Chapter 14: Heart Race

She tried not to think about the last time she was here and awkwardly bumped into Dark. This place just calmed her. She told herself she'd only be there for a moment. She sat in the cool grass, and when she turned her head, she could make out the shape of the standing lion-like rock in the moonlight.

Memories started to flood her of when she and Dark as cubs would play-fight each other in this exact spot. Always laughing, smiling. Then they'd fall to their backs and stare at the sky. Jayden remembered thinking as she stared into the starry sky with Dark one night that she would never wish on a star, because she already had everything she wanted.

I should have wished things would have stayed the same… Jayden thought, lowering her head. The memories were just sad now. I know I'm supposed to forget Dark, but it's hard to do when I'm here. I can't stop thinking about our good memories and the rest of the relationship we never got to finish.

She looked up at the sky and as if on queue, a shooting star flew across the dark black field. Jayden almost gasped. Now was her chance.

"I wish…"

Suddenly the sound of heavy paws approached. Jayden closed her lips and instinctively ducked low in the grass.

Stupid! She told herself. You're too big to hide in the grass! Is it Dark? Why is he coming here?

The figure got closer. She could tell it was a large male. Her heart raced faster with each step the male took. But he must not have seen the hiding lioness, because he walked on away from her. As he walked away, Jayden could make out who the lion was.

"Koru?" She whispered. "Where is he going?" Jayden watched her brother quietly stride away. Maybe he's meeting a lioness.

Koru had the same habit back home. On occasion she'd see the lioness he was sneaking off with, but not always. She never tried to follow him. He was an adult; he could do what he pleased. Jayden used to wonder a lot if Koru would one day leave the pride and start a pride or family on his own. After all this time, however, he had never shown more interest in one lioness in particular. Would he find real love someday?

Jayden spent a few minutes in the grass wondering what it would be like for Koru to have a real girlfriend and to have cubs with her. She pictured the cute cubs they would have. She hoped he'd find someone soon.

Maybe I should try to set Zula up with him? Koru's handsome in his own way, I suppose. She would like him. If they hit it off, he could stay here when mom and the rest of the pride are ready to head home. Or maybe they'd run off together and begin their own pride like mom and dad did. How romantic would that be? Jayden sighed out loud.

"Who's there?" Came a voice.

Jayden ducked her head quickly. Who now? Her heart raced all over again. She could barely make out a figure in the distance. They had heard Jayden's quiet sigh. The figure didn't need to come closer for Jayden to know who it was. This time it really was Dark.

Oh no, what do I do? The brown lioness almost started to sneak away, but she stopped herself. No. I'm not running this time. She bravely stood.

"Hey Dark. It's me. Jayden."

"Jayden?" he seemed surprised. "Hey."

As he walked over to her, she said, "So um.. You couldn't sleep either, I'm guessing?" He sat in front of her, but with some space between them.

"Kind of. I just like coming here at night. It calms me."

Him too? Jayden's heart skipped a beat.

"And It's a nice night too." Dark said. And when the lioness didn't reply, he glanced up at the sky. "The stars are pretty tonight."

"Yes they are. I just saw a shooting star a minute ago." She said. "You missed it."

"No way. I've never seen one."

"Never?"

"Nope."

"Well if I see one while I'm out here, I'll make sure to shout so you can look." she joked, feeling herself relax a little. She forgot how easy it was to talk to Dark once she calmed down a bit.

"Deal." he said.

After a short moment of silence, Jayden said, "So Tempest is doing better, have you heard?"

"Oh yes. I heard from Dayya."

Of course. She thought. She had sort of been avoiding Dark for the past few days, but Dayya sure hadn't.

"Seems like you guys got here just in time." Dark added.

"Yeah! It's such a relief." Jayden said, really meaning it. It had been a heavy weight on her shoulders wondering if Tempest would take a turn for the worse. Everything noww was on an uphill slope for Tempest. Her wound would soon begin to close and she'd be perfectly fine.

"I can't imagine what it'd be like to fear you might lose a sibling." he said, appearing to reflect on the idea.

"Well you've already been through enough, I don't think you should have to try to imagine more sadness." she said lightly with a sad smile.

"Hey, that's right!" he said.

He has been through a lot. The way he lost his biological mother like that… and discovering the Black Pride lion was his biological father. At least I know his story and don't blurt out insensitive things out like Ahila. Jayden wanted to grin at the thought that she knew Dark better than the adolescent that hung around him. I doubt they are a couple. She felt happy at the thought.

"Have you played 'over, under' lately?" he asked.

Jayden laughed. "No! Though I supposed I'll expect it if I ever have to babysit Afia. So I'm guessing you got a sample of that hyper cub's game?"

"Yes, unfortunately. More than a sample. She likes to go over my mane. She claims it's soft." Jayden looked at his mane and saw it shine slightly blue in the moonlight. I bet it is. She wanted to say, but didn't.

This is nice. Just talking. We haven't talked this much since we were cubs.

"Tomorrow my mom and I are taking a run by the waterhole. And my sisters are coming too. Would you like to join us? My mom often insists we keep up at least a little exercise. It makes me think of Vitani's training before the war, remember?"

"Of course. They'd come back every day looking beat!" she giggled. "If I go with you, we won't be coming back beat, will we?" she joked.

"Oh, no. It's just a run. Then walk. My mom isn't a master trainer like yours is."

"She's certainly kept my family trained. Just think of what it'd be like if we had stayed here, my mom would have continued the training, probably!"

"That might not have been a bad thing." he smiled lightly.

Jayden chucked, "Maybe not!"

"So you're coming tomorrow? You can invite Dayya. And Drayden if you want."

"Well yeah, sure!" she smiled.

The two talked a while longer in the night about one topic or another. It was comfortable and fun. Soon, Jayden became tired and headed to bed. She didn't know if Dark was going to stay out or go to bed too; he didn't say and she didn't ask. She just left with a "see you tomorrow."

When Jayden laid in bed, she fell asleep instantly.

The next morning, Jayden got up and noticed Zula, Zuna and Sanu were already gone. She had to find Dayya and Drayden to join Dark and his family on their run. At first, Jayden had wondered why Dark suggested Drayden could come, but then she was glad. The more that came, the more friendly and at ease she would be. This morning, she had lost the confidence she felt last night while talking to Dark. This morning, she was nervous. What if I blurt something stupid?

As Jayden left the cave, she felt the warm sub beat on her back. Tempest and Tome were laying in the large area outside the cave's mouth. He was applying some of Mairu's orange medicine on her back. She lay with a smile on her face.

Tempest is doing great. Jayden reflected happily. As she trotted down the stone stairs, she passed Ciara and Kivu who were coming up.

"Excuse us!" Ciara said as she stepped around the brown lioness.

"There's no excuse for us!" Kivu joked.

"I have one." Ciara replied seriously. They continued up.

Jayden grinned. Those two are hilarious. And happy.

She headed down and almost bumped right into Drayden.

"Woah." he said, backing up a little bit."

"Oh! I'm sorry. I wasn't really looking where I was going."

"That's okay."

"I was looking for you anyway."

"You were?"

"Yeah, we were invited to take a run with Dark and his family." she smiled politely. "I just need to find Dayy and we can be off."

"Cool. I was meaning to find a reason to get to know Dark more. I've got a chance to talk to almost everyone but him."

"Oh good. Come on." she said and led the way to the underside of Pride Rock where she expected Dayya to be. As she walked, she asked Drayden, "So who's your favorite Pride Lander?"

"Favorite? Um… Nundi!" They laughed. "Just kidding, Nundi's alright, he's just kind of blunt. Not exactly mean, but not very friendly."

"I got that impression as well."

"He doesn't seem to be like his siblings at all. And his parents are very nice."

"Wow you have been busy meeting everyone."

"Yep. I love this big pride. I started in a big pride."

"I remember." she said with a sad smile, thinking back on Drayden's sad story.

They had arrived under Pride Rock. Koru was sleeping there, but Dayya was no where to be found. Jayden thought about waking her older brother, but she figured he must be tired since he was up so late wandering outside the Pride Lands, so she let him sleep.

"I think I saw Dayya heading toward the large rocks the Pride Landers sun themselves on." Drayden reported.

"Oh alright." they headed that way. "They are comfortable, have you laid on them yet?" Jayden commented.

"Not yet."

"That will be on the to-do list for you before we go home!" she said, feeling playful. Maybe she was a little excited to spend time with Dark today. That is okay… right? she asked herself.

"I have a list? Awesome." the brown maned lion joked. "What else is on my list?"

"Hmm… You have to learn Pride Land's history."

"The Pride Lands have a history?"

She looked at him. "Well of course! Everyone has a history."

"Well I've heard from a few lionesses something about a war. Some mention a few that died. Omaru was one… and Jamay. And Timi?"

"Tima." Jayden corrected. "She died before the war began actually. She was mauled by the black lioness… and passed away a few days after that. It was terrible."

Drayden made a sympathetic sound. "Sounds terrible."

"Well there's more to the Pride Land history than that. I even know the history before I was born." she boasted.

"Oh, really! You'll just have to tell me all about it."

"Sure." she said. They had almost made it to the sunning rocks. Jayden quickened her pace.

"You sure are talkative today." Drayden commented. "It's not usual for you. I like it. You must be excited about this outing."

"I am." she said happily. Drayden smiled at her, but she didn't catch it.

She hurried to the rocks. Sure enough, Dayya was sunning herself on them. Beside her, Kiara with Afia, Toni and Kanai were resting too. Jayden told her red-colored sister about their walk with Dark and his family and she jumped up with excitement. The three adults now headed toward the waterhole.

"It's so nice being back in the Pride Lands, isn't it?" Dayya said to Jayden. She nodded in reply.

They trotted on, and soon saw four figures walking in front of them. Three rather skinny and lanky ones, and one large one. It was Dark, Sanu, Zuna and Zula heading toward the waterhole. Dayya and Jayden called out and the three caught up to them.

Zula smiled in greeting to Jayden, "Glad you could join us!"

"Thanks for inviting us." Drayden, who was on Jayden's other side said.

"No problem." Dark said. He was positioned on Zula's other side. Next to him was Sanu, then Zuna. "The more the merrier."

"Well now we look like a hunting party." Zuna said.

"Hush, or they'll expect us to catch something." Sanu said. Her kids snickered.

Jayden smiled. She looked around at the sky and scenery. It was such a nice sunny day. A bird's song in a tree nearby seemed to punctuate her thought.

Soon, the group of seven made it to the waterhole. "Ready everyone?" Sanu rasped.

"Ready…?" Jayden murmured, wondering what she meant.

Dark leaned over to make eye contact with Jayden. "Did I mention this was a race?" he said.

"We're racing?" Dayya shouted, "Cool!"

"Enough talk," Sanu announced. "GO!"