his vision, he saw his brother walk away. Though he fought the inner feeling, it came anyway. He was suddenly angry at Baraka and as he talked with his parents, his blood boiled and his red eyes snapped.

            But Baraka didn’t notice his brother’s burning stare on his retreating form. The king leapt down the stairs and once his paws touched the grass, he was panting.

            “Sire, are you alright?” said a voice that made Baraka turn to meet the sea green eyes of Kadiri.

            “Yes, Kadiri, I-I’m alright, thank you,” Baraka said, putting on a smile which instantly fell as he saw his nephews and niece by the guardian, fast asleep. “Kadiri, Dailia… on behalf of Arif and Akase, thank you for looking after them…”

            Kadiri looked at the sleeping cubs, smiling sadly. Then both he and Dailia looked up at Baraka, bowing their heads.

            “We are honored to do so, Baraka,” said Dailia. Her own cubs were asleep by her side. Inwardly, she sighed. She never realized how connected her cubs were to Arif and Akase’s but it didn’t surprise her fully. Both she and Kadiri were connected to Arif and Baraka. Like her children and Arif’s, she and Kadiri played constantly with Baraka and Arif. Their children were just like them, and knowing this made her smile.

            “Baraka… do you think they’ll be alright?” Kadiri asked, knowing the question couldn’t be ignored or avoided.

            The king sighed heavily, feeling his heart pound. He looked into the eyes of his friend, unsure of what to say.

            Kadiri stared down at the cubs. “We’ll take care of them, Baraka,” he said. “For as long as needed.”

            Baraka turned away. He heard his friend and nodded. “Good” was all he said.

            They watched him leave and they stared at each other again. A few moments passed until Kadiri spoke. “Dailia,” he said quietly. “I think it’s time we took the cubs up to the den. They need their sleep, as do we.”

            Dailia nodded and carefully tore herself away from her cubs. Kadiri did the same, then said, “Dailia, place Adisa and Njozi on my back, and I’ll do the same to you with Sabiha and Dhani. We can carry Adabu and Sharif in our mouths, that way we won’t have to make three trips.”

            She gave another nod and they began to place two cubs each on their backs. When that was done they picked up the last two cubs in their mouths and made their ascent up the stairs.      Upon entering the den the lionesses were all spread out, some sleeping, others talking quietly so as not to disturb their companions. The lion and lioness, with their charges, walked to their corner of the cave. They set the males down on the ground then Kadiri set the cubs on his mate’s back next to their siblings.

            When the last cub on Kadiri’s back was near her sister and brother, Kadiri settled down beside them once again. Dailia prepared to join her mate for a rest when a voice stopped her. She cringed and Kadiri growled softly.

            “What do you want, Hasira?” Dailia asked as kindly as she could. Of all animals, she did not want to talk to her, even if she was her sister.

            “Is that any way to address your own flesh and blood? Come on, Dailia, we’re family. And I want to talk… alone.”

            Dailia shut her eyes but the touch of Kadiri’s paw on hers gave reassurance. She turned and followed Hasira to the back of the den and out to the ledge. They sat down. The stars were out but the night was still early.

            “Why did you drag me out here?” Dailia asked while trying not to show her irritation.

            “Do you know why Arif and Akase were arguing?”

            “No, but it’s none of our business. Whatever’s wrong, they’ll get through it. They have to.” Her voice grew soft and almost distant. “For the sake of their cubs…”

            “Ah, yes, and speaking of which, why are you and Kadiri looking after them? Surely their parents will return.”

            “I’m not so sure. It’s clear that Arif and Akase need to be alone for awhile. Kadiri and I are looking after the kids because Arif is our friend. He’d do the same for us.”

            Hasira smirked. “Of course he would. He’s a good lion… or is he?”

            “What do you mean?”

            Hasira put on a worn face and with an exhale of a breath she spoke, telling her sister something she knew would frustrate her completely. She knew Dailia would listen. When the first words left her lips, Dailia was quickly in a daze.

            The minutes passed, seeming like hours, and finally Hasira stopped speaking. Dailia was in a whirl, her mind spinning. She stared out into the growing dark lands. The two stayed in a chilling silence. They didn’t speak, but not able to bear the silence any longer Dailia turned to Hasira. She opened her mouth but no words came out.

            “Surprising, isn’t it, sister?” said Hasira, her voice emotionless.

            Dailia shook her head, the whirl turning to pain. “Hasira,” she asked with a shaky voice. “How do you know this? Saada…”

            “… Loves Arif, she always has. You and I know that as do Mabaki and Kadiri, even Baraka.”

            “Wait… Hasira, you told Akase of the future Arif wanted to have, am I right?” Dailia’s eyes narrowed. “You told her that Arif once thought of a future with Saada didn’t you?” She began to snarl. “Why? Why would you do such a thing?”

            Hasira put a paw to her chest innocently. “I didn’t mention Saada’s name. I just said that he once considered a future with one of the lionesses he grew up with…” Before another word could be spoken, Hasira found herself on her back and the snarling face of her sister looking down at her, her paws buried in her chest. “Dailia, easy now… Remember, I am your sister.”

            Dailia growled, her red eyes snapping with rage. “Why, sister?” The word was pronounced like a bad taste and she resisted the urge to spit in Hasira’s face. “Why would you purposefully make trouble for Arif and Akase? What did they ever do to you?”

            “They didn’t do anything to me, and besides Akase would have found out even without my ‘services’.”

            Dailia snarled and slowly allowed her front claws to come out of her paws. They barely touched Hasira’s chest. “‘Services’…” she hissed. “What is wrong with you? Tell me why and tell me now!” She showed her teeth. She was not playing.

            “She would’ve found out eventually. We all know that Saada is hung up on him, even after all these years. It’s amazing, don’t you think?”

            The fur along the back of Dailia’s neck rose and in her anger she was unable to inflict damage to her sister. With a vicious snarl, she got off of her, stalking to the den. Hasira rose to her paws and watched her sister’s departing form but Dailia turned around, her eyes angry and sad.

            “If this is about Baraka…” she began with a hoarse voice. “If this is about him, you’re gonna tear the royal family apart. Is that really what you want, all because Baraka has no