Chapter 3: Someone Who Cares
Sunlight poured through the den's entrance and began to light the main cavern, which was now mostly empty. The resident lionesses had long since vacated the den for the morning hunt, led of course, by Onevu. One could rest assured that Mtundu had tagged along, like he always did, sucking up his first daily portion of glory and attention from Onevu, and a few of Mtundu's own friends, which were indeed very few.
Yet one tiny, slumbering body lay on the hard floor of the den, curled up next to his mother's abdomen. A young lion cub, only two months old.
The mother lioness' eyelids flinched, snapping her out of a dream. Groggily, she opened her sky-blue eyes, and blinking stimaltaneously to bring the world around her into focus. Slowly, she craned her next around to face the mouth of the den. It's morning, she deduced, noting the sun's position in the sky. Scanning the main cavern, she then realized that her pride sisters were out on their usual morning hunt. And here she was, sleeping the day away.
Sighing, she turned to the tiny body curled next to her. She couldn't help but smile lovingly at her child, her son. Her little prince. Roughly, she licked her son's head, posing as his alarm clock. "It's morning, Mohatu," she murmured, "time to get up and greet the day."
Mohatu's eyes slowly opened, and he blinked several times, a habit he had inheritated from his mother, Tiifu. After a long, loud yawn, he looked up at his mother. "Ah, Mom," he groaned, "do I have to get up?"
Queen Tiifu rose to her feet slowly, then nudged her son to his feet with her nose. "You can't just stay in here and sleep your life away, son," she replied.
Mohatu groaned again, then stretched fore and aft. Looking upon him now, any lioness could look at him and see traits from both his father and his mother. Mohatu's baby spots were gone, and his pelt had darkened. It was a copper-gold color, darker than his mother's and his brother's, but far lighter than his father's. His eyes were teal, another mix between his mother and father. And though he was smaller than his brother, Mtundu, had been at his age, he had already begun to sprout a mane, a rich, copper color. He was very good looking for a male cub, but wasn't a seer of hearts like Mtundu. Mtundu had an enormous ego, the handiwork of Onevu's constant pampering, and also knew how to seduce any young lioness, while Mohatu was deathly afraid of any lion in the pride, except for his mother.
Tiifu looked down at her son, admiring his every move. "Why don't you go out and play for awhile?" she asked. "It must be funner than being stuck in the den with your mother."
Mohatu's eyes flicked back and forth frantically. He knew for a fact that he'd rather stay in the den with his mother. It'd be funner--and safer. For every time he left the safety of the den, he was tormented and bullied by Mtundu and his dim-witted friends. Everyday. No, he'd much rather stay in the den.
"Actually, Mum, I'm feeling a bit under the weather," he replied. "So maybe I could stay in here, till it's out of my system..."
"Are you sure? Because everyone's out hunting, so you'd have the whole land all to yourself."
Mohatu blinked. Well, that certainly changed the circumstances. He wouldn't have to worry about his brother. At least until the hunt was over. Perhaps if he went outside, then returned before the hunt was over...
"Alright!" he exclaimed enthusiastically. "I'll be outside for awhile then. Call me if ya need me!"
Before Tiifu could question him about his sudden change of health, Mohatu had bounded out the door. With a smile, Tiifu lay down on the floor and dozed off.
* * * *
Mohatu ran across the long grass of the savannah, feeling freer than he had ever felt before. For the first time in his life, he could enjoy his own company without Mtundu, or anyone else for that matter.
Out of the corner of his eye, Mohatu spotted a dragonfly flitting past him. Smiling mischievously, Mohatu crouched down, shrouding himself in the long grass. Silently, he pursued his prey, stalking through the reeds. Finally, his patience ran out, and he lunged at his prey, and brought it to the ground, encasing it in his paws.
Opening his paws a crack, he peered in to see if he had succeeded in capturing his prey. Just as he did this, the insect squeezed through the opening. Frantically, Mohatu began to swipe at the air, in vain attempt to recapture the dragonfly, but to no avail. In dismay, Mohatu watched to dragonfly zip off.
"Dang it!" he growled.
Suddenly, he looked off into the distance, and saw several lionesses and one lion dragging their kill toward Misty Rock. Disappointed, Mohatu let out a great sigh. "Well, I shoulda known it was too good to last," he muttered to himself. Turning around, and making his way toward the den, Mohatu stared over his shoulder at the pride. "Better head back to the den before--"
Thud!
Mohatu shook his head, warding off the dizziness, and opened his eyes and found himself lying on his side. He must have run into something--perhaps a tree. "Note to self," he muttered, "watch where you're walking."
"Yeah, that would be a nice start, wouldn't it?"
Mohatu's eyes widened in fear as the familiar voice reached his ears. Looking at what stood before him, Mohatu realized that what he had ran into was certainly not a tree.
Mtundu and two of his buddies loomed over him, all bearing the same manevolent expression. Mtundu had grown drastically over the past two months. He was now a "teen" lion, and proudly sported a partially grown mane; a tuft of fur on each of his cheeks, a tuft on his chest, a line of long fur growing on his neck, and long hair bangs that hung between his eyes. His friends were very similar in appearance, save for the different pelt and mane colors.
Mohatu began to tremble in fear. Maybe he could try to sweet talk his way out of a beating. Just because it hadn't worked in the past didn't mean that it wouldn't work now. Or so hoped Mohatu. Forcing a smile, Mohatu spoke. "Uh, hey, Bro!" he said, voice trembling. "How was the hunt?"
Mtundu raised an eyebrow. "It went great, actually," he replied, "thanks to me, of course. Tragic thing really; lionesses are so beautiful, but when it comes to hunting, they just don't like to stick with procedure. I lay out a perfectly good hunting formation for them, but do they listen? Nooo, they'd much rather do it the hard way."
Mtundu's friends snickered. Mohatu's smile faded. He hated Mtundu's ego; he hated it even more when Mtundu underestimated the intelligence of the lionesses. "Just because they want to do it a different way than you do doesn't mean they don't know what they're doing!"
Mtundu furrowed his brow and brought his face closer to Mohatu's. "Excuse me?" Mtundu squinted menacingly, daring Mohatu to speak. Even though Mohatu was now petrified out of his mind, he wouldn't allow Mtundu to insult the lionesses.
"They know what they're doing, Mtundu," Mohatu continued, timidly. "I've watched them. They bring home plenty of good kills, even without you there. They have more experience than you do, Mtundu. You can't pretend that you don't know that!"
Mtundu's friends' jaws dropped. They had never seen Mohatu stand up to Mtundu before. But they knew for fact that Mtundu wouldn't let him get away with it. Mtundu snarled at Mohatu. "What do you know about lionesses? None of them even want to talk to you. No one in this pride even likes you, Mohatu. Not the lionesses. Not me. Not Dad." There was a pause, then a smile spread across Mtundu's face. "The only one who likes you is Mom. Don't pretend you don't know that."
Mohatu's eyes began to fill with tears, and he began to tremble violently. Mtundu's cruel, heartless words began to eat him from the inside, gnawing at his fragile heart. Naturally, Mtundu fed off Mohatu's fear. His cruel eyes burned into Mohatu's as he drew closer to him, his chuckling friends following only a half-step behind. Mohatu backed up, trying to keep a safe distance between him and his tormentors, even though he knew full well that it was no use.
"Aw, Mama's boy can't handle the truth," Mtundu cooed mockingly.
"Stop," Mohatu pleaded, eyes brimming with tears.
"He doesn't understand that no one likes him."
"Please..."
"And no one ever will."
Raising a paw into the air, Mtundu prepared to beat his trembling brother into submission. Mohatu watched in horror as Mtundu's claws appeared. Helplessly, Mohatu clenched his eyes shut, bracing himself for the blow that would come.
"STOP!" a voice exclaimed.
Time itself seemed to have been stopped by this young voice. Mtundu whirled around, paw still lingering in the air, to see who had spoken. Mohatu's eyes slowly opened to see who was brave enough to stand up to Mtundu.
All four of the lions were surprised to see a young lioness, about Mohatu's age, standing only meters away from the scene. Her posture announced her defiance and bravery, and her orange eyes glowered at Mtundu. She had golden fur, and lighter colored paws, muzzle, and underbelly. Her ears were brimmed with the same light hue. She was certainly a beautiful lioness, even though her face was twisted in anger.
Mtundu, his friends, and Mohatu awed at her as she strode over to them. She moved with a dominant grace. Though she was beautiful, she was certainly not dainty like other young lionesses her age. She looked strong, proud, brave. And angry.
Mtundu quickly noted that his paw still hung in the air, and he brought it back to the ground in the blink of an eye. He gave the lioness his famous "stud smile", for which he was famous. "Hey, beautiful," he said.
"Oh, you think I'm beautiful, do you?" the lioness asked. "Don't let my looks fool you. My kind are unable to stick with procedure."
Mtundu's face dropped. He certainly hadn't expected her to say that. None of the young lionesses could resist his stud smile, but apparently, this one was harder to please. "Yes, but I admire that in a female. I respect lionesses with a good sense of independence."
"It seems to me that you don't have respect for anyone but yourself."
Double whammy. Mtundu couldn't understand. He complimented her looks, and her independence...what else did she want? Mtundu paused for a moment, pretending to think. His face lit up, and he gave her another stud smile.
"Wait, I know you...you're Mzungu, right?"
Mzungu smiled, and her eyes went half-lidded, in a fake flirtatous expression. "Wow, you're smarter than you look. How did you know?"
Smiling triumphantly, Mtundu drew closer to Mzungu. "Why, how could I not know? You're famous for your beauty around here, you know."
Still smiling, Mzungu replied, "Oh, really? Then you must know my mother, Yolanda." Slowly, Mzungu's smile faded into an angry scowl. "She's part of the hunting party. One of the mindless lionesses you were referring to earlier. Hard to believe she's the best hunter in your father's pride...even better than you, O Mighty One."
Mohatu, who had been positively mesmorized by Mzungu's defiance, snapped himself out of his trance and noticed that Mzungu's presence had given him a perfect opportunity to escape. Slinking across the ground, Mohatu slowly made his way away from the scene, unnoticed. When he was sure that it was safe to do so, Mohatu began to sprint, searching for a place to hide.
Meanwhile, Mtundu was beginning to break down. He realized, finally, that none of his attempts to swoon Mzungu were proving affective. In one last attempt, he smiled romantically at Mzungu and said, "Trust me, love, I'm a very good hunter." Suggestively, Mtundu brought his face closer to Mzungu's. "Come with me sometime, perhaps I can catch you something."
"Catch this!"
Mzungu smacked Mtundu across the face--without using her claws--nearly making Mtundu topple over. Bewildered at what had just happened, Mtundu put his paw onto the area that had been hit, which was now burning in pain. Mtundu's friends looked on in shock, that the mighty cassenova had fallen.
Mzungu glared at the confused Mtundu. "Come talk to me when you learn a thing or two about `females'," she snarled. "And leave your brother alone...you have no right to bully him just because he knows more about lionesses than you."
With that, Mzungu trotted off, leaving Mtundu, hurt and humiliated.
* * * *
Mohatu had found sanctuary in a crevice of stone, far away from Misty Rock, so no one could hear his wails of despair. Inside the crevice, Mohatu lay on the ground, chin resting on his paws, crying his eyes out. His face was already wet from tears already shed, and a puddle lay on the ground below him, a small lake of tears. His brother's words swirled in his head. The only one who likes you is Mom....don't pretend you don't know that....no one likes you...and no one ever will...Mama's boy.....Mama's boy....
"Mohatu?"
Mohatu's head shot up as he heard a familiar voice, but this time, it didn't belong to his brother. It was Mzungu. No, it couldn't be. Why would Mzungu be looking for him? He meant nothing to the pride, why should he mean anything to her? But she was, in fact, looking for him. Though he sought comfort that she may be able to provide, he was ashamed to let anyone see him cry. Crying was a sign of weakness. Only infant cubs and females cried. Females? Mohatu was starting to pick up Mtundu's attitude towards lionesses. He shook his head violently. No, no, he wanted to be nothing like his brother. A female had just stood up for him and saved him from a beating, when he couldn't even save himself. He was pathetic. So pathetic.
Mzungu's voice called his name over and over, but Mohatu forced himself to remain hidden. "Stay put, Mohatu," he whispered to himself. "You can't let her see you after what just happened. She'll think you're a wimp for crying...but why does it matter? It's not like I have a chance with her anyhow."
Finally, Mzungu's calls had ceased. Mohatu let out a sigh of relief, but at the same time, felt disappointed that she hadn't pursued him. She could have found him, talked to him, and assured him that everything was going to be alright. Rolling his eyes at himself, he began to squeeze his way out of the crevice. "Well, Mohatu, what did you expect?" he asked himself. "Besides, she's out of your league anyhow."
"Who are you talking to?"
Mohatu whirled around. There stood Mzungu, staring at him quizzically. Mohatu opened his mouth, but nothing came out. His mouth gaped open as he tried to think of something to say. "I...well...no one...really..." he started.
To his dismay, Mzungu smiled. But after inspecting her facial expression for a moment, Mohatu realized that it was a smile of kind amusement, rather than a mocking smile. "You were talking to yourself, weren't you?"
Mohatu's eyes fell to the ground. "Well, yeah...I was."
"Why?"
"'cause no one else is there to listen."
Mohatu turned on his heel and began to walk away in shame. How could he expect her to care about him? He didn't want to bore her, complaining about his loneliness and all.
"Well...I'm here, aren't I?" Mzungu asked, after a moment.
Mohatu stopped in his tracks. At that moment, he didn't know what to think. He just stood there. Realizing that Mohatu wasn't quite sure what to do or say, Mzungu trotted to his side. Smiling, she looked at him, but Mohatu instantly looked at the ground. Mzungu's face fell. "What's wrong?"
Mohatu scoffed. "What isn't?"
Mzungu sighed, sad that she had arrived to his rescue to late. Mtundu had already stolen Mohatu's self-esteem. And pride. And happiness. "Mohatu, don't let your brother get you down," she comforted. "He's already proven that he's an arrogant idiot who knows nothing about reality...or lionesses. But you do."
Mohatu scoffed again. "Right."
"Mohatu..." Mzungu started, scooting closer to him, "...you stood up to your brother, and stood up for all the lionesses, even though they don't treat you with the respect you deserve. That took guts."
Finally, Mohatu looked Mzungu in the eye. "But Mtundu didn't listen to me...he listened to you."
"That's not important. What's important is that you stood up for what you believe in. And you weren't afraid."
Mohatu furrowed his brow. "Not afraid?" he asked. "What, are you blind? I was petrified!"
Mzungu drew back a bit, but wouldn't let Mohatu win the argument. She hadn't let Mtundu win the debate, and she wouldn't let Mohatu win either. "You were afraid of what your brother would do to you...you weren't afraid to speak your mind."
The statement had its desired affect. Mohatu fell silent, and his gaze once again dropped to the ground. Mzungu again scooted closer to him. "But like your brother, you need a dose of reality. Life can be good, Mohatu. I'll prove it to you."
Mohatu looked up at her questioningly. Mzungu smiled. "Meet me at the pond tomorrow at sunrise. I'll show you what I mean."
Sunlight poured through the den's entrance and began to light the main cavern, which was now mostly empty. The resident lionesses had long since vacated the den for the morning hunt, led of course, by Onevu. One could rest assured that Mtundu had tagged along, like he always did, sucking up his first daily portion of glory and attention from Onevu, and a few of Mtundu's own friends, which were indeed very few.
Yet one tiny, slumbering body lay on the hard floor of the den, curled up next to his mother's abdomen. A young lion cub, only two months old.
The mother lioness' eyelids flinched, snapping her out of a dream. Groggily, she opened her sky-blue eyes, and blinking stimaltaneously to bring the world around her into focus. Slowly, she craned her next around to face the mouth of the den. It's morning, she deduced, noting the sun's position in the sky. Scanning the main cavern, she then realized that her pride sisters were out on their usual morning hunt. And here she was, sleeping the day away.
Sighing, she turned to the tiny body curled next to her. She couldn't help but smile lovingly at her child, her son. Her little prince. Roughly, she licked her son's head, posing as his alarm clock. "It's morning, Mohatu," she murmured, "time to get up and greet the day."
Mohatu's eyes slowly opened, and he blinked several times, a habit he had inheritated from his mother, Tiifu. After a long, loud yawn, he looked up at his mother. "Ah, Mom," he groaned, "do I have to get up?"
Queen Tiifu rose to her feet slowly, then nudged her son to his feet with her nose. "You can't just stay in here and sleep your life away, son," she replied.
Mohatu groaned again, then stretched fore and aft. Looking upon him now, any lioness could look at him and see traits from both his father and his mother. Mohatu's baby spots were gone, and his pelt had darkened. It was a copper-gold color, darker than his mother's and his brother's, but far lighter than his father's. His eyes were teal, another mix between his mother and father. And though he was smaller than his brother, Mtundu, had been at his age, he had already begun to sprout a mane, a rich, copper color. He was very good looking for a male cub, but wasn't a seer of hearts like Mtundu. Mtundu had an enormous ego, the handiwork of Onevu's constant pampering, and also knew how to seduce any young lioness, while Mohatu was deathly afraid of any lion in the pride, except for his mother.
Tiifu looked down at her son, admiring his every move. "Why don't you go out and play for awhile?" she asked. "It must be funner than being stuck in the den with your mother."
Mohatu's eyes flicked back and forth frantically. He knew for a fact that he'd rather stay in the den with his mother. It'd be funner--and safer. For every time he left the safety of the den, he was tormented and bullied by Mtundu and his dim-witted friends. Everyday. No, he'd much rather stay in the den.
"Actually, Mum, I'm feeling a bit under the weather," he replied. "So maybe I could stay in here, till it's out of my system..."
"Are you sure? Because everyone's out hunting, so you'd have the whole land all to yourself."
Mohatu blinked. Well, that certainly changed the circumstances. He wouldn't have to worry about his brother. At least until the hunt was over. Perhaps if he went outside, then returned before the hunt was over...
"Alright!" he exclaimed enthusiastically. "I'll be outside for awhile then. Call me if ya need me!"
Before Tiifu could question him about his sudden change of health, Mohatu had bounded out the door. With a smile, Tiifu lay down on the floor and dozed off.
* * * *
Mohatu ran across the long grass of the savannah, feeling freer than he had ever felt before. For the first time in his life, he could enjoy his own company without Mtundu, or anyone else for that matter.
Out of the corner of his eye, Mohatu spotted a dragonfly flitting past him. Smiling mischievously, Mohatu crouched down, shrouding himself in the long grass. Silently, he pursued his prey, stalking through the reeds. Finally, his patience ran out, and he lunged at his prey, and brought it to the ground, encasing it in his paws.
Opening his paws a crack, he peered in to see if he had succeeded in capturing his prey. Just as he did this, the insect squeezed through the opening. Frantically, Mohatu began to swipe at the air, in vain attempt to recapture the dragonfly, but to no avail. In dismay, Mohatu watched to dragonfly zip off.
"Dang it!" he growled.
Suddenly, he looked off into the distance, and saw several lionesses and one lion dragging their kill toward Misty Rock. Disappointed, Mohatu let out a great sigh. "Well, I shoulda known it was too good to last," he muttered to himself. Turning around, and making his way toward the den, Mohatu stared over his shoulder at the pride. "Better head back to the den before--"
Thud!
Mohatu shook his head, warding off the dizziness, and opened his eyes and found himself lying on his side. He must have run into something--perhaps a tree. "Note to self," he muttered, "watch where you're walking."
"Yeah, that would be a nice start, wouldn't it?"
Mohatu's eyes widened in fear as the familiar voice reached his ears. Looking at what stood before him, Mohatu realized that what he had ran into was certainly not a tree.
Mtundu and two of his buddies loomed over him, all bearing the same manevolent expression. Mtundu had grown drastically over the past two months. He was now a "teen" lion, and proudly sported a partially grown mane; a tuft of fur on each of his cheeks, a tuft on his chest, a line of long fur growing on his neck, and long hair bangs that hung between his eyes. His friends were very similar in appearance, save for the different pelt and mane colors.
Mohatu began to tremble in fear. Maybe he could try to sweet talk his way out of a beating. Just because it hadn't worked in the past didn't mean that it wouldn't work now. Or so hoped Mohatu. Forcing a smile, Mohatu spoke. "Uh, hey, Bro!" he said, voice trembling. "How was the hunt?"
Mtundu raised an eyebrow. "It went great, actually," he replied, "thanks to me, of course. Tragic thing really; lionesses are so beautiful, but when it comes to hunting, they just don't like to stick with procedure. I lay out a perfectly good hunting formation for them, but do they listen? Nooo, they'd much rather do it the hard way."
Mtundu's friends snickered. Mohatu's smile faded. He hated Mtundu's ego; he hated it even more when Mtundu underestimated the intelligence of the lionesses. "Just because they want to do it a different way than you do doesn't mean they don't know what they're doing!"
Mtundu furrowed his brow and brought his face closer to Mohatu's. "Excuse me?" Mtundu squinted menacingly, daring Mohatu to speak. Even though Mohatu was now petrified out of his mind, he wouldn't allow Mtundu to insult the lionesses.
"They know what they're doing, Mtundu," Mohatu continued, timidly. "I've watched them. They bring home plenty of good kills, even without you there. They have more experience than you do, Mtundu. You can't pretend that you don't know that!"
Mtundu's friends' jaws dropped. They had never seen Mohatu stand up to Mtundu before. But they knew for fact that Mtundu wouldn't let him get away with it. Mtundu snarled at Mohatu. "What do you know about lionesses? None of them even want to talk to you. No one in this pride even likes you, Mohatu. Not the lionesses. Not me. Not Dad." There was a pause, then a smile spread across Mtundu's face. "The only one who likes you is Mom. Don't pretend you don't know that."
Mohatu's eyes began to fill with tears, and he began to tremble violently. Mtundu's cruel, heartless words began to eat him from the inside, gnawing at his fragile heart. Naturally, Mtundu fed off Mohatu's fear. His cruel eyes burned into Mohatu's as he drew closer to him, his chuckling friends following only a half-step behind. Mohatu backed up, trying to keep a safe distance between him and his tormentors, even though he knew full well that it was no use.
"Aw, Mama's boy can't handle the truth," Mtundu cooed mockingly.
"Stop," Mohatu pleaded, eyes brimming with tears.
"He doesn't understand that no one likes him."
"Please..."
"And no one ever will."
Raising a paw into the air, Mtundu prepared to beat his trembling brother into submission. Mohatu watched in horror as Mtundu's claws appeared. Helplessly, Mohatu clenched his eyes shut, bracing himself for the blow that would come.
"STOP!" a voice exclaimed.
Time itself seemed to have been stopped by this young voice. Mtundu whirled around, paw still lingering in the air, to see who had spoken. Mohatu's eyes slowly opened to see who was brave enough to stand up to Mtundu.
All four of the lions were surprised to see a young lioness, about Mohatu's age, standing only meters away from the scene. Her posture announced her defiance and bravery, and her orange eyes glowered at Mtundu. She had golden fur, and lighter colored paws, muzzle, and underbelly. Her ears were brimmed with the same light hue. She was certainly a beautiful lioness, even though her face was twisted in anger.
Mtundu, his friends, and Mohatu awed at her as she strode over to them. She moved with a dominant grace. Though she was beautiful, she was certainly not dainty like other young lionesses her age. She looked strong, proud, brave. And angry.
Mtundu quickly noted that his paw still hung in the air, and he brought it back to the ground in the blink of an eye. He gave the lioness his famous "stud smile", for which he was famous. "Hey, beautiful," he said.
"Oh, you think I'm beautiful, do you?" the lioness asked. "Don't let my looks fool you. My kind are unable to stick with procedure."
Mtundu's face dropped. He certainly hadn't expected her to say that. None of the young lionesses could resist his stud smile, but apparently, this one was harder to please. "Yes, but I admire that in a female. I respect lionesses with a good sense of independence."
"It seems to me that you don't have respect for anyone but yourself."
Double whammy. Mtundu couldn't understand. He complimented her looks, and her independence...what else did she want? Mtundu paused for a moment, pretending to think. His face lit up, and he gave her another stud smile.
"Wait, I know you...you're Mzungu, right?"
Mzungu smiled, and her eyes went half-lidded, in a fake flirtatous expression. "Wow, you're smarter than you look. How did you know?"
Smiling triumphantly, Mtundu drew closer to Mzungu. "Why, how could I not know? You're famous for your beauty around here, you know."
Still smiling, Mzungu replied, "Oh, really? Then you must know my mother, Yolanda." Slowly, Mzungu's smile faded into an angry scowl. "She's part of the hunting party. One of the mindless lionesses you were referring to earlier. Hard to believe she's the best hunter in your father's pride...even better than you, O Mighty One."
Mohatu, who had been positively mesmorized by Mzungu's defiance, snapped himself out of his trance and noticed that Mzungu's presence had given him a perfect opportunity to escape. Slinking across the ground, Mohatu slowly made his way away from the scene, unnoticed. When he was sure that it was safe to do so, Mohatu began to sprint, searching for a place to hide.
Meanwhile, Mtundu was beginning to break down. He realized, finally, that none of his attempts to swoon Mzungu were proving affective. In one last attempt, he smiled romantically at Mzungu and said, "Trust me, love, I'm a very good hunter." Suggestively, Mtundu brought his face closer to Mzungu's. "Come with me sometime, perhaps I can catch you something."
"Catch this!"
Mzungu smacked Mtundu across the face--without using her claws--nearly making Mtundu topple over. Bewildered at what had just happened, Mtundu put his paw onto the area that had been hit, which was now burning in pain. Mtundu's friends looked on in shock, that the mighty cassenova had fallen.
Mzungu glared at the confused Mtundu. "Come talk to me when you learn a thing or two about `females'," she snarled. "And leave your brother alone...you have no right to bully him just because he knows more about lionesses than you."
With that, Mzungu trotted off, leaving Mtundu, hurt and humiliated.
* * * *
Mohatu had found sanctuary in a crevice of stone, far away from Misty Rock, so no one could hear his wails of despair. Inside the crevice, Mohatu lay on the ground, chin resting on his paws, crying his eyes out. His face was already wet from tears already shed, and a puddle lay on the ground below him, a small lake of tears. His brother's words swirled in his head. The only one who likes you is Mom....don't pretend you don't know that....no one likes you...and no one ever will...Mama's boy.....Mama's boy....
"Mohatu?"
Mohatu's head shot up as he heard a familiar voice, but this time, it didn't belong to his brother. It was Mzungu. No, it couldn't be. Why would Mzungu be looking for him? He meant nothing to the pride, why should he mean anything to her? But she was, in fact, looking for him. Though he sought comfort that she may be able to provide, he was ashamed to let anyone see him cry. Crying was a sign of weakness. Only infant cubs and females cried. Females? Mohatu was starting to pick up Mtundu's attitude towards lionesses. He shook his head violently. No, no, he wanted to be nothing like his brother. A female had just stood up for him and saved him from a beating, when he couldn't even save himself. He was pathetic. So pathetic.
Mzungu's voice called his name over and over, but Mohatu forced himself to remain hidden. "Stay put, Mohatu," he whispered to himself. "You can't let her see you after what just happened. She'll think you're a wimp for crying...but why does it matter? It's not like I have a chance with her anyhow."
Finally, Mzungu's calls had ceased. Mohatu let out a sigh of relief, but at the same time, felt disappointed that she hadn't pursued him. She could have found him, talked to him, and assured him that everything was going to be alright. Rolling his eyes at himself, he began to squeeze his way out of the crevice. "Well, Mohatu, what did you expect?" he asked himself. "Besides, she's out of your league anyhow."
"Who are you talking to?"
Mohatu whirled around. There stood Mzungu, staring at him quizzically. Mohatu opened his mouth, but nothing came out. His mouth gaped open as he tried to think of something to say. "I...well...no one...really..." he started.
To his dismay, Mzungu smiled. But after inspecting her facial expression for a moment, Mohatu realized that it was a smile of kind amusement, rather than a mocking smile. "You were talking to yourself, weren't you?"
Mohatu's eyes fell to the ground. "Well, yeah...I was."
"Why?"
"'cause no one else is there to listen."
Mohatu turned on his heel and began to walk away in shame. How could he expect her to care about him? He didn't want to bore her, complaining about his loneliness and all.
"Well...I'm here, aren't I?" Mzungu asked, after a moment.
Mohatu stopped in his tracks. At that moment, he didn't know what to think. He just stood there. Realizing that Mohatu wasn't quite sure what to do or say, Mzungu trotted to his side. Smiling, she looked at him, but Mohatu instantly looked at the ground. Mzungu's face fell. "What's wrong?"
Mohatu scoffed. "What isn't?"
Mzungu sighed, sad that she had arrived to his rescue to late. Mtundu had already stolen Mohatu's self-esteem. And pride. And happiness. "Mohatu, don't let your brother get you down," she comforted. "He's already proven that he's an arrogant idiot who knows nothing about reality...or lionesses. But you do."
Mohatu scoffed again. "Right."
"Mohatu..." Mzungu started, scooting closer to him, "...you stood up to your brother, and stood up for all the lionesses, even though they don't treat you with the respect you deserve. That took guts."
Finally, Mohatu looked Mzungu in the eye. "But Mtundu didn't listen to me...he listened to you."
"That's not important. What's important is that you stood up for what you believe in. And you weren't afraid."
Mohatu furrowed his brow. "Not afraid?" he asked. "What, are you blind? I was petrified!"
Mzungu drew back a bit, but wouldn't let Mohatu win the argument. She hadn't let Mtundu win the debate, and she wouldn't let Mohatu win either. "You were afraid of what your brother would do to you...you weren't afraid to speak your mind."
The statement had its desired affect. Mohatu fell silent, and his gaze once again dropped to the ground. Mzungu again scooted closer to him. "But like your brother, you need a dose of reality. Life can be good, Mohatu. I'll prove it to you."
Mohatu looked up at her questioningly. Mzungu smiled. "Meet me at the pond tomorrow at sunrise. I'll show you what I mean."