Chapter 9: Hidden Feelings

Kion nervously led Zuri outside of Pride Rock. Both of them were hoping not to get noticed by anyone while on their way out. The last thing they would want is someone following them and listening to their private conversation.

Kion felt uneasy about this little talk. He was embarrased to talk to her about everything thats happened so far. But in order to get rid of this embarrassment, he had to confront her.

Zuri was almost on par with Kion, but she was just as close to passing out. This could either be her chance to fix everything and remain friends, or confess her feelings twords her crush. She wished that Kion would love her back but she couldn't get her hopes up.

The two walked outside of the den and tried to find a safe spot that wasn't too far from Pride Rock, but far enough to not be noticed. The dark night of the sky shined above them with rivers of stars twinkling. It was beautiful outside.

"Alright this should be a good spot.", Kion said.

It was a little spot with grass and trees surrounding it. It was also peaceful here and they had a good view of the Savannah plains.

Kion faced twords Zuri and sat down. He motioned her to come sit down by lightly hitting his paw in the ground.

Zuri felt a little queasy in her stomach. Not only were they alone but it was also very beautiful in the background which made this ask seem romantic. Zuri felt hesitant to go over and sit with him. She was breathing a little heavy through her nose.

Kion noticed her nervousness and looked at her with concern. "Are you feeling okay Zuri?". "Umm... I uh...just thought that...maybe we could look around too see if anyone is nearby. You know, so we wont be interrupted and all.", Zuri lied.

Kion saw how panicked and flustered she was. He didn't blame her about feeling this way. He went right up to her and gave her a smile which earned a little blush from Zuri as a reaction. "Its okay Zuri. I'm nervous about this too. But its just a little talk and nothing else, but if searching around to make sure were alone makes you feel better than I'll gladly do it.", he reassured. Zuri's qusieness went away fast after hearing his statement. His voice sounded the same during the crocodiles. It was so reassuring, safe, and magical. While Kion was searching every inch of the area Zuri stood there in her own thoughts, remembering that time with the crocodiles and what Kion said.

"Zuri I promise you I won't let go of you, please trust me so I won't lose you!"

"See, told ya I would catch you."

Those were the words that made Zuri feel special and made her heart pound rapidly for him. She couldn't help it. She was in love with him and she can't deny it.

Kion finished searching the area an came back to Zuri. "Alright the areas clear. So this is now just the two of us.", he confirmed.

They both took deep breathes out of their noses and looked at eachother. Eye to eye.

This was it, they were finally able to talk to eachother in private.

"So um. What did you want to talk about Kion?", Zuri asked. "That was a dumb question to ask!", Zuri thought.

"Well you see, I uh, wanted to talk about what happened this morning between you and me.", Kion said. Zuri's head flashed back to that memory. Her cheeks felt warm again.

"I want to apologize for what I did to you."

"Wait! What?", Zuri thought. She quickly brought back her attention to him. "What I did to you was shameful, wierd, and just wrong. I held you down in a rather, embarrassing position. After we both ran away I felt bad about it, and I continued to feel guilty about it throughout this whole day. I couldn't stop thinking about what, did and the face you made after I did it just made me feel worse. I've never seen you look so shocked and embarrased that it made me feel like some sort of pervert.", Kion monolouged.

"You...felt like that throughout the whole day?!", Zuri said with a shocked tone. Did this really make him feel like that?

"Yes I did. Look, I'm really sorry for putting you into that situation and making you feel uncomfortable.", Kion apologized.

He put his head down in sham and looked at the ground. It pained Zuri to see Kion like this. He was the lion that saved her life, and whome she had a crush on. Zuri couldn't allow herself to see Kion like this nor should he be beating himself up.

Zuri went up to Kion, and put a paw under his chin. She gently lifted his chin up, and gazed upon his hazel brown eyes. "His eyes are so dreamy!", Zuri thought.

Kion looked into her blueberry eyes as well. "Her eyes are so dreamy and beautiful!", he thought as well.

Zuri removed her paw off of Kion's chin.

"Kion there's no need to apologize for that.", Zuri reassured.

Kion looked at her in disbelief. "Really?"

Zuri nodded. "Yes Kion really. In fact I didn't think of you as pervert, I knew it was an accident. I was just embarrased and I felt stupid."

"Why's that?", Kion asked.

"Because.", Zuri felt hesitant, "Because I felt embarrased about the crocodiles. And I felt stupid because I hid from you in the bushes at the watering hole for being really nervous and embarrassed."

"Oh yeah, I just remembered. Why did you nuzzle me back after the crocodiles?", Kion asked.

Now Zuri's heart sped up again. This was it, the moment she had waited for. This was all perfect, the mood, the scenery, the question. All she had to say was 'its because I love you' and then she could be happy or heartbroken. Sweat began dripping down her paws and her breathing increased a little more. "Come on Zuri this is your chance! Tell him how you feel. Heck! Tell him everyithing. This is your one chance in a lifetime, he's right here. You can do this.", she thought. Zuri opened her mouth to speak and say the long awaited words.

"T-The reason i-is that...I uh..."

Kion was waiting patiently for a response to his question.

Zuri couldn't do it. She didn't have the guts to tell him her true feelings.

"I nuzzled you because...I was umm, really greatful to you for saving my life back there.", she said. "No, what am I doing!?", she thought.

Kion raised his eyebrow. "Really!? Are you sure?", he questioned.

Zuri nodded rapidly. "Yep, I was really grateful for you saving my life that, I didn't know how to express it. I just wanted to nuzzle you as me saying thank you. But I didnt realize that I might have seemed too affectionate and creeped you out in the process."

Kion gave a laugh and a smile at Zuri. "Don't worry Zuri you didn't wierd me out. It was just really unexpected of you to do that. I mean, we don't really talk or get along really well, so this was a first for me. But I'm glad I made you feel happy, and to be kind of honest I umm...enjoyed it a little bit." That last part was ended with a blush from Kion, but he didn't try to hide it.

Zuri's heart fluttered at his last words. Her face was now red as a pepper. Kion laughed a little at her reaction. It was cute seeing her like this.

Kion went up to her and held out his paw. "Friends?"

Both of their minds went haywire as Kion was regretting what he just said. Zuri felt a shocked and was in disbelief. What made her more shocked is that she went up and high fived his paw signifying the friendzone.

"Friends.", she said. She regretted what she said and so did Kion.

Kion started to walk away. "Do you wanna walk back home with me? I can escort you and make sure your safe.", he asked.

"Sure...", Zuri said with regret in her voice.

Kion nodded and led the way while Zuri was folowing him.

"Dangit Kion, why are you still feeling all lovy-dovy around her", Kion thought, "I made up didn't I, so why am I feeling like this?"

"Well I guess were still friends. Ugh why didn't I confess to him!?", Zuri thought.

As the two walked away in the distance and figure from a tree watched the two cubs walk away.

"Hmm. It seems dat there is trouble in Upendi. Just like you said Mufasa." he said.

END OF CHAPTER 9