AN: I hope you liked the last chapter. There is more to come! Shera, Storm, Lium, Queen, Vashti, Aniya, Fawn, Leaf, and Blue are my characters and not to be used without my permission.

Chapter 2: Just Survive

I whimpered tiredly. We had been walking for the entire night. Well, Shera had been walking. I was being carried by her. Sure, it was better than walking, but my scruff was getting sore from Shera holding me. "Mom," I whimpered.

Shera seemed to not hear me, but I knew that she had heard me. "Yes Bianca?"

"Do you know where we are going?"

Shera sighed and set me down. Finally! I stretched my sore muscles and chased my tail for a minute.

"There's another Pride over here and I thought that we could go join them. " I was surprised to hear this. I thought we were the only Pride in the world. Well of course not! Of course there are other Prides! I wanted to smack myself with a paw but restrained myself, knowing I needed to help my mom find this place. "Are we almost there?"

Shera smiled at me, her brilliant green eyes sparkling for the first time since Kazumi kicked us out. I wish I had pretty green eyes like her! Unfortunately my eyes were crimson. I hated crimson. It was such an evil color to have, because it reminded me of my father and his evilness. "Yes, Bianca. Your a very good cub to not have asked me that question about a million times already."

I smiled and proudly stuck my chest out. I was a good cub!

"We only need to get to that tree," she said, nodding at the tree that wasn't very far ahead of us, "and then we will have crossed their borders. They always have a patrol guarding that border at night so we should be in luck."

I nodded. "Okay. "

Shera stretched and reached down to pick me up, but I darted away. "Mom! I'm a big cub now. I don't need you to carry me!"

Shera smiled. "Very well big cub Bianca. Just tell me when you've figured out how to cross that river all by yourself."

I gulped. I hadn't noticed the river that was between us and the tree. Aw! I wanted to be a big cub! Oh well. I guess I could let her carry me just one more time. "Mom can you carry me?"

"Of course, Bianca." she started to grab my scruff but I yelped. "Mom! My scruff is sore! Could you please carry me some other way?"

Shera nodded. "Okay, honey. I understand." She then bent down and grabbed my back. I loved the feeling of her strong jaws around me. It was the only time I felt truly safe. "Here we go," she purred as she slipped into the water. Brr! It was cold! But I didn't complain. My mother did not have time to worry about me. Finally we were on the other side. "Mom you can put me down now."

Shera put me down and started walking towards the big tree. I shook my paws, trying to get rid of the water. At least it was a warm night. I ran to my mother and when we reached the tree we were immediately greeted by a big lion. He was huge! Almost bigger than Kazimu!

"Who are you and what are you doing on my territory?"

Shera didn't seem fazed at all by the intimidating size or voice of the lion. "My name is Shera and this is my cub Bianca. We are here because we need a Pride to live in."

The big lion sat down. "Queen Shera?"

Shera nodded.

The tan lion laughed. "Wow! I never would have thought the proud and mighty Shera would leave Kazimu and ask to join my Pride! I have, however been waiting for you for years. "

Shera narrowed her eyes. "Whatever was between us, Storm, has been over for years."

Storm. Hm. I wonder what kind of mother would name her cub such an original name. And I wasn't stupid either. I could see the love and affection Storm had for my mother. I didn't trust him. "Back away from my Mom!" I growled.

Storm looked at me in surprise. He then looked at Shera, whose hard emerald eyes gave nothing away. "Do as she says, " suggested Shera. Storm's eyes lit with amusement and he purred at me. "Just like your mother, Miss Bianca."

I cocked my head at him. Maybe he wasn't so bad after all.

"Anyways," Storm continued, shaking his red mane, "of course you can join me Shera. I respect your decisions and would be glad to have you in my Pride. You should've left Kazimu a long time ago."

Was that concern and regret in his voice? I couldn't tell.

Shera hung her head. "I realize that now, Storm. Thank you."

Wow! I love my mother. So honest and kind. I smiled to myself, happy that we were able to have a Pride so quickly.

Storm waved his paw at us. "Come on."

Shera once again bent down to pick me up, but I was soooo DONE with being carried! "No way!" I said. "My back and my scruff are way too sore!"

Storm glanced at me. "Bianca, Pride Tree is a long ways away for such a young cub. You could ride on my back, if you wish."

I widened my eyes and looked at my mother. Shera smiled. "Go on."

Yay! I jumped on Storm's back, realizing just how tired I was. Storm walked slowly, careful not to let me fall off. My eyes kept closing! Maybe I shouldn't fight the sleep. It was only a few minutes afterwards and I was sound asleep.

AN: How do you like it? I need at least 2 reviews before the next chapter, so I know how I'm doing.