Defiance; Keying Our Survival

The sun was high in the African sky as the pale form of Heshima padded through Zingela Plain. She had her eyes on the small gazelle in front of her, it was usually unethical to hunt a small child of the herd; but in these troubling times almost anything was fair game. The lioness crouched down and stalked the young foal, finally launching herself after it and biting down on it's neck with a satisfying crunch. No hyenas were around now, for they realized Heshima wasn't going anywhere; although they still watched her at night or when she gathered up all of her cubs. The small animal fell limp in Heshima's grasp and she smiled slightly as the salty crimson liquid started to flow into her mouth. This little gazelle had been lost from it's herd and clearly on death's doorstep. So, what good would it be for it to live one more day then just to end it's petty existence now to feed her cub? Heshima wouldn't share this kill with her pride, no the scent wouldn't be carried for the winds were steady. No, she would give this entire animal to her son, her only son, Kifu. Heshima padded away with the small kill to a spot on the outskirts of the lands, a small impromptu cave that had seen better days. Here was where she and her son were to meet, and she called his name once she was sure they were alone. She knew he wouldn't be far behind, "Kifu!"

Defiance, this was Heshima's only excitement in life anymore. She wasn't submissive, she had since grown out of that shell and put on a new face. Although her body and realistic strength had diminished slightly, she was now stronger than ever. The female turned a blind eye to almost everything in the world except for survival and her cubs. Well, her first litter of cubs anyways. Kiasi and Makosa always remained in the back of Heshima's mind, but only as a reminder that she needed to keep her eyes open at all times. She hated the spawn she and that devil of a rogue created, but what would have happened if she had Scar kill the cubs the day they were born? No, it was done and over with, her children were being raised by some lion in the Shadowlands and in turn they were draining their resources. Either or, Heshima thought often about the title of 'love'. She thought she had experienced it with Scar, but that turned out to be a harsh reality once he turned from the whole cub raising experience when he saw his supposed 'litter of kings'. And then there was Kuzimu, raping her senseless and being killed the next day. Heshima had never had a lover or felt love besides for her cubs. Maybe that would all one day change? No, who would want a lioness like her?

Heshima stared out into the horizon, waiting for her dull russet child to bound closer so she could present the meaty gift to him. She thought back to his appearance and realized there wasn't much similar between them. Although it was true that Kifu held his mother's nose style and his underbelly and mane tuft were of slightly similar color, he looked more like his father than Heshima liked. But unlike his father, Kifu was kind and loving, he wouldn't scar the mother of his cubs nor would he turn his pride into a breeding machine. No, Kifu was different than his tyrannic father, he always would be different. And Heshima felt that soon all chances for her son to become king would be destroyed. There would be no ties left for Kifu to hold onto for his father, only the fact that they shared the same blood, the same genetic bonds that held them together. Yes, Scar wouldn't be able to mold his king and caring son into the king he so wanted to have. But who would become his heir? Would it be Nuka; the scrawny spawn that he and his new mate Zira had created? Or would it be another cub that had yet to have been born? Who did Scar have his eyes on; Nala? Sarabi? Maybe even Kata or Zola? Whatever the case, Heshima would hate for her little boy to be turned into a monster, just like the one she so readily fell for almost two years back.