Chapter 6: Yolanda Advises Tiifu

Days passed quickly for Mohatu, now that he had friends to spend them with. Mzungu, Ucheshi and Tuli were already well on their way to accomplishing their mission of helping Mohatu to believe in himself. Mohatu went from being isolated and melancholy to fun-loving and energetic. Not only did Tiifu notice this change, but so did everyone else in the pride. They all had different reactions to the newly-transformed Mohatu. Tiifu was overwhelmed with joy that her `little boy' was finally happy. The pride sisters were astonished at how outgoing and charming Mohatu was. He won the hearts of several of them, and all of them looked upon him fondly. Mtundu was deeply angered, because now that Mohatu had won the lionesses' favor, they looked upon him like a filthy snake while they looked at Mohatu with love and admiration. But still, he didn't dare harm so much as a hair on Mohatu's head, for fear that Mzungu, Tuli and Ucheshi would come after him. Onevu had somewhat noticed a difference in Mohatu's place in the pride, but he didn't care much one way or another.

Also, Mohatu was not only growing in confidence but in size as well. He had doubled in size, and he now had a mane growing along his neck and back. His build was quite impressive as well, bulkier and more muscular than Mtundu had been at his age. Though Mtundu had done some growing of his own, once Mohatu reached his full size, he would easily be able to take down Mtundu's sleek frame, and he knew this well, which only added to his hesitation of attacking his younger brother.

Morning had come upon the land, and teenage Mohatu woke before his mother. Silently, he trotted over to her and gave her a lick on the cheek. Tiifu smiled and let out a small groan. "Mohatu, dear," she said, "can't you let your mother sleep in peace?"

Mohatu smiled. "I didn't know that a good-morning kiss would disrupt your peace," he said.

"Oh, you," Tiifu exclaimed, as she gently nuzzled her son. "Get out of here before I have to kick you out."

Sporting a knowing smile, Mohatu returned the nuzzle and trotted out the door into the gleaming sunlight. Just as he was about to trot out to meet his friends, he froze in midstep. Something didn't feel right. He looked around. Yes, there was something wrong. Suddenly, a figure lunged at him from the grass, and he ducked out of the way. The golden figure hit the ground hard and rolled across the ground. With a triumphant smile, Mohatu trotted over to the figure that was now lying on its back. "Nice try, Mzungu."

The golden lioness rolled her orange eyes at Mohatu's statement. "Hey, no harm in trying," she replied. "What are you doing up so early, anyway?"

With his teeth, Mohatu gently pulled Mzungu to her feet by the scruff of her neck. "Funny, I was just about to ask you the same thing," he replied.

They met eachother's eyes and smiled. After a moment of this, Mzungu cuffed Mohatu. "Didn't your mother teach you anything?" she asked. "It's rude to stare at a lady."

Mohatu, caught off guard by her statement, let out a hardy laugh. "Oh, really...since when do you qualify as a lady?"

Mock fury flashed in Mzungu's orange eyes. "I'm gonna make you eat those words!"

"Try me!" Mohatu ran off laughing. Mzungu gave chase, pursuing him at a great speed. Strong as he may have been, Mzungu could still easily outrun him. Mzungu lunged at him and threw him to the ground, belly down. "Ah! Spare me!" he giggled.

Mzungu laughed and nuzzled him. "I'm letting you off easy this time."

"Whoo. Thank heaven for that."

"You know I could whoop your butt anyways."

"But of course. Only a fool couldn't see that."

Mzungu cuffed him again. Mohatu laughed softly, then looked up, just in time to see two lions walking toward them with big grins on their faces. One was a rich brown and had a black mane growing along his neck, with a few stray forelocks hanging in his eyes. The other was a light colored lioness. The male smiled. "My my, I hope we're not interrupting," he said.

"Not at all," Mohatu replied.

Mzungu rolled off of Mohatu and rolled onto her stomach and looked up at the two new lions. "Ucheshi...Tuli..." she started, "what are you doing here? I thought you were supposed to be hunting today."

Ucheshi scoffed. "If only," he replied, "they decided that we're `still not ready'. What a crock."

Mohatu and Mzungu nodded sympathetically. The pride sisters had been promising to teach them how to hunt for months now, and they still hadn't acted upon it. Normally, once a lion, or lioness, reached teen-hood, they were permitted to go on a hunt to prove themselves and become one of the adults. Ucheshi and Tuli had been in waiting for weeks now, and each day, the pride sisters came up with a new excuse not to let them hunt.

Mohatu sighed. He had no doubt that Ucheshi and Tuli's right to hunt had been denied by his father. Tuli wasn't so much of a problem, but if Ucheshi succeeded in his hunt, then he would be the only other `adult' male in the pride, and he would be eligible to challenge Onevu for position of king. And that could be ugly.

The silence began to grow awkward. Mohatu decided to speak up. "Ah, forget about it," he said, "come on, let's go do some hunting of our own."

* * * *

Meanwhile, Queen Tiifu had decided to venture out of the den as well. Since Mtundu was born, she had lost much of her social life to tending to Onevu and Mtundu's every whim. While she had had a wide circle of friends before becoming queen, the only friend she now had was Yolanda, whom she hadn't spoken to since Mohatu's birth.

As she walked down the trail that led to the pond, she looked about, in love with the beauties of the outdoor world, that she had been deprived of for oh-too-long.

"Hey, Queen Tiifu!" a voice shouted. "Wait up!"

Tiifu turned her head to see Yolanda running towards her. Tiifu had never been so happy to see a pride sister before. A huge smile spread across her muzzle. "Well, good morning, Yolanda!"

Yolanda finally reached Tiifu's side, and spent a moment trying to catch her breath. "Morning, Highness," she replied between breaths.

Tiifu's ears went back against her skull in discomfort. "Please, Yolanda, don't be so formal," she sighed.

Yolanda looked at her questioningly. "I'm merely being respectful, as required by pridal protocol."

"But you're my friend."

"And you're the queen, and must be addressed as such."

Tiifu let out a sigh of surrender. This was a fight she knew she couldn't win. She was queen, and it was required by law that others address her as `Majesty' or `Highness' or `Queen Tiffu'. It was loathe to listen to such titles on a day-to-day basis.

Yolanda saw the unhappy look on Tiifu's face, and didn't like it either. "So, what brings you outside, Tiifu?" she asked with a laugh.

The sad look on Tiifu's face started to fade, and she replied. "A little fresh air never killed anyone."

Yolanda laughed again. "Well, yeah, I know," she said, "but I didn't think Onevu would ever let you come out of that stuffy cave."

Tiifu's face turned stern. "This has nothing to do with Onevu."

Yolanda's face fell and she looked into Tiifu's eyes. "Of course it does," she replied. "He's the reason you've been cooped up in that cave so long."

"And since when do you know anything about my mate?" Tiifu snapped. "I'd appreciate it if you left him out of this, thank you very much."

Yolanda sighed. "I'm afraid I can't grant that, Highness," she replied. "I've been meaning to speak to you about your mate for some time." No reply. Yolanda took a deep breath and continued. "It's been months since Mohatu was born, and, well, I was wondering if you've told Onevu about his betrothal to my daughter."

"Onevu?" Tiifu scoffed coldly. "I haven't even told Mohatu."

Yolanda's jaw dropped. "Well, when do you plan on telling them?"

Tiifu stared coldly at Yolanda. "Oh, and I suppose Mzungu knows that you arranged her marriage to my son?"

Yolanda's brow furrowed and she stared back at Tiifu in the same manner. "As a matter of fact, yes I have," she replied. "And she believe me. But at least I put forth the effort."

Tiifu gasped. "How dare you question my intentions! I am Queen!"

Yolanda laughed. "Oh, so now you want to be treated like a queen. Pardon me, Majesty." Yolanda bowed mockingly. Tiifu said nothing, but realized that Yolanda had beat her at her own game. She looked at the ground, shamefully. Yolanda looked up and saw Tiifu's expression. Her expression softened, and she approached Tiifu. "I'm sorry, Highness," she said. "I had no right to do that. It's just--"

"Forget it," Tiifu replied, "you were right. I...I just don't know how to handle this whole ordeal, that's all."

"Just tell Onevu."

"I can't."

"Why?"

"Because, I just...he...I just can't."

Yolanda sighed. She had prayed that she wouldn't have to bring up what was discussed in earlier discourses with her daughter. "You're afraid...you're afraid that he'll hurt you or Mohatu, aren't you?"

Tiifu looked up at Yolanda. "I beg your pardon..."

"It's okay, Queen Tiifu," Yolanda said, "I probably would be too, but it's best if you'd just--"

"What ever gave you the idea that Onevu would abuse me?"

Yolanda took a deep breath. "Mohatu told Mzungu, and Mzungu told me," she said. Tiifu looked to the ground, on the verge of crying. "Listen, Tiifu. You have to stop hiding things from him, just because you're scared he'll hurt you. Mohatu doesn't like seeing you get hurt. And Mzungu doesn't like seeing Mohatu hurt because you're getting hurt. It'd be in everyone's best interest if--"

"Stop!" Tiifu shouted. Yolanda stared at Tiifu, who was breathing heavily with anger. "Just stop. Don't pretend that you know my problems."

With that, Tiifu began to storm off. Yolanda let out a sigh. "Alright," she said softly. Tiifu stopped in midstep, and Yolanda continued. "But it's not just your problem. You have a son, who suffers everytime you do. The sooner you realize that, the sooner you'll be able to fix it. If you don't want to do it for me, or you, do it for your son."

Without another word, Yolanda walked off, leaving Tiifu standing there, Yolanda's words echoing in her mind.