It had been many months since Kion's near death event, and all the cubs were growing now. Cheka had grown into a playful cub, having a light brown tuft on his head like his father. Tau and Chozi's manes had grown in more, and they both grown taller. Zola, Azizi, Salene, and Mhina had all grown taller as well, and they had all trained in hunting. Tau had earned the roar of the elder, and Kion released his guard from their spots so Tau could make his guard despite Simba's advice on letting the current stay.
Naturally, Tau had picked Chozi to be in his guard as the Bravest, he picked Mhina as the Fastest despite not wanting her on the guard but had to as the guard was being picked in front of the pride, the Keenest of Sight had been given to a lionesses named Shayna, and finally the Strongest was a lion named Ryu, who had joined not too long ago.
Lately Tau had been more distracted. There was a nagging feeling whenever he was around Chozi. He didn't know what it was, but he was starting to wonder what it was. A bump to his shoulder caused the light brown eyed prince to look at Zola, who was smirking.
"What?"
Zola smirked as a laugh escaped her lips. "Who is she?"
Tau looked confused. He didn't know what his cousin meant by that. He was far too busy to even think about a lioness, much less to even notice one. How could his cousin think he had time for that?
The light orange prince was brought out of his thoughts when Zola began speaking again.
"I mean, she'll be so happy to know the prince is into her!" Zola beamed, happy for her cousin. "So, I ask again, who is she?"
Tau turned to look his cousin in the eyes. "There is no lioness, Zola."
Zola gave her cousin a knowing look, despite Tau's groan. "Of course there is! Why else would you be looking like you're in love? C'mon, I won't tell anyone."
Another thing that happen was Tau and Zola became much closer, like siblings.
Tau wanted to tell her he was saying the truth and how he wasn't in love but knew it was no use. Once Zola got an idea in her mind, it would stay. Love was a huge one.
Whenever she could get the chance, Zola would annoy Tau endlessly about lionesses who kept looking at him. But he'd always shot back there was the fact he had Kion and Tiifu as parents, and they would need to approve of the lioness. Just like how Kovu and Kiara would need to accept the lion who stole Zola's heart.
The remark always shot Zola down and she would back off. But as of now, maybe he was in love. He knew he didn't feel love towards lionesses. No matter how hard he would try to allow his heart to be stolen; it wouldn't.
"Zola," Tau sighed.
The crowned princess laughed, "Why are you so stuck up? Is it Azizi?"
"No! Great Kings and Queens no! Never."
Zola rolled her eyes. Tau had always been the stubborn one out of their family. Always saying he wouldn't be wasting his time in finding a mate so soon. It made Kion happy to know he was going to take his time in finding the right one. "Then who is it?"
This wouldn't be easy to change the subject.
"None!" Tau snarled. "Okay!? No one!" Zola stepped back a little. Tau's temper had been more easy to set off nowadays.
Zola sighed heavily, lowering her head as Tau stormed off to find his best friend. He had always been on the edge ever since Kion's near death event. Her mother, the day Kion awoke, came out saying how there would be no visitors unless they were Tau, Tiifu, or herself. Simba had found it insulting, but Kiara pointed out how his son had just awoke.
Kion would see others later.
Aizi walked up to her and purred, "Zola, there you are." Azizi didn't see her best friend looking off.
When she did notice, she frowned. Zola had always been going on and off. Kovu found it angering how his daughter didn't seem to care about her duties as princess.
Zola finally snapped out of it to look at her best friend. Giving a small smile.
"You always do this," Azizi complained. "Always spacing out."
Zola sighed heavily as she turned to face her best friend. "It's Tau," She explained. "His temper is easily going off."
"So?"
"So it's annoying!" Zola growled, baring her teeth. "He's in love with someone and he tells me he isn't."
Azizi rolled her eyes. "Maybe he isn't then."
"I know he is!"
"Right, just like you're not in love with Chozi."
Zola's jaw dropped as she glared at her best friend, Azizi just laughed loudly.
...
"What's wrong?" Chozi asked as they walked.
"Zola," Tau replied.
Chozi scoffed. "And pray tell, what has the princess done this time?"
"What hasn't she done?"
Chozi laughed. Tau had him there. Zola was always off doing one thing or another, trying to impress her family to the max.
"What has she done that's new?" Chozi corrected himself.
Tau sighed. "She thinks I'm in love."
Chozi rose his eyebrow. "Are you?"
"No!" Tau growled, shaking his head. "Well, at least... I don't think so..."
"Then you're not."
Tau shook his head and sat down, Chozi followed suit.
"She thinks I am," He replied.
"Perhaps you are and just don't know it," Chozi suggested, "Happens to everyone at some point."
"Why are we friends?"
"Because we are and you love me."
Tau just laughed as he chased Chozi around the Pridelands like cubs. He couldn't say no to that.