Makosa

"So Makosa, where exactly are we now?" Bahiya asks me.

I scan my reddish brown eyes around. "Hmmm, it appears that we are in the Rock Lands!"

Bahiya raises her brow. "The Rock Lands? Well, that makes a lot of sense because I can see rocks clearly everywhere."

"Heh, what's got inside your fur this time Bahiya? You seem pretty on edge."

"Sorry honey, I am just soooo hungry. Those field mice that we've caught earlier for breakfast wasn't enough."

I looked around again as we kept walking. "Don't worry, we will come across food soon. I don't think anything would be living out here in these rocks. At least we know this isn't our dream home. We must keep walking, there has to be a land full of grass and animals close by."

Bahiya looks at me. "How do you know for sure Makosa? We've never been out here before. This is new for the both of us and so far we are lucky to not come across any predators."

"Grrrrrr...."

My ears twitched. I stopped walking and admittedly jumped in front of Bahiya guarding her.

She looks puzzled. "Honey, what's wrong?"

I furrow my brows as my body tensed up. "I've heard something, something like a growl. It feels like we are being watched by someone. Stay close to me, do not move whatever you do!"

Bahiya didn't say anything but nod and lower her ears. She looks very worried and afraid.

"Come out whoever you are!" I call out, while growling and showing out my claws.

"Oh I will!" said a voice. The voice snickered.

Behind a giant rock appears a female leopard. She crouches below the ground and gave out a loud hissing noise.

"Why were you stalking us?" I ask, frowning.

"Me stalking? It seems that you two are trespassing in my home! I have every right to stalk." replied the leopard, un-pleasant. "How about you turn around and go back to where you've come from lions."

"We were just passing through! Trust me, we don't want to stay in a land with a bunch of boring rocks. Come on Makosa, we are wasting our time." said Bahiya. She stepped out from hiding behind me and start walking to the Rock Lands exit.

I did not follow. Something strange is going on. Why is a leopard living in the Rock Lands where there aren't any trees to climb or animals to feast on?

"Wait, hold on Bahiya! I want to ask this leopard something." I say. "Excuse me miss but since you are a leopard, why are you living out here in the Rock Lands and not with your kind?"

The leopard frowned. "That is not your business or concern lion!" she snapped. "Why are you here?"

"To find a home."

"Well it ain't here, so get out!"

I grinned. "Lady, do you know who you are talking to?"

She raises a brow. "No, who are you?"

"I am Prince Makosa! Im pretty sure you have heard lots about me and my family."

The leopard looks shocked and gasps. She quickly kneels and bow down her head. "My apologies Prince! Of course, you are from the Pride Lands. Your the son of Queen Kiara and King Kovu at Pride Rock."

I looked impressed. "Wow, so you really do know who I am."

"Please don't go back home and tell your parents that I was being disrespectful. It was clearly a misunderstanding! I promise it wont ever happen again. I thought you lions were rouges trespassing the land. You were walking very close to my cubs den. I had to protect them like any parent would. I am sorry!"

"Relax miss, it is okay. My parents taught me to respect all the creatures including outside of the Pride Lands! What is your name by the way?"

The leopard smiles. "Bisa." (Which means greatly loved ).

Bahiya walks up and stands beside me. She smiles, "Nice to meet you, Bisa! My name is Bahiya, I am Makosa's wife. We mean no harm to you or your cubs. We are just visitors passing through. Do you know by any chance if there is a land full of grass and prey close around here?"

Bisa nodded. "Yes, I do! I can take you guys there if you want?"

I smile. "Sure! Thank you."

"Let me just get my cubs. I hate leaving them home by themselves!"

Bisa ran up to a small den. She made a special call for her cubs to come out. Two furry adorable leopard cubs slowly emerge out of the den.

"Awwww, they are so cute!" Bahiya squeals.

"Come on children, no need to be alarm. It is safe!" Said Bisa.

"Are you sure mama?" The first one asks.

"Yes, I am sure."

"A-Are those lions!" The second one asked, while shaking with fright.

Bisa rolled her blue eyes and chuckled. "Relax children, these lions are okay. They won't hurt us!"

Bahiya and I walk up joining the conversation with friendly smiles.

"It's true! We won't harm you." I say, nodding.

The cubs smile and looked up at us.

"Wow, I have never seen a lion up close before. What big teeth you have!" Said the second cub.

Bisa frowns. "Jahi! That is no way to compliment the Prince."

(Jahi means dignity!)

Jahi looked down at his small paws with shame. "Sorry..."

I chuckle and pat his head. "Its okay kid!"

The other cub tries to kneel, but falls over. Bisa picked her up by the scruff and sat her back down.

"Try to be more careful, Karimu!"

(Karimu means generous!)

"Heh, sorry mama. I was just trying to show the Prince respect!" The cub giggled.

"No need for all of that. I am no longer Prince of the Pride Lands anymore." I spoke.

Bisa looks confused. "And why not?"

"Because I was exiled. My brother Heri is now next in line for the throne. My wife and I are out searching for our own home. We're going to create a new pride of lions!"

"Impressive! Well, good luck wherever you go. You are still a Prince to us Makosa no matter what."

I smile warmly. "Thank you Bisa!"

"So Bisa, do you mind showing us that land you were talking about earlier?" Bahiya asked.

Bisa nodded. She begins walking while her cubs leap playfully behind her. "Oh yeah, sorry I have forgotten about that already. Come follow me this way!"

"Awesome!"

Bahiya and I follow the leopards down a narrow rocky path that i assume will lead us out of the Rock Lands. While walking, I start to think and wonder why Baisa and her cubs are the only leopards out here? I mean it does seem strange but i don't want to be rude. I'm just curious that's all!

"Bisa, not trying to be rude or anything but how come you and your cubs are the only leopards out here?" I ask, while breaking the silence.

"Heh, I kinda expect you would ask." She replied, with a small chuckle. "I've gotten separated from my family long ago from a fire. I was pregnant with the cubs at the time and managed to escape the flames. I was apparently the only survivor. I tried calling and searching for others, but I didn't receive any responses. So i left and found the Rock Lands. I've been here every since. A few animals pass through every now and then. But it is completely safe away from predators!"

Bahiya lower her ears feeling bad. "Wow, I am so sorry Bisa to hear that. Good thing your okay!"

I nodded, "Yeah. That must be really hard missing all of your family and friends. Don't you get lonesome?"

Bisa shrugs. "Eh, sometimes. I actually love the peace and quiet."

"But don't you ever wish to live some place else with more leopards? I'm pretty sure there's some out there, just not your family."

"Yeah...i don't know, it just never came across my mind to join other leopards who I never met before. I don't think it's a good idea. Besides, leopards aren't like lions. We don't live in large groups. We are strongly independent and every leopard has his or her own tree. Technically i slept and lay on rock, but that is okay!"

Bahiya smiles. "How about you come with us to finding our dream home!"

Bisa shook her head. "No thanks, I'm fine living in the Rock Lands. Thank you for offer Bahiya. I appreciate it though!"

"We understand." I nod.

"And look, we are here!"

Bisa points her paw ahead. I can see a new open land with plenty of green grass. I walk further and stepped on it feeling it's soft moisture.

I smile, "Wow, what land is this? It reminds me of the Pride Lands how the grass is. It is well taken care of!"

"You are in the Dawn Lands. Here you will find food, water, and perhaps a place to sleep in. But don't stay too long. I think someone rules part of this land. So be careful and watch your surroundings!" Said Bisa.

"Thank you so much Bisa!" Bahiya smiles.

"Anytime! Come on kids, let's go home."

Bisa turn around and walked back home into the Rock Lands with her cubs leaping close behind her. We wave our goodbyes.

"Usually leopards aren't so nice. She was generous!" Said Bahiya.

I grinned. "In the beginning she wasn't. But i do agree, she was nice."

"Now let's see what we can find here to hunt."

"Remember, watch your back. This is another new land we've never encountered before. So stay close!"

Bahiya nodded. We slowly and cautiously walked through the grasses in searching for a meal. I gave the air a sniff trying to catch any scents of prey.

"Aha!" I beam.

"What is it?" Bahiya asks.

"Impala..."

We both crouch below the grass on our furry bellies. I move the grass with my paws so I can get a better eye view. Straight ahead is a herd of Impalas.

Bahiya smiles wide while licking her lips. "Mmmm, Impala! It has been so long since I had one. Not too many come in the Pride Lands."

"I see. Well, today will be our lucky day!"

I have my eyes locked on a male who's busy eating on the grass.

"Once I say 3, we attack! You distract the herd while I bring down our target. Got it?" I whispered.

"Got it!" She whispered back.

"1...2...3..."

We both jumped out with surprising roads scaring off the herd. Bahiya ran left while I went right chasing after our target male.

The Impala was pretty fast and smart. He zig zagged trying to fool me but I kept close.

"Haha, your mine!" I growled.

"Stop!" Someone yelled.

"Huh?"

I lost focus on the Impala. It got away jumping over a bush. I stopped running to catch my breath then looked around. Someone else is here.

"Who's there?" I ask.

Behind a tree appears a lioness. I cock my head to the side. So lions live here too huh? Interesting...

"Who are you? You don't smell like you belong in this land. This is my father's territory. You must leave now rouge or I'll get our pride. You wouldn't like that much!" She warned.

Bahiya runs up. "Makosa, what's going on? Where is our food and who is this?"

"Great, there is two of you?!" Said the lioness shocked. "My father is going to go ballistic when he finds out."

"Please, don't get your father or your pride. We are just passing through that's all. We mean no harm! We are just very hungry. We've been traveling for 2 days." I said, hoping the lioness will understand.

"Hmmm, i don't know."

Bahiya rolled her hazel eyes. "Ugh! Do we look dangerous to you? We're just trying to eat that's all. We don't want to hurt anybody."

The lioness thinks for a few moments then smiles. "Alright, i believe you. If you were hungry you could of said something before!"

"Well, it was pretty obvious. You've stopped me in my hunt with the Impala." I said, with my furry arms crossed.

"Heh, sorry about that! I was just afraid. I have never seen your type of kind here before. Your scent is new! What land are you from if you don't mind me asking?"

"The Pride Lands. But we no longer live there anymore. We are in search for a new home!" Bahiya answers.

The lioness gasps and starts walking. "A new home?! Why haven't you said that? I'm sure my parents won't mind you joining our pride come on!"

"Whoa, Whoa. We can't join your pride!" I said.

The lioness stops walking. "Why not?"

"Because we want our own land. We're trying to create our own pride. Plus, we're royalty!"

"Royalty from the Pride Lands? Hm, interesting. I think i have heard of that place before. Well, wherever you guys are going I'm sure it is a long way. Please, let me show you to my pride. Maybe my dad will allow you to rest here for the night. We can offer you food and water!"

Bahiya and I both looked at each other unsure.

The lioness laughs. "Oh come on, my pride and I won't bite unless we have to. You guys aren't bad lions I can tell."

Bahiya shrugs while I sigh.

"Alright, we will come. Just no funny business!" I say.

"Oh, there won't be! Follow me this way." Said the lioness, jogging.

We jogged behind her through the grass and around trees.

"So, what are you two names?" The lioness asks.

"I'm Bahiya!"

"And I'm Makosa! What is yours?"

"Bia! Nice to meet you both."

I can see a pride of lions ahead. We must be almost to her pride.

"Andddddd we are here! Welcome to the Chewa Pride." Bia greets.

"Wow..." Bahiya says, amazed.

There were a decent amount of lions. Some were talking, sunbathing, or watching the cubs play. Another lioness runs up and nuzzles Bia.

"Bia, there you are! Your father and I were wondering where you and sister were. Where is Hanaa?"

Bia nuzzles the lioness back. "I dont know. We were both hunting and-"

"Here I am Mother!"

A third lioness runs up joining the scene. Bahiya and I stand behind awkwardly since we have no idea who these lionesses are. We are in a completely new territory.

"Oh, Bia there you are. Who are your new friends?" Hanaa asks.

Bia steps aside so they can view us. "This is Makosa and Bahiya. They are new in the land. I found then while hunting the Impalas."

The lioness who's older than Bia and her sister, walks up to Bahiya and I close. Bahiya took a few steps back while I stood strongly still.

"Where are you from?" The lioness asks.

"The Pride Lands. We mean no harm!" I spoke.

"Wait, the Pride Lands?! Your Prince Makosa!"

The lionesses gasp.

"Uh yeah, I am. Who are you?"

The lioness smiles. "My name is Tish. Wow, I havent seen you in a long while since my last visit in the Pride Lands with my husband. We intended a meeting with your parents before. Wow, what are doing far out in the Dawn Lands?"

"My wife Bahiya and I are looking for  a new land to stay. We see this one is already taken."

"Nonsense, you can live with our pride!"

I smile. "That is very kind of you Tish, but we need to find a land that's free and open for us to create our own pride."

Tish nodded. "I see, I understand Prince! Well you are still welcome to stay for the night. My husband wouldn't mind once I mention the Prince of the Pride Lands."

"Great! Thank you. We do need to rest up. We've been traveling for 2 whole days with little sleep." Said Bahiya.

"Cool! I will tell my husband once he's home from his normal patrol. In the meantime, come on. Let's bring to the Pride. Everyone is nice here no need to be afraid."

Tish leads the way the Pride. Her two daughters follow.

Bahiya looks at me. "Well, they do seem very kind. I dont see the problem!"

"Yeah and she knows my parents. I trust her words. Tomorrow morning we will leave and pick back up our travel."

Bahiya nodded. We both slowly walk behind Tish and her daughters into the Pride.

Hopefully they can help us...