The sun rolled high above the plains set in a sapphire blue mural smeared with fluffs of cotton white clouds. It was the perfect day to present the heir to the throne. Mikoto paced back and forth slowly in the semi-darkened cave as Izumo watched his son Misaki jump around the cave chasing an insect.
"Don't be nervous," the lion purred as his son batted his little paws out at the insect flying a few feet away from his nose.
"I'm not nervous," Mikoto replied in a low tone.
"Hey! Sorry I'm late!" called the plump baboon who had just waltzed into the cave. Stuffing the last of a piece of fruit into his jaws, Kamamoto hopped over to Izumo and the cub. "You ready for this, little guy?"
Misaki glared at the baboon with hazel eyes and scowled. "I'm not little," the cub huffed as he sat on his haunches and flicked his tail irritably. "And do I have to do this?"
"You're going to be the king. The people need to know the face of their king, son," Izumo reminded the boy gently.
Misaki gazed down at the floor of the cave unwilling to argue with his mother. Wanting to get the show on the road, Kamamoto walked over and scooped a handful of dust into his hand to toss over the sulking cub's head. Misaki shook his head and squeaked out a sneeze.
"Oi!" he protested.
"It's ceremonial, don't ask, kid," Kamamoto replied with a shrug.
"I'm not a kid!" the sub growled leaping to his feet.
"Misaki," Mikoto said in a low tone and immediately the boy stopped.
Kamamoto placed a long-fingered hand on the cub's head and patted it gently. "It'll be alright."
With one last look at his parents, Misaki lifted his head and puffed out his chest. "Let's go."
Mikoto lead the way with his red mane held high and proud. Misaki watched the alpha lion in awe. One day… one day he would be a king just like him. Wiping the revered look from his face, Misaki followed behind his father with Izumo following behind him and Kamamoto bringing up the rear. Mikoto stopped halfway up the jutting rock causing the cub to pause uncertainly but a nudge in the hindquarters from Kamamoto's wooden staff got the lion moving again. Mikoto gave the boy a small nod of encouragement as he passed by and Misaki turned to see Izumo sit next to Mikoto on the rock with a proud smile on his face.
Misaki could hear the excited cheers and hoots and howls of the animals below. Monkeys hopped about on top of each other and water buffalo stomped their hooves into the dirt while zebras reared back and tossed their heads about. The heir peered tentatively over the edge of the rock at the excited faces below. These were his people. His subjects. He would be ruling over them one day. The realization made panic rise in his little chest and he nearly fled back into his mother's comfort. But one look back at the pride in his father's eyes stopped him.
Sitting down at the edge of the rock, he gazed down at the subjects as they all quieted and bowed respectfully at their future king. Then and there, Misaki promised he would become a king worthy of their respect. A king strong and proud. A king like his father.