AN: I know what you must be thinking. An original story from the candy man 234 that isn't a parody how strange! Well, It's the month of love, February. I still have no date or any significant other to share, but I still have my friends so I won't be too lonely

Also a big thank you goes out to Rouge Lions who collaborated with me to make this story. That's why some of the writing may seem different. I highly recommend checking out his stories they are super, awesome, spectacular, incredible works of genius! Anyways on with this adventure.

It was another bright, sunny day in the Pride Lands. Birds were tweeting the sky was clear and nothing could possibly go wrong.

Nala was padding up to the den to investigate where her friend, Kula had gone. When she got to her den, she was surprised to see not only the brown lioness cub but also a large stack of meat lying in the middle of the den.

"What the?" Nala said. Kula turned around to see her friend.

"Nala!" Kula greeted with a grin, "Just the gal I was looking for!"

"Kula…" Nala gasped, "Where did you get all of this food? Did your mom get donations from the hunting party?"

"Heh, nope." Kula said with a grin, "I got this all on my own."

"Really?" Nala looked back at her friend. She always knew Kula had her way with food just never to this extent "How?"

"I made a deal with the hunting party." Kula said with a confident tone in her voice, "They get me a day's worth of food and I give them some… entertainment."

This got Nala intrigued.

"What kind of entertainment?" she asked.

"You know how all the adults like to gush over us cubs, right?" Kula explained, "So I decided to put on a competition for the male cubs to compete for one lucky lioness to go on a date with them."

"Ooooh. Sounds juicy." Nala said in an intrigued tone. She hated to admit it, but she enjoyed a bit of romance and drama from time to time; a trait she no doubt inherited from her mother.

"So," Nala asked, "Who's the lucky lioness?"

"Well…" Kula began slowly as she nervously scratched the back of her head with her paw. She had to tell her sooner or later: "It's actually… um… well… you, Nala."

"Wait… WHAT?!" Nala screamed so loud that it echoed through the den and out to the Pride Lands, causing some nearby birds to fly off in fright.

"Nuh-uh." Nala shook her head, "No way, Kula. You can't just auction me off to a bunch of guys like some prize. And what's worse… I'm just learning about it!"

"Come on, Nala, it's not a big deal." Kula said in a relaxed tone, trying to shrug off the situation like it was nothing, "The lionesses were getting bored, so I decided to entertain them, and you're perfect for the part." Though Kula seemed confident, Nala wasn't convinced.

Nala pulled a frown and turned her back to Kula before stomping off out of the den, leaving a trail of dust from how hard she was stepping.

"Nala! Wait!" Kula called out as she ran after her friend.

"I can't believe you would use me for food, I thought you were better than that," Nala sighed as Kula got in front of her.

"Please help me, Nala," Kula pleaded, "None of the other cubs in the Pride Lands want to help me. You're my only hope!" Nala continued to ignore her and began to walk off, not caring about her friend's trouble. Kula then, in a desperate attempt to keep Nala from leaving, jumped on her back, pinning her to the ground.

"Gah!" Nala gasped as she was pinned, "Kula! Get off!"

"Please!" Kula begged, now in a desperate voice, "You don't understand, Nala! If I don't give them a show, they'll want their food back! Did you see how much meat is in that den, Nala? Such a holy sight only comes once in a lifetime! I don't think I can give it all back. I don't think I can part with i-i-i-iiiiiiiit…" Kula then began to sob at the thought of having to give away all that precious meat.

As Nala laid in the grass, she looked up at her crying friend with a look that shouted, "really?" She still wasn't convinced, which told Kula that she needed to try harder.

"I-If you do it," she begged with tears in her eyes, "I'll… I'll give half of the food to you! Just, please! Don't let them take it all awaaaaay!"

This caused Nala to look at her friend with surprise. She knew that Kula would only offer food if she was truly desperate. Whether it was her kind-hearted spirit of the fact that she just wanted Kula to stop crying, she decided to go along with this plan.

"Ugh… Fine." Nala groaned, causing Kula to stop crying and get off of her friend. "If I agree to do this, you have to give me half of your stash. Deal?"

Kula didn't answer. Instead, she flashed a big toothy smile and pulled Nala in for a bear hug, taking her by surprise.

"THANK-YOU-THANK-YOU-THANK-YOU-THANK-YOU-THANK-YOU-THANK-YOU!" Kula exclaimed with glee. This was it! She was going to give the lionesses a show and keep her precious meat!

"Kula…" Nala said gasping for air due to being constricted by Kula's grip, "Choking… not breathing!"

"Oh sorry!" Kula said letting go of Nala. Nala dropped to the floor of the den taking in deep breaths.

"I promise, Nala, you won't regret this!" Kula said bounding out of the den happily.

As Nala watched her friend leave the den, she couldn't help but think to herself: "What have you gotten yourself into now, Nala?"

By the time the sun was at its highest point in the sky the lionesses had gathered around the waterhole to wait for Kula's competition to start. Some relaxed in the shade of the trees while others waded in the water to cool down. All the while they watched as Kula prepared the stage for the contestants; which they all found to be adorable. Kula had fashioned a makeshift stage by tying a vine between two trees and attaching a curtain of banana leaves to use as a curtain. It seemed that the entire pride was anticipating what Kula had in store for them.

All but Sarafina that is. Sarafina was the only lioness that noticed that the cubs always seemed to get into some sort of trouble. Varying from disputes with each other, to messing with other animals, to being chased by a legendary river monster that she didn't even know existed until a couple weeks ago. They always seemed to be up to something and knowing Kula… this was either going to be a treat or a disaster waiting to happen.

"Attention everyone!" Kula called out from on stage, gaining the attention of the lionesses and breaking Sarafina's train of thought, "I have gathered you all today to test the strength, speed, and wits of the Pride Lands' eligible bachelors!" Kula said. She tugged at a vine with her teeth, causing the curtain of leaves to fall to the ground revealing Chumvi, Tojo, and Simba sitting on individual rocks.

All three boys didn't look too enthusiastic about being a part of the show

"Why are we here again?" Simba asked, causing all the adults to awe at the sight. Tojo just shrugged at Simba's comment. All he knew was that Kula threatened his birds if he didn't show up.

"I don't know about you guys, but only did this because she promised me food." Chumvi bluntly stated. Kula sighed with annoyance and walked over to a stash of zebra legs. She tore off a piece of meat and chucked it a Chumvi. Chumvi leaped up from his spot on the rock and caught the piece in his mouth chewing slowly and then swallowing.

"Mmmmm…" Chumvi sighed in pleasure, "Extra rare." He then began lounging on the rock as he waited for… whatever it was that Kula was doing.

"Alright enough out of you." Kula snapped back at Chumvi before looking back at the audience with a bright toothy smile, "Now these boys aren't just competing for nothing." Kula turned back to the lionesses, "They are competing for a date with one of the Pride Lands' most beautiful, most elegant, most astonishing cub this side of the Savannah."

This got the attention of both the boys and the lionesses.

"Oh no," Sarafina said drawing the attention of Sarabi.

"What, Saffy?" Sarabi confused by her uneasiness.

"If I know Kula, that beautiful cub is-,"

"Come on out Nala!" Kula interrupted Sarafina's statement.

"WHAT?!" The three boys screamed in total shock. Turning their heads to see Nala sheepishly walk out onto the makeshift stage. Nala had groomed herself for the occasion making her coat stand out from the dirty coats of the boys.

"Do you have anything to say?" Kula asked Nala.

"Yeah…" Nala said in a hushed voice, "Is it too late to back out n-" Kula smacked her paws over Nala's muzzle silencing her before the others in the crowd could hear her complaint.

"Hehe, hehe," Kula awkwardly laughed, "She's only joking right, Nala."

Nala shook her head no with Kula's paws still on her mouth. Kula glared at her friend, to which Nala decided to play along and nod. This caused the adults to smile and awe, all except Sarafina, who didn't quite know how to process all of this.

"Well you know what It's time for the first part of the competition," Kula said, trying to move things along, "Follow me!" Kula then walked from the stage and into the grasslands.

The crowd of lionesses and the cubs all walked from the waterhole to the gorge. The gorge was almost like a canyon that was carved by an ancient river that dried out years ago. The two walls of the gorge were far apart with large bumps and pillars of rocks scattered through the pathway.

Kula had stopped walked at the start of the gorge with the crowd just behind her. She then lined up the boys at the starting line that she drew in the dirt. Before she could explain the first challenge of the game Simba pulled her aside.

"Kula, you didn't tell us that we would be competing for a date with… Nala." Simba whispered.

"Relax, golden boy, it's only one date with her," Kula responded.

"But...she's my best friend I can't just date her. It would be too weird!" Simba shot back.

"Is that really why? Or do you like her?" Kula teased Simba. Simba lightly brushed under his fur hoping that Kula wouldn't notice.

"What?! No!" Simba snapped back, but Kula wasn't convinced.

"Suuuuure…" Kula rolled her eyes and making a skeptical expression, "just line up with the other slobs- I mean, boys."

Simba groaned and walked over to the starting line. That's when Chumvi noticed Simba's attitude.

"What'd she say?" Chumvi asked. Simba didn't look up at Chumvi.

"It's nothing, but doesn't it seem a bit weird that the prize for this is a date with Nala?" Simba asked as he got into position.

"No, not really," Chumvi shrugged. Simba sighed and looked up to see Kula at the starting line.

"Okay here's the challenge." Kula announced to everyone, "You will race from here to the dead end of the gorge. The first cub to arrive gets 3 points towards their total. The second cub gets 2 points and the last gets 1 point," The three bachelors took their starting positions and Kula raised her paw.

"Ready…" Kula started, "Set…...Go!" Simba shot forward gaining a head start leaving a cloud of dust.

Once the boys were gone from the starting point, Kula looked at Tojo's bluebirds.

"You guys go find out who wins," Kula instructed. One of the birds saluted and they took off for the end of the gorge.

The hot sun beat down on Simba as he continued his lead in front of the two others. The dust on the ground formed clouds and danced in the heated air. Simba kept his mind concentrated on winning the game. He didn't know why he felt such a drive to win a date with Nala. She was his best friend after all. Maybe one hour alone with her would be so bad.

"Wait did I just say I liked the idea of a date with Nala!?" Simba thought to himself. Simba then lost his concentration causing his fore paws to trip over a notch in the ground. The young prince face planted into the dirt causing Chumvi and Tojo to pass him.

Simba picked himself up and continued to run as fast as he could. Looking up he saw the dead end of the gorge approaching quickly.

With all his might, Simba burst into a sprint going as fast as his legs could carry him. Simba's sudden sprint caused him to pass Tojo. Simba tried his best to catch up to Chumvi but he was too late.

Chumvi crossed the finish line first, Simba second and Tojo third. The boys skidded to a halt panting and almost gasping for air.

"Simba…I had no idea… you could run that fast," Tojo said in between heavy breaths.

"Well I guess I just wanted to win," Simba responded.

"Is that all to the story, Simba," Chumvi raised his eyebrow.

"What? Do you think I would want to go on a date with Nala?" Simba rebutted.

Chumvi and Tojo exchanged glances with each other. Both knowing that Simba was lying to them and himself.

"You guys are nuts!" Simba rolled his eyes and he walked back to the starting point to rejoin the lionesses.

"Was it something I said?" Tojo asked Chumvi.

"Who cares," Chumvi replied, "Now… where's Kula with another zebra leg?"

Sunset

After dinner, the lionesses regrouped in front of Kula's makeshift stage. Kula had announced the status of each of the boys. She then used her claws to draw a large grid on a tree and gave tally marks to represent the points that each cub had.

All the while Simba stared blankly contemplating what had happened that day.

"Why was I so motivated to win this stupid game?" Simba thought to himself, "It isn't too weird to be with Nala for an extended amount of time. It'll be just like exploring or going to the waterhole. Right?"

By the time the sun had fully disappeared beneath the horizon the lionesses had dispersed from the site of Kula's makeshift stage to go back to the den.

As Simba settled in the den to sleep with his parents, he found that he was unintentionally staring at where Nala slept with her mother. That's when the cold hard reality of this situation dawned on him.

"Oh, Great Kings…" Simba thought, "I have a crush on my best friend!

AN: yay 1st chapter out. I feel like this is going to be a fun story to write. Once again thank you to Rouge Lion for the collaboration I strongly recommend reading his stories. I hope you enjoyed this first chapter.