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"I'm fine." Sauda grinned. She grabbed hold of the oryx and hauled it along with her siblings into the den.

Sauda huffed. Her mother had told her that birthing was always a tough process, but it seemed to be really hard. When Alonzo came in, she felt more confident. Within a few seconds, a tiny grayish-brown cub came out out of, followed by another. She calmed down. Her cubs had finally come out into the world. Rafiki quickly examined the two cubs. "You have good news, Sauda." he said. "You have a male and a female." Sauda couldn't have been happier. "But, there is also bad news. Jeraha's attack months ago has killed one of your cubs. I am afraid, the male has not made it." Rafiki dipped his head sadly as he picked up the tiny motionless body.

"I think we'll name him Chaka junior, so that he gets recieved by the Great Kings with his name." Sauda tried to hide her disappointment. He's gone to a better place. she told herself. There, he won't be in danger at all. Grandpa'll take good care of him.

"I think Carissa." Sauda decided. She pulled her daughter towards her and licked her head. Even though one of her cus had died, she was still a mother. She had to be strong for her little girl.

Sauda nodded. "We'll have her presentation tomorrow." Kovu announced, delighted with his new granddaughter.

Sauda sighed and moved closer to Alonzo. "At least both of them didn't die." she said. "And who knows, maybe he'll also be having a presentation with the Great Kings at the same time as his sister's." She said it confidently, because she knew it was true. If any cub would die at birth, it would be given a special ceremony with the Great Kings.

Sauda pushed Alonzo with her nose as the cub gave a tiny mew. "Careful." she murmured.

Later, Chaka came in to see how his sister was doing. He and Alonzo had been hunting the entire afternoon and he was ready to fall asleep on his paws. He saw that Sauda was fast asleep and Carissa was suckling at her mother's belly. Chaka smiled. He lowered his head down to her and let her scramble on his huge muzzle. He grinned as she tried and tried again to climb on him. He gave her a tiny lick and then turned to find himself face-to-face with Alonzo. He shrank back in fear. "Don't...do...that...again." he panted.