Nala's stomach growled with anticipation as she eyed the scraggly antelope in front of her. Her ears flicked back and forth, listening intently for any signs of other animals in the area. Her muscles were tense under her flea-bitten coat, her claws unsheathed and digging into the dry ground. She took a deep breath, readying herself to spring on her unsuspecting prey.
The antelope did not put up much of a fight. The light was nearly gone from its eyes before Nala even sunk her teeth into its throat, and with a soft grunt, it went limp. Nala was glad for this, as she did not have much energy for a chase or a struggle. This antelope was the first meat she had found in a week and her body was weakening from hunger.
With her jaws clamped tightly around her kill's throat, she relished in the taste of warm blood in her mouth. It took all of her self-control not to tear into the beast right there. The antelope was skinny and would not fill her if she ate the entire thing, but she could not allow herself even that privilege. The entire pride was starving. Despite the small amount of meat on her kill, it was still her duty to bring it to her superior pride sisters.
It took Nala half the day to drag her kill to the grove of trees that served as the hunting party's meeting place. She had to stop several times to catch her breath. She was frustrated with herself for being weak, but knew it was from lack of nutrients during the most crucial time of her growth. If meat remained scarce, Nala knew she would not make it past her teenage years. Despite the love her mother and Sarabi had for her, they could not allow her to remain with the pride if she was unable to hunt. Being removed from the pride meant no protection, and eventually, certain death.
Nala covered her kill with leaves and dirt, hoping to hide the scent from other hungry predators, especially hyenas. She quietly slinked out of the trees, making sure there was no one watching.
The pride sisters had developed a ritual soon after Scar took over the pride. Instead of bringing all kills directly to Scar as they should, they hid it first in the grove. If there was more than one kill made during a day, the hunters would bring Scar only the largest, keeping the rest for themselves. This was the only way to ensure that the hunting party as well as the nursing mothers in the pride received food instead of it all going to the hyenas. They had to be careful that their secret was not discovered, or there was no doubt that Scar would punish them, most likely with death for their disloyalty.
Nala padded back to pride rock, exhausted, dusty, and hungry. As she entered the shade of the den, she was greeted by a purr and nuzzle from her mother, who was resting after her own long hunt. Nala's heart sunk as she took in her mother's condition. Her once beautiful coat was dry with patches missing. She had several scars from desperate hunts with dangerous animals that the pride would normally leave alone. When Nala was a cub, her mother had always held her head high and her eyes had always been bright as if full of fire. The light in her eyes was gone now, and she always seemed to droop. Nala sighed, cursing Scar for everything he did to make life hard for the pride.
"There is meat in the grove, Mother." Nala said quietly as she lay down to rest beside her mother. The other hunters in the den perked up at the promise of meat.
"Good. We will wait for the rest of our sisters to return. Sarabi leads a hunt now with Tess and Ginger."
Nala nodded, her eyes heavy and her body aching for sleep.
When Nala's eyes fluttered open again, the rest of the hunting party had returned and the sky was red with the sunset. She stretched her sore muscles and yawned before padding over to Sarabi and the other lionesses.
"Was your hunt successful?" Nala asked, bowing her head in respect to Sarabi. The older lioness's condition was just as deplorable as Sarafina's. Her fur was dull and her eyes lifeless.
"Yes, child. We caught a water buffalo that was trapped in a ravine. We delivered it to Scar after discovering your kill in the grove. There were hyenas in the area when we left, so we must not go all at once to eat. When it is fully dark, we will go in groups."
Nala's mouth watered at the thought of the meat waiting in the grove. Sarabi named off the order in which the lionesses would go to retrieve their meals, naming Nala last due to her rank in the pride. She sighed, wishing for a moment she had eaten her kill on her own. She shook her head, knowing she could never be so selfish. Quietly, Nala walked back to her place beside her mother, sinking down and placing her head on her paws. Just then, four hyenas appeared in the entrance to the den. Instantly, all the pride sisters rose, the fur on their backs standing up, their claws unsheathed, and their fangs showing.
Sarabi stepped forward. "Your kind is not welcome in this den. Be gone with you." She growled, approaching the hyenas threateningly.
The hyenas laughed their cackling laugh, but backed up to a respectful distance. The largest of the group stepped forward, eyes flashing and fangs exposed.
"The king wishes a word with your five strongest hunters. Now." With another cackle, the hyenas turned tail and ran, leaving the lionesses alone in their den.
The lioness named Tess stepped forward, worry evident in her tone. "What could that monster possibly want from us now? We have given him his kill." There was a general murmur of agreement from the group.
"What if he has found our grove?" Ginger said, causing several panicked gasps and whispers.
"He would not want only five of us if that were true. He has some other plan and we will not know what it is without speaking with him." Sarabi stated, always the voice of reason in the group. "Tess, Ginger, Vaneer, Nyla, and Zira, you are our strongest hunters."
Ginger, Vaneer, and Nyla stepped forward, fear in their eyes but their heads bowed in acceptance. Zira stood with a smirk on her lips, no respect showing for Sarabi. Tess remained where she was, her body rigid.
"I want nothing to do with Scar, Sarabi. I won't go to him." Tess said, speaking through her teeth with hatred in her eyes. She still hated Scar for killing her young cub.
"I understand, Tess. Sarafina, you will go in her place." Nala gasped, looking quickly to her mother.
With a sigh, Sarafina stood and joined the other lionesses that had been chosen. Nala's stomach turned as the image of her mother facing Scar filled her mind.
"Sarabi, my mother cannot go. She is weak with hunger. Please, let me go instead." Nala said, bowing to Sarabi but also holding her gaze.
"That is ridiculous, Nala. You are still a cub and in no better condition than I am." Sarafina argued, her eyes flashing.
"I'm not a cub anymore, Mother. I am a member of this pride and it is my duty to do what is best for it. Tess has already been through too much at the hands of Scar. You are not as young as you once were and have not eaten a full meal in months. Whatever it is he wants, I am strong enough to deal with it." Nala pulled herself to her full height and held her mother's gaze. "Have faith in me, Mother."
The lionesses all stood looking between mother and daughter, tense. Sarabi watched quietly, allowing the two to sort out the situation on their own. Sarafina stood for a long moment, holding her daughter's gaze. When Nala did not back down, Sarafina sighed. She lowered her head, accepting her young daughter's words. "Be careful, my love." She purred. With a sigh, she returned to her resting place and nodded to Sarabi to continue.
"Very well. Nala, you may be strong, but it is true that you are barely past your cubhood. Do not allow your inexperience to put you or your pride sisters in danger. Whatever it is that Scar wants, allow your superiors to lead." Nala nodded, bowing her head in respect to the rest of the lionesses.
Zira stepped forward. "You are all being silly. Scar is our leader and he wants only what is best for us. Why do you fear him as if you are all cubs?" With a snort, she stepped out of the den, heading toward the top of pride rock.
"That one is trouble." Tess whispered quietly, shaking her head as the other chosen lionesses, including Nala, follow Zira's paw steps to the top of pride rock.