Creation of the Pride Lands

Mohatu 1

THIRD PERSON POV

     In the shade of the caves a lioness laid on a large bundle of grass and leaves. The sun was setting over the horizon outside the den. Her stomach bulged hiding the newest member of her family. Her cubs ran around outside of the den keeping in her sight at all times to make sure they didn't stress their mother. 

"Mother? Are you alright? Should I go get father?" Jata laughed gently and held her paw up silencing her daughter. 

"I'm alright Maji dear." She responded and shook her head. 

Maji nodded slowly and went back to watching her younger sisters play together. 

"We're back!" Jata picked her head up and smiled at her mate and son. "how are you feeling my love?" He rubbed his head gently against hers purring. 

"I'm alright. Maji was a big help today. Elea and Kesi have been mostly playing while I napped." The mentioned cubs rushed into the den to greet their father and brother. 

"Ikeno!" Kesi jumped on her brother giggling lightly. "How was patrol?" She leaned against him and smiled brightly. Elea rubbed against her father's leg purring. 

"Hi, daddy. Me and Kesi played huntress and prey today! Kesi was the prey and she complained the whole time." Kesi glared over at her sister and growled lightly. 

"I did not!" 

"Did too!"

"Did not!"

"Did too!" 

"Girls." They both turned to look at their mother with their ears down in shame. 

"Sorry, mom." Jata shook her head with a fond smile at her cubs. Her small little family meant the world to her but she knew the truth and refused to tell them. The only ones who knew were her and Lea, she planned it to stay that way. 

"Jata?" She looked over at her mate and smiled apologetically. 

"Sorry, my love. What did you say?" Baraka shook his head fondly and laid next to her welcoming her against his mane. 

"well don't you all look comfy." 

"Grandma!" The light-colored lioness walked into the den and sent warm smiles to everyone. 

"How are you feeling Jata dear?" Baraka laughed as his mother entered the den with his cub clinging to her paws like small monkeys. 

"I'm feeling alright Nala. Little cramps most of the day. But you know what that means." Jata responded giggling.

"Oh yes. I predict sometime tonight or tomorrow." Nala nodded in agreement and lay near the couple talking about cub names and political topics that needed to be addressed. 

"Hey, Maji? Didn't you have hunting lessons today with Ms. Shena?" Maji looked over and shook her head. 

"No. She just gave birth to her daughter. Her name is Halina and she has such pretty fur. It's like dad's just a few shades lighter. I haven't seen her eyes yet cause they haven't opened. At least not while I was there." Ikeno nodded slightly and sighed.

"Me and Dad went to the borders to check things out. No activity today thankfully. The recent hyenas seem to have moved on thankfully." He explained stretching out. Elea plopped her smaller body across his side and sighed.

"When do you think the cub will be born?" 

"No idea." A roar interrupted the conversations in the den. 

"Oh, the huntresses are back." Baraka and Nala stood walking to the den entrance to gather food for Jata and the cubs. After the meal, the cubs continued to play as the sun set lower in the sky.