Somehow, I managed to get my group of eight to the center of the land without many questions, though we took it at a slower pace than what I think Huntha would have liked, as Bonvena had continually felt sharp false labor pains throughout this pregnancy for some reason, and it worried me each time. As we entered the rocky landscape and underground caves, I smiled as Picha and Ukoo came forward and hugged me.

"Father!" Picha's sweet voice bent my ear and I smiled at Huntha's mate, hoping Huntha had told her what he was going to do. Her voice was full of respect, and she addressed me formally as she always had, while little Ukoo hung unto my leg, squealing as I tickled her absentmindedly. "Is everything alright? Bonvena, has she had her new cub yet? Or are you here for…other reasons?" I saw her eyes dim, and she glanced back to her mate with such sadness and disappointment that I felt my own heart breaking.

"Other reasons, my dear. But do not worry, everything will be fine." As she opened her mouth to respond, two ecstatic voices filled the room, and I gasped, whirling around in shock.

"DAD!"

"Tjie! Huis! My sons, oh my sons! How are you? Come here, let me see you!" My boys looked embarrassed but did as I asked, turning around so I could see their full grown manes and even a few scars. Behind me, Bonvena sucked in her breath at the harsh scarring on Huis's legs, and he flinched as he saw her gaze.

"I got snared by some thorn bushes…but Dad, being a Guard is so cool! I love it here, and I even…I even met a girl." He smiled, looking even more embarrassed as I chuckled and slapped him on the back.

"Atta boy, Huis! What about you, Tjie? Any luck with the ladies?"

He shook and shrugged, flashing me a confident grin. "Nahh, I like 'em all!"

I barked a laugh at that, thinking he was at least a bit like me. Bonvena glared at him disapprovingly, but she said nothing. As night wore on, though, my pride began to question why we were staying here instead of heading back to our territory, and finally I looked to Huntha, wanting him to take the floor on this one. As good a leader as I was, I wanted him to admit to everyone what he had told me.

He flinched away as he spoke, inching further and further away from his mate, who looked both on the verge of tears and infuriated.

"I…I am leaving. This is too much of a burden, too much a task for me. I cannot stand this, this ordering around and ruling and keeping everyone safe. I have talked with my father, Kapam, and he has agreed to take my place. Let me clarify, I will go whether he takes my place as Emperor or not. I could not care less. But he has agreed so, and I trust him. I know many of you are aware that he watches over the Kichaka Lands. After today, he will rise to power as Emperor over you all. I trust him, and I know he will not fail, as he has never failed at something he plans to do."

I wasn't sure what to make of that comment, but I brushed it aside as he gave me the floor. "What Huntha speaks is true. I have agreed to take his place upon his departure, come the morning sun. I have led Kichaka for many years now, quite successfully. I intend on doing the same here, as I feel nothing has changed."

"But you are in your autumn years, Sir! What will happen to you, to US, when you die?"

The outburst came from a striking lioness, one of a golden pelt with a soft cream face mask, which reached to her more prominent features as if it was a spider web. Her soft orange eyes were like mine, and I glanced to Huntha as he looked wary and frightened of her. She was nearly a carbon copy of him, the only difference being her eye shade and gender.

"When I die, as we all will someday, my eldest son, Rubajoij, will take over. After him will come his eldest son, and so on. I have trained my son in the way of the Kings, and he will be an excellent king. He has served as my Border Guard for many years now, and not once has he been unable to deal with intruders or threats. I know, when the time comes, you will find him most satisfactory."

She nodded, looking ashamed to have spoken. I leapt from where I had been standing, walking up to her. "What is your name, young one?"

"Ha! I am not so young. I am Zadiviti, daughter to Huntha and a shameless rouge. My other left me by the caves soon after I was born, and my father wants nothing to do with me, as I could challenge his and his daughter's rule…"

Her anger hit me like a boulder, and I set myself into a cool glare. "But you won't. You would never do that, for that would be your own death. I can see you are not strong as others your age, Zadiviti. I suggest you let your anger go."

She nodded and lowered her head, and it was then that a soft roar met my ears. It was Picha. "I am disappointed in you, Huntha. Very much so. I will go with you, as will our daughter, but I think this is a mistake. As much of a mistake as Zadi over there was."

A protesting growl from Zadiviti split the air, but Picha ignored it. "However, I think your father will do good things here. I support him taking over. All in agreement, roar with me."

The air was deafening. Roars came from everywhere, and anywhere. The sound didn't last long, but soon I was grinning while Bonvena stood beside me, looking both pleased and worried.

Quietly, as we reveled in the amount of support everyone gave us, she whispered, "Why didn't you ask me? I am for this, but it would have been nice to be included…and are you sure? You are not young anymore, Kapam…it isn't like it was so many years ago when we came here…if we get attacked by another kingdom, or pride, or even just one lion, what will happen?"

"I will defeat him, Bonvena. My dear, I am older, but not weakened yet. I still have a few good years left in me don't you worry. And if I were to be defeated, Ruba could take my place. He is ready, and has been for many years…you have been queen of my heart for a very long time, Bonvena…but tomorrow, on the sun's dawn, you will become everyone's queen. I am glad to have this chance, to change this pride and shape it into a real kingdom with structure and true standards. I know you worry for my age. Believe me, I know I am not the youngest anymore. But I will be here to see our child come into the world, and into his -or her- self. My family is my strength, after all."

She chortled, her bright eyes shining with mirth as she pressed firmly into my side. "Well then, Kapam, I believe you shall never die, as many children as you have…"

I chuckled at that, wrapping my tail around hers. Huntha had been speaking, but I had paid no mind. As he looked to me expectably, I rose a brow. What did my son want now?

Huntha glanced between myself and his step-mother, and thinned his lips into a wavering smile. "So, Kapam, do you accept that tomorrow's sun bring your coronation into effect?"

I dipped my head, thankful he had recapped his words tactfully so I would not be embarrassed. "Yes, my King. I accept this and propose we adjourn this as soon as possible so that we all might discuss pride changes and rituals before the night draws the savannah closed…"

The crows slowly began dissipating, and as the lions were alone at last, Huntha sighed and leaned heavily on the rocks beside him. His golden eyes were filled with turmoil, and he barely spared us a glance before heading into the cave to lie down.

I lay down after the rest of my pride had settled, and I couldn't help but smile as I watched Bonvena for a time. She was sound asleep on her side, but I could see how the cub inside her was throwing itself about, moving her stomach and stretching it. I feel it will be that this child comes, much sooner than she or I had originally thought. Wrapping a paw around her, I snuggled closer and fell into a deep sleep.

Light hit my eyes, gentle violet light of a new dawn, and I blinked, trying to not grunt as I opened my eyes to see I was the only one up. Carefully, I shook awake and walked to the edge of the den, and out into the open past our home within the Great Mountain, letting the early dawn hit my fur and the gentle winds blow my fur about. Soft paws hit my ears, and I turned to see Bonvena moseying out to be beside me. I frowned then turned back to the sun and closed my eyes.

"What was that look about, hmm?"

I sighed, lowering my proud stance, and glanced over. "I hadn't meant to wake you, Bon. You need your rest, that cub really has worn you down…do you feel well?"

She chortled, her red eyes twinkling as she rubbed her shoulders into mine. "I'm just old, Kapam. It has been quite some time since I have carried a child…" She sighed and looked away, clenching her teeth and tucking her jaw in as she spoke quietly. "I wish this could last forever…"

"What could last forever?"

She jolted, and her eyes shone. Her ears twitched from front to back, showing off her sadness and uncertainty. "Us. This. This…happiness and light-heartedness we've had recently. We aren't giving each other cold shoulders, or being bitter and angry without reason. We're happy for the first time in years, really…I don't want it to go away, Kapam. I've missed us. I don't want our lastborn cubs to grow up the way that Kala, Kaba, Batini, Biashara, Bina, Moro, and Blom have…they all know our mateship now is nothing but fake. And I hate it, when we used to be so close. Our daughters have seen us fail at each other. I just don't want that to be our legacy!"

I stared at her. The very same thing had been on my mind for a few days now. Biting my lip, I twitched my whiskers and nudged her, allowing a grumbling sound in my throat as I stroked her back.

"Bonvena…they may not have seen that we were madly in a wild love affair, but they knew we cared for each other. All of our cubs, all of my cubs regardless of the mother, knew how much of a treasure you are. I have always been willing to die for you, and if that isn't love, I don't know what is. We started parenthood too early, and I know that now, as you do. But I wouldn't change a thing. Kaba and Kala are amazing daughters…I know they think of us as much as we do them. Batini, Biashara, and Bina…they are gorgeous. I know they are. They all would have looked just like you…what greater beauty can there be? And Blom and Moro! Well…both of them have said how happy they are that we have stuck together. You think we don't make an impact on our children, Bon. You're wrong. We make every impact on them, and we keep them believing that things are still good in this world. If you weren't here, I wouldn't be where I am now. Simple as that."

"I'm sure you're right, Kapam…do you think we could go for a walk? We haven't done that in ages…and it will be some time before the ceremony begins."

I couldn't ignore her eyes, so pleading and full of love. I nodded, leading her to the path I often had taken around the borders of each respective land, enjoying the solitude as we walked. It was almost as though we had agreed not to talk, as silence fell between us, comfortably.

"What do you think it will be? The child."

Her sudden question jolted me out of my memories, and I shook my head, snorting. "I don't know. We've only ever had girls, so I'm sure this one will be a girl. Daughters aren't so bad. Do you have a name yet?"

She shook her head, opening her mouth to respond, when I heard it. A crackling of branches, followed by a soft growl. My eyes searched wildly as she and I came to a standstill, and I pushed her behind me. "Who's there? Show yourself!"

Dark laughter caused me to flinch, as two lions came from earthworks and grinned, their ears flicking towards Bonvena. I growled, showing my teeth, giving only one threat. I was outmatched, outnumbered, and they were much younger than I. It didn't matter. My mate and child were in danger. I would die to defend them. The two lions laughed, and one of them shook his head, the grey color blocking his eyes from me.

"Oh, Lion. Go back now and we will not harm you. We're here for the King…he isn't fit for the title, and we intend to take care of him and his bloodline. Be on your way and at peace. You aren't the one we're after. The golden Lion is the one we prey upon."

My eyes flashed and I unsheathed my claws, lowering my head as I let loose another snarl. "That lion is my son, and if you want him, you'll have to get through me!"

Both lions glanced at each other for only a moment before they lunged at me, and I turned to Bonvena, my desire to protect her coming to the front as I felt the tearing of the first claws rip my skin.

"RUN! RUN TO HUNTHA AND THE OTHERS!"

Her eyes were panicked, and she backed up as I turned to one of the lions, tearing into the shoulder of one of them. Pushing me off of him, he circled me, and he grabbed my flank just as his partner bit into my neck. I stumbled and fell, getting up as one of them grabbed my scruff and tore, the blood running down my neck and entangling with my mane. I rolled over, squashing the lion and forcing him off of me, and snarled to show I was still in this fight. He snarled and spat, roaring out his anger that I hadn't given in. As we began pacing around each other to square off again, he raised up, only to be knocked down by Tjie.

Tjie came up quickly, his eyes wild with a bit of fear, but they were glazed with anger too. "Don't touch my dad!"

Huis stood beside him, spittle flying as his fur stood on end, both of them looking every bit of a proud defense. The odds were now a little more even…let the battle rage on.

It wasn't long after that, that Ruba and the rest of my main pride showed up, all of them ready to fight. I and Nzuri were trying to take care of Grey Mane, while Rubajoij, Tjie, Huis and Uzuri went up against the other one. I had never seen so much blood, at least not all from two angry lions seeking revenge, and we were giving as much as we took. Suddenly, as I lost focus, a hard swipe bit my eye and I screamed, shaking my head as my left eye got gauged out. Someone was shrieking, and I heard voices but the pain blinded me more than the physical loss of my eye. I fell over, disoriented, and something heavy was on top of me. My nose said it was ol' Grey Mane, and his skank breath huffed in my face.

"You gave a good fight. Hmm, if only you'd have been on the right side."

He snickered, and I let my good eye open to see him pose to rip my throat apart, when a dark grey blur threw him from me, exploding in angry snarls before it was cut off abruptly, and the Grey Mane tossed Tjie's limp body away, not giving it a second glance.

I couldn't tell who in my family screamed louder, but I know that it was Huis who rose up against the Grey Mane first. I was second, with Ruba flanking me to keep the gold mongrel off me. I had loved Huis, but we had never been in synch with our battle rounds…but this time, things had changed. We were completely in tune with each other, determined to seek vengeance for Tjie's death. Without words, I went for Grey Mane's neck, while Huis bit at the hind quarters, causing him very limited mobility. Grey Mane kicked out with his back legs, and I watched blood spurt from my son's forearm and chest. Huis didn't even glace at his wound, instead lunging and ripping into the lion's side as I tore at his throat area, trying to get to his jugular. Suddenly, the lion threw himself sideways, smashing into Huis and causing my son to scream as our opponent fell on top of him. I heard something loud snapping, and I flinched as the lion got up and I saw Huis' chest. At least two ribs were broken.

I threw myself at the lion, taking advantage of his shock. Behind me, choking, Huis lay down and vomited up blood, and the stench of it filled the air. The lion snarled at me, going for my ear, but instead he caught my cheek and his teeth scraped against my bone. I jerked back involuntarily, and then dipped my head, grabbing his throat and biting as hard as I could. He gurgled, and blood spewed from my lips as I stepped away, watching as he took a step but then fell, his own blood coating him as his breaths became shorter and then stopped altogether as he sunk to his belly. In the back of my mind, horror was threatening to take over…I had never killed a lion before, and now I had done it in the bloodiest fashion I could think of. He threatened my family, though, and I knew I was justified.