|
Means Mighty
The lionesses were out hunting, they had already taken a Zebra down, but they wanted to impress Shujaa, so the lionesses decided to go after a Giraffe. Jelani had gotten up in age, so they asked her to guard the Zebra while they went after the Giraffe.
"Jelani, make sure no lion or hyena takes this Zebra. I will be back soon, I promise." Dunia took a few steps forward and rubbed her body along the elder's body, before running off with Malkia, Kani and Kialio.
An hour went by, and the elder lionesses was still guarding the Zebra. She was wondering why the other's hadn't returned yet. Jelani was getting quite tired by now, and her bones were aching from the hunt. The sun had started to set in the distance, and Jelani got a strange feeling in her stomach.. She was strong, but she was to tired to drag the Zebra back by herself.
Suddenly, a loud crack could be heard from behind a rock. It sounded like the cracking of a bone. It was soon followed by the signature laugh of a Hyena. A wave of fear went through Jelani, and she stood up as tall as she could. The age could be seen in the way she stood, the way she looked tired. Despite being well fed, her ribs were visible.
A large group of hyenas came out from behind the boulder, and they started to head towards Jelani. The elder lioness was not one to give up easily - She roared out at the hyenas, whom's laughs just seemed to get louder.
"Look at this - A two for one! We can eat the lioness and have zebra for dessert!" The biggest female hyena cackled out. Using her last bit of strength and energy, the elder lioness sprinted towards the large female hyena, tackling her to the ground and ripping out her throat, silencing the laughs of the hyenas.
It was like the whole world froze - The hyenas stood silent and still, and Jelani stood over the dead hyena, panting from her bloodied muzzle. A small male hyena took the first move, jumping out at Jelani and scratching down her back and biting at her. The rest of the hyena pack soon joined in, bringing the mighty lionesses down to the ground. The hyenas bit and scratched at Jelani for no more than a few seconds, before loud roaring could be heard from behind them. The hyenas scattered as four young lionesses ran at them.
Jelani was laying on the ground, bite marks and scratch marks covering her body, and her breathing shallow. Dunia laid down next to the lioness, gently nuzzling her head on the elder's.
"Kani, run back to the den - Get Shujaa. " Dunia told Kani - The lioness nodded and ran off towards the den.
Within 15 minutes, Kani returned with Shujaa and Singa. Malkia and Kialio were standing next to Dunia and Jelani. Shujaa's breathing was heavy, and he slowly walked up to Dunia and the elder. The maned lioness quickly moved away from Jelani, but not before giving the old lioness one last lick.
"Jelani.." Shujaa mumbled as he slowly walked up to the wounded lioness. Shujaa was usually a goofball who never acted serious, but at this moment in time, every bit of happy had been ripped out of his soul. He quickly laid down next to the lioness, resting his head on her back.
"Shujaa, it's okay.." Jelani managed to cough out, a bit of blood dripping from her muzzle. "I'm old... I was going to pass anyways - The hyenas just sped things up."
Shujaa shook his head slowly before he gently started to groom Jelani. "Y-You're gonna be okay.. W-We just gott-" He was cut off as Jelani shoved the end of her tail in his mouth.
"Hush boy. Just stay here with me until I pass." She coughed out before moving her body and resting her head on the male's paws.
It was only a few minutes until the elder's shallow breathing came to a stop, and Shujaa held her long past then. Singa and all of the lionesses but Kani returned to the pride, Kani stayed to comfort Shujaa. Although she wasn't a queen - She knew him better than any of the other lions.
"Shujaa... We have to go back to the pride and tell them the news.." Kani said in a soft voice as she nudged the lion, hoping to get him up. He nodded and slowly stood up. But he looked around until he spotted a yellow flower, he ran up and picked the flower. He slowed walked back up to the lifeless body of the elder lionesses, and he tucked the flower behind her ear.
"Kupumzika kwa amani..." He whispered to her, before turning around and heading back to the pride with Kani.
|
