Auni

"Okay girls, we've got an old one today. In terms of speed, we should be able to handle it. The bull's horns may still be in use, so be careful and stay clear of them for your safety." Said the lead huntress, Karima.

Mila, Kisima, Nia, Aala, and I nod our heads. Nia and Aala are substituting for Bahiya and Maha just for today's morning hunt, since they can not join us.

Nia and Aala are both the same exact age as my mother. They are very skilled, professional hunters just like Karima.

Today we are hunting an old male Buffalo. We break up into pairs going in separate directions. Mila and Kisima went left, Nia and Karima went down the middle, Aala and I went right.

"Hello Aala! Good to see you join us this morning. How are the cubs?" I ask.

We walk through the tall grass careful to not step on any loud sticks or kick any rocks.

She smiles, "Thank you Auni! And the twins are fine. Maha is babysitting them for me which is why she couldn't join the hunt."

"Ah, makes sense."

Once we've gotten closer to our target, we crouch down on our furry bellies.

"Now, we wait for the signal from Karima." I whisper.

Aala nodded without a word.

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

"RAAAAWWWWWRRRR!!!!"

Karima jumped out of the tall grasses with an surprising attack and roar. That was the signal. Aala and I quickly chase after the herd to separate our old male. Mila and Kisima are running right behind the old male as he tries to escape.

Nia pounces on his back, while piercing in her sharp claws. The Buffalo yelps and tries to throw her off by spinning around in circles. Nia hangs on for dear life.

Karima swipes her claws at his legs. Mila also jumps on his back, adding in more weight. The Buffalo falls down.

After scaring the herd off, Aala and I join the others.

"Aala quick, make the kill!" Said Karima, while holding down the old Buffalo from behind. Nia and Mila hold down his legs.

Aala rushed over. Using her strong jaws, she bites down on his neck making the instant kill. The old Buffalo had stopped breathing and is no longer kicking. He's dead.

"Good work girls! Now let's take him home before someone tries to steal our hard work." Said Karima.

Every one grabbed a section with their teeth and help drag the heavy animal back to Pride Rock.

•••••••••••••••••••••

Pride Rock...

"Excellent work ladies! There's plenty of meat to go around for the whole Pride." Said Queen Kiara. "Let me go announce the Pride that breakfast is ready."

We nod. I went to go find my mother and brother to let them know that breakfast is here too. Since we live in a really big Pride, food goes very quickly. So it's best you eat now instead of later, where there could be nothing left but scraps and bones.

I searched underneath Pride Rock where I've found my mother laying down on the rocks. "Hi mom! The huntresses and I have brought home a Buffalo for breakfast. You better hurry and eat before it's all gone!"

Mother stands up and follow me up Pride Rock. "Okay, did you tell your brother?"

"I didn't see him. I think he's with Kion and the guard team. I'll try to save him a piece."

She nods. We've join the rest of the Pride eating breakfast. Of course we have a certain rule here on who gets to eat first. Having the Pride eat all at once can create chaos.

The royals eat first, then the elders, expecting mothers and cubs, and lastly adults.

Hashaan, Vitani's son walks up and sits next to me. He tears off a thigh and began eating.

He chews, then swallows. I met my eyes with his own. Hashaan smiles, "Good morning, Auni!"

"Good morning, Hashaan!" I greet back. "You know, me and the huntresses had caught that?"

"You? No way! This is a big guy."

"Yep. But Aala made the kill though. She's a professional hunter just like Karima and Nia. Someday I'll be just like them."

"You will. That day when you pinned me down had showed me that your a successful hunter in the making. You're beautiful and strong!"

I blush after taking a bite from the Buffalo carcass. "Oh, why thank you Hashaan..."

Hashaan smiles again. "No problem! Just speaking the truth. You mind teaching me your skills one day?"

"Me teach?"

"Yeah, how hard can it be? I want to learn from the best!"

I laugh. I chew my meat then swallow. "I wouldn't say the best. Karima is the one you should be asking lessons from. She's the lead huntress!But, I don't mind. When would you like to start?"

"Today, if you don't mind." He said, after licking blood off his lips.

I smile at him shyly with a nod. "O-Okay, sure! After breakfast is fine."

"Great!"

Hashaan and I continue eating our food. Once done, we lay down for a bit to let our bellies digest. I groom my paws and face clean while Hashaan groomed his little brother Sahel.

I know what you all are thinking. Male lions don't usually do the grooming stuff like us lionesses do. Sometimes it's not just a cleaning job. It can be a social thing too.

Sahel giggles, "Hashaan that tickles!"

Sahel is laying between Hashaan's two large paws as he licks Sahel's belly clean. He chuckles, "Come on Sahel, I'm almost finished with your bath. You know mom wants you to stay squeaky clean and not covered in dirt."

How adorable! Big brother and little brother are bonding. I smile as I watch admiring the scene.

"Okay buddy, you can go play with your friends. Remember, stay close by where we can see and find you."

"Okay!"

With that, Sahel ran off to find the other cubs.

"He is so freaking cute!" I say, giggling while watching him run off.

Hashaan nodded, "Yup, that's my little bro. I love him to death."

"That's good. I've always wanted a younger sibling. It seems fun! My brother is older than me."

"It is fun but also a big responsibility. You have to watch and take care of them too as if they're your own. Aiysha and I do a good job at that. We mainly take turns baby sitting Sahel while our parents are out doing whatever."

I nod, "Yeah I see. That does seem a lot of work. But it shouldn't be that bad. Sahel seems like a perfect little angel!"

Hashaan laughs, "Yeah. Sahel doesn't get into any trouble. He's often by himself or now with his new friends. He's a good cub. I'm very proud that Sahel is becoming more social. My parents did worry about him..."

"I understand. Everyone in the Pride Lands are friendly. You've come to the right place!"

Hashaan gave me a big smile. " I know. That's how I met you!"

I chuckle and stand up. "Come on, let's start with your first hunting lesson."

"Yes, teacher!"

Hashaan got up and quickly join me on my right side as we walk together to the hunting grounds.

I look ahead and see a family of hyraxes eating on vegetation.

"We're going to hunt and kill those little things?" Hashaan asks, feeling guilty.

I laugh. "No, Hashaan. We are not going to kill them. This is just for practice. I want to test the skills that you already have. This should be easy since hyraxes are small animals. But they are also fast too! So this will also test your running speed."

"Oh okay, gotcha!"

"I'm going to give you a demonstration on what to do. Pay close attention to every movement that I do."

Hashaan sat down and nod his head. I camouflage my burnt orange fur in the tall grasses. I am careful with each step that I make to not make any sudden loud noises.

Hyraxes can easily get frightened. All it takes is one simple mistake and they'll hurry off to their burrows. I have my chestnut colored eyes set on a female hyrax. She's busy eating grass with her children close by.

No I am not going to kill them. I'm only practicing to show Hashaan how a real hunter is suppose to hunt. If I wanted to hunt for real, I'd choose something much bigger and challenging. I like a challenge.

I crouch lower in the grass, stalking my target. I growl extending out my claws. My tail moves side to side and my ears rotate at each sound.

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

I roar loudly scaring off other hyraxes as they sprint straight to their burrows. The female hyrax surprising runs a different direction I guess to fool me. Her children are already inside a burrow.

I chase after the female hyrax zig-zagging and going in a bunch of circles. I'm starting to get dizzy and frustrated.

"Come on lioness, you can do much better than that!" The hyrax teased.

I furrow my brows. "I know I can!"

I pick up my running speed going much faster and getting close behind the hyrax. She gasps, noticing that I'm right behind her tiny tail.

She tried to fool me with a sharp turn, but I scooped her up quickly in my mouth. I stopped running.

"Get me out of here!" She ordered. "I have children at home to take care of and raise. They need their mother!"

I roll my eyes. "Relax, I'm not going to eat you. I'm just showing my friend how to hunt."

Hashaan walks up. "Wow, you were fantastic out there Auni! Good job."

I lower my head down and open my mouth releasing the female hyrax back on the ground. She stands between Hashaan and I.

"Thank you for not eating me! I wish you luck sir on your hunt." She said.

"Thank you."

I smile while watching her hurry back home.

"Well, that was nice of you." Hashaan grins.

I sat down. "Pfft. I could have eaten her if I wanted to. Besides, I told you this was just practice Hashaan. I'm still full from breakfast anyways. She had a family, I wouldn't take that away. I'd feel guilty."

"Awwww you have a heart!"

"Shut it..."

Hashaan laughs.

I smirk, "I'm glad you've found that funny. Now it's your turn!"

"Alrighty then."

Hashaan walks over to the group of hyraxes. They are out of their burrows again. Some are eating on grass, while others are alert keeping watch for any predators.

Hashaan copies my actions by crouching below the tall grass.  He quietly crawls himself forward. His eyes are locked on a male hyrax. This one is a bit plump and could be perhaps more easier to catch.

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

Hashaan gave a great surprising attack and roared scaring the hyraxes once again back into their burrows. The plump one like the female hyrax runs a different direction.

"Come on Hashaan, you can do it!!" I cheer.

Hashaan runs very close behind the hyrax. I notice the hyrax is running straight towards my direction.

Oh no...

I gasp. "Hashaan wait!"

I stand up. The hyrax zoomed underneath me. Hashaan is still running after him.

Oh boy, he's going to crash into me!

"Hashaan wait-"

Hashaan ran into me. We both fall and roll down a hill. He laughs as I scream.

Hashaan landed on his back while I land on top of him. We've fallen inside a meadow.

He continues laughing with some of his mane covering his eyes. "That was awesome!!!"

I shake my head after feeling much dizzy from that roll. Hashaan flicks his mane from off his eyes. We both make direct eye contact.

Wow, this is pretty awkward...

I clear my throat and got off of him quickly. My cheeks turn a deep red. "Sorry..."

He sits halfway up laying on his right side. "It's okay. Say, where did that hyrax go?"

"Right here!" Said a voice.

I look up and see the hyrax sitting on my head. I chuckle, "Alright pal, the fun is over. You can go home now!"

"Thank you!"

With that, the hyrax jumped down from my head and ran back home.

"So, teacher how did I do?" Hashaan asks me.

I smile while sitting. "Well minus the fall,  you did good for a first timer."

"Yes!!"

I laugh at his excitement.

He smiles wide, "Thank you. I'm hoping for more lessons soon!"

"Of course." I nod. "Let's get back to Pride Rock. I'm sure my mother is wondering where I've went."

"Yeah, mines too."

We both walk side by side back to Pride Rock.

Today was fun...