Outcast Ridge

Juo walked casually through the underbrush, her fur matted with the recent kill. It lay safely hidden in the grove behind the large rock near the edge of the pride's territory. She was comfortable that no one would distrub it while she bathed. Slowly she made her way down the path which opened out upon the watering hole. Her arrival caused a flock of birds to take flight into the hot summer air. Juo watched after them for a moment, her breathing heavy from the recent chase and subsequent trek in the African heat. Then the lioness moved to the water's edge, always on the alert for any other visitors.

Uruun approached the watering hole from the south. A flock of birds passed overhead and he watched them for a brief second before continuing on. Suddenly he picked up the scent of another. Slowing his movements, the big cat padded along the dark corner of an outcrop of bushes. As he turned one such corner, he spotted her. It was Juo. She had spied him immediately and stopped drinking. The lion, his mane tangled and dusty, shook his big head. But Juo turned and disappeared into the growth of brush she had emerged from moments ago. Uruun waited to see if she would return. When she did not, he turned and drank his fill. He hoped the pride did not see her again. For this time, they might kill her and he had had enough of death among his children.

Juo saw Uruun and froze. She knew the pride would have to be close by for the elder to wander this near the watering hole alone. She had to leave, but not before showing her defiance and staring him out. Satisfied that she had stayed long enough, she turned and moved back up the trail. Soon she was taking her kill from its safe spot and dining on the wildebeest's carcass. Night fell on the marsh and Juo slept, sated.

When dawn neared, Juo awoke and was startled to find two cubs poking at her meal. Her first reaction was to look for the rest of the pride. She would not go quietly this time. This time they were in her territory. Soon, though, the lioness realized that the cubs were alone. She watched as they tumbled and bit at each other's ears. She padded over to them. When they spotted her, the two stopped their playing and immediately pounced on her forepaws. Juo watched in amazement as they danced around beneath her powerful body, dashing hither and fro between her legs.

Perhaps they too were outcasts, as she was. To be sent out so young made Juo want to nurture them. She paused at this thought. The loner was not used to feeling such things. From the day she was pushed out of the gather, she only had to fend for herself. Only had to care what happened to her. Now, these feelings rushed into her like a gazelle. And she decided she liked them.

Juo nudged the cubs toward the wildebeest and clawed at the sides, tearing some of the softer flesh. The cubs, seeing this, pounced and began devouring the meat. She watched as they took their fill, then ate her own fill.

Decision made, Juo urged the cubs northward. They were leaving the marsh, and the pride. After all these seasons of loneliness, the lioness now had a reason to begin a new life, maybe over the next ridge. With Nikki and Faru. That is who they would be now. A pride of three. Feeling better than she had felt in a long time, Juo nudged the two smaller ones onward, getting them to break into a slow run. Suddenly Nikki toppled over feet not quite ready for running and Faru took the opportunity to attack her brother's tail. Juo let them play and even joined in before setting them back on course for their new home.