Creation of the Pride Lands

Mohatu 2

THIRD PERSON POV

          Things were very different in the pride now that the queen had passed on. Baraka has given the title of queen to Shena. She spent a lot of time working as lead huntress for the pride and commanding the 4 hunting parties they had. 

"Baraka? Are you in here?" Shena lifted her head and smiled at Nala as Mohatu and Halina wrestled around the den floor. 

"Hello, Nala. Baraka is out showing Ikeno the borders." Shena responded raising her paw as Halina pounced on her brother. 

"Ah. Alright. How have things been now that you are queen?" Nala asked nuzzling the tiny cubs. Shena just smiled and nuzzled her daughter. 

"It has been an adjustment that's for sure." She laughed and looked out of the den. Nala nodded and captured Mohatu to bathe him while Shena cleaned Halina. 

Near the Southern border, Baraka walked with Ikeno next to him. Ikeno was learning the many ways to the pride and protect it and its inhabitants. "You will be an amazing king one-day Ikeno. You are so attentive and compassionate." Ikeno stood proudly and smiled at his father. 

"You really think so dad?" He asked tilting his head to the side. He knew he was learning quite fast how to run things thanks to his father and grandmother. 

"Dad!" Baraka turned his head and smiled as he noticed his youngest daughters rushing toward him. "Kesi is being mean again!" 

The older twin rolled her eyes and glared at her sister. "I am not! I simply said I wasn't going to be your hunting practice!" Kesi growled lightly and stomped her paw as Elea pouted.

"But then who am I going to practice on?" Baraka shook his head slightly and cleared his throat. 

"Elea I understand you want to practice but if Kesi doesn't want you pouncing on her then you have to respect that. And Kesi your sister is only prepping for your upcoming huntress exam. I would like to think you are as well." Kesi looked down in shame and turned away with a scoff. 

"I am prepared for the exam, thank you." Baraka shook his head as his daughter sauntered away. Ikeno watched his sister walk away and sighed.

"She has an attitude problem." Elea let out a soft breath and began walking back towards the grasslands. "Hey, Elea? Want to practice with me?" Ikeno looked at their father for permission and trotted to his sister's side with a grin at his nod. 

"Just be back to the den before sundown." He called behind them as they kept walking. He himself was worried for his daughter. Ever since the passing of her mother she has become more closed off and her attitude was utterly terrible. She found an old empty cave near the border that she slept in at night far away from her family and refused to come home with Shena living with them. 

"Your majesty?" He turned and smiled at the Gazelle leader calmly. 

"Yes?" He replied standing. The Gazelle told him of a group of hyenas that had entered the pride's lands early that morning and killed a few calves from the Gazelle and Zebra herds. "I will patrol first thing in the morning and see if they return." 

"Thank you, your majesty. You are too good to us." He continued his patrols and watched out for his cubs wondering where they were. 

"Hey, dad! I thought Ikeno was patrolling with you?" Maji walked up to her father and rubbed her head against his in greeting. "Let me guess Kesi was being mean to Elea again and he volunteered to help her practice for tomorrow?" Ikeno chuckled at how spot-on his eldest daughter always was.  

"Maji! You aren't done with your lesson yet!" Baraka watched Lea run up to them with a scowl. "Now young lady you need to know these herbs. Hello Baraka." Lea nudged the older cub back to their lesson space. How rowdy his cubs were. Baraka looked up at the sky fondly thinking of his late mate.