What's good guys? Thank you SUPER MUCH for all the reviews! ! Yes, I know I need to work on my summary…..CAN YA HELP ME? Leave your suggestion for a description in a review!
Machungwa63: Ooo, I like how you came up with your name . ORANGE! Can ya tell me what green and purple is? I love Sarabi and I don't think I'll be cutting her out of this story this time, I miss her in my first one. Yea it was long, but I for-warn you guys about it lol but you also saw why it was. More Nala and Simba to come!
TLKLover1212: Oh yes! Gotta have that SNB here lol. I love these two! You'll definitely see more of Sarafina and Cy, I mean, they have to get along now right, seeing as they are in the same pride again lol . Two of my colors are yours! Sweetness!
Mimoo01: We all have those instigative friends now don't we ;)? Aww, thank you for the compliments! Sarafina and Cy have some making up to do don't they? We shall see. Purple and blue, how cool! A lot of you guys have the same colors as me!
Jonny2b: Sarafina and Cy are not getting along, they just had an argument 0_0. Great colors.
Donewithit: Thank you much and welcome to the story and I'm glad you are enjoying it! I can't imagine Nala any other way ! Just going by how they portrayed her in the movie!
Reldor: I think their lives would have been better with each other as well if he had proposed first, but, ahh life lol. At least they are together now, well, in the same place, they'll be friends again, if both of them can stop being stubborn . Msala is the one who went off on Maeva's mother who is Haraka. Msala is the wise yet smart-assed lioness lol. Ha ha, braggart…I like that word.
FfKitty: Oh thank you so much! It means a lot when authors hear that the readers love the story, I hope you'll stay tuned until the end! Yes, the summary, eh, I need some work on it lol and I am as we speak, but I think I'm close to making it better lol. Turquoise is beautiful! Hmm, I will definitely ask that next! Thanks for the suggestion!
Guest #1: Um, these aren't Arabic names, they're African.
KBlade: Lol thank you , Nala is a feisty one huh and thanks for your honesty, I do the same to other stories too, but then once I read I'm like: NICE!
Unknown: Lol yea I had to leave you guys on a cliff hanger. The chapter was long already -_-. Yea, my summary is not the best and I'm working on to change it now. You should get an account or screen name so I can thank and respond to ya properly . Thank you much!
You guys make my day! Thanks again for all the awesome reviews!
Disclaimer: I Do Not Own The Lion King
Kind of a long chap, but I think you'll like it ;)
Chapter 3: Decisions
Simba P.O.V.
The stars will always be a favorite past time of mine and I hope to never let it go. My parents, especially my father, talk about the kings of the past, how the stars came about, and other things about them, like how they form constellations. I'd always been allowed to stay up a little longer just as my excuse was to star gaze, but I couldn't always pull the wool over my parent's eyes. I've often heard stories about my grandparents: Uru and Ahadi, and how they are watching over and guiding me always. Gods, I hope they can help me with this new situation starring Nala and Maeva. The wind is calm tonight, but a light breeze is flowing through my lands. As I inhaled the air, a new scent, that had just recently became a favorite of mine, hit my nose and a small smile made its way across my face. Nala. I turned my red head slowly in her direction behind me and saw that her head was leaning slightly to the side as if she had just realized something pleasant. I cleared my throat.
"Oh, sorry Simba. I didn't know you were up here. Nobody told m-"
"That's alright. I-"
"I can leave if y-"
"No, please." I gestured with my paw for her to sit, "Stay. I don't mind. I could use the company." She met my eyes and hesitated for a minute, probably to see fill me out to see if I was serious. After all we did today, she can't still be possibly having doubts about how I am, but slowly she made her way over. I studied her for minute and had this weird feeling in my stomach. She is very pretty, beautiful even, but her personality is what gets me the most. She's new to this pride, but she didn't give us the time of day to find out for ourselves what she's really like, she put it out there.
"Ahem." I blinked quickly and really looked into her eyes as she brought me out of my trance, "You ok?"
"Yea, I'm-I'm fine. Sorry." The creamy colored lioness giggled a little at my embarrassment all the while making my heart jump when she did and I finally looked away from her.
"So what are you doing up here?" Hey, I was about to ask her that.
"I was just looking at the stars." I replied kindly and her aqua orbs got a little bigger.
"You gaze too?" She sounded surprised, but then suddenly changed and she mumbled "so that's why they told me it was ok to come up here."
"Yea, I do. My parents and I use to this all the time when I was little before bed."
"Interesting."
"How?"
"Just that my mom would do the same with my brother and I." She had a brother? But before I could ask her, she had seen my face and continued with her story, "Yes, I have a brother. We just aren't as close as we use to be." She looked sad for a moment and looked away and I felt bad for asking, but when she turned back around, she had changed her façade and was about to ask me something, but our eyes locked.
"If you ever need anyone to talk to, I'm here if you need it." Nala hadn't answered me, but instead just kept staring deep into my scarlets and wouldn't look away, but not that I'm complaining because I felt myself frozen. The stars hadn't been shinning as bright her eyes tonight and I'm not sure if they ever will according to me. They're like diamonds.
"Simba, would you quit!" She shouted playfully and popped my arm gently. Wait, wasn't she just doing the same? And she started it! "Take a picture, it'll last a lot longer." I grinned goofily at her and glanced away to take in the land.
"Sorry."
"It's ok. I know I'm hot." I whipped my head back to her with an appalled look on my face and she busted with laughter.
"Conceited much?" I teased her.
"I'm kidding, I'm kidding."
"Uh huh. Sure you are." Now it was her turn to have the appalled look and she jerked back a little.
"I am."
"No, you're not." You can't be that pretty and not brag about yourself. Come on now.
"Fine. You're right. I'm not." She shrugged her shoulders and took on a snobby attitude.
"Oh, rude."
"I thought you were suppose to be gazing." So, we're going to play this game now, huh? I've said it once and I'll say it again: Two can play…
"I was, but you told me to stop." I said indignantly.
"I meant at the stars, you clown."
"Oh! You meant that gazing." I was messing around and she knew it because a knowing smile captured her lips and she looked up to the sky. "I was doing that, but I got so rudely interrupted." She shot her head to me with her mouth open.
"Rudely inter- uh no. I said that I could go, but someone" she cleared her throat and tried her best to mock my tone, "Wanted some company."
"And I still do." I retorted back matter-of-factly.
"Then why are we arguing?"
"We're not. It's a debate."
"It's banter." Playful banter, I wanted to say. Are we really going to fight to try to match wits here?
"Two participating parties who can't agree on something. What do you call that?"
"War." She quickly answered me and my eyes rolled to the left on command.
"Let's just gaze." I said.
"At the stars?" Her smart answer ricocheted off of her to me and I shot,
"Am I looking at you?"
"No, not anymore at least."
"Well ok then."
"Smartass."
"What'd you say?" I challenged her and she declined it.
"Nothing." This back and forth flirting thing is really fun. Just another thing I like about her: a great sense of humor and I've already grown to love it.
"Oh look." I put my head to the sky same as her and she pointed with a light colored paw, "There's one that looks like a baby rabbit. See the fluffy tail?" I could also make out the outline of a rabbit, but I had something else in store for her and decided to go for a second round in 'battle of the sexes'.
"You mean baby hare." Out of my peripheral, I saw the green eyed beauty glare at me.
"Seriously?"
"What? It's a hare. Come on, you gotta admit. It's ears are way too long to be just any old regular rabbit." My comment, I made it sound like I knew everything.
"Are you-"
"Or better yet, it could be a jack rabbit. Those things are huge! I mean, big feet, long ears, their nose is ju-"
"SIMBA!" I couldn't help but laugh because I knew I'd get to her soon.
"What?"
"You're just…"
"Just what? What? Please, Nala, what am I just?" She rolled her neck and head away from me,
"Unbelievable."
"I'm sorry," I chuckled, "You're just too easy to mess with."
"Ok then, Galileo, what do you see?" I accepted her challenge and scanned the sky for new and debating pictures, but I already knew which one I'd pick and let's just see what she has to say.
"That one."
"Why that one?"
"Because it looks like two lions trying to kill each other for a scrap of meat." Nala snickered at this after a moment and then replied,
"That's me and you." I raised an eye brow and looked at her.
"Really? How do you figure?"
"Because, if I ever had to choose between you and starving, I'd kill you. Heck, I'd kill you for a Klondike bar." I knew she wasn't serious, but I'll play the nonchalant part and a couple of questions.
"And what if I was the last lion on earth? Then what would you do?" I thought this was a good one to ask, but she proved when wrong and that I should have kept my mouth shut. You know that saying 'some things are better left unsaid'? Yea, I should keep that at the top of my list.
"I'd make you mate me and then I'd kill you." See? I should have kept my thoughts to myself.
"Ouch. Remind me never to get into a fight with you."
"Eh, I'll fight others first." Her simple came through my ears and for some reason, my mind went to,
"Like Maeva?"
"Oh, definitely. But I won't start with her unless she starts with me." This made me think about how much that girl has changed ever since she found out she as going to be queen…maybe queen. Actually,
"Ya know, she used to be, well, kind of like you." Nala turned to me with a curious look etched on her face.
"You're kidding?" Her tone wasn't rude or anything, but more on the shocked side. I looked to the ground and old memories and thoughts flooded my brain.
"Yea. She used to be very sweet. Helpful even. She avoided fights and tried to get along with everyone."
"That's extremely hard to believe."
"I know, but what can ya do?" My face met the dark blue abyss, "Animals change."
"I'm sorry, Simba. Maybe she'll change back, you never know." Sadly, I doubted this revelation.
"Naw, I don't think so, Nala. She's too set in her ways now. That's one thing that hasn't changed about her. When she sets her mind a certain way, it stays there. The whole world could come crumbling down and she will not budge." My new cream colored companion laughed lightly,
"She does sound like me." She shuddered playfully and I grinned a little, "That's creepy."
"I was actually starting to look forward to marrying her." WHOA! I mentally slapped myself. Oh nice, Simba, push the girl away why don'tcha. What will she think now.
"I can imagine. She was probably that perfect girl that accepted you for who you are and not what you are." Mmm, then again…
"You hit that on the head, but I can't now. She's not what I'm looking for."
"So what are you going to do?" Her question was serious.
"I really don't know to be honest."
"I'm sure you'll come up with something." I couldn't help but turn to her and try t lighten the mood.
"Maybe I'll just have to explore other options." She knew I had been looking at her slyly and a cheeky smiled came to my face as she smiled a blushy grin.
"Your options, huh?" She matched my cheekiness and narrowed her eyes at me, looking very seductive.
"Yea. Options." This time I copied her and I leaned closer to her and her smile grew more, showing her pearly white teeth, but she leaned away and put her eyes on the land.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, king-to-be."
"Oh, I'm not."
"You sure about that?"
"Yes." At that, she faced me again and took on a optimistic look, eyeing and smiling,
"Then why do you keep starring at me when you make some kind of comment about your future?" Damn it! I did it again! But being the guy that I am, I acted like I knew I had done that and ran with it.
"I'm enjoying the scenery." I could tell that I had made her blush again because her ears went back and she dropped her head to the side a little like she had when Msala had called her beautiful earlier, but she decided to look back at me and our eyes met for the umpteenth time today and neither one of us wavered. Getting caught up in the moment, we both started to move towards one another and our muzzles only centimeters apart. Was this really going to happen? My heart was pounding in my chest due to being nervous and excited, but my emotions would soon turn into an irritated one because of,
"Master Simba." GODS! I'm going to KILL this cock blocking BIRD! Nala and I pulled away from each other as if we were two cubs being caught doing something we shouldn't have been doing. Both of us, if it could have been seen, would have been as red as an eclipse. "Your father says it's time for you to come in."
"Thank you, Zazu." I mumbled through gritted teeth and I heard Nala stifle a giggle. Zazu flew away, but I caught a proud smile on face before he did. So he did that on purpose, did that mean he was watching the whole time? That's ok, I'll get him back. I'm the master at pranking Zazu.
"Well, uh," Nala cleared her throat and stood up letting me know that our moment had come and gone due to 'foul play', "I guess we should head inside, huh?" I got to my golden feet reluctantly and sighed greatly!
"Yea we should." Then for some reason, a happy thought entered my mind and I set a pleasant look on my face because I could tell that she may actually like spending time with me, "Lead the way Miss Nala." She returned my smile and we made our way back down the path from the peak to the opening of the den, but before we walked in, Nala stopped and faced me,
"Goodnight, Simba." I couldn't move, for I was just in want just to kiss her as she stood in front of me and I kinda had a feeling she wanted me to, but I didn't want to seem to forward or also get rejected. Rejection from a girl= Major ego depletion. But thankfully, I guess my grandparents were watching over me because I found my voice and I was as smooth as ice,
"Goodnight, Nala. Thanks for gazing with me. We should do it again sometime."
"No problem and yes we should." She replied back just as sweet and I had a feeling she was fond of my charming personality. I had started to let her walk away with just those exchanged words, but I couldn't help but feel that my night just wasn't complete.
"Nala?" I stopped in her tracks and grabbed her forearm to face me and looked curiously at me. I slowly had my face meet with hers and I slid my tongue upward gently on her right cheek and whispered again, "Goodnight." When we pulled back, her eyes were shifty yet the sides of her muzzle was in an upright grin and then she disappeared into the den.
Did. I. Really. Just. Do. That? Bold move, Simba, bold. But it was a good move because I'm sure she would have said something. This girl is going t-
"Wooooooow. I think that was the most out of the box thing you've ever done." Tojo. What perfect timing did he have.
"How long have you been standing there?" I asked with my eyes fixated on the spot Nala had just occupied.
"Long enough to see you two putting the moves on each other." The dusty golden brown lion made his place beside me and we both looked into the dark den. "I didn't expect you to kiss her."
"I didn't either." My mind drifted to my future somehow and all I could think about was Nala and me. Is this how it was with my parents? Maybe Tojo? "Tojo? Have you ever, like, when you meet someone and…"
"And you know that for an instant that she's the one?" My scarlet eyes caught his blue ones and I nodded, letting him know that he stole my thoughts. "Yes, dude. How do you think I feel about, Burundi? Simba, blink man!"I did now…repeatedly. I hadn't even noticed that my eyes were dry until he said something and they stung when I closed them.
"Sorry. It's just that she-"
"I know. But unlike us, she is getting some sleep and I think we should follow her example and do the same." Tojo knocked me in my arm and we totted inside the den to our spots and laid down. I shut my eyes, realizing how heavy they were, but quickly shot them open. Where had Nala found her spot? I scanned the den and finally found her asleep with a smile set in her face beside the lioness that I assumed to be her mother because of the familiar similarities they had on their faces. I hoped that I had caused her to have sweet dreams and hope she'd done the same for me. I shut my eyes for good now and immediately went into 'la la land'. I prayed to the kings that I'd have good dreams. Dreams that contained Nala and Me.
Mansa P.O.V.
I cannot believe they left! How dare she take my daughter away from me! Who does she think she is? I know she's mother, but Nala is MY DAUGHTER!
King Abasi and I are waiting now to hear from the scouts to see if they have seen them anywhere, but it's been hours now and Abasi went to spend some time with his queen.
"Hey, dad?" I glanced to my left to see my son peeking around the corner. I knew he wasn't scared, he just wanted to make sure he wasn't interrupting anything. I gave him a nod and he made his way over to me.
"What's up, son?"
"No word back on mom and Nala?"
"No, Mheetu," I sighed heavily, "nothing yet." All thoughts were going through my head. I do hope though that nothing has happened to either of them. Nala only being two hasn't seen or done enough. I was trying to provide a life for her, but her mother thought it barbaric! Funnily though, I still do love and want the lioness. She was my first and always will be and you know what they say about 'your first'.
"Dad, you think…" My son stopped short of his sentence and I studied his face.
"What is it?"
"You don't think they went back to Pride Rock do you? I mean, that is where all of us were born." A lump in my stomach had formed because I hadn't thought about that and I should have. Yes. That would be the target of her destination. Go crying back to sorry excuse of king Mufasa and silly queen Sarabi and that bastard of a lion Cy! Why didn't I think of this? She loved Pride Rock and they would surely welcome her back with open arms. Great. And to get them back, there would probably have to be war because I know Mufasa and the pride would fight for them.
"You're smart, Mheetu. Very smart. That would definitely be the place she would go."
"So why didn't you say something?" I looked up and saw that Abasi had entered the main den with the three scouts we sent out and his son, he was enraged beyond belief. You would think he would be relaxed after what he ju-
"I just thought of it myself, Your Majesty." Mheetu quickly spoke up to cover me and the king's face softened a little.
"We will find them."
"It may mean war Abasi. Mufasa will not let them go easily." I tried to get him to see my way of thinking because he had never met the king of Pride Rock. That golden lion has always said that his friends are his family and he will always fight for them.
"When he hears that your daughter was betrothed to my son, he has to abide by rules. It's A King's Law."
"He will try to make negotiations. He is not a push over as you are trying to make him out to be." Abasi turned away from me and took concern for his son. "My Hasani here is next in line and I want you daughter here for him."
"I want her here as well and her mother." A growl came through his muzzle and Mheetu glanced at me. Whenever Abasi did that, a violent behavior would erupt and it didn't matter who was in the way, but his favorite target was always his queen. Sometimes, I myself felt sorry for her, but hey, this is the path she chose.
"Dad, I don't want to marry, Nala. She's mean and-"
"That's because you kept trying to force yourself on her!" Mheetu will always take up for his sesi and I'm a bit grateful for that, "She and I both told you to leave her alone! You got what you deserved." At this, Abasi was about to turn on my son, but his son stopped him,
"No, dad, I got this." The prince approached my son slowly, but powerfully and my muscles tensed as did my son's. "Your dear sesi was born for me. To abide by my rules and do what I say." My aqua eyed son growled lowly and from what I could see, his eyes narrowed, "She and your mother are lucky the scouts weren't out to them. This is high treason and I'm sure they know that. Just because they are gone doesn't mean-"
"Let me stop you right there." Both boys had been growing up together and never saw eye to eye. Brother like sister I guess. Their voices were lower, muscles toner and stronger, and their egos a lot bigger. "Like my mother said before, my sister is nobody's bed warmer. If your little scouts do succeed in finding them, you'll regret it because my family is not from here and they will fight for themselves. You should know this from that time my sister popped you in your eye." The last sentence made Hasani go ridged and for a minute he looked even more like his father than he had before. My son, he was almost a little over half my size, a little lighter than me, but his eyes would always remind me of my love. Yes, I cheated, but I'm a lion. We have other needs than the lionesses than need and have to be fulfilled by others than just our mates. Why couldn't she understand this?
"You better watch yourself, Mheetu, or you'll never see your sister again."
"I'm not afraid of you, Hasani. You find my sister and kill and I'll end YOU." Mheetu, just like his sister, didn't take crap from anyone and I wish I was like that with everybody. They both will speak their minds.
"Alright, boys, that's enough." Abasi knew that Mheetu was stronger than his little prince and was trying to save him. I can admit though that Hasani has 'lioned up' a lot since the argument he witnessed with my wife and I. He was scared of Nala at first, but now, I don't think he is, but he's a fool thinking that my son will just let him have his way.
"Ha! I'd like to see that happen. You ca-"
"I said ENOUGH!" King Abasi's temper bounced off the walls of the den and Queen Asana entered with a tired look on her face.
"Boys, please. It's time for bed." The queen here is beautiful, but no one is allowed to touch her. I guess what Sarafina had said way before she left sunk in and only he can do what he wants with her.
"Go back to bed, Asana. I've got it handled." He hadn't even looked at his wife and she just stood there.
"Come, Hasani." Just then, the prince whirled around on his mother and yelled at her.
"Did you not here, father? Go back to bed!" Asana looked beaten now and she turned on her heals sadly and walked slowly out of the den. I wish Mheetu would have spoken to his mother like that. She and I would have taught him a lesson. We all heard the light colored lion scoff at the prince and then all eyes were on him again.
"Mheetu…"
"Dad, maybe we should leave. If I had talked to my mother like that, she would have taken me out."
"Yes, well, she isn't your mother is she? She knows her place and you need to learn yours!" The boy were in a face off once more, but this time, Abasi had seemed to be enjoying this and didn't say a word.
"I wish was because I'd treat her a lot better than you. You don't think any of that was wrong?" Mheetu was furious. He doesn't like when someone is disrespected for not reason and would take up for them as much as he could. Hasani shrugged his shoulders indignantly, truly telling my son that he didn't care.
"It's life, Mheetu. Get use to it. The females have a place in this world and so do we."
"Oh yea, that's right, breeding and catering purposes only." He started to walk out of the den, letting us know that he was done with this nonsense, but he had one more thing to say, "Don't you ever wonder why all the girls hang out with me and flee from you?" And then he was gone. I didn't know exactly what he meant by that, by either him hanging out with them or 'spending time' with them and I'm not sure if I did want to know.
"You need to check your son, Mansa. He's getting out of line."
"Yes, Abasi." I nodded my head, knowing that this conversation wasn't over.
"Go to bed, Hasani and the rest of you leave. Mansa and I need to have a word." Everyone filed out and then the king and I were left alone. We eyed each other for a minute and then he raised his paw and smacked me as hard as he could across the face, but I didn't hit the floor and he got in my face.
"Abasi, I-"
"Save it." He sneered and I could smell his breath as it covered my face invisibly. "That family of yours is really pushing me. Now I let you come here because you couldn't keep your paws off my females and that was when I told you that you could stay because you were just like me. That was our deal. But your wife, your daughter, and now your son, are making me regret my decision." Yes, that was our deal. When I was 'looking' for another place to live while I was with Sarafina, I had come across a lioness from this pride and had loved me in a different way than my mate had and I wanted more. One day she didn't meet me, but two males from her pride did and brought me to King Abasi. He told me that I could have as many lionesses as I wanted and all I had to do was join his pride and help him protect his land. At the time I thought 'what a bargain' , but now, I wish I hadn't. I loved my family, but all now was my son and I just may lose him too if I don't 'correct' him. He had warned me ahead of time that if I wanted out of our bargain, that he would let me go, but on one condition, if I could survive a fight between myself and all 20 of his pride's males. So I was cornered.
"I'll get his head on straight." I promised.
"You had better, or I just might teach him a lesson." I met his eyes and for a minute I was a little scared and I tried not to let it show. "You at you, so pathetic and weak." I was pathetic and weak. I let my own desires overshadow what was really important and great in my life and I'm ashamed, but only the Mala Mala Pride king and I know. "You're excused." I nodded my head abruptly and made my way to find my son in our own secluded den.
"Dad, we need to leave! I'm sick of being here!"
"Mheetu…"
"I mean it, Dad! And I swear, if something happens to my mom or my sister and they are they cause, no one will be able to stop me! I guarantee it!" I knew he was outraged and I'll take his fury. I deserve it, but I also need to keep up appearances with him as well.
"We don't have a choice, son."
"You're right. We could have, but you didn't give us one. This is your fault!" I think he knew more than what he let on, but I wasn't about to ask him.
"I'm a lion, Mheetu. I-"
"I know, but I'll be damned if I turn out like you!"
"Stop!"
"No! You are the reason mom and Nala are gone and probably won't ever see them again! You did this! You broke up this family!" I got in his face quickly, but he did not back down and I was half way proud.
"Be quite!" I seethed and I could see his chest rising and falling heavy and his nostrils flared. He reminded me of my own father and déjà vu entered my head. "Be quiet before you say something you regret."
"The only thing I regret, is being your son." He walked away from me and out of the den and my heart squeezed. . I looked out at the entrance at the retreating form of my son and found myself at a loss of words. I didn't want to hear that come from any of the children, but I had pissed them both off and now I'm alone. I looked out at the entrance at the retreating form of my son and found myself at a loss of words.
"Mansa?" I looked to my right to see the queen there with a concerned look on her face. Had she heard everything?
"Y-yes?"
"Everything will work out. Just wait and see." My eyes opened slightly bigger and I believed her insight. I managed a smile and nodded my head at her.
"And things for you as well." She tilted her head to the side and replied with,
"If I wanted it to." And she was gone from my sight. I wondered if she felt the way I did. Stuck. Not able to move forward or backward.
Great Kings of the Past, please watch over my beautiful daughter and lovely wife.
A/N: Alrighty guys. Did any of you expect this chapter? I didn't to be quite honest, but I hope you enjoyed it.
So it seems Nala and Simba are getting closer
We found out some personality from Mheetu, just like his sister
We found out new things about Mansa and Abasi
And Hasani still has some growing up to do
Let me know what ya liked and didn't like!
Refs: Achmed The Dead Terrorist (I'd kill you for a Klondike Bar)
Cinderella- Roger and Hammerstein's version (…ever see someone and know for an instant that she's the one) LOVE THAT MOVIE!
Question for this chapter: What is your ZODIAC SIGN? Mine is SCORPIO! Any NOVEMBER birthdays out there? Lol.
~Nala-Nay~
P.S. Check my page for other stories and one-shots!