Time: around 5:30 in morning
Weather: around 60 degrees Fahrenheit, mostly clear sky with few clouds to east, no wind
Mwunga
Mwunga's pale pelt rose and fell as the sleeping lioness breathed. Her body was curled around a smaller lion, pale gray brown in color, whose breath stirred the leaves of a bush in front of him. The two were slumbering in a sheltered place, hidden in the savannah. It was comprised of a few trees surrounding a slight dip in the ground, with numerous bushes scattered nearby. As the sun had not yet risen, the land was swathed in darkness, though the faint light on the horizen made things a bit more visible. The air was still, and the whole area seemed lifeless besides the herd animals, though they were still and slow.
Until now. Mwunga's eyes blinked open, already adjusted to the light, and scanned the roughly sheltered alcove without raising her head. She then flicked her tail, and lifted her finely built head. Her fur brushed the lion beside her, and she glanced down. Shomari usually awakes long before me, Mwunga thought, surprised. Then again, he had seemed rather down last evening. Mwunga stood up, stretching first in a bow then each of her hind legs. Feeling refreshed, the lioness peered around the dim savannah.
Herds of wildebeast and zebra moved slowly in the distance, and a trio of giraffes grazed nearby. Mwunga spotted a jackal slinking through the tall grass, and a shrew was snuffling under a bush a few paces away. The area seemed much more full of life now, and the sun was beginning to peek over in the distance.
Mwunga lifted her tail, feeling elated at the start of a new day. These simple things always cheered her, made life better. Rustlings behind her made Mwunga turn. Shomari had awoken, he gazed silently at the grass beyond Mwunga.
"Good morning, Shomari!" Mwunga purred cheerfully, turning to her companion. Shomari's eyebrows raised slightly at her loud greeting. Mwunga chuckled, tail waving gaily, and padded over to sit beside him.
"Sleep well?" She asked, "You seemed depressed last night."
"I'm fine." The small lion replied, his tone indifferent and quiet like usual. Mwunga sighed, wondering if he would ever sho his emotions.
"Come on, lets go find breakfast." Mwunga jumped up, and walked energetically out of the dip, ears perked. Shomari, twitching his tail, followed.
Shomari
Shomari's paws made no sound as he followed the slim tan lioness. The tall grass brushed his pelt, and shrews and mice scampered away as the lions passed. Shomari had half a mind to snatch one up, but resisted the urge. By now, the sun was almost all visible, and the birds had begun morning calls.
"You coming?" Mwunga's voice carried from the small hill she stood upon. Shomari shook his head, realizing how behind he was, and speeded up. He reached the crest, halting beside Mwunga. Herds of hoofed animals spread over the savannah, waking and starting daily activites.
"Gazelle?" Mwunga was staring at a nearby group of Thompson's Gazelles, who were munching on grass and bushes.
"Alright, easy and small." Shomari nodded, a faint smile painting over his lips. Mwunga laughed and the two crept down the hill, back behind some large stones. Shomari peered out at the small deer, instantly spotting the weakest. It was a typical case, just a weak elderly female. She was nearest the rocks too. It all seemed so easy.
Shomari nudged Mwunga and pointed at the gazelle. The lioness nodded, and slipped around the other side of the rocks. Shomari stayed hidden, waiting for Mwunga's call. Unlike normal, Shomari insisted upon hunting with Mwunga, as she had no pride lionesses to help her. Shomari knew Mwunga secretly enjoyed hunting with him, though she always said: "Females should hunt, males should fight."
Mwunga's roar sounded, and Shomari sprang from his hiding spot. The herd of gazelle had bolted, screaming wildly. The poor weak female was no match for two fit lions, and crumpled under Mwunga's paws. Shomari swerved a fleeing gazelle and halted beside Mwunga, clamping his jaws around the elderly deer's neck before Mwunga had even lowered her head.
After a few moments he let go, and the gazelle was dead.
"Yum, let's take this over there." Mwunga licked her lips and began to drag the body over to the rocks. Shomari helped, and between the two of them it was easy to get the gazelle over to the shade.
They set it down, and Mwunga smiled at Shomari. She then bent down to eat, tearing into the kill hungrily. Shomari settled down, and started to rip at the gazelle gently.