With a thunderous bang from above, the black clouds brought a welcomed end to the dry eason.  It was a very bad dry season this year, and the rains brought a promise of food and water - the two essentials of life.  In these lands lived a pride of lions twenty strong.  Yonabi was the protector of the pride.  And even thought their was a bad dry season this year, his mate, Kitiana, did her best to get her hunting party to always bring back food.  It had been tough times, but everyone survived this year, courtesy of Kitiana and her and her hunting party's hunting
capabilities.
        Yonabi and Kitiana had been together for many rainy seasons and had lived though many troubled times.  Throughout it all, they had come to know and respect each other. Yonabi was a handsome lion with a glorious mane and a golden-yellow pelt.  He was very strong and muscular.  Kitiana was sleek and beautiful, the picture of health.  She was very intelligent and she and
Yonabi were a perfect couple.
        Their pride consisted of sisters and aunts, daughters and cousins.  There were even a few lone lionesses that were taken in.  All were very  close to each other and were very supportive in times of need.  In fact, Yonabi was extremely supportive and protective of Kitiana.  He felt he had to protect her because she was his pride (no pun intended) and joy.  Kitiana was the world to him.  Yonabi always told her to be careful when she went hunting with the hunting party.
    "Watch out for hooves," he would call to her.  Kitiana always said nothing, but she would give a
loving glance and a wink at him.  Yonabi always knew she was careful but was still worried for her safety.
        There was one fateful hunt for Kitiana, however.  It was to change the whole pride, especially Kitiana and Yonabi.

*       *       *       *       *

        With the rains came food, and plenty of it.  Kitiana, Yonabi, and the rest of the pride were resting during midday under a shady tree, doing what lions do best.  Then, through a blinking eye, Kitiana saw a chance for an easy meal.  A small herd of zebras were grazing nearby.  Although
she was plump with new additions to the pride, she couldn't pass up the easy meal.  She scanned out an old zebra that walked with a slight limp.  Overestimating the strength the zebra might have, Kitiana decided she could take down the animal herself.  She didn't want to wake the whole pride up, and plus, this would show everyone, especially her worry-wart mate, Yonabi, that even though she was pregnant, she was still fully capable of hunting and taking care of herself.
        So, slowly she crept downwind through the tall blades of grass, making no sounds at all.  She was a very experienced huntress, perhaps the best around for miles.  She got within 5 feet of the zebra, her ears were flat, green eyes at full focus, body low to the ground.  She waited for
a few minutes to make sure all was set.
        With a lightning leap and a blur of fur, Kitiana attacked the surprised zebra.  Kitiana sunk her old, but razor-sharp claws into the soft, black-and-white rump of the zebra.  She carefully stayed out of the path of the kicking hooves, as she had done a hundred times before; however, something went horribly wrong.  The zebra began to buck erratically, throwing Kitiana everywhere as she clung on for her life and for her little ones' lives.  On the next buck, Kitiana lost her grip and fell
right into the path of the zebra's wild kicking.  With one kick to the stomach, Kitiana was finally thrown off and she lay in the trampled grass writhing in pain.
       At first, Kitiana could only think of the stinging, sharp pain all over her battered body  especially her stomach.  After a few seconds, she finally realized what had happened.
        "Oh no. My cubs!  MY CUBS!!," screamed Kitiana.
Through all the action that took place, Yonabi and his pride were sleeping in such a deep sleep that they had heard nothing. But Kitiana's screaming woke Yonabi.  As fast as a yellow bullet, Yonabi ran to help his mate and to see what was wrong.
        "What is it?!  What's wrong?!  Have you been hurt?!  What happened?! What -"
        "Yonabi! Stop asking questions!"
Kitiana told him what had happened.  Yonabi was speechless. Finally he blurted out,
        "Do you think the little ones are hurt?"
        "Hopefully not.  But I did get a hard kick to the stomach.  Oh gosh, pray to our God our cubs are alright!"
        "For now you must get some rest my love," Yonabi said, fearing the worst but trying to make the scene more optimistic.  "Maybe there's nothing wrong and you're probably just a little shook up."
        "I hope you're right Yonabi.  I hope you're right."
        Kitiana began to cry as she and her mate slowly walked back to their home with several lionesses following behind, heads hung low.

*       *       *       *       *

        Several months passed and it was obvious that Kitiana had lost her cubs due to her hunting accident.  Kitiana always thought about why she had did what she did.
        "Why did I have to be so stupid?!!  Why couldn't I have thought about my cubs over my own self?!!  Why me?!!," Kitiana would ask herself over and over.  She never stopped blaming herself.  She never did anything. She would just lie around and sleep and yell at herself.  She never
helped on hunts anymore.
        "You have to stop this Kitiana," Yonabi would tell her.  "It's not your fault. It was an accident.  They happen to the best -"
        "NO! I should have thought about what I was doing!  It's my fault!"
        "No, it's not Kitiana.  Get over it!  You must let it go and get on with your life, our life.  Everyone is worried for you.  Plus it was a long time ago.  We will have other chances."
        "So you're saying it was okay I lost our cubs."  Kitiana couldn't believe what Yonabi was saying.
        "No, I'm not saying that," by this point Yonabi had had enough.
        "I'm only saying that I love you and you must learn to get over the accident.  It's not anyone's fault.  No one's to blame.  I love you a lot Kitiana and I need you to be your old self; the Kitiana I once knew."
        Deeply touched, Kitiana smiled.  It felt good.  She had not smiled ever since that horrible day.
        "Yes, I guess you're right Yonabi.  I have been a hermit.  I'll try my hardest to forgive myself.  If it's alright with you, I would like to wait awhile before we decide we're ready for cubs again."
        'Sure Kitiana.  We can talk.  For now, let's enjoy the beautiful day and go for a walk."

*       *       *       *       *

        Indeed it was a beautiful day.  Yonabi and Kitiana were walking around their homelands discussing the past and future.  They stopped by the water hole, which was now flooded with water, for a drink.
        "Thanks Yonabi.  Thank you for putting up with me these past few months.  I have been a pain.  This walk with you has been great."
        "I'm glad you're back Kitiana.  I love you so much."
        With that Yonabi and Kitiana gave each other a little snuggle.
Then they began to walk home, but Kitiana noticed something in the distance. She wasn't sure what it was.  She focused her eyes on the object.  It was pretty far away.  Once she figured out what it was, she was horrified and definitely did not want Yonabi to see it.  So she quickened their walking pace, hoping Yonabi wouldn't see it.
        "Kitiana," Yonabi complained, "why are you walking so fast? What's wrong?"
        "Oh, um…, I just really want to get home to see the others.  I have to plan the hunt tonight.  Yes, that's it.  I have to plan the hunt tonight with the others."  Kitiana knew she didn't sound plausible.  She was hoping, however, that Yonabi would believe her lame excuse.
        "I'm not stupid Kitiana.  What's your rush?  Is there something you don't want me to see?"
        "NO!  I mean, no.  I told you.  I have to get home to plan the hunt that's all.  If I don't get home, I'll forget the great idea I have to get a lot of food tonight."  Kitiana broke into a fast trot.
        Yonabi stopped.  "Kitiana, I'm not going to move until you tell me what is going on here."  Yonabi was getting very suspicious of something.
        "Yonabi, my love.  You know me very well.  Would I lie to you?"
Kitiana looked seductively at her mate.
        Yonabi felt he had to give in.  "I guess you're right.  You would tell me if something was wrong, right?"
        "Of course, of course.  Thanks for believing me."  Kitiana was glad she finally got him to come with her.  In fact, she was relieved.  Yonabi took one last scan before he trotted along side his mate. Yonabi was still a little suspicious, but he decided to let it go.  That was the first clue for Yonabi.

*       *       *       *       *

Kitiana and Yonabi finally reached their home.
        "So what's your plan for tonight's hunt?" asked Yonabi.
        "What plan, oh THAT plan.  Well, I'm gonna go talk to the others right now about it."
        "Can't you tell me?  Why are you being so secretive and weird Kitiana?  I'm starting to really worry about you."
Kitiana was a little offended at the word "weird."
        "What do you mean 'weird'?"
        "Well, when we were walking home, you weren't exactly training for a marathon when you started to run."
        "Must we go through this again?  I don't want to discuss the plan with you.  Besides, you're not hunting with us anyway.  I told you.  I ran home so I wouldn't forget my plan.  Now can we please drop this whole ordeal?"
        "Okay, okay.  But I must know if something is out there.  I must protect all of us, and to do this I must know if something is wrong.  Forgive me my love."  Yonabi smiled, showing all his teeth is such a goofy grin.  Kitiana had to laugh.
        "I'm going to gather the other lionesses and we're going to hunt.  See you in a little while Yonabi."
        "Take care Kitiana."
        Kitiana walked off to where the others were resting.
        "I've got to watch out and not trip over my own tongue or actions," Kitiana mumbled to herself.  "If I'm not careful, he's gonna find out. That would definitely be bad."  Kitiana shuddered at the thought of Yonabi finding out.  "Well, I guess I better get hunting."

*       *       *       *       *

        It was a good hunt that night and everyone ate very well.  There were no empty stomachs tonight.
        "Well," Yonabi spoke between washing his face and paws, "I must admit Kitiana, that you had a very good plan."
        "Thanks.  See, I told you I had a plan."
        "I should have never doubted you."  Yonabi felt a sense of guilt smother him.
        "Tha's okay.  I understand why you did."  Kitiana felt a heavy weight lift from her shoulders.
        "Thank God he forgot about it," she thought to herself.
After everyone cleaned up, they all retired to the den for some shuteye.  Sleep would not come easily or peacefully to Kitiana however.

*       *       *       *       *

        Kitiana tossed and turned.  She was having a nightmare of her hunting accident.  In her mind, she saw the whole event flash before her again and again.  Then, she saw another vision.  Her mind recreated the scene this afternoon.  Over and over it played, each time Kitiana was pushed
closer and closer to the thing she saw today until all she could see and smell and feel was him, the thing she tried to hide from her mate.
        "GO AWAY!," Kitiana screamed in her sleep.  "GET AWAY FROM ME!!"  Now she was furiously pawing, with claws fully extended, at the air, trying to get away from him.  Yonabi was awakened with Kitiana's violent movements and screaming.
        "Kitiana," Yonabi shook her lightly in hopes to wake her up.  "Wake up! You're having a nightmare."
Kitiana stopped and opened her eyes.
        "What-  where am I?"
        "You're here in our den.  Kitiana what's wrong with you?"
        "Oh, it's you Yonabi.  Thank the Heavens it's you!!"  Kitiana hugged her mate for reassurance.
        "What were you dreaming about?  It must have been really dreadful.  You almost swiped me with your paws too!"
        "I'm sorry.  I didn't know what I was doing.  To be honest, I can't remember what my dream was about.  I only remember that it was extremely scary."  Kitiana was lying.  She knew exactly what her dream was about.  She just didn't want Yonabi to find out about him.
        "In your dream you shouted 'go away' and 'get away from me.' Who were you talking to?"
        Kitiana went ghost white.  "Oh no!  He's caught me red-pawed! What am I going to do now?!," Kitiana thought to herself.  She searched her mind thinking of yet another lame excuse.
        "I can't remember," was all Kitiana could spit out.
        "Are you cold or something?  You look like you've seen a ghost."
Yonabi was again suspicious of his mate.
        "I'm just cold and tired," was Kitiana's response.  "Let's go back to sleep."  Kitiana nudged her mate.
        "You're right my love.  I'm tired and I'm sure you're tired too."
        Kitiana and Yonabi curled up next to each other and slept peacefully the rest of the night; however, Yonabi still was shook up about those two things Kitiana had said.  "Who was she saying that to?," was all he could think about.  He let the question go long enough to fall asleep.
That was the second clue for Yonabi.

*       *       *       *       *

Yonabi awoke early the next morning.  He rolled over, expecting to see Kitiana, but all he saw was a cold, flat stone beside him.
        "Now where could she be?" Yonabi quietly asked himself.  The rest of the pride was still asleep, so he silently slipped out of the den in search of Kitiana.
The great lion didn't have to look far because Kitiana was nearby, drinking from the waterhole.  Noiselessly, Yonabi walked up alongside his mate and began to drink with Kitiana.  Kitiana was a little startled; she even jumped a little. Yonabi noticed this and he asked,
        "Kitiana, what's wrong?  You haven't been the same lately."
        "I'm fine.  You just crept up beside me so quietly that you startled me, that's all. I'm fine, really."  Kitiana fought her brain and mouth.  While she was drinking at the water hole she thought about telling  Yonabi about her past.  But now that she had the chance to, she couldn't.
        "Are you sure?  Kitiana, you can tell me if something's wrong, you know that."
        "Yes, I'm sure.  There's nothing wrong."  Kitiana knew she couldn't cover her past forever, but she decided that for now, what Yonabi didn't know wouldn't hurt him.
        "Do you want to go on an early-morning stroll?" Yonabi asked.
        "Sure. I'd love that," Kitiana answered.  But, Kitiana would forever regret that she said "yes," for Yonabi was going to meet Kitiana's fear today.

* * * * *

Yonabi and Kitiana were walking for about ten minutes.  All the while they talked about whether or not they were ready for more cubs. Suddenly, Yonabi noticed a dark figure crossing to wide-open, yellow Savannah.  The figure was so far away that it was hard to tell the direction it was moving.
        "What's that?" Yonabi asked his mate.
        "What's what?"
        "That," Yonabi pointed, "that figure."
Kitiana's mouth dropped to the earthen floor and her eyes almost popped out (figuratively speaking).
        "OH, NO!!," Kitiana thought.  "IT"S HIM!!!  Yonabi must NOT meet him!!"
To try and deter her mate from the figure she quickly said,
        "Oh, I don't see anything.  It must be the hot, burning circle in the sky giving you hallucinations."
        "No.  I see it clearly.  Hey!  It's coming towards us.  I can see it now!  It's a male lion!  I better go see what he wants-"
        "NO!!  Maybe he wants to kill you or something!  You better not Yonabi!  Let's just keep walking."  Kitiana was desperately trying to get Yonabi to change his mind.
        "Kitiana," Yonabi said sternly, "I must protect my mate, my pride, and my lands.  I WILL NOT have an intruder on my lands!  I must go see what he wants."  Yonabi told his mate to stay behind and wait for him to return.  He walked towards the lion.
Kitiana was now in shock.  Her emotions were on overload.  "What if he finds out?!  What will he do?!" Kitiana kept asking herself.
Yonabi walked closer to the other lion.  The strange lion didn't seem rushed because he walked at a slow pace, obviously taking his time.  Yonabi sized up this "intruder" as he walked towards him.  He was very well built and he had a dark pelt that was almost black.  His mane was large and it too, was almost black.
Finally, they met.
        "My name is Yonabi.  These are my lands.  What do you want?"
        "My name is Zanaku.  And I'm fully aware that these are your lands.  I'm only here to get what's mine," Zanaku said slyly.
Yonabi didn't like this lion.  Especially the way he answered the question.
        "What are you talking about??"
        "Well, your so-called "mate" should know what I'm here for."
Yonabi took a glance back at Kitiana.  Then he turned back towards Zanaku.
        "What are you saying?  Are you looking for trouble?  Because you've found it!" said Yonabi angrily.
        "Wait.  I don't want to fight you.  Besides, I'd probably win anyway."
This enraged Yonabi.  He forced this strange lion to back up.
        "Take it easy!  I just want my property," Zanaku said.
        "If you don't tell me what you want, I'm gonna shred you alive!!"
Yonabi was furious.
        "Must I spell it out for you?  Your lovely "mate", as you call her, owes me my cubs.  And I've come to get them."

* * * * *

     Yonabi was enraged.  Anger flooded his body and mind.  All the anger in Yonabi built up in his muscles now.  He leaped at Zanaku and pinned him.
     “I don’t know what you’re trying to start, but I’m going to rip you apart.  Do you have anything to say before you die?!”  Yonabi seemed out of his mind.
     Zanaku was startled at Yonabi’s strength.  He underestimated the power of this lion.  Yonabi was beginning to crush Zanaku with his weight.
     “Why don’t…..you…..ask…..Kitiana?”  Zanaku sputtered out the words as he struggled for air.  Coughing as his lungs were trying to suck in fresh air under the pressure.
     “I suppose I should hear both sides before I kill you.”  Yonabi did not release his pin, but only pinned him harder to the ground.
     “Kitiana!!”  Yonabi called to her.
Kitiana was observing everything and ran up to Yonabi and Zanaku.  Yonabi immediately noticed the guilty and afraid look on her face.
     “Well?  What is this lion talking about?!”
     “I could not hear what he said.”  Kitiana was very afraid and Yonabi sensed this in her voice.
     “I’m not stupid Kitiana.  I think you know very well what he said even if you say you “didn’t hear him.”  Is it true?!”
     “NO!  Yonabi, are you serious?!”
     “Yes!  Kitiana, I want to know whose cubs you were carrying!”
All the while Kitiana and Yonabi were confronting each other, Zanaku was being crushed more and more.  He tried to speak to ask what did the “were carrying” mean, but he was having enough time struggling to get enough air into his lungs.
     “Yonabi, those cubs were yours!  How could you ask such a question?!”
     “Because for a long time now I’ve been suspecting something about you.  And then, this lion comes along and only makes my suspicions grow!  Kitiana, our relationship has seriously come into question here!”
Kitiana was speechless.  Yonabi had pretty much known all along!  Why did he hide it?
     “Alright Yonabi.  I’ll give you your answer.  Remember about a year ago, when you left to gain more land for the pride, well one night he (she pointed to Zanaku) came around.  I was asleep in our den and he came in.  I thought it was you and that you had come back early, and, well, I think you know the rest.  The next morning I awoke, expecting to find you lying beside me, but there was no one, only a cold, flat rock.  So to answer your question, he (again she pointed to the pinned Zanaku) was the father of my cubs.”
Now, Yonabi was speechless.  He couldn’t believe what his ears had just heard.
     “Kitiana, how could you??!!  I trusted you!”
     “It was a mistake!  I thought it was you!”
     Still, Yonabi was pinning Zanaku.  But, then he released his pin from Zanaku.
     “Okay Kitiana.  If you don’t want me, then take HIM (Yonabi glared at Zanaku) and leave.”
     Zanaku gasped for air.  He staggered to his paws.
     “Why…..did…..you lie…..Kitiana?”  Zanaku struggled to speak.
     “Because I love Yonabi, and YOU were a mistake!”  Kitiana broke down into tears.
     “Yonabi, forgive me!”  Kitiana begged Yonabi.  She ran to be comforted by him, but he just pushed her away.
     “NO.  Take him and go.  You must never come back Kitiana.  Never.  If you do, than you will not leave alive.  The same goes for you Zanaku.  I should have killed you when I had the chance.  Now go!”  Yonabi was very hurt.  His heart was broken and his mind was engulfed in hate and anger.
     “Yonabi!”  Kitiana cried.
     “No, you know what happens when someone betrays the pride and those same rules go for you.  Now leave my presence!”
     Kitiana was extremely upset and ran away from Yonabi, across the Savannah, crying the whole time.  Yonabi looked at Zanaku and walked back towards his den.  Zanaku just stood there and decided to sit down and catch his breath.  He finally got what he wanted, Kitiana to break up with Yonabi’s Pride.  The plan was all set now; everything was a go.

* * * * *
To Be Continued.....