The Next King and Queen

It had been approximately a week after the disappearence of Baka, the foolish adolescent leonine and rival of Prince Tan. Since then, the pride had forgotten about him, after a bird reported an adolescent cub dead behind the volcanoes. Of course, Prince Tan brought up the subject about the villagers near by, and their recent battle between them.

By now, Sanura had also moved on, forgetting about the unfortunate leonine. It was one pleasant morning and the little mahogany cub was resting in Tau Den, sleeping upon her father's mane. Just then, entered King Maliik, holding his cranium high. He gracefully made his way over to the two, leering down on them. "Wake up you two, I have a very important announcement to make." The King leonine gently prodded Makame's muzzle, until he opened one eye. Makame turned the other way and yawned, causing his daughter to roll off his head.

"This early? I was up all night with the villagers.." Mumbled Makame, struggling to get to his paws. Sanura had awakened by the fall and took no time to stand and rush out of the den. Makame watched his energetic daughter sprint away, then he turned back to the King, "What is this all about?" The King simply grinned and turned his back on Makame, giving him the 'follow me' look. Sanura's father shook away his sleepiness and left Tau Den, taking his spot amoungst the other pride members just outside. Sangeya, Sanura's mother, greeted Makame with a gentle nuzzle, then aimed her muzzle to the summit of Tau Den, where Queen Morowa and her son sat. "Sangeya, what's going on?" Makame asked as he too looked to the royal family.

"I'm not sure, but it is important I hear." Sangeya answered, not removing her eyes from the two at the top of Tau Den. Then the pride let out powerful roars as King Maliik, majestically, made his way to the edge, standing between his mate and son. His beautiful black mane was blown forward, out towards the pride. The pride's roaring stopped as the King glanced down on them, waiting to speak.

"First of all, I would like to thank out warriors for, once again, fighting the villagers. It indeed has been a time of sorrow, but now we have avenged the death of Baka." Proudly spoke the King. Prince Tan tried to hold back his snickering, since it was he who ended Baka's miserable life. However, at least he gave the warriors something to do after many days of lazing about. Kng Maliik glanced down to his son, who was to his right, then back to his pride. "The Future King of this pride has an announcement to make, which will hopefully be followed by a ceremony."

King Maliik took a step back, allowing his five month old son to take over. The young Prince raised his head and perambulated towards the edge, looking down on the pride. "Today is the day, that myself and Makame and Sangeya's daughter, Tisha Sanura, become one." Prince Tan grinned, especially at Sanura, who seemed utterly shocked. "Dear Makame, my I take your lovely daughter and make her my Princess?" In this pride, usually it was the father who decided who would be the mate of their offspring, and since it was the Prince asking for Makame's daughter, it would technically be against the law if he said declined.

"I accept. May you, Prince Tan, and my daughter be one forever." Replied Makame, stepping before the pride. His mate, Sangeya, smiled as tears welled up in her eyes, then she looked down to her daughter, who had her mouth open in shock. Sanura didn't have a say in this, but at least her and the Prince were friends, which made it a little easier. Prince Tan grinned somewhat devilishly at Sanura, as if he now possessed her, which he did. The Prince then stepped back, letting his father take over.

"Excellent. We will have a large feast, and soon the new sun shall rise." Announced the King, beore the pride let out more powerful roars and congratulating Makame and Sangeya. The 'New Sun shall rise' basically meant Prince Tan would become King, King of the Tau Pride with his Queen, Sanura. Usually, the Prince would become the new ruler if his father died, or other times the King would feel that his time of being ruler has ended.

Sanura couldn't stand the loud noise of the pride, so she escaped into Tau Den. In the darkest corner of her father's quarters, Sanura fell to the ground and begun to think about what was happening. Unlike the Prince, she didn't feel 'love' for him, mainly because she was too young. However, she was soon joined by the Prince himself. He made his presence known by emitting a low growl, then grinned at his Future Queen. "Dear Sanura, from now on, you will sleep with me." It seemed now the Prince thought he had complete control over her, and she felt nothing more than a slave. Sanura's optics dipped down, looking at her own paws. "Sanura?"

Prince Tan took a seat before Sanura and slid his paw under her maw, forcing her to look into his emerald eyes. "Sanura, my little Princess, you belong to me now. One day, we will become one and will rule this pride. I'm sure you'll be a great huntress." That was usually all the female was needed for, hunting, whilst the males had the pleasure of doing almost whatever they desire. But they did have to defend the pride at all costs.

"Prince Tan. Don't you see me more than just a huntress?" Asked Sanura. Her voice was serious, and her moist, azure orbs gazed into Prince Tan's, lineared slightly. Prince Tan cleared his throat and removed his paw away from Sanura, repositioning it to his thorax in a haughty mannert.

"Sanura, you will be my Queen, I wouldn't just choose you because you're a good huntress. It's because I want you. And well, you can't change that." That was it, Sanura's eyes leaked a pure, salty liquid and Sanura soon raced out. The pride had separated. It was unkown to Sanura where they went, but it didn't matter at the time. Sanura lied at the summit of the rock formation, sulking as she looked up at the hot sun.

TO BE CONTINUED