Chapter 15
A year has now passed and the cubs are now young adolescents. Tara, Shanni, and Melody were tall and their legs were starting to grow. Since Shanni was a slight older than the other two girls, she was taller and much stronger. The boys Adin, Ari, and Taja were the same way but Ari was showing signs of major muscle. As if he was another Mufasa. And around this time of day they were all at their hang out spot, the watering whole.
"How did you guys learn to hunt like that?" asked Adin.
"Well I learned from my mom." Said Melody.
"And we learned from your mom Adin. Remember?" said Shanni.
Adin forgot that his mother taught them how to hunt when they were cubs. Earlier that day, the girls had caught a baby zebra for lunch. Apparently, the girls took their teachings seriously. They were excellent huntresses. As the young adults talked, Kiara trotted over to them. What the young females didn't realize is that Kiara was watching them from a distance.
"Tara, Shanni, and Melody, can you come with me please."
The girls looked at each other as if they thought they were in trouble. Kiara turned around and said,
"Don't worry ladies you are not in trouble."
The girls said bye to their male friends and followed Kiara back to Pride Rock. Before the females walked up the stair like steps of Pride Rock, Adin came running with Taja and Ari by his sides.
"Mom. What's going on are the girls in trouble for something?" asked Adin.
Kiara looked at her son and smiled.
"Don't worry son. The girls will be back later."
Kiara turned away from her son and walked into the den of Pride Rock. She found Kovu half-asleep on the royal part of the den. Kovu arose from his position and walked toward the lionesses.
"Yes Kiara are you ok?" asked Kovu.
"I'm fine but I have a question. When is the young huntresses' test?" asked Kiara.
Kovu had to think for a moment.
"Well since you are the Queen you are able to make the decision. Why?"
Kiara looked at the girls and winked.
"Cause I saw these girls hunt and bring down a zebra. I want them to be in the hunting party."
The girls' eyes widened and they jumped and screamed. Kiara and Kovu looked at them with surprise.
"Sorry Kiara and Kovu. It's just that aren't we too young to be huntresses?" asked Tara.
"Well not really. You ladies are excellent huntresses. We need you."
The girls were very happy. Kovu said that since it was up to Kiara, she can say when the test can be. When Kiara and Kovu were finished talking, Kiara walked out of the den and said,
"Girls, depending on your mother's answer you three ladies will be huntresses. Now, it's time to ask your mothers. Let's go."
The girls followed. Misty, Zida, and Vitani were all by the sunning rocks that day.
"Ladies, I have something to tell you." Said Kiara as she approached her friends.
"Oh no. Kiara please don't tell us our girls are in trouble." Zida said.
Kiara laughed. "No. your girls are not in trouble. Trust me. I just want to know when you ladies are going to let the girls have their hunting test."
Zida, Camilla, and Vitani looked at each other.
"Well I think when Shanni is ready. With all due respect, why you ask?" said Vitani.
Kiara looked back at the girls and winked again.
"Well with your approval, I would like to give the girls their test tomorrow."
The adult lioness got up and started screaming just as their girls did before.
"Ok clam down every one. Tomorrow instead of having the girls go individually, I want them to work as a team. I see that they work better that way."
Kiara smiled at her friends and their daughters.
"Well I approve." Said Vitani.
"So do I." said Camilla.
"Zida what about you?" asked Kiara.
"Well," her voice trailed off.
"Please mom! This will be a wonderful experience for me. Especially if I get to do it with my friends." Melody pleaded.
Her mother finally cracked with a great big,
"Alright! Alright you can do your hunting test. But you ladies better be careful."
Zida made it clear that some of the animals are really strong so they have to be extra careful.
"Zida is right. Zebra is easy to take down but if you go for something big like a wildebeest. Now those are strong. Extra careful is what you need to be." Said Misty.
After their little talk with their mothers, Tara, Shanni, and Melody went back to watering whole.
"I wonder where they guys are." Said Melody as she looked around the perimeter of the area where they were.
"May be they went back to Pride Rock. I mean, they did follow us when Kiara came and got us to explain our test." Tara said.
Shanni looked at her friends and said, "Well, you guys want to go check?"
Tara started to talk but stopped because she heard a rustling in a nearby bush.
"Ugh, guys," her voice had a nervous sound in it.
"Tara, are you ok?" asked Melody.
"I-I hear a rustling sound in that bush over there."
Her paw was pointed in the direction of the bush by the broken tree where the girl had made their first kill together that day. The girls looked at each other and then walked over to the bush. Then before they were able to take a peek at their mystery, the boy's came trotting over.
"Hey girls. Where have you been all day?" asked Ari as he and friends approached the three females.
"Shh!" yelled Shanni.
"We are trying to figure out what is going on behind that bush." Said Melody.
The girls crept up slowly, as if they were stalking prey.
"One, two," said Tara quietly yet loud enough for her friends to hear.
The boys were behind and positioned themselves in certain angles. In case something happens to the girls. Tara looked back to see that the guys were there to protect them. The girls found their mystery, and awed in adoration.