Chapter 3: Belly Flop

Torrent watched the Pridelands in the tree for a while until a breeze came and started to chill him. He skillfully lowered himself from the tree and landed on the ground with a thump. His eyes drooped, as he was very tired now. He could only keep moving because the thought of his mother's warm side was calling him.

Why'd I have to go so far? He scolded himself for a moment, but then thought, It was so worth it!. He smiled mischievously. The best part was: No one knew about it.

Well, he hoped. On the way back, Torrent ran as fast as he could, following his own scent back the way he came. It didn't take long before he was back, and he sighed with relief to see no one had moved since he left. He quietly settled at his mother's side and curled up to her. He dropped off to sleep faster than he ever had in his life.

The next morning, everyone was ready to move on. It took some extra coaxing to get Torrent to wake up, but he did eventually, with some trepidation. He was still excited to get to the Pridelands, but exhausted from his late night expedition. There was still no sign that any of them knew what he had done and he managed a triumphant smile for himself.

Torrent, Tempest, Mani, Dayya and Drayden moved along quickly, commenting on the chill in the air.

"It was even colder up in the tree." Torrent commented, then realized what he'd said, eyes growing wide.

"What tree?" Tempest asked, looking at him. "When?"

"Umm... in this dream I had." he answered.

Tempest smiled at him. "It must have been cold with the way you cuddled me all night."

"Mooom!"

"Aww!" Dayya gushed.

"Shut up!" Torrent rounded playfully on his aunt, hitting her in the chest. She only giggled at him. "Let's just hurt and get there. It's this way." He trudged on in the direction he went last night. Everyone thought he was acting like his usual know-it-all self, but this time he truly did know the way...

They got to the baobab tree Torrent had climbed the night before pretty quickly. The cub hoped his family wouldn't smell his scent on the tree. Maybe it was gone by now? Torrent smelled the air inconspicuously. Oh no. The scent was faint, but still there. He had to distract the others.

"Wow, look! We're almost there!" he jumped forward and beckoned with his tail. "Come on! Hurry!"

"Wait up, Torrent. We need to stop for a minute." Tempest said.

"What! Why?"

"Well for one, because I think I got a thorn in my pad, and two, I just heard Dayya's stomach growl, so I think we should hunt before arriving." Tempest explained.

"That wasn't me!" Dayya said.

"Um...that'd be me." Drayden admitted and Dayya laughed at him.

Tempest sat down and began pulling at the thorn in her front paw with her teeth.

"But, mom! We are so close!" Torrent complained.

"We need to eat before we get there. We can't just walk right into the Pridelands and expect to be fed right away. It's rude."

"I thought these Pridelanders were your friends." Torrent whined.

"They are, but it's still important to be polite. Something you still need to learn, apparently."

Torrent rolled his eyes.

Mani spoke up. "Come on, Torrent, you can join us while we hunt. No complaining! Just do as we tell you."

Torrent groaned but went with his father. The cub was glad, at least, no one had noticed his scent in the area yet. This hunt would serve as a good enough distraction.

Mani, Tempest, Dayya, Drayden and Torrent moved into the plains of tall grass quietly. Prey scent was already in the air, and soon, a herd of zebra came into sight. Torrent split off with Dayya and Tempest, who had gained a tiny limp after pulling the thorn from her paw.

Drayden and Mani went their own direction to sneak up on the unsuspecting prey. As they got closer, the zebra suddenly broke off running. Two of them ran right toward Mani and Drayden.

"Nice!" Drayden commented quietly.

"Wait for it..." Mani said, readying his haunches and almost wiggled his butt with excitement like Torrent. The zebra pounded closer. "Now!" Mani shouted adn both males burst from their cover. The striped beasts let out surprised yelps and turned in different directions to flee. Drayden managed to rake his claws on the side of one of the fleeing animals before it thundered off.

"I'll get this one!" he announced, then he was gone. Mani went after the other one immediately. It hurtled toward the Prideland border and Mani chased it with all his might. He closed in, reached with a paw and smashed it into the beast's legs. It bleated loudly and tripped. Mani snarled with excitement, already feeling the rush of victory when his paws hit a dead branch hidden in the tall grass. Mani tumbled, just like his prey. Unfortunately for him, his prey took the opportunity to get up and escape. By the time the dust cleared, it was gone and Mani stood alone.

"Crap!" Mani cursed and shook his head at himself. He checked himself over quickly to make sure he wasn't hurt. He was about to move on when he heard a sound in the tall grass behind him. He turned toward the sound, ears pricked, but heard only silence. He was about to give up and move on when he saw the tall grass rustle.

"Who's there?" Mani asked. "Torrent?"

At these words, whatever was in the grass suddenly burst off in the other direction. Mani could see the grass moved aside as the small body traveled through it.

Mani decided it was too small to be Torrent, and was more likely a hare. In other words: prey. He chased after it.

When Mani's prey realized it was being chased, it let out a yelp and put on a burst of speed. Mani was faster, though, and stuck out a paw to strike the panicked animal.

Mani's paw never connected because suddenly, the thing Mani was chasing was right before him. He skidded to a stop. Laying on its belly with arms and legs splayed out was a light brown cub. He had apparently tripped and landed in a belly flop.

"A cub!" Mani exclaimed. "I'm sorry, I thought you were a hare!" He stepped back to give the cub some space. He had nearly squished him. The cub picked himself up. Mani watched him. The cub was younger than Torrent. Maybe half his age, if he had to guess. He was light golden-brown in color. His toes, muzzle and underbelly were peach. The same color circled his teal eyes. His rounded nose was dark brown like his ear fluff. He had a tuft of hair on his head that was brilliant orange. His eyebrows showcased this color too.

"Do I look like a hare?" The cub said with indignation. Mani noticed one last feature before he could come up with a reply. On the back of each of the cub's ears had a dark brown spot.

"Those spots!" Mani said, wiggling his own ears where he knew his own dark brown spots were. "Could you be... do you know Tali?"

The cub looked at Mani with confusion. "How do you know my mother?"

"Wow!" Mani exclaimed, "Tali is your...? Wait, Tali? Has a cub?!" he grinned widely and bounced up and down. "This is great! Look at you! You're handsome and healthy!"

The cub looked at Mani like he had grown an extra head. "...Yeah I'm gonna go..." The cub said, turning away.

"Wait, sorry, I'm just- wow! Tali used to say she would never have cubs, but here you are!"

"Who are you anyway?" the cub asked, giving Mani a firm look.

"I'm Tali's brother, Mani. That makes me your uncle!"

The cub only stared.

"What's your name? Do you have brothers or sisters?" Mani prodded excitedly.

The light brown cub stuck his nose in the air, "I'm not telling you anything, you could be lying."

He's a little spunky one... Mani thought with a smile. "I'm not lying. I've come with my pride for Kivu and Ciara's coronation. You must have heard we were coming. Look." Mani bent down and laid his ears flat to show the cub his spots. "I have the same spots you do. Your mother has them too. We're family."

This seemed to ease the cub's suspicion.

"Oh." he said. "Well...maybe you're telling the truth."

Mani moved back to his whole height and smiled.

"I don't' see the rest of your pride."

"They're off hunting."

"Why aren't you?"

"I was until...well I had a bit of a belly flop of my own...before I started chasing you."

The cub looked embarrassed and muttered, "I thought you were something that was gonna get me."

"I'm so sorry I chased and scared you. Are you okay?"

The cub nodded.

"What are you doing out here all alone anyway? Are we even in the Pridelands?"

The cub shifted his feet and wouldn't look Mani in the eyes.. "It's...close enough to the Pridelands."

Mani put together that the cub had probably snuck away. He definitely didn't see Tali or any other lions nearby. "You really shouldn't come this far on your own. What would you mother have done if she lost you? It's not safe for a cub. Come on, I'll take you back."

"I can go on my own." The cub protested, but followed Mani when he moved toward the Pridelands.

"No way, you should never go out alone like this. There's no way your mother would have let you."

The brown cub followed quietly. Mani felt like he was scolding Torrent. But this wasn't his cub, he was Tali's. He didn't like the idea that the first impression his nephew got of him would be his strict side. He softened up and slowed down to let the cub walk beside him. "So you never told me your name."

"Reon."

"That's a nice name. I have a son named Torrent. He's a little older than you though. Maybe your mom has told you about him."

Reon nodded.

"You'll get to meet him soon. Torrent needs friends, he'll be glad to have you. Do you have any friends?"

"Yeah, Kendi and Ora."

"Who are they?" Mani asked with excitement.

"Um...my friends?"

"I mean, who are their parents?"

"You ask weird questions..." Reon said.

"I know. Well, I have been away for a year and your friend's parents are probably my close friends from when I used to live here. I grew up with the adults you know."

"Oh." was all the cub said.

Mani's eyebrows rose. He couldn't figure out if Reon was the spunky type, or the quiet type. Maybe he was a little of both. It made Mani smile. What a great kid.

Pride Rock was closer now when a voice rang out. "Reon! Where are you?"

"That's my mom!" The cub said, flinching.

Mani glanced at him. He looked worried about getting in trouble. Maybe he could help Reon...

"Tali!" Mani called, "Over here!"

"Is that...Mani?" hurried paws thundered over and Tali came into view from behind some large rocks. "Mani!" the athletic light brown lioness dashed upon the scene with a huge smile. She nuzzled her brother fiercely. "You're here! It's so good to see you."

"It's good to see you too!"

"I see you've met my son." Tali said.

Mani grinned, "Yes, I did. I'm so happy for you! I never thought you'd have a cub! What made you change your mind?"

Tali laughed nervously. "Well you know... I don't know." Before Mani could ask what she meant, Tali turned to Reon, "Where have you been? I was looking for you."

"I..." he began quietly.

"He was just there by those rocks." Mani said gesturing with his paw. "He only came out this way to meet me and make sure I wasn't an intruding lion. Right, Reon?"

Reon realized what Mani was doing and nodded.

"I guess you weren't too far then. Though I did tell you not to leave my side while I was napping, remember?" she asked her cub.

"Yes, I'm sorry, Mama."

"Just don't stray again, okay?"

"Yes, Mama."

"Always listen to your mom, she knows what's best and is always right." Mani added.

Reon looked at Mani gratefully and nodded.

"You're already good with him and you've just met!" Tali grinned at her brother. "It must be from all the practice with Torrent over the past year. How is he? And Tempest? Where are they?"

"They're still at the border. I kind of wandered away while everyone was hunting. Vitani and Tome decided not to come this time, but they're doing really well. Tempest, Torrent, Dayya and Drayden are coming though. They'll catch up soon. They'll be so excited to meet your son. Can we go see everyone though? I'm dying to see the others and I hear there are other cubs I need to meet!"

"Yes, there's so much for you to catch up on. Come on."

Tali and Mani walked toward Pride Rock side by side with Reon leading the way, looking excited too.

Mani smiled at Reon's back. "He's a really good kid. You must be proud. I'm so excited for you."

"Thank you, he's the best thing that's ever happened to me."

"How old is he? Six months?"

"Yes. Well, Five and a half to be more exact. Can't believe it's already been that long."

"If you don't mind me asking, who is Reon's father?" Mani asked carefully.

"Well... um." Tali's cheeks started to turn red.

"Are you blushing?"

"No! Well... just don't spend the entire time you're here teasing him."

"Teasing who?"

"Jai."

"What about Jai?"

"He's the father, dummy!" Tali cuffed Mani's shoulder with her paw.

"WOOOAAAHH! Jai's the father?"

"Yes, of course." Tali blushed furiously.

"What!" Mani grinned. "No way!"

"Oh, Kings." Tali muttered.

"I didn't know you liked him that way!"

"Well, it sort of snuck up on me."

"That's adorable, I gotta say, sis."

"Oh, shut up."

"It is! So that flower he gave you at the wedding ceremony last year really did the trick, huh? Old Jai has some moves after all."

"You're annoying." Tali huffed.

"I bet you still have it...the flower. Don't you?"

Tali hesitated just a little too long. "No!"

Mani only laughed. "I can't wait to see that knuckle head now! Putting the moves on my sister! He's in for it now."

Tali rolled her eyes. "I should have known you'd make a big deal out of it."

Soon the three of them made it to Pride Rock. Lionesses had gathered out front once they saw Mani approaching with Tali and her cub. He greeted them and they greeted him back happily. Kanai, Mani and Tali's mother ran up to him.

"Mani!" she nuzzled him. "Oh, I've missed you! You've gotten bigger, you look great!"

"I've missed you too, mom." he wrapped an arm around her back with a big smile.

"Where's my little grandson, Torrent?" she asked.

"He's not so little anymore. He's still at the border with Tempest and the others. I kinda got separated and ended up here quicker."

"I can send for them." Tali said, then asked a nearby lioness to go fetch them. She left quickly and Mani called a quick "thanks!" after her.

"You have two grandsons now, mom!" Mani grinned at Kanai. "I just met this kiddo!" he gestured at the cub by their paws.

"Yes, the Kings have blessed me so." Kanai said and scooped Reon up with a paw and licked his cheek.

"Grandma, no!" he squeaked. She chuckled and placed him down gently.

"Where are Kivu and Jai? I've got to see them!" Mani said.

"Don't be teasing Jai about his cub, now." Kanai warned.

"I already tried that, mom." Tali said.

"There's no stopping me!" Mani grinned.

"I think they're at the sunning rocks. Go on before you explode with excitement." Kanai said and Mani went off. Tali and Reon stayed with her.

He found Jai at the sunning rocks, but no Kivu. Jai's brother Nundi was there and their mother Toni.

"Jai!" Mani shouted rushing into the scene. "HEY!"

"It's Mani!" Jai leaped off the rocks and head butted his old friend. "It feels so long since I've seen you. Way longer than a year."

"You've missed this pretty face, haven't you?"

"Hardly. What's new bro?" Jai asked.

"Nothing new with me. Tempest, Dayya, Drayden and Torrent are still on the way. There's something new with you though, stud!" Mani swatted Jai's yellow mane that looked bigger than the last time Mani was here.

"I guess that means you met Reon."

"Yes! I bumped into him first thing. You and my sister, wow!"

"I know..." he blushed. "I'm lucky."

"He's a really good kid, you two are doing a great job with him." Mani grinned.

"Thanks. It's not always easy. You must be an expert parent by now!"

Mani smiled with pride. "Eh maybe close to expert." he joked. "Can't wait for you to see how big he is now." Mani remembered to greet Nundi and Toni so he didn't seem rude. Nundi's orange mane had filled out into an adult lion's size since Mani was here last. It went all the way around now, but didn't cover the bottom of his chest like an older lion's would. He still had the usual expression he always had, one of indifference, as he greeted Mani. Toni, on the other hand, greeted Mani kindly with a nice smile.

"What else is new around here?" Mani asked. "Reon told me he has two friends. Are those the only two other new cubs?"

"Kendi and Ora are the only two. Kendi is Kivu and Ciara's daughter. Ora is Jayden and Dark's daughter. They had her about four months after you and your pride went home. Kendi was born two months after that."

"Wow..." Mani thought a moment. "So Ora is around eight months old and Kendi is six?" Jai nodded. "Reon is the youngest?"

Jai nodded again. "Yep."

"So it took you that long to get with my sister?!" Mani teased and Jai blushed again.

"This is awkward." Jai muttered while Nundi snickered and their mother had pretended she hadn't heard and was very busy cleaning her paws.

Mani laughed, "Well come on, I need to see Kivu and his daughter! Where is he?"

"I'm not sure, but I'll help you find them." Jai said and together they set off.