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Alright Folks! Dear ladies and gents, Brasta and Strike have a very special surprise for you. Stay tuned for jealousy central!

Kopa's POV:

"Vitani?" I squeaked, too shocked to say anything else. Emotions were spinning through my head, exploding and smashing into each other like demonic fireworks. My brain took htat moment to go on temporary hiatus. Before even thinking about my next move, my paws somehow became unglued from the ground, and I just ran off towards the waterhole. I really needed to think.

I finally arrived at the waterhole, tears forming in my eyes. She had acted like she actually cared about me and then... this! A tidal wave of sisillusionment engulfed me. If I confronted her, would I make matters worse? To say I felt shocked is an understatement; try betrayed, confused, worthless, stupid, nieve, sad... and angry?

No, it was jealous. In virtually minutes my entire perception of the world was shattered and all because of him. I knew what had happened; she'd thought me amusing for a while, but when the "new" cub stepped in he decided to try to get close to her. I don't know who he was, or why he was touching my Vitani! Wait…my Vitani? I mentally backpedaled. She's was just my friend and nothing else, this just proves that! Then why do you feel jealous, Kopa? A voice in my head spoke, almost patronizing me.

"Because I just don't want to lose her; that's all." I said aloud. Why would you lose her to him, she can have more than one friend, The voice said, reasoning with me.

"This is different than just having more than one friend he had his paws on her!"

You had your paws on her when she needed to be comforted; maybe she needed to be comforted then. The voice was really starting to irritate me, especially since it was sounding so correct.

"Then why didn't she come to me? Answer that!"

Maybe she didn't have time too-

"SHUT UP! I KNOW THAT!" I said, mentally shouting at myself. I knew she could have more than one friend; I knew she might've needed to be comforted; and I knew she may have needed it immediately. That I could understand. What was making me feel so dejected was that it wasn't ME this time that she ran to for comfort; it wasn't MY shoulder she cried on; it was HIS. Lati's. I didn't know why, but that name made me let out a low growl. Breathe, Kopa. Calm down. I took a deep breath.

After calming myself down, I decided to head back to the cave before anyone noticed I was gone. I'd deal with this later. I got back to my spot, getting ready to lie down and brood some more. But before I could lie down, a soft voice came from behind me, "Kopa?"

I slowly turned around to see Vitani through half-open eyes. I was still mad at her; but Gods, she was gorgeous as usual. The way her blue eyes sparkled, the way the sun caught her dark coat, her pretty laugh- "Kopa?" She said, snapping me out of my little trance. I nodded my head. Vitani whispered to me, "Can I talk with you?" Under present circumstances I would've said no; but the way she looked at me, it was as if she wasn't asking but pleading to talk to me. I think her look was a mixture of guilt, urgency and pity. I'm sorry, but that look would have been enough to break me right then and there; however, I stood my ground well enough. Tell her to go away! I mentally screamed at myself. But against my mind I answered back, "Sure, Vitani…what's wrong?" I added at the end, noticing her eyes were red and puffy, as if she'd been crying. I felt slightly smug for a second, then felt ashamed of having such an unworthy emotion at seeing her plight. "Kopa?"

"Yeah, 'Tani?"

"We're friends, right?" Great; this is what she wanted to talk about. Just wonderful. "Yes," I said, waiting for the words that I am sure I would hear.

"And we can talk about anything, right?" That got another yes out of me, as if this wasn't painful enough. "Well... you know the new cub, Lati, right?" I gritted my teeth, fighting the growl down, and replied with another yes, but this one sounded pained. "Well, what do you think of him?" she asked as if she didn't notice. I fought back the urge to tell her what I saw this morning.

"He's a good guy, I think he's kinda fun to hang out with." I responded halfheartedly. "Um, Kopa there's something I need to tell you…" Vitani said with another strange look in her eye; was it guilt? But at that very moment, life decided to start at Pride Rock; so she hastily said, "I'll tell you later at the waterhole okay?" she said somewhat relieved. I shrugged off what I felt and said, "Fine I see ya around!" I said as I ran off looking for someplace to hide and think about this. I found a small cave out in the Pridelands far away from prying eyes. She likes him over me. FINE! I mentally shouted to no one in particular. But maybe I'm wrong, maybe there's nothing between them. And with that small glimmer of hope I gathered up my courage and went to the waterhole; I had I long walk ahead of me.

Vitani's POV:

After that less than helpful talk with Kopa, I decided to go to the waterhole and think what I was about to tell him over. Was that really the case? Could I like two cubs the same way? My mind was going in a thousand directions at once. Is liking two cubs even possible? Is what I think is between me and Kopa even there or just in my head? Was it just the simple fact that Lati was there to comfort me so readily after I had almost killed him, and that reminded me of Kopa? Or was it just Lati himself that made me feel like this. Is it even possible for anyone to feel all of this just because that one was close to me and the other one is new? How can I tell him how I feel? How can I tell THEM how I feel? God, I'm so confused!

By this time I had reached the waterhole and joined my group, but I was too concerned in my own thoughts to pay attention to the conversation. Not for the first time I sighed and flopped my head down on my paws, hoping to either get one or both of them out of my head; but that was impossible. I can't push out either one. But why? Just recently Kopa became my best friend, and I've just recently met Lati; how could I possibly feel the same for both? How, WHY! Mentally still battling with myself, I considered talking this out with my mom... but on second thought, that wouldn't be so wise. I can't just lay this all on Kopa, especially seeing as how this was turning out… maybe I could talk to one of my friends? No, they were too loose-lipped. Loyal friends? Yes. Vaults for secrets? No. As I still mulled these things over in my head, I noticed a certain cub with light hazel eyes looking down at me almost worried… Lati?

"Is this seat taken?" He asked motioning to a spot next to me. I nodded my head, and I needed someone to talk to anyway. But I've only known him for a day! I screamed at myself. But he makes me feel so secure, like Kopa does… "Are you okay, Vitani?" he asked. "I-I don't really know." I said, fighting down the foreign feeling in my chest, guilt, as he leaned in closer and said, "How so? Is this about this morning?" he asked, I only saw knowing and concern in his eyes. I could only nod my head yes. "Vitani, I don't really know what came over me this morning; it just looked like you needed someone to…umm, well, comfort you; and it just felt so... natural. I just can't explain it; I apologize if I caused you any problems." He said, almost like he was holding something back. I didn't know what; but it seemed like he almost regretted saying what he just said. Sighing he made a motion as if to leave.

"Lati, wait stay." I said; he went back to his normal position, "I-I can't explain what happened this morning either... but you're right, I did need some comfort. I don't know whether to appreciate it or to curse it. It's like these things are complicated now…" and so I explained everything that was going on in my head, and he just sat there and listened. As I reached the end he put a comforting paw on top of mine, "I didn't mean to cause so much trouble, but I can't really say I regret what happened. I meant every word I said, I assume you did too, the only thing is have you told him yet? This could get ugly if he knew and you didn't tell him in enough time. The only thing you have to decide is whether it's him or me…" He was cut off by a low growl from behind us; I turned around to see Kopa.

Kopa's POV:

I couldn't believe what I was seeing, she was talking to him and holding his paw, and… and… I couldn't think straight anymore so I just let out a low growl. I noticed Lati get up, look at Vitani and walk off. "Kopa, I can explain…"

"Explain what, Vitani? That since this morning you like him over me? FINE! I just wish you would have been up front with me so that I didn't have to find out about it this way!" On this way, another growl escaped my lips; I was just too angry to do anything else. "Kopa it's not like that…" I cut her off "Then what is it like Vitani? Tell me, maybe I'm overreacting?"

"Yes, you are overreacting! I just happened to get upset because of what happened this morning-"

"Oh, I assume having a his arm around you was just unbearable!" I said patronizing her, for once not caring if I hurt her. "No; I almost killed him Kopa, KILLED HIM! And I got upset because of that and he comforted me, because YOU were too lazy to wake up!"

"Vitani, I-I'm sorry" I said, my voice getting softer, hoping she would understand. "Don't tell me you're sorry after all you just put me through in front of everyone, KOPA." She spat tmy name out as if it was a horrible curse. "I'm going to go talk to Lati, because HE apparently understands me!" she said, storming off; leaving me amidst her friends which were giving me mixed looks. What the heck did I just do? Oh Gods, this my fault! After I recovered from the shock, I ran after her. "Vitani, wait! I don't know what I was thinking! Vitani! Vitani! I didn't mean it, I'm sorry!" I said flopping down in the Savannah my only company my tears.

Vitani's POV:

I looked behind us to see Kopa. This was different from when my mother was staring me down; this time I was actually scared. Not for myself, but for the fact that I might've hurt him or our friendship. Lati walked away warily. I don't blame him; I had never seen that look in Kopa's eyes before. "Kopa, I can explain…"

"Explain what Vitani? That since this morning you like him over me? FINE! I just wish you would have been up front with me so that I didn't have to find out about it this way!" he growled again.

"Kopa it's not like that…" I said trying to reason with him.

"Then what is it like Vitani? Tell me, maybe I'm overreacting?"

"Yes you are overreacting, I just happened to get upset because of what happened this morning" I said, starting to explain to him what happened. "Oh, I assume having his arm around you was just unbearable!" he said, patronizing me. That really struck home with me. I'd gotten that tone from Mom enough, and I was sick of it. "No, I almost killed him, Kopa. KILLED HIM! And I got upset because of that and he comforted me, because YOU were too lazy to wake up!" I said; this time I was past explaining; I wanted to hurt him.

"Vitani, I-I'm sorry" he said softer, apologetically. "Don't tell me you're sorry after all you just put me through in front of everyone, KOPA!" I spat his name with venom. "I'm going to go talk to Lati, because HE apparently understands me!" I said, storming off not to Lati, but just to any random direction hoping to be alone. I ran, finding a spot in the Savannah. Iwas regretting every word I just said to him; he had a perfectly good reason to be angry, but… and again I started to cry. But this time it was for a friendship that might possibly never heal. I don't know how long passed, until I heard a faint rustle of grass, and a small voice "Vitani?" I looked up.

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