Chapter II: Akai As dawn came, Akai, the youngest of Vitani's cubs, scampered out upon Pride Rock. Her father, Yuuki, had already taken her two brothers, Kajin and Dokyou, out to practice pouncing. She was stuck with Chouwa and her mother. Akai wished she was a boy. They always got to do the fun things. Akai prodded to the tip of Pride Rock, standing tall and looking down. She pretended it was her kingdom. She sighed.it would never be her kingdom.

Her head sank low as she slowly and sadly walked down Pride Rock, into the tall grass towards the water hole. Her head sank lower as her tongue lapped the water into her mouth as she drank it. She was still very small, but didn't have to drink her mother's milk anymore. She didn't tell her mother or Chouwa that she ran off. Oh well. That didn't matter.

She sneaked around, hoping to find her father, Kajin, and Dokyou. If she did, she would show her father that she was a better hunter than those boys. She really did wish she was a boy. Akai was in current misery. Her khaki like fur shone in the warm sunlight. Soon, Akai found Kajin. She turned her head, and saw Dokyou and Yuuki, her father. She quietly sneaked towards Kajin, getting faster. Then she leaped into the air, letting out a small roar. She then pounced upon Kajin. The cub fell to the ground.

"Hey! What was that for!?" Kajin shouted at Akai.

"Akai, what are you doing here? You're supposed to be with your mother and your sister." Yuuki then said.

"Dad, I just wanted to show you I'm a good pouncer too. I wish I were a boy. You always spend so much more time with them, and they get to do fun stuff." Akai said, pouting. Yuuki sighed.

"Girls get to do fun things too, you know." He said.

"Well, I haven't done anything just for girls that's fun yet." Akai smirked. "Can't I please stay and practice pouncing with you? Please?" She continued.

"Fine." Yuuki responded. "Pounce Dokyou."

"Why me!?" Dokyou whined. Akai simply nodded, crouching down low, and before Dokyou realized anything was happening, Akai had speeded up, leaped into the air, roared, and tackled him. Dokyou was very uncomfortable. He landed wrong. He tried to squeeze out from under her.

"Good job, Akai. Now go back to your mother." Yuuki said, smirking. Akai sighed and walked back towards Pride Rock. She entered the cave and curled into a ball, upon her small stone she calls her bed. Tears began to form in her eyes. She cried softly.