New Start, New Heart (Private for TheWhistlerify)

[LeopardessGracie]

The anger in Gracie's eyes welled into tears, she wasn't going to back down from this one easily. Roark had hurt her for the last time.
"No, I will not give you a break! No lion shouldn't hurt their own cubs! You are a disgrace!", she shouted back at him, voice shaking slightly in anger.

[TheWhistlerify]

Roark wasn't really upset about what Gracie was saying, the very fact that she was protecting those stupid hairballs was getting on his nerves. "Be quiet!" he said, striking her with the back of his paw. This wasn't the first time he ever raised a paw on Gracie. Shani saw this and was horrified.

[LeopardessGracie]

The blow nearly swept her off her paws, but Gracie still stood, glaring at the lion. Chaka closed his eyes, he didn't like seeing his mother get hurt, and by the look on Shani's face, neither did she.

"I'm not doing what you say anymore Roark!", she replied, growling as she did so. She turned around and went back to her cubs. She knew she couldn't leave, not just yet anyway. He needed to be gone, and she knew he wouldn't think she was brave or stronger enough to leave. He was wrong.

[TheWhistlerify]

Roark simply looked at her with an evil grin. "You will, or the cubs will get it." he couldn't help but smirk to himself as the lioness walked away. The one good thing about those cubs was that he could always used their safety to threaten Gracie into doing what he wanted her to do. He wouldn't mind killing them if she disobeyed.

[LeopardessGracie]

Gracie could of turned around and killed the lion, but of course, she wouldn't fall to his level. Never had she felt such a hatred towards one being. She would give into him, for the cubs sake. Chaka looked up to his mother as she began to lick his scars, he winced slightly, but he let her.

"Mum, I don't mind getting hurt", he whispered, obviously lying to make his mum happy, "I don't want you to get hurt". Gracie carried on licking him,
"No one should be getting hurt", she said loud and clear. She didn't even glance at Roark as she tended to her cub's fresh wounds.

[TheWhistlerify]

Shani crawled closer to her mother, nuzzling against her leg. "Are you alright mom?" she asked quietly, not wanting Roark to hear them.

[LeopardessGracie]

Gracie put on a brave face, she always did for her cubs. She gave Shani a lick and lay down with her cubs, so she was there level.
"I'm fine honey". Even though the fresh bruising was appearing and her face stung, she smiled.

She lowered her head a little more and whispered, "Hey, what do you think about going on an adventure? Just me, and you two". Chaka's ears perked towards her direction, and his eyes glowed with wonder of what his mother meant.

[TheWhistlerify]

Shani's expression brightened up at the idea. "You mean... Going away from here?" going away from their cruel father? "I'd love that." maybe they'd get lost on the way and will never find their way back.

[LeopardessGracie]

Gracie nodded, but she herself was excited at the little plan unfolding in her head. But she gave a little 'shh' sound and continued,
"You know your father mentioned a couple of weeks ago he'd be gathering lions to make a Pride?". Chaka nodded, remembering it faintly. "Well, seeing as he's going away for a while, I think we should!", she whispered excitedly. She didn't want to say they were never coming back, they might get a little too excited.

[TheWhistlerify]

Shani smiled, the very idea of not seeing her father for a while exciting her, regardless of whether they went away or not. "Alright, sounds great." she said, excitedly yet quietly because of the 'shh' sound her mother gave them a moment ago. She was already looking forward to it; just her, her brother and their mother without anybody making their lives miserable, just like old times.