Chapter 6

I was bored. I couldn't really think of anything to do. So, I just lay in my sleeping area, and watch life pass by. I watched the other lionesses-aside from my mother and Hover- head out on a hunting trip. I saw Quickmane doing his endless rounds, marking his scent. I also saw Golden; he looked as bored as I was. Since all the lionesses were hunting, and Quickmane was out scent marking, that left just him and I on the inner territory.

The inner territory was were we slept, and (if a kill was small enough to drag) ate. It had lion scent all over it, so no prey dared come even close, but no rival predators came either. It was a small area, but a safe one. Each lion has a small bit of territory a log, or under a tree, somewhere with shade, which was their sleeping area. Their own space. Fights sometimes broke out over the shadiest, or the largest ones.

Mine was one of the smallest. It was located beside a large log. The log was rotting, and bugs squirmed all over its battered surface. No other lion wanted it because of the bugs, and the smell of rotting wood. But, if you ignored all that, it was one of the warmest and most protected from the elements of all the sleeping areas.

The log acted like a wall, shielding me from the wind. And when the sun was hottest, all one had to do was crawl inside, and you would be instantly cooled. Not that most lions fit, but I was small compared to most of the lions in my pride, and could fit.

Golden was in his own sleeping area. A large one, underneath a tall acacia tree. It had broad branches, which protected him from the sun. He had his broad muzzle rested on one of the roots, and was watching a snail climb up the tree. His golden mane draped over the root, and blended into the sun bathed savanna grasses.

I was tempted to go over to him, it would take care of my boredom and his…but I wasn't sure if I'd annoy him. I mean, who wants a crippled lioness around? The correct answer to that my friends, is nobody, I couldn't expect, even the kindest, gentlest lion like Golden to care for me. Hover only cared because of some misguided sense of loyalty. I decided not to go see him, in case he was too polite to tell me to go away, but didn't really want to talk to me.

I rested my muzzle on my paws and heaved a sigh. Suddenly, a roar of pain cut through the awkward silence. My ears flicked up, and I raised my head, so did Golden. I stood up and another roar cut through the peaceful singing of the birds like a knife. I ran over to Golden.

"Can you tell who's screaming??" I squeaked. "Yes," He paused as yet another roar, angrier and more intense than the last cut through the air, "It's my mother." He almost whispered, "Come on! We have to find out what's wrong!" He bolted toward the sound. I ran too. What could be happening?

Shadowstrike was a skilled hunter, but what if something went wrong? She could be hurt or even dying! I ran as fast as I could without tripping, which wasn't very fast at all compared to Golden who was practically gliding across the open grassland. As we neared her I could smell the mixed scents of other lionesses, Quickmane, and blood.