The pride rested peacefully, but Layla had a hard time sleeping. She kept waking up at random times near one in the morning. Layla was a light sleeper, and it was also a pretty hot night. She just decided she would sleep and try to get used to it, because these hot nights were going to happen for a while in the near future; it was just the first night of the dry season, after all. However, Layla couldn't fall asleep or get used to it. She decided she would get up and have a drink of water and maybe a short swim, she couldn't handle the heat anymore.

She got up and stretched. She let her eyes adjust as she prowled silently through camp, toward the water hole. Her eyes were now fully adjusted. She passed an acacia tree to enter the space where the water hole was, which was a bit more out in the open then the other areas of camp. Her heart almost skipped a beat as she saw something very unusual; a coalition of four cheetahs were drinking from the water hole! The cheetahs didn't notice her, due to her pelt blending in with the night. She was only heard when she murmured "excuse me?", in a slightly angry tone. This was the pride's water, no one's else's.

One cheetah lifted his head. "Oh gosh." He meowed, surprised.

The other cheetahs looked up and saw Layla. "Please don't attack us, we are just drinking some water. All of our's ran out, the heat is even worse where we live, out in the desert." One small female explained.

Layla nodded. "I understand, you can drink this water any time you want." Layla murmured. The black lioness's soft tone sounded sad, but gentle.

She heard paw steps behind her, then Sitaara's voice. "No, you can only drink our water once, we need it, we have a pride to take care of. This is the only time you can drink our water, find a different water hole." Layla shot Sitaara a half surprised, half angry look, but she didn't have the energy to argue.

A bigger female growled at Sitaara. A different female, with a slightly darker pelt spoke. "Fine, just kick us out. Let us die even though we've done nothing to you. Lions always disappoint me. Let's go, guys." The other cheetahs followed the dark pelted female.

"Sitaara, why did you do that? They were nice cheetahs and now they have no water. Life isn't all about the pride, you know. And now that I think of it, it was very cruel of you to kill Thamani. She was a good, noble matriarch, but you killed her and attacked her devoted clan members just for some stupid wildebeest that the hyenas worked very hard to catch! You're still one of my best friends, Sitaara... but... I'm just... disappointed." Layla sighed.

"I'm sorry... I shouldn't have done it, the words just came out of my mouth. And I regret killing Thamani." Sitaara murmured, clearly disappointed in herself too.

"It's okay, Sitaara. You didn't mean it, you're a good lion." Layla forgave, smiling.

"Thanks, Layla. You're the best friend that anyone could ever have." Sitaara purred.

The two friends hung out by the water hole for a few hours, because apparently Sitaara was struggling with the weather and falling asleep as well. After that, they went back to sleep, this time, successfully. Everything was settled... for now, that is.