: Chapter 3:
An Unexpected turn
Kecila returned to her home near the divide of the king no one seemed to notice her which wasn't too surprising since she was an expert at sneaking though she wondered where her mother was she could hide many things from others but very little from her. Kecila entered her cave and waited she knew she would be showing up any moment now.
"Nice of you return my daughter" her mother told her.
Kecila turned and faced her mother the hyena queen, Kamara.
"Mother what a truly fortunate end to this night" Kecila replied.
Kamara almost sighed in annoyance why was her daughter like this such a trouble maker and now was not the best time for any hyena to making trouble.
"Where were you, Kecila?' Kamara asked.
"Just out for a late night walk maybe a hunt." Kecila answered as usual her tone was very uncaring, typical youth.
"And where would that be I know you weren't anywhere near here?" Kamara told her though she already knew where she was it was obvious.
"Nowhere special" Kecila answered in a bored manner.
Kamara had enough time to end this back and forth between them.
"Don't lie to me Kecila I know you snuck into the Pride Lands." Kamara said angered.
"Well if you knew why are we wasting our time with this discussion?" Kecila responded.
"I was hoping you would've been honest and told me." Kamara said saddened.
"Why would I do that I knew that you already knew the answer, why would I tell you something that you already knew?" Kecila asked in confusion.
"To be honest to let us be honest with each other my daughter." Kamara told her.
"I didn't lie I just withheld information" Kecila said completely uncaring.
Kamara was shocked how could her daughter be so uncaring to the potential danger.
"How can you take this so lightly if the lions see you they will kill you Kecila that's why I'm worried because every time you run off there's the possibility that you won't come back!" Kamara said her tone clearly worried.
Kecila listened to her mother's words she didn't need to explain any of this Kecila knew why she was worried it was obvious, though if she wanted this to end it was best to just listen for now.
"I know but you trained me to defend myself I can handle myself and I also know how to stay hidden." Kecila reasoned.
"Why do you keep going there Kecila there's no reason to risk it." Kamara responded.
"It's an easy hunting ground true there are others but the Pride Lands are the best it's also the only way to truly train myself to hunt at least on my own that's what I'm doing mother. Kecila explained.
Kamara didn't know what to say her daughter wasn't wrong and in truth was just better preparing herself something Kamara didn't have time to do while she was dealing with the situation with the lions.
"I understand but I don't want you risking yourselves the tension between the hyenas and lions are very high one slip up could cause a full on war, and that's not the life I want for you." Kamara reasoned.
"It's the one you prepared me for." Kecila stated.
"Yes because I'm not sure how much longer I can maintain all this I need you to be ready I'm sorry. Kamara said.
"I understand perfectly mother" Kecila replied.
"I love you Kecila everything I do is because I love you." Kamara told her
"I know, I do" Kecila replied softly.
Kamara briefly embraced her daughter before leaving her in her part of the cave. Finally Kecila was tired of dealing with all these the same conversation every time she was worried well no duh she was her mother. She did what she did because she loved her really why else do parents do what they do for the kids. Kecila knew all this why did her mother feel the need to state it all the time she was her mother she gave birth to her naturally she loved her it got so repetitive.
"Why do you feel the need to tell me the same thing over and over I know you're worried I know you do all this because you love me." Kecila told herself in annoyance.
"I don't need it spelled out I'm not an idiot." Kecila said to herself.
She rested herself down and her mind filled with thoughts of Ahadi. She was fascinated by the lion she looked forward to their next meeting and if he didn't show up Kecila wasn't joking she would hunt him down he seemed rather excited at the prospect of either it was an emotion she shared. She was looking forward to tomorrow night that she was certain.
Mohatu was sitting in Pride Rock alongside his mate Asha he was deep in thought the day had not turned out as he expected not at all.
"Mohatu come to bed you've been pacing all night" Asha told him.
"I can't tonight's encounter was different you saw it too didn't you?" He asked her though there was a hint in his voice that made it clear it wasn't a question, Asha recognized it.
"I suppose but what is it that you saw that one lion has been attempting to see our daughter for weeks now" She reasoned.
"No not him!" Mohatu stated.
"Is he not the one we chose you know as well as I do the purpose he will serve." Asha responded.
"No he was pathetic I'm referring to the other one" Mohatu said.
"You mean the street rat?" Asha asked though there was a hint of fear in her voice.
"Yes he stood up to me I could've killed him for what he said he knew this yet he still stood up to me, that's no ordinary street rat" Mohatu said with pride.
"Where are you going with this?" Asha asked.
"He is the one I seek the one the shaman told me of" Mohatu told her.
"Are you certain you know as well as I do the shaman often speaks in riddles who knows what he meant." Asha stated though immediately realized she shouldn't of.
Mohatu growled in anger and jumping at her and roaring in rage she stumbled back in fear and cowered on the ground.
"He is the one the Shaman referred to I can see it, you can see it" Mohatu said in anger.
Asha continued to cower on the floor as he towered over her, "Do you see it?!" Mohatu thundered.
"Per perhaps you are right this could be what the shaman foretold." Asha said in fear.
Mohatu turned away satisfied that they had come to an arrangement allowing her to stand again.
"But what does this mean for the arrangements we already agreed to isn't the betrothal necessary?" She asked.
Mohatu turned to her, "unless of course you feel it isn't" she corrected herself.
"No you're right we need this arrangement however that street rat is what I have sought though perhaps he can serve me regardless. Mohatu said.
"Of course whatever you wish I will support you" Asha told him.
Mohatu smiled satisfied everything was falling into place the hyenas were getting more rebellious and soon he would deal with them his alliance with the other prides were already secured through his daughter and now he had found the very thing he had been looking for the key to building a powerful dynasty. Soon Mohatu would be ready to claim what was his and seize his place in history but first the street rat would have to join him and he would one way or another that street rat would serve him.
Uru overheard her parents discussion she was disgusted with her fathers actions he was often cruel to her mother though his actions were just to deal with the threat at hand. Uru didn't agree with that threat the hyenas were not the enemy they didn't need to be enemies. Uru gazed out at the stars she knew her fate had already been decided and she had accepted it but she still wondered if there was a better path than the one they were on.
She gazed out at the night, "I understand my purpose but there must be more I can do to help this world." Uru said to the stars.
She thought back to the street rat she met he seemed so in pain his anger at her statement yet she also saw his determination to prove he was every bit the lion any member of her pride was. It was an admirable trait to see someone for who they were rather how they were born. She couldn't help but wonder who he was? His strength his resolve he was indeed strong. She also remembered how he approached her just to help his friend. A willingness to help others a trait so few truly appreciate these days, he was a different lion different than all the others who tried to woo her who was he?
Uru stared down at the pond the same pond she often sat by during the night, "Why did you do it why do you feel the need to prove yourself are you unhappy with who you are?" Uru asked him even though he wasn't there.
She thought back to his friend as well unlike the others he truly seemed attracted to her and it seemed to go beyond her natural beauty as many had called it. He seemed so nervous it was sweet though somewhat cowardly. Though she understood why it was still disappointing that she had to convince him to reveal himself she had hoped he would be willing to do that himself he was sweet though and quite kind another trait the world took for granted. Why had she met them she gazed at the stars and thought about what the beings up there had to do to achieve greatness was this the start of hers were they a part of it. Uru had no way of knowing but she knew they were unique they could bring true change, change Uru longed to see happen.