Chapter 31

Bailey smiled back at Maya, but her words didn't make him feel any better. He was part of the lone pride and he knew it. Maya was a pride lander, future queen of the pride lands. Her parents would never let her go with him. He sighed.
Maya seemed to have read his thoughts. "Now that that Miku and family is back, maybe Kasoni or Matosa could take over! I mean, technically they're royalty." Bailey sighed. Tears gathered in Maya's eyes. "We can't give up Bailey, not yet. I won't let you go, I just won't!"

Kita returned to pride rock later. She saw a big crowd around Taka and Niya. How was she going to tell Taka that they were planning on returning to pride rock? Her stomach shifted at the thought. Perhaps Niya would come back with them... No, Kita shook her head once more...Niya belonged in the pride lands. Perhaps Taka did to...
Kita sighed, she decided to let Taka make the decision himself... she walked over to the crowd and called for Taka. He looked up and she motioned for him to meet her outside.
As Kita sat near the tip of pride rock, she felt her heart sink. Taka sat beside her and smiled. Kita looked up at him and smiled, although her eyes were watering slightly. "So I guess you're a-a proud father now huh?" she said. Taka smiled and nodded, jutting his chest out just a bit. Kita had to laugh. "Taka, there's uh," Taka turned toward Kita. Kita refused to look at him...
"Tiaru and I are planning on returning to the lone lands Taka." She said, finally daring a glance at him. Taka frowned and he looked back toward the den. "But," he said slowly. Kita took in a rigid breath and then said, "You're an adult Taka, and it's up to you whether or not you choose to come with us." Kita sighed. "I just want you to know that if you do decide to stay here, our den's always open." Taka turned toward Kita and saw the tears that now fell freely down her face. He knew that the decision he made would be one of the hardest he would ever make...

As Taka left, Kita sat there staring out over the pride lands. She remembered when Kiara had first shown her and Miku the vast savannah known as the pride lands when they were cubs. Again her eyes filled with tears. From the tip of pride rock she could see Maya and Bailey near the watering hole. Maya was leaning against Bailey. Their backs were turned to Kita.
Kita looked out farther and saw Eshma lying in the grass near the outlands. Her ears tipped back for now her thoughts turned back to Kamania. When she and Tiaru had talked of going home, she had said she'd leave it up to the lioness to decide. Now she wondered. She would not force Kamania to go with them. Her eyes watered up so bad that everything went blurry. But she knew what to do. Eshma had never had cubs. Kamania had never accepted anyone but Eshma. Kita gave a brisk nod that sent the tears streaming down her face once more. Eshma would have a cub, and that cub would be Kamania...

End of Chap. 31

Ok what do you think? Good idea, bad idea? I've been thinking about this over the last two chapters and I thought I'd put it down. I really hope you like it C.a.b and others. Plz leave reviews! Let us know what you're thinking! Thnx! TTFN!