Chapter 20: Nia's symptoms

Nia nuzzled Shumba's black mane as she slept that night, Shumba's arm around Nia's stomach tensed pulling her closer. Nia groaned, in response She opened her eye's. It was still dark outside the cave she pushed her self up from Shumba's tight grip and plodded towards the entrance. Her back killed her as she went just out side the cave for a drink she bent down and lapped up the water. As she did this something red landed on her paw was it blood? Too dark to tell. She rubbed the back of her neck with her right paw, as she lifted it off and looked at it properly. Her insides turned into butterfiles. It was indeed blood. Nia panicked was there something wrong with her? She ran towards the cave, before she reached Shumba she ran back out side wretching before being sick in the bushes. Nia felt dizzy what was up with her today? She tried again to go back into the cave she walked up to Shumba her back was still killing her. She was about to lie down when she saw blood around Shumba's mouth the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Impossible... Nia felt her stomach it was rock hard. Anger built up up inside her. Nia slammed her paw across Shumba's face roaring in anger. Shumba stood up his eyes wide open in shock, Nia did not just do that, Or did she?

"Nia what's...?" Shumba began sheepishly.

"SHUMBA I'M GONNA KILL YOU FOR DOING THIS TO ME!"

Nia threw herself at Shumba pinning him onto the floor. Shumba was too scared to try fighting Nia. What had gotten in to her?

"WHAT!" He replied quickly.

Nia's face softened but only a bit. "I think i'm pregnant.."

Shumba's face dropped. He gently pushed Nia off him and tried to calm himself down.

Nia burst into tears.

"Why are you crying?" Asked Shumba. Only a moment ago Nia had tried to kill him!

"I don't know!" Wailed Nia.

Shumba Put his arm around her neck trying to comfort her, but Nia raked her claws down Shumba's face again, hissing at him.

Shumba roared in pain now he was furious with Nia, he pinned Nia onto her back. Nia screamed

"My Neck!" She exclaimed still crying.

Blood ran down shumba's face into his mouth He licked his lips. He got off Nia wiping away his own blood and dry blood. Nia stood up. It was only then he saw Nia's once white fur covered in blood on her neck. Shumba wiped off more dry blood. It wasn't his it was Nia's.

Now Shumba felt really bad. What have I done? Nia was still crying on the floor in front of Shumba both arms clutching onto her bloody scruff. Shumba walked over and forced nia's arms of her neck. He then licked the dry blood off and then rubbed her neck with his paw. Shumba could feel Nia's body shaking as he helped up the scared lioness and took her to the back of the cave. Nia sniffled as Shumba lay her down gently. Shumba collected the leaves lying around and arranged them in a heap he helped Nia on to them Nia looked at Shumba desperate to get answers as to why she was pregnant. but Shumba Ignored her and made her lie down on her side. Nia sighed feeling slightly better. Shumba licked Nia on the cheek softly purring. Nia's face had gone from feeling better to worried. Shumba turned away.

"Where are you going?" she asked sitting up.

"Hunting I'll be back by morning..." Shumba replied in a low voice.