t just grab water. She couldn’t muster up the energy to try and outsmart him, though. All she did was watch him leave. She let herself rest, in apprehension of the outcome of doing as he said.

The lioness was awakened by the sound of a hollowed-out tortoise shell full of water being placed down in front of her. A hare was placed next to the makeshift bowl.

This had to be too good to be true. She arched an eyebrow and glanced up at him, “Is it poisoned?”

Chumvi was taken aback, “Wh- No? You worry too much.”

He bent down and took the first bite of the hare. Seeing as he willingly took a bite of the food, it indicated it was safe.

Huzuni’s expression relaxed. She dug right in.

_________

Satisfied with their meal, the lions laid lazily in their little abode. Gazing at the stars that twinkled above them.

Huzuni didn’t quite understand what they were looking at. She just followed what Chumvi was doing. Sure, the stars were very pretty, but why did he look at them like he was in love with them or something?

The lioness broke the silence, “Okay, I’ll bite. What’s going on?”

“Just, uh… looking for my father.”

“What?”

“You know, lions of the past?”

“Hah, I-I’m…. not following?”

“You mean no one told you about the spirits in the stars?”

Huzuni shook her head.

“Well… When honorable lions die, their spirits become the stars. Y’know, those twinkly white things? My father was the Bravest of the Lion Guard, until he died one day. I still don’t know exactly how, though, all I know is that Scar told my mom and I that he died bravely in a battle.”

Huzuni nodded. She, herself knew a few honorable lions that died. Her paws shifted as she conjured up the courage to bring them up.

“My father died before I was born, too. I think my mother said he was in the Lion Guard as well. To this day I don’t know he died, though, as my mother never liked to talk about it.”

Chumvi’s eyes widened at the coincidence, but he kept listening.

She glanced up and continued, “My… m-my mother died too, she fought off hyenas in order to save me…” Huzuni sat up and gazed at the stars, fighting back her tears.

“…Do you think my parents are up there?”

Feeling sorry for Huzuni’s loss, Chumvi sat up too, and nuzzled her cheek. This night marked the beginning of many more nights together to come.

_________

“What do you mean he got away?!” the booming voice of Scar could be heard from the inside of Pride Rock.

After dismissing the insolent hyenas, Scar pounded a paw against a flat rock. The stressful thoughts of being overthrown by any male were bringing him down. He paced back and forth in the lair.

Inside the lair resided another of his kind. A lioness who listened to her beloved’s despair. She frowned as she watched him, knowing it was best not to comfort him with physical affection as she noticed how tense he’d been. She knew all about Scar’s plan, as she had been told all about it with his trust in her. As loyal as she was, she never spoke a word to the other pridesisters, keeping his plan safe.

Lately, however, she hadn’t been feeling very confident in her loyalty, as she promised her king she’d produce the perfect heir, but both of the cubs she produced were rather unsatisfactory. Perhaps mothering his heir would not be her job. But still, she craved for something she could do to make her king happy again.

She got it.

She would physically lead the hyenas to the runaway male, herself. She would sacrifice her own reputation for the longevity of her king’s rule over the Pridelands in case the lionesses catch her causing the death of one of their pride members.

The lioness cracked a wide, sinister grin as her blood red eyes pierced the darkness of the cave.

[mask-of-prime]

TLK: With a Grain of Salt

Fanfic below

Each year became increasingly dangerous for Chumvi as he progressively aged. Noticing how big and strong the adolescent had grown, Scar grew more and more paranoid. In fear of being overthrown by unrelated males, he issued a new order for the hyenas to kill any that resided in the Pridelands. He, of course, would not do it himself. In order to not raise any suspicion from the lionesses and possibly be impeached, he let the hyenas take care of it, making the deaths of the males look like an unpredictable tragedy.

Chumvi ran through the Pridelands endlessly until his sister Kula brought over her friends, Tama and Nala, to detour the hyenas and scuffle with them until he made his escape.

Meanwhile, just on the border, a lioness who had been ill from dehydration sighed in relief as she stopped by the waterhole. She hesitated at first, knowing someone may be out to protect this precious water source. Would anyone notice? No, relax, just a quick, discreet sip and she’d be on her way. She bent down to drink, unaware of the male who had picked that exact direction to run.

Chumvi’s mind repeated to itself; ‘Run. Run as fast as you can and don’t stop or even look back.’ It was precisely that constant thought clouding his senses that  caused him to not realize where he was going. His body smacked right into the lioness’ own. Due to being much smaller in size than the male, the lioness flew off her feet. Shaking away the dust, the lioness sprang up and growled.

“What on earth is your problem?!” suddenly, she stopped growling.

Her ears pinned down as she laid her eyes on the large, bulky lion. Oh boy, time to get whooped by another territorial male. She kneeled in a submissive position.

“Please! I just needed a little water, I promise I won’t come back to your land agai–”

“Well you don’t need to worry about me, it’s certainly not my land anymore.” Chumvi glanced back and noticed the hyenas were off his tail. He could finally relax now.

The lioness eased her arched position. So that bump wasn’t his first attack to chase her out? She needed a clearer answer now, “Why are you here, then?” she asked.

Chumvi lowered his head, “Chased out, don’t wanna die.”

The lioness knew that feeling all too well, being unwanted, being chased away and threatened with death–

Uh-oh, another itching fit. Chumvi glanced up and observed the lioness as she scratched behind her ear and nibbled at another itchy spot. He scoffed.

“Are all you non-Pridelanders so unsanitary?”

She stopped her session, “Excuse me?”

Chumvi smirked. Lionesses were so sensitive, especially these uncivilized rogues. “Sorry, too many syllables? I’d figured it’d be too much for you since the concept of being clean is.”

The lioness simply gawped, this lion had some nerve. “Funny you call me a ‘non-Pridelander’ when you’re currently being chased out.” she stepped closer into his face, “I think we got something in common, buddy.”

Chumvi finally shut his mouth. He didn’t want to admit it, but she made a pretty good point. At least, a pretty good one for a rogue. He wondered if there was anything else she was at least knowledgeable of–

The lion noticed the lioness making her escape, walking the other direction. Like she promised herself; she was just gonna get a quick sip and scram like she usually did around territories.

“H-Hey! Where are you going?!” Chumvi frowned.

“Why do you care?”

Chumvi had nowhere else to turn at this point. Either give this woman a chance or lose your opportunity on your start to your life as a rogue. He gathered up the courage to admit he needed help from this rogue lioness.

“Wait, since you’re not from here, where were you just now?”

The lioness glanced back and forth, “Who needs to know?”

“Hey, hey, hey. Relax. I just wanna know how you got by. You know… as a rogue.”

“Promise you’re not gonna give me a hard time if I help you?”

“Y-Yeah, whatever.”

The lioness noticed this lion was beginning to accept what was becoming his new life. She smirked, satisfied that he was no longer being so stubborn. “C’mon.”

The lioness led the way. Knowing this would be a long trip, Chumvi smirked. He might as break the ice with this chick, “Name’s Chumvi, by the way. What’s yours?”

“Huzuni.”

“Pretty. A bit sad, but pretty.”

Huzuni rolled her eyes, seeing where this was going. “Aw, don’t start this mushy-gushy stuff with me. I’m just going to help you with this one thing and that’ll be it.”

Chumvi pretended to be offended, “Oh, I’d never! I wouldn’t flirt with you even if you weren’t plagued with mites!”

Huzuni rolled her eyes, “You want me to help you get out of here or not? I’ll leave you any second, now.”

Chumvi simply chuckled.

___________

The sun hung low on the horizon. The hyenas backed off from fighting the young lionesses. They no longer cared about chasing off the rogue as much as they cared for their own lives at this point, no matter how constantly hungry they were.

Kula looked back at the direction Chumvi ran, noticing he was gone from when she last looked. No battle wounds from the hyenas that she’d just received would ever hurt as much as the fact that she may not be able to see her brother again.

Just another day under the tyranny of Scar…

[mask-of-prime]

TLK: Huzuni’s Beginnings

Here we have my OC Huzuni receiving her eyebrow scar, AKA what marked the beginning of how she would live the rest of her days at an outcast rogue. Huzuni was the result of a rogue lioness falling in love with Scar’s Keenest of Sight after he’d helped rescue her from being trapped in a wall of boulders. After the Keenest of Sight was killed by Scar, Huzuni’s mother was so depressed and hardened by the loss that she named her newborn daughter a gloomy name that translates to “grief”. One day, when Huzuni was just old enough to eat meat, she and her mother made the fatal mistake of picking off an unsupervised kill they'd found without any suspicion of whose kill it might've been. When the hyenas leaped from hiding, they swarmed the mother lioness and overpowered her. Huzuni heard her mother amongst the crowd telling her to run as fast as she can. In the midst of trying to hide while running from the hyenas, the matriarch of the pack towered over her in an effort to eat her. Huzuni barely managed to escape having her face bitten off by the matriarch with a deep, everlasting scar on her eyebrow. When Huzuni finally managed to squirm out of the matriarch's grasp, she since lived the rest of her life receiving more body scars from unwelcoming prides who couldn't afford to feed another mouth. She lived her days as a very young and rather lonely rogue, until it all changed when she met Chumvi...