Chapter 4: Irritable
Time had passed and now all the cubs were adolescents, getting taller, sleeker and forming vital muscles for future hunting/fighting. But not only that, they had also matured mentally, well, a bit at least. Shani and Kuhti had also become more confident and out-going as they matured - they could handle the other teenagers much better than when they were cubs. Although, Kuhti, Lito and Buhi tried furiously to impress the ladies with their manes, the girls giggled to each other about them when they weren't around.
Kuhti padded down the stones from Pride Rock, headed towards his friends, they were scheduled to go for a walk around the border, it was Shani's idea. The princess had already begun to think strategically about the lands she would have to protect one day. Kovu said it was actually a great idea, the fresh scents would show the pride was strong and had many different lions, he smiled to himself about how smart his daughter was becoming.
"About time fluff for brains," Atala commented on Kuhti's lateness.
"Well excusseeee me for telling my mother where I'm going," he retorted, poking his tongue at the young, light brown lioness, "Where's Shani?"
"I'm not sure, she was here just a second ago," Lito replied, looking around.
Although being smart and serious when she needed to be, the princess could still have fun sometimes. There was a rustle in the grass.
"Oh no you don't princess!" Kuhti threatened, following the noise.
Kuhti pounced where the shuffling was happening, "AHA!" he grinned.
"AHHHH!" Timon and Pumbaa screamed, staring up at the brown lion pinning them to the ground.
"Oh, Kuhti, you just gave me a heart attack!" Timon dusted himself off, "Aww, great, you scared off all the good bugs!"
"Sorry guys… I uh, thought you were Shani…" he muttered.
This time someone else jumped out, and it was Shani.
"Rah! Gotcha again," she pinned Kuhti, grinning a huge grin.
"Every. single. time. Dang it Shani!" he laughed at the princess.
Shani had landed awkwardly on her friend and it took her a bit longer to get up, which caused her to blush furiously.
"Oh.. uh.. sorry. Just let me.. yeah, this should.. oh!" she had accidentally bumped noses with the lion.
"Sorry" they both said, "It's fine."
"Awkwardddd." Pumbaa commented.
"Will you two quit making out and come on, aren't we meant to be patrolling the border?" Buhi taunted his friends.
The teens all started to trot along the border, chatting happily. Pini slowed down to jog next to Shani.
"Soooo," she grinned at the princess, "Have fun this morning Shani?" she nudged her.
"What?" Shani looked confused.
"You know! You and Kuhti," she winked.
"Huh! No! I just got stuck, it wasn't anything else." Shani snapped.
"Ohhh, you like him!"
"I do not!" Shani started to run faster, leading the group by herself.
Kuhti had noticed her bad mood and decided to ask her what was going on.
"You alright Shani?" he smiled at her.
"I'm fine." She bluntly replied and moved forward again.
Kuhti was so confused. What did I do? He decided to shrug it off and leave her be for now.
After the walk was over, Shani said a quick "Bye.", to everyone and leapt up into the den. She didn't want to talk to anyone, she just wanted to go to bed. She awoke later in the night, seeing her mother and father's stomachs slowly rising and falling, realising she had slept right through dinner. Oh well, I'm not hungry anyway. She had almost forgotten about today's problem, until she glanced around and saw Kuhti. She glared at him almost immediately. Why? It wasn't his fault, Pini was the one who was being stupid, she thought, I had been pretty rude to Kuhti today too, I should apologise to him tomorrow. Shani had no idea why Pini's comments had been so infuriating, she didn't usually get mad so easily.