Hey readers!

Thanks for the reviews, It really inspires me to write! I was hoping to post this chapter on Sunday, but this site was plotting aniginst me and wouldn't let me upload anything. I think someone cursed me this halloween. -_-'

ANYWAY, I HOPE YOU GUYS ENJOY THIS CHAPTER!

I jump out of the way as Nala tries to pounce on top of me. I laugh as I zig-zag across the path as she chases me.

Sarafina looks back at us and chuckles.

"My, you two are full of energy today."

Nala and I pause our game of chase as we share a glance at each other. I shrug.

"No, Nala is just really slow today."

I hear a gasp beside me before finding myself squashed by my best friend.

"Oof!"

Nala laughs triumphantly.

"I think you might be the slow one, Felix."

I knock her off and pin her down with a smirk.

"Nope! I'm pretty sure it's you."

Sarafina shakes her head with a smile.

"Come along, you two. Save this energy for the hunt."

I let Nala up feeling pretty proud of myself as we trot behind Nala's mom. It still blows my mind that I'm here. I'm in the Pridelands and I'm learning to hunt with Nala, THE Nala. We've only had a few lessons since I was accepted by the pride but I've found I really enjoy them. Despite the fact that I don't get out to practice as much thanks to Scar, I feel I've gotten pretty good. Sarafina is always saying my speed is perfect for hunting and that Nala is getting the stealth part down pretty well. We reach a group of boulders and Sarafina stops walking and sits back to look at us encouragingly.

"Beyond these rocks are a herd of gazelles. Remember to pick your target and communicate with the rest of your group at all times."

Nala and I nod smiling at each other, we've become a pretty good team. Normally a hunting party would be bigger but since we're the only two cubs besides little Mheetu, it's just us. Sarafina nods to me.

"Felix will lead first this time, Nala you're point."

Nala nods and I jump up excited. Nala glances down the hill before looking at me.

"So leader, who's our target?"

I peak around the rocks down to the herd. As the lead, It's up to me to pick the best target for the hunt. I study the outer edge of the herd, I spot the perfect one immediately.

"That one."

Nala and Sarafina look at what I picked before Nala frowns.

"That one? Are you sure?"

The gazelle I picked, looks strong and fast. His muscles are taunt and would easily towers over me if I was up close. I nod confidently.

"Yep!"

Nala looks unsure but nods.

"Alright then."

I grin and lead the way into the tall, green grass away from Sarafina before whispering to Nala.

"Once we get close, head over to the tree to our right."

Nala looks slightly confused but nods.

"And then?"

I smile mischievously.

"Just wait there. You'll know when to pounce."

Nala nods slowly but her eyes shine with curiosity. With that, we continue creeping closer to the herd before splitting off. I continue heading straight for the target being cautious of the wind direction. I Once I'm about a foot or two away, I glance over to Nala to wait for her to be in position. I nod to her to tell her to be ready and then I lower my crouch even more as I move closer till I'm behind our target. I glance to Nala once more. As point, it's her job to scan the area around me to make sure there isn't any hazards. She gives me the okay nod before my tail starts swishing in anticipation. I pounce. I make sure to only land near it and not on it since we are only practicing. Practice or not, the gazelle is startled and speeds off towards the tree. I grin as I give chase keeping a close distance to it almost easily. As it approached the tree, Nala comes flying from behind it and lands between the gazelle and myself. I skid to a stop panting. Nala looks excited as she looks between the fleeing gazelle and me.

"That was awesome! If this was real, we might have actually taken him down!"

"Yes you two would have."

We turn to see Sarafina looking proud.

"This was a very interesting tactic, but it seems very suited for two lions hunting alone." I smile. I know it wasn't exactly the lion way to do things but I'm glad to see it worked. Sarafina looks to Nala.

"Nala, you did well to trust the lead's instincts even though it may have seemed strange. The pounce was excellent and you had lots of control. You were very smart to delay your pounce as to not hurt the gazelle."

Nala grins looking very pleased as her mom turns to look at me.

"Now Felix, you picked a target that would feed plenty of the lionesses. As good as this is, you picked a very healthy target that would be harder to take down with only two lions. This risk could cost you if you are not too careful in the future."

She smiles again.

"That being said, you were quick to come to a decision and made it clear to Nala what you wanted done. Very good qualities the lead must have."

She then looks between both of us.

"Overall, you both did an excellent job and if this was a real hunt…I am confident we would not starve."

Nala and I exchange smiles before her mom continues.

"Now Nala, it's your turn to lead."

Nala and I stand up eager to start again. Nala spots a Zebra and crouches down.

"That one. Stay close, Felix."

With that she starts moving further into the grass. I crouch down and follow her.

"Right behind you."

()())()()()()()())()))()()()())()()()())()()()(()

I flashback to the present to see Nala now fully grown in the crouching stance completely focused on the hunt. Despite it being sad that this isn't as happy as when we were cubs, I can't help but smile fondly at the memory.

Focus, Felix.

I pause for a moment. I haven't heard that voice in a while. I shake my head to clear it at the sound of hooves and snuffling. Stealthy, our hunting groups spread out to cover large distances and quietly move closer to our targeted prey. We encircle the herd. Nala's group approaches the herd from the right of my group. So far so good… The pride has come from a direction opposite to that of the wind, and spend as much time as possible getting into position. I think back to what Sarafina told us cubs. The better our enclosure, the greater our chances of scoring lunch. I look around knowing we've now enclosed the herd as much as possible. It is almost never a complete enclosure, since the wind usually gives away the scent of some part of the pride before that. I study the herd. Six antelope graze on the dead grass looking exhausted. They must be traveling through… Nala gives the signal and we all move in slowly in hopes to not startle the herd. We are almost in reaching distance when the wind suddenly shifts directions. One by one the antelopes' heads pop up catching the scent of us and in unison, bolt. It takes me a second to realize they're coming straight for me. I turn to alert the rest of my group to move, only to find they're already gone.

"Oh."

I duck down as the antelope leap over me like I'm nothing and I hear Nala roar giving the signal to give chase. The clopping of hooves passes followed by the thumping of paws.

"And this is why we leave you at home, Felix."

I look up to see Nala looking down at me eyebrow raised and grinning. I stand up and shake off the dirt that was kicked up.

"Well no one told me to bolt… In fact, I think I recall someone saying not to break formation."

She rolls her eyes as nudges me.

"Excuses, soft paw prince. Come on, let's catch up to the others."

I can't help but smirk as she chuckles leading the way after the hunting party. We catch up to the group and I have to squint to see through the dust being kicked up by the herd. I look around to see the lionesses to find they look exhausted. The lack of food hasn't helped with keeping up their strength. They may not be able to keep up the chase for much longer… I spot a small cliff ahead on the right and my thoughts return to the hunting lessons as a cub. I roar to the rest of my group.

"My group, follow me!"

The three lionesses in my group reach my side and we peel away from the main group. We weave through boulders till we near the cliff. I see the herd approaching. We aren't fast enough… I push forward.

"Faster, we're almost there!"

My group speeds up.

3...

We reach the cliff.

2...

The thundering of hooves is approaching fast.

1…

"Now!"

As a unison we leap from the cliff and landing on top of the antelope. I bite down on the back of the antelope I landed on and I can hear the sounds of others around me as the dust thickens.

The hunt is over.

()()()()()(()())())()()()()

Nala comes bounding over to me with a grin.

"Nice work with the hunt, Felix! That was quick thinking with the ambush thing."

I smile as we near the watering hole as we walk back to Priderock.

"Thanks, I was thinking of our hunting training back when we were cubs."

Nala looks surprised for a second before smiling fondly.

"I almost forgot about those first lessons. We made a pretty good team."

I nod in agreement before noticing the sun is already starting to hang low in the sky. Nala has seemed to notice as well because her brow furrows in concern.

"I hope Sarabi was able to find Mheetu."

I move closer to her and give her a gentle nudge.

"I'm sure they found him napping in a tree somewhere and Sarabi has him on the run."

Nala gives a halfhearted chuckle and raises an eyebrow at me.

"You mean like you?"

I give her a fake look of indigent.

"I never said anything about me. Mheetu is the prince of naps."

Nala rolls her eyes.

"You sure? Because if I recall, Mheetu prefers sleeping on boulders and you are the one I saw being chased for sleeping."

I laugh and shrug with a smirk.

"Only once."

Nala stops at the bottom of Priderock.

"Once is all it takes…"

She mutters. I sigh and nod in defeat, she's right of course. Sarabi is certain as much a queen as she was before Scar took over. How she found me napping that day, I may never know. It was like being caught by your mom while playing video games instead of doing chores. We sit back watching for hyenas trying to snag food from the hunt. I frown at a thought. This may be one of the last meals in a while…

()()()()()()))()()()(()()(()()

Nala and I are watching the lionesses dragging the antelope to Priderock. I was told distinctly not to help so Scar doesn't find out that I've been assisting. I hear paws approaching and I turn to see Sarabi returning with two other lionesses. They look grim. Nala notices their presence as well and we rush to greet the small group. Nala scans the group with a knowing look.

"Where's Mheetu?"

Sarabi shakes her head solemnly.

"We were searched the borders but, we didn't find Mheetu."

Nala looks almost distraught and Sarabi steps closer to her to give a comforting nuzzle.

"We are not giving up on finding him, Nala. I promise you that."

I frown watching this exchange. Is this what happens to Mheetu? Is he destined to just disappear? I shake my head. That doesn't make any sense. I step closer to the group and they all look to me but my attention is focused on Nala.

"I will look for him tonight. There may be some places we went to as cubs that he may have gone to."

Nala nods looking determined.

"I'm going with you."

Sarabi and the other two lionesses nod in agreement. I shake my head.

"With all due respect...Sarabi, you all need to rest. The herd we hunted today was only passing through. Who knows when we'll get another chance to eat. Plus Scar might notice if a group of lionesses leave in the night."

Sarabi nods solemnly.

"You are correct, Scar would indeed notice… Very well, you and Nala have my permission to go alone tonight."

She looks at both of us in turn with a motherly sternness.

"After you two eat."

NOTE: I know I didn't cover the actual hunting in details. I didn't want to upset any viewers or PEETA (or whoever)

Sorry that this was just a filler chapter. I figured everyone could use some nice flashbacks of things I skimmed over about their cubhood. Rest assure though, this is merely the calm before the storm.

Please leave a review with any questions or if you just enjoyed this chapter!