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There was a strange, sick-feeling knot in Hitaahita's stomach. The news of the death was shocking and unexpected, and he still did not know what to think of it. He had only recently settled into the pride, perhaps naively thinking that nothing would ever go wrong there. But he could see now that he had been sorely mistaken.

With the vivid memory of the tattered corpse fresh still in his mind, the male watched the river's current embrace the dead lion and carry him away. It was a strange sight. It was a sad sight. But despite all this, only one thought filled the male's head.


Who was next?

Domevlo was trying to stand strong, while the safe haven he loved was falling apart. Why? It hurt him deeply. With each death he remembered his own murderous past. Now he knew just how deeply he had hurt others. But wasn;t he hurting then too?

Sadly the golden-eyed Domevlo walked over to Bekile, no,..Kabusha, now, wasn't it?
"Kabusha..I know you have young ones. Please, watch over them and yourself. The little Parisa-" the young one who one day snuck out of the den and found her way to to the large lion's watchful gaze- "especially. Any more little escape antics,...could be fatal. Who knows who is responsible for this,....the death of an adult is sad,...but to lose a child is a tragedy."

Ukosa stood beside Kabusha and her mate. Tear streaks stained her cheeks but her manner was stoic. She had cried much when the news came and spent the night huddled against Unus in their den, torn between grief for her brother and worry for her cubs. The cause of Adhabu's death was not known. Whispers of foul play ran through the pride. But who could do such a thing? And why?

She wanted to believe that Adhabu's death was merely an accident. Maybe old age was starting to catch up with them. When Domevlo spoke with Kabusha Ukosa turned away, hiding her face in Unus's mane, teeth bared. She couldn't stand to hear such talk.

Domevlo gave a small nod. "For her sake a feared the 'gators and swamp snakes. Now there is more to fear." he heaved a sigh, determination now in his glossy eyes.

"I'll find the killer. Justice will be served, and peace will reign once again."

...........He was such a hypocrite......

Unus looked at the sight of the death with much disbelief. He let his mate snuggle into his side as he felt her large belly rub against his side as his voice was caught in his throat his fur stood up on end. He began to look terrible but with another nuzzle from his mate he calmed as he leaned into her. Surely nothing would happen to her she promised to be there for him always and forever. He smiled but just barely as it quickly faded.

"It will be alright my love think of the cubs don't stress of how it happened just know he's in a better place." He told her trying to encourage that nothing foul happened and it was simple his time to go they just came upon him to late.

Ukosa turned a grateful eye toward Kabu. She did not need to be here, but it meant so much that she came.

"Thank you both for coming. You can't imagine how hard this would be if I had to come alone." She sniffled and tried to collect herself. Even at her own brother's funeral she couldn't stand to lose her composure. Death was unfamilar to her. She had not seen it since her parents passed. That was so long ago. How could time pass so quickly? Wasn't it just yesterday that she chased Adhabu through the tall grass?

Those were such carefree days. Ordinarily she felt a little embaressed when she thought of herself at that age, so wild and boyish with her brothers. Now it was enough to remember that they had been happy.

"Yes, you shouldn't want to worry them... I wish they could have known my brother. Perhaps, one day..." Tears welled in her eyes. She shook her head, trying to shake them out. "It doesn't matter now. Thank you, Kabusha."

As Kabu went away, Ukosa turned to her mate. Her eyes were deeply troubled. "I am thinking of them, Unus. I can't seem to stop. Their time is drawing nearer every day. What if something happens to you after the cubs are born? Or... to me?"

Unus looked to his lover shaking his head as she leaned into her. "No my love do not think they they will be fine as you will be." He said he closed his eyes not wanting to voice his fears that what ever was going on would soon hurt him things always seemed to go bad for him right as they started to go good.

"Take all the time you need." He told his lover licking her cheek and waiting at her side. He rarely left it knowing soon he would not be able to be near her for when it was time to leave him to bring their cubs into the world. It thrilled him to no end and yet it was the part he was dreading most against he would have to suffer not know if his mate and cubs where okay.