The Lion King: Born Under The Rising Sun

Chapter 4

Zimbwea backed up in distress, tripping over her father's paw. "But daddy, the stories about the cheetah's" she breathed heavily. Ghasu looked down and sat her up "we will train this cub to live as a lion" he said. What's its name? She thought. "Its a she and her name is Arty" her father said as if he had read her thoughts. Zimbwea slowly padded up to the fluffy cub. she nudged at the cub's fur bringing in the scents. "she smells like the forest" she whispered. Zimbwea heard her father roar so she headed out to the great rock. Many of the pride members were already surrounding the rock. Many of them had a worried glance, some were confused at the early call. "Cats of Healing Pride, please join your relatives for a pride meeting" Gahsu roared. He looked down pausing and then began "We have had a new arrival in the nursery" he was stopped by lionesses gasping. "The new arrival is "diffrent". We have taken in cheetah cub" Ghasu stopped talking as if he knew there would've conflict against the decision. Gasps and small growls filled the air. Zimbwea kept quiet even though she wanted to scream like a howler monkey. "Let him finish you bird brains!" She thought. "We will teach this cub to become one of us. We will not fear the cub." Gahsu paused looking around and finally finished, "Her name is Arty". He turned and flicked his tail to signal te meeting was over.

Zimbwea padded near the rock when she heard Claw snickering " Who does that so called "leader" think he is? He doesn't deserve to lay a paw on that rock!" Claw blurted out. "A cheetah cub is a horrible idea. Gahsu has rock as a brain" he raged out. Zimbwea's anger grasped her heart. "Don't you dare talk about the king that way!" she spat out. Zimbwea hurtled her self towards Claw, pinning him flat down. "what do ya know!" Claw chuckled. "it's the little princess" he spat raking his claws into the dirt. Zimbwea leaped onto Claw forcing all her weight into the blows. Kalamba ran up to them and tried to grab Zimbea. Most of the pride was looking at them eyes filled with horror. "And here we have the next queen who will be making the same decisions" Claw said pinning Zimbwea down. "We won't make that mistake again" He hurtled his teeth directing to her neck. Kalamba leaped onto Claw smacking him against a rock. Kalamba stared at claw with no expression then turned away. "Don't ever make fun of my father!" Zimbwea screeched. "Wait your father is-" Kalamba said but was cut off as Zimbwea stumbled up the rocks her back leg barley touching the ground. She disappeared behind the rock.

When Zimbwea explained to her mother she spoke in a wheezing voice. As if her breathing was shortened by the tears going into her lungs. Akali sat Zimbwea down and cleaned her wound. She then curled up with Zimbwea by her side. Akali purred Zimbwea to a slow sleep, Zimbwea's tears dried as she drifted into the dark, restful, sleep.