lion king Kiara's reign

chapter 5

Hey readers I'm super sorry for not posting more chapters I been busy with school and I'm really sorry but to make up for it I'll be posting two chapters this one and 6 hope you enjoy and please vote and comment.

Chapter 5
  Most of the lionesses were out on a hunt that morning. The only ones at the dens were the younger cubs and the babysitting lionesses. The older cubs were being trained on how to take care of them self and how to hunt. Chiku was a mother her self, a first time mother. Her cub was with the other young ones.
  The lioness climbed up the cliffs to the largest one above. She made it to the rocky ledge and walked to the big gaping mouth of the cave. Chiku put down the cub at the cave entrance. "Hello?" She called. Her voice echoed throughout the cavern. Paw steps echoed deep in the cave. They stopped just before the light that reached into the cave, so the figure was still shrouded in a veil of darkness.
  "Who is it? Why are you here?" A deep voice boomed from the shadows. Chiku struggled to keep her composure.
  "Sir,it's me, Chiku, on my watch, I found something on the banks of the river." She answered. A dark silhouette came closer to the light, but not close enough to be recognized. "Ah yes, the newcomer. Well, what did you find?" The voice asked. Chiku pushed the cub closer to the cave.
  "I found a cub." She answered nervously. The figure stepped into the light. He was a large male lion, with a full brown mane, and a light golden tan fur, lighter then the cub's fur. He had deep green eyes that  bore into Chiku's.  They had a small hint of a cub like curiosity, like this lioness amused him.
  "A cub, you say?" He asked. Chiku nodded and looked down at the little cub that lay at the male's feet. The male looked down at the cub. Something in the male's attitude changed when he saw her. He bent down and inspected her. As he did, more lionesses had come up to the cave. It was a huntress group of about five. They had a tiny antelope with them. The lioness in the front stepped forward.
  "Alpha, we have caught the meal. We're afraid it isn't much this time." She announced. The other lioness dropped their kill and pushed it forward the alpha lion's eyes didn't look away from the cub.
  "That's fine." He answered calmly. The lioness stepped closer.
  "What's going on?" She asked. The alpha didn't answer, as he straightened up.
  "Chiku, do you know where it came from?" He asked her, one of his eyebrows arched. Chiku shallowed.
  "Azima said that she smelled like a 'royal'" she answered uneasily. The male's eyes widen. Chiku felt very nervous. She knew that what was going to happen. This alpha barely spared Stranger Cubs, and she didn't think that a royal prider was going to get any exception.
  The huntresses knew this as well, they seen this many times. The male leaned down again to the cub. Chiku turned away, but to her surprise, the alpha just cleared his throat. Chiku turn back to see the cub now being held by the alpha he was handing her the cub. Confused, she took the cub.
  "She will be under your care." He said and turned back to the cave. The huntresses were astounded.
  "What?! You're actually sparing it?!" The head lioness complained, "have you gone soft?" The alpha stopped and turned to the group. No but I think it's foolish to dispose of a valuable tool. She will be trained with the other cubs. She will be good use to us." He answered. Chiku was amazed. This was very unlike him to do this.
   "How we should be useful? She's crippled!" One lioness pride. The alpha picked up the antelope and headed back into the cave without another word. The lionesses, including Chiku, were down founded. He was acting distant, even more than usual, like he was hiding something; it was downright weird.
  Chiku took the cub and headed back down the rocky cliff. She stopped at the babysitting lionesses and the cubs. There were about three lionesses. They were older than the others, so they had plenty of experience with raising cubs. About five cubs were there, either playing or sleeping. When Chiku made it to them, one of the cubs ran up to her. the cub had bright orange fur, and dark ear rims. She had purple eyes full of curiosity and playfulness. "Hi mommy!" She said cheerfully as she rubbed against her mother's leg. Chiku smiled as she put down the muddy cub.
  "Hi Mala." She smiled. Mala looked at the unconscious cub, who was starting to stir. "Who's that?" Mala asked sniffing the cub. Chiku looked at her cub.
  "She's a new family member. I found her at the river." She replied calmly. Mala beamed. "I've always wanted a sister." She said eagerly. Chiku chuckled and turn to the cliffs where she was supposed to be on duty. She knew Azima was waiting for her.
  "Well I need to get back to my post, so I'll see you later. if the cub wakes up, try to explain things to her the best you can okay?" Chiku said. Mala nodded.
  Chiku glanced once more at her rescued cub, and then she ran off. Mala watched her mother go, the cub lying beside her started to cough and sputter. Mala jumped back in surprise, but then walked back up to the cub. The cubs eyes  slowly opened. Her eyes were a startling deep red. Mala smile at the cub.
  "Hey you're awake." She squeaked. The cub was breathing hard. Her eyes had a wild look.
  "You're probably wondering where you are." Mala said calmly. "My name is Mala, and I would like to welcome you to the mountain pridelands. The cub slowed down her breathing.
  "Uh, hi." She said "I'm Leah. Where exactly is the mountain Pride lands?"
  "I don't know exactly." Mala answered. Leah frowned. She tried to get up, but wobbled and fell over again. It felt like the contents of her head had join the river.
  "Are you going to barf?" Mala asked uneasily. "No" Leah groaned, then hesitated, "maybe." Mala backed off a bit. Leah started to shake the mud off her body.
  "Why were you in the river?" Mala asked Leah. Leah had to think on that. The memory was a little fuzzy.
  "My brother was in trouble, it was raining hard and I had to help him. I couldn't just let him fall into the river. I fell into the river so my sister Asha could pull him up." Leah finally said. Mala look down.
  "Oh, I'm sorry." She murmured. Leah flicked a little bit of mud off her tail as she looked at the other cubs, they looked about the same age as her, maybe a little younger. Leah then looked up at the cliffs. At the largest den, a male lion was looking down at her. He looked almost troubled. Leah turn back to Mala.
  "Who's that guy?" She asked. Mala looked up. "Oh, that's the alpha lion." Mala answered. "Does he have a name?" Leah asked. Mala nodded.
  "Well of course he does. His name is Kopa."