Just wanted to show you what the mother looked like.
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Uru gave a small sigh. she had come back with two baby cubs, a golden and a orange one. She looked over them again, then turned her head to the MADAWA, or medicine, lioness. "You're sure they're okay?" The she-cat nodded. "My Queen, I've checked them four times. Both are fine." Muurgi smiled. "If they take after their parents, they'll be splitting rocks with their tails before sundown." She chuckled, turning away. "I'm going to check on how Shida is doing. You need anything, holler." The queen looked away, a tear in her eye. Splitting rocks by sundown, indeed! Pah, they weren't even her cubs. But they were her heirs.

Her head drooped. The memories of the morning flooded her brain. The horrible miscarriage at dawn while solo hunting. How she collapsed on the ground and cried until no more tears were left... how an unfamiliar scent made her fur ruffle as she stood and growled over the bloody form of her under-developed fetus. The surprise that entered when a young girl, not even a year old, had dragged two cubs into view- only to explain her mother had been attacked at the BloodLands, the hyena territory. The girl then proceeded to collapse again the ground, body jerking twice and stilled. Sheer horror had blanketed the queen- until the faint mewling of the two babies snatched her ears and eyes. She had sat there for so long, trying to determine what to do with them. When the sun rose high, she buried her true child and picked the two up in her jaws. Along the way back to Pride Rock, she stopped and cuddled them. Oh! that fur... it was so soft. Near the water hole she stopped. It had suddenly occurred to her that she was repeating Mohatu's actions.
Her mind went back to that day...

***She was lost, where was she? And where was Hauna? She slowly treaded among the grass; wait, was that his scent? Or was it just her nose playing tricks? She dashed up a large rock, spotting his light orange mane blowing in the wind.She started along the rock path, joy in her rump until she heard it. A roar split the air, then another, and then... "Hauna!" her voice betrayed her when she should have kept silent. "LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Her paws skittered on the rocks and landed in front of him. "Touch him and I rip you apart!" Her words were met by deep laughter. He reyes became large, taking in the three adult lions surrounding her. "My dear. What a display of courage. I commend you for that." A large dark brown male walked up to them, smiling gently. "Jibu,Dhaifu. You two may go and fetch the hunting party. We have two guests."
"Uh... pardon me, but I would rather just go. Dining with a pride that tried to kill my bestfriend isn't among my top priorities." The lion nodded. "I do insist you stay for just a small time. Just you,your husband and I." Before she could refuse, he spoke. "My name is Mohatu. I am king of these lands. Both of you are strong in mind and body, for you were ready to die for him-" He broke off and nodded to Uru- "And you took down a zebra alone." Hauna looked embarrassed at the praise. "Where are your parents?" Both rogues glanced at each other. "They died last fifteen months ago. We've been on our own." "I'm sorry to hear about them. I myself have no children, but I am glad cubs can be raised tough enough as you two. The reason I spared my guards from harming you-other than the fact I hate mindless murders- is that at one point, I need an heir. Someone with good, strong blood must be named my successor. BOTH of you are strong, obviously willing and able to protect what you love or believe in. Perfect Qualities for Kings or Queens." He stopped talking and sat back, letting them absorb all he had told. "You... want us as your heirs?" Uru questioned. When she go up this morning, she was just a wretched rogue, a loner. And now... "No, child. Only one can be my heir. If you stay here, I will judge you both and decide who becomes royalty and who does not."

A month later, Mohatu chose Uru. A year later, Hauna- renamed Ahadi for promising Uru he would stay after her crowning- and Uru were wed.
***
Pawsteps interrupted the bittersweet memory. Ahadi came in and frowned. "Uru... Are they really mine?" She looked up at his hopeful face and lied.


PART 2: [link]

DICTIONARY
Muurgi means nurse-like healer
Madawa means medicine
Dhaifu means weak
Shida means trouble
Jibu means tick
Hauna means little worth
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~Fin~
Original Base(c)Disney
Design of Characters (C)me
Names are (c) Disney