A couple of weeks has passed since I had arrived. Kiara was born of a couple of days after my arrival. Zira has been disappearing more and being creeper lately. I and Mheetu have been babysitting the cubs during the days and we have started a nightly routine of talking about our days and tales of our pasts. I myself have been having fluttering feelings when I see him lately. I think I am falling in love. Hmm, who wouldn't? He is so polite, smart, fun, silly at times, and sweet with the cubs. Once a while, we would have a bit of fun. Why, the day after I had arrived, we were in a exhilarating, awesome rhino chase. It was fun!

Yet, I have been waiting for Zira's move. I knew she was bound to do it sooner or later. I couldn't help, but worry and be concerned. I often tell of my worries to Mheetu, who promised to keep an eye on her once a while. We never want her to be suspicious more than she already is. Just last week, I was called back to HQ. Apparently, Sunrise has been having similar thoughts about Zira as myself. She had said that Zira hadn't made her move yet, which she thinks that I have been an unexpected move in the eyes of Zira. Sunrise would be right. Zira must be waiting for me and Mheetu to let our guard down and kill Kopa. I was shocked when she said that. I immediately realized that I and Mheetu must pretend that we are letting our guard down, but I want Kopa to be safe and how can I keep him safe if I don't know where he could be when Zira makes her move?

Sunrise seemed to pick on that line of thought too. She also wanted Kopa safe too. Sunrise took my portal necklace instantly to one of the clanmates who made the portal necklace. She said she wants a location walkie-talkie on it. I was confused on what she meant. Sunrise said that if the locater radio works, she would tell me of where Kopa would be and Zira could make her move. Meanwhile, Sunrise would be watching the portal for me and I would get and save Kopa in time before he would be gone. It sounds reasonable and it can be possible. Hours later, Sunrise returns the updated necklace and I went back to my adopted home. Sooner or later, I will save Kopa and stop Zira necessary as I could.

A week passed. I have hunted well with the pride on the afternoon/evening hunts. I and Mheetu addded stargazing to our routine. Kopa and the other cubs play and love me. Kopa would occasionally slip to call me "Aunt Rosie". I didn't mind as Mheetu has the same thing. Yet, we weren't together yet. Sure, we spent time together, just not together, together. I had fallen hard in love with Mheetu and I think he did also. But we haven't confessed yet. I right now have finished my latest hunt with the pride. My tactic works well for I also taught it to some of the other girls including the past queen, Sarabi. We were heading back to Pride Rock when Mheetu asks for a private word with me. I let the others go ahead. Mheetu then asks if we would have a early chat tonight. I was confused, but hey, I am not hungry yet, so why not. I ask Mheetu where to chat. He said, in the usual spot that we reserve just for stargazing which we will chat at. Huh. We headed there as the sun was setting. Mheetu looks nervous for some reason.

I sat in my usual spot, waiting for Mheetu to join when he asks me a surprising question that I haven't expected, yet hoped for. He asked, "Rosethorn, will you be my mate?"

I stared in shock with a wide open jaw.

Then he shoots off a sweet, beautiful speech. The speech was this: "Rose, you became a angel in my eyes when I first saw. Your eyes was the most beautiful feature of your figure. They are like sparkling stars. You hunt so wonderfully. The pride respects you so much. The cubs adore you. I fell in love with your sweet voice and your wit. You are my love of my life. I love you from my heart to eternity and forevermore. Please, Rosethorn, be mine, for I love you".

As Mheetu finished his speech, I heard Sunrise's voice whispering from my necklace radio, "Rose, you love him. We all know it and I know you do too. Go on, say it".

I realized that she was right. I do love him and he loves me. Mheetu was waiting nervously for my answer.

I gladly gave my answer which is yes. Yes! I do love him! Mheetu happily nuzzles me as I return it back to him. I had never felt so content before as I do right now. I buried myself, hugging him thorough his silky mane, whispering sweet nothings into his ear. I felt his heart beating with mine, his head nuzzling into my shoulders. I pulled back in content happiness, looking into Mheetu's handsome pale green eyes glowing with a happiness. I suggested that we should head back to Pride Rock to eat dinner and tell our news to the pride. Mheetu agreed and we cantered back there. The pride took the news wonderfully. They all congratulated us and Simba himself went to get Rakifi to bless us. So, we got blessed, headed out to stargaze and Mheetu took me to a beautiful place that was just beyond the southern border of the Pridelands. We celebrated our marriage and then headed back to home, which is Pride Rock. I finally am home. I went to dreamland with Mheetu laying his head on my neck and I laid my head on his paws. I am happy.

I suddenly woke up to the dawn, noticing that Mheetu was laying on his side against my body. I smiled as I remembered last night. Then I felt my necklace vibrating. I instantly thought of Kopa and turned my view to the royal pedestal. Kopa is gone! I jumped up to my paws, jolting Mheetu out of his sleep, asked sleepily why I am looking upset. I told Mheetu that Kopa was gone. Mheetu widened his eyes, told me that he is waking the king. I nodded, ran out of the cave to the peak, looking out of any sight of Kopa anywhere. I put my paw on the necklace, having the radio on, Sunrise yelling that Kopa was in the grass, Zira stalking him, I shouting where is he. Sunrise responded, Kopa was near the gorge. The gorge, no! I leaped down to the rock path beside the peak, ran so fast, my heart beating in fear, blood rushing in my ears. Sunrise then was shouting that Zira was close now. I then picked up the pace even faster that I think I beat the record of the cheetahs. I then saw them, Kopa cornered against a rock screaming for life, Zira licking her fangs, my body jumping over Zira, covering Kopa under my belly. I bristled my fur in anger, claws out in defense, fangs bared.

I distantly heard Kopa shouting, "Aunt Rosie!", Zira growling in anger, her eyes glowing red, taunting me,"Well, well, if it wasn't miss perfect."

I hear myself growling, "Shut up, Zira. You are tempting me to kill you. After all, who wouldn't? You made a dreadful choice of doing this. Kopa is not of any fault".

Zira retorted, "It is his fault, and Simba's fault too. They have killed Scar and the wonderful ideas of Scar!".

I snorted, "Scar is dead. Simba didn't kill him, the hyenas did! You are too blind not to notice that!".

We argued for a bit more. Good, I am stalling for time for Simba to get here. Then Simba appeared, roared loudly. Kopa exclaimed, "Dad!" and ran out from under my belly. Then Zira moved to attack Kopa, I gasped and moved myself in front of Kopa, meeting Zira in mid-air. We fell down a wall. The gorge! Zira clawed and fought me as I fought back. Then the rains came, the river rushing out. I gasped in horror and tried to latch myself to the wall. But Zira shouted, "If I am going to die, then I take you to die too!" I heard shouting and yelling of horror from the top of the gorge. The water met me and Zira. I fought to swim hard to the surface, and I saw Zira shouting in drowning cries far behind. Then blackout.