Chapter Three: No Such Thing


I'll never forgive myself for what happened.

Never.


"No!" Sorake howled, flinging herself between Yekopa's outstretched claws and her daughter. There was a horrible slashing sound as he reopened her chest scar, blood flowing out in wave after wave onto the sandy ground. Sorake fell to the ground, gasping desperately for breath.

It's no use. I thought. She's losing too much blood. I could only stand in silent shock. This was my fault. I should have never brought him here. It's my fault this is happening. And because me of me, Xithoga's mother will die. My legs began to shake.

Xithoga gave a wail of horror at the sight of her bleeding mother. "Mama!" She made a move towards her, but Tara snatched her up by the scruff. She kicked and screamed by eventually gave up, sobbing loudly into her paws.

Yekopa just loomed over Sorake, watching her bleed to death. His orange-yellow eyes showed nothing but indifference. I couldn't move, I couldn't make a sound. My fault, my fault… I was wrong. Yekopa was just as bad as my father. We're all doomed and it's because of me.

Sorake gargled, looking as if she was trying to speak. After a moment of bright red blood pouring out of her mouth, she just barely managed to choke out, "T-t-this scar… Mowaki gave it t-to me… when I-I tried to defend my s-sister Anga…" Xithoga stared at her intently, fear still evident on her face, but I think she knew just as well as the rest of us that these were Sorake's final words. "She looked j-just like me, you know… but her left front paw was brown…" She feebly attempted to smile. "My daughter," she called, and Xithoga risked a step forward. Sorake seemed to sense this since she went on, "If you have a-a cub, name it…" She took one last shuddering breath, "…Jua, 'sunshine.'" Yekopa let out another wailing sob, nodding her head vigorously, splattering salty tears everywhere.

And then Sorake was gone.

"Well," Yekopa drawled. "That was certainly a heart-wrenching display, now wasn't it?" He smirked lopsidedly, stepping away from the dead golden lioness. Ukatib snarled at him, but he ignored her. He turned his orange-yellow gaze to Xithoga. "I'll get to you later." He hissed threateningly at her, and she shrank back, flinching.

Then, he looked at me. I scrambled backwards, my breathing erratic.

"This is a mighty fine predicament you got yourself in, now isn't it?" He breathed just low enough for only me to hear.

I couldn't help myself. I let out a sharp cry.

"Stop!" Mom shouted, putting herself between Yekopa and I. She had her fangs bared at him, the fiercest expression I'd ever seen her give. Her usually warm amber eyes were blazing, her short brown fur standing on end. He looked at her in disbelief. He obviously couldn't believe she could be as stupid as to do the same thing Sorake had done. "I will make you a deal." She hissed stiffly.

That got his attention. "Really?" He asked, unnecessarily drawing out the word, probably for more dramatic effect. I was really starting to think he saw life as nothing more than a game. "What kind of deal?" He was grinning now, circling her.

Mom paused, taking a deep breath. "My life for my son's safety."

I stared at her in shock, but still I couldn't move. My limbs were frozen, unless to run. My mouth wouldn't work correctly unless it was to make a sound of terror. My eyes were wide, unless to die.

"Oh?" Yekopa said, considering it. "What of the golden cub?" He flicked his tail in Xithoga's direction. She was hunched over her mother's body, sniffling pathetically.

"You already killed her mother." Mom growled, flexing her muscles as if to attack, though I knew she knew better. At least I hoped she did. Ukatib and Tara were giving her looks of horror, but they said nothing. I wish they did. Why weren't they stopping her?!

Yekopa studied her for a moment. There was a tense, pregnant silence as he thought over his decision. Then, slowly, a fanged smile spread over his face. "Very well." He said at last. "I will take your life in exchange for the two cubs' safety." He unsheathed his deadly claws, and they glinted black in the sunlight.

"Wait." She pleaded, and surprisingly enough, he did. He held his dangerous paw in the air, waiting for the time to strike. She turned her head around to look at me. "Karibua, darling," Don't call me darling. I don't deserve it! "Please, look away."

To my own amazement, I complied. I should have said no. I should have done something. But I didn't. And I would regret it for the rest of my life.

There was a sickening crack. I flinched violently.

"This is the Circle of Life, cub." Yekopa said in a low voice. If I didn't know better, I would say he was trying to comfort me. He probably just pitied me. I didn't dare open my eyes. Pawsteps faded away as he went to most likely speak to the other lionesses. But before they went completely away, he threw over his shoulder, "This is the way the Great Kings of the Past intend for us to live."

When I was sure he was gone, I opened my eyes, deliberately looking in any direction that wasn't my mother's corpse's. "Circle of Life." I laughed bitterly to myself, before feeling anger explode inside me, shakily sitting up on my haunches. I raised my head to the sky, screaming to the nonexistent heavens, "If the Great Kings of the Past really existed, they never would have let this happen! There is no such thing!"

With that, I collapsed onto the ground, finally letting the tears overflow.


A/N: I honestly didn't think I could write this… Review?