Jiro, Jalena, Jira (C) Claire Cooper

Tamu, Sassia (C) Namacub95

Malka, Mohatu (C) Disney

Kayin (C) SixNewAdventures

Judas, Ari, Quanna, Nomusa, Zuri, Nyako, Halla, Olric, Sia, Baako, Enu, Kayode, Gwandoya, Lindiwe, Eshe (C) DakotaWereWolf

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In the Hands of Fate

            They all stood in a circle around her, beckoning for her to come back to life. Her hearing had long been gone, and she could only acknowledge that they were praying for her to be okay, that the bloodshed will wash off in the oncoming rain, and that she would be able to climb back onto her paws, and live another day. After all, had she not outlived some members of the pride, who were gone much too soon?

            Ari and Quanna.

            Kayode.

            Zuri.

            Her own mother, Kumba.

            They were gone, and yet she had lived through all of the struggle and strife. Had seen her sisters tear their relationship apart over a petty jealousy of love; seen Judas defeat Ari in a fair battle, and watched as Ari and Quanna departed in a dignified manner; observed Zuri's drip into insanity as she returned to proclaim her murder of her own brother, and then her own murder by her sister, Ari's, jaws.

            So much strife, and so much struggle, and yet, for all those who surrounded her at the moment, she was glad she had lived her life as full as she could. That she died for a cause worth dying for.

            Nomusa took an exhausting inhale of air, but never exhaled it. Her life ebbing away quickly, she only had moments to gaze upon her sister, Sassia, one last time before her eyes completely closed themselves.

            Nomusa, awaken. She heard a deep voice calling her, far deeper than Judas's. She opened her eyes, and found a brown lion standing before her in an unfamiliar setting. Then she realized that she could hear fine, and that she was no longer lying on the cold African ground while she bled out her wounds. In fact, she felt healthier than she had been feeling in years, a reminiscent of her time as a cub.

            She completely stood up and faced this brown lion, who was larger than other lions his size, though he still was much shorter if he stood toe to toe with Judas. The lion smiled at her, and she smiled back, and knew where she was.

            "Nomusa!" The cry was distinctive and familiar, and Nomusa nearly wept as her younger sister, Quanna, came running towards her, her eyes glinting as brightly as they ever had long before she had completely lost her sight. The two sisters rolled onto the ground, licking and pawing one another in glee. Then another figure arrived, and Nomusa's heart swelled at the sight of Ari, who no longer looked as old and deranged as he had been in his final days.

            He leaned down and nuzzled her. She breathed him in, and sighed as she recalled his scent. "Welcome home, dear," he said to her.

            Nomusa looked up at the brown lion, unable to contain her smile. "Am I truly here..?"

            He nodded. "Where all lions of greatness come when they pass." A pale gray lioness trotted up beside him, and immediately Nomusa knew that this had to be his mate.

            "Sis, look," said Quanna, unable to contain her glee. Nomusa followed her gaze, and tears came rushing down her face as her mother, Kumba, stood in front of two others. To her left was her father, Olric, still rugged and tough as he had ever been. To Kumba's right was a pale light lioness who had been her adopted mother after Kumba's sudden death. She was Sia, mother to Quanna and Sassia.

            Another pale gray lion entered the picture, and, if she had already not been crying before, she would've started now. Kayode stood with them as well, a smile on his face, and a certain peace to his character, even if the way his life ended had certainly not been peaceful.

            "Mohatu leads us all here," said Quanna, gesturing to the brown lion. "Him and his mate, Thema."

            "I could lead too, y'know," Ari grumbled good-naturedly.

            Nomusa could not believe the sight of those before her. All her loved ones, and even some new faces, were greeting her on the way to a newer life for her, one without pain and misery and struggle. Nomusa looked down, and saw the earth below her, saw the last scene she had seen before she passed. Her family surrounding her body, grieving as the rain went on. Her heart tugged, and Nomusa almost wished that she could return to them, just to make them stop their tears. But as Quanna's head leaned in and brushed against hers, Nomusa was reassured that everything would be all right.

            "Come home," Quanna whispered to her.

            Nomusa nodded her head. "I'm home, my sister."

~ * ~

A few hours earlier...

            Judas opened one eye and watched the crowd of lionesses bask in the sunlight before him. Another lazy day was a welcoming for the growing pride. Any day that didn't bring drama was welcoming for Judas.

            He yawned and moved his head over to gaze away from his pride. The memory of Zuri lay well rested in his mind. It seemed like so many years had passed since that nightmare intruded upon their normal lives.

            I come bearing the best news.

            Judas felt his lips curl back, recalling Zuri's delight as she spoke. It was all vivid, as though it had only happened just yesterday.

            My brother, Kayode, is dead.

            Judas's claws unsheathed themselves in anger. If he had known...

            But how could he? Zuri never...

            Was it his fault?

            You see how Kayode was weak! You see how I am so much better than him?

            No, no one was better than one another. That was why he tried to work on. He did not want to pressure his cubs in the same way his parents had pressured him with all the responsibility. Had he failed with Zuri?

            Obviously he did, for now he had two dead cubs.

            Judas swallowed the roar within him to take his anger out on something, anything, and pretended to continue his afternoon nap. Soon the lionesses would gather around him for orders of a hunt, and he did not want them to worry about him. After all the years he had lived with them, he knew that they would know if something was wrong.

            He felt something warm brush up against him. "Judas?" It was Baako.

            He lifted his head, purring as the two mates brushed heads. "Is it time for the hunt?" he asked, gazing into her eyes.

            Him and Baako, the two that had birthed Zuri.

            She nodded. "I was expecting to lead the hunt this time."

            Judas gazed over at Enu, who had her back turned on everyone. "I thought Enu would've-"

            "Led the hunt?" When Judas nodded, Baako sighed. "She needs some time, I think. After... you know."

            That he did know. "Okay, so what's the plan for the hunt tonight?"

            "I was thinking of bringing Eshe with me. She's starting to get restless. Nyako would be good too. I want to see how well she hunts."

            Judas nodded. That made sense. Nyako was their newest pride member, and a close friend of