There were times when Kayonga felt like an outsider in the pride of her father’s. She had not been raised within the lands of Tianxia and instead was an outsider with the blood lineage of the Lady of the South. It had been strange meeting the green striped lioness that she seemed to take after in her homelands of the Kusini. She hadn’t expected the offer that had been provided, to come with and live in the lands of her father to be away from the land of her mother.
Of course she hadn’t expected to accept the offer either.
It was in the heat of the moment, the rush of adrenaline that had filled the brown lioness and compelled her to proclaim, “Yes! Of course, I would be honored!” She couldn’t say that she regretted her decision, because she didn’t but she missed her mother terribly. Her siblings as well, though she had been unable to coax them into following her.
They promised they would visit, but she knew it was little more than a lie.
She couldn’t say that she was angry by the lack of visitation provided by her immediate family members, or the extended ones for that matter. No, Kayonga had made the decision to follow in the steps of her grandmother and eventually take on the mantle of ruling the southern house. When word got out that it was not a child born of their Lady Ming but a grandchild replacing her as head of a house...well it had been nearly enough to shake the lioness’s resolve.
But her grandmother had remained strong, held her head high and calmly stated that it was a decision that she had not made lightly but a decision she would stand by regardless. She had no intention of changing her mind, she would firmly state that Sida had everything she looked for in an heir. That she had more than enough potential to step into her role and lead fairly. The Lady Ming had more faith in her than Sida herself.
It was the faith that her grandmother had in her that pushed her to study hard, to learn the traditions and ceremonies of not only her house but the others as well. She strived to be knowledgeable in all areas of Tianxia, when possible, so that she could better rule. It was daunting, being the daughter of both a duke and an outsider. She knew that some of the pride looked upon her with skepticism, she was not deaf to the rumors that filtered through the pride but she refused to do anything other than keep her head held high.
She took to her studies religiously, never missing a lesson with Ming or a lecture from Kindoro on how the future lady should act. She tried to play a part in the more mundane aspects of being a member; scouting, hunting, gathering, etc. From her lessons she had learned that there was no way to successfully rule if you did not know what your pride members were going through.
Kayonga often felt like an outsider, especially around those who had been around since the very creation of Tianxia, but when she was learning about something. When she felt as though she was contributing to the good of her house she felt like Sida, a true member of the pride with the ability to change things. Being a leader seemed daunting to the young lioness but at the very same time, it was a challenge unlike any she had ever been given before. And the idea made her grin foolishly like a human child getting that piece of candy they always wanted.
Kayonga had imagined great things for herself as a simple huntress in the lands of the Kusini, she had one day hoped to do something more than live with her family and bear children. Her grandmother, Zagaa’tamanio, had provided her with the ability to do just that and every day she thanked her for it.
“Sida.”
She turned, pulled from her thoughts by her grandmother’s voice. “Ah, Lady Ming,” she replied dipping her head in greeting. “What brings you by so late?” She asked, tail flicking behind her nervously.
The white lioness chuckled at her heir’s nervousness. “You do not need to be so formal with me Sida,” she mock scolded a playful smile upon her face. It was only around family that the normally serious lioness relaxed and let the softer side of her shine through. “You seemed skittish earlier during your lessons,” she began, her brow creasing with concern. “I came to check on you and was surprised to find you awake.”
“Oh, I apologize,” Sida quickly replied, her ears flattening against the green of her fur. “I didn’t mean to worry you,” she laughed uncomfortably. She was never truly at ease with Ming around. “I was just up thinking, I have a lot to retain.”
“Is that it?”
She stared at the caring face of her grandmother and sighed, shaking her head. “No,” she admitted sheepishly, as though she was ashamed. “I was thinking of my mother and my family back ho--” she cut herself off, mentally scolding herself. The Kusini had been her home but was no longer her home. Tianxia was and would always be. “My family back in the Kusini,” she quickly finished hoping to cover up her slip up.
“You grew up there,” Ming replied, lightly shaking her head. “It’s only natural to still refer to it as home, it will always be a home for you.” She laughed again. “You don’t need to be ashamed of it, no one will fault you.”
The brown lioness thought to argue with Ming but held her tongue. While she disagreed she knew that she was simply trying to put her mind at ease, as futile as the attempt had been. “Thank you,” she replied offering a soft smile.
“You should try and rest, you have an early morning,” Ming reminded turning to leave. “Goodnight Sida.”
“Goodnight grandmother.”
