Jabari sniffed the ground, his nose picking up every smell as he slowly walked forward. The two cubs, hidden under a log, snickered, their tails twitching in excitement.
Jabari sighed, his shoulders slumped. "I give up," he proclaimed loudly, turning and walking away slowly, his tail dragging in the dust. As soon as he disappeared behind a thicket of bush, the two cubs peeked out from under their hiding place and cheered.
"Oh yeah. We fooled Him," Kito said excitedly. "I don't know. Seems too easy," Jua said warily as his brother crawled out. "Pfft right! Jabari is dumber than a pot of molasses. Like he'd trick me," Kito said proudly, puffing out his chest.
At that moment, Jabari appeared out of the bush, his tawny paws flashing. Kito yelped as he was snared by the scruff of his neck. "Kito!" Jua gasped.
Kito kicked his legs in protest, failing to escape. "Jabari! Let me go," he hissed.
Jabari, the one that had a tight grip on his neck, let out a muffled laugh and strolled off with his younger brother. Jua snuck out and ran after him. "Let him go!" He demanded.
He neared the lion and pounced on his leg. "Ow!" Jabari said, his cry muffled by the cub in his mouth.
"Guys, that's enough," Sabi said as she entered the cave. Jua stopped his assault and ran towards her. "Hey! Jua, you coward, help me!" He begged.
Jua skidded to a stop before plopping down, a big grin on his face. "So cute," Kira purred, gently nuzzling Jua's cheeks.
Jabari walked over and sat down, setting down his young brother. Kito, his face twisted into a frown, cast a glare at Jua then turned his head forward.
Kira smiled in amusement. "Alright everyone. Had fun today?" She asked. "Depends on who had the fun?" Kito grumbled. Jabari chuckled and leaned down to his brother's ear. "Don't look now, but there's a snake behind you," he warned in a whisper.
Kito yelped and got up, dashed towards the young lioness, hiding behind her paw. Kira glared at Jabari, who laughed at his brother's reaction.
"Jabari, stop that," he warned. "Oh man. Kito, it's been a week!" He laughed. "Two weeks, Jabari," she corrected. Kito peeked out, tears in his eyes, his brows contorted in anger. "You're going to pay for that, Jabari!" He hissed as he leapt over her arm.
Kira raised and placed his paw on him, pinning him to the earth. He growled and reached at him, claws extending and retracting but he couldn't move. Jabari chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement at his brother's antics.
"Everyone, calm down," she said, glaring at Jabari who fell quiet. Kito finally stopped and Kira removed her paw.
"Now gather for a story," she said mysteriously. Jua came near. "What kind of story?" He asked, his eyes glistening. "Can it be about snakes?" Jabari said, smugly. Kito frowned, extending his claws before digging them into Jabari's paw.
The young lion yelped in surprise and pulled his paw back. A smile came to Kito's face as Jabari shook and licked his paw.
Kira sighed and continued. "It's the story about Kubwa," she said dramatically, a sparkle in her eyes. "A story about a creature of great mystery," she adds.
"Elaborate," Jabari said, before licking his paw.
"Kubwa was a name given to him by the animals. He…actually had no name at all. He was born with no name and no identity. When he reached adolescence, he wandered the rivers, eating and growing, driven by a hunger he couldn't satiate. All the while, lost," she said.
"Who is Kubwa?" Jua asks, inching closer. "Kubwa," she leaned down and whispered, "was a crocodile."
"Wow, really?" Jua gasped. "So who named him Kubwa?" Jabari asked, confusion on his face.
"I'm getting to that. The nameless crocodile grew in size. By the time he was an adult, he was the biggest crocodile that ever lived and was as long as the biggest python ever. As long as five lions," she smiled.
"That's huge," Jua commented. "Yes, Jua," she answered. "So how did he get his name?" Kito asked, becoming impatient.
"Kubwa soon became so big, he could no longer eat animals like Zebras and antelope. He moved on to elephants and big cats like leopards and yes…lions," she waved her paw in the air.
"Eww!" Kito stuck out his tongue in disgust. "For a time too, he pursued and ate humans. He would snatch them when they came to the edge of the river, the only thing being left of them were a few articles of clothes," she said in a hushed tone.
"What's clothes?" Jua asked her. "It's like our fur but they put it in them," she explained. "Oh. I kind of get it," Jua nods.
"You know how snakes shed their skin? It's the reverse of that, they put on their skin but it's not their skin. Their clothes are made from different materials," Kito explained.
"Oh," Jua nodded, grinning. "Exactly. Some dye their clothes in pretty colors and wear shirts and skirts," Kira continued. "Woah. I'm confused again," Jua admitted, shaking his head. The three laughed and Jua joined them in their laughter.
Kira continued, "Even though Kubwa was feared by humans and animals, he still had no name, no purpose. Why was he born? What was he born to do? Was he a force of nature, or a creature with a destiny?"
"Poor Kubwa," Jua said, his eyes glistening with sadness. "Yes. Poor Kubwa. He stopped eating and spent his days basking in the sun. One day, he witnessed some poachers capturing a young male lion and his lioness with a net," she said dramatically.
"No," Jua gasped. "Those poacher guys are awful!" Kito said, gritting his teeth, his claws digging into the earth.
"That's what Kubwa thought too. Something stirred within him and he lunged at them, snapping his jaws!" she said, imitating the snap by snapping her own jaws.
"He helped the lion and lioness and the lion thanked him. Content, Kubwa slipped away back into the water. Word of his action spread and Kubwa became known as the crocodile who fought against injustice. He soon had a name. Kubwa, the big one," she said,smiling.
"I'm glad he finally got a name," Jua smiled. Kito yawned, his eyelids drooping. "That was a good story," he mumbled, shaking his head to stay awake. "But I'm really tired."
The sound of snoring briefly snapped Kito out of his tiredness and the three turned to see Jabari, already asleep. Kito scoffed and Jua and Kira laughed.
"Come on, Kito," Jua said, exiting the cave. The two crawled on top of the boulders and laid down before falling asleep. Kira dragged Jabari up there, making sure to lay him near his brothers.
The three snuggled up to each other, purring in contentment. Kira heard a sound and turned around to see Zara and Sabi coming back.
"Couldn't find anything," Sabi confessed. She then spotted the cubs. "You got them to sleep already?" She said, amazed. "Yeah. I'm their babysitter after all," she said, beaming with pride.
Zara went up to them, a fond smile on her face. That smile vanished when she saw Kito and Jua snuggle up to her son,her eyes narrowing ever so slightly, a flicker of something unreadable—-but cold—-crossing her features.
"Oh, yes. How heartwarming," she muttered, her voice laced with sarcasm. She walked past the cubs before settling down and closing her eyes.
Sabi and Kira walked past the cubs and settled down as well. "And Dakarai?" Kira asked, stretching.
"Not here," Zara yawned before licking her lips. "He's out patrolling," she adds.
"Or hunting something. You know how his stomach and his brain often take turns controlling his body," Sabi said, sarcastically. Zara chuckles before snoring loudly.
"Have faith in him," Kira insisted as she yawned and closed her eyes, falling asleep. Sabi smiled as Kira snored, rolling onto her back.
"I have faith, Kira. He made me have faith again. After he destroyed it, he's the only one I believe in," she mumbled as she laid down his head and closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep.
As the sun rose into the sky, its warm light cast over the sleeping lions. Sabi awoke, feeling the oppressive weight of Dakarai sprawled across her. "Dakarai!" She hissed, trying to move. Her ears pricked up when she heard a laugh and glanced up to see Zara snickering in jest.
"Very funny," Sabi said, her eyes narrowing in a glare. "Oh it is," Zara said, smiling. "Where's the cubs?" She asked her. "Playing. Want help with him?" Zara asked her, gesturing to the sleeping male. "I would appreciate it. Get Kira," She grunts as she struggles again. "Sure," Zara chuckled as she turned away from her.
"Kira! Come up here!" She shouted before roaring. Kira, who was watching the cubs, jolted and turned around, her head turning right and left before seeing the lioness who called her. "Y-Yes," she said as she ran towards the lioness.
Jua scratched at his ear,the prickly leaves brushing against his fur as the two hid in the thick bush. "Kito, you know I hate hiding in bushes," He complained, his tail twitching nervously.
Kito hushed him, his ears pivoting for any sounds. "I'm telling you. This time, he won't find us," he assured him. "Are you sure?" Jua asked him. "Yeah, are you sure?" Jabari repeated, grinning and laying right next to Jua.
"Oh I'm–" he paused before slowly turning to his left. Jua raised an eyebrow at his action. Kito gestured with his head to turn around and the cub did, his eyes seeing the grinning face of his older brother.
High-pitched screams echoed through the savanna as the cubs scrambled through the tall grass, their paws kicking up dust,Jabari's playful growls close behind,each one sending shivers of mock terror down their spines.
________
Kito's body swayed in Jabari's mouth as the lion chased Jua. "Give up, you're not gonna catch him," he said to Jabari, his voice deadpan. "Shut up," Jabari answered in a muffled tone. He began to slow down and he stopped, placing Kito down. "Give ... .me…..a…" he coughed briefly, laying down on his side. "Give me a minute," he finished, out of breath. His little brother smirked at his predicament.
"Sure, Jabari," Kito cooed, patting his head. "Rest up."
Jabari flashed him an appreciative smile then, closed his tired eyes. Kito's smirk grew as he heard his all too familiar snoring. The cub slinked away as Jabari licked his lips, dreaming about zebra meat.
Kito jogged forward and caught up with his brother, who was resting as well. "Good job, leaving me behind," he grumbled. Jua, panting, grinned nervously. "S-Sorry. I'm faster, you know this," he apologized. Kito sat down by him. "Yeah, I know," he smiled.
"Alright, heave!" Zara said, her muscles bunching, as she and Kira dug their claws into the dirt, straining to push Dakarai off Sabi. Kira stepped forward, putting more effort. Dakarai frowned in his sleep as he was finally nudged over the tipping point, freeing the now wide-eyed Sabi.
His body rolled dangerously close to the precipice, loose rocks scattered beneath him. The three lionesses gasped as he rolled off. Zara quickly sprang forward, her powerful hindlegs propelling her, and dug her claws deep into Dakarai's paws. "Help me!" Zaa cried, as she desperately tried pulling him up.
Kira gripped Zara's tail with her teeth, Sabi likewise. Together, they managed to pull Dakarai's sleeping body back onto the ledge.
Exhausted, the lionesses rested, exhaling sharply. Dakarai stretched then sat up, yawning. Blinking his eyes open, he notices his tired lionesses. "Morning…" he purred. "What happened?" The three lionesses exchanged glances amongst themselves.
"Thanks to you, I've had enough exercise to last me the year," Zara hissed, angrily.
Kito stretched, slightly extending his claws, and rose to his feet. "Come on," Kito nudged his brother. Jua stretched too before getting up. Jua pouted, seeing his hidden claws. "How come my claws don't retract?" Jua complained, flexing his claws and noticing the permanent visible tips. Kito grinned. "You know I'm better than you," Kito smugly answered.
Jua rolled his eyes at his brother. "Now, come on," Kito said, swaying his tail. "Let's go before Jabari wakes up!"
The two cubs raced off, leaving their snoring older brother behind. After running for a while, the cubs skidded to a stop at the Seronera river. "Oh… water," Kito said happily, running forward. Jua leapt forward, blocking him. "Remember the last time we went to a river?" Jua reminded him, his brows creased in worry.
Kito pouted at him, letting out a frustrated huff, his eyelids drooping. He paws at the ground. "But here, there are no killer pythons," Kito argued, running around Jua and racingtoward's the riverbank's edge. Jua gasped, his fur bristling at the sight of a formidable sprawl of the Nile Crocodiles on the opposite bank of the Seronera, their armored hides gleaming in the warm, inviting sun.
"Kito!" Jua shouted, running after his lion brother.
Kito lapped at the water, his brows furrowing at the taste. He straightened, licking his lips. "Interesting taste. A little too salty for me," He mused, wrinkling his nose slightly. Kito! No! look!" He hissed, his voice laced with panic as he gestured with his head frantically to the opposite bank.
Kito sees the sprawling crocodiles and his eyes grow wide. "Yeah," Jua frowned. "Kito! Jua!" The cubs' fur bristled at the shout. They turn around to see Jabari, running right for them. The cubs scream in terror.
"Great! He's awake!" Kito whined. "It's a good run…" Jua said, ears pinned down. Kito glanced at the water, his brows furrowed in concentration. "No…." he muttered, eyes locked to the opposite bank. Not this time, Jabari. I'm older now. Faster. "I won't lose again!"
Jua's blood ran cold as his brother, his gaze fixed on the far bank, took a deliberate step into the murky water.
"Kito!" Jua shouted, his voice laced with worry. "Come on!" Kito called, as he swam forward. "Oh, for the love of the savanna…: Jua groaned, pacing frantically up and down the muddy bank. "Why me? Why was I born into this family?"
Reluctantly, he dashed in, the splashing soaking into his fur. In a second, Jua caught up with his brother, the two cubs swimming side by side.
Jabari skidded to a stop, tripping and falling into the murky water. He got up, shaking his body and watched in abstract horror, their sheer audacity of their brave act, as his younger brothers paddled further from the shore. "Yes!" Kito cheered happily. Jua gulped as he saw two crocodiles stirring and inching towards the river's edge. With barely a ripple, they slid effortlessly into the murky waters, their armored bodies vanishing into the depths. "Kito…" Jua warned. "Do you have a plan against giant crocodiles?"
Kito looked at him funny. "What?"
"They're in the water with us!" Jua hissed.
Panic swelled in Kito's belly as the words sunk in. He heard two more splashes and his earlier bravado disappeared.
Perhaps defeat was more dignified than getting eaten.
"Turn back?" Jua asked his brother. "Yeah…turn back!" Kito's eyes widened in terror as he trashed in the water, sending panicked splashes in every direction as he frantically tried to turn back.
"Ugh…Dad made it look so easy…" KIto sputtered, as his head dipped briefly beneath the surface, a mouthful of water likely swallowed. Jua grabbed the scruff of his brother's neck and strained, dragging him as he swam back.
"Hurry up, Jua! They're getting closer!" Jabari pleaded from the muddy shore, his claws digging in the earth, then retracing in anxious movements.
A shape glided silently beneath the surface, scales glinting like obsidian under the sunlight. Jua didn't dare turn his gaze from the shore
Just then, a huge wave of water propelled the cubs forward. He could've sworn hearing a grumble from a massive creature beneath.
Jua managed to find purchase to his feet and crawl out the water, dragging his brother behind him. Jua dropped Kito like a dead meerkat and plopped himself down on the shore.
The three cubs looked back, gasping loudly. The three other crocodiles emerged from the surface, their eyes fixed to the center of the river, wide in horror. The middle of the river was dyed red as a massive crocodile spun in the water. The cubs inches away from the edge, their eyes wide.
A massive tail poked out, before lowering itself into the bloodied waters.
"Kubwa…" Jua gasped. Kito and Jabari turned to their brother. "There's no way…it's just a story," Kito said, incredulously.
"Kito!" Sabi's voice drew the attention of the young cub. Kito got up and ran towards his mother. They met, pressing their foreheads together. Zara rushed past and smacked Jabari on the head with her massive paw. "Ow!" Jabari cried, shaking his head. "You idiot! The cubs should not be so far away from our territory!" She spat.
Kira ran up to the shivering cub. "Are you alright, Jua?" She asked with a small smile. Jua nodded. Dakarai strolled past, standing at the shore, his eyes scanning the area.
Bowing his head, he whispered, "Thank you, Kubwa."
Kito blinked, his brows furrowed in confusion as he watched his father. Jabari, however, stared at the river, his mouth slightly agape in awe. Jua smiled, standing up. "I told you he was real!"