All characters belong to Kristin O.
Note: I dedicate this story to Kovu 01, Shadowswift, Ochi, King Simba 12345, Serengeti Lioness, Insane and Lovin' It, and Narfy because they have inspired, supported and encouraged me to write a story.
My brothers and sisters, this is for you! Wish you well and peace.
- Mary
Of Legacies and Cycles
Prologue: A Father's Past and Future
The signs of early dawn came across the Genge Lands, bathing the lands in colors of a leaving dusk and coming dawn.
An adult lion was standing outside his cave overlooking his kingdom. This lion's name was Kacha. He is the second king of the Genge Lands.
He sighed happily as he thought of all he had been given and how different his life is now to how it once was.
"I should be very lucky to have Eleza and our cubs," he said to himself. "Without Eleza, I'd be just like my father." He shook with fear as he thought of the cruel ruler that his late father was.
His father, Kijicho, was the first king that the Genge Lands ever had but he wasn't a good king at all. He was a very strict, brutal, and angry leader and ruled over everyone and everything with an iron paw. He taught only his son, his heir, to be just like him.
Kijicho treated the lionesses of his pride, including his mate Kinyangalika and their daughter Kijakazi, to be inferior beings. He cared very little for his family but what he didn't know was that his son was slowly turning away from his father's cruel teachings.
Kacha was saved from his father's woes by a lioness named Eleza. Eleza and her mother, Eusi, came to the Genge Lands seeking shelter. Eleza was a good, kind, and lively lioness and instantly became friends with the prince.
Over time, Kacha and Eleza were inseparable as cubs and as they aged, they became closer.
Kijicho died very young and Kacha who was into early adulthood became the new king with Eleza as his queen.
During their reign, Eleza managed to keep Kacha calm. The new king had unfortunately, inherited his father's bad temper, and would lash out at anyone who didn't follow his orders.
While Kacha was hotheaded, Eleza was still the kind and calm lioness she was when she was little. Everyone in the pride thought that she was a good counterpoint to Kacha as leaders of the pride.
Kacha sighed again as he thought of his dear mate. "She has always been there for me. Whenever I'm too angry to deal with pride issues, she steps up. I'm so lucky to have met her when I did. If it weren't for her, who knows where I'd be? Or who I'd be? "
Kacha only ruled his pride through duty. It was Eleza he truly loved more than anyone or anything. She was his rock, his reason for living and loving. She was the one who kept him out of the shadow of his father.
All though his mate had difficulty bearing cubs, their relationship didn't change. Their first litter of cubs was stillborn.
After they had gotten over the loss of their first litter, Kacha and Eleza had another. This time it was successful.
Kacha remembered very well when Eleza struggled giving birth to their second litter. Only two cubs managed to survive. For that Kacha and Eleza were grateful.
"At least I have Adabu and Mizani." Kacha thought as he continued gazing out at his lands.
When Adabu and Mizani were born, Kacha took good care of them. While he raised his son, Adabu to be his heir, Mizani would spend time with her mother, playing and listening to stories. Both parents had a good relationship with one of their children. It was better than nothing
Kacha gently chuckled to himself. "Those two would always get into trouble. But cubs do that. It's in their nature."
Thinking about his children, how they had grown into adolescence, he now had some regrets. "Now that I think back, I was never really close with either of them. But they know that I love them with all my heart. I'm nothing like my father. Or I at least try not to be. Again I have my mate to thank for that."
He looked back to the entrance of his cave where his dearest mate, son, and daughter were still sleeping.
Eleza was again pregnant with their next litter. This would be the couple's third litter. The decision to have another litter was something that Kacha didn't want but Eleza had asked him and insisted.
Kacha shrugged. "I had told her that after Adabu and Mizani were born, that it would to be too risky to have more cubs." He sighed.
Now the young lion: a king, a father and a mate, couldn't help but smile. "But you love cubs so much and I love you so much that I could bear to say 'no' to you. You gave me hope and peace. The least I can do is love you and see that you're happy. You have given me so much Eleza."
He looked back out at his lands, knowing that the sun wasn't due to rise a few more hours. He smiled again at the thought of extra sleep, more time with his family. He went back into his cave to sleep next to the ones he loved the most.
He lay down beside his wife and gently wrapped an arm around her pulling her close. He sighed with happiness and content, licked her ear, and whispered, "I love you more than life itself. I would give up my life to see you, Adabu, Mizani, and our soon-to-be cubs safe. I hope you know that."
Eleza, hearing her mate's words snuggled up to him, placed her head upon his mane and purred softly.
Kacha smiled, put his head down on floor, and fell asleep still thinking on how wonderful his life had turned out.
Everyday he was so thankful that he did not turn out to be too much like his father He was lucky enough to inherit his father's temper. Little did he know that when morning would come, that his life would change forever.
Well, let me know what you think. This is my first so be gentle. I accept some criticism. Only some!
