"Hey, Fuli," a voice said, Fuli looked up to see that Vitani was speaking to her. Vitani was also a bridesmaid at the wedding and she was friends with Fuli. She was still the Leader of Pridelander security which was made up of three divisions and three times the size of the Lion Guard.
"Hey Vitani," Fuli replied. "what's up? Great wedding, don't you think? And aren't you getting married to Gabe?" Gabe was a large lion who was in charge of King Simba's Personal Guard.
"Yeah, this is a great wedding. And yes, I am marrying Gabe next month but that is not why I am speaking to you. " Vitani stated," I have a proposal for you. I want you to lead a division in the Pridelander Security Force. You would be patrolling areas near, in, and around the Backlands. I think you are a good leader and the other animals in the division would listen to you."
"Don't you think it would be better if a lioness was in charge?" Fuli replied." After all didn't Spotty lead that division?"
"Spotty is leaving to go away with a rogue lion. They are going to join his pride. Besides, there are some cheetahs and leopards in this division too. And you are second in command of the Lion Guard. The animals in the division know you and respect you. And, you would have a chance to see Badili more often."
"Badili is just a good friend Vitani," Fuli answered. "And besides, I have my duties in the Lion Guard. We have expanded the Guard to include more members. I am really needed now. Kion needs me as his second in command. I just could not leave him."
"It was Kion who suggested to me that you take this position Fuli when I asked him if he knew any good leaders as a replacement for Spotty," Vitani remarked. "He thinks you should develop as a leader. He says it is time for you to lead your own troops. And I agree with him. You have done everything you could in the Guard."
"But I do not want to leave Kion," Fuli remarked. "Who will be his second in command? Who will be the fastest in the Guard?"
"Amani, the cheetah is pretty fast,"Vitani said. "Isn't she one of your newer members in the Guard? And Beshte takes over when you are not able to act as Kion's second in command. I am quite sure Kion wants to develop Beshte's leadership skills. Besides, you will still be able to work with Kion. We have meetings between all of the security leaders every month and he will also sometimes work with you patrolling the remoter areas near, around and int he Backlands as Lion Guard leader. You will still see him at least every two weeks. So, there is really no reason for you to refuse this opportunity."
"So Kion wants to get rid of me Vitani?" Fuli asked sadly.
"No, he does not want to get rid of you. In fact when he suggested to me that you would make the best leader of this division he sounded really sad. He even told me he did not want to lose you but he did not want to be the one to stand in your way if an opportunity for you to lead your own troops comes along. So please don't think I am offering this job because Kion wants to throw you out of the Lion Guard! That is simply not true!"
"I really like what I am doing now Vitani. And who knows if we expand the Guard maybe I can lead my own division there. So thanks for the offer but the answer is no! I really like working closely with Kion. " Fuli told Vitani firmly.
"Promise me you will at least think about it, Fuli. Take a week and at least consider it. An opportunity like this does not come around very often and I could really use your skills. And you might want to discuss this with Badili. You could have the division headquarters close to his tree if you wish. There are lots of rock dens near there."
"All right Vitani. I will take a week and consider it. But I do not think I will change my mind. And as for Badili, he is just a good friend. We are not in love with each other and there is no romance there."
"Thank you, Fuli" Vitani sighed and looked relieved. "I look forward to hearing your decision within a week. And I think you could have a romance with Badili if you wished. He is crazy about you." Then Vitani left Fuli alone to ponder this revelation. Fuli thought that it might be good to discuss her decision about Vitani's job offer with Badili. She was quite sure he would support her decision to stay with the Lion Guard. After all he was the one who had urged her to stay friends with Kion. Besides, was she really ready to lead a whole division of animals on her own? It would be nice to try. Maybe she should really think about Vitani's job offer.
Fuli could not do anything about seeing Badili for two days. She led the Lion guard until Kion and Tiifu got back from their honeymoon. She and the guard had cleared a trail that had been blocked by a mudslide. Then they solved a feud between a leopard group and a cheetah group. In fact both groups agreed to hunt together. Fuli found that she really enjoyed leading the Guard by herself and she liked the fact that they all trusted her. Then all too soon Kion came back and Fuli's leadership duties were over. It was another two days before she could get Kion alone to speak to him. She asked Kion if she could have a day off and she told him about Vitani's job offer and her decision to think about it after the lioness requested her to. The two of them were alone in the Lion Guard lair.
. "I really tried to refuse her Kion," Fuli explained. "I told her that you needed me in the Guard. I want to stay in the Guard Kion. How can I leave my best friend?" Fuli stared at Kion. He had really grown to be a handsome lion. She loved his luscious red mane and how the russet strands of hair framed his face. His golden amber eyes were so incredibly wise and could not help herself. Before she could stop herself she moved forward, pinned Kion next to the wall of the lair, put her forepaws around Kion, nuzzled him and licked his cheek.
"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Fuli! You are coming on too strong!"Kion shouted and he shoved her aside and backed away from her.' His amber eyes looked at her in shock. Fuli was really embarrassed now. Why had she done this? She had to say something fast. Fuli bowed her head in submission then she looked up again at Kion. "I am sorry Kion," she apologized. 'It won't happen again.! I guess I had better leave." She tried to run but Kion blocked her.
"Fuli we need to talk.' Kion said. "I do not want to hurt you. But I really love Tiifu and I want to start a family with her. I still care for you as a friend and I want you in the Guard but I cannot have you trying to kiss, touch or nuzzle me. I will never love you the way I love Tiifu. You need to understand that and move on with your life. Now if you can do that we can work closely together and remain as close friends. Otherwise you will have to leave the Lion guard. And I think it is a good idea for you to take some time off. You need to spend some time away from me."
"Of course Kion! I_I understand."
"Good! And you might want to think about Vitani's offer! It is time you led a division on your own. You are more than capable. I would miss having you in the Guard but this is a great offer and as your friend, I would hate to see you miss such an opportunity! So I am going to give you three days off to think about it and I expect you to have a decision. As your leader I want you to stay in the Guard, but as your friend I think you should do it. It is time you moved on and had your own command. So have a good three days off and tell me your decision! Goodbye Fuli!" Kion made no move to touch her. She told him goodbye.
Then Fuli left the Lion Guard Lair. She was embarrassed and mortified. She kept thinking of Kion's words "I will never love you the way I love need to spend some time away from me." She also felt like crying. In fact she held back her tears and went to the Backlands to find her way to the Backlands she was thinking how appalled she was at her stupidity. She had made an utter and complete fool of herself. She was lucky Kion had been so nice to her. What was she thinking? Was she that desperate for love and affection? May she suld leave the Lion Guard. She really needed a friend right now.