As much as a lion or lioness wants or tries to resist, its inner instincts always lay deep inside. When certain situations arise, they come to the surface, controlling or altering the lion or lioness's unique personality, making them who they normally are...different.

            Hunger can make them kill the most innocent of newborn prey without the guilt of taking a life that has hardly been lived.

When they embrace one another, be it in a play fight or holding onto each other. If one were forced to pull away, their claws would naturally unsheathe and dig in like they were prey trying to escape, even if their bond of friendship or relationship were strong.

            A newly dominant male lion of the pride will intentionally kill any cubs not of his bloodline as they are seen as a threat, regardless if they are cute, playful and submissive. Furthermore, this will bring the lioness back into heat so she can produce cubs for the new dominant male. Thus, his own bloodline continues.

            All this and many other scenarios are real examples of how instincts can control a lion or lioness in unexpected ways, contradictory to their normal personality, actions, or beliefs.

            Sukari had been fighting so hard, but she could no longer. She is now a lioness with her single newborn cub, Anthi. In this situation of being a wanderer, she was glad she only had one, as it was easier to manage. This little fluffy ball of new life was her only living proof that her mate Sheek, used to exist. This cub meant even more to her than anyone could imagine because of this.

The more she nursed and cradled their little creation, the more a deep urge inside her grew that she had to be alone. It's a natural inevitability of any new mother lioness.

            It didn't feel right being surrounded by other lions and lionesses; her motherly instincts were growing with each passing moment. She didn't want these thoughts to control her normal loving and social nature, but it was becoming inevitable.

            Apart from Tefnut, her other unrelated friends and acquaintances overwhelmed her mind. Tefnut being the half-sister of Sheek meant she was family, now the only family Sukari has left. Tefnut had supported Sukari through her entire sorrow, pain and struggle from losing Sheek, a debt Sukari could never repay and was forever grateful for. They were also the best of friends when they were cubs. Her heart said she couldn't even imagine leaving her, but her brain made her think the opposite. She now needed to be alone with her newborn until it was the right age to be re-introduced to the group. If that were to ever happen though?
            This 'group' as she called it, was all she knew for a long time. It wasn't a pride. It consisted of lions and lionesses, either wanderers, orphans, exiles, or rogues. They were the misfits that never had a place in life, constantly moving around the lands with the hope of never feeling Legacy's fear. She had seen members of the group come and go. They joined to seek strength and survival while others gave their lives to protect it. Each member had imprinted a bit of their life on the group over the years.

            From a mothering lioness's view, this group consisted of many male lions. Naturally, this now could be viewed as a threat to Sukari and her cub. Her mind was being moulded and flooded with a mix of maternal hormones and instinct; she could not help telling herself that Anthi was not safe among them. Regardless of how loyal they are with good intentions; how will she know in the future? Their instincts could betray them. Her confidence in their good nature could betray her.

As much as Sukari had been through with the group, a bond of friendship does not last in this kind of world. We all grow up and go our own ways eventually; regardless of how deep that friendship goes, it's a natural law.... of nature. Of course, she would miss them terribly, and she loved them in many ways. However, it all comes down to the most crucial thing; as selfish as it may be, it's her own bloodline survival.

Sukari's eyes opened softly. She immediately looked down to see the blurred outline of Anthi. She waited a moment for her eyes to adjust to the little ball of fluff to come fully into focus. She smiled warmly as she just gazed at him sound asleep. Tefnut must have placed him back between her paws while she was sleeping.

            Raising a brow at herself, she thought, what was she even doing handing her cub over to Tefnut to cradle at such a newborn age? In her heart, it felt right at the time with Tefnut being related to Anthi's Father, but her brain was now telling her otherwise. Sukari winced and gritted her teeth as she battled with her inner emotions and actions, some coming from her heart and some from her brain. She felt like she was changing rapidly, and she couldn't stop it. What instinct does to an animal can be a gift for survival or a bond-breaking curse.

She opened her eyes again when Anthi made little chirps as he exhaled, at once soothing her inner battle a little. She soon reminisced that Sheek was a terrible snorer. She hoped that these cute little chirps didn't turn into that in the future! That's one trait Sukari didn't want him to of inherited. She could already imagine him all grown up with a Lioness of his own, and the disapproving look on her face while she tries to get some sleep! Sukari faintly chuckled to herself at the thought.

Peering through the branches and leaves that surrounded her birth den, she felt the night had become cold, and a layer of mist hung low over the area. It was the opportune moment to do what was needed. The darkness would hide her, and the low mist would dampen her scents left on the ground. Mist also meant no breeze, so her scent couldn't be carried far through the air. Anthi being a newborn would hopefully mean he shouldn't make too much noise. She just had to be gentle to not wake him up too much.

Sukari slowly rose from the spot she had made warm with her body heat. Anthi felt the lack of warmth from his mother, making his body shiver a little. She at once felt guilty letting her little furball feel cold, but she knew it was with her best intentions. She gently picked up Anthi by the nape of his neck and then sat down. She held him close to her chest, cradling him with her paw, letting him listen to her soothing heartbeat while being wrapped in a blanket of new warmth.

            "There there Anthi, I'm sorry, but we have to go, but don't worry, we will find another place, and you will be warm and safe once again... I love you", she whispered and purred, followed by a tender lick. She Knew Anthi wouldn't understand her words, but what mother doesn't talk to her newborn?

She Looked up from Anthi and towards Tefnut who was still sound asleep. Her eyes soon filled. She blinked, and tears trickled down her tear duct and onto her cheek while her nostrils began to block. She continued to gaze at Tefnut's peaceful slumber. She wanted so badly to hear her voice once more. However, she knew if she woke her, she would have to explain her reason for leaving, then Tefnut may protest and explain many reasons as to why to stay.

            Then again, Tefnut was naturally a solitary animal, so maybe she would understand Sukari's reasons to leave? She could embrace her once more, feel her warmth, and hear her voice before leaving. Sadly, Sukari couldn't take that chance, and it was ripping her soul apart. Her Instincts were pulling her away, but her heart was still trying to cling on.

            "I'm sorry Tef, I'm so sorry. I hope when you wake...." she whispered as tears started to flow down her cheek, tapping onto the ground. "...and you find me gone, you understand. I hope we meet one day again but under different circumstances....and you won't be angry," she continued to whisper, now with a tremble.
            Sukari doubted herself. Would they meet again? This group, she felt, had a curse of living in constant fear, fighting, and dying. There was the possibility that Legacy, the main culprit of these atrocities to still be alive. Sheek had injured him severely, sacrificing his life in the process to protect the group. Legacy fled with his final fate unknown from his injuries. But she could still feel the fear.

            How far away Sukari intended to get away from this place was unplanned but vast. She wanted a completely fresh start in her life without the slightest worry of even a hint of Legacy. She strongly felt that this would indeed be her final goodbye.

            She gazed at Tefnut, still fast asleep, and it continued to hurt her heart. She had to go now. She picked up Anthi by the nape and stood up. However, she couldn't resist her emotions and leaned forward. She ever so lightly pressed her muzzle on Tef's cheek. She just wanted to feel the warmth from her only family; one last time. Anthi had the same idea as he sensed Tef's warm fur brush against him. Half asleep, he stretched out his paw and touched Tef's muzzle, which in turn twitched. Sukari saw this out of the corner of her eye and withdrew her small embrace. "Anthi, you little cutie, yet I'm so sorry you have to say goodbye like this," she whispered through her teeth gently, with a warm smile.

She took a couple of steps back. Thankfully, it seemed her own and Anthi's little gesture didn't wake her up. It had been a busy day for all of them, and every moment Sukari stayed here was getting increasingly painful. She closed her eyes tight shut and turned her back. "Goodbye, my dear.... dear friend", she whispered.
            Her paws silently padded the ground as she crept out of her den and into the open. She knew at least one group member would be awake on the lookout while the others slept. Due to the mist surrounding the area, she could not see anyone, which fortunately also meant that they couldn't see her either. They could be lying anywhere. She didn't want to risk bumping into the elected lookout for the night. It would all be down to sound detection alone. She stood completely still for a moment to pick up the faintest of sounds, anything to give away who was awake and where, so she could slink off in the opposite direction.

Her body stayed motionless. Even though her thoughts consumed her mind with the guilt of what she was leaving behind, she knew she still had to go, regardless that they had all been through so much together as a group. Safila, now a fully grown lioness, Kisma and Amani are on the way to almost getting to adolescent age. They grew up with her on the promise of sticking together, and now she is the one leaving. Mlinzi and Mkuki were the newcomers; though, at first sceptical, she accepted them as they seemed decent, but now Sukari being in mother mode, had grown highly protective and felt she could not trust them. It was nothing personal. She just wanted what was best for Anthi. Aramile was now turning to be an old male, just like Sheek. As much as she admired him, she knew that he had a massive interest in her, even admitting it himself. What if now he made an advance on her since Sheek, the dominant male, was gone? She didn't want that attention or risk, now with her new beginnings with Anthi.

Sukari took a further moment to mourn the other members and close friends who had their lives cut short. Mino, Desmani, Pulsar and Jenna. Sukari then said her goodbyes in her head to the remaining living members of the group. Would Tefnut explain the reason for her departure to the rest of them? In a negative way or good? She hoped it would be the latter.

Her ears were still perked up for any sounds. She soon enough heard an old-sounding yawn coming from ahead of her, that of Aramile. With that information, she turned back towards the den and veered off to the side. Suddenly she caught a glimpse of two figures lying together by the base of a tree not so far from the birth den. After focusing on them, it was found to be Amani and Kisma, curled up and by each other’s side, keeping each other warm. It seemed as if they were playing lookout on Sukari's birth den. This made her smile yet made her heart ache more. They looked so cute and content together and showed they had become the closest friends. She was sure they would grow up to look after each other. She knew she wouldn’t be there to watch them flourish. She winced as another tear dropped down her cheek.

With one final soft sigh through her nose, she started to walk away from the area, tears still dropping on the cool dewed grass. A few tears fell onto Anthi himself, soon soaking into his fur. Anthi let out a little chirp and stirred in his sleep. His tiny body was so sensitive to everything that touched him; he must have felt his Mum's tears.

"This is it Anthi, time to find a new home and a new life...."

Sukari's search had begun. She didn't look back.