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Ajenti paused to grip the haunch of the bull between her teeth. Muscles bulging with the effort, she pulled it away from the body with a sharp popping sound. She dragged it to one side and dropped it, turning to the others. "We'll save this for Nala, since she couldn't come."
Uzuri nodded. "A good choice. Too bad she had to pull her leg like that; she'd have enjoyed this." She jerked back and growled in annoyance as Isha surged forward, burying herself up to the shoulders in the carcass. "Isha, what are you doing?! "
Isha emerged, face stained crimson, but smiling in triumph at what she held in her jaws. "Hunter's choice, Uzuri. The heart; you brought the bull down; it's yours by right."
Uzuri grinned at her. "Thank you, sister." She snapped up the tender morsel in two bites, closing her eyes in ecstasy.
Isha turned back to the carcass to discover Lisani crouched calmly in her place, gorging herself for all she was worth. "Hey! What do you think you're doing?! " The young female smiled up at her aunt, but didn't move; she had found a good spot to feed from and evidently intended to keep it.
Ajenti chuckled around a mouthful. "Isha, you taught her too well, I believe." She moved aside to give the cubs enough room to eat. "C'mon, kids."
Misha and Tanabi edged forward tentatively, uncertain. Experience had taught them to wait their turn until the adults had satisfied their hunger before trying to take their place at the carcass. Seeing the lionesses chatting amiably, however, Tanabi concluded it was safe enough for him, anyway. He paced over to the eviscerated animal and nabbed a short length of intestine. Picking it up, he staggered off comically, the ends dragging behind him.
Kombi saw him passing and snorted. "Naw, dummy, you ain't doin' it right."
Tanabi stopped and glared. "Oh yeah?" he mumbled around the mouthful. "Who says?"
"I says." Kombi trotted over next to Misha, who was apparently having trouble detaching her piece from the body. "Watch." Picking up the severed length of intestine she had been worrying, he pulled it free with a muffled snap. The cubs watched him carefully as he grasped it between his front teeth. He paused, savoring the attention. "Here's the trick. Ready?" Tanabi and Misha nodded energetically. Grinning, Kombi pursed his lips. With a loud slurp, he sucked the innards into his mouth, the end giving a final little wiggle as it disappeared into his maw. He sat back and chewed serenely, a look of utter bliss on his face. "Mmmm."
Lisani looked over and shook her head despairingly. "Slob."
Tanabi and Misha gaped delightedly at the older cub. "AwwweSOME! " Tanabi said. He immediately bent to his own piece and gripped it in like fashion.
"Now, hold on, " Kombi said. "The secret is to-"
Tanabi ignored him and sucked mightily. The innards suddenly leapt off the ground, seeming to come alive as they wrapped around his head, smacking him wetly on the cheek.
Misha fell back, shrieking delightedly. "Oh, GROSS! Do it again! "
Ajenti shook her head as she passed by, her stomach bulging alarmingly. "You'd better quit playing with your food and go eat, hon; there won't me much to pick from when Simba gets here."
Isha, following behind, snickered. "Amen to that. Now there's a lion who appreciates his food! " Chuckling, the two lionesses wandered a short distance away, flopping to the grass comfortably as they began to groom each other, clearing away the crimson stains on their faces.
Shaking the offending entrails away, Tanabi bounded over to the carcass, Misha alongside. They slinked past Uzuri, who was still busying herself with something inside, and made their way over to the remaining haunch, where Habusu sat quietly, chewing his meat and looking out over the savanna reflectively. “Hey, Habu, what’s up?”
Tanabi batted his friend’s face playfully, the larger cub grinning down at him as he accepted the blows good-naturedly. Tanabi’s little swipes were always done in jest, unlike Togo and Kombi, who evidently felt the need to bludgeon everything they laid their paws on. Habusu returned the playful cuffs gently, then jerked his head toward the huge hunk of flesh he had been dining on. “Come on, there’s plenty left here. Besides, I’m almost full.”
Needing no further encouragement, the cubs attacked it hungrily, enjoying the chewy tendons on the back of the leg. Yawning, Habusu sat down and began to groom himself contentedly. Finally satisfied with his efforts, he closed his eyes drowsily and rolled over on his back, splaying his gangly legs in the air.
Misha looked over, curious, as Uzuri chucked something aside with a disgusted grunt. The round sac sailed a short distance away before coming to rest. "What was that?"
Uzuri shook her head. "That was full of grass, hon. It's not very tasty at all. Now this, " she said, motioning with a forepaw, "is downright good eating."
Misha peered inside, squinting. "That big brown thing?"
Uzuri nodded. "Mm-hmm. Here." She arched her neck and leaned in, tearing the item away with her teeth. "Try a piece." She watched, intrested, as the cub bit off a tiny section. "Don't worry, 'ol Uzuri won't steer you wrong."
Misha chewed thoughfully. "Hey, that is pretty good."
Uzuri chuckled. "Don't eat too much of that until you get a little bigger; it'll make you sick if you do."
Misha glanced down the length of the animal, towards the hindquarters where Tanabi sat, still gunning away at the haunch. Suddenly, her face twisted up in confusion. "Auntie Uzuri, how about that? Is it any good?"
Uzuri looked over to where the cub was staring and grimaced. "Uh, hon, that's...kind of difficult. You'd have to be a little older before I could explain."
"Huh? But I'm already four moons old-"
"-and that's not enough." Uzuri looked at her sternly. "Now hush up and eat before the meat stiffens."
SCENE: JOKE’S ON YOU
SCENE: THE SHINING MOMENT
SCENE: THE WAITING GAME
SCENE: GAME IS AFOOT
SCENE: THE SCORE IS ANNOUNCED
SCENE: THE CEREMONY
It was to be a mantlement ceremony as held in the days of old. All of the celebrations would be strictly observed, including the one day moratorium on hunting that allows the animals of the Pride Lands to celebrate the prince's good fortune. Even the cheetahs and leopards were expected to abstain from blood, something that was probably unpopular with them, but they carried themselves with too much dignity and too little strength to complain. Misha was depressed. There would be no hunt that night for her to prove herself. Indeed, after a careful examination, Rafiki told her she would be off the hunt for at least a week.
Uzuri nodded. "A good choice. Too bad she had to pull her leg like that; she'd have enjoyed this." She jerked back and growled in annoyance as Isha surged forward, burying herself up to the shoulders in the carcass. "Isha, what are you doing?! "
Isha emerged, face stained crimson, but smiling in triumph at what she held in her jaws. "Hunter's choice, Uzuri. The heart; you brought the bull down; it's yours by right."
Uzuri grinned at her. "Thank you, sister." She snapped up the tender morsel in two bites, closing her eyes in ecstasy.
Isha turned back to the carcass to discover Lisani crouched calmly in her place, gorging herself for all she was worth. "Hey! What do you think you're doing?! " The young female smiled up at her aunt, but didn't move; she had found a good spot to feed from and evidently intended to keep it.
Ajenti chuckled around a mouthful. "Isha, you taught her too well, I believe." She moved aside to give the cubs enough room to eat. "C'mon, kids."
Misha and Tanabi edged forward tentatively, uncertain. Experience had taught them to wait their turn until the adults had satisfied their hunger before trying to take their place at the carcass. Seeing the lionesses chatting amiably, however, Tanabi concluded it was safe enough for him, anyway. He paced over to the eviscerated animal and nabbed a short length of intestine. Picking it up, he staggered off comically, the ends dragging behind him.
Kombi saw him passing and snorted. "Naw, dummy, you ain't doin' it right."
Tanabi stopped and glared. "Oh yeah?" he mumbled around the mouthful. "Who says?"
"I says." Kombi trotted over next to Misha, who was apparently having trouble detaching her piece from the body. "Watch." Picking up the severed length of intestine she had been worrying, he pulled it free with a muffled snap. The cubs watched him carefully as he grasped it between his front teeth. He paused, savoring the attention. "Here's the trick. Ready?" Tanabi and Misha nodded energetically. Grinning, Kombi pursed his lips. With a loud slurp, he sucked the innards into his mouth, the end giving a final little wiggle as it disappeared into his maw. He sat back and chewed serenely, a look of utter bliss on his face. "Mmmm."
Lisani looked over and shook her head despairingly. "Slob."
Tanabi and Misha gaped delightedly at the older cub. "AwwweSOME! " Tanabi said. He immediately bent to his own piece and gripped it in like fashion.
"Now, hold on, " Kombi said. "The secret is to-"
Tanabi ignored him and sucked mightily. The innards suddenly leapt off the ground, seeming to come alive as they wrapped around his head, smacking him wetly on the cheek.
Misha fell back, shrieking delightedly. "Oh, GROSS! Do it again! "
Ajenti shook her head as she passed by, her stomach bulging alarmingly. "You'd better quit playing with your food and go eat, hon; there won't me much to pick from when Simba gets here."
Isha, following behind, snickered. "Amen to that. Now there's a lion who appreciates his food! " Chuckling, the two lionesses wandered a short distance away, flopping to the grass comfortably as they began to groom each other, clearing away the crimson stains on their faces.
Shaking the offending entrails away, Tanabi bounded over to the carcass, Misha alongside. They slinked past Uzuri, who was still busying herself with something inside, and made their way over to the remaining haunch, where Habusu sat quietly, chewing his meat and looking out over the savanna reflectively. “Hey, Habu, what’s up?”
Tanabi batted his friend’s face playfully, the larger cub grinning down at him as he accepted the blows good-naturedly. Tanabi’s little swipes were always done in jest, unlike Togo and Kombi, who evidently felt the need to bludgeon everything they laid their paws on. Habusu returned the playful cuffs gently, then jerked his head toward the huge hunk of flesh he had been dining on. “Come on, there’s plenty left here. Besides, I’m almost full.”
Needing no further encouragement, the cubs attacked it hungrily, enjoying the chewy tendons on the back of the leg. Yawning, Habusu sat down and began to groom himself contentedly. Finally satisfied with his efforts, he closed his eyes drowsily and rolled over on his back, splaying his gangly legs in the air.
Misha looked over, curious, as Uzuri chucked something aside with a disgusted grunt. The round sac sailed a short distance away before coming to rest. "What was that?"
Uzuri shook her head. "That was full of grass, hon. It's not very tasty at all. Now this, " she said, motioning with a forepaw, "is downright good eating."
Misha peered inside, squinting. "That big brown thing?"
Uzuri nodded. "Mm-hmm. Here." She arched her neck and leaned in, tearing the item away with her teeth. "Try a piece." She watched, intrested, as the cub bit off a tiny section. "Don't worry, 'ol Uzuri won't steer you wrong."
Misha chewed thoughfully. "Hey, that is pretty good."
Uzuri chuckled. "Don't eat too much of that until you get a little bigger; it'll make you sick if you do."
Misha glanced down the length of the animal, towards the hindquarters where Tanabi sat, still gunning away at the haunch. Suddenly, her face twisted up in confusion. "Auntie Uzuri, how about that? Is it any good?"
Uzuri looked over to where the cub was staring and grimaced. "Uh, hon, that's...kind of difficult. You'd have to be a little older before I could explain."
"Huh? But I'm already four moons old-"
"-and that's not enough." Uzuri looked at her sternly. "Now hush up and eat before the meat stiffens."
SCENE: JOKE’S ON YOU
Misha stared, enchanted, as the little cubs squirmed sightlessly at their mother's belly. "They're so tiny, " she whispered.
Malaika smiled gently at her. Her labor had been fruitful; three healthy cubs lay suckling at her belly, their eyes shut tightly against the world. "You were smaller than that, as I recall."
"Really?"
Tanabi sat at the entrance to Malaika's cave, squirming agitatedly. "C'mon, Misha, let's go! Togo and Kombi are waiting for us."
"Shhh! " Misha glared at him. "You're gonna scare the babies! "
Tanabi looked skyward and rolled his eyes in frustration. "Aww, man...c'mon, Misha. Please?"
She shook her head. "Nope. I want to stay here and help Malaika." She looked at the lioness adoringly. "She's going to show me how to take care of the cubs."
Her playmate shook his head disgustedly. "Sissy stuff. Fine then! Stay here and watch your old babies! I'm gonna go have fun." He spun and stalked off, his lower lip stuck out in an enormous pout.
Malaika stared after him, a frown on her face. "Honey tree, you don't have to stay here. Go play with your friends; I'm fine."
Misha shook her head. "Uh-uh. I really want to help, Malaika. Please let me stay." She glanced over her shoulder at Tanabi's retreating form. "All he wants to do is go play with Togo and Kombi, anyway."
Tanabi swatted angrily at an offending pebble in his path. He had been looking forward to this afternoon; he had planned to show Misha the neat joke Togo and Kombi had come up with to play on Uzuri. And now...he sighed, depressed. It had seemed funny at first, but now the whole joke seemed pointless.
"Phooey, " he said, disgusted. "Uzuri's no fun to tease, anyway." He started to turn, intending to head back to the main cave and take a nap, when something landed on him, bearing him to the ground with a startled "OOF! " Gasping, he rose to see Togo looking down at him with a mixture of amusement and disdain on his face. "Tsk tsk, " he clucked sadly. "Fell for it again, kid."
Kombi trotted out from behind a rock, yucking it up for all he was worth. "Sucker! How many times are you gonna get flattened before you figure it out?"
"Shaddap! " Tanabi snapped, startling them both. "Why do you always keep pouncing on me like that? You know how much I hate it! "
"Sheesh, calm down, willya?" Kombi peered at him, intrested. "What's got your fur on end today?"
"Misha." Tanabi cut his eyes away, suddenly embarrassed. "She won't come and see the joke we were gonna do."
Togo's eyes widened. "You mean the one we were gonna pull on Mom?! " He shook his head vehemently. "Naw, man, we can't pass this one up. It's the best one we've come up with yet! " He looked at Kombi worriedly. "C'mon, Tanabi, we gotta do this one! "
Tanabi looked at the ground. "Nah. I really don't feel like it. You guys go ahead without me."
Kombi shook his head. "We can't, remember? You have to distract Mom for us; that's why we showed it to you. You've gotta come."
“Why don’t you take Habu instead? He’s a lot quieter than I am, anyway.”
“That dweeb?” Togo snorted derisively. “He’s no fun. Come on, T. Let’s go.”
“He’s not a dweeb, buzzard brains, ” Tanabi said sharply. “He’s just not into jokes, that’s all.” The prince got up, shaking himself vigorously, and turned to leave. "Sorry."
"Wait a minute, here." Kombi squinched up his face in thought, an expression rarely seen from him. "If Misha DID come, would you go with us?"
Tanabi looked at him suspiciously. "Well, yeah, I guess so. But she's helping Malaika babysit her cubs. I already tried talking to her; she won't leave."
Kombi grinned at him. "No problem! We've just got to get Malaika to make Misha leave her alone; then she can go with us! "
Tanabi rolled his eyes and snorted. "Oh, brilliant. And just how, pray tell, are we going to get her to do that?"
"Simple. Ask her."
The young prince rolled onto his back, laughing. "Oh, now that's rich. You're going to go up to Malaika and say, 'Gee, we really want Misha to come and play with us; would you tell her to buzz off?'"
Kombi's smile spread into a predatory shark's grin. "Nope. You are."
"Okay, let me get this straight. You want me to tell the girl I don't want her to help me? Ridiculous." Malaika shook her head. "She's invaluable to me. Besides, I couldn't do that to her; it would break her heart."
"Aww, please?" Tanabi dredged up his most pitiful expression and turned it on full force. "It's no fun playing tag without Misha, Auntie Malaika."
Malaika raised an eyebrow. "You and Misha are going to go play 'tag' with those two? Right."
"Honest, we are! No fooling." Tanabi was secure in this fib; the prank on Uzuri DID involve them distracting her with a fake game of tag, so technically he wasn't lying. Well, sort of, anyway.
Malaika turned the matter over in her head for a minute or two, then appeared to come to a decision. "Oh, all right. I'll get her to go with you."
"Yeah! " Tanabi bussed her cheek. "Thanks, Malaika! " He scampered off, eager to inform his friends of the good news. The lioness stared after him, a faint smile on her face. "Misha, dear, did you catch that?"
"Uh-huh." The cub popped up from behind the lioness's bulk. "I don't wanna play with Togo and Kombi; they're always being mean to someone! Tanabi’s always so nice to Habu and me; I don’t know why he wants to hang out with those two.”
The lioness looked at her thoughtfully. "You know, hon, I've got an idea that might just solve all our problems."
"Really?" Misha looked slightly perplexed. "What?"
Malaika laughed. "We're going to give them a taste of their own medicine, Misha." She bent to the cub’s ear, whispering.
Several minutes later, Tanabi looked at his friend in utter shock. "She said WHAT?! "
Misha sobbed uncontrollably. "M-Malaika s-said I wasn't paying enough at-t-t-tention to the babies, that I kept ru-running off and playing with you guys instead of watching them." She collapsed on the ground and held her head in her paws. "S-She told me I'm not allowed to see them anymore..." her voice trailed up and away into a wail.
Togo looked at Kombi and grimaced. "Oops."
Tanabi patted Misha on the cheek worriedly. "Uhh, calm down, Misha. I'm sure she'll let you see them again; she's just sore, that's all."
"But I didn't DO anything! " Misha cried angrily. "I DID watch them, real careful. I did everything she said to do, Tanabi; what did I do wrong?" She buried her face in his chest, her tears soaking the fur.
"Aww, man..." Tanabi glanced at the brothers angrily, as if looking for support, but the two had suddenly found something fascinating about their toes, for they studied them intently, avoiding his gaze. He turned back to Misha and rubbed cheeks with her reassuringly. "Well, since you're not babysitting, do you want to go see our joke?" He smiled halfheartedly. "Maybe it'll make you feel better, anyway."
"Oh, PHOOEY on you and your stupid joke! You don't even care, do you?" Misha's eyes blazed with anger. "What's my mama going to say when Malaika tells her I'm not even fit to look after newborn cubs? I'm worthless! " She fell back, tears streaming down her face. "I thought you were my friend, Tanabi. I guess I was wrong, wasn't I?" She turned and began to walk away.
Tanabi stood frozen, unable to speak as Togo stepped down and joined him. The older cub elbowed him and snorted. "Boy, she can't take a joke, can she?"
The tendons in Tanabi's neck creaked as he turned to face him. "Get away from me, " he said icily. Togo shrank back as Tanabi leapt up and sprinted after Misha, calling her name.
He raced around a granite outcropping and nearly blundered into her. "Misha, wait."
She stopped, but did not turn. "What do you want?"
He circled around her until he was face to face with her. "I-I have to tell you something." He cast his gaze down to the ground, unwilling to look her in the eye. "It-It's my fault Malaika kicked you out."
"Huh?" Misha cocked an eyebrow at him. "What're you talking about?"
His right ear began to jitter nervously. "I asked Malaika to get you to come play with us, " he said in a small voice. "I didn't know she was going to freak out like that, though. I thought she'd just, you know, maybe let you take a break for a couple of hours, or something." He finally looked up and met her gaze miserably. "You aren't worthless, Misha; I am. I shouldn't have tried to make you do something you didn't want to. You're my bestest friend in the world, and I just wanted to spend some time with you, that's all." His eyes began to water and he rubbed his nose with a forepaw, sniffling. "I'm really sorry, Misha. Please don't hate me."
Misha stared at him silently, looking into his sad face. Abruptly, she grinned, and leapt through the air, tackling him. Caught off balance, the startled Tanabi toppled, again giving out a healthy "OOF! " as his bruised back once again made an aquaintance with the hard rock.
"You dimwit, your head must be full of dead grass." She laughed joyfully. "Of course I don't hate you! Malaika didn't throw me out; we planned this! "
Tanabi gaped up at her. "W-What? She knew?! " He laughed shakily. "Ohh, man, you had me going, Misha." He scowled suddenly. "That was a dirty trick! "
"So was what you had planned for me, young prince." Tanabi cringed at the familiar voice. Craning his head back, he saw the inverted form of Uzuri pacing nonchalantly toward him, her wayward cubs following her meekly. She stopped, her huge form looming overhead. Tanabi was utterly flabbergasted as he saw the serene smile on Uzuri's normally stern features. "By the way; it wouldn't have worked, Tanabi. I'm the hunt mistress, remember? I can spot an attack pattern a mile away, especially one I invented." She clucked disdainfully at her children. "Really, kids; you've GOT to learn to invent your own stalking patterns." The lioness chuckled and meandered away, with Togo and Kombi following reluctantly.
Misha put her paw under Tanabi's chin and shut his mouth gently. "You're drawing flies, T." Laughing softly, she rubbed up against his side. "Did you really mean what you said about wanting to spend some time with me?"
"Of course."
She grinned as he fell neatly into her trap. "Great. C'mon. I'll show you how to babysit."
Malaika smiled gently at her. Her labor had been fruitful; three healthy cubs lay suckling at her belly, their eyes shut tightly against the world. "You were smaller than that, as I recall."
"Really?"
Tanabi sat at the entrance to Malaika's cave, squirming agitatedly. "C'mon, Misha, let's go! Togo and Kombi are waiting for us."
"Shhh! " Misha glared at him. "You're gonna scare the babies! "
Tanabi looked skyward and rolled his eyes in frustration. "Aww, man...c'mon, Misha. Please?"
She shook her head. "Nope. I want to stay here and help Malaika." She looked at the lioness adoringly. "She's going to show me how to take care of the cubs."
Her playmate shook his head disgustedly. "Sissy stuff. Fine then! Stay here and watch your old babies! I'm gonna go have fun." He spun and stalked off, his lower lip stuck out in an enormous pout.
Malaika stared after him, a frown on her face. "Honey tree, you don't have to stay here. Go play with your friends; I'm fine."
Misha shook her head. "Uh-uh. I really want to help, Malaika. Please let me stay." She glanced over her shoulder at Tanabi's retreating form. "All he wants to do is go play with Togo and Kombi, anyway."
Tanabi swatted angrily at an offending pebble in his path. He had been looking forward to this afternoon; he had planned to show Misha the neat joke Togo and Kombi had come up with to play on Uzuri. And now...he sighed, depressed. It had seemed funny at first, but now the whole joke seemed pointless.
"Phooey, " he said, disgusted. "Uzuri's no fun to tease, anyway." He started to turn, intending to head back to the main cave and take a nap, when something landed on him, bearing him to the ground with a startled "OOF! " Gasping, he rose to see Togo looking down at him with a mixture of amusement and disdain on his face. "Tsk tsk, " he clucked sadly. "Fell for it again, kid."
Kombi trotted out from behind a rock, yucking it up for all he was worth. "Sucker! How many times are you gonna get flattened before you figure it out?"
"Shaddap! " Tanabi snapped, startling them both. "Why do you always keep pouncing on me like that? You know how much I hate it! "
"Sheesh, calm down, willya?" Kombi peered at him, intrested. "What's got your fur on end today?"
"Misha." Tanabi cut his eyes away, suddenly embarrassed. "She won't come and see the joke we were gonna do."
Togo's eyes widened. "You mean the one we were gonna pull on Mom?! " He shook his head vehemently. "Naw, man, we can't pass this one up. It's the best one we've come up with yet! " He looked at Kombi worriedly. "C'mon, Tanabi, we gotta do this one! "
Tanabi looked at the ground. "Nah. I really don't feel like it. You guys go ahead without me."
Kombi shook his head. "We can't, remember? You have to distract Mom for us; that's why we showed it to you. You've gotta come."
“Why don’t you take Habu instead? He’s a lot quieter than I am, anyway.”
“That dweeb?” Togo snorted derisively. “He’s no fun. Come on, T. Let’s go.”
“He’s not a dweeb, buzzard brains, ” Tanabi said sharply. “He’s just not into jokes, that’s all.” The prince got up, shaking himself vigorously, and turned to leave. "Sorry."
"Wait a minute, here." Kombi squinched up his face in thought, an expression rarely seen from him. "If Misha DID come, would you go with us?"
Tanabi looked at him suspiciously. "Well, yeah, I guess so. But she's helping Malaika babysit her cubs. I already tried talking to her; she won't leave."
Kombi grinned at him. "No problem! We've just got to get Malaika to make Misha leave her alone; then she can go with us! "
Tanabi rolled his eyes and snorted. "Oh, brilliant. And just how, pray tell, are we going to get her to do that?"
"Simple. Ask her."
The young prince rolled onto his back, laughing. "Oh, now that's rich. You're going to go up to Malaika and say, 'Gee, we really want Misha to come and play with us; would you tell her to buzz off?'"
Kombi's smile spread into a predatory shark's grin. "Nope. You are."
"Okay, let me get this straight. You want me to tell the girl I don't want her to help me? Ridiculous." Malaika shook her head. "She's invaluable to me. Besides, I couldn't do that to her; it would break her heart."
"Aww, please?" Tanabi dredged up his most pitiful expression and turned it on full force. "It's no fun playing tag without Misha, Auntie Malaika."
Malaika raised an eyebrow. "You and Misha are going to go play 'tag' with those two? Right."
"Honest, we are! No fooling." Tanabi was secure in this fib; the prank on Uzuri DID involve them distracting her with a fake game of tag, so technically he wasn't lying. Well, sort of, anyway.
Malaika turned the matter over in her head for a minute or two, then appeared to come to a decision. "Oh, all right. I'll get her to go with you."
"Yeah! " Tanabi bussed her cheek. "Thanks, Malaika! " He scampered off, eager to inform his friends of the good news. The lioness stared after him, a faint smile on her face. "Misha, dear, did you catch that?"
"Uh-huh." The cub popped up from behind the lioness's bulk. "I don't wanna play with Togo and Kombi; they're always being mean to someone! Tanabi’s always so nice to Habu and me; I don’t know why he wants to hang out with those two.”
The lioness looked at her thoughtfully. "You know, hon, I've got an idea that might just solve all our problems."
"Really?" Misha looked slightly perplexed. "What?"
Malaika laughed. "We're going to give them a taste of their own medicine, Misha." She bent to the cub’s ear, whispering.
Several minutes later, Tanabi looked at his friend in utter shock. "She said WHAT?! "
Misha sobbed uncontrollably. "M-Malaika s-said I wasn't paying enough at-t-t-tention to the babies, that I kept ru-running off and playing with you guys instead of watching them." She collapsed on the ground and held her head in her paws. "S-She told me I'm not allowed to see them anymore..." her voice trailed up and away into a wail.
Togo looked at Kombi and grimaced. "Oops."
Tanabi patted Misha on the cheek worriedly. "Uhh, calm down, Misha. I'm sure she'll let you see them again; she's just sore, that's all."
"But I didn't DO anything! " Misha cried angrily. "I DID watch them, real careful. I did everything she said to do, Tanabi; what did I do wrong?" She buried her face in his chest, her tears soaking the fur.
"Aww, man..." Tanabi glanced at the brothers angrily, as if looking for support, but the two had suddenly found something fascinating about their toes, for they studied them intently, avoiding his gaze. He turned back to Misha and rubbed cheeks with her reassuringly. "Well, since you're not babysitting, do you want to go see our joke?" He smiled halfheartedly. "Maybe it'll make you feel better, anyway."
"Oh, PHOOEY on you and your stupid joke! You don't even care, do you?" Misha's eyes blazed with anger. "What's my mama going to say when Malaika tells her I'm not even fit to look after newborn cubs? I'm worthless! " She fell back, tears streaming down her face. "I thought you were my friend, Tanabi. I guess I was wrong, wasn't I?" She turned and began to walk away.
Tanabi stood frozen, unable to speak as Togo stepped down and joined him. The older cub elbowed him and snorted. "Boy, she can't take a joke, can she?"
The tendons in Tanabi's neck creaked as he turned to face him. "Get away from me, " he said icily. Togo shrank back as Tanabi leapt up and sprinted after Misha, calling her name.
He raced around a granite outcropping and nearly blundered into her. "Misha, wait."
She stopped, but did not turn. "What do you want?"
He circled around her until he was face to face with her. "I-I have to tell you something." He cast his gaze down to the ground, unwilling to look her in the eye. "It-It's my fault Malaika kicked you out."
"Huh?" Misha cocked an eyebrow at him. "What're you talking about?"
His right ear began to jitter nervously. "I asked Malaika to get you to come play with us, " he said in a small voice. "I didn't know she was going to freak out like that, though. I thought she'd just, you know, maybe let you take a break for a couple of hours, or something." He finally looked up and met her gaze miserably. "You aren't worthless, Misha; I am. I shouldn't have tried to make you do something you didn't want to. You're my bestest friend in the world, and I just wanted to spend some time with you, that's all." His eyes began to water and he rubbed his nose with a forepaw, sniffling. "I'm really sorry, Misha. Please don't hate me."
Misha stared at him silently, looking into his sad face. Abruptly, she grinned, and leapt through the air, tackling him. Caught off balance, the startled Tanabi toppled, again giving out a healthy "OOF! " as his bruised back once again made an aquaintance with the hard rock.
"You dimwit, your head must be full of dead grass." She laughed joyfully. "Of course I don't hate you! Malaika didn't throw me out; we planned this! "
Tanabi gaped up at her. "W-What? She knew?! " He laughed shakily. "Ohh, man, you had me going, Misha." He scowled suddenly. "That was a dirty trick! "
"So was what you had planned for me, young prince." Tanabi cringed at the familiar voice. Craning his head back, he saw the inverted form of Uzuri pacing nonchalantly toward him, her wayward cubs following her meekly. She stopped, her huge form looming overhead. Tanabi was utterly flabbergasted as he saw the serene smile on Uzuri's normally stern features. "By the way; it wouldn't have worked, Tanabi. I'm the hunt mistress, remember? I can spot an attack pattern a mile away, especially one I invented." She clucked disdainfully at her children. "Really, kids; you've GOT to learn to invent your own stalking patterns." The lioness chuckled and meandered away, with Togo and Kombi following reluctantly.
Misha put her paw under Tanabi's chin and shut his mouth gently. "You're drawing flies, T." Laughing softly, she rubbed up against his side. "Did you really mean what you said about wanting to spend some time with me?"
"Of course."
She grinned as he fell neatly into her trap. "Great. C'mon. I'll show you how to babysit."
SCENE: THE SHINING MOMENT
The spring rains had brought forth an abundance of flora from the valley floor, the flowers blooming in a riot of color which dazzled the eyes of the two yearling cubs who scampered about through the scented plants, laughing gaily.
Tanabi grinned at Misha as he crouched down among a clump of yellow wildflowers, his tail lashing madly. Giggling, she complied, standing tall and straight, strutting through the greenery as though he did not exist. He sprang from cover, tackling her and sending the two of them rolling down the gently sloping hillside.
Tanabi lost his grip and flew over his friend to land in a heap. He got up, chuckling, but froze when he heard Misha cry out. He looked over to see her emerging from a dense shock of brambles, staggering unsteadily as she favored a paw. "What's wrong?"
She shook her paw gingerly and looked at him, a tear gleaming in one eye. "I can't put my weight on it, Tanabi, it hurts! "
"Lemme see." His stomach knotted as he trotted over to her. His mother had sprained a leg a few months back, and even with Rafiki's assistance, she was only now returning to her full capabilities. If Misha had done the same, or worse, broken a bone... He sighed with relief as he spotted the problem. "It's just a thorn, Misha. No problem."
She looked at him worriedly. "Can you get it out?"
"Uh-huh. Hold still." Nosing through the fur, he carefully took hold of the edges of the shank with his teeth. With a smooth, gentle tug, the thorn pulled free.
Misha hissed in pain, then relaxed slowly. "Thank you, Tanabi."
He smiled back at her. "You're welcome." He began to groom her wounded paw in smooth, soothing strokes, noting absently how much she had grown recently. Her legs, which were her only vanity, had grown out quite a bit, much to her relief, now rivaling even the older Lisani's in their graceful appearance.
Misha sat quietly, enjoying the sensation as Tanabi cleaned the wound on her foot. Finishing, he raised his head and smiled at her. "All better."
She felt a surge of warmth for her friend. Tanabi was always so sweet. He never played too rough like the other cubs, and if he had something nice to eat, he was always willing to share. Impulsively, Misha leaned over and planted a kiss on his cheek.
Tanabi froze for a moment, then grinned. "Back at 'cha! " he said, and kissed her. But he didn't draw away immediately. Instead, he stood balanced on three legs, his attention riveted on Misha's eyes. "M-Misha?" he stammered. "I, uh-"
She laughed prettily and swatted him with a forepaw, sending him to the ground in a heap. "Tag! You're it! "
"Oh yeah?! " He leapt to his feet, grinning, and gave chase. She ran, laughing, dodging through the underbrush from spot to spot, always staying just out of reach as he pursued her across the savanna. They had begun to near Pride Rock when he finally caught up with her, intercepting her gracefully in mid-leap to send them both sprawling in the grass. The cubs paused there to catch their breath, giggling softly.
Tanabi looked over at Misha again, unable to tear his eyes off her. As she looked over at him and smiled, the sun sailed out from behind a cloud, the brilliant light surrounding her with a golden nimbus as the sun shone off her fur. His breath caught in his throat, and he was unable to speak.
Misha blinked, perplexed. "Tanabi? Are you okay?"
He cleared his throat scratchily. "Uhh, yeah. You ready to head back?"
She nodded. The two made their way towards the Rock slowly, enjoying the warm sunshine and the pleasant breeze that ruffled their fur, sending ripples across the green carpet of grass that covered the ground.
Misha leaned her head against Tanabi's shoulder companionably, noting absently the pronounced bulkiness which had not been there only a month ago. Cool, she thought. I wonder what Tanabi will look like with a mane. She tried to imagine her best friend's visage surrounded by a ruff of hair like Simba's and giggled quietly.
Uzuri passed them heading the other way and chuckled. "You two lovebirds been out walking again, eh?"
Misha's ears flattened in embarassment as Tanabi's fur spiked along his back. "Yeah...well, I mean no! That is, we're not-"
The lioness smacked him playfully with her tail as she passed. "Uh--huh. That's what I thought." She grinned and shook her head. I always knew you two were made for each other."
Tanabi writhed in total embarasment. "Uzuri! "
She laughed softly and nuzzled him. "I'm just teasing, honey tree. You go ahead on and play, now." The lioness headed away, still chuckling softly to herself.
Misha groomed herself self-conciously. "I, uh, better get back. I promised Malaika I'd help babysit while she went out hunting."
"Okay." Tanabi stared after her thoughtfully. He abruptly turned and trotted up the slope to thw promontory of Pride Rock. Seeing his father, he walked over slowly, uncertain now of what he wanted to say.
Simba was in the middle of taking a report from Zazu when he saw his son sitting quietly behind him. Breaking off, he looked at the cub curiously. "What's up, Tanabi?"
The cub squirmed uneasily. "Uhh, Dad, can I talk to you alone for a second?"
Simba raised an eyebrow. "What about? I'm in the middle of something right now; is it very important?"
"Weelll, sort of." He lashed his tail, embarassed. "It's about...uh, a friend of mine."
Simba's forehead furrowed. "Who? Is somebody in trouble?" He looked at his son sternly. "Have you kids been teasing Uzuri again?"
Tanabi sighed in exasperation. "No, it's about Misha."
Simba's mouth made a soundless "Ohhh, " as he turned to look at Zazu. The hornbill smiled knowingly and cleared his throat. "Well, Sire, that concludes my report for now. I shall return later and inform you should anything else come up."
"Of course, Zazu. Thank you." Zazu flapped off as Simba turned to his son. "Well, Tanabi? What's on your mind?"
Tanabi's brow wrinkled alarmingly. "Dad, I can't get her out of my head! " He sputtered helplessly. "I feel so weird. I want to go play with Habu and the other guys, but I want to go play with Misha, too. I don't want them to come with us, though. She's my best friend, after all, but..." he trailed off, uncertain.
Simba cocked an ear. "But...what?"
The cub looked at the ground, embarassed. "I thought she looked looked kinda pretty, today, so... I gave her a kiss."
His father chuckled. "She IS pretty, isn’t she. So, was it fun?"
“Was what fun?”
“Giving her a kiss.”
“Well it wasn’t fun. It was more like... I liked it. I wouldn’t say it was fun, though.”
Simba drew the cub close to him with a forepaw. "Son, whether you know it or not, you're growing up. There's nothing wrong with wanting to spend time alone with Misha, if that's what you want to do." He rose, stretching, and began to meander up the path to the peak of Pride Rock. Tanabi followed slowly, listening.
"Tanabi, this may be difficult for you to understand, but it's perfectly normal to want to be with a girl at your age." Simba grinned. "I remember when I thought girls were there so I would have someone to play jokes on."
"Really?"
Simba nodded.
“Know any good practical jokes?”
“There is no such thing as a ‘practical’ joke. Not when you get to be my age. I like the kind of jokes where everyone gets a good laugh and nobody feels like a fool.”
“Oh. Yeah.”
Reaching the summit, the two lions padded over to the edge and sat down. "This is just the beginning, my son. Miracles are happening inside you every day, and life itself is a miracle to be appreciated for the wonder it is. These changes used to frighten me. I didn't have someone I could talk to. I want you to remember that I'm not just your father..."
"You're also my king."
"No.... Well yes, but I mean I'm also your friend."
Simba nuzzled his son gently as they stared out over the Pride Lands together. “Son, do you know what day you’ll be grown and a lion?”
“When I’m given my mantlement?”
“In the eyes of the Pride, yes. But there is no day in your whole life when you’ll wake up and be a totally different person. A mantlement can be pushed up a week for convenience’s sake. It can be pulled back a couple of days. It’s just a ceremony.” He thought it over. “Not JUST a ceremony—it’s very important—but still there is nothing sacred about the moment it’s held because growing up is a process, not an event.” He patted Tanabi on the shoulder. “Son, you’re at an age right now when you’re a little less of a cub every day and a little more of an adult. That leads to some very confusing feelings. Like the way you felt when you kissed Misha. Fact is, I kiss your mother all the time. Some of the time it feels just like when you kiss me. But there are other times, special times, when you get to be my age. You’ll kiss her, but then you feel like there’s something else waiting to happen. Like that kiss isn’t the end, but the beginning.”
“Yeah, ” Tanabi said. "That was it. I felt like I was waiting for something to happen.” He looked down, embarrased.
Simba said quietly, “Misha loves you, son. One day when you kiss her, she will be waiting for something to happen too. And I know what that something is."
“Kombi said I’m supposed to…” He stopped.
“Kombi is very clever, but he doesn’t know everything. If he did, he would know that the love between a lion and a lioness is a holy and beautiful thing." Simba smiled. “Just how many times has Kombi done this thing he talked about.”
Tanabi’s ears flattened back and he looked down. “None, I guess.”
“Then how does he know he’s right?” He smiled slyly. “On the other hand, your father is happily married and has a son.”
Tanabi looked up and smiled. “Yeah.”
Simba nuzzled him. "So who are you going to believe? Your dad, that’s who. It's time we put these rumors aside and had a heart to heart chat."
The sky above had faded to the dusky purple of twilight. And as the great kings of the past took their places one by one in the vault of heaven, Tanabi sat quietly next to Simba and learned about love.
Tanabi grinned at Misha as he crouched down among a clump of yellow wildflowers, his tail lashing madly. Giggling, she complied, standing tall and straight, strutting through the greenery as though he did not exist. He sprang from cover, tackling her and sending the two of them rolling down the gently sloping hillside.
Tanabi lost his grip and flew over his friend to land in a heap. He got up, chuckling, but froze when he heard Misha cry out. He looked over to see her emerging from a dense shock of brambles, staggering unsteadily as she favored a paw. "What's wrong?"
She shook her paw gingerly and looked at him, a tear gleaming in one eye. "I can't put my weight on it, Tanabi, it hurts! "
"Lemme see." His stomach knotted as he trotted over to her. His mother had sprained a leg a few months back, and even with Rafiki's assistance, she was only now returning to her full capabilities. If Misha had done the same, or worse, broken a bone... He sighed with relief as he spotted the problem. "It's just a thorn, Misha. No problem."
She looked at him worriedly. "Can you get it out?"
"Uh-huh. Hold still." Nosing through the fur, he carefully took hold of the edges of the shank with his teeth. With a smooth, gentle tug, the thorn pulled free.
Misha hissed in pain, then relaxed slowly. "Thank you, Tanabi."
He smiled back at her. "You're welcome." He began to groom her wounded paw in smooth, soothing strokes, noting absently how much she had grown recently. Her legs, which were her only vanity, had grown out quite a bit, much to her relief, now rivaling even the older Lisani's in their graceful appearance.
Misha sat quietly, enjoying the sensation as Tanabi cleaned the wound on her foot. Finishing, he raised his head and smiled at her. "All better."
She felt a surge of warmth for her friend. Tanabi was always so sweet. He never played too rough like the other cubs, and if he had something nice to eat, he was always willing to share. Impulsively, Misha leaned over and planted a kiss on his cheek.
Tanabi froze for a moment, then grinned. "Back at 'cha! " he said, and kissed her. But he didn't draw away immediately. Instead, he stood balanced on three legs, his attention riveted on Misha's eyes. "M-Misha?" he stammered. "I, uh-"
She laughed prettily and swatted him with a forepaw, sending him to the ground in a heap. "Tag! You're it! "
"Oh yeah?! " He leapt to his feet, grinning, and gave chase. She ran, laughing, dodging through the underbrush from spot to spot, always staying just out of reach as he pursued her across the savanna. They had begun to near Pride Rock when he finally caught up with her, intercepting her gracefully in mid-leap to send them both sprawling in the grass. The cubs paused there to catch their breath, giggling softly.
Tanabi looked over at Misha again, unable to tear his eyes off her. As she looked over at him and smiled, the sun sailed out from behind a cloud, the brilliant light surrounding her with a golden nimbus as the sun shone off her fur. His breath caught in his throat, and he was unable to speak.
Misha blinked, perplexed. "Tanabi? Are you okay?"
He cleared his throat scratchily. "Uhh, yeah. You ready to head back?"
She nodded. The two made their way towards the Rock slowly, enjoying the warm sunshine and the pleasant breeze that ruffled their fur, sending ripples across the green carpet of grass that covered the ground.
Misha leaned her head against Tanabi's shoulder companionably, noting absently the pronounced bulkiness which had not been there only a month ago. Cool, she thought. I wonder what Tanabi will look like with a mane. She tried to imagine her best friend's visage surrounded by a ruff of hair like Simba's and giggled quietly.
Uzuri passed them heading the other way and chuckled. "You two lovebirds been out walking again, eh?"
Misha's ears flattened in embarassment as Tanabi's fur spiked along his back. "Yeah...well, I mean no! That is, we're not-"
The lioness smacked him playfully with her tail as she passed. "Uh--huh. That's what I thought." She grinned and shook her head. I always knew you two were made for each other."
Tanabi writhed in total embarasment. "Uzuri! "
She laughed softly and nuzzled him. "I'm just teasing, honey tree. You go ahead on and play, now." The lioness headed away, still chuckling softly to herself.
Misha groomed herself self-conciously. "I, uh, better get back. I promised Malaika I'd help babysit while she went out hunting."
"Okay." Tanabi stared after her thoughtfully. He abruptly turned and trotted up the slope to thw promontory of Pride Rock. Seeing his father, he walked over slowly, uncertain now of what he wanted to say.
Simba was in the middle of taking a report from Zazu when he saw his son sitting quietly behind him. Breaking off, he looked at the cub curiously. "What's up, Tanabi?"
The cub squirmed uneasily. "Uhh, Dad, can I talk to you alone for a second?"
Simba raised an eyebrow. "What about? I'm in the middle of something right now; is it very important?"
"Weelll, sort of." He lashed his tail, embarassed. "It's about...uh, a friend of mine."
Simba's forehead furrowed. "Who? Is somebody in trouble?" He looked at his son sternly. "Have you kids been teasing Uzuri again?"
Tanabi sighed in exasperation. "No, it's about Misha."
Simba's mouth made a soundless "Ohhh, " as he turned to look at Zazu. The hornbill smiled knowingly and cleared his throat. "Well, Sire, that concludes my report for now. I shall return later and inform you should anything else come up."
"Of course, Zazu. Thank you." Zazu flapped off as Simba turned to his son. "Well, Tanabi? What's on your mind?"
Tanabi's brow wrinkled alarmingly. "Dad, I can't get her out of my head! " He sputtered helplessly. "I feel so weird. I want to go play with Habu and the other guys, but I want to go play with Misha, too. I don't want them to come with us, though. She's my best friend, after all, but..." he trailed off, uncertain.
Simba cocked an ear. "But...what?"
The cub looked at the ground, embarassed. "I thought she looked looked kinda pretty, today, so... I gave her a kiss."
His father chuckled. "She IS pretty, isn’t she. So, was it fun?"
“Was what fun?”
“Giving her a kiss.”
“Well it wasn’t fun. It was more like... I liked it. I wouldn’t say it was fun, though.”
Simba drew the cub close to him with a forepaw. "Son, whether you know it or not, you're growing up. There's nothing wrong with wanting to spend time alone with Misha, if that's what you want to do." He rose, stretching, and began to meander up the path to the peak of Pride Rock. Tanabi followed slowly, listening.
"Tanabi, this may be difficult for you to understand, but it's perfectly normal to want to be with a girl at your age." Simba grinned. "I remember when I thought girls were there so I would have someone to play jokes on."
"Really?"
Simba nodded.
“Know any good practical jokes?”
“There is no such thing as a ‘practical’ joke. Not when you get to be my age. I like the kind of jokes where everyone gets a good laugh and nobody feels like a fool.”
“Oh. Yeah.”
Reaching the summit, the two lions padded over to the edge and sat down. "This is just the beginning, my son. Miracles are happening inside you every day, and life itself is a miracle to be appreciated for the wonder it is. These changes used to frighten me. I didn't have someone I could talk to. I want you to remember that I'm not just your father..."
"You're also my king."
"No.... Well yes, but I mean I'm also your friend."
Simba nuzzled his son gently as they stared out over the Pride Lands together. “Son, do you know what day you’ll be grown and a lion?”
“When I’m given my mantlement?”
“In the eyes of the Pride, yes. But there is no day in your whole life when you’ll wake up and be a totally different person. A mantlement can be pushed up a week for convenience’s sake. It can be pulled back a couple of days. It’s just a ceremony.” He thought it over. “Not JUST a ceremony—it’s very important—but still there is nothing sacred about the moment it’s held because growing up is a process, not an event.” He patted Tanabi on the shoulder. “Son, you’re at an age right now when you’re a little less of a cub every day and a little more of an adult. That leads to some very confusing feelings. Like the way you felt when you kissed Misha. Fact is, I kiss your mother all the time. Some of the time it feels just like when you kiss me. But there are other times, special times, when you get to be my age. You’ll kiss her, but then you feel like there’s something else waiting to happen. Like that kiss isn’t the end, but the beginning.”
“Yeah, ” Tanabi said. "That was it. I felt like I was waiting for something to happen.” He looked down, embarrased.
Simba said quietly, “Misha loves you, son. One day when you kiss her, she will be waiting for something to happen too. And I know what that something is."
“Kombi said I’m supposed to…” He stopped.
“Kombi is very clever, but he doesn’t know everything. If he did, he would know that the love between a lion and a lioness is a holy and beautiful thing." Simba smiled. “Just how many times has Kombi done this thing he talked about.”
Tanabi’s ears flattened back and he looked down. “None, I guess.”
“Then how does he know he’s right?” He smiled slyly. “On the other hand, your father is happily married and has a son.”
Tanabi looked up and smiled. “Yeah.”
Simba nuzzled him. "So who are you going to believe? Your dad, that’s who. It's time we put these rumors aside and had a heart to heart chat."
The sky above had faded to the dusky purple of twilight. And as the great kings of the past took their places one by one in the vault of heaven, Tanabi sat quietly next to Simba and learned about love.
SCENE: THE WAITING GAME
Misha never formally fell in love with Tanabi. As youngest cubs they were the best of friends, practically inseparable. Most pride members never thought of one without the other. They would nurse together at Ajenti or Nala, which was their mothers' way of recognizing the budding relationship, for out of this friendship Ajenti was expecting a new son and Nala was expecting a new daughter someday. Of course by this time they had long since taken to an adult diet and a more adult appearance. And with this came a more mature love that deepened rather than replaced their old feelings.
Ajenti still had authority over her "little girl, " and forbade her to carelessly lead on Tanabi because she was still not a lioness. Indeed, Misha was still her cub despite her feelings, and this would not change until she had become a lioness in the eyes of the pride. As her new feelings for Tanabi grew and deepened, she longed for the rite of passage and the freedom it would bring.
Misha was sunning herself on the rocks when Tanabi came by. "Look, Missy, notice anything different about me?"
"Oh yes! It's wonderful! Look, Mom, his mane is one day longer than the last time he asked! "
"That's not very nice, " Tanabi said. "After all, I mainly came by to wish you luck on this evening's hunt. I hear it's your first?"
"You know good and well it is." She smiled. "I talk about it as much as you talk about that stupid old mane--forget I said that; it's not stupid at all. It's beautiful, like you."
Tanabi bussed her cheek with his tongue. "Tomorrow is my mantlement. I guess I've run it into the ground by now, but I delayed it because of you."
"Because of me?"
"Because this evening is your first hunt. I want you to stand with me tomorrow at the ceremony. I want to make an announcement. You will be a huntress and I will be a hunter."
"What will you hunt?"
"I will hunt you."
"Do you think you can catch me?"
"I will, " he said passionately. He shuddered and spoke in a near whisper. "The time for talk will soon be over, Missy. My love will be more than kind words."
"I know."
"Tell me the truth. Will your feelings for me come back a lioness, or will they be a cub? I know you are my friend, but do you look forward to this union? Are you sure you will want me?"
She pressed up against his side and walked slowly forward, rubbing along his flank and finally drawing her supple tail seductively under his throat. "I want you now. Once first blood is marked on my cheek, I won't even stop to eat. I'll come right back here and find you. It will be everything you hoped for--I promise."
"Misha, " Tanabi whispered, nuzzling her affectionately. His hot breath on her face was intoxicating. "When you kill, take time to savor the moment. You know I don't become a lion till tomorrow. A foolish, fleeting passage of the sun and a few grand words from my father. I hate ceremonies—they are so incon-venient."
"And so long, " Misha said. "Keep your speech short. After all, you'll really become a lion when we're alone."
"Oh gods! " He nuzzled her again, then stopped himself. "Please leave now. I cannot trust myself."
"Sorry, Fuzzy Love." She gave him a brief, chaste touch of her tongue on the cheek. "Love ya."
"Same here. Good hunting."
Ajenti still had authority over her "little girl, " and forbade her to carelessly lead on Tanabi because she was still not a lioness. Indeed, Misha was still her cub despite her feelings, and this would not change until she had become a lioness in the eyes of the pride. As her new feelings for Tanabi grew and deepened, she longed for the rite of passage and the freedom it would bring.
Misha was sunning herself on the rocks when Tanabi came by. "Look, Missy, notice anything different about me?"
"Oh yes! It's wonderful! Look, Mom, his mane is one day longer than the last time he asked! "
"That's not very nice, " Tanabi said. "After all, I mainly came by to wish you luck on this evening's hunt. I hear it's your first?"
"You know good and well it is." She smiled. "I talk about it as much as you talk about that stupid old mane--forget I said that; it's not stupid at all. It's beautiful, like you."
Tanabi bussed her cheek with his tongue. "Tomorrow is my mantlement. I guess I've run it into the ground by now, but I delayed it because of you."
"Because of me?"
"Because this evening is your first hunt. I want you to stand with me tomorrow at the ceremony. I want to make an announcement. You will be a huntress and I will be a hunter."
"What will you hunt?"
"I will hunt you."
"Do you think you can catch me?"
"I will, " he said passionately. He shuddered and spoke in a near whisper. "The time for talk will soon be over, Missy. My love will be more than kind words."
"I know."
"Tell me the truth. Will your feelings for me come back a lioness, or will they be a cub? I know you are my friend, but do you look forward to this union? Are you sure you will want me?"
She pressed up against his side and walked slowly forward, rubbing along his flank and finally drawing her supple tail seductively under his throat. "I want you now. Once first blood is marked on my cheek, I won't even stop to eat. I'll come right back here and find you. It will be everything you hoped for--I promise."
"Misha, " Tanabi whispered, nuzzling her affectionately. His hot breath on her face was intoxicating. "When you kill, take time to savor the moment. You know I don't become a lion till tomorrow. A foolish, fleeting passage of the sun and a few grand words from my father. I hate ceremonies—they are so incon-venient."
"And so long, " Misha said. "Keep your speech short. After all, you'll really become a lion when we're alone."
"Oh gods! " He nuzzled her again, then stopped himself. "Please leave now. I cannot trust myself."
"Sorry, Fuzzy Love." She gave him a brief, chaste touch of her tongue on the cheek. "Love ya."
"Same here. Good hunting."
SCENE: GAME IS AFOOT
It seemed an eternity until time for the evening hunt. Misha was first at the gathering place in the shadow of Pride Rock. When the other lionesses came in one by one, she chatted nervously.
In fact, lionesses loved to talk when they were gathering for a hunt. It was therapeutic to get all of it out of their system before the silence of the stalk. And so Misha ended up with a lot of free advice on everything from hunting to raising polite, well-behaved cubs. In fact, Isha even asked if her mother had had The Talk with her. She said yes, shyly.
"Isha, what is it like to be with a lion?"
They laughed. Malaika said, "Get her talking about that, Honey Tree, and there won't be ANY killing tonight."
"I could tell you some stories, " Isha added, giggling. "Remember Taka?"
"Taka?? You and Taka??" There was more laughter.
"No! Not in a million years! " She feigned indignation, then added in a low voice, "But I heard on good authority that he and Elanna used to sneak out to the...."
"Watch what you say about my sister! " Sarabi let a little fang show.
Isha looked at Sarabi and added soothingly. "Come on, Sarabi. Aren't you the least bit curious? You said yourself you didn't know what Elanna saw in him. I did too, so I went straight to the source. El' didn't hold back, not one little detail....."
Sarabi's jaw hung slack. "No, you don't say! She hasn't told me anything."
"Well I’d imagine not. Some things you won’t tell a sister, like ‘What is it this time, naughty bunnies or the wildebeest’s revenge?’”
The lionesses giggled and drew closer together, expectantly. “Naughty bunnies?” Misha asked, worried. “Mother never told me about that…”
"Hush! " Uzuri said. "Misha's still a child for now." Uzuri was the hunt mistress, and they obeyed her at once.
"You don’t need naughty bunnies, ” Uzuri purred. “The love between a lion and lioness is a beautiful thing when it begins in the heart. Tanabi will look in your eyes and plead for you to love him. You will come willingly, gladly. And when your love is bright as the eyes of Aiheu, he will share with you the comfort of his body and you will become one. Love is nothing to be frightened of, or ashamed of. "
Sarabi added, "At times he will be stubborn, irresponsible, an overgrown cub. He will make you angry with his foolishness. You will start to cuff the life out of him, and then he will turn to you and need your forgiveness as dry grass needs the rain. And you will rush to forgive him for you love him so. To make love is good, but there are many ways to feel love. Mostly I remember how safe I felt with Mufasa's strong and beautiful body next to me all night long. When I would awake at high moon, I would stroke his mane. He would not wake up, but he would purr softly." Her lower jaw quivered. "I'm sorry. Listen to the foolish old lioness living in the past."
Misha said, "Don't say that. You're NOT foolish."
It was not Misha's first hunt. Her mother had taken her out alone on several occasions and showed her how to hunt small prey. Once Ajenti had even tackled an antelope, and on its body demonstrated all the right holds.
But this was Misha's first time to go out with the other lionesses. That warm life that she would take in her jaws would fight to live for one more hour, even one more minute. She would have to be firm, but when possible she would be quick and merciful. The thought took her mind off Tanabi long enough to sober her up for the ritual ahead.
"Time, sisters, " Uzuri said. "Isha, Nala, you will flank me. Malaika, you will lead the left flank. The rest of us will follow her, except for you, Misha. You will come with me. Now silence! "
They wouldn't speak above a whisper from this point on, and words were few. They fanned out to form a clamshell formation in the tall grass.
Indeed, there was no need to discuss the angle of attack, for Uzuri's quick, subtle gestures of ears, head and tail spoke volumes. She headed the group toward the watering hole from the grassy side, heading into the wind. It was a simple enough plan, one more geared toward easy, small prey than the large animals needed to satisfy the Pride's hunger. It was meant to be Misha's moment, a passing on of the heritage that had gone down endless generations, and would go to her daughters as well.
Something had always been missing from Misha's life. For her many friends, she still had no idea what happened when the hunting party left. Even in the enforced quiet of the stalk, there was a feeling of sisterhood and singleness of purpose that she would not--and could not--find anywhere else. Not a lioness breathes that cannot recall their first kill as if it were yesterday. The only thing that changes over the years is the size and swiftness of the prey. First kills often get better with age.
In the quiet, calculated tread of stalking, they heard the buzzing of insects, the singing of birds, and only the faintest folding of grass blades beneath padded feet. Misha had used her skills in play, stalking and wrestling Tanabi in laughter-filled bouts beneath the acacias. It was now put to serious use. Sometimes she would let Tanabi win, because she loved him. Now she must win at all costs because she loved him. And yet as much as she loved Tanabi, she resented the pressure that her feelings were putting on her first hunt. "I must win, " she thought. "Concentrate! "
Through the grass, Misha could barely make out the Thompsons Gazelles they were stalking. What luck! The same species she'd been shown by her mother! She knew where to strike and what to do. The gods were with her!
The watering hole was the great common denominator. The tall and the small, the weak and the strong all had to drink. Some creatures, like lions, took the water for granted. Others treated it like a prize which must be stolen by a skillful thief. The gazelles were among the best thieves, but they were not infallible. And that evening they were letting their guard down ever so slightly.
Uzuri played a cagey game. From time to time one of the gazelles would look up nervously, scanning the horizon for signs of trouble. At that moment, all the lionesses would stop without need to say a word. They were approaching from downwind so they could not be smelled. They would succeed if they took as much time as they needed to do a good job. Too much time, and the Gazelles would finish and be gone--they didn't hang around watering holes longer than necessary. Uzuri could size up that window of opportunity like no other, and she was exploiting it well.
The tension was great. Misha held herself in check. There could be no sudden movements until the signal, and no sounds. Even the charge had to be silent, for that extra fraction of a second, or maybe a precious whole second, before they were spotted may make the critical difference. Misha watched the head lioness' ears and tail tip, waiting for the signal.
Suddenly, the ears went up and the tail lashed. At once several missiles of golden fur sprang toward the herd which hovered in a moment of disbelief, then blossomed like a tan flower in all directions. The earth rumbled like a living thing.
The party turned to the right. For a moment the gazelles acted as one large beast, keeping in tight formation like a single life. However, one of the gazelles fell behind the rest, and Uzuri headed for him, sparing Misha the decision. The other lionesses began to focus on the hapless tommie as the distance quickly narrowed. Then the others fell back and Uzuri said, "Misha, take him! "
Her heart pounding, her nerves strained to the limit, she closed the distance. The gazelle turned, which slowed him for a half second. Misha's gut reaction paid off, for she had expected the turn.
Misha sprang. Her powerful arm reached over the neck, and with an electric tingle her paw gripped the heaving, furry target, bringing her snapping jaws to--empty air. She fell back, and got a vicious kick in her shoulder from the fleeing antelope.
She rolled over twice, but she quickly recovered and started to run again. By then he was far away.
"Misha, come back! Stop! "
She obeyed Uzuri, but looked back crossly. "I need this kill."
"You lost this one, " Uzuri said. "That's life." She came to Misha and looked at her shoulder. "Can you walk?"
"I'm fine, " Misha said, bitterly disappointed. She walked about. "I'm just a little sore."
"You're not bleeding, " Uzuri said. "You'll be all right, but we should head back now."
"We can't head back, " Misha said, horrified. "We just can't! Please, I'm fine! Really! "
"We will hunt again two nights from now. If you are fine then, you will be welcome to come. It was my fault, really. I should have reviewed your training and helped you more. I know you have a male waiting for you, and I'm sorry."
Just then from the bush, a young rabbit that couldn't take the suspense anymore darted toward his hole. An alert lioness sprang for him and tore him in her teeth.
"You should have let Misha try, " the Uzuri said crossly. Then she changed her expression. "Sisters, perhaps it is not too late." She dipped her paw in the blood and said, "Misha, come here."
Misha obeyed, and the head lioness tried to touch her cheek with the blood.
"Please don't, " Misha said, backing back.
"They won't tell, " Uzuri said, glaring at the others. "Will you?"
"No, " the others replied. "Certainly not."
"But I will know, " Misha replied. "Every time my husband touches me, I will think of this. They say you never forget your first kill, and I'd have to live with this for the rest of my life. Please, Uzuri, don't tempt me."
Uzuri gravely nodded. "Wisely spoken." She nuzzled Misha affectionately. "You have honor, like your mother."
In fact, lionesses loved to talk when they were gathering for a hunt. It was therapeutic to get all of it out of their system before the silence of the stalk. And so Misha ended up with a lot of free advice on everything from hunting to raising polite, well-behaved cubs. In fact, Isha even asked if her mother had had The Talk with her. She said yes, shyly.
"Isha, what is it like to be with a lion?"
They laughed. Malaika said, "Get her talking about that, Honey Tree, and there won't be ANY killing tonight."
"I could tell you some stories, " Isha added, giggling. "Remember Taka?"
"Taka?? You and Taka??" There was more laughter.
"No! Not in a million years! " She feigned indignation, then added in a low voice, "But I heard on good authority that he and Elanna used to sneak out to the...."
"Watch what you say about my sister! " Sarabi let a little fang show.
Isha looked at Sarabi and added soothingly. "Come on, Sarabi. Aren't you the least bit curious? You said yourself you didn't know what Elanna saw in him. I did too, so I went straight to the source. El' didn't hold back, not one little detail....."
Sarabi's jaw hung slack. "No, you don't say! She hasn't told me anything."
"Well I’d imagine not. Some things you won’t tell a sister, like ‘What is it this time, naughty bunnies or the wildebeest’s revenge?’”
The lionesses giggled and drew closer together, expectantly. “Naughty bunnies?” Misha asked, worried. “Mother never told me about that…”
"Hush! " Uzuri said. "Misha's still a child for now." Uzuri was the hunt mistress, and they obeyed her at once.
"You don’t need naughty bunnies, ” Uzuri purred. “The love between a lion and lioness is a beautiful thing when it begins in the heart. Tanabi will look in your eyes and plead for you to love him. You will come willingly, gladly. And when your love is bright as the eyes of Aiheu, he will share with you the comfort of his body and you will become one. Love is nothing to be frightened of, or ashamed of. "
Sarabi added, "At times he will be stubborn, irresponsible, an overgrown cub. He will make you angry with his foolishness. You will start to cuff the life out of him, and then he will turn to you and need your forgiveness as dry grass needs the rain. And you will rush to forgive him for you love him so. To make love is good, but there are many ways to feel love. Mostly I remember how safe I felt with Mufasa's strong and beautiful body next to me all night long. When I would awake at high moon, I would stroke his mane. He would not wake up, but he would purr softly." Her lower jaw quivered. "I'm sorry. Listen to the foolish old lioness living in the past."
Misha said, "Don't say that. You're NOT foolish."
It was not Misha's first hunt. Her mother had taken her out alone on several occasions and showed her how to hunt small prey. Once Ajenti had even tackled an antelope, and on its body demonstrated all the right holds.
But this was Misha's first time to go out with the other lionesses. That warm life that she would take in her jaws would fight to live for one more hour, even one more minute. She would have to be firm, but when possible she would be quick and merciful. The thought took her mind off Tanabi long enough to sober her up for the ritual ahead.
"Time, sisters, " Uzuri said. "Isha, Nala, you will flank me. Malaika, you will lead the left flank. The rest of us will follow her, except for you, Misha. You will come with me. Now silence! "
They wouldn't speak above a whisper from this point on, and words were few. They fanned out to form a clamshell formation in the tall grass.
Indeed, there was no need to discuss the angle of attack, for Uzuri's quick, subtle gestures of ears, head and tail spoke volumes. She headed the group toward the watering hole from the grassy side, heading into the wind. It was a simple enough plan, one more geared toward easy, small prey than the large animals needed to satisfy the Pride's hunger. It was meant to be Misha's moment, a passing on of the heritage that had gone down endless generations, and would go to her daughters as well.
Something had always been missing from Misha's life. For her many friends, she still had no idea what happened when the hunting party left. Even in the enforced quiet of the stalk, there was a feeling of sisterhood and singleness of purpose that she would not--and could not--find anywhere else. Not a lioness breathes that cannot recall their first kill as if it were yesterday. The only thing that changes over the years is the size and swiftness of the prey. First kills often get better with age.
In the quiet, calculated tread of stalking, they heard the buzzing of insects, the singing of birds, and only the faintest folding of grass blades beneath padded feet. Misha had used her skills in play, stalking and wrestling Tanabi in laughter-filled bouts beneath the acacias. It was now put to serious use. Sometimes she would let Tanabi win, because she loved him. Now she must win at all costs because she loved him. And yet as much as she loved Tanabi, she resented the pressure that her feelings were putting on her first hunt. "I must win, " she thought. "Concentrate! "
Through the grass, Misha could barely make out the Thompsons Gazelles they were stalking. What luck! The same species she'd been shown by her mother! She knew where to strike and what to do. The gods were with her!
The watering hole was the great common denominator. The tall and the small, the weak and the strong all had to drink. Some creatures, like lions, took the water for granted. Others treated it like a prize which must be stolen by a skillful thief. The gazelles were among the best thieves, but they were not infallible. And that evening they were letting their guard down ever so slightly.
Uzuri played a cagey game. From time to time one of the gazelles would look up nervously, scanning the horizon for signs of trouble. At that moment, all the lionesses would stop without need to say a word. They were approaching from downwind so they could not be smelled. They would succeed if they took as much time as they needed to do a good job. Too much time, and the Gazelles would finish and be gone--they didn't hang around watering holes longer than necessary. Uzuri could size up that window of opportunity like no other, and she was exploiting it well.
The tension was great. Misha held herself in check. There could be no sudden movements until the signal, and no sounds. Even the charge had to be silent, for that extra fraction of a second, or maybe a precious whole second, before they were spotted may make the critical difference. Misha watched the head lioness' ears and tail tip, waiting for the signal.
Suddenly, the ears went up and the tail lashed. At once several missiles of golden fur sprang toward the herd which hovered in a moment of disbelief, then blossomed like a tan flower in all directions. The earth rumbled like a living thing.
The party turned to the right. For a moment the gazelles acted as one large beast, keeping in tight formation like a single life. However, one of the gazelles fell behind the rest, and Uzuri headed for him, sparing Misha the decision. The other lionesses began to focus on the hapless tommie as the distance quickly narrowed. Then the others fell back and Uzuri said, "Misha, take him! "
Her heart pounding, her nerves strained to the limit, she closed the distance. The gazelle turned, which slowed him for a half second. Misha's gut reaction paid off, for she had expected the turn.
Misha sprang. Her powerful arm reached over the neck, and with an electric tingle her paw gripped the heaving, furry target, bringing her snapping jaws to--empty air. She fell back, and got a vicious kick in her shoulder from the fleeing antelope.
She rolled over twice, but she quickly recovered and started to run again. By then he was far away.
"Misha, come back! Stop! "
She obeyed Uzuri, but looked back crossly. "I need this kill."
"You lost this one, " Uzuri said. "That's life." She came to Misha and looked at her shoulder. "Can you walk?"
"I'm fine, " Misha said, bitterly disappointed. She walked about. "I'm just a little sore."
"You're not bleeding, " Uzuri said. "You'll be all right, but we should head back now."
"We can't head back, " Misha said, horrified. "We just can't! Please, I'm fine! Really! "
"We will hunt again two nights from now. If you are fine then, you will be welcome to come. It was my fault, really. I should have reviewed your training and helped you more. I know you have a male waiting for you, and I'm sorry."
Just then from the bush, a young rabbit that couldn't take the suspense anymore darted toward his hole. An alert lioness sprang for him and tore him in her teeth.
"You should have let Misha try, " the Uzuri said crossly. Then she changed her expression. "Sisters, perhaps it is not too late." She dipped her paw in the blood and said, "Misha, come here."
Misha obeyed, and the head lioness tried to touch her cheek with the blood.
"Please don't, " Misha said, backing back.
"They won't tell, " Uzuri said, glaring at the others. "Will you?"
"No, " the others replied. "Certainly not."
"But I will know, " Misha replied. "Every time my husband touches me, I will think of this. They say you never forget your first kill, and I'd have to live with this for the rest of my life. Please, Uzuri, don't tempt me."
Uzuri gravely nodded. "Wisely spoken." She nuzzled Misha affectionately. "You have honor, like your mother."
SCENE: THE SCORE IS ANNOUNCED
For the tenth time that hour, Tanabi asked his father if he'd caught sight of the returning hunting party. He wished that he could sit out on the point of Pride Rock, but he was being coached on what to do by Rafiki in the quiet of the cave where he was born. Zazu could not see well at night, and only Simba had time to scan the horizon for the flakes of tan.
"Do you think they will be back soon?" Tanabi asked.
Simba came down off the point and went to his son. "Look here, Tanabi. I tell you what I'll do. You let me sit out there and watch in peace without one more word, and when I see her, I'll arrange a quick, private ceremony as soon as she comes in. It will be our secret. There will still be a public ceremony tomorrow, but by then you should be in a very good mood. You understand?"
Simba went back to the point on the rock and sat back on the warm spot he'd made. It was still rather comfortable.
"Dad?"
"What is it now, son?"
"Thank you."
Simba smiled. "You're quite welcome." He wanted his son's mantlement to be everything that his was not. Timon and Pumbaa had been the only ones to witness Simba's coming of age, and they did what they could to make it a happy time for their young friend. The Pride Lands had not seen a real royal mantlement ceremony conducted the way they should be done for years, since Ahadi had first sprouted that ruff of fur. The blessing was not just on the lion being honored. It was a blessing on all who flew, walked or swam. It was the reason why those who fear lions still loved and venerated the Lion King. He was the one through whom the blessings of the gods came to all. Those who came to the mantlement ceremony would crowd around hoping to touch that mane and derive strength from it, strength they would pass on to their own offspring.
Perhaps Simba was anxious to make sure this would make the gods happy and make up for all the years missed. But he was also anxious that his son be happy. He spotted the lionesses returning from the hunt. "Look, it's them! " Simba said, prancing like a cub. "Tanabi, did you hear??"
Tanabi came bounding out of the cave. The two lions met in the middle of Pride Rock and wrestled like a couple of kittens. "Getting to big for your mother's milk, eh?"
"You're just jealous."
"I could still make you wait till tomorrow."
"Father! "
"Go greet her, my son. Bring her here. Remember, I get to kiss her first."
Tanabi got off, shook the dust off what mane he had, and headed quickly down the side of Pride Rock. "Just wait till I tell her, " Tanabi thought as he forded through the grassland like a ship on silver seas. Their eyes shone green and gold in the moonlight. Two were the lights of his beloved. "Misha! Misha, dearest! It's me! "
Uzuri passed him without looking up, a glum expression on her face. Isha shook her head as if to say "Don't ask." Then came Misha behind her, her head bowed, and a dusty footprint on her swollen shoulder.
"Misha?"
Misha looked at him silently, then burst into tears.
"It is better you go now, " Uzuri counseled. "She will hunt again soon."
By the time they got back to Pride Rock, there was no need to tell Simba what had happened. "I have given Zazu clear orders, " Simba softly purred to his son. "He is to be your chaperone till Misha makes her first kill. I trust you, but we must silence the gossip before it starts."
"Do you think they will be back soon?" Tanabi asked.
Simba came down off the point and went to his son. "Look here, Tanabi. I tell you what I'll do. You let me sit out there and watch in peace without one more word, and when I see her, I'll arrange a quick, private ceremony as soon as she comes in. It will be our secret. There will still be a public ceremony tomorrow, but by then you should be in a very good mood. You understand?"
Simba went back to the point on the rock and sat back on the warm spot he'd made. It was still rather comfortable.
"Dad?"
"What is it now, son?"
"Thank you."
Simba smiled. "You're quite welcome." He wanted his son's mantlement to be everything that his was not. Timon and Pumbaa had been the only ones to witness Simba's coming of age, and they did what they could to make it a happy time for their young friend. The Pride Lands had not seen a real royal mantlement ceremony conducted the way they should be done for years, since Ahadi had first sprouted that ruff of fur. The blessing was not just on the lion being honored. It was a blessing on all who flew, walked or swam. It was the reason why those who fear lions still loved and venerated the Lion King. He was the one through whom the blessings of the gods came to all. Those who came to the mantlement ceremony would crowd around hoping to touch that mane and derive strength from it, strength they would pass on to their own offspring.
Perhaps Simba was anxious to make sure this would make the gods happy and make up for all the years missed. But he was also anxious that his son be happy. He spotted the lionesses returning from the hunt. "Look, it's them! " Simba said, prancing like a cub. "Tanabi, did you hear??"
Tanabi came bounding out of the cave. The two lions met in the middle of Pride Rock and wrestled like a couple of kittens. "Getting to big for your mother's milk, eh?"
"You're just jealous."
"I could still make you wait till tomorrow."
"Father! "
"Go greet her, my son. Bring her here. Remember, I get to kiss her first."
Tanabi got off, shook the dust off what mane he had, and headed quickly down the side of Pride Rock. "Just wait till I tell her, " Tanabi thought as he forded through the grassland like a ship on silver seas. Their eyes shone green and gold in the moonlight. Two were the lights of his beloved. "Misha! Misha, dearest! It's me! "
Uzuri passed him without looking up, a glum expression on her face. Isha shook her head as if to say "Don't ask." Then came Misha behind her, her head bowed, and a dusty footprint on her swollen shoulder.
"Misha?"
Misha looked at him silently, then burst into tears.
"It is better you go now, " Uzuri counseled. "She will hunt again soon."
By the time they got back to Pride Rock, there was no need to tell Simba what had happened. "I have given Zazu clear orders, " Simba softly purred to his son. "He is to be your chaperone till Misha makes her first kill. I trust you, but we must silence the gossip before it starts."
SCENE: THE CEREMONY
"I speak the words of Aiheu the Beautiful who breathed into our nostrils the breath of life: Come, let my children grow in grace and stature, and let my gift of life endure from generation to generation as long as the sun shall rise and set. And I place a sign among you that my favor endures forever."
-- THE LEONINE STORY OF BEGINNINGS, Variation D-4-A
It was to be a mantlement ceremony as held in the days of old. All of the celebrations would be strictly observed, including the one day moratorium on hunting that allows the animals of the Pride Lands to celebrate the prince's good fortune. Even the cheetahs and leopards were expected to abstain from blood, something that was probably unpopular with them, but they carried themselves with too much dignity and too little strength to complain. Misha was depressed. There would be no hunt that night for her to prove herself. Indeed, after a careful examination, Rafiki told her she would be off the hunt for at least a week.