promised.”

            “That doesn’t matter! We’re seeing each other right now.”

            “That’s three years to late.”  She sighed and got off of him, “I have a mate now Kavik. And responsibilities. I’m leader of my clan.”

            “That’s great! But…is Cipa all right?”

            “She’s fine, just getting old. Kavik, you don’t understand!” She turned away and stared at The Dome. “I’m at war with you. If I’m seen with you…who knows what creatures will think. My clan members would kill you with a flick of my tail.” She swished it back and forth as if to demonstrate. “And I’ll tell you right now, I just might have them.”

            She turned to look at him, no emotion showed in her face or eyes. Kavik stood up and looked at her. His thick blonde mane fell across his eyes. He looked at her in disbelief.

            “We were at war before, and you didn’t care. We still found ways to be together.”

            “That was then. Things are different now I’m the leader. If something happens in a battle, good or bad, they all turn to me. And I’ve already told you…I have a mate.”

            Ketara turned away. She started walking towards the Dome, which was now almost completely bathed in sunlight. She could see other cheetahs out and roaming around. She glanced at a tree she was passing. A soft cooing sound came to her ears. She stopped and looked up. Sitting in the tree were two doves. She stared at them, remembering…

            “Ketara get out of here.”

            “What? Why?”

            “Ketara listen to me! He’ll kill you if you don’t get out of here! You’ve got to go, now!”

            Ketara snapped out of her daydream with a jolt. She looked around hurriedly and then ran back to the watering hole. All the other animals drinking darted off. She stopped at the waters edge and looked around.

            “Kavik!”

            She ran off and up the same small rock as before. She scanned the savannah. Kavik was nowhere in sight. She ran back down the rock. She stopped and looked around, not knowing where else to look.

Frustrated and on the verge of tears, she sank to the ground. She covered her face with her paws. Lying there, she did nothing else, but let the African sun beat down on her. She felt a cool shadow pass over her and she looked up. Kavik was standing in front of her.

             “Ketara? Are you okay?”

            She nodded. “I missed you.”

Ketara and I were thrilled to see each other again. Naturally, we caught up on old times. Having not seen each other for a little over three years, we were together whenever possible. I still cared deeply for her, and I knew she did to. Perhaps not as much, but I still knew she did. The only problem was her mate…

Ketara and Kavik walked side by side down to the watering hole. It was mid-afternoon. The sun was high and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. A few gazelles were drinking from the cool water.

Kavik walked up to the water and dipped his head down for a drink. Ketara ran into the water, splashing him as she went. Kavik looked at her and frowned. She laughed and darted away. Kavik laughed and chased after her. The two cats ran through the water, scattering the other animals.

Kavik jumped and tackled Ketara. The rolled through the water and eventually stopped. Ketara was pinned beneath Kavik, and they were both soaked. Ketara laughed and looked up at Kavik. Her eyes met his and they froze. His vivid green eyes held her gaze. She slowly moved her head forward and licked his cheek.

They both layed there staring into each others eyes. Kavik got up and backed away, still looking at her.

“Ketara…”

She stood up and looked away. “I don’t know…I shouldn’t have done that. If my mate had seen…”

Kavik listened to her ramble. He loved the way she talked, how her eyes seem to dance. He loved everything about her. He walked up to her and licked her cheek. She stopped talking instantly and looked at him. He nuzzled her gently and bent his head across her neck.

Ketara nuzzled his neck, taking in his scent. He smelled like the sweet, intoxicating scent, of a warm summer breeze. His blonde mane fell over her head. She wanted more than anything in the world to be with him.

“Ketara!”

Ketara jumped away from Kavik. She stared into the savannah at a male cheetah. He emerged from the grass, snarling and his fur standing on end. He lunged at Kavik, who quickly swung his paw, sending the cheetah flying.

“Kavik stop!” Ketara yelled. Kavik didn’t pay attention to her. He lunged for the cheetah, and pinned him to the ground. He was about to rake his massive claws across the cheetah’s face, when he was knocked away. He stood and saw Ketara standing between him and the male cheetah.

“Kavik back off!” She said.

“Ketara! He attacked me and you want me to just back off?”

“You have to.”

“And why is that?”

“Because he is my mate.”

Kavik roared angrily and plunged into the savannah. He ran blindly through the weeds. A small bird flew in front of him, and he slashed at it with his paw. It flew away twittering madly. He looked around and saw a male lion coming towards him. Kavik moved around him cautiously, then attacked. The two lions rolled down a small embankment. The other lion threw all his weight at Kavik pinning him to the ground.

“Kavik what do you think your doing?”

“Releasing anger.” He growled.

The lion let Kavik up and started walking back up the hill. Kavik got up and followed. “Don’t take your anger out on me, that’s what cheetahs are for.”

“I tried, Leon. It got away.”

Leon snarled. “Come on. We’ll both kill one.”

Chapter 5

Now, Leon and I weren’t what you’d call friends, but now where ever I went so did he. Ketara was avoiding me, and spending more time with her mate. At the time I figured it was a good thing. You never know what Leon could have done…

            Leon and Kavik slowly made their way through the savannah. They crouched low and crept forward, making sure not to make a sound. Just a few feet away was an antelope herd. They grazed peacefully, oblivious to the approaching lions.

            In a flash, Kavik lunged with Leon behind him. Both lions scattered the herd, and chased the weak ones. Leon quickly broke his prey’s neck and lunged for another.

            The herd was in a panic. They ran, jumped, anything to get away from the two terrors. One was already in a full sprint and the others soon followed. Three of their herd members lay on the ground, dead.

            Leon stood over his kills, breathing heavily. Kavik dragged his over towards him and tossed it on the ground. The coats of the prey were matted with blood. Leon picked up his two kills and swung them onto his back. Kavik copied with his.

            The lions walked across the plain towards Pride Rock. Kavik was silent most of the way. He gaze would often drift towards the boarder. He wished he could go over there and see Ketara. Leon’s loud talking about the hunt interrupted his thoughts.

            “Man, are those things stupid or what?” Kavik said, not really sure if that had been what Leon was talking about.

            “Really, how could they not see you? Your brown fur and blonde mane, not exactly the best disguise.”

            “Speak for yourself. Your black mane makes you stick out like a blue bird on the savannah.”

Her eyes opened again.

            “Kavik…I love…” She never finished the sentence. She closed her eyes and she took one final breath. Kavik stood there in shock. He shook his head and slowly backed away.

            “No…Ketara. Ketara!” He turned and ran. Tears of anger fell down his face. She could have made it. He thought. She could have made it. If those damn cheetahs hadn’t of tried to stop me. As he thought that a cheetah jumped out from the