Adia

The sun sank lower in the sky, light of day draining away, giving way to the velvety dark of night. Crickets are singing, dusky colors subdued in the fading light. The first buzz of mosquitoes, day winding down, as the first star shine in the night sky. The air became cooler across the evening landscape. Twilight had fallen.

I am sitting at the edge of Pride Rock waiting for daddy's return home. We were suppose to go over my first lesson as being part of the Lion Guard team. But daddy never came home.

I hear paw steps behind me. My ear twitch and I look over my right shoulder seeing my mom come forward.

"There you are Adia. What are you doing out alone? It's getting late and is almost your bedtime." She said.

I sigh. "I was waiting for daddy. He's never coming back home until morning right?"

"Oh sweetie..."

Mother sat next to me and pulled me close for a hug. "Your father had an important task to do tonight with the King. It can take him all night. You should get some rest. He'll be here in the morning. Okay?"

I frown. "He never makes time for me...he promised!"

"Adia, your father tries very hard to balance and be there for his family as much as he can. But when duty calls, he has to intend. You'll understand and see someday when you become the next guard leader. It's too much for a cub now."

"Me as the next Lion Guard leader? Pfft, forget it. I'm never going to learn anything with daddy never being here. Besides, who wants a girl as their leader? They'll think I'm weak!"

Mom gave my cheek a kiss and smiles. "Who says girls can't do anything? Look at Queen Kiara for an example."

"Mom, she's a Queen. That's different from a Lion Guard!" I say, while rolling my maroon colored eyes.

"Yes, Im aware of that Adia. My point is that you can't let gender change your lifestyle of how you do things. So what you're a girl! You may turn out to be a very strong and smarter lioness than the rest of the guard members. Everyone has something special to offer. We just don't know yours yet sweetie, because you are still so young."

"I see. But daddy found out his special skill when he was my age. Thats how he got his roar!"

Mom chuckles. "Yes, some develop more quicker than others sweetie. Your time will come. Just not now. In the meantime, play with your friends and have fun. If you don't, you'll regret it when you become older. Things will change and become much harder."

I nod. "Okay, mom."

She hugs me again and stand up walking down Pride Rock. "Good. Now come along, let's get you ready for bed."

I leap right behind her down the rocky steps. Our family doesn't sleep in the big cave with the rest of the Pride. We sleep under Pride rock. There's another cave there but small. That's where we live! King Kovu and Queen Kiara gave it to us.

I ran inside the cave and find my twin sister Chauna laying alone. I pounce on her with surprise. She jumps startled.

"Adia, you scared me!" Chauna laughs.

I bite on her ear playfully. Mom comes over and lays down.

"Alright, that's enough you two. Save your energy for tomorrow."

Chauna and I walk over to mom's side and cuddled close for warmth. She licks the top of our heads as we shut our eyes.

I smile with excitement. I can't wait for morning to arrive so I can see daddy!

~~~~~~~~~~

The coolness of the early morning is deceptive; the sun has barely risen and this altitude is always cooler. I open my eyes with a big yawn.

I've been waiting for the morning for so long that I barely believe my eyes when I watched the sun enter its bright rays inside the cave. I know it's too early to be up, but I've waited for this day for so long. Daddy might be home!

I looked around the cave. I don't see him laying next to mom. Maybe he's already outside? I got up with a stretch and ran out. I hear the birds singing their normal morning music. A few lionesses are off to go hunt as I watch them leave Pride Rock.

I don't see daddy still. Maybe he's above Pride Rock? Yeah! I ran up Pride Rock and find Queen Kiara talking to my friend "Mosi" mom. Her name is "Haiba". Maybe one of them could have seen my father?

"Excuse me, Aunt Kiara? Have you seen my daddy anywhere??" I ask, interrupting their conversation.

They look down at me and smile. "No sweetie I haven't. He's still out with your Uncle Kovu. They should be back home in a few! Zazu my majordomo had just told me. They're alright."

"Okay, thank you!"

I went back underneath Pride Rock to my family's cave where I find mom and Chauna both now awake.

I smile excitedly, "Mom, Chauna, guess what?"

"What? And how come you're so active in the mornings Adia?" Chauna asks me, still in a sleepy tone.

"Daddy is going to be home in a few! Aunt Kiara told me."

"Really?!"

Chauna and I jump up and down with happy smiles. Mom watched us with laughter.

"That's great!" Mom comments. "I miss your father too."

"Did someone say they've missed me?" A deep voice asks.

We all turn our heads to the cave's entrance/exit. There standing is daddy. I smile very wide and rush over to him. Chauna follows right behind me.

"Ahh, there's my girls!" Daddy smiles.

Chauna and I hug his front legs. He nuzzles us and lick the top of our heads. We share a loving purr.

Mom joins us by giving daddy a lick on his nose. They share a more affectionate nuzzle and head-bud.

"I've missed you!" She says, purring.

"I missed you too, honey." He said, purring more loudly.

Finally, our family is back. I climb up on daddy's back.

"Daddy, can we do those lion guard lessons now?" I ask.

He chuckles, "Yes Adia, we can. Right after I speak to your mother about something very important first. You and your sister step outside the cave for a bit."

"Yay, okay!"

Chauna and I ran out the cave. I wonder what's so important that daddy had to tell mom for us to be out the cave. He's never done that before. Something must be up. Maybe dad had found something dangerous while out with Uncle Kovu.

Hmmm...

"I wonder what dad is telling mom." Said Chauna, while sitting down.

I sat next to her and shrug. "I don't know. Could be another hyena problem or something. Trust me, I'm going to find out."

"And how are you going to do that Adia? You're not apart of the Lion Guard yet."

"Duh, I know that! No one said I was going to fight like the Lion Guard, Chauna. I just want to spy and search for clues like daddy does."

Chauna looks unsure. "Hmm, I don't know about that. What if you get into some trouble with a hyena or something? You don't know how to fight and neither do I."

I snort and stand up with a grin. "You don't know how to fight. I do! Uncle Kovu teaches me, while you're out doing your lessons  with mom learning how to hunt."

"Oh really? Mom taught me  how too. Show me what you've got!"

"Alright."

Chauna crouch low onto the ground. I growl extending out my small claws. She leaps forward. I swipe my paw, playfully hitting her face. She growls, tackling me on the ground. I spin Chauna over and somehow quickly pinned her underneath me.

"Whoa!" I say, surprised.

"Wow...you do fight good." Chauna said, stunned.

I got off Chauna so she could stand.

"Maybe uncle Kovu could teach me too!"

"Yeah. That's if he isn't busy like how daddy is. Now are you coming with me to find what's out there?"

"Yeah, but what about your Lion Guard lessons?"

I roll my eyes and start walking to the plains. "Daddy will find me. He's busy talking with mom. Now come on!"

Chauna nodded and jog at my left side.

This will be a test to show daddy that I am the perfect fit as being the new leader of the Lion Guard...

And to also find out what is my special power...