Another silence loomed until Etana heard paws approaching. “Kahuni is coming,” she said.

            Baraka looked around. She took her paw off his and together they waited.

            It didn’t surprise Baraka that she knew the cheetah was coming. The day after Hasira insulted her, Etana felt ready to tell him about one of her ‘gifts’. They had been walking in the early morning, going to a waterhole to drink. Etana had lifted her head, saying that the royal advisor was on his way. Baraka had had a surprised look on his face and asked her how she knew. She told him how she could feel vibrations in the earth with her paws and explained that she understood what type of paw or hooves were running or walking through the grasses and the dirt.

            “I may be blind but I’ve never had problems seeing,” she had said. “Since I was a cub I’ve been able to see by listening to the earth. For example I know that you’re standing at my right side and just to the edge of the waterhole.”

            He looked around wildly and his back paws moved the wrong way. In his shock, he sidestepped and fell into the water on his back. Etana heard the splash and moved her head to the right. She laughed, shook her head in amusement and walked over. Baraka coughed up the water, his mane dripping. He growled softly but it wasn’t anger. He hated water. Drinking it was one thing but taking a bath in it was another. It would take him all day to get clean again. He grumbled and got out of the water.

            “I’m sorry I scared you,” Etana said honestly.

            He gasped and coughed again. “It… it’s alright…” he panted, giving another cough. “You’ve… been able to that since cubhood?”

            “It took me a while to figure it out. But… with my father’s help I’ve been able to use that to ‘see’ ”

            “Well, you could’ve fooled me. I had no idea.” He shook his body to get rid of the water, droplets splattering all over. Some fell on Etana’s coat. “I mean, I just assumed that…”

            She smiled. “You just assumed that I could get along with listening to animals’ steps and their breathing?” She chuckled. “Yes, but my father taught me that. And the vibrations have always been a part of me.”

            Baraka was still shaking, but from the coldness of the water. “Well, it’s good that you were given something to… be your eyes.”

            Now, they still waited.

            “Sire?” called a voice.

            Baraka turned to see Kahuni on the other side of the waterhole. The king rose. Etana did the same. “Kahuni,” said Baraka with a smile.

            The cheetah smiled in return and bowed but he had the look Baraka knew well. There were problems. The lion sighed and turned to Etana. He was about to speak when she stepped forward, placing a paw on his again.

            “It’s alright, Baraka,” she said, reassuringly. “The kingdom needs its king. You have your duties to fulfill. Go and take care of the animals. They need you.”

            He nodded but he just didn’t want to leave her. He wondered where she’d go. He shivered as a heart wrenching thought came to mind. Hasira… I hope you don’t… He shook his head, dismissing the thought. “Okay,” he sighed. “Take care, Etana.”

            “You too, Baraka…”

            He smiled at her and nuzzled her in a friendly manner. He began to walk to the other side of the waterhole.

            The cheetah bowed then turned his head to Etana. “Good morning, ma’am,” he said gently.

            “Good morning, Kahuni,” she answered.

            The two creatures started to leave and Etana also left, going in no particular direction.

            While Baraka followed his advisor he felt a stab of emptiness.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Kadiri walked on the northern side of the Pridelands. As much as he liked talking with the animals, he wished something exciting would happen. There were many times when he yearned for a fight with a rogue or two. He just wanted to be able to do something that would actually help keep the lands safe and not just cross the borderlines.

            He looked to his left, a small frown covering his face. Dailia was with him but he’d frowned for a different reason. Her face was looking pale and there was a strange glassy look in her beautiful light red eyes. He was worried. She hadn’t been feeling good for the past few days and the first day she had fallen on the job. Mabaki had been with her and had taken her home. Baraka had ordered her to stay home for three days to rest. She was fine now but Kadiri wondered if it was too soon for her to be up and working.

            Kadiri sighed. He hoped Dailia would be alright today. He shrugged and shook his head, wanting to think of something else. A smile came to his face as he thought of the birth of his cubs. He had been nervous and thrilled. When Dailia told him of her pregnancy, he pranced around like a cub. They were so happy and the pride was pleased. What made their news more exciting was when Arif and Akase announced that they too were expecting.

            Now, his cubs and Arif’s cubs were growing fast and playing together just as they did.

            Kadiri smiled at what wonderful lions his children would become. His son, Sharif, would probably want to follow in his parents steps and become a guardian. Kadiri’s smile grew. He would love that and it would be a great addition to the Pridelands. Then his daughters, Sabiha and Dhani… The two were pretty cubs and would grow into beautiful lionesses one day.

            “They’re as beautiful as their mother,” he said quietly, while casting a fond glance at Dailia. He sighed with happiness. Never in his life did he imagine he’d have a life with her but he wasn’t surprised. As cubs, they played together and whenever Hasira lost her temper on Dailia, he’d be there to help.

            “If Hasira ever raised a paw against you, I’d kill her,” the gray lion thought.

            Dailia yawned and turned to him. “Are you alright, Kadiri?” she asked.

            “I’m fine,” Kadiri said.

            “Don’t try and say that. I know you’re not. What’s wrong?”

            “How are you feeling?” he asked, hoping to change the subject.

            “I’m okay. Don’t worry. It was nothing.”

            “You really had me worried, including the kids.”

            “Yes, but I’m better now.” Her eyes betrayed her words and she turned away, beginning to cough.

            Kadiri winced. That’s how she got sick the last time. It started with a cough. He grew scared. What if the cough had only gone for a short time but was now returning, preparing to grow into something worse? He shivered at the idea.

            Dailia shook her head; the cough gone then she looked up at him. The worry in his eyes was clear. She nuzzled him. “Kadiri, you needn’t worry so much.”

            “I can’t help it.” He drew closer, their sides touching. “I love you. I don’t want anything to happen to you. If you got sick…” He trembled. “You’re important to

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