Unlike the rest of the Pride, Kuendesha and her cubs spent the night in a lower den. And also unlike the Pride, Kuendesha was unable to sleep. She couldn't believe Icarus had said what he had said to her, especially for being a concerned mother. He didn't carry cubs for a season! He also has no idea what it's like to lose a cub to some jealous tyrant! Thinking of that tragedy, Kuendesha remembered that today her first cub Ganya would have been a yearling, if she had lived. Kuendesha felt as though it should have been her, as though she could have saved her if she had been braver.
She looked down at the two cubs she had sired from Saul, and all that replayed in her mind was Icarus's comments, as well as what Tai relayed to her after some prying. 'He's questioning my parenting!? He lets his daughter shake her ass in front of any young male that looks her way, and has the nerve to question the way my cubs are raised!' She knew Icarus would not have liked to hear that, and probably didn't like it, as she knew the martial eagle more than likely informed him of her response to his 'concerns'. But right now, she didn't care. The only thing she cared about at this point was her cubs, and how she would raise them to be lions worthy of the status that their father left for them. As long as Icarus knew who they were, and whose cubs they were, she was going to simply ignore his criticisms.
She had left to hunt by now, knowing that the pride had already gone out to hunt. She just hoped she wouldn't run into Icarus, who was definitely out patrolling and just generally protecting the pride at this point. And to her relief, she had found her prey in short order. It was an elderly wildebeest, which meant he was going to be slower than the rest of his herd. But, as Kuendesha found out the hard way, this meant he also knew some tricks, and used that knowledge to evade her for the time being. The operative word, however, was 'for the time being'; he was now definitely separated from his herd and all Kuendesha had to do now was track his movements.
Back at the Tree of Conception, Lana made her way to the alcove that her two friends slept in. She was happy to see that they were just now waking up. "Hey, guys. Come on, Daddy's going to be meeting some hyenas today." Lana said, excited. David, however, was downcast at this news. "We can't. We got grounded yesterday." He informed sadly. Lana wasn't too pleased to hear that. "Grounded? But… royalty can't get grounded." Lana said in a matter-of-fact way. "Well, Mom just did, and-" David stopped abruptly when he realized what Lana had just said. It was Julia who relayed their mutual confusion. "Wait, did you say royalty?" At that, the darker cub smirked, a very cocky smirk that looked like it belonged on Icarus's face. As she did, Masika and Akato made their appearances.
"Yep, royalty." Lana reassured, and to David's surprise neither Masika nor Akato were disagreeing with Lana's statement. "Didn't Kuendesha tell you that Uncle Saul is your father?" Lana questioned. David and Julia rolled their eyes. "Yeah? So what?" Masika almost couldn't believe David was so cavalier about that information. "So what? It mean's you two will inherit the kingdom when Icarus decides you guys are ready to rule." Masika informed, and the looks of surprise on the twins' face said it all. This is news to them?! Akato thought as he observed them taking in that piece of information.
"I'm… surprised." He said. Lana was quick to concur with him. "I would have thought Kuendesha would have told you guys by now." It did strike the twins as odd that Kuendesha would never speak about him, cause from what it sounds like Saul was a good lion; he's nothing to be ashamed of. However, a roar in the distance changed the subject entirely. It was Icarus's. "Daddy? Oh yeah, he was supposed to be meeting with the hyenas right about now. I think that's his way of calling them." She said, and realized that if they didn't move right now they'd miss it. "Move it." Lana said as she tried to pull David along with her.
"But, Julia and I are gro-" David couldn't even finish his words, as Masika and Julia both pulled him towards the group and he had no choice to follow lest they drag him as opposed to lead him. Realizing that he was now officially breaking his mother's rules, he decided he may as well see what his playmates wanted. As he broke into a run with the rest of his friends, the smell of hyena became almost unbearable. Though clearly Lana was used to it, the other cubs crinkled their noses at the pungent smell. However, just as soon as they smelled the hyenas did they see Icarus sitting there with them, as well as being greeted with an unexpected scene.
For sitting with him was not only the matriarch of the Jungle's hyena pack and her daughter, but also the shaman of the Kuatan Jungle and his apprentice. When the wisened gorilla pointed it out, Icarus turned and his face lit up. "Lana. And kids. Good for you to join us. Ajabu, Drivotra, this is my daughter Lana. And these two…" Icarus now points to David and Julia, and allows the striped hyena and the gorilla to see. "These two are Saul's cubs. David and Julia." The two cubs waved, rather awkwardly. Icarus turned to them and gave them a reassuring wink, his message loud and clear.
Don't worry about Kuendesha, kids. I've got you covered.