The Quiet Before the Storm part 10

Something had changed. He had changed. Ahadi had been moodier, more biting with his words, and he seemed to be doing everything remotely possible to avoid her. Masilahi didn't know why, but she couldn't help but feel hurt.

There had been another change before that. Feelings between the two of them had deepened. Or at least that's how it had felt for Masilahi. The grumpy Prince had somehow wormed his way into her heart, leaving Masilahi hoping for more than what they already had. But now he didn't seem to care. That hurt, despite Masilahi trying to convince herself otherwise.

That morning she woke earlier than usual. The lioness grumbled irritably and tried to will herself back into sleep but to no avail. With a weary sigh, Masilahi got carefully to her paws, making her way out of the den as quietly as possible so as not to wake anyone. A walk alone with the cool morning air might do her some good.

The lioness had hardly left Pride Rock behind when wing-beats sounded behind her. Masilahi grinned. "Hey Zuzu."

The little hornbill flapped up beside her. "Hi Uru!" The bird's familiar grin helped ease Masilahi's stormy mood. "Mind if I join you?"

"Sure thing." Masilahi shouldered her way through the tall grass that stretched out beyond Pride Rock. "What's on your mind?"

Zuzu chuckled. "I'd ask the same thing, but I think it's pretty obvious where your thoughts have been lately."

Masilahi ducked her head in embarrassment. "Is it really that obvious?"

The bird let out a bright trill of laughter. "Just 'cause I know you well." She swooped down lower so she was right beside Masilahi's head. "He likes you too, you know."

Masilahi sighed. "I doubt it. He's been avoiding me for a while now." She gave the bird a sad smile. "I figure he knows I like him and he's trying to tell me he's not interested."

To her surprise, instead of sympathizing, Zuzu just let out a chuckle. "I forgot you haven't known him as long as I have. He wouldn't know if someone liked him if they shouted it to the skies. The idiot's afraid you won't like him, so he's avoiding getting rejected. Trust me, he has this whole self-esteem issue thing."

Masilahi scrunched her brow thoughtfully. "Yes, I know." Her long talks with the Prince came to mind. He had always seemed afraid of becoming too deeply involved with anyone, of caring too much, in case it was taken away. That's why she'd thought he didn't care about her as more than a friend. But what if he did? For the first time in a while, Masilahi allowed herself to feel some hope.

"I need to talk to him," she realized aloud. Time to clear the air.

Zuzu grinned. "I know just where he is. Follow me, and I'll leave you two lovebirds to talk."

As promised, Zuzu had led Masilahi to the Prince, who was on his own morning walk, and quickly made her exit. Masilahi had planned on opening with a joke, like she normally would, but the look in Ahadi's eyes stopped her. They were cold, angry, dangerous. Ahadi's body was tended dangerously, as though poised to strike. "What do you want?" he asked in a voice like ice.

Masilahi gaped at the lion in front of her, momentarily lost for words. This wasn't the Ahadi she knew. This cold creature wasn't her Ahadi. Masilahi took a deep breath. "Listen, Ahadi, we need to talk."

"About what?" Ahadi's voice was cutting. "I think I've made my position pretty clear." With that, he turned and began to stalk away.

Masilahi felt a sudden burst of anger. "You selfish brat." Ahadi froze, his hackles beginning to raise. "You think you're the only one who's been hurt? The only one to be betrayed?" She stormed right up to the Prinxe, thrusting her muzzle in his face. "You know me, Ahadi. We've been friends for four years. You know what I've been through and who's hurt me. You're telling me that you have some sort of magical right to be suspicious of everyone that I don't? All you can think about is how much you've been hurt! Did you ever stop to think that maybe you're hurting me too?" The former Princess didn't wait for an answer. She turned and ran, her anger fading with each step, until she was left feeling more alone than ever.


Alright, things are starting to heat up between Masilahi and Ahadi. More on their situation next chap.

Alright, next on my list is another chapter of my PotterFly (Harry Potter / Firefly) crossover There's No Place. Please read and comment, I'd love to know what people think of that story. Or of this one, for that matter.

And yay, Zuzu's got an adult design! I'll be posting her bio soon.