Chapter 29: Rhinoceros

"What? No!" Tamani shouted, her face the epitome of worry and stress. "Don't fail them, they're basically sisters, Mebala can't help but—"

"Hang on, Tamani," Kovu interrupted. "Let's find out what happened." Then the king looked at his wife.

Kiara was still out of breath so she explained between gasps. "I was…standing on a boulder…watching Taeliss chase… some prey when a black rhinoceros…"

"A black rhino?" Tamani exclaimed, looking more distressed than ever with her huge violet eyes.

Kiara continued, "I didn't see where it came from but it charged her. It was close to hitting her when Mebala jumped out and landed on the Rhino's back. She distracted it long enough for Taeliss to get away. I came as soon as I knew they'd both gotten away from the rhino and it wasn't pursuing them."

"They're okay?" Tamani asked.

"Yes, both are fine. But I'm wondering why Mebala was there in the first place." Kiara said.

"It's a good thing she was!" Tamani said defensively. "Taeliss could have been gored or trampled, how could you even consider ending the test!"

"Hush, Tamani." Tikana said to her friend. "I believe Kovu and Kiara wouldn't fail them without considering all the facts and having a discussion first." She gave the royals a meaningful look as if to say you better.

The king and queen nodded to the older lioness, "Pf course." Kovu said. "But we should probably halt Taeliss's hunt now, to hear her side of the story. We can always send her back out. Mebala ought to be making her way back now." Kovu headed up the steps to look out on the peak. Kiara, Tamani and Tikana followed him. Jayden and Zula, who haed been listening to the conversation, shared a look but stayed put.

They heard Tamani from the rock, "I see Mebala! She's dragging her kill back."

"Good, we can have a word with her, and I'll call Taeliss back." Kovu said, and inhaled deeply, readying himself to roar a call to Taeliss. Before a sound could come from him, Kudzu flew over. Kovu let out his breath and pulled a paw back so the bird had room to land.

"Lion. Er…sire. Gray-cub Taeliss has caught her prey."

"She has?" Tikana said smiling.

"Yes, lioness." Kudzu nodded to her. "She's dragging it this way, and by now you ought to see Mebala close at hand."

Kiara glanced at Kovu for a moment. He said, "Did Taeliss catch the prey with the help of the other adolescent? Was she there when she caught it?"

"I did not see brown cub—"

"Mebala." Kovu imputed.

"Mebala help the other, but I could not see if she was hidden in the grass. You lions are quite good at camoflauge, you know, and Mebala is particularly well suited for it, she's practically the same color brown as the grass."

"If Mebala helped Taeliss catch the prey, that certainly means she'll be failed." Tamani looked down at her paws.

"We won't know until they get here." Tikana said, trying to comfort her.

"Kudzu, can you keep a watch over Taeliss as she heads back? She needs to bring the prey all the way to the clearing." Kiara said.

The bird nodded and flew off with a squak.

It wasn't long before Mebala made it to the clearing. She was dragging an elderly looking zebra. It had old scars and notches in it's ears. The brown adolescent looked exhausted from dragging it. Jayden and Zula bumped heads with their friend as soon as she set the prey down.

"You did it!" Zula said.

"You didn't help catch Taeliss's prey did you?" Jayden couldn't help but blurt. "They saw what happened with the rhino and because of that think you may have helped her with her catch."

"No!" Mebala said looking startled, "I didn't help her catch her prey. Do you think I'd get in trouble for the rhino thing though?"

"Well, here they come." Zula said as Kovu, Kiara, Tikana and Tamani came down the stone steps. Tamani went to her daughter and embraced her.

"You did great, honey." She whispered. Mebala shortly nuzzled her mother, then addressed Kovu and Kiara frantically.

"I didn't help Taeliss catch her prey, honest. I was only there the moment I distracted the rhino from attacking her. I couldn't watch her get hurt and do nothing. I can't see her get hurt. I'm really sorry for breaking the 'no help' rule. But I was scared and I had to help her." She rambled. "If you have to fail me, go ahead, just don't fail Taeliss, she caught her prey on her own."

"Mebala." Kiara said calmly.

"I didn't even know she had caught anything yet, I've been dragging this thing for what feels like the past half hour." She went on

"Mebala." Kovu said louder than Kiara had. "Give us a second to talk."

Around them, other pride members had gathered. Dark and Malowa settled by Jayden and Zula. Dark asked, "What happened?"

"Shh and listen." Jayden replied quietly.

"Why were you there when the rhino attacked?" Kiara asked gently. "You were instructed to stay on your side."

Kovu said, "I had gotten word from Kudzu shortly before Kiara reported the rhino incident that you had already taken down your kill."

The royals looked into Mebala's brown eyes seriously.

"Um… well…" the brown lioness looked guilty and rubbed her paw on her opposite leg. "Okay, I was there after I caught my kill… I just wanted to see how Taeliss was doing. I was only watching and I wasn't giving her hints or talking to her, I swear. She didn't even know I was there until I came out to distract the rhino. I had just watched her chase some prey right before that, she was out of breath when the rhino attacked. I knew there was no way she'd outrun it without a distraction. I had to help. I'm sorry." She looked at her paws with shame.

"You did a good thing." Kovu said. Mebala looked up, surprised.

Kiara nodded with a smile. "We did only say you couldn't help each other catch the prey. As long as you haven't done that, we won't fail you."

"I promise I didn't." The relieved looking teen said. "Does that mean I passed?"

"Yes, and so has Taeliss when she gets back." Kovu said with a smile.

"Yay!" Zula cheered. The pride members that had gathered congratulated her.

"You may share your first kill with those you treasure most." Kovu said.

"Zula,Zuna, Jayden and Mom." She grinned widely

"You're so sweet!" Tamani said and licked her daughter on the cheek. Mebala looked embarrassed.

Zuna joined Zula and Jayden's sides, thanked the new huntress and began eating along with Mebala's mom.

About ten minutes later, Taeliss was in sight and the pride cheered for her as she dragged her kill the rest of the way to the clearing. It was a gazelle with one giant bite wound at the neck. It was clear it had been attacked by only one lioness.

"Way to go!" Jayden cheered for her. Tikana went to her daughter and nuzzled her. Mebala was next to bump heads with her friend.

"Thank you for distracting that rhino, I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't been there!" Taeliss said. "Oh!" she said suddenly. "I shouldn't have mentioned you helped me should I…." She looked abashed.

"It's okay, they know about it and I'm not in trouble for that." She said with a big grin.

Kovu approached, "You both passed. Mebala helped you avoid the rhino but didn't help you with the kill. We decided that didn't break the rule. You may now name the ones you treasure to share your first kill with."

"Mebala!" Taeliss said and embraced her friend around the neck, and laughed. "For saving my skin."

"I just ate but I'll take a nibble! And you better get a bite of mine, too." Mebala said happily.

Taeliss also picked her mother, Jayden, Zuna and Zula to share with. They all had a few bites, and the left overs were given to anyone who wanted to ear.

Everyone welcomed Taeliss and Mebala to the adult world and congratulated them happily. The two were exhausted and with full bellies, retired to the den to rest.

The excitement over the two new huntresses died down after a few hours. Jayden was wondering if she should ask about getting lunch for the rest of the pride. She was just about to find Ciara or Kiara to ask, when Vitani appeared in front of her.

"Oh, Mother! You startled me."

Vitani acted as if she didn't hear and said, "You've worked hard lately."

The skinny lioness may as well have cuffed Jayden on the cheek, she felt so shocked.

"You take the day off. I'll take some others hunting today."

"O-Okay…T-thanks." Jayden said, almost speechless. Her mother even gave her youngest daughter the smallest of smiles, then sauntered off.

All Jayden could do was stand there, stunned. She hadn't realized her mouth had dropped open until she closed it.

Wow! She thought. She didn't know who to run and tell first. Zula? Tempest? Dark? She sped off toward the den to see Zula first. Zula was laying near Mebala and Taeliss who were still snoozing. Zula perked her head up when she saw Jayden.

"What's up?"

"Zula, it's just happened, you should have seen it."

"What?"

"My mother just told me to have the day off from hunting! She said I've worked hard lately."

"Woah."

"I know! We should go out and celebrate."

Zula laughed. "And do what?"

"I dunno, go to the waterhole?"

"Sure." She said, standing. "I guess we should let these two stay asleep." Zula said, gesturing at Mebala and Taeliss with her head.

The two exited the cave. They only got to the bottom of the steps when Vitani appeared with Jika, Toni and Ciara behind her. "Zula, you'll be out fifth. Come."

"Crap." Zula said under her breath. Then to Jayden, "Sorry. Later, okay?"

Jayden's tail drooped. "Okay." And watched as Zula caught up with the leaving team. At first she was bummed. What's a celebration without your best friend:? But then she thought of the next best thing. Celebrate with your boyfriend of course! She didn't know where Dark went to, but chanced it by going to the side of Pride Rock where they met at night. When she saw him there, her excitement returned. She sped up and pounced on him, "Dark!"

"Woah!" he rolled to his back, surprised, as she put her arms around him. "I was not expecting that."

"Well there's nobody around is there? I have awesome news!"

"Okay, what?" He rested his paws on either shoulder as she lay on his stomach.

She smiled widely," My mother just came up to me and said I've been working hard and I can have the day off! I was so stunned, oh and she even smiled. A little. Can you believe it?"

"Wow! But yes, I can believe it, I knew if you kept working she'd praise you eventually."

"Yeah, you were right," Jayden said and licked him on the cheek and purred.

"Not that I'm complaining, but should we be careful with the public display of affection? It's the middle of the day and people are out."

"Right now, I don't care. I love you and I'm happy. I just want to celebrate and feel good." She hugged him tight.

"Fine with me" He grinned. He purred and licked her head. They held each other close for a minute, then Dark said, "I wish we could do this all the time."

"I know, me too." She thought for a second with her heard so full of love and joy. Then she said, "Maybe it's time… for us to, you know…"

"Are you saying…?"

"Let's tell everyone." She said looking in his eyes.

His eyes widened, "Really?"

"Yes really! My eyes are finally open. I want this. I want us."

Dark looked stunned, but extremely happy. "What about Dayya?" he asked.

"Screw Dayya! I don't care, I love you, I always have and always will." She announced and nuzzled him.

"What?" a familiar voice said behind them. Jayden gasped, and leaped apart from Dark and turned around.

"Dayya!" Waves of horror washed over her. No… she heard.

"The two of you…" The red lioness said, her expression one of confusion. "Not Ahila, but you? All this time?"

"Oh Dayya… Dayya I'm so… I'm sorry… I…" Jayden stepped forward, all the words a jumble in her mouth.

Dayya shook her head as if to clear it. "After all this time and you knew how I felt about Dark?" Her voice was rising.

"I-I'm sorry Dayya, it was just… Sister, please listen."

"You're not my sister." Dayya said quietly, then did something Jayden never thought Dayya would do. She ran away.