Going Home

Tafuta lifted her head to smell the air making sure the cubs scent was indeed the only fresh lion in the area. She lowered her head to the cub who winced as it began to crawl towards her for comfort. Tafuta clenched her jaw, trying not to focus on the amount of pain the poor creature must be in as it tries to reach her. She gently begins to lick the cubs wounds, cleaning off the dry blood and being careful not to open the freshly scabbing over wounds.
Tafuta looks around one last time before picking up the tiny cub in her mouth. She turns from the area giving it a quick look over and listen for anymore cubs left to die. Hearing nothing but the natural life of the jungle she begins to head back home. The sun is setting and night will soon follow, she would have to hurry back if this cub was going to be fed today.
Surely one of the lionesses of her pride would have a teat for this little one to feed on.

"Kukosa" She mumbled through her lips. She cub was already asleep in her maw. Tafuta thought about what to call the little one on her way back, Kukosa meaning missing was her favorite of the possible names. Obviously it would be up to the cubs wetnurse as to what her name would be, but not thinking about the cubs wounds was the distraction she needed. The sun had fully set by now and she had finally reached the end of the jungle. Her pridelands would be close now, hopefully Kukosa would make it.
Hopefully Kukosa would be welcomed and seen too. It was up to the queen and king afterall.
They could see her as a lost cause and put her out of her misery. Tafuta had to quickly chase the thought away as the familiar scent of the prides markers filled her nose.
Slowing down to a brisk walk, panting heavily around the bundle in her mouth she lowered the cub to the cool ground. Her eyes watering in fear "Kukosa, are you still with me?" The cub didnt move. "K-kukosa?" After a gentle nudge the cub rolled onto her side and opened her eyes looking up at Tafuta "Your a strong little one, were almost home!"
Tafutas speech was winded and her legs weak from the run. After a few moments she gently picked Kukosa back up and began the final run to her pride.
It was only moments before she was in the heart of their land. A clump of 6 lionesses was sprawled out along the soft grassy earth talking amongst themselves. A loud voice boomed above the rest "Tafuta you're back! Did you catch something?"

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The cub (Kukosa) is a baby between Mabaya and Kifo
Kifo being the cub killer he is tried to get rid of a daughter. Afterall killing a lionesses cubs puts the mother back into heat, and Kifo is desperate for an heir. 
Shes older than Giza, Jasiri, and Naydine. Shes from a clutch of cubs before them. 

Tafuta is a lioness of my own design. 

Background is Disneys lion king backgrounds that I photoshopped together.