Creation of the Pride Lands

Mohatu 4

The sun rose on a new day in the Grassland pride. It was a sad day for the pride and the royal family most of all. Lea stood at the very back of the den with the king and his cubs. "We will have the ceremony at noon." Baraka nodded and nuzzled Kesi and Elea as they stood next to him on either side. 

"That sounds alright. I will have Shena and Maji prepare the pride." He turned and walked out to the lands and began his patrol. 

"Okay, guys this is important. Kesi, Elea I want you two to head out into the savannah and talk to the elephants and the gazelles. I will go set up the garden area with Lea. Ikeno can you take Mohatu and Halina today?" They all nodded in agreement to their assignments and got to work. 

"Mohatu. Halina. Let's go." Ikeno looked over at the young teens as they wrestled around the floor. Nasali walked into the den and ducked her head in respect before rubbing her head against Ikeno. 

"Nasali!" Mohatu ran up to the lioness and rubbed his head against her leg. He looked up to his older brother's mate as much as he looked up to his siblings and dad. He welcomed her nuzzle and smirked at Halina as she growled. 

They all walked out of the den into the savannah with multiple things on their minds. Mohatu and Halina were sad that their grandmother had completed her role in the circle of life but knew she was looking down on them. Ikeno was heartbroken that his grandmother was gone as well, he looked up to her a lot. Nasali was sad the elderly lioness was gone and would miss her but nervous to tell Ikeno and the others the news she was told by Lea just a few mornings ago. They spent the morning watching the twins wrestle and play around the grass as they lay under the trees. 

"Ikeno. Nasali." Maji greeted as she walked up to the couple and lay down next to her brother. She watched her youngest siblings lay next to each other and chat peacefully. A beautiful lioness walked up to the pair and started speaking to Halina making her look up at her in embarrassment as Mohatu chuckled. He stood up and walked over to his older siblings with a smirk. "Who is that Maohatu?" Maji asked tilting her head. 

"That's Kasila. She and Halina have a crush on each other." Mohatu plopped down next to Maji and rolled onto his side lazily. 

"I see." Maji smiled softly and exchanged looks with her older brother's mate. "Do you like anyone Hatu?" 

"Nope. No one here really interests me. Plus I'm not really thinking about females right now. I have to keep an eye on Lina. She can be a bit of a cub at times." He answered honestly not moving at all. 

"You both are the same age Mohatu." Ikeno stated chuckling. Mohatu rolled his eyes and looked away. 

"Are you kids ready?" Halina walked over as her mother joined the resting group. They all stood and walked back to the den together. Baraka stood at the entrance with Maji's mate Ino next to him. Maji rubbed her head against his with teary eyes. 

As the funeral began the kids all lined up. Behind Baraka and Shena were Ikeno and Nasali, then Maji and Ino, then Kesi and Elea, and finally Mohatu and Halina. They walked down the slope as a few guards carried Nala's body to her final resting place. They made it to the flower field and sat down in silence, the rest of the pride sat in a large circle around them. 

"Today we send the previous queen of our wonderful pride and my mother to the stars with the great kings of the past. My mother was a kind, caring leader and she took great pleasure in caring for her grandcubs and spending time with them until her final days." The lionesses all raised their heads and roared to the heavens. Baraka roared and the kids all joined as well. 

After the funeral ended everyone went their separate ways. "Halina?" She stopped walking and looked at Kasila with a sad smile. "How are you doing?" 

"Hey, Kas." She looked down and took a deep breath. "I'm okay. She lived a long fulfilling life. But I'm going to miss her." Kasila laid her head on Halina's back in comfort.