The ancient sun once again rose over the old mountain. His everyday struggle to watch the valley was almost complete. He stretched his rays across the land, giving every tree and blade of grass in his bath a rich golden bath. It was the summer solstice. And it was one of the most beautiful days of the year.
Atop Juanonea, the pride was assembled. Today was a big day for the pride, and all eleven of the members were gathered.
All the cubs sat with their parents, and now, since they were all about a year old, the connections were clear. Fuli and Tufani sat with their parents, the off-white Bia and the golden-brown Tumaini. Ashiki sat with her tawny furred mother, Dalilia.
Jalil and Layla were perched atop the golden stone, still in the shadow of the great mountain, with Ajali at the bottom. The king and queen shared loving glances, waiting for Chuki to signal them.
After several moments of talking to Ajali, the dark lioness looked up at the pair and nodded.
Layla stood up. “Now, I know today is a day for Ajali, but we have some very exciting news to share.” The chocolate furred lioness started. “As you all know, our cubs are getting older and starting to enter adolescence. However, we cannot say that for very long. Jalil and I are expecting cubs.”
Before the pride could break out in congratulations, Chuki flicked her tail and began the ceremony.
“As the sun rises on his second solstice, it is time for Ajali, son on Jalil through Layla, to join the ranks of kings by taking a future mate. Jalil, Layla, who have you chosen to lead the pride by your son’s side?”
Ajali looked rolled his eyes. He already knew who his parents had picked, and so he mouthed the name as his parents said it, “Fuli.”
The blonde lioness walked forward and took a seat next to her future mate. Jalil and Layla jumped off the golden stone, lifting the two adolescents up in their place.
“Now, with the glowing of the stone, Ajali and Fuli will take their place as prince and princess. The pair sat on the stone until the aged sun finally pulled himself up to view the entire valley, and lit the golden stone. All across the valley, a silence fell. The sky was empty, and the grassland below froze. The only sound was the roar of the distant waterfall. The pride looked on at their future king and queen.
* * *
Later in the day, the pride had begun their normal routines, and congratulating the pregnant queen. The cubs had managed to escape the heat of summer and fled to the jungle.
Ajali was lying over a moss-covered boulder, looking at his reflection in the pool of water below. He had lost his cub-fat and his mane had started to sprout.
“Maybe I don’t want to be king.” He spat angrily.
“Come on, Ajali.” Fuli purred from a low tree branch above him. “It won’t be all bad.”
The caramel teen turned and looked at the blonde lioness. “Shut up.” He growled, extending his claws. “I don’t want everyone to treat me differently, you know?”
He licked his lips and took in the lioness’s appearance. She was pretty. Her pelt was a rich blonde color and her tail tuft was darker. Her toes were darker than her pelt, matching her tail tuft. His chocolate eyes locked with hers. He expected to feel a connection, but there was nothing. He turned away.
“I just want to be me.” He signed and slipped sideways off the rock. “I could live here forever.”
Fuli jumped from her perch and brushed against the caramel male. “Then let’s.” she purred in his ear.
“Fuli! We don’t need to see that!” Tufani growled. “Come on, Ash.”
The younger male took off running towards the river. Ashiki sighed and looked back at the couple, then ran off after her friend.
“I hate when they do that.” Tufani growled as the female approached him, paused, and then looked at Ashiki with pity. “I’m sorry. I know you hate it, too. If not more.”
“Yeah.” She purred and sat down next to him. “I really do.”
“Well,” he purred as he butted heads with her, “don’t let them get to you. You are beautiful, smart, you have a great personality, and whoever you pick as your mate is the luckiest lion alive.”
“Oh Tufani.” Ashiki purred as she took a playful swat at her friend. He dodged easily and tackled her. She was caught by surprise and tumbled onto the moist dirt ground.
“You’re going to get it now!” she growled and leapt at him. She felt her paws collide with his muscular shoulder, and the rest of her weight hit the lion. They both fell, laughing.
Tufani growled playfully and flipped his blonde bangs out of his face. His white fur was dotted with bits of dirt and moss. He charged at his friend, and she leapt up to meet him. The pair clashed into an embrace, trying to push each other back.
The white male was stronger than Ashiki, but she had managed to get him to stand up straighter, so he was struggling to keep his balance. With his back to the river, the tan lioness gave a final push, hoping to push him into the water.
“Whoa!” Tufani roared and gripped her tightly as he fell back, pulling her with him into the refreshing blue-green water.
Ashiki gasped as the water soaked into her pelt and sent a mock-glare at the white lion. Her blue-grey eyes locked onto his deep blue ones. He sent his familiar lopsided grin at him and she splashed some water at him.
She swam back onto the shore and shook herself out; making sure the last flick of her tail hit Tufani. After shaking most of the water out, she started to groom herself.
A tongue started to groom her back, and she jumped. She looked back to see Tufani looking sheepishly at her. “Don’t want help?” he asked quietly.
She smiled and let him groom her, a soft purr rumbled deep in her throat. She closed her eyes. It was a great feeling to allow her best friend to groom her.
After a few moments, the pair was interrupted by a clearing throat.
Tufani stopped grooming his friend. Ashiki opened her eyes to see Ajali with his head cocked to the side and Fuli behind him, just as confused.
“I’m sorry if I interrupted anything.” Ajali growled cautiously.
Ashiki opened her mouth to answer, but it was Tumani who responded.
“We were fighting, and fell in the river. Just cleaning up after.” He responded happily.
Fuli walked by and flicked her brother with her tail. “Come on, Layla wanted to talk to us about our solo hunt coming up in the next few months.” She purred to her twin.
“Alright, bye Ashiki. Ajali.” He grinned as he started running back to Juanonea.
Fuli brushed past Ajali, giving him a lick on the cheek before sprinting off after the pale lion.
After watching them go, Ajali looked back at the remaining lioness. “You’re sure nothing was going on?” he purred.
“Really, Ajali? You think me and Tufani have something going on? I look at him like the older brother I wish he was.”
“I wish Fuli would see it that way. I don’t want to be her mate. I mean, she’s great and everything. There is just no-“
“Spark.” She finished as the caramel lion allowed himself to collapse onto the ground.
“Yeah. No spark.” He repeated and looked at Ashiki. He made a movement with his head, suggesting the wheat lioness to lie down next to him.
Ashiki took the hint. She circled around the prince and laid her body next to him. The ground was soft here.
He watched as she lay next to him. “I don’t know why. Something about you makes me feel comfortable.” He purred and rested his head upon his paws. He felt her tail flick against his back and he smiled to himself.
“Thanks.” He purred softly.
