Be Born With Good Destiny

[XxRinaRoguexX]

PART XIV (Chapter 14)

"And this is what I get for not going to hunting lessons Rika" the lioness mumbled. While she crouched low in the grass and waited for the antelopes to stop catching onto her obvious presence near them, all she could do was hope that they would somehow lose their instincts that something was hunting them and stay put. It wasn't a question as to whether or not Rika was fast enough; it was more of whether or not her large and long limbs decided to be quick as her temper was to flare. And with the blazing eyes of hers practically setting the fields on fire, she was sure she was going to stop paying more attention to the targets and more of making sure she showed the other antelopes that the one she was going to catch was going to be the largest, and juciest one. That'll show em, she thought while rolling her shoulders, teach 'em to laugh at me and get away with it! She was of course, just imagining them laughing at her, but it seemed real enough to her. And so with another attempt that was sure to be successful this time, the lioness leaped forward already figuring out that the prey had figured she was close as they were unusually light on their feet as opposed to completely surprised antelope who were clumsy on their hooves to begin which gave the hunter the advantage. As she bounded forward and let the grasses swipe her across her orange pelt, she could feel her anger clouding her vision but she kept those blue hues of hers on the prize.

Rika shot forward at a break neck pace to meet the side of the hunted, ever so closely keeping her eyes on where it was leaping so she could catch it on the wrong leap and knock it over to her advantage. But alas, while she was paying too much attention to what was beside her, she forgot that there would be things in front of her. THUD! Into a tree from what seemed like out of no where, Rika identified herself as a cartoon character while she slid down the trunk and onto the ground. If anyone had seen her...she would have been seen as a loser. Oh what did she care? An agitated growl seeped through her lips while she tried to think less about the pain in her head and more about the pain in the neck it was to try and catch one of those stupid things on her own. Usually, she had the rest of the pride females with her to help out in catching their meal, but today was different. Today, she was hunting all by herself because she wasn't hunting for her own food-- she was hunting for Aber. It had been like that for the past few weeks, as the two Outlanders had been locked away in that creepy cave for almost a month, and Rika had been barely managing to provide for them. Sometimes she would have to scavenge for left over bits from the pride's dinner, or even risk her behind to sneak over to another pride's meal and take some bits. All for some stinkin' Outlanders. But she obviously didn't think that badly of them if she was trying so hard to get them some food in order to survive another day.

The lioness was about to get herself off the ground to look for some scraps when she saw a dash of dark brown and caramel whiz past her eyes and into the hunting grounds. It was none other than Jasira, and her eyes were set on the same antelope that Rika was going after a few short moments ago-- and unlike Rika, Jasira was unusually good at this kind of thing. All Rika could do was watch with her eyes wide and her mouth scrunched to the side in defeat while her blues followed the best friend of hers to the successful kill and a smug look over her face. "Did I get what you wanted?"

"Shut up" she replied with her eyebrow raised and paws crossed over each other. They were joking of course, but Rika would never let Jasira know that it secretly ticked her off inside to know that a younger female than her would be able to do it without any real hassle. Jasira was many things, and something she wasn't was a failure. In anything. Rika's grin brimmed brightly when Jasira dragged the dead meat over to them and dropped it. "Thanks".

"No probs, let's chow down--"

"No!" Rika stopped the lioness right as she was about to take a hunk of meat out of the neck, and Jasira's green eyes looked up at her best friend to search what the startling stop was meant for; if the meat wasn't for them, then who? Usually Rika was able to tell Jasira anything with the firm and knowledgeable knowing that Jasira would keep her mouth shut but she knew herself that if Jasira were to somehow slip the lip about her little trouble making, she would be in so much trouble that she would probably be kicked out of the pride. There was no other choice-- she would have to tell the truth. "It's for mom". Okay, borderline truth; Aber was a mother. With her answer, and Rika's face showing a truthful expression, Jasira backed away from the carcass and nodded while she looked up at her best friend.

"Need me to help you carry it there?" How thoughtful...but unneeded.

"No no, I can carry it on my own" replied the orange lioness. Jasira, though she was allowing Rika to get off with the simple answer of giving it to her mother was not done once auburn female spotted the slightest smirk on her bestie's face. "What?"

"So you can carry it, but you can't catch it?"

"I just can't, okay?!" This was starting to get annoying-- not to mention Jasira was teasing the older lioness in front of her without mercy. Like Rika needed any more reminders that she couldn't catch something without having her head slam into a tree once or twice in the process.

Jasira only laughed at her best friend's reaction and thus turned herself around. "Whatever you say, Rika". That was such a sarcastic tone she strutted through the air with her tail so high and head just as high that she couldn't even drown if she was walking into water but it was something that Rika loved about the younger lioness. When Jasira walked away with a last look over to the orange scruffy female, Rika replied back with a smile all the while sticking her tongue out for show that she was aware Jasira's jokes were light hearted and she was acting in the same manner back. And now that there was no one to witness the apparent treason, Rika hauled the corpse back to the Naborhi lions' den with much effort and little break along the way-- yes she ran into a few trees along the way, but it was all in vain when she reached the den finally. As well as silencing her vocalized grunts and groans of frustration at how heavy the death she towed was and the legs she walked with were so seemingly weak, she slowed herself down to heighten the sense of sound she would have for those around her.

Where two rocks collided over head to create a large shadow over her body, that was when she knew she was right in front of the prison cave without having to take her eyes off what was in front of her. It was helpful to be so aware as she was of her surroundings that would increase her sneaky cat nature as well as warn her of any kind of activity of being spied on. She doubted she was going to be though-- none of the lionesses or lions were that stalk-ish. Really, the only one she had to be worried about was her mother, Vasha-- she was scarily good at reading her daughter like an open book no matter how closed the covers may be. The issue of the rock barrier that kept the largest bit of light from entering the cave wasn't much of an issue for Rika as it was probably the adrenaline coursing through her veins at the moment that was fueling her new found strength to get the boulder moved aside. It wasn't much of a hassle, but she still had to chip in minimal efforts to make sure that the thing was moved and would stay to the side in time for her to be able to get the meat in and get out before any other lions from the pride would catch onto her. Slowly but surely she crawled in with the obvious recognition that she was bearing food with the smell of death and fresh meat swirling around the air to the noses of the Outlanders in the cave to catch on and come over to help her. When she was sure they could take it from there, the orange female relieved herself of the task and took a breather while the duo shared the feast.

But Aber was nothing short of mannerisms, "thank you, Rika". Rika smiled with a don't-mention-it expression while she toppled over and relaxed her body to mold to the rocks on the floor. Her eyes could never be closed when she was this awake so she could examine the lovely formation of rocks that made up the 'home' of these two, while listening to growling (no doubt from Zayar) and the ripping of fresh flesh. Pretty soon the smell was intoxicating her own nose and that was when she knew it was time to leave for the best of not getting distracted by the fact that she was now hungry. But what a nice smell...and nice looking catch...despite the bloody muzzles and obvious pleasure the two were getting in the free lunch, she couldn't help but stare. She had skipped breakfast this morning in order to sleep in while the pride did some hunting-- including teaching lessons to the new adults of the pride.

"See you guys later" she bid farewell to the mother-son pair while she reminded herself that there were a few bits and pieces from this morning she saw when she was hunting left over. If someone hadn't come and picked them up already, she could have herself something to sustain her grumbling belly for at least until tomorrow and without even noticing Zayar and his mother watching her out, she closed the rock over the enterance and trotted off to get herself something to eat.

"Mother, huh?" The voice almost sent Rika into a fit while she sprung up from the ground and landed back down only to have her claws extended from obvious shock of the sound coming from out of no where. But of course, she knew that the remark could have only come from the lioness whom had helped her to get the meat she had dragged this far, seeing her round the corner with an obviously raised eyebrow and dropped jaw. "Rika you know if you get caught you're in major trouble". Well no duh, that's why she was being so secretive about it-- even to her best friend whom she told everything to! Was it really time for lectures right now? ...well she had nothing better to do, she guessed, so there was really nothing standing in her way of completing a certain task that needed immediate attention.

"Yes Jasira, I'm aware".

"Why are you jeopardizing Duna, or even Tendai?"

Because it was the right thing to do? I have a heart? It was my fault that the lions were locked away forever in the first place? "'cause I'm stupid?" That seemed like the best answer for the this situation to get her neck out of the way of being cut by her best friend. Either from out of worry or reassuring that Rika was indeed not the brightest star in the sky sometimes, Jasira didn't really have a way of making Rika feel like she was in too much of a bad bind when she really was.

"Clearly. But that's not what I--"

Jasira and Rika were both paused in that little locked one-on-one with each other when they spotted a male running towards them. It was the flashy Sy and he looked like he was in a hurry to find the two of them. "You guys, come quick!" He sped off, but Rika and Jasira caught up with no trouble at all seeing as how they had just started running.

"Sy, what's going on?" Rika questioned while she moved her body at the same pace as he did, Jasira close at her side.

"It's Adeola and Buziba! You gotta come quick!" Something about them? Could Adeola or Buziba had been in trouble? Or both of them being in some kind of danger? It couldn't have been that bad for what Rika thought-- Adeola was the eldest daughter of Tendai, so there was non-stop speculation of what was going on with that lioness. Rika could even remember when she first got together with Buziba that Tendai was giving the new male a pretty hard time though he was eventually let into the pride to be with his mate. Hey, it was either Adeola stays close to home where daddy and step-mommy could keep a close eye on her, or Adeola rebel and leave to who knows where for no one to probably ever see her again. But eventually over time Buziba was just like family, and Tendai grew fond of the young male that suited his daughter. But now something was happening to them? What could it have been, and why was Sy looking so rushed?

[Azdgari]

Through chapter 12! Quite a bit going on right now! I assumed it would start to focus on Odion and Montsho, but it looks like we'll be exploring Zayar and Aber's fate for a while, at least in between quite a bit of Rika-drama with Auzhane. At least Reth is around to keep things grounded. I'm excited to read more, RR. You've done a wonderful job so far. I have to say, though, Rika is pretty quickly accepting of the apparently pride-murdering lion that just tried to kill her... could there be more to the story? It seems a bit far fetched to me. :3

Well, only time will tell! Keep it up! Great work as always! ^^

[XxRinaRoguexX]

[quote="Azdgari"]Through chapter 12! Quite a bit going on right now! I assumed it would start to focus on Odion and Montsho, but it looks like we'll be exploring Zayar and Aber's fate for a while, at least in between quite a bit of Rika-drama with Auzhane. At least Reth is around to keep things grounded. I'm excited to read more, RR. You've done a wonderful job so far. I have to say, though, Rika is pretty quickly accepting of the apparently pride-murdering lion that just tried to kill her... could there be more to the story? It seems a bit far fetched to me. :3

Well, only time will tell! Keep it up! Great work as always! ^^[/quote]
Your question actually reminded me of what I wanted to add in in the next few chapters-- thanks for the comment as well Adzgari! Much appreciated, and always a pleasure to hear from you my friend : )

[XxRinaRoguexX]

PART XV (Chapter 15)

With the great build up of what Sy had been screaming and yelling about, getting Jasira and Rika worried that there might be something worse going on with the lioness and her mate, they couldn't have gotten there any faster. And to what they saw...it shocked them. There, where they were being circled around by frantic females and proud looking males, Adeola lay down with a new bundle of fur in her grip and smiling up at her mate. Rika-- or anyone for that matter-- had never seen Adeola so happy and light with her expression and mood before. It was kind of weird for them to look at but also really nice. Seeing such a side of Adeola that had been there for the longest time and never exposed was an eye-opener for Rika on how you could never judge someone by the color of their pelt. When she caught sight of Duna and Tendai looking over the golden newly-blessed mother, she reminded herself that she was probably the only one in the Naborhi pride that remembered just that: you can't judge someone by the color of their fur. How would people have judged her based on hers? It brought her then to look up at her best friend, who was now across from her and looking down at the bundle of fluff Adeola cradled so lovingly. If they had judged Reth when he was first here...I wouldn't have my best friend standing right in front of me... Were the words said out loud? She couldn't have thought any less as Reth tilted his head up to look the lioness right in the eyes and smiled. All she could do was smile back, not wanting to ruin anything of this joyous occasion. Rika, still being the cubbish female she was, smiled brightly enough for the entire pride to take notice, as did Adeola. Buziba, knowing full well how Rika was capable of being so gentle from his talks with Reth on their patrols, smiled down at her. "Would you like to come take a better look at him?"

She couldn't have jumped over any quicker, but just enough so she couldn't scare the baby. The air around her was thick with jealousy as the young female was the first to get to see the newborn up close as opposed to the other mothers of the pride who had helped Adeola through it all to begin with. When Rika's nose entered into Adeola's chest to look over the cub, only then did it move to greet everyone with its large and tired features. The orange lioness moved away of course when she saw that Adeola was going to extend her tongue to lick her new baby...what gender was it? Before she could even look up to the father to ask which of the two it could be, he smiled down and mouthed 'boy' and then returned his gaze back to his new son. Had Rika reverted back into a curious cub? All she found herself doing was staring wide-eyed at the thing, and eventually sitting herself down with neck hunched to the lowest it could go to view the baby in all its glory. The boy was a dark tanned color with a creamy white underbelly, muzzle, and paws. His tail, no matter how short it was, sported little tufts of black-ish fur like his father's mane. His coloring on his nose and ear insides were thanks to his mother as they were bright pink, and his eyes shined with a dull grayish-blue tone thanks to his parents' combined hue colors. One marking that struck her as odd was the brown stripe down his forehead to his tail; none of his parents had any such marking. Perhaps it was passed down from a generation before? Well, whatever the reason, he was still too cute to comprehend. "What are you guys gonna name him?" Asked the young adult female.

They already had their answer and it was obvious when they looked up at each other. "Coujoe" answered Buziba. Rika mentally examined the name while gazing over the happily blessed family. Buziba was easy to read when everyone looked over him-- he was too pleased to be a father. As for Adeola, though she looked shaken and tired, she was pleased as well and even more so when she looked up the father of her cub. It must have been so wonderful them to know that each other was going to be there through thick and thin, and their love was so strong that they turned it into a baby. "Our little Coujoe". Rika's smile brimmed at the edges for her pride members, and even more to the cub. He was so innocent and small, not knowing what life held for him. But he was sure to find out soon enough, and to his luck he had a high ranking father and a do-it-yourself kind of mother who happened to be next in line for the Naborhi pride female leader position.

It got her thinking about judgements all over again. When she first met Adeola as they were young cubs, she was much different from how she is now but no one knew she had this kind of side. When they were entering early adulthood, their generation met Buziba and he instantly took a liking to young Adeola. Quickly it became clear that she took a liking to the new male as well, as they were spending countless hours together of the day and were always by each others' sides. So it was only natural for the two to get together at the peak of their years so they could ultimately make the other feel good from the start and not face the hardships of single life until later on when they could potentially aid the others lonesomeness when it was too late for Adeola to give birth. Maybe by some kind of stroke of luck or very well thought out planning from the Great Kings of the Past above, they were meant to be together. Thinking about it only made Rika smile more when she knew that it would be the same for everyone on the planet-- including her. Her sights were brought back up to Reth again, only to find his eyes were already on her as well. Rika smiled up at her best friend and thought about all they had gone through to get to this point in their friendship, but it was soon drowned out by the small yawning of mother and son. "Alright everyone, let's let these three have some time to rest" Tendai announced happily while peering down at his daughter and grandson. Though it was tough to get everyone to leave without some form of insubordination, they all eventually left without much of a sound and got back to their normal day routines.

While Rika started to walk back to where the hunt apparently was this morning, she felt someone brush up against her side only to find it was the older adult male she had been thinking about while in the cave with the new parents. "Cute little scruff ball, eh?" Reth strolled through the grasses with his best friend and she smiled over at him.

"I knew this day would come, but I didn't think it would come this quick. I didn't even know the princess was pregnant" she thought out loud to herself again, making the male chuckle at how she could be so dense sometimes. All she could do was smile at him and look ahead to where they were walking. Eventually, they ended up in the same field Rika was laying in just the morning she had fought with Auzhane without even realizing it. While both of them remained silent, their thoughts were racing with words they couldn't put into sentences until Rika broke the ice. "You never judged me". Reth looked down curiously at her. "Even when we were growing up and anyone would have thrown me aside from how much of a brat I was being, you didn't. You were always there and never far behind me". Reth's eyes were softening and his body was more relaxed when he was brought back to memories.

"How could I have?" He took his sights from Rika to the spot they lay that one time and then back down into her blue hues, "you were a cub who just didn't know how to handle all the personality". They both smirked.

"I was a little bit of a brat, wasn't I?" She had never spoken with her parents like she had Reth, and most of the time it was Reth who was acting in place of Bezz'i, whom he neither got along with or spoke to any longer unless it was for business.

"Yeah, you were" replied the male. Well, he wasn't lying. The only friend Rika had when she was younger was the little Jasira and that was it. She was rough, loud, and obnoxious with other cubs and somehow the adults seemed to find it so entertaining to watch. They were the only ones who could seem to stand her, while her fellow cubs did their best to avoid being near her. Eventually Reth caught on that she needed someone near her age besides Jasira but he never expected to develop such strong emotions for her; being the best friend to Rika was like second nature in no time, but along the way...something else had happened within him. "No one saw what I did in you," he started with the instant catch of her interest, "you had your moments, but it just turned you into who you are today". He paused to think of the right words until they finally enlisted in his vocabulary, "you're emotional, stubborn, can't sit still, always getting into some kind of trouble," Rika was blinking a few times to signal that she wasn't expecting him to go off on how she was those kinds of things. But it was just like Reth to save the best for last, "but you're protective, and gentle. Always have something good to say about everyone and everything, always smiling, and never being what others wanted you to be".

She had never heard him praise her like that...well kind of praise after all that other stuff, but it was what he felt about her and she was glad that she encouraged the kind of openness they had now with one another. And because they were so open, she felt herself falling into his chest with a smile and closed eyes to take in the full body of his smell and feel of his mane on her cheeks. "You're the best brother, Reth" she whispered happily to the male who cushioned her. The lioness didn't notice the sag of his features when she finished her statement but he didn't go against it as she felt his paw reach up to her back to hold her in closer.

"I'll always be there for you, Rika" he said above a whisper to the best friend of his.

But of course like all good things, this one had to come to an end. Rika's ears flicked when she heard the fluttering of wings up ahead of them and she opened up her blue orbs and gazed over at the sight of a bird. And not just any bird; this bird was their trusted companion and friend to both Obagan and Naborhi pride members, Ekua. "Reth! Reth!"

He sprung his head away from Rika and looked up at the female bird, "yes?"

"Outlanders are on their way! They have come for those you have locked away!" Her voice was urgent and rushed while she flapped her wings to keep her nerves in check but also to keep herself from falling too fast like she usually wanted to do with stress.

"Get to the den and tell Tendai" ordered the young male before he bounded off in the opposite direction of the lioness and the messenger.

"I already did! The lionesses are on their way, and the lions are fending off what they can already" she informed the rushed young lion before he looked back to nod his head and bound forward. All that was left was for Ekua to look down at Rika who was slightly stunned for a moment before realizing that it was her pride that was going to be fighting for their lives.

"Reth!" She called out to her best friend but he didn't turn his head to look back at her while he only shot forward to go and aid his fellow pride mates. Reth, mom, Jasira, Auzhane...I need to go and help them, thought the lioness. She felt the bird land on her shoulder before she looked over at her troubled expression, "hold on right Ekua" she gave fair warning before heading off in the direction of Reth. While doing her best to ignore the screams Ekua was spueing out while she clung onto the lioness for dear life at the speed she was going, Rika thought over and over in her mind how pointless it was to just be worried about them and remember that she needed to help. She was part of this pride too, and she was going to show it. When the sound of roaring and growling was being heard over the bird's obnoxious terrified calls and the sight of lionesses and lions came into sight, she leapt forward quickly knowing that she needed to get their quick. And so, the games would begin.

[K0PA]

that was fun

[K0PA]

that whos a fun read verey wall dun sos for the dubal posting i cliked edit and edited the post but when i kliced submit it just posted a nother post