Small Roles Get Bigger

By Foxtunes

Note: Please, NO flaming. Flamers shall be eated. It's a really horrible way to be, and a horrible way to talk to someone. Honestly people, grow the flip up.

Disclaimer: Don't own any of these characters, they are property of Disney

Summary: Vitani doesn't have a mate, though it seems like everyone else does. She hates feeling lonely, but what will happen when she winds up with the most unexpected lion of all?

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The sun set on the savanna. A shaggy lioness sat perched on one of the smaller rocks below Pride Rock. Vitani watched it slowly set as the sky began turning orange-ish pink. She had a better view here than she ever did in the outlands. She had a better life, too.

A dark figure suddenly crept up, mouse in his jaws. This was Kovu, her half-brother. "Hey Vitani." He said, dropping the mouse at his feet and lay down. "Long time no see. And what're you...doing..?" He frowned, watching Vitani stare at the sun setting.

"Nothin'. Am I not allowed to watch the sun set?" Vitani was about to say more, but she stopped. "Wait, what do you mean, 'long time no see'? I see you like everyday."

Kovu nodded. "Yeah, but we don't talk anymore. What's with that?"

"Your mate is what." Vitani snickered. "You two are so...inseperable!"

"Don't be jeaulous." Kovu grinned, face lightly tinted with mouse blood.

Vitani stopped chuckling, taken aback. "Huh?"

Kovu looked at her, swallowing his mouse and licking his lips clean. "Well, have you gotten a mate yet? No. Don't be jeaulous." He repeated slyly. Vitani growled, sheathing and un-sheathing her claws in an annoyed manner.

"So? Who cares, anyway?"

Kovu just chuckled, getting up. "If you say so. Well, I'm going back out hunting with Kiara. This time, my prey'll be much larger than a mouse."

"Whatever, Fatty."

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When the sun had finnaly set all the way, Vitani reluctantly returned to the top of Pride Rock and entered the cave. She silently worked her way around the other lionesses. It was much more crowded in Pride Rock now that all the outlander lions had joined. She looked around for a spot to lay down at. Seeing one at the far end of the cave, she padded over. Halfway there, however, she acciedentaly stepped on Sarafina's paw.

"Oh! Sorry, Sarafina."

The lioness yawned sleepily. "It's fine," She murmered before falling back asleep. Vitani watched Sarafina sleep for another moment or so before turning and settling down in her spot in the corner, cursing her clumsiness.

She fell asleep faster than she imagined, and woke up to find all the other lions gone. She stretched and yawned. She usually did sleep in late. She gave her paw a lick and slinked out sleepily.

When she got out she saw Sarafina just finishing a chat with Nala, who then walked off to meet Simba at the water hole. The lioness sighed when Nala left. Vitani walked up. "Hey, Sarafina.Sorry about stepping on your paw. Is it ok?" She asked, sitting down.

"No, I'm alright." The lioness smiled. She was still on the young side, though she was already a grandmother. She twirled her paw for emphasis. "Woke up late, eh?"

"...Yeah." Vitani yawned again. Catching herself, and not wanting to be rude to the older lioness, she apologised. "Sorry. I'm just still a little tired." She blinked. "Not to mention bored. There's nothing to do around here anymore." Sarafina chuckled.

"I know how you feel. Nala's grown up now and always off with Simba. But I've grown used to it, I'm sure you will. Feel free to talk with me any time you'd like, though." With that, she got up and padded away. Vitani stared after her. Suddenly Kiara and Kovu appeared behind her.

"Hi, Vitani!" Said Kiara happily. "What's up? Want to go hunting with Kovu and me?"

Vitani tore her gaze from Sarafina to the two lions. "Sure, why not?" She replied, standing. "You guys might need my help if you wanna bring down some real prey."

Kovu rolled his eyes. "Yeah right. C'mon."

The three lions ran to an open clearing, where they saw some antelope grazing. They instantly dropped into a crouch, blending in with the tall grass. Well, except for Kovu. But his strength made up for it. They advanced on the prey, baring fangs.

"Now?" Kiara whispered.

"Now." Kovu replied, and they sprang. The antelope looked up, starled. They turned tail and ran, with the hungry lions in pursuit. They snapped at the antelope, looking for a weak one. Seeing a limping one, Vitani pointed it out. She jumped on it, biting it on the back. It thrashed, and managed to shake her off, but just then Kiara sprung and bit deep into the neck.

Hunt over, Kovu carried their prize back to Pride Rock. Simba and Nala had also killed a zebra while they were out, and the pride ate well that day. Vitani, ironicly enough, ended up eating next to Sarafina. Vitani was suddenly embarresed, and hope she wasn't eating too noisily.

"Hi again." She mumbled, mouth full of zebra meat. Sarafina swallowed and smiled at her before returning to her meal. Vitani kept stealing glances at the lioness as she ate. When Vitani saw her lick her lips to clean them of blood, her face flushed completely, and she lost her appitite. She cursed herself silently. Why was she acting this way?

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Well, there you have chapter one, I hope you enjoyed it!