I have to do a double take, I haven't really seen Nala in a while, I'm usually too busy doing princely things, but her beauty takes me away. She's kind've muscular, but not fully, and she already has the strong features she has as an adult. It just blows my mind how I haven't noticed how pretty she is, but...I can't do this. I can't do this to Simba, he belongs with her, but she's just...I grab my head, trying to regain my senses. When I do, I see Nala and Sarabi staring at me with worry. "Athari, are you alright?" Nala asks, with caution. I give her a reassuring smile, "Yeah, I'm okay, I'm just a bit overwhelmed with everything that's happening." Nala nods, and then she smiles.

"Hey, so, I was wondering if you wanted to come with me to this waterfall I found. It's kind've far, but it's amazing." I can't refuse her, can I? "Sure, I'd love that." I respond, but before we walk away, Sarabi puts a paw on my shoulder. "Nala, before you both go, I need to have a word with Athari. Don't worry, it'll be quick." Nala looks back, "Oh, okay, I'll be waiting down here then." She walks down the rest of Pride Rock, and I look at Sarabi. "Am I in trouble, or what's up?" She gives me a mischievous smile. "I saw that look, you're falling for her, aren't you?" I feel my heart quicken, "What? Noo...you're crazy. I mean, why would I do that? Totally wouldn't do that." I try to give a confident smile, but she raises an eyebrow. "Are you sure? Oh well, too bad, considering she's not that pretty, anyways."

She starts to walk away, but I intercept her. "What do you mean? She's gorgeous, I don't know how anyone could resist her." I realize what I said, but Sarabi's already smiling. "Hey, it's okay, I understand. You're finally seeing her as who she is, not as who she used to be." I stare at her, "That doesn't make sense." Sarabi sighs, "What I mean is, you're realizing that she's a strong young girl, not as a cub who was betrothed to someone else." I think about that, and I guess she's right. Although technically, she's still supposed to marry Simba, but I...really hate my life right now. I look back at Sarabi, "You're right, I have every chance with her now. Might as well use it." She nods, "Yes, now you should go with her, before she thinks you've done something wrong."

I walk down Pride Rock, and I see Nala laying down. "Hey Nala, ready to go?" I ask, and she gets up, stretching. "You guys talked for a while, what was it about?" she responds, and I think of an answer. "We talked about the animals, and what the hyenas are doing." Nala scowls, "Have I ever told you how much I hate hyenas?" We start walking away from Pride Rock, with me following her. I shrug, "I don't think so, why?" Nala looks ahead, "Well, remember that time, when me and Simba went into the Elephant Graveyard with Zazu?" I nod, "Well, there were three hyenas, and they were talking about eating us. We ran away, but they took Zazu, and they put him into some kind of hot water. Now, his tail feathers are singed, and I feel like we were responsible."

I see her face has a frown, so I walk in front of her, "Hey, it's not your fault, if anything, it could've been much worse. If you hadn't distracted the hyenas, Zazu could be dead." She nods, but then her head raises, as does her eyebrow. "How do you know about that? You never entered there, so how could you know?" Oh crap, I'm in the lion skewer now. Wait, Zazu you just saved my hide. "Oh, Zazu told me, after you guys came back." She glares at me for a sec, but then it gives to a smile. "Okay then, well let's go to the waterfall, it's almost time." I walk after her, thinking it's almost time for what? We reached what looked like a canyon flanked by a jungle, and I realized that this is where Rafiki led Kovu and Kiara in that song "Upendi". I never cared much for that song, but it didn't make sense how Rafiki did all that.

I followed Nala up this path to the top of the waterfall, and she turned to me. "Okay, now close your eyes." I didn't see the point of doing so, but with her insistence I finally closed them. She moved me into a sitting position, "Okay, now open them" When I did, I couldn't believe it. I saw the land before me in a purple haze, with the sun fading behind us. Everything was in such brilliant colors, and it made me feel so happy. When I looked at Nala, I could tell she felt the same way. Suddenly, my heart started feeling strained, but in a good way. I just felt so calm, and when I looked at her, it doubled in strength. I know what's happening, but screw it, I don't care anymore. I leaned in, and I pressed my lips to Nala's. At first, she became rigid, probably with shock, but then she relaxed, and she returned the kiss.

I can't describe it, it's like the entire world became one giant dessert. It's impossible to not enjoy it, and it only gets better the more you try. When we parted, I could see in her eyes that she was in love as well. "Athari...I didn't think you felt this way." I take a step forward, almost nose to nose with her. "I've been feeling this for quite a while, and I don't regret it. Do you feel the same way?" She crept closer, and whispered in my ear, "Ever since you saved my life." I felt my body tingle, and I whispered back, "I'd do it a thousand times, if only to hear that again." Nala giggled, "I'd gladly tell you again, but how will you make me?" I looked at her, and she had quite the mischievous look in her eyes. "What do you suggest?" I respond, and then I'm suddenly over the waterfall, with a laughing lioness by my side.

When I hit the water, I feel Nala cling onto me, and I cling back. When we reach the shore, we both climb out of the water, drenched completely. I give Nala a look, and she just smiles back. When I look at the sky, I see the stars are out, and I turn back to Nala. "Come on, let's get back, or if you want...we could stay here and gaze at the stars." She playfully pushes me, "Of course, I wouldn't do it with anyone else." We both lay down, and we scoot next to each other, nuzzling closely. I know the story has been changed, but this feels right, like I wouldn't have it any other way. We sat there, staring across the vastness of the sky, together in our love.

When I woke up, I found that I was on my back, with Nala laying across on top of me. I thought to give her more time to sleep, but she got up soon after I did. After she yawned, her eyes met mine, and they were full of joy. "Morning sleepyhead, how did you sleep?" I asked, which she replied with a nuzzle. "Good, with the fact that you're here." I wish we could have stayed like that, but I realized we had stayed away from the pride for the entire night. "We should go back, they're probably worried." We both got up, and I felt my fur had dried, for the most part, overnight. "Yeah, and we may as well tell the pride the news." I didn't know what she meant at first, but then I knew she meant the fact that we're now a couple. I gave a smile, "Of course, I wouldn't have it any other way."

We began our journey home, and when we got there, Sarabi, Sarafina, and the other lionesses came rushing over. "Thank the spirits, you're both okay? Where were you? We thought you might've been hurt, or worse." Sarabi was the first to speak up, but when she saw our smiles, and the way we were both close to each other, she gave way to a knowing look. "Oh, so you…" we nodded, "and that means…" she pointed a toe at the two of us, and we nodded, more energetically. Sarafina gave Nala a hug, "Oh, my little girl found her true love, this is great." Nala's cheeks blushed, "Mom, it's not that big a deal, it's okay." Sarafina pulled away, and she gave me a stern look. "Now, if I learn that you ever hurt my daughter…" I put my arms up, in a surrendering gesture, "Hey, I wouldn't dream of it, she's too great a lion for me to do that." We nuzzled, and the lionesses gave a resounding "Awww". However, I heard footsteps, and when I looked up, I saw Scar at the bottom of the stairs. "Well, does this mean we have a future queen?"

Hey guys, it's pretty late, time-wise, not upload-wise, but I got stuck doing a bunch of things. So, Athari and Nala are officially a couple now, and it looks like the plan is set in motion. I decided to bring something from both movies to the table, but I left out the drug trip Rafiki put Kiara and Kovu on (passion fruit). Now, I think some of you may be worried about some kind of sex scene, what with the teasing I put Athari and Nala go through, but do not fear, I'm not that guy, so it'll remain T-friendly. I hope you enjoyed, and there's more to come.

Remember to follow and review, I'll see you next chapter.