Aketch.

“I’d love to… if you and Kula will be going with us,” Aketch replied, a faint note of fear in her voice.

“We certainly will as neither of you are old enough to go that far alone,” Kula replied stretching.

“Take them the long way it might just tire them out,” Tama said irritably.

“Awe Tama you’re just mad Kopa managed to sneak up on you,” Kula laughed.

         With a spring in their step Aketch, Kula, Kopa and Nala headed out into the vast plains. Soon they were running across the grass, racing through the vast herds with many of the youngsters joining in their game. Free from worry they were happy just to have fun. Passing through a herd of elephants Kopa and Aketch found themselves suddenly lifted into the air by a large male. Both roared half in shock half in delight as the male placed them on his back. On the ground Nala and Kula looked up at the pair, shaking their heads as the male set off at a brisk walk through the herds. From their perch the cubs could see the true vastness of their home from the tiniest insects to the tallest giraffes. Standing up Aketch realized just how beautiful the kingdom was. Coming to a patch of trees the male carefully placed them back on the ground. As Nala and Kula arrived on the scene the male walked away to re-join his herd.   

        Leaving the tress adults and cubs raced each other across the plain. Coming to a small hill they fell over the roots of a tree. Tumbling down the slope in a cloud of dirt they landed in a bed of flowers. The word seemed to spin, clouds taking on strange shapes while the colours seemed to merge. Laying there the lions watched the clouds go past as the word slowly regained its focus. In the distance they could hear the sound of other animals along with the splashing of water. Filled with excitements the cubs scrambled to their paws.  In front of them was the waterhole, elephants, gazelles along with other animals stood drinking while birds and monkeys chattered in the trees.

“Wow look at this place,” Aketch said with awe.

“Isn’t it cool? We can have so much fun jumping in from the rocks,” Kopa said.

“I’ve never been swimming before.”

“You can’t swim? My Dad taught me ages ago, well I can give you lesson,” Kopa replied grinning.

“The only thing you will be doing staying in the shallows. I am not willing to risk Ni getting angry if Aketch hurts herself swimming,” Nala said appearing behind them with Kula.

“But Mum you can swim you an Aunt Kula could teach Aketch,” Kopa replied putting on a cute smile.

“Please Nala please teach me swimming, Daddy wouldn’t mind if I said I wanted to learn,” Aketch replied hopefully.

“I’ll teach you if you promise to do exactly as I say,” Nala said firmly.

      With shouts of delight both cubs ran into the water with the adults in tow. Aketch proved to be a natural swimmer much to the delight of Kopa and Nala. In the afternoon sun the lions swam together all getting through soaked. With the aide of friendly elephants Kopa and Aketch ambushed the two adults as the elephants blasted water at them with their long trunks. There certainly seemed to be a sense of fun in the water as the lion cubs played happily with the young and not so young of other species. Kula receiving a fright when Aketch walked over with a python causally draped over her like a scarf.

    As the sun on the horizon the lions walked home carrying the sleepy cubs carried on their backs. Arriving home they found Simba and Ni waiting for them at the cave entrance. With a soft goodnight the cubs told their fathers all about their day, both smiling while Ni rolled his eyes about the swimming. Nuzzling his daughter Ni left the cave. Outside he found Kula and Tama speaking softly together, pain shining in the latter’s eyes. As he approached Tama put her head to one side before walking away into the night.

“Is something wrong with Tama?” Ni asked, watching the lioness head off into the distance.

“She misses our male friends who Scar forced out when we were young adults. Tama was in love with one of them. At the time we told her to go with them. We knew how she felt. Tama was just too scared to defy Scar by leaving.”

“Scar ruined so much during his time as king. Aketch told me you had a fun day, thank you for taking care of her today.”

“It was a pleasure I enjoyed spending the day with her. Helping her helps me to heal in a way as much as it helps her.”

“I can’t thank you enough. Having a lioness she can connect to, to act as a mother like figure, it helps her to heal.”

“I’m glad I can help. How about you Ni, how are you?”

“I’m getting there. The guilt I felt is easing I can start to feel hope for a better future.”

    Smiling Kula placed a paw on his shoulder both blushing at the gesture. For a second both looked at one another with a look akin to love. Embarrassed by the gesture Kula hastily changed the subject, asking Ni about his adventure after he left the Pridelands. Casting his mind back Ni broke into a grin as he began to recount his adventures including several funny stories.

       Healing of a broken Heart

   Time has passed, seasons had moved on as had the lives of the pride. Ni and Aketch had become firmly part of the pride, Ni had proved himself a skilled fighter during skirmishes with the Outsiders. In a fight with a group led by Zira along the border, Ni gave Zira a beating she would not forget in a hurry. Aketch was growing increasingly close to Kula, looking to her as a mother figure. There was a growing closeness between Ni and Kula that was clear to Sarafina, Nala, Tama and Sarabi yet neither of the lions in question would acknowledge the fact.

     Out in the grassland the lioness were out resting after a meal, having done all the work the females were resting while males took care of the cubs. Laying under in the shade of some bushes well out of the male’s earshot Sarabi, Tama, Nala and Kula chatted. As they spoke Sarafina gently questioned Kula about her friendship with Ni. Blushing slightly the younger lioness tried to make light of things by saying she was only helping a friend in need. Raising an eyebrow Sarafina looked at the young lioness with something akin to amusement.

“Kula you must think I was born yesterday. I have seen the way you look at Ni, let me assure you I can tell when a lioness likes a lion. Simply friend’s hhmm? Try again this time with the truth.”

“No offence Sarafina but I think your eyesight might be going. I do not like Ni in that way,” Kula stammered.

“Mistaken am I? I beg to differ the way you have just answered by questions proves my theory.”

“Please Sarafina you have it all wrong,” Kula said desperately.

“Oh I think not. What I might have incorrect is how open you are with yourself about your feelings. From your behaviour I think you love Ni yet are not willing to acknowledge how you feel. I would even suggest you love Ni and Aketch yet are either unwilling to admit it or are actively trying to deny them.”

     Looking at her friends Kula stopped in her tracks, her eyes filling with something close to pain she turned away. Taking a deep breath she tuned back to them with sadness in her eyes while tears ran softly down her cheeks.

“I do care of Aketch and Ni. I love Ni. I never meant for it to happen. I just wanted to help them both recover. The more time I spent with them…One day I just realized my feelings for him had changed. I’ve tried to hide it…I could never tell him.”

“Kula of course you could,” Tama began.

“Ni is still grieving and in love with his former mate, how could I ever dream that he could possibly love me? I have not right to place that pressure on him. If I truly love him than staying silent is the right thing to do,” Kula replied sadly.

“Even at the expense of your own happiness?” Tama asked while the other lioness looked on.

“Even if it means I am unhappy for a while. If we can only be friends that is enough for me.”

“You would forsake your own happiness of his. That is a sign of true unconditional love. To love another so much you will hurt yourself for their happiness, few are able to do that,” said Sarafina.

              Gazing around at her friends Kula felt that the world was about to close in on her. Overwhelmed by emotion she took to paws just as the first claps of thunder issued, the rain following seconds later. Walking through the downpour Kula’s fur soon became covered in mud. The rain obscured the tears that ran freely from her eyes, her heart aching with longing Kula wondered aimlessly. Insert song here.

    Unknown to her Ni was stood on a hill watching her. The older lion was struggling with his own set of emotions. A year had passed since the death of his mate while he loved her still his feelings had begun to chance. Rising his head he looked up in her direction, a slight smile crossing his face as he watched her.

“How did this all happen, when was it I fell in love with Kula? It’s only a year since Katlego died. Kula has been there for me from the start. I really am in love with her. I never planned on falling in love again yet I can’t help my feelings. I should…..I

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