Chapter 15

Everyone stared at Mohatu in open-mouthed shock. Niya gasped and then crouched almost in a bow, gasping, "No! Please!" Taka pinned his ears but said nothing. Instead he walked up to Niya and nuzzled her supportingly. Mohatu eyed him but let it go.
Eshma gasped as well. "No Mohatu you can't!" she said. Mohatu ignored her. Kicku walked up to her mate and nudged him. "Mohatu, I thought we were in this together, what's going on?" Mohatu growled once again, he had made his decision. Sarsha was not taking his ignoring his pride very lightly. She finally roared as loudly as she could to make everyone stay silent. She then turned toward her son, her ears pinned tight to her head. "Now, Mohatu tell me what is going on. I will not allow you to exile Niya until I know full and well your reason." Mohatu growled low in his throat.
Eshma sobbed as Mohatu told the pride what Niya had told him. When he was done Eshma and Niya were sobbing and the pride was sort of in shock. Sarsha sighed. "Mohatu I'm disappointed in you." Mohatu looked up in surprise. "What?" he asked. Sarsha shook her head. "Everyone makes mistakes Mohatu. You learned that as a cub. Punishing Niya for a mistake she made before you were king is certainly not the right thing to do. Niya knows what she did is wrong. If we are going to be successful and caring pride we must make room for mistakes." Sarsha sighed. "You are the king, do as you wish, but think of your own mistakes before you make this final." Sarsha then retreated to the back of the den.
Mohatu said nothing, instead stood there staring after his mother. Taka stepped forward and then sighed. "I do not wish to offend you, but I do feel that if you are going to exile Niya, you would be wise to exile her after we are sure the threat of the humans is gone. Surely even a king would not be so heartless as to send a lioness out alone where she may only be shot and skinned?" Mohatu roared and then ran out, wanting to be alone.
For now, Niya's punishment was on hold...

Near the front of the den, the small pride of cubs gathered. Maya was still shaking a bit and had a few bruises even though Tanu had been slightly gentle. Bailey sat in between Maya and Kiki, trying to comfort Maya but wanting comfort from Kiki at the same time. "Niya can't go," Maya sobbed. Tiku looked out in the direction Mohatu had gone. "Don't worry Maya, I'm sure your dad just wasn't thinking straight when he said that. And after what Sarsha and Taka said, I'm sure he'll come to his senses." Tiku said, trying to reassure her.
Kamania said nothing, sitting once again a little ways off. After a while Taka came out and sat near them. Once again he had been dubbed baby sitter. "What if my dad doesn't listen? What if he still exiles her? She'll have no where to go!" Maya sobbed. Taka smiled. He leaned down and nuzzled the young cub. "Don't worry Maya, if Mohatu does decide to exile her, she'll come back to the Lone lands with us." Taka said, smiling. Maya smiled a bit. Kiki and Tiku smiled at each other and then at Taka. "So that's what was up with your goofy hairdo huh?" Taka smiled and then messed up Tiku's mane.
Feeling better, the cubs and Taka went back into the den and decided to wait for Mohatu to make his decision...

Ok end of chapter. I'm not so sure I like this but hey oh well. C.a.b did I get your characters right this chapter? I'm hoping I got them at least half-way right...but if I didn't I'll change it and try to get them right. Anyway hope all of you liked it, g2g c yaz! Ttfn! -Bambi ;)