[HawThorn]

The predator stalked silently through the tall golden grass. Her paws made no noise as they took small steps towards the unaware lone gazelle feeding on the long stocks of grain. Her lean mussels rippled benneth her pale yellow and black spotted pelt waiting in tense anticipation for the right moment to strike. Then the cheetah surged forward. Her long thin legs taking huge strides across the savanna towards the gazelle. The gazelle reacted instantly and bolted away from the predator with astounding speed and agility. The cheetah steady gained on the prey. She was so close. She could her the gazelles rasping breathe and hooves pounding desperately on the hard, water deprived ground as the chase continued. Then the gazelle bounded forward with a massive leap that the cheetah could not manage and made a large splash soaking the cheetah as it landed in the cold water of the river. It swam to the other bank and slowly disappeared from view.

Rehema sighed and sat down on the bank of the river licking the minuscule droplets of water from her wet fur. That's the third kill I've missed this week. She thought angrily but didn't attempt to cross the river. The river marked the border to lion territory and the cheetah didn't dare cross it. Rehema stood and started to walk slowly back to her den. Her energy was drained from the long chase. A pitiful cry sounded from a nearby bush. She whipped around instantly her fur on end and eyes alert for signs of danger. The noise sounded again. This time Rehema took a cautious step forward and peered curiously into the bush.

Inside sat a small newborn lion cub nestled in the plants twisted branchs. Rehema's first reaction was to run. She didn't feel like messing with an angry lioness trying to kill her because she got to close to her cub. But she felt strangely drawn to the pitiful newborn. As Rehema pulled her out of the bush an into the sunlight she gasped in surprise at her discovery. The cubs soft fur gleamed creamy white in the light and she had pale blue eyes the same color of the a clear mid day sky.

Rehema knew that lions abandoned white cubs to the elements because they believed that they would never be able to hunt or provide for the pride due to their extremely noticeable pelt which stuck out like snow in the savanna . But I can't just leave her here. Rehema thought in concern The hyenas will find her by morning... Unless I take care of her. She looked down at the little lion. The cub battered gently at Rehema's nose and made a happy high pitched squeaking sound.

"Alright little one we've got a deal. I'll take care you." Rehema purred licking the cub over the ear. "How about I call you Safura. For your white fur."
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Chapter 1 of story I'm thinking of writing. Not sure I'll get around to it. I'm lazy that way. Oh and just for the sake of it Rehema means mercy\compassion in Swahili and Safura means pale.