work.

            Etana felt some more rain drops fall on her fur. Her pace turned into a sprint. The ground was getting wet, which, Etana knew would soon interfere with her other senses. If she found any type of shelter on the southern side of the kingdom, she would take it and wait out the rain, however long it’d take. She scolded herself. She should have followed Baraka at a distance instead of leaving.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

The falling rain didn’t bother Hasira’s eyesight. If anything, with the rain, her eyesight was stronger. The dark clouds covered the Pridelands, shrouding it in almost night, which it probably was, or close to it. It didn’t matter to her. The rain and the darkness was making this silent pursuit all the more fun and challenging. She loved a good challenge and this was it. She’d followed her unsuspecting prey for a long time, but she wasn’t tired. Fatigue didn’t wash over her, only the thrill of the stalking and the upcoming chase. The prey was running now and from her position, she followed, her heart beating rapidly.

            Soon, when the moment was right, she’d charge.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Etana’s hearing was failing. The ground under her paws was getting wetter with each passing beat of her already pounding heart. There was no way she’d get to Pride Rock. Was there any chance she could seek help from a good animal of the lands?

            Who would be out in weather like this, she thought and she scolded herself again.

            What she had to do now was continue, even if it meant growing completely weak, which she already felt was happening.

            Baraka… I’m sorry…

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Hasira couldn’t wait any longer. The more she ran, following, the more the adrenaline surged. Her heart felt as though it would explode at any given minute. She rushed out of her cover, her eyes never wavering from her target. The rain still didn’t tamper with her sight. She was getting closer to her target.

            Here I come!

            When Hasira saw her prey stop, she leapt with claws out and teeth ready.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

With the rain almost completely blocking her hearing, the growing wet ground preventing her from feeling other movements, including her own, Etana really was in the dark, and completely blind. She wasn’t sure what to do, so she stopped and tried to concentrate. She pressed her ears to her head and tried to think of an alternative.

            Before a single idea could be formed, she fell into the wet grass. She tried to get up but something pushed her down again, deeper. She grunted and growled softly.

            “You’re not going anywhere, blind one…”

            Etana’s colorless eyes widened. She heard the voice, but barely. It was like a faint whisper. Her paws clawed the dirt and she growled again.

            “Growling will get you nowhere. It’s just us, and this time Baraka won’t save you…”

            Before she could speak, she felt a sharp pain shoot through her neck but within seconds it was over. Etana shut her eyes, her teeth gritting and with a surge of strength she lifted herself from the muddy ground. She heard a groan and turned, hoping she was facing the right direction. Her ears perked as she heard soft snarls. She knew who pinned her and who the voice belonged to. One word, one name filtered through her mind.

            Hasira…

            Etana planted her paws firmly, her teeth bared, a growl rising in her throat. She prayed for the ability to fight.

            Hasira growled dangerously, not caring if her adversary was ready or not. She waited a beat and leapt.

            Thunder roared and a bolt of lightning in the distance lit up the sky.

Chapter 19: The Storm

“NO!!!” Njozi’s head jerked up. Sweat covered her brow. Her eyes were frantic and she fought to catch her breath. Her cry echoed across the cave. Some of the pride members muttered. Some groaned and went back to sleep, while others still slept not hearing the shout. Her ears flickered as a soothing voice addressed her. Her heart suddenly warmed.

            “Njozi, what’s wrong? Did you have another dream?”

            Wearily, the young princess looked to see Saada’s concerned face. She trembled. “Yes, I-I did, but… Can you get my father?”

            The lioness smiled gently and gave her a quick nuzzle. “Sure, sweetheart. I’ll be right back.” She made her way through the lionesses, a few quietly asking her if the princess was alright but she didn’t answer.

            Njozi lowered her head, her heart beat pounding profusely. She thought the dream wouldn’t end. It was the most frightening sight she’d ever seen in her life and she knew that a dream like that wasn’t a good sign. She swallowed a lump in her throat and from the edge of her vision Saada returned with Arif. She tried to smile. In her eyes, Saada looked good at her father’s side and vice versa. They approached her, both lying down on either side.

            “Saada tells me you had a dream, ‘Jozi…” Arif said, seeing the fear that filled her eyes. He hated that.

            “Father… this dream wasn’t… I think this is a dream about life and death.”

            Arif glanced at Saada but her attention was on Njozi. What a wonderful mother you’d make for my children… He scolded himself, his focus back on Njozi. “What do you mean?”

            The cub paused for a second, rubbing her paws along the ground. Then she spoke, explaining the dream in vivid detail that telling it was like reliving it. “I was on the southern side of the Pridelands. It was raining hard, and thundering and lightning… In the darkness I saw two lionesses fight. The first was beating the second so badly she couldn’t defend herself. And the first lioness… from the look in her eyes… she was intending to kill the second.”

            Arif was silent, going over the words in his mind. Two lionesses fighting… the second weakened… and the first with the intent to – His eyes grew wide. Oh, God! No, no, no!!

            Saada saw Arif’s eyes and spoke softly. “Arif, go to Baraka. I’ll stay here with Njozi.”

            Hearing her words, he met her eyes and nodded. He gave Njozi a gentle lick on the cheek and smiled fondly at Saada. The lioness returned it and Arif felt his heart leap. He hoped to see that smile everyday for the rest of his life. But his personal life would have to wait. He rose, walked through the maze of lionesses, and came out of the den into the rain. Baraka was still there a few feet from the cave. Arif felt his steps grow heavy. What if he was wrong, or worse, what if his thoughts and his daughter’s dream were right?

            “Baraka!” Arif yelled. He saw his brother turn and walk toward him.

            “What’s wrong, Arif?”

            “You may think I’m crazy, and if you do go ahead, but don’t think your niece is.”

            “What are you talking about?”

            “Njozi had a dream just now. She dreamt of two lionesses fighting on the southern side of the Pridelands. One was trying to kill the other.”

            Baraka looked