36. A Fight in the Rain

XXXVI

A Fight in the Rain

"Do not challenge the challenger, unless you know to try."

-Yuuka, Shaman of the Midnight pride (Mystic Era)

The rain was much more gentle as dawn bore into the unsteady night. Neither Banjija nor Lusala had gotten a minute's worth of sleep, the anxious sentiments too strong. But when the sun did rise, Banjija was standing tall upon the hill that supported his tree. There, he watched with wary but solid eyes, his challenger, along with a few lionesses, head over to him. Lusala stayed by the grove as she, too, watched from behind her half-brother. It was hard enough to keep herself still as she dug her claws into the hard soil from which the golden blades of the savannah grew and came from. Her ears folded back as her coat bristled, just as Banjija's did. It was strange, though, for his expression was different from that of a usual lion's. The corners of his mouth were pulled back, almost sneering at the approaching leader, teeth exposed of course.

Gold and red and brown was the stranger's thin coat. His mane matched, but was much darker. The head was somewhat squarish, as was his muzzle, but the eyes were large and mocking as their yellow gleem rested upon Banjija – the target. His small but muscular body shifted above his giant paws, and this youthful lion licked his lips as Banjija glared right back. Finally, the leader stepped forward and called;

"Young lion! I will give you one last chance to save your life; move yourself from these lands!"

Banjija continued to smirk, and moved forward without a word. This was his land, and he was not about to give it up.

The leader was temporarily stopped, but not quite in shock, as he half expected this. For Banjija was young, and though he himself was youthful - just enough to have given at least one litter to the pride and keep it going for a perhaps a few more years - this leader was still experienced. He knew what to do.

Each lioness was watching as the two lions began to circle each other, rain steadily falling upon their backs. It was wet, and perhaps even carried a bit of warmth. This new pride was unbalanced, and once the quarrel was over, they would who was to be their leader.

Banjija growled heavily. He had an advantage: his buff torso. But of course this did not mean he would win. Oh no, if anything, he was further from even living than the night before. This is my land, he growled conffidently in his mind. So get out or I will rip your throat out. Suddenly, a rain drop fell into his eye and he winked. It blurred his vision for a moment, causing light panic, but as he blinked it away, Banjija found himself ready once more. He could not help but narrow his vision on that so-called "leader." How much of a better job could Banjija do himself, though? At least by ten times, he thought. But when was this leader to jump? To strike? To even attempt?

The two kept on circling each other, ignoring the anxious breaths of the lionesses so nearby. Then, Banjija pounced. He couldn't help it as he had stared into those yellow, piercing eyes that seemed to see right through him. Seemed to see the exact fear boiling in his belly and soul. It would've been much easier to let this bastard attack first, but no. Youth, fear, and much more caused Banjija to leap toward that lion and, only in the air, did he see his mistake. The hard ground met Banjija's face, and it stung. He flinched as the lion had easily moved just enough out of the way. Turning around, though, the leader hastily placed the tips of his claws onto Banjija's side, about to dig them into flesh. Fortunately, Banjija had rolled over on his back, causing the lion to stumble. Taking this oppurtunity, Lusala's half-brother gruffed as he shoved his hind paws as best he could into the lion's stomach, and kicked him off. In an instant, the two were up again, glaring. This time, Banjija, catching his breath, was able to hold himself, and soon enough, the pride leader had made the move. The lions were at it, battling each other, roars and snarls sounding as they rolled over each other, pounced at one another and so on. A few denizens decided to move from their spots, whether a prarie dog or a hornbill having perched on an acacia.

"Please beat him," Lusala whispered under her breath as she watched, eyes wide with fear, heart beating so loud that it almost seemed to drown out the cries and howls of the brawl.

As Banjija and the other moved, trying their best at this daunting fight to keep their throats and stomachs protected, and at the same time endevour to strike at the other, the memories of his father and the two rogues flashed into his mind. There he was, atop the Great Knoll, back in the White-Feather territory as a cub again. His father was dying, no doubt from the lack of youth and him being out numbered. But as only a fur ball, he and his sister could only stand there and watch in horror with their mother as Ashuma was killed. No, murdered. Was this any better that he was doing? This was different, though, for it was the present leader of this pride that had put himself into this danger. He had come and tried to take away Banjija and Lusala's land. It was his fault if he was to be injured, chased off, or worse, killed.

The fight lasted longer than any had expected, and soon, the two were gasping for breath. Again, they were standing, gazing at each other. Both had under estimated the other, but neither was about to give up. Finally, the leader gave a roar, and charged. Banjija smacked a paw, extracted claws at the lion, raking him. It left a deep wound, blood gushing from each scratch. After all, Banjija had had a lot of practice with Kasha, back in his cubhood days. The lion roared in both pain and rage, but as he did so, Banjija took to a new tactic. If he was to win, he should do it soon, for both were losing life every second. So, thinking quick, Banjija suddenly, and out of nowhere, rammed his side into the lion. It did him some good and, as the leader was trying to gather his wits, Banjija was on top of him. Up came a paw and pathetically, it wounded Banjija's muzzle just a bit, but to Banjija's relief, he saw that the lion was struggling in panic under his weight. He was winning! One wrong move, though, and it could cost him his life. Suddenly, the lion was able to free himself from the giant above him, before taking off to the northeast.

Attempting to regain his breath and strength, Banjija smirked in triumph as the lion ran for his life. But he did not have the energy himself to chase after. Instead, he stayed still for awhile, before a roar sounded. It was Lusala. She came running over and nuzzled him as she purred in disbelief and greatfulness.

"You won!" she cried. "You won!"

It was indeed a victory, for not only had Banjija won his first fight, got to keep his territory, as well as gained a pride of his own, but he had his life still.

After a few moments or so, Banjija turned his massive head to the pride that was now gathering near him, emotions mixed. He scented the air, ears perked as he watched the pride – his pride, come forward. It was communication through sound and body language as each lioness gathered the smell of their new leader and Lusala. Then, there was a gasp.

"Banjija!" hissed Lusala and his ear twitched as she did so. "Cubs! They have cubs!"

Blinking in surprsie, he gazed over a few other pride members who were hissing at him, standing together in front of a group of small lions, no more than four months old. This was strange behavior for a pride, then again, it was all new to him. Lusala watched, keeping herself planted as Banjija began toward the mothers. Was he going to kill the cubs? He wouldn't, thought Lusala. Would he?

Banjija growled as he exposed his teeth, padding forward. Aburptly, he haulted in front of the mothers. There were three, and six cubs all together. Shaking his head a bit, he finally turned around with a shrug, and said to all forteen lionesses including Lusala, "Come, my new pride. It's beginning to rain harder. Let's take cover."

He turned as he began to lead them up the hill, past the tree to where a cave would lie. It was large, and would suite this pride.

"But what about the cubs?" questioned a lioness.

The others hissed angrily, but all wanted to know.

"What about them? They are part of my pride now, too." Banjija exclaimed, almost bitterly. "Now, in the cave."