VITANI

Waking up this morning, everything felt like a normal day. it did feel different in some way, I felt lighter...like a weight has been taken off of my shoulders. Like I said I really needed that talk with Nala last night. From the look on her face, she needed it too, I still can't believe what she told me about my brother. I knew he could be terrible a monster even, but this lions become the devil.

I was up all, night trying to think of ways to get rid of him. Kings, that still sounds crazy to me. I have to kill my brother. I know I have no choice, it just as I told Nala last night. but I've never killed anyone or planned on that, either way, I feel screwed. Kijivu is no space to talk right now, so I know I can't depend on him yet. Is it safer to wait it out and keep a close eye on him, or should I strike like I think he would?

I hate having doubts. "Mom!" I heard my title being echoed off the den walls by a voice that sounded like it was running my way.

"Slow down Roho. and be quiet your father still sleeping."

"I want to come with you today! I was thinking I could help you today."

" Thank you, but you know you can't."

"ugh why not, I've been getting good at tackling, you've seen me!"

"I have and I'm very impressed with how good you are." My son beamed from ear to ear. It didn't take much to get him to smile. he has the kindest soul I've ever meet. but I could be saying that just because I'm his mother. " But you know you can't sweetie."

"But mooooom, please! I can follow your direction just like everybody else." I know this whining is just code for him not wanting to be left here alone.

"I know you can son, the answer's still no."

"What!?"

"I said no Roho, now stop before you wake up your Father, and you know your dads having a hard time right? with babu and everything."

"Yea, I remember what you told me."

"So mommy really needs you to stay here and help him, okay?"

"haha okay." I played with the turf of fur on his head.

"I have to go now or you'll make me late."

"Well, I can at least walk you to where you need to be. Dads always tell me it's my job to look after you." I rolled my eyes, that would be a task his father would give him. I nodded my head and told him to come along with me. When we got the platform everyone was there, standing and waiting. They met me with warm smiles and I met them the same.

"Good morning everyone." I could feel my son sitting leaning against my front forearm as he sat down. "Roho?"

"Oh- good morning everyone!" he could brighten anyone's day.

"Morning my queen, my prince." Mwenya voiced, and I heard everyone tag along. This felt right, it felt like things were getting back to normal...slowly. I looked around to see if we were all accounted for. "is everyone here yet?" i asked.

"Almost." voiced Shanti " we had a few late raises this morning, I'm sorry."

"No there's no problem, we'll wait a few minutes." The prey isn't going anywhere. From the corner of my eye, I coudl see a lighter furred lioness walking my way. "Nala."

"Hey, sleep okay?"

"Considering life right now, surely yes. I think that lioness time was something we really needed-" Roho...came bouncing between Nala and I.

"Aww no fair you hung out without me?!" damn, is it bad I forget about my son sometimes? he can be so quiet, I forget he's there...when he's not yelling and running around.

"haha yes sorry Little Roho, it was late." Voice Nala. she smiled at him and all he could do was puff out his little cheeks.

"You could have woken me up, no fair." he detested.

"Hey, you're pouting at my friend."

"Freind? but... I thought I was your friend mommy." ughhh it's too early...

"You are baby, you're my best friend."

"Wait, I thought you said I was your best friend?" Laughed Nala would try tease my poor baby this early in the morning.

"Don't you start Nala."

"Haha, I was just saying-"

"Mom?! you have another best friend...besides me?!" I think I just broke my son's heart for real this time. I was about to say something to object Nala statement to save me from an evening of nagging from my son, That's when I noticed my mother...walking towards me. What the hell...

" Good morning Vitani, Nala."

"Good morning mother..." I looked to Nala and she too was just as confused as I was.

"I'll give you two space to talk." ughh, I've been avoiding my mother for a purpose every since she got here. We don't have a good relationship obviously. And I'm not going to lie and say I'm going to try to fix it. I don't have time for her drama, and the last thing I need is her mothering skills rubbing off on me. "Roho, say hello."

"Hello, I'm Roho!" I watched my mother smile at him. It made me feel weird, to look at her in front of my son. so many times when I was his age, being that close to her would give her an attitude, or better a smack to the face for not giving her her personal space. she did look genuinely...nice and happy. But she's not my mother if she's happy?

"Nice to meet you, dear. you look bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, young and healthy."

"Yea, you should see my run, I'm really fast too-"

"Baby I think it's time for you to head back, remember what I told you this morning?"

"Oh right...sorry ma'am I have to go now. bye, mommy, I Love you." I kissed his forehead before he went running off back towards home.

"He's adorable."

"Yes, he is."

"Maybe sometime today, you and Roho can come see Shaia and I." wait, was she serious? Are we really having this conversation?

"I'll have to think about it, with everything going on, I don't know if it's the best time."

"I see." is that disappointment I hear? am I living in an alternate reality right now? " motherhood suite you, you look happy."

"I'm still learning but thank you." Then there was an awkward silence, am I supposed to say something next? "Is there something I can help you with mom?"

"Look... I know things may seem awkward between us."

"No, it is awkward, but go on."

" Vitani, I've been doing a lot of thinking lately, and I want to apologize for the way things ended with us. The competition I forced between you and your brother. I know I wasn't the easiest mother to live with. but I would truly like to start over with you and your son. I'd appreciate it if you'd give me a second chance."

No, there has to be a motive for this right? Is it wrong for my first instinct to be telling me, she's lying. she's trying to play you, she's going to get close to me and my family, my baby and hurt us. That's what Zira dose, hell whats what she taught me! We all know she helped destroy a pride main royal family, for her own sake. She serves no one but herself. With her connection with Nuka, I can't risk getting...or wanting to get close with her. It won't end up good for me.

" Everyone's here mom, I have to lead the hunt now." It's too damn early in the morning to try to start with this foolishness.

RyanSquad, ha it be like that sometimes!

KawaiiCutie12, Yea your guess was right, he's just too old. but he's a good guy so it all works out. and yes, I was excited to write their chapter together, but I'm more excited about this chapter with Vitani and Zira meeting.