looked skeptical. “And this means?”

            “While she was telling me and Saada, I thought of something. Where’s Etana? I know she wasn’t with you.”

            “No, she went off by herself, but I’m sure when she felt the rain drops she sought shelter.”

            “There’s not that much shelter on the southern side, Baraka.”

            “She might’ve found something!”

            Arif looked doubtful, which only increased the fear he felt. “Possibly, but where’s Hasira? She didn’t come home either. Now how can it be possible that both Etana and Hasira aren’t here when there’s a storm?”

            Baraka bowed his head, closing his eyes. He did find it weird that Etana hadn’t returned, but Hasira had been going off alone for weeks. Just because Etana didn’t come home didn’t mean that… surely there had to be a good and logical reason. Hasira had started distancing herself from the pride and him weeks ago. Yet, there was this nagging thought in the back of his mind telling him that Arif was right. He felt his heart begin to tug.

            Baraka’s head snapped up and he stared at his twin, mouth agape, eyes fearful. “Arif, you don’t think that –”

            “That’s what I fear, Baraka…” Arif said with a low voice.

            He stammered. “The rain… and if Hasira’s going to… She’ll die!” Before Arif could speak, Baraka ran up and called into the den. “Mabaki, Takata, I need you now!”

            “What about Kadiri?” Arif asked.

            “No, I can’t have him out there. If he’s comes, he could kill Hasira, and she is his sister-in-law. Plus, Dailia…”

            “Good point.”

            The black lion and the white lion came out, bowing to their king. “What’s wrong, sire?” asked Takata.

            “Don’t ask any questions, just trust me. Etana may be in terrible danger, and Hasira has something to do with it.” Baraka eyed Mabaki. “You know why Kadiri isn’t here.”

            The white lion nodded but Takata’s heart sank. He had worried about Etana since it started raining. If anything happened to her… He shook his head, forcing himself not to think negatively. It would do no good and he needed all concentration for his leader.

            Baraka looked at Arif. “Can you –”

            His brother nodded. “Yes, I can, now go. She needs you. Go!”

            Without another word, Baraka ran down the stone steps with the guardians behind him out into the rain.

            Arif watched and went back to the den to tend to his daughter. He walked to his corner, seeing his sons, along with Kadiri’s son, consoling Njozi. Saada was near them, and seeing him she rose and met him halfway. She saw the look on his face. Their eyes met again and she rested her head on his shoulder.

            “What should we do?” she asked wearily.

            He sighed deeply, his body shivering. “We must pray.”

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Etana rolled on her side, groaning. Though she couldn’t hear or feel the movements, Hasira was there. Her body was in pain. She slowly rose to her paws and claws punctured her side, the painful impact forcing her to the wet ground.

            Hasira walked around her, chuckling. “You’re making this way too easy. What’s the matter, you don’t like rain?”

            She felt out, but to no avail. There was nothing, just rain. She coughed and tried once more to stand. No claws sank into her body this time. “Hasira, you –” She coughed again. “You don’t have to do this. Baraka…” A blow to the head cut her off.

            “Don’t you dare mention his name,” Hasira hissed.

            Etana’s head swam. If she could see, she’d have seen swirls of color. She shook her head. “He’ll find us. He’ll see what you’ve done…”

            “Not likely. He doesn’t know where we are. Now…” Hasira moved to face her. “Aren’t you going to fight back?”

            The rain pounded on her ears. She couldn’t hear the question.

            Hasira smiled. “I’ll take your silence as a no.” With no warning, she pounced again.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Baraka’s stomach flipped. He should’ve had Etana come with him despite what she’d said that morning! He scolded himself. Stupid, stupid, stupid… His heart raced, the air in his lungs choking him. Though drops of rain splashed onto his face, it mixed in with the burning tears that ran from his eyes.

            After everything he had been through… All his needs to withdraw from others… Before Etana’s arrival, it seemed like he would never be able to open himself to anyone. But she came along and released something within him… The way he could talk to her, the way she made him feel after their talks… His soul ached and with this feeling his eyes were set and determined.

            “Baraka,” Mabaki yelled, “how do you know Etana and Hasira are on the southern side?”

            “Njozi had another one of her dreams,” Baraka yelled over his shoulder. “And I found it unlike Etana to not be home, especially with the rain. It tampers with her other senses.”

            “And Hasira,” Mabaki asked, hesitating to mention the name.

            The king growled. “I don’t care about her! But if she’s found Etana…” He stopped, refusing to speak further. A part of him still hoped Njozi’s dream wasn’t true. He hoped that Hasira was nowhere near Etana. Maybe she was somewhere else, while Etana was in a shelter safe from harm. The aches increased, telling him the dream was true. As they ran, he expected to find Etana lying in the grass, weakened from the rain. But if she was weakened by that and covered in her own blood by someone he grew up with…

            His eyes burned and he pressed on.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Etana spat up something warm. It was blood, hers. She felt dizzy and she was grateful not to see the scene before her spin. She’d have hated that. Her entire body was soiled in rain, blood, and mud. She was getting weaker with each passing second. Not being able to fight when her life depended on it was a downsizer, but with the rain preventing her, it made sense. Her head darted all around. Hasira could be anywhere. She could also be gone, far from here but that was impossible. Hasira had followed her, stalked her and waited for her. She wasn’t about to leave now.

            Etana wanted to roar a call for help. Who would hear her through the sounds of thunder? Shivering and shaking, she tried to roar but a deep sharp pain shot through her back leg. She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth. The pain increased. Silently, she allowed the claws on her other back leg to come out and waited for the grip to loosen, maybe even drop. A second later Hasira’s teeth were out and Etana swiped at her, releasing a small cry of pain.

            “You think you’re so smart don’t you, blind one!” Hasira snarled, wiping her mouth with a forepaw, disgusted.

            Struggling, Etana managed to stand. “You probably didn’t see that one