The Female Cheetah That Could Hunt

Chapter 3

The next morning, Kiara and Rando woke up finding themselves in the middle of a thick cloud of fog. Unable to move very fast, Kiara rode on top Rando’s shoulders. She laughed as he made his shoulders roll back and forth. As they neared the forest’s exit, Kiara wondered if her parents would be upset with her.

“Will Mom and Dad be angry with me?”

“No, I’m sure they’ll just be glad you’re safe. Mom was having a casket when I left. I’m sure she’ll feel much better when she sees you.” He assured. Kiara smiled. Finally, they made it out of the forest. Before long, Kiara spotted their cave.

“Hurray, we’re home.” She cheered. Rando smiled. After climbing a few rocks, Rando and Kiara entered the cave.

“Rando’s back!” Diego remarked.                

“And he’s got Kiara with him!” Kovu added.

“And she’s okay!” Domino cheered.

“My baby!” Nala cried.

“Mommy!” Kiara jumped off her brother’s shoulders and into her mother’s paws.

“Oh, my little Kiara. I’ve been worried sick about you.”

“I’m sorry, Mommy. But the rain was too thick for me to see through.”

“It’s all right, honey. Your mother and I are just glad you’re safe.” Simba said. Just then, Miguel noticed the cut on Kiara’s foot.

“What happened to your foot?”

“Oh, that’s the main reason why I couldn’t make it back. I was trying to run home when I ran into a thorn bush. A big thorn got stuck in my foot and I couldn’t walk. So, I managed to find a cave where it was dry. While I was drying off, I tried to get the thorn out of my foot. Then, Rando appeared. He pulled the thorn out of my foot. He even went to get me some dinner and shielded me from the cold last night.” Kiara explained. Simba looked up at his son and smiled.

“I’m really sorry I didn’t come home right away, Mommy. I just...”

“It’s okay, honey. It wasn’t your fault.”

“Yeah, it wasn’t your fault that you can’t see in the dark, you jump into a thorn bush that’s right in front of you, you made Mom have a heart attack, and you made Rando spend the night in a cold, wet cave. Sure, it’s not your fault. It’s the weather’s fault.” At hearing this, Miguel, Kovu, and Diego rolled on their sides laughing. Domino couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“How was she supposed to know there was a huge storm coming?”

“She could have looked up at the sky instead of being a big cry baby.”

“Well, maybe she couldn’t see through the thick trees.”

“Thick trees, sick trees, she still should have been able to sense it.”

“Flash, that’s enough!” Simba stepped in.

“Now, since you 4 are being so smart, we will begin your lessons without breakfast. Out in the fields, all of you.” The boys went out in the fields moaning. Simba turned to Rando.

“You did very well, my son. Why don’t you go take a nap before your lessons?”

“Okay Dad.” Rando knew a nap would do him good. He was still very tired.

   While Rando slept, Nala licked Kiara’s wound clean. Kiara thought about the idea of her hunting again.

“Mom, why don’t female cheetahs hunt?”