me?” Sanura nervously asked her mother. “Hun you can only find that out by asking him.” Alumine answered. “Yes I know but I just keep thinking he doesn’t.” “Well you can’t find out unless you ask him…how bout you two spend a romantic night together and ask him?” Alumine suggested. Sanura’s eyes lit up “What a great idea!”.  “You let me know what he says and your father and I will plan the ceremony.” Alumine declared. Shock filled Sanura, “Ceremony? What is the sudden urgency? Suddenly Alumine went silent not wanting to answer the question. “Mom?” Alumine tried to keep away from Sanura’s stare. Finally Alumine couldn’t watch her daughter look so scared. “Honey, I don’t think I’m going to be around much longer. I haven’t been getting any sleep and I just don’t have the energy I use to” Alumine explained in a depressing tone. Silence struck the region and neither one made a word. “Mom if I get married I want you to be there. I’m going to ask Naasir if he is up for the marriage and then if he is in two days we will get married.” Sanura tried to please her mother. “Hun, don’t do that unless you really do love him and you want to spend the rest of your life with him.” Alumine tried to persuade her daughter but was butted in by her. “BUT mom, I do love him more than anything in the world I always have ever since I was little I had the biggest crush on him and now look at us.” Sanura proudly announced. Once she finished as if on cue, Kiros and Naasir arrived back at the cave. “NAASIR!” Sanura yelled from the top of Hazina and ran down to be by his side. “Would you like to spend the night at the clearing again?” She asked hopeful. Of course hearing her invite Naasir was filled with excitement “Of course.” Naasir answered. With that the two bounded towards the clearing. Kiros walked up to be by his mate’s side. “What’s wrong?” He asked seeing the sadness in her eyes. “ I told her why” That was enough for Kiros to understand, “Then why are you so sad” He continued to question her emotions. “I’m not sad, I’m happy…our daughter is in love” Alumine proudly announced as the two of them watched Naasir and Sanura run through the savannah.

After a long run, Naasir and Sanura made it to the clearing. She ran ahead and quickly jumped onto the grass upsetting hundreds of butterflies causing them to fly up from the pasture. Naasir stood from a distance watching her with a smile on his face, he walked to be next to her and without thinking rubbed up against her. He may have feared it but didn’t regret doing it at all. Naasir slowly pulled away and looked at Sanura’s eyes. “I love you” he whispered, but had no idea of the words spilling out until after he said it. Then he felt like rewinding and not saying a word. But one thing was for sure Sanura was the complete opposite. She brought herself closer and licked Naasir and hugged him. She then slowly fell to the ground and sat down next to him hoping he would join her and of course he did. After a few minutes of silence like usual Naasir was quick to break it. “Do you want to marry me?” Naasir nervously asked. There was a pause but only a short one. “Of course” Sanura whispered. Soon the romantic afternoon fell to night and the two fell asleep once more under the stars.

As the morning crept to greet Naasir and Sanura, neither one woke. Naasir was still dreaming about what happened the night before everything he had ever wanted had come true. For Sanura excited was filling up her dream space she was now so excited about the ceremony that would be held tomorrow. At the same time the two lovebirds woke and greeted each other with good morning. “So may I ask when is the ceremony then? Naasir asked half nervous half excited. “Tomorrow” Surprisingly Naasir didn’t react like Sanura thought her would. She was expecting him to freak out, but he just smiled and began walking back to The Mlima Pride, knowing that Sanura would follow when she was ready. Once they returned back to the pride there was a huge gathering at the entrance to the cave. All the lionesses in the pride had formed an aisle, “What is going on” Naasir whispered to Sanura who was now right next to him. “I think they know” Sanura smirked. The walked up the ramp taking you to the entrance where they where greeted by all the lionesses in the pride. Sanura and Naasir walked down the lion made aisle to the end where Kiros and Alumine stood waiting to greet the happy couple. “Congratulations” Kiros and Alumine said simultaneously. Sanura stood right next to Naasir’s side feeling comfortable, feeling protected by the audience watching them. “We have planned the ceremony, it shall be tomorrow when the sun hits Hazina Cave. There shall be a gathering of all the animals in the reserve so I hope you can all handle the audience. Alumine and I will open the ceremony and then you two shall close it.” Kiros explained how the ceremony would run. Naasir and Sanura took the planning well and were well and truly ready for it and couldn’t wait for tomorrow, especially Sanura.

Quickly the day arrived and everyone decided to sleep in. Eventually all the lions began to wake, and animals started to gather out the front of Hazina Cave. Everyone seemed to be rather calm, all except for Sanura. Luckily she had Naasir to comfort her fear, all too quickly the ceremony begun. Kiros and Alumine walked to the tip of Hazina Cave and patiently stood waiting for silence. Sanura and Naasir stood in the cave waiting for their moment to walk up to where Kiros and Alumine stood. Behind them all the lionesses in the pride sat behind also in the cave. Silence swept across the savannah and instantly Kiros and Alumine let out a roar that continued to sweep right across the savannah for miles. The animals in front began to bow to the King and Queen. Kiros and Alumine stood until all the animals finished bowing. Then Kiros and Alumine turned and walked into the cave. Naasir and Sanura had to wait for a bit before walking to the tip. But it seemed to just happen instantly, slowly and gracefully the two took the first few steps out of the cave and began walking to the tip. Soon they were at the tip and looking down at all the animals, millions of them. Naasir looked into Sanura once more before the two of them let out a roar. All the animals began cheering Naasir and Sanura let out another roar and then another before all the animals before them began bowing before them. They were bowing to the new King and Queen. Alumine leant against Kiros with a smile swept across her face. “She has grown up so much.” Alumine whispered to Kiros. Soon the ceremony ended and all the animals left. Sanura and Naasir were receiving thousands of congratulations from all the lions in the pride as well as other animals. “Can you believe it, we’re the new rules of Kilimanjaro” Sanura whispered to Naasir in complete shock. Naasir leant down and nudged her gently. “Yes I can believe it.” He whispered back. From behind the two a lioness appeared. “So now what, will we be seeing a prince or princess soon?” The lioness asked. Sanura and Naasir chuckled “Not very likely” Sanura answered.

To be continued…..

THE END!