She was scared and humiliated. Another blasted lion had chased her off again. This one seamed mean and she only escaped by the tufts of fur on her neck. “Damn Lions.” She hated them all. She wished the world was rid of them all and safe for cheetah kind. And why did they have to chase cheetahs anyway? She just couldn’t even understand it from there point of view. She didn’t see they were competition. Not Zaira! She thought everyone was supposed to be friends- that’s what her mother and father had taught her anyway.
‘Friends. HA.’
She scoffed at the idea as she had grown wary of her prides motto to accept everyone; even lions. She wanted no part of a lion loving pride. She wanted to be as far away from them as possible. Maybe start her own band of cheetahs perhaps? Ones that would stand up to lion tyranny? Her chest then rapidly deflated. She was no leader. She couldn’t have anyone follow behind her, she was a pathetic little coward. The other cheetahs would laugh at her. She slumped down feeling so alone at that moment. Where were her friends? Those people who were supposed to come around when you needed them? Bah who was she kidding. She had no friends. She was just pathetic little Zaira.
It was at that moment the lion Raimi had a strange urge to leave the Suko’Fumo lands and go out hunting for new pelts. The pride life was nice, but he was a born wanderer; adventure pulsed threw his veins. And sitting around tending to the rich nobles as they spent money he CLEARY didn’t have annoyed him. And what was worse was that they all now seamed to be spawning more and more noble cubs. Pretty soon they would outweigh the middle class. He snickered- wasn’t it supposed to be the other way around?
It did make him a bit sad to think that he didn’t have a mate yet. He wouldn’t have cubs to carry on his line. The nobles didn’t really like HIS own pelt, even if the ones he sold tickled there fancy. He was too white to breed with any of them. And if he chose to mate with a groundling he might as well kiss his shop good-bye as he knew he’d be moving out to the woods dancing about like some crazed hippie.
He left the borders with an empty sling around his back. He’d have them filled with wonderus pelts when he returned. Though he sometimes wondered what ever happened to that lovely blue cheetah that he had met eons ago. He sighed knowing he was never going to see her again. He did scare the living daylights out of her the last time. It almost made him chuckle. Then he realized that he had sworn to be nice to cheetahs. What a way to ruin an already miserable day he thought to himself.
Zaira just lay there motionless. She was now on her back looking up at the branches that hung over her head. She was counting leaves as she had nothing better to do and she was just plain miserable. She had lost her pride, her family, and all her friends thanks to a well done fear and hatred of lion kind. She took a paw and rubbed it over her eyes tired like. Maybe she could just sleep away the days? Perhaps while she slept some savior would come and rescue her from her nightmare. It had become apparent she was falling asleep and this time she didn’t fight it. A good dream would be welcome.
Raimi paraded forward in his own cocky fashion. He was a talented hunter and he knew it. And the day was turning out lucky as he had already bagged some colorful pelts. It was then his eyes noticed a blue lump moving up and down in the distance. ‘What an interesting color!’ He mused to himself with enthusiasm. That pelt would fetch him a high price. He grinned and placed down his bag assuming attack position. He lowered his rump and sprang on the beast but it seamed to notice he was there a second before he was about to pounce the ground. Zaira only moved out of the way just in time before becoming a pelt sandwich. She looked over with fear dazzling in her grey orbs. ‘Another STINKING LION trying to kill her.’ Could she get any relief from their hassle. But Raimi noticed her pelt before the now adolescent cheetah could notice who he was.
“Zaira?” He choked out sitting up sulking.
“I’m so sorry. Had I know it was you…I thought you were a impala.”
Zaira looked over as she shivered now noticing the giant white lion. The fear didn’t wash from her face as she looked at him nearly in tears. He couldn’t help but feel more sorry for her.
“Why don’t you come back with me? Ya know you can get all cleaned up and the such…”
He didn’t expect her to take the offer. What with him nearly killing her and all. Once the fear wore off he expected her to just run off and never see him again. But something stirred in the young cheetahs eyes. Perhaps it was that need she had for a friend. Raimi really was the only thing she knew. Maybe she could-
“But…lions…I’m afraid of them…”
Raimi shook his head at her and gave her a wide smile.
“I promise none of the lions will get you at my pride. I’m big and strong…”
He puffed out his chest to try and show himself off. Then realized that was a bad idea since he had AGAIN tried to pummel the blue cat.
“You promise?”
She stopped shivering and looked over at him.
“Yea. I promise.”
He deflated himself and moved over to her with an affectionate nuzzle. Something in which she knew was strange but returned none the less. It was really nice to have to comfort of something- even as odd as a lion.
“Well then, are you ready to go to your new pride?”
She nodded and with that he grabbed his back and they headed towards there new homeland.
