wait awhile? When would the rain season start? She couldn’t wait until then to say something. Etana shook her head quickly and changed the subject. “Baraka, shouldn’t Kahuni be on his way here?”

            “I told him I’d meet him at the waterhole at mid-sun. It’s not quite that time yet, so I have a few more hours to use freely.”

            “Excuse me for a moment, Baraka. Grasses…” She rose, walked down the promontory and to the ramp when she felt Takata making his way up. She met him half way. She was surprised but took advantage of his arrival. “Father, did you need the king for something? He’s on the promontory.”

            The black guardian smiled. “Actually, I came to speak with you. I heard that the rain season is coming.” He leaned forward and whispered in her ear. “Have you told him yet?”

            She let out a slow breath. “Not yet,” she whispered back. “It’s not the sort of thing you tell someone, especially a king…”

            “And especially if a king is your friend,” Takata added. “I know you care and trust him. You have to tell him not only about the rain, but the other thing too.”

            She groaned. “Dad, the first part – the rain… maybe you should tell him that. You can explain it better. I was only a cub, remember?”

            Takata nodded. “Yes, I remember.” He sighed. “Okay, I’ll tell him. And now would be a good time since he’s not busy –”

            “No, not for the moment,” Etana replied. “But he is meeting the royal advisor at one of the waterholes at mid-sun, so you still have time.”

            “Okay, good. I’ll tell him that, but the other is yours.”

            She expelled a frustrated and worried breath. “Now that is something I cannot tell him. God only knows how he’ll react.” Her gaze fell. “What if he loses all faith and trust in me? What if he –”

            Takata smiled gently. “What if everything turns out alright? What if his reaction isn’t what you think it will be? What if he listens and accepts? He seems like the kind of lion who listens to his friends, family, and subjects clearly. Give it a try, and give him a chance.”

            She thought on his words then gave a single bow of her head. “I will… and I’ll tell him, soon. I can’t put it off any longer.” With her unseeing eyes, she glared at him. “And neither can you. Will you tell Kovu and Kiara?”

            Takata nodded firmly. “Yes, I will. They need to know about me. And Baraka needs to know about you.” He nuzzled her. “Everything will be fine.” He purred soothingly to ease her fears. He also understood how she felt but it had to be done, and sooner was better than later.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

“Thank you for looking after them these last couple weeks,” Arif said, looking at the lioness that lay beside him. They rested in the shade of a tree while his children and their friends romped and played.

            Saada smiled. “You’re welcome, Arif.”

            No one ever put her in charge of the cubs. She always volunteered and considered it a privilege and on top of that the cubs enjoyed her company. Now she was surprised to see Arif. He should have been working but Arif had said that Rafiki had given him the day off. He quoted in the mandrill’s voice and hearing his impression made her laugh. She’d patted the ground beside her and here they were together.

            They had spoken much in the past month. Their first conversation was Saada telling him what had happened between her and Akase. She told him honestly that when Akase attacked her she did not fight, that doing so would hurt him more than he’d already been. Arif had said, “She would have killed you. And I’m glad she didn’t leave a trail for anyone to follow.” He had nuzzled her and sighed heavily on her shoulder, reflecting back to that day. If Mabaki hadn’t found Saada, he would have and he’d have gone to find Akase. And Saada was thankful her brother did find her and that things happened the way they did afterward.

            Silence enveloped between them. Saada’s ears fell. “I wasn’t sure you’d let me take care of them,” she said softly.

            “Why do you say that?” Arif asked, stunned. “True, there are other lionesses that I and Kadiri and Dailia would trust to look after the cubs, but personally, and other than my mother,” He held up a paw, “I’d trust no better lioness than you to look after mine.”

            She quickly blushed. “Thank you, Arif.”

            He smiled, then nodded, but turned away as her gaze bore into his. Faintly, he shivered. Looking at her gave him such warmth, a sense of being. The urge to nuzzle her, to feel her head against his mane overwhelmed him, and he had to restrain himself from moving closer. Once again, she tugged the chord in his heart. He swallowed a lump in his throat. He wanted so badly to tell her of his feelings, but was it too soon? Akase had only been gone a month… Would he be moving too fast? What would his cubs say? Would they want him to move on and be happy again? He shut his eyes. The questions were too much. He forced his feelings down. As painful as it was, he would wait.

            “How are you doing?” she asked quietly. She had seen his pained expression. Despite the care she took to avoid it, she wanted to comfort him.

            “I’m okay. It’s still a little hard, but I’m getting by,” Arif replied, his throat constricting.

            “Good… and the cubs? How are they?”

            Arif turned his attention to the still playing youngsters. He smiled. In truth, the cubs were doing far better than him. Njozi was back to her normal kind, loving self. He missed that. He hated seeing her miserable because of her mother. What he was most grateful for was that she’d had no dreams, at least not terrifying ones. Adabu and Adisa were still the same. They were the leaders, the confidents, the strong ones. Through all this, they hadn’t changed. Arif was proud. They would become good strong lions one day, maybe even join the guardianship. Remembering Saada’s question, he spoke.

            “They’re fine, and doing better. I was worried they wouldn’t.”

            “So was I, especially Njozi. This hasn’t been easy for her…”

            Arif shook his head. “No, but she’s strong willed. And thanks to them,” He gestured to the other cubs, “she’ll be alright.”

            “And you,” Saada added in a whisper. “You’re her father, and she has you to help her too. She has a big family… we all do. The members of prides are supposed to look after each other, whether we’re blood related or not. Prides… are supposed to be a family.”

            He shuddered. Her words were true. His heart pounded and half realizing it, he leaned over and nuzzled her deeply. Though his mind screamed he ignored it.

            Saada didn’t mind his affection. She welcomed it. She nuzzled him back and purred softly. His purr joined hers. Their heads rested against one another. They had found solace and peace in each other. It was something they both needed, yet…

            Arif slowly pulled away. He couldn’t believe he did that. It felt good, it felt right, but it wasn’t how he wanted to reveal his feelings. “Sorry,” he mumbled.

            Saada lowered her head. She didn’t speak, her emotions started to build in her system. She