Chapter 5: A Name
Vitani and her family marched from their home early the next morning. The sky was still a bit dark when they set out, but the high-up clouds reflected hints of beautiful color from the soon-coming sun. Tempest's parents were concerned about her at first and watched her movements carefully, but Tempest proved she could still walk just fine as long as they went slow and took a break every once in a while.
Tempest reported that the wound did sting a bit, but the worst part was just the fatigue and fevers. Mani stood by her side the entire time and always announced when he thought they should take a break for her sake.
The Pride walked mostly in silence, so this gave Jayden time to think. Fortunately, she had kept the good attitude Dayya helped her achieve the day before.
I don't have to be afraid. I'll arrive in the Pride Lands, say 'hi' to my old friends, and Dark too. I'll just act normal. It'll be fine. We'll stay a while and Tempest's cub will be born. I don't really have to be around Dark when I'm there. I'll be able to stay busy with other things. It's all gonna be okay.
It's gonna be wonderful when Tempest's cub is born. Jayden realized. I'll be an aunt! She felt herself smiling, and she trotted over to her older sister's side. Mani was on her opposite.
"Hey, Tempest. You doin' okay?" Jayden asked. The Pride had been going for about 3 hours now, and Tempest had been holding up fine so far.
"Yeah, I'm feeling alright right now." she replied. "The exercise is nice actually."
"Yeah, and I'm keeping a close eye on her." Mani added.
"You never take your eye off me." Tempest said, and gave Jayden a wink. Jayden giggled. "I never got to say before, but congratulations about the cub, you two." she said.
"Thank you." Tempest rubbed her head against her younger sister's shoulder. Mani smiled at her as a response.
"Do you have any thought to names yet?"
"I have thought of some." Mani said, "But Tempest doesn't like any of them."
"The cub is in my belly, so yes, I get to tell you if I like the name or not." Tempest said to him. Her point was too true for him to protest with anything more than some muttering.
"So no names yet?" Jayden asked, amused.
"None yet."
"And don't try suggesting any." Mani added, looking over his mate's small back. "She'll just say no!"
"Now that's not true. I'm sure a name she came up with would be much better than the ones you did."
"Better than 'Amani'?" he said.
Tempest muttered to Jayden, "I wonder who that name takes after." Jayden laughed.
Mani continued, "Better than Ralei? Kyla, Jira, Mumbai?"
"Those names aren't bad, actually." Jayden admitted.
"No way." Tempest protested. "None of them seem right."
"Jayden thinks they're fine, and you seem to think she could suggest an amazing name… so why can't you accept they're good?"
"Well cuz they're not."
Jayden rolled her eyes at their bickering and smiled. This was typical Mani and Tempest banter.
Suddenly, Mani said, "Jayden, come on, suggest a name."
"Oh, what, me?" The dark colored lioness said. "Oh no, I couldn't think of anything good, really."
"I'm sure you could." Tempest said. "Just try it."
"Um.. Okay. I guess let me think for a minute." Jayden said. Her sibling and Mani went silent. They gave her a long time to think without interruption, and she was grateful for that. A cub's name is special. It's forever. It's what the cub will be called through their entire life weather they like it or not. Jayden thought about her own name. She had always liked it, though she never mentioned that to anyone. It was unique, and something about it just seemed perfect for her. She was Jayden. She didn't know if there was a meaning for the word, but it didn't matter, she was the meaning.
But how do you come up with a name for a cub? It would have to be something special. Something you like. Something catchy; easy to say and think.
What's something I like? Jayden thought. I like nature. I like quiet, calming sounds. Like the rain. Jayden's heart danced a little when she thought of rain. Something about it was almost magical. She loved rain and loved water. Jayden had always really liked Tempest's name too since it meant a harsh water storm. No matter how hard or soft rain is falling, it was relaxing for her to listen to. But of course a fierce rain storm inspired awe in Jayden. A fierce name would be perfect for Tempest's cub. Suddenly she thought of one.
"I just thought of something. Well it's similar to your name, Tempest, but I still like it."
"What is it?" Mani asked.
"Spill it." Said Tempest, head turned toward her sister..
Jayden took a deep breath, feeling nervous for some reason. "Torrent."
Tempest head turned to look at her paws. She looked like she was thinking.
Is she thinking, or does she hate it? Jayden considered. She looked at Mani's reaction. His eyebrows were raised and he was looking straight ahead. He looked impressed, but neither lion said anything.
Jayden couldn't stand the silence, so she had to speak, "It has a similar meaning as 'Tempest.' I thought it sounded strong and brave. I figured your son or daughter should have a name with those qualities," Jayden laughed nervously. The two remained silent.
Jayden finally admitted defeat, lowered her ears, and looked down at her own walking paws, "It's okay if you don't like it."
"It's not that we don't like it." Mani spoke up, looking at the brown lioness. "Quite the opposite in fact. And I can speak for Tempest; I know she likes it. I mean, look how quiet she's become."
"Oh, hush!" Tempest retorted.
"Every time I had a name suggestion, she would make a face and turn it down right away." Mani explained, "But you've stunned her into silence, Jay!"
"I'm just thinking!" Tempest said, swatting her mate's arm.
Jayden laughed and Tempest looked at her. "But yes, I do like the name. Love it actually. Is it a girl's name or a boy's name?"
"I'm not sure. What do you think, Mani?"
"I think it's suitable for both." he said. "Are you saying we've found our name?"
"If Jayden agrees," Tempest replied, "Yes, I would love to use the name!"
Jayden was elated, "Wow really? Of course I agree! This is so exciting!" I've named my own future niece or nephew!
"Thanks, sis!" Tempest nuzzled her younger sister. Jayden purred In reply.
"Hey, what're you guys doing?" Someone shouted as they ran over to join them. It was Dayya. "No sisterly hugging without me!" She jumped on Jayden's back a little, then lowered herself.
"Hey, Dayya."
"What were you two talking about anyway?"
Mani replied, "Jayden just picked out a perfect name for our cub."
"She did!? Wow, and you actually like it?"
"Yes!" Tempest laughed.
"Well what is it? Don't keep me in the dark!"
"Torrent."
"Wow!" Dayya said, then swatted Jayden's side playfully. "That is a great name. I don't know what it means, but it fits!"
Jayden and Tempest rolled their eyes.
"By the way, you three, Dad says it's time for a rest, so slow down a bit and come back with the rest of the group. I'm going to go spread the new name! Torrent!" She leaped away to go tell the others.
"How does she have so much energy?" Tempest groaned.
"Well she doesn't have a huge wound on her back." Mani supplied.
Jayden looked at Tempest and realized how tired she looked. Her breathing was a bit heavy for only walking, even if it was a fast walk. Mani was noticing too, and his eyes met Jayden's and they shared a look of concern.
"Come on, let's go find somewhere comfortable to rest near the others." he said.
After only an hour's rest, the walk continued.
Tempest had more energy after resting, but slowed each hour. Near nightfall, Vitani went out on a hunt with Dayya and Jayden. They brought in one okapi for dinner. It was enough for all nine of them to eat, and Mani made sure Tempest ate enough to give her the energy she needed to continue.
Vitani and Tome wanted to go on for a while longer that night before stopping to sleep. Tempest was up to it, thanks to the meal and her general stubbornness, so they went on.
The next few days went on like this. They walked at a regular pace, sometimes faster when Tempest was able. They rested many times a day, sometimes for a few hours if Tempest had a fever. They hunted if the group was hungry, then slept in a circle with Tempest in the middle. No predators dared try sneak up on the Pride, not with three males at the edges.
Some days, Koru and Drayden would run miles ahead of the group just to scout the path they were taking to make sure it was clear and there was no dangers, but Jayden thought they went just because they were bored and wanted to expended their energy. Sometimes Drayden asked her to go with them, but she said no. She wasn't sure why, but she held herself back from going anywhere with Drayden. Maybe she was afraid it would actually be fun. The peach lion never took it personally, he just went on with Koru.
On the fifth day on the road, Jayden tried to estimate how much longer the trip would be. She remembered Koru's words to Vitani and the family before they left, "It takes several days to get there, and that's with no resting."
Since the Pride had to stopped so frequently to rest, eat and sleep -all for Tempest's sake- the trip there would go from several days -3 to 4-to 7 to 8 days. It was quite the hold up. But all this time allowed Jayden to think about her predicament. The first four days she became more nervous with each step that brought her closer to the Pride Lands. Yesterday, she told herself it had to stop, and she had to think of a way to get used to the idea of seeing Dark again. It was happening and she was going to deal with it somehow.
Today she thought of a plan.
When we get there, and I see him, I'll just act all cool. Like I just saw him yesterday. I'll just say "hi" or even "good to see you again." Yeah… I can do that. Then I can go say hello to someone else, or even stay with Mom and Dad or with Tempest as an excuse. I think if I can just get used to him being an ordinary lion, an ordinary member of the Pride, I can get over him. Even if he has a girlfriend.
Jayden's back straightened. Yeah! So what if he's moved on? I'll act like I've moved on, and eventually I will. I can just stay away from him for the most part and it'll be easy.
Jayden felt relieved now that she reached this agreement with herself. Just in time too, cause Drayden and Koru came up to her.
"Come with us today, Jayden." Drayden said.
"Yeah, we get bored racing just us two." Koru added. "And Dayya's to lazy to come."
Today, Jayden smiled, and sped up. "Alright, why not?"
Author note: For those of you already saying you wish they were in the Pride Lands, all I can say is just hang in there, because it takes some time for them to get there. Not forever. But just be patient. For those who have shown they are just enjoying the ride no matter where the lions are in my story, thank you! I hope everyone enjoyed, see yall next time.