CHAPTER 16: LEOPARD AND LEOPARDESS

 

       The passage of time was both fleeting and deceptive, eventually coming home with all the shocking force of an unseen pounce. So it was with Amana one day as she returned from a having a drink to discover her son nowhere in sight. Somewhat restless, even though his comings and goings as such had been increasingly common of late, she set out to find him, bending now and again to sniff at the trail of scent he left behind, faint but unmistakably his.

       As she neared a small line of dense scrub, she heard faint voices from the other side. Curious, she eased quietly up to the hedge and peered through, taking in a sudden breath at the sight before her.

       Chui stood near her, chuckling and laughing as another leopard, a female, neared him and then darted away, stopping after a short distance to peer over her shoulder with a sly grin. Crouching, Chui sprang after her with a playful growl, darting near the leopardess likewise, then moving away again. The bout continued for a short time, all the while the distance ever decreasing between the two until at last they were only a length away from each other, both out of breath from laughter and their exertions. Quietly, Chui stepped toward her and nuzzled her shoulder, purring softly in the still air. Her pink tongue flicked out and kissed his cheek as she returned the caress, the two standing quietly and leaning comfortably on each other.

       Embarrassed, Amana stepped away as furtively as she could and moved off, heading back the way she had come. She barely saw the familiar landmarks around her as she thought of the small cub she had found in the desolation of that ruined field so long ago. The thoughts filled her head, overcoming her as she eased down next to her favorite spot and sat quietly, tears burning her eyes.

       A speckled face pushed through the hedges and blinked at her. “Amana? Love, what is it?” Fahari pushed through the rough scrub and moved over to where she sat, craning his head down to kiss her cheek. “What’s wrong?”

       “Nothing,” she smiled dutifully. “It’s nothing.”

       “If nothing makes you that miserable, you ought to think of something!”

       She sniffed again and nuzzled him abruptly, surprising him with the suddenness. “It’s Chui, hon. He’s all grown up and all...did you know he has a girlfriend now?”     Fahari smiled. “No, but I’m glad to hear it. Is that what’s bothering you?”

       She nodded. “Oh, Fahari, I can remember back when he was small...he used to pounce and scrape himself, then he’d come running for me to kiss him and make it all better...or the time he caught that rabbit...he was so happy, he just had to show me, you know...”

       Fahari laid down and caressed her shoulder with a paw. “Love, he’s grown now. He has to go. It’s the way things are made to be.”

       “I know. It’s going to be so quiet without him around though...and you off on your patrols and all...Oh gods, I’m so tired of being alone!” She wrapped her forepaws about her face, the tears coming in a hot flood now as Fahari patted her consolingly, murmuring low words of comfort in her ears and trying to make himself believe them.

       Later that night, a timeless ceremony took place under the glow of the half moon.

       Chui stood utterly still as Fahari circled him three times, careful to note his scent. “What is your name, son?”

       “Chui, father.”

       Fahari shook his head. “No. For on this night you are Kaharabu, the name which your mother and I chose at your birth. This is your night, my son. Run free with the wind. Dance under the stars. Enjoy our company to the fullest. For tomorrow, you are a leopard, free to make your own destiny...nevermore to be intertwined with ours.” Fahari ended the ritual blessing and warning and stepped close to his son. “May your bough never break, my son,” he said, his voice breaking. “Spring true, and live well.”

       Kaharabu stood trembling, and nodded. He looked over at Amana, who stood back respectfully, and paced over to her. She bowed her head, and he touched his own to hers.

       “Mkombozi, my savior. I will always remember you, mother.” A tear spilled down his cheek, catching in the fur.

       Amana rubbed his cheek, her voice trembling. “Be careful, my son. You will always be my little Chui. And you will never be alone, for wherever you go, my heart will be with you.”

       He nodded wordlessly and stepped away. A low yowl sounded from the darkness, and he answered it, moving away into the brush, his spotted form blending softly into the cloak of night.

 

 

CHAPTER 17: AMANA’S LOSS

 

The changes in Amana were subtle at first, but after a week Fahari was very worried about her. She came to lie with him during naptime as she always did, but her tiredness was no longer the casual sleepiness of a lion. She drew beside him gaunt and silent, then collapsed. When he put his paw over her chest, he could feel the ribs.

“Are you all right, dear?”

“I suppose so.”

“That’s not an answer.”

Amana sighed. “My heart is not made of stone, Fahari. I’m worried about Chui.”

Fahari laughed gently. “Worried about him? I know he’s with a leopardess now, but I had a little talk with him about his heritage. He’ll hold his own.”

“That’s not what I meant. For three years I was there for him, helping him and loving him and...sharing a life together.”

“And you’re lonely? Jaha was depressed after our first litter left.”

She had never thought about his age before. “Just how many litters did you have with her?”

“Kaharabu was from my second. Bless her heart, she was a good mate.” He looked around into her eyes. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be saying this before you.”

“Oh no, please. What was she like?”

“Beautiful and funny and serious all at once. And let me tell you, girl, she loved her children as much as you love...Chui.” He pawed her face. “Sometimes you make a very good leopardess. Not right now, Amana-penda. Now you are a lioness grieving for your pride. You expect me to be a kind of spotted lion, but I’m not. Out here in the trees, you have to hunt alone to survive. That doesn’t mean I’m a loner--I’m just realistic. I am as my father was, and in being just like him I am showing him the deepest love.”

“That’s very sweet of you, Fahari. Still, Chui was my life. Once when I said I was lonely, you said that’s what Chui was for. Now who keeps me company, love?”

“If I were any closer, I’d be sharing your blood.” He patted her with a paw.

“Yes, for this moment. You know what I mean.”

“I sure do. And I’ve given the matter a lot of thought.” He rolled over and looked her right in the eyes. “I love you. Not just a little. There are three great loves a leopardess has--her mother, her cubs, and her lover.”

“Her lover?” She smiled, embarrassed.

He reached with his paw and gently rubbed her chest. “With your beautiful body lying next to me, I must admit I’ve had fantasies. I bet your pleasures make the sun and moon smile.”

A long, slow purr escaped her, and she touched his paw with her own. “You sure know how to cheer me up. Maybe you ARE a spotted lion.”

 

 

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