Somewhere out in the Savannah
The sun was beginning to slip behind the trees when he finally emerged from the den. From his jaws dangled a small golden cub. The lionesses began to roar in approval of the newest member. He walked over to where she was sitting watching everything with joyful excitement.
He set the small cub before her and said, "Anika, I present to you your new baby brother. His name is Manu. He will need someone to watch over him, guide, and teach him, as his big sister this will be your task."
The growl from the den caused them both to look back in surprise.
Zarina glared at her from the den's entrance. "Tunza, our son is to be the next in line. I will not except less the perfection from his teacher. As one so young, are you certain she is a wise choice?"
"She is his sister and my daughter. She will do what is her duty." Tunza growled back.
"Just don't forget your place little Anika." Zarina said as she disappeared back into the den.
At the same moment at Pride Rock
Kruger watched as the old baboon presented his new baby sister to the gathered masses below. He sat with his grandparents as ceremony proceeded. Everyone had come for the presentation of the princess Kaya, just as they had come when he had been born.
He got up and moved forward when the old baboon motioned him to do so. He came and stood next to his parents as the baboon turned to face him.
"You are a very lucky cub." The old baboon said to him. "To be a big brother is a very rare treat for a cub." He continued.
He looked from the old baboon to the squirming ball of dark tan fur that was his new sister. She looked back at him with her big blue eyes full of curiosity.
He lowered his nose to sniff at her and she took a playful swing at him. Her claws were just sharp enough to catch his tender nose. He pulled back quickly and she began to laugh.
He looked up at his parents who were smiling at him warmly.
"She's going to be a handful." His father said. "Think you can handle her?"
Kruger smiled back and said, "You bet. I can't wait till she's old enough to play with."
"It will be at least a year before she's old enough to PLAY your games." His mother responded laughing.
"Really?" he asked sadly.
"That's right." His grandfather said from behind him. "But I think you'll still enjoy being a big brother."
"Yeah sure." Kruger said dejectedly causing everyone to laugh.
Chapter 1
Siblings
A year and a half later…
Out in the Savannah….
"Manu you little brat come out of there right now!" Anika growled. She stalked around the entrance to the caves. "You know your not allowed to be in there!" She continued.
"So what! I don't care what they said I don't want to be the ruler. You're the eldest you should be the leader." He yelled back from somewhere in the caves.
She shook her head and said, "We have had this talk before Manu. You are the son of the raining lord of the pride. It does not matter that I am older, I am female and females are not acceptable to lead the pride. It's just not done."
"Well I don't want to. I want to go out and explore. I want to see the places that father told you about. Father traveled before he took over the pride, so why can't I?" he said as he came out of one of the caves.
Because your mother would never allow it. Anika thought to herself watching her younger brother. He was going to be a great golden mane lion just like their father. But he was still young and not yet fully grown, nor was his mane near as full. She looked down into his sad brown eyes and sighed. "Like it or not little brother, it is your duty to be the next leader of this pride, as it is my duty to look after you." She said.
"That's the other thing, I don't like how she treats you." He said coming to stand before her.
She was still taller then he was by a good foot. She lowered her head and pushed against his gently. He pushed back against her and purred loudly. They shared a connection as siblings that his mother could not sever, no mater what she did.
And Zarina had done plenty.
Anika was now one of the lowest ranking members of the pride. Her position was so low that she was not even allowed to sleep in the den with the others. Truly the only reason she was still a member of the pride was because her father would not allow her to leave.
"She can treat me how she wants. As long as I have you to protect she can do nothing to me that can not be tolerated."
Back at Pride Rock….
"?" Kaya called as she walked along the path. Where was he? He told her that he was going to meet up with her at high noon. It was now past one in the afternoon. It wasn't like him to be late.
"Try a bit louder, I don't think they heard you in the next country." Came a sarcastic voice from behind her. She didn't need to turn around to know it was him.
"Where have you been?" She asked attempting to pull of her mothers scolding tone.
"I was with gramps." He said simply trying not to laugh. Her tone while scolding was a bit to high to be intimidating in anyway.
"Why did you go to see him?" She asked turning around now to face him. Her brother was now fully grown with a rust colored coat and dark red brown mane much like their grandfather's.
"I needed to talk to him about some stuff." He responded defensively his amber eyes flashing with warning.
"Temba came back again?" She teased him.
Lowering his head he said, "Yeah, and she brought Cyrah with her. She is still trying to get father to agree to the match."
"I don't like them." Kaya said with disgust.
"Nether do I little one." He said as he rubbed against her.
