Chapter 7: A night of pure bliss

NALA'S P.O.V

I'm in trouble. I'm in so much trouble.

Omari and I are now approaching my mother and from the way she's pacing up and down, a dumb lion doesn't have to notice she's fuming.

She's talking to herself, shaking her head a few times and she's huffing and puffing. I don't know how I'm going to get myself out of this one.

Play the innocent card Nala.

The innocent card. Right

So doing just that, I take a deep breath and prepare myself for what's to come.

"Hey Mom..." I smile nervously as we approach her. Her head springs up and she bolts towards me.

"Oh! My baby! You're okay!" She cries as she tackles me to the ground with a big hug which nearly knocks the wind out of me.

"Yeah mom, I'm fine." I manage to breathe out while trying to get some much needed oxygen back into my lungs. To my relief, she gets off me but her happy face is replaced by her angry one.

"Where the hell were you?! You know better than to run off without telling me!" She scowls.

"I was with Simba and his friends. I'm really sorry for worrying you like that."

She gives me a long hard stare before sighing and relaxing. Her face softens and she shakes her head. "You know you're a handful right?" She smiles and her apple green eyes meet my teal eyes once more.

"Love you too Mom." I tease and she chuckles before turning to face Omari who has a small smile across his muzzle.

"Thank you for bringing my daughter back."

"No problem, Sara." A boyish smirk appears and she rolls her eyes.

"Don't get your hopes up yet young man, you're not in my good book yet." Omari's smile never falters as she turns her back away from him and heads towards me. He knows that one act of kindness wouldn't change my mom's judgment of him. To her, Omari is the 'bad boy' no lioness wants their daughter to date.

"Have you eaten honey?" She asks and before I could answer she drags a meal to my feet. I dig in hungrily and she smiles but then it disappears. I look at her curiously.

"Mom, you okay?" From her expression, I could tell she's battling to either tell me or not but a shake of the head indicates she choose the latter.

"It's nothing sweetie. Finish your food."

"Are you sure?"

She nods and I reluctantly turn back to my food. With an inaudible sigh, she stands up and walks away. I want to call her back but choose not to. She probably needs to clear her head. All mothers need to at some point so I let her have her space. As soon as she was gone, Omari rushes towards me and nearly knocks me over as he sits down.

"Hey!" I whine as I watch him bite off a big chunk of my meal, "That's my food. Go get your own."

"What's yours is mine baby." He smirks and my pout disappears into a blush when he gives me a kiss on the cheek. I missed this. Before the major fight with Simba, Omari was never this affectionate and playful. He was too caught up in his ego to notice that he was starving me from the TLC I always wanted from him. Now things have changed and I can't help but smile at the progress. I guess he has thought about his actions and changed his ways. It may seem too early to make that conclusion yet though so only time will tell. But for now, I'll bathe in his moment. This moment of just him and I, enjoying each other's company and the small banter here and there. This is what I love.

The clear blue skies of the day turns into a beautiful array of orange and pink as the sun begins to set. Mom came back home and went straight to sleep. Bless her, she must have been really tired.

Giving her a good night nuzzle I turn and head off with Omari into the jungle. We did more talking and laughing until we fell asleep by the edge of a pool. The night air was chilly but Omari's warmth and scent drifted me to sleep. His mane was a soft pillow, providing comfort for my head.

(2 months later)

It's been two months since Omari and I made up and he's keeping to his word. He's a nicer lion now and even my mom is noticing the change and is beginning to tolerate his presence.

"What's up with Omari?" She asks one day on our way back from a hunt. Omari was ahead of us carrying the small antelope we manage to bring down. Even though it was weak and hungry, that animal put up a real fight and we never would have brought it down if Omari wasn't there to help us.

"What about him?"

"He's... changed." I grin and nod my head.

"I know right! Don't you love it?" The creamy lioness next to me nods her head but narrows her eyes.

"Yes but I'm not buying it." I frown.

"Why?" She turns to me and sighs.

"I just think it's a little strange." What?

"Mom, what's so strange about him finally turning away from his old ways? Don't you remember how he was before?"

"How could I forget?" She scoffs. "I don't know what you saw in him. But what I'm trying to say is, I still don't think it's genuine."

"I disagree." I defend, sticking to my point that Omari is keeping his promise.

"Of course you wouldn't Nala, you're his girlfriend, but maybe it's just my motherly instinct getting in the way but I wouldn't fall for his game yet."

"It's not a game." I argue. Why am I the only lion who believes in him?

"Mom just give him a chance, for me, please?"

My green apple eyed mother looks at me, glances over at Omari who was oblivious to the conversation, then back at me again before she sighs,

"Alright, I'll try." I grin happily and let out a little squeal of delight, jumping on her.

"Thanks Mom!"

"Aye don't get your hopes up young lady. I said I'll try, but if he messes up and breaks your heart, don't hold me back from attacking him."

"I won't," I laugh, "I have faith that he won't do anything."

"He better not." We continue to walk until we get to the tree that has been our campsite for a few months now. After eating, Omari and I lie down and watch the clouds under the watchful eye of my mother, but after a while, I notice her getting restless.

"Mom?" I walk over to her and she seems zoned out. "Mom!"

"Huh? Oh hey sweetie." I take my seat next to her.

"Are you okay? You seem a bit worried." The creamy lioness shakes her head.

"No I'm fine, Honey. It's just... A lot is on my mind, that's all."

"You wanna talk about it?" She shakes her head.

"Nala I don't want you stressing over my problems. I'll take care of it." But I'm not having any of it. Something is bothering my mom and watching her doubtful expression really bothers me.

"Mom, I'm your daughter, you can tell me anything. I know you as well as you know me."

She was reluctant at first but the concern in my teal orbs lets her give in.

"Nala I have to go look for a pride, but I want to go on my own."

"So... you're not taking me with you?" I ask and she shakes her head.

"I can't. Well not now anyways. I know of a pride but it's really far. I want to check it out first and if I like it, I'll come back for you."

I nod my head in understanding. "Oh, that's alright, mom. Is that what's been bothering you?"

"No, what's been bothering me is that I have to leave you here alone." I scoff.

"I'm not going to be alone. I have Omari." I grin at my boyfriend who flashes a handsome smile at me.

"Exactly." Mom mumbles sarcastically.

"Mom, we'll be fine. You can trust us." I don't see the reason for her worries. Omari and I are old enough to take care of ourselves. We're almost 2! We're practically young adults, but like every mother, my mom wasn't on board.

"I know I can trust you, Nala." She turns to Omari. "You on the other paw..."

Omari smiles and walks towards her.

"I'm not going to do anything, Sarafina. I'm a changed lion now."

"See! He said it himself." I chime, "He's a changed lion."

The bigger replica of me narrows her apple green eyes at the olive eyed male.

"How do I know you're not lying? How do I know you're not going to break my daughter's heart and if that's what you plan to do then I suggest you get to stepping and leave now before you get hurt."

"Mom!"The tawny lion chuckles and sits next to me.

"Sarafina, I love your daughter and I would never do that to her. Even when I was a jerk, I had no intention of doing that to her. I promise she is in good paws." Hearing him say that he loves me triggers the butterflies in my tummy to have a party. I replay his deep voice in my head and a smile stretches across my muzzle, but my mother's voice drags me out of my daydream.

"I still don't trust you."

"Mom, you said you would give him a chance. Remember?"

"Yes but-"

"So...here's your chance! And here's his chance to prove to you that he's trustworthy." My mother's eyes never left Omari's, but I know she was thinking this through. My boyfriend and I wait patiently for her answer and eventually she agrees.

"What other choice do I have?"

"None." I grin. She shakes her head with a small smile then turns to Omari and sizes him up.

"Alright kid, you better take of her and take care of her good. If I come back to find even a fur out of place from her, you and I will fight, you hear me?!" He nods, "Don't do anything stupid because you will regret it. I'm leaving everything I live for in your paws so don't screw up. Do I make myself clear?"

He gives her a reassuring smile. "Crystal."

"Good." The creamy lioness turns to me, "I better start making my way then. I need to cover a good amount of ground before it gets dark. Nala you know the rules."

"Yes Ma'am." I give her a mock salute and she giggles.

"I'm serious, young lady. I don't want anything to happen to you. You're my only child." I nod in understanding and smile.

"I know Mom, trust me, you have nothing to worry about. We'll be just fine."

She rests her forehead on to mine and smiles.

"I know you will, honey." She plants a kiss on my head and gives me one last nuzzle, "I love you, Nala."

"Love you more, Mom."

"Bye, Mom!"Omari shouts and my mother stops immediately and gives him a death glare.

"Don't call me that." And we watch as she begins to head off. She stops and turns around to give me one last smile then turns to continue her journey. As soon as she was out of sight, Omari turns to me with a mischievous smile on his face.

"Let's have some fun."

Oh boy...

Omari's P.O.V. (2 days later)

"No I liked it first!"

"No I did, you copied me as usual."

My girlfriend and I are walking under the orange- pink sky as the sun sets. We have no destination, but just decide to allow our legs to take us wherever they lead. We're just happy to enjoy each other's company and now we're currently talking about our favourite food. As usual, Nala likes to deny that she copies me in everything I like and turns the tables.

"Oh please, Nal, you hated strawberries, but ever since I said I love them you 'magically' became interested in them. She shakes her head.

"Oh Mari, I think you got me a little bit confused with some other lioness. I always liked strawberries. You need to re-jog your memory."

"Just like how you need to re-jog my memory of the last time you kissed me." I flirt as she rolls her aqua blue eyes.

"You can't get enough of me can you?" She teases and I shake my head. She lets out a cute little laugh and kisses me. As she leans in, I take in her sweet scent but today, I find it even sweeter than usual. It was irresistible and it's making my head spin. I close my eyes and inhale it. It's making me feel some type of way.

"Mari you okay?" Nala asks as she leans away and gives me a weird look.

"I'm fine, it's just that... Damn baby you smell so good. What have you been rubbing on your fur?"

"Urm... nothing, but you did push me into a mint bush today." She scowls playfully and I laugh at the memory. We were play fighting and I pushed her a little too hard and sent her toppling over into a mint bush.

"Haha! No, it's not the mint and c'mon, you have to admit that was pretty funny. Your face was priceless." My chuckle escalates into a full blown laugh and she continues to give me a straight face. However, the power of my laugh makes me trip over a small rock which sends me toppling over into a small puddle of mud. Now it's her turn to laugh and boy did she enjoy it.

"Ugh!" I complain as I finally get myself out of the mud.

"Look who just got owned by Karma!" She laughs.

"Yeah laugh it up now but I know somebody who doesn't like to get their fur dirty and it would be a shame if mud just happens to... get all over her."

"What- ARRGH NOO!" She screams as I shake the mud off me. The wet dirt disperses everywhere, especially on her. She stands there desperately trying to hide her face from the little brown missiles.

"Ugh! Omari! You're so annoying!" She sulks and I walk closer to her and whisper in her ear.

"But you love me really." She blushes madly. I love making her blush. It gives me this tingly feeling and her sweet and seductive aroma combined sends me over the edge.

Omari control yourself. Play it cool.

So doing just that, I try to distract myself and ignore this crazy feeling.

"Come, let's get you washed up." She follows me down to a small waterfall feeding a pool below. I love water so I jump right in and let the cool liquid wash the mud and stress away. Yeah, I get stressed. It's hard pretending to be a changed lion knowing damn well I'm still up to my old tricks. Poor Nala is just one of the many lionesses that fell for it.

Since I'm being honest, I'll just come out and say it. I was never in love with Nala. I mean I caught feelings once or twice but it was never that serious. I just love the feeling of power and being in a relationship and dominating females gives me that power. They also satisfy my male needs. Ask the previous lionesses I've screwed: Laini was forced to abandon her cub when I left her and because her parents didn't want anything to do with it, she left it all alone to die. She was heartbroken, but that's not my problem. I just get what I want then move on. I heard that another lioness I knocked up, is now dealing with the burden of raising my twin daughters. And she actually thought I would be there to take care of those brats. HA! That's not how I play the game. I don't walk around with extra baggage and those things...yeah that's extra baggage.

Now unfortunately for Little Nal Nal here, she's come of age where she's finally in heat. Which means her sweet scent she's oblivious to is guiding her blindly into my trap. Oh yes ladies and gentlemen: tonight I'm getting what every male lion wants.

I'm getting my needs satisfied.

NALA'S P.O.V

I look down hesitantly at the water. Oh I hate this with a passion. It looks so dangerous and...wet.

Really. Wet? Nala don't let me remind you of how hopeless you are.

Oh shut it conscience!

"C'mon on in, Baby, the water's great!" I hear my boyfriend call. He's having a good time splashing about in the water and I envy him and all other lions who enjoy being in that ugly blue liquid. I stay rooted to my spot and give him a weary look. He finally catches on.

"Oh yeah, you 'hate' water." He swivels his head and spots the waterfall. "Come, you'll get a shower then." I shoot him a confused glance as he climbs onto dry land. We walk over to the waterfall.

"What do you have in mind?" He grins.

"Well instead of swimming in water, you could stand under it." Oooh! Why didn't I think of that?

"Oh that's a good idea but what if the water pushes me into the pool?" I ask and he laughs. What? It's not a dumb question.

Yes it is.

"C'mon Nala, you're being a baby, now stand under the waterfall. I'll do it with you." And that's just what he did. He lets the waterfall hit his back and drench his dark mane. His olive eyes sparkle and I can't help myself from joining him. Soon I was under the waterfall giggling and splashing around with my love.

After our little shower we head into a small yet dry cave behind the waterfall and lay down to let our fur air dry. I snuggle closer to him and enjoy his warm body even though it was dripping with cold water.

"You know I love you right?" He says out of nowhere, "And I'm sorry for the way I behaved before. I was wrong and stupid and-" I cut him off with a kiss.

"Sshh... I forgave you already so you don't have to keep apologizing. I love you too." He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes smiling.

"Nala, you smell too good right now." Really? Because I thought the water washed away my scent. But oh well, I take in the compliment anyway.

"Thank you." I smile. He gives me a long and passionate nuzzle and I take it in and enjoy his affection. The night is beautiful and quiet and all my problems floats away as Omari holds me close.

"You're perfect." He whispers and his soft yet deep voice sends a rushing sensation through me. Omari was acting differently towards me but instead of closing him off, I let him in. Soon we're lost in the moment and nature took control.

And let me tell you, this night is pure bliss.