Entry I
Today was my first day as a full grown heir to the throne. I was so excited! But I couldn't help thinking about my brother. His name was Zuberi when he lived here but I heard from gossip around the pride that his name was changed so I decided to find out for myself. I asked Umar where he was sold to and gave the place a visit. I was greeted by a golden male named Vayles. I didn't have to say a word for him to know what I was there for. He smiled understandingly and turned so I would follow him.
"There he is." he said. He flicked his tail at a yound male that was the spitting image of my father. The spitting image of me? Maybe both? Because I remember that looking at him was like looking into the waterhole. Like looking into my reflection. I saw his eyes light up.
"Kanu?" We ran towards each other and started chattering like birds about what had happened while we were separated. "Zuberi, I-"
"It's Adegoke now." he interrupted.
"Wow! Do you know what it means?"
"I'm not quite sure."
We talked some more about the differences between our prides when we went on a walk. With permission from Vayles, of course. I learned about poachers in the area on our walk just as I stumbled into a civet cub. He was severely injured and couldn't move. I noticed a wire around his throat and I managed to get my claws underneath the wire noose and I pulled it off. He seemed a bit better. At least he could walk now. He followed me, even when Adegoke and I parted ways. My visit was fun, though I have to admit, it was good to be home.

Entry II
Today consisted of a whole lota bit of hard work. I was patrolling all morning, afternoon, and evening. When I finally had time to re-join my pride, they were having a naming ceremony for Aailyah's new cub. She was given the name Dahkiyah meaning smart. All cubs get their names at the age of two months. It's kind of a tradition. My name actually means 'wild cat,' though I don't think it suits me very well. Adegoke's old name was Zuberi and it ment strong. I miss my Zuberi.
After the ceremony, the pride gathered for our daily meal. I made small talk with Safia and Aailyah. After all, I will be king in a matter of years! And they will be my lionesses. I noticed that Tau wasn't present. It seemed odd that he wouldn't be there for the Pride Meal. I found him in a secluded cave. He was alone with a small cub and I could tell that it wasn't any related to the pride. A small male.
"Who is this cub?" I asked.
"I found him. Poachers got his mother so I took him in."
"Is Umar okay with this?"
"I don't know. I haven't asked."
"You'd better soon. Before he finds out for himself."
"Do you promise you won't tell? I want to tell him for myself."
"Okay... Just make sure you tell him. He doesn't like it when secrets are kept from him in his own pride."
Tau looked off into the distance. "Trust me. I know."

Entry III
Today Safia's cubs were born! Three females and one male; more than usual. It was a very exciting day, for it has been years before there were this many cubs in a litter! Safia is very protective of them. One of them, the last born, is truly a fighter. She is the strongest and has the whitest markings of all of them. I do hope that she doesn't get into trouble when she gets older...

Entry IV
Today was the cubs' naming ceremony. This is only the second time it was done with four cubs at once so it took a while. The first and most mature of the litter was named Eshe meaning life. The second cub was named Hasina meaning good. She was the peacemaker of the litter. The third born and only male of the litter was named Leonidas after a legendary warrior. The last born, the attention seeker and charasmatic one, was named Sanura meaning kitten. And she is quite the kitten! She actually was almost killed just after the ceremony. I guess she felt that she was old enough to go off on her own and explore now, or something. I was out patrolling the territory borders like any other day. I found nothing while I was out so I came home empty pawed. But on the way home, when I got closer to the center of the territory, I heard an awful sound. Like that of human truck material against itself. Sensing something wasn't right, I ran full sprint to the source. Squealing in a trap, I saw Sanura tied to a stump of a tree by her legs with a bunch of humans crowding around her. I ran at them with all the fury of any wild animal and tore them apart. The ropes came off Sanura with ease once I cut through one of them. The rest of my pride showed up when I was busy picking the cloth and skin out of my claws with my teeth. Safia ran to her daughter and hugged her close to her body. Sanura was trembling with the intensity of what just happened. We took her back to the center of the territory where we eat, sleep, and converse. There, we noticed the scars around her legs. She will always be reminded of what happened, but I have a feeling that, when she calms down, she will wear them as a trophy.

Entry V
It's been years since I became king, now. I was young, inexperienced, and naive. I had no idea what it was like to function without my father's instructions. He's gone, now. Died age 16. Since then, I relied on Tau and his wisdom. Now he's old and close to death. It's okay, though. I've been around a bit, now, and have earned my own scars and a pride that is only getting stronger. I have a feeling Umar would be proud. Perhaps he is. I have come across him, in the form of a ghost, while exploring my territory. Maji and Buisiswe have already bestowed their blessings in the form of strength upon me. I wish I could tell if he were proud of me.

Entry VI
There has been some new additions to the pride since I became king. It all started with a scruffy-looking, aggressive male winning over Subira. She gave birth to a cub who I named Ghingo due to her and her father's ancestor's violent nature. Legend says that these short-maned lions were widely known for slaughtering humans and, next things I know, some are taking residence in my pride. I don't know if they'll ever be a problem; they seem to be exceptional hunters and protecters of the territory.

Entry VII
The number of tsavos in my pride is rising. Saka, a young tsavo male, just turned one today. He has a rather short temper, and I wound up giving him a nasty scratch across the muzzle when he couldn't keep his claws to himself.

Entry VIII
Saka returned to the regular pride meeting place after one of his usual expeditions with something unusual. An entire human. He dragged the human, which he obviously killed himself, to the tsavo bit of the pride and they ate it together. The rest of us sat back and watched, appalled at their ferocity. A couple of lionesses grabbed up their cubs and brought them back out of sight, hiding them from the tsavos. This vicious act may drive a wedge further between the tsavos and the rest of the pride. Tension was already high.

Entry IX
I turned fourteen today. As I'm drawing closer to spending eternity with my parents, whispers have been passed around the pride. Saka is definitely a threat. He has brought up his group of Tsavos into their own group within the pride. Kisima, Barika, and Raziya have all grown old and will pass any day. I remember finding them while exploring; I took them into the pride for their low fertility, as strange as that sounds. I was newly king, then. Young and inexperienced. I hope this pride will be in safe paws when I'm gone.