The spring rains had brought forth an abundance of flora from the valley floor, the flowers blooming in a riot of color which dazzled the eyes of the two yearling cubs who scampered about through the scented plants, laughing gaily.
      Tanabi grinned at Misha as he crouched down among a clump of yellow wildflowers, his tail lashing madly. Giggling, she complied, standing tall and straight, strutting through the greenery as though he did not exist. He sprang from cover, tackling her and sending the two of them rolling down the gently sloping hillside.
      Tanabi lost his grip and flew over his friend to land in a heap. He got up, chuckling, but froze when he heard Misha cry out. He looked over to see her emerging from a dense shock of brambles, staggering unsteadily as she favored a paw. "What's wrong?"
      She shook her paw gingerly and looked at him, a tear gleaming in one eye. "I can't put my weight on it, Tanabi, it hurts! "
      "Lemme see." His stomach knotted as he trotted over to her. His mother had sprained a leg a few months back, and even with Rafiki's assistance, she was only now returning to her full capabilities. If Misha had done the same, or worse, broken a bone... He sighed with relief as he spotted the problem. "It's just a thorn, Misha. No problem."
      She looked at him worriedly. "Can you get it out?"
      "Uh-huh. Hold still." Nosing through the fur, he carefully took hold of the edges of the shank with his teeth. With a smooth, gentle tug, the thorn pulled free.
      Misha hissed in pain, then relaxed slowly. "Thank you, Tanabi."
      He smiled back at her. "You're welcome." He began to groom her wounded paw in smooth, soothing strokes, noting absently how much she had grown recently. Her legs, which were her only vanity, had grown out quite a bit, much to her relief, now rivaling even the older Lisani's in their graceful appearance.
      Misha sat quietly, enjoying the sensation as Tanabi cleaned the wound on her foot. Finishing, he raised his head and smiled at her. "All better."
      She felt a surge of warmth for her friend. Tanabi was always so sweet. He never played too rough like the other cubs, and if he had something nice to eat, he was always willing to share. Impulsively, Misha leaned over and planted a kiss on his cheek.
      Tanabi froze for a moment, then grinned. "Back at 'cha! " he said, and kissed her. But he didn't draw away immediately. Instead, he stood balanced on three legs, his attention riveted on Misha's eyes. "M-Misha?" he stammered. "I, uh-"
      She laughed prettily and swatted him with a forepaw, sending him to the ground in a heap. "Tag! You're it! "
      "Oh yeah?! " He leapt to his feet, grinning, and gave chase. She ran, laughing, dodging through the underbrush from spot to spot, always staying just out of reach as he pursued her across the savanna. They had begun to near Pride Rock when he finally caught up with her, intercepting her gracefully in mid-leap to send them both sprawling in the grass. The cubs paused there to catch their breath, giggling softly.
      Tanabi looked over at Misha again, unable to tear his eyes off her. As she looked over at him and smiled, the sun sailed out from behind a cloud, the brilliant light surrounding her with a golden nimbus as the sun shone off her fur. His breath caught in his throat, and he was unable to speak.
      Misha blinked, perplexed. "Tanabi? Are you okay?"
      He cleared his throat scratchily. "Uhh, yeah. You ready to head back?"
      She nodded. The two made their way towards the Rock slowly, enjoying the warm sunshine and the pleasant breeze that ruffled their fur, sending ripples across the green carpet of grass that covered the ground.
      Misha leaned her head against Tanabi's shoulder companionably, noting absently the pronounced bulkiness which had not been there only a month ago. Cool, she thought. I wonder what Tanabi will look like with a mane. She tried to imagine her best friend's visage surrounded by a ruff of hair like Simba's and giggled quietly.
      Uzuri passed them heading the other way and chuckled. "You two lovebirds been out walking again, eh?"
      Misha's ears flattened in embarassment as Tanabi's fur spiked along his back. "Yeah...well, I mean no! That is, we're not-"
      The lioness smacked him playfully with her tail as she passed. "Uh--huh. That's what I thought." She grinned and shook her head. I always knew you two were made for each other."
      Tanabi writhed in total embarasment. "Uzuri! "
      She laughed softly and nuzzled him. "I'm just teasing, honey tree. You go ahead on and play, now." The lioness headed away, still chuckling softly to herself.
      Misha groomed herself self-conciously. "I, uh, better get back. I promised Malaika I'd help babysit while she went out hunting."
      "Okay." Tanabi stared after her thoughtfully. He abruptly turned and trotted up the slope to thw promontory of Pride Rock. Seeing his father, he walked over slowly, uncertain now of what he wanted to say.
      Simba was in the middle of taking a report from Zazu when he saw his son sitting quietly behind him. Breaking off, he looked at the cub curiously. "What's up, Tanabi?"
      The cub squirmed uneasily. "Uhh, Dad, can I talk to you alone for a second?"
      Simba raised an eyebrow. "What about? I'm in the middle of something right now; is it very important?"
      "Weelll, sort of." He lashed his tail, embarassed. "It's about...uh, a friend of mine."
      Simba's forehead furrowed. "Who? Is somebody in trouble?" He looked at his son sternly. "Have you kids been teasing Uzuri again?"
      Tanabi sighed in exasperation. "No, it's about Misha."
      Simba's mouth made a soundless "Ohhh, " as he turned to look at Zazu. The hornbill smiled knowingly and cleared his throat. "Well, Sire, that concludes my report for now. I shall return later and inform you should anything else come up."
      "Of course, Zazu. Thank you." Zazu flapped off as Simba turned to his son. "Well, Tanabi? What's on your mind?"
      Tanabi's brow wrinkled alarmingly. "Dad, I can't get her out of my head! " He sputtered helplessly. "I feel so weird. I want to go play with Habu and the other guys, but I want to go play with Misha, too. I don't want them to come with us, though. She's my best friend, after all, but..." he trailed off, uncertain.
      Simba cocked an ear. "But...what?"
      The cub looked at the ground, embarassed. "I thought she looked looked kinda pretty, today, so... I gave her a kiss."
      His father chuckled. "She IS pretty, isn’t she. So, was it fun?"
      “Was what fun?”
      “Giving her a kiss.”
      “Well it wasn’t fun. It was more like... I liked it. I wouldn’t say it was fun, though.”
      Simba drew the cub close to him with a forepaw. "Son, whether you know it or not, you're growing up. There's nothing wrong with wanting to spend time alone with Misha, if that's what you want to do." He rose, stretching, and began to meander up the path to the peak of Pride Rock. Tanabi followed slowly, listening.
      "Tanabi, this may be difficult for you to understand, but it's perfectly normal to want to be with a girl at your age." Simba grinned. "I remember when I thought girls were there so I would have someone to play jokes on."
      "Really?"
      Simba nodded.
      “Know any good practical jokes?”
      “There is no such thing as a ‘practical’ joke. Not when you get to be my age. I like the kind of jokes where everyone gets a good laugh and nobody feels like a fool.”
      “Oh. Yeah.”
      Reaching the summit, the two lions padded over to the edge and sat down. "This is just the beginning, my son. Miracles are happening inside you every day, and life itself is a miracle to be appreciated for the wonder it is. These changes used to frighten me. I didn't have someone I could talk to. I want you to remember that I'm not just your father..."
      "You're also my king."
      "No.... Well yes, but I mean I'm also your friend."
      Simba nuzzled his son gently as they stared out over the Pride Lands together. “Son, do you know what day you’ll be grown and a lion?”
      “When I’m given my mantlement?”
      “In the eyes of the Pride, yes. But there is no day in your whole life when you’ll wake up and be a totally different person. A mantlement can be pushed up a week for convenience’s sake. It can be pulled back a couple of days. It’s just a ceremony.” He thought it over. “Not JUST a ceremony—it’s very important—but still there is nothing sacred about the moment it’s held because growing up is a process, not an event.” He patted Tanabi on the shoulder. “Son, you’re at an age right now when you’re a little less of a cub every day and a little more of an adult. That leads to some very confusing feelings. Like the way you felt when you kissed Misha. Fact is, I kiss your mother all the time. Some of the time it feels just like when you kiss me. But there are other times, special times, when you get to be my age. You’ll kiss her, but then you feel like there’s something else waiting to happen. Like that kiss isn’t the end, but the beginning.”
      “Yeah, ” Tanabi said. "That was it. I felt like I was waiting for something to happen.” He looked down, embarrased.
      Simba said quietly, “Misha loves you, son. One day when you kiss her, she will be waiting for something to happen too. And I know what that something is."
      “Kombi said I’m supposed to…” He stopped.
      “Kombi is very clever, but he doesn’t know everything. If he did, he would know that the love between a lion and a lioness is a holy and beautiful thing." Simba smiled. “Just how many times has Kombi done this thing he talked about.”
      Tanabi’s ears flattened back and he looked down. “None, I guess.”
      “Then how does he know he’s right?” He smiled slyly. “On the other hand, your father is happily married and has a son.”
      Tanabi looked up and smiled. “Yeah.”
      Simba nuzzled him. "So who are you going to believe? Your dad, that’s who. It's time we put these rumors aside and had a heart to heart chat."
      The sky above had faded to the dusky purple of twilight. And as the great kings of the past took their places one by one in the vault of heaven, Tanabi sat quietly next to Simba and learned about love.

      Misha never formally fell in love with Tanabi. As youngest cubs they were the best of friends, practically inseparable. Most pride members never thought of one without the other. They would nurse together at Ajenti or Nala, which was their mothers' way of recognizing the budding relationship, for out of this friendship Ajenti was expecting a new son and Nala was expecting a new daughter someday. Of course by this time they had long since taken to an adult diet and a more adult appearance. And with this came a more mature love that deepened rather than replaced their old feelings.
      Ajenti still had authority over her "little girl, " and forbade her to carelessly lead on Tanabi because she was still not a lioness. Indeed, Misha was still her cub despite her feelings, and this would not change until she had become a lioness in the eyes of the pride. As her new feelings for Tanabi grew and deepened, she longed for the rite of passage and the freedom it would bring.
      Misha was sunning herself on the rocks when Tanabi came by. "Look, Missy, notice anything different about me?"
      "Oh yes! It's wonderful! Look, Mom, his mane is one day longer than the last time he asked! "
      "That's not very nice, " Tanabi said. "After all, I mainly came by to wish you luck on this evening's hunt. I hear it's your first?"
      "You know good and well it is." She smiled. "I talk about it as much as you talk about that stupid old mane--forget I said that; it's not stupid at all. It's beautiful, like you."
      Tanabi bussed her cheek with his tongue. "Tomorrow is my mantlement. I guess I've run it into the ground by now, but I delayed it because of you."
      "Because of me?"
      "Because this evening is your first hunt. I want you to stand with me tomorrow at the ceremony. I want to make an announcement. You will be a huntress and I will be a hunter."
      "What will you hunt?"
      "I will hunt you."
      "Do you think you can catch me?"
      "I will, " he said passionately. He shuddered and spoke in a near whisper. "The time for talk will soon be over, Missy. My love will be more than kind words."
      "I know."
      "Tell me the truth. Will your feelings for me come back a lioness, or will they be a cub? I know you are my friend, but do you look forward to this union? Are you sure you will want me?"
      She pressed up against his side and walked slowly forward, rubbing along his flank and finally drawing her supple tail seductively under his throat. "I want you now. Once first blood is marked on my cheek, I won't even stop to eat. I'll come right back here and find you. It will be everything you hoped for--I promise."
      "Misha, " Tanabi whispered, nuzzling her affectionately. His hot breath on her face was intoxicating. "When you kill, take time to savor the moment. You know I don't become a lion till tomorrow. A foolish, fleeting passage of the sun and a few grand words from my father. I hate ceremonies—they are so incon-venient."
      "And so long, " Misha said. "Keep your speech short. After all, you'll really become a lion when we're alone."
      "Oh gods! " He nuzzled her again, then stopped himself. "Please leave now. I cannot trust myself."
      "Sorry, Fuzzy Love." She gave him a brief, chaste touch of her tongue on the cheek. "Love ya."
      "Same here. Good hunting."

      It seemed an eternity until time for the evening hunt. Misha was first at the gathering place in the shadow of Pride Rock. When the other lionesses came in one by one, she chatted nervously.
      In fact, lionesses loved to talk when they were gathering for a hunt. It was therapeutic to get all of it out of their system before the silence of the stalk. And so Misha ended up with a lot of free advice on everything from hunting to raising polite, well-behaved cubs. In fact, Isha even asked if her mother had had The Talk with her. She said yes, shyly.
      "Isha, what is it like to be with a lion?"
      They laughed. Malaika said, "Get her talking about that, Honey Tree, and there won't be ANY killing tonight."
      "I could tell you some stories, " Isha added, giggling. "Remember Taka?"
      "Taka?? You and Taka??" There was more laughter.
      "No! Not in a million years! " She feigned indignation, then added in a low voice, "But I heard on good authority that he and Elanna used to sneak out to the...."
      "Watch what you say about my sister! " Sarabi let a little fang show.
      Isha looked at Sarabi and added soothingly. "Come on, Sarabi. Aren't you the least bit curious? You said yourself you didn't know what Elanna saw in him. I did too, so I went straight to the source. El' didn't hold back, not one little detail....."
      Sarabi's jaw hung slack. "No, you don't say! She hasn't told me anything."
      "Well I’d imagine not. Some things you won’t tell a sister, like ‘What is it this time, naughty bunnies or the wildebeest’s revenge?’”
      The lionesses giggled and drew closer together, expectantly. “Naughty bunnies?” Misha asked, worried. “Mother never told me about that…”
      "Hush! " Uzuri said. "Misha's still a child for now." Uzuri was the hunt mistress, and they obeyed her at once.
      "You don’t need naughty bunnies, ” Uzuri purred. “The love between a lion and lioness is a beautiful thing when it begins in the heart. Tanabi will look in your eyes and plead for you to love him. You will come willingly, gladly. And when your love is bright as the eyes of Aiheu, he will share with you the comfort of his body and you will become one. Love is nothing to be frightened of, or ashamed of. "
      Sarabi added, "At times he will be stubborn, irresponsible, an overgrown cub. He will make you angry with his foolishness. You will start to cuff the life out of him, and then he will turn to you and need your forgiveness as dry grass needs the rain. And you will rush to forgive him for you love him so. To make love is good, but there are many ways to feel love. Mostly I remember how safe I felt with Mufasa's strong and beautiful body next to me all night long. When I would awake at high moon, I would stroke his mane. He would not wake up, but he would purr softly." Her lower jaw quivered. "I'm sorry. Listen to the foolish old lioness living in the past."
      Misha said, "Don't say that. You're NOT foolish."
      It was not Misha's first hunt. Her mother had taken her out alone on several occasions and showed her how to hunt small prey. Once Ajenti had even tackled an antelope, and on its body demonstrated all the right holds.
      But this was Misha's first time to go out with the other lionesses. That warm life that she would take in her jaws would fight to live for one more hour, even one more minute. She would have to be firm, but when possible she would be quick and merciful. The thought took her mind off Tanabi long enough to sober her up for the ritual ahead.
      "Time, sisters, " Uzuri said. "Isha, Nala, you will flank me. Malaika, you will lead the left flank. The rest of us will follow her, except for you, Misha. You will come with me. Now silence! "
      They wouldn't speak above a whisper from this point on, and words were few. They fanned out to form a clamshell formation in the tall grass.
      Indeed, there was no need to discuss the angle of attack, for Uzuri's quick, subtle gestures of ears, head and tail spoke volumes. She headed the group toward the watering hole from the grassy side, heading into the wind. It was a simple enough plan, one more geared toward easy, small prey than the large animals needed to satisfy the Pride's hunger. It was meant to be Misha's moment, a passing on of the heritage that had gone down endless generations, and would go to her daughters as well.
      Something had always been missing from Misha's life. For her many friends, she still had no idea what happened when the hunting party left. Even in the enforced quiet of the stalk, there was a feeling of sisterhood and singleness of purpose that she would not--and could not--find anywhere else. Not a lioness breathes that cannot recall their first kill as if it were yesterday. The only thing that changes over the years is the size and swiftness of the prey. First kills often get better with age.
      In the quiet, calculated tread of stalking, they heard the buzzing of insects, the singing of birds, and only the faintest folding of grass blades beneath padded feet. Misha had used her skills in play, stalking and wrestling Tanabi in laughter-filled bouts beneath the acacias. It was now put to serious use. Sometimes she would let Tanabi win, because she loved him. Now she must win at all costs because she loved him. And yet as much as she loved Tanabi, she resented the pressure that her feelings were putting on her first hunt. "I must win, " she thought. "Concentrate! "
      Through the grass, Misha could barely make out the Thompsons Gazelles they were stalking. What luck! The same species she'd been shown by her mother! She knew where to strike and what to do. The gods were with her!
      The watering hole was the great common denominator. The tall and the small, the weak and the strong all had to drink. Some creatures, like lions, took the water for granted. Others treated it like a prize which must be stolen by a skillful thief. The gazelles were among the best thieves, but they were not infallible. And that evening they were letting their guard down ever so slightly.
      Uzuri played a cagey game. From time to time one of the gazelles would look up nervously, scanning the horizon for signs of trouble. At that moment, all the lionesses would stop without need to say a word. They were approaching from downwind so they could not be smelled. They would succeed if they took as much time as they needed to do a good job. Too much time, and the Gazelles would finish and be gone--they didn't hang around watering holes longer than necessary. Uzuri could size up that window of opportunity like no other, and she was exploiting it well.
      The tension was great. Misha held herself in check. There could be no sudden movements until the signal, and no sounds. Even the charge had to be silent, for that extra fraction of a second, or maybe a precious whole second, before they were spotted may make the critical difference. Misha watched the head lioness' ears and tail tip, waiting for the signal.
      Suddenly, the ears went up and the tail lashed. At once several missiles of golden fur sprang toward the herd which hovered in a moment of disbelief, then blossomed like a tan flower in all directions. The earth rumbled like a living thing.
      The party turned to the right. For a moment the gazelles acted as one large beast, keeping in tight formation like a single life. However, one of the gazelles fell behind the rest, and Uzuri headed for him, sparing Misha the decision. The other lionesses began to focus on the hapless tommie as the distance quickly narrowed. Then the others fell back and Uzuri said, "Misha, take him! "
      Her heart pounding, her nerves strained to the limit, she closed the distance. The gazelle turned, which slowed him for a half second. Misha's gut reaction paid off, for she had expected the turn.
      Misha sprang. Her powerful arm reached over the neck, and with an electric tingle her paw gripped the heaving, furry target, bringing her snapping jaws to--empty air. She fell back, and got a vicious kick in her shoulder from the fleeing antelope.
      She rolled over twice, but she quickly recovered and started to run again. By then he was far away.
      "Misha, come back! Stop! "
      She obeyed Uzuri, but looked back crossly. "I need this kill."
      "You lost this one, " Uzuri said. "That's life." She came to Misha and looked at her shoulder. "Can you walk?"
      "I'm fine, " Misha said, bitterly disappointed. She walked about. "I'm just a little sore."
      "You're not bleeding, " Uzuri said. "You'll be all right, but we should head back now."
      "We can't head back, " Misha said, horrified. "We just can't! Please, I'm fine! Really! "
      "We will hunt again two nights from now. If you are fine then, you will be welcome to come. It was my fault, really. I should have reviewed your training and helped you more. I know you have a male waiting for you, and I'm sorry."
      Just then from the bush, a young rabbit that couldn't take the suspense anymore darted toward his hole. An alert lioness sprang for him and tore him in her teeth.