To secure that Rafiki didn't leave without being notice, The Lion Guard had put Ono on the job to patrol his tree and make sure noise still was made. It all would have been a perfect plan, if it wasn't that the mandrill had already outsmarted them. Ono flew in to check on the mandrill, but he was nowhere to be seen. Instead there were a quite noise machine that knocked on the tree stub when the wind blew.

"Hapana! Kion is so going to pull my feathers of, when he finds out," the egret said alarmed. He flew back towards Pride Rock to inform his leader about his discovery.

"And you hadn't thought about checking his tree before?" Kion said shocked.

"You just said I should patrol his tree, not be his nanny," the egret said.

"This complicates stuff," the lion sighed. "My dad is going to be sad to hear he has left us for good now."

"We could still search the land," Ono suggested.

"No," the lion sighed. "We don't want to make a big fuss about this, if he won't. He is probably already climbing Kilimanjaro by now."

The egret looked moodily at his leader. "Anything else I can do?"

"No, you have done enough, Ono," Kion said. "Take a break, you have earned it. I'll go tell my dad."

The egret nodded to the lion and flew out. Kion followed out to find his father looking out to the horizon. The shy had become all pink and dark blue by the sunsetting sun. He approached his dad with caution. He knew his father was very sad to lose his old friend and advice.

"Dad?" he asked softly. He felt like a little cub calling him "dad". It sounded like something he would say when he reported to him when he was a cub, but now he was grown, but still he felt small beside his father.

The king was brought out of his thoughts and looked back on his son. "Hey, kiddo. How's going," he asked in a too happy voice.

"Ehm, fine," the lion replied uncertain.

"Where's your wife?"

"She is out with the cubs."

"They're growing fast," Simba said with a smile."

"Yeah," Kion said under his breath. "Listen, dad. Ono discovered something today. Rafiki weren't there." The king looked rather shocked on his son. "He made a machine that knocks on the tree, every time the wind blows, causing Ono to think he is still at home."

"When did he discover this?" Simba asked worried.

"Just this noon."

"Then he has really left us," the king sighed.

Kion looked with a sorrowful look on his father. He pulled a comforting paw on the king's shoulder.

"It doesn't do any good pursuing him, father," Kion said. "He wants to leave without fuss."

"I know," the king said droopily. "It's just going to be some different without him by my side when I need advice."

Kion couldn't think of anything comforting to say, so he just pulled his father in for hug.

"I know I have you, Kiara, your ma, and Fuli and Kovu," Simba said tearfully. "But I'm going to miss that mandrill. Even his stick knockings."

"I miss him too, dad," the lion said, still hugging his father tight.

More time passed and it came to that point that a whole season had passed since Kion and Fuli confessed their feelings for each other the first time. That meant the mating season had begun. Fuli couldn't help feeling guilty. She could feel herself being a lot more sexually attracted by Kion, but it seemed like the lion didn't have time for her. The lion had been on night patrols alone for a whole week now, forgetting that he had a family to take care of, but Fuli knew better. Course he wasn't doing his duties. It was a for his sexual deeds. He was probably mating around with lionesses he found walking in the night. Another worry that came on her mind was Ahardi. He began to show up more often and went on night walks with Tani. The lion had changed his behavior a lot, even towards Fuli, but she knew it must be because she was Tani's friend, and she would probably not walk with him if he mocked her friend.

Fuli had been taken her four grown cubs out to their grandmother. It was a long time they had seen her and while they were having fun, Fuli could sneak away and search for were her husband went whenever he was on his lone walks.

"Okay, just remember, I don't want them to stay up late," Fuli said firmly.

"Is that not a little childish?"

"And don't let Tasha run away," Fuli added. "She likes to sneak our when she thinks we're not looking," she added, giving her daughter a very disapproving look.

"Honestly, mom," Tasha said annoyed, rolling her eyes.

"And don't let Akisi bite his mane."

"Fuli!" Matea shouted. "I had a cub, too. I know how annoying they can be, maybe not as much as you," she added. Fuli blushed, not facing her mother's look. "Look, Fuli, we'll be fine, but why aren't you staying? It would be cozy if you would."

Fuli went more red. "Ehm, cubs, you go ahead showing your grandmother what you have learned," the cheetah said firmly to a group of groaning cubs. "Come on, make me proud. Show that I'm a good ma."

"I doubt," Matea teased. Fuli gave her a disapproving glare, while the four grown teens moved out. "So why aren't you staying?"

Fuli sighed. "I know it's stupid but might think Kion is cheating on me."

Matea gave her daughter a comforting smile. "Sweetie, you sure we're talking about the same husband. You haven't found a mate in secret?"

"No, no, no, it is Kion," Fuli assured. "I just fear I'm not a satisfaction in this season. I don't blame

"I really hope you have a very good explanation to make such a disclaimer," Matea said briskly. "I said last season that I would never try and get cubs again. I mean I really would, if it weren't for me fearing I might die, and now Makini in the new Mjuzi, so I just fear everything could go wrong."

"So just because you two can't make love in the mating season, it doesn't give your husband the right to mate with every lioness he sees," Matea said.

"But he deserves more-"

"Deserves more?" Matea asked, losing her temper. "Fuli, if this is true, he doesn't deserve more, not even you or a mating toy."

Fuli looked a little alarmed on her mother.

"I just don't want you to get hurt."

"And that I wouldn't if I discovered he had made a fool out of me and our family?" Fuli asked on the verge of tears. "So, you think he cheats, too?"

Matea pulled her daughter in for a hug. She could feel her hot tears touch her cheek. "Listen, fool. I haven't been in a relationship, but I'm not telling you to ditch it all if it's not true. How do you even expect to find him+ He could be anywhere?"

The cheetah broke the hug. "I just need to search all around, I guess," she said droopily.

"Just don't let your jealousy take control," Matea said wisely, touching her daughter's cheek. "It could destroy everything you two have built."

Fuli walked back toward Pride Rock in her own thought, not looking where she was going and accidently stumbling into Tani.
"What's were you're going, Fuli!" She barked.

"Oh, sorry, Tani," she said embarrassed. "I guess I was in my own thoughts there."

"Then maybe you should pay more attention on where you're placing those paws of you!" she barked.

Fuli gave her an odd judging look. "What are you doing out here?" she asked with suspicion. Tani's anger faded away and were replaced with an embarrassed red blush. "You're not waiting for Ahardi, are you?" Fuli asked, letting her smile fade away.

"And so, what if I am?" Tani hissed.

"I just think there is something odd about that lion," Fuli confessed, giving the lioness a worried look.

"Honestly, Fuli," Tani snapped. "You're not my mother! I can take care of myself. Ahardi has changed, okay. Just like I did. He is not arrogant anymore and a lot nicer. I wish you could see that, too."

"I'm just telling you that I'm worried for what this can develop into, Tani," Fuli said. "I just don't think he is the one for you to-"

"I can pick on my own, cheetah!" the lioness hissed. "I don't need your guidance!"

"Tani, I only-"

"Well can't you find your husband to bother with your pathetic excuses than me!" she spat.

Fuli looked rather scared at the lioness for turning so viciously at her. "Sorry," she said in a low voice and bended her head in shame, walking away from the lioness. She walked back to Pride Rock and saw that her husband was waiting for her, looking excitedly at her.

"There you are, honey. I have been looking everywhere for you," the lion said giddily. Fuli didn't replied but just pushed her head against his chest, forgetting that she blamed him for mating around behind her back. "Fool? Is there something wrong?"

"I think me and Tani are losing the way," she confessed. "We always begin to fight whenever I mention Ahardi."

"Then why continue?" he asked, caressing her spine.

"I'm just worried that they end up-that they-that they end up mating," Fuli confessed. "I'm afraid that she will become pregnant and then Ahardi will leave her. I'm not sure she is ready for that."

"You know, it's not everyone that's made for long lasting relationships," the lion teased.

"I-m serios, Kion," Fuli said a little hurt. "I think he is using her."

"You're really behaving like a mother," the lion teased. "Did she tell you that as well?"

"I am just really pathetic," she sighed. "It's just the cubs are growing so fast. They hardly need us anymore."

"Someone misses being a mother," the lion teased. "Come on. I got something that will cheer you up," the lion added and began to walk. The cheetah looked oddly at him, but eventually followed.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"Wait and see," the lion teased.

Fuli rolled her eyes and followed after the lion. They walked for a very long time and came further away from Pride Rock. Even now and then, the lion would look back on her, giving her a teasing grin. Fuli just frowned even more. "Where are you taking me, Kion?"

"You'll see."

They came to a jungle and walked inside the dense trees and plants. The cheetah stopped.

"Kion, this place looks like it's for dark deeds, what are we doing here?" the cheetah asked puzzled.

"You'll see."

"Stop saying that, you-"

But what Fuli wanted to call him, he didn't hear. He pulled some vines out of the way, revealing Hakuna matata Falls lit up by fireflies, casting a very romantic atmosphere. Fuli walked closer with her jaw slightly opened, enchanted by the sight. She came closer and saw that there was a dead zebra as well.

"Oh, Kion, why?" she asked dreamingly.

"Don't you remember?" he teased, looking very excitedly at her.

Fuli looked puzzled at him for some seconds before her eyes widened, realizing what all his fuss was about.

"Oh, Kion, you shouldn't," Fuli sighed, touching his cheek.

"You don't like it?" he asked puzzled.

"Course I do," she said. "It's just-I forgot. I have been too fixed on telling myself lies."

The lion looked oddly at her. "Then it was a good thing I remembered it," he teased, licking the cheetah on her forehead. "So, what could I serve for the lady?" he asked like a gentleman, strolling across the plains.

"You haven't got more than that zebra?" she asked suspiciously, following the lion.

"Course I haven't," he teased. "Zebra is still your favorite."

"How long have you been working on this, honey?" she asked puzzled, keen to know if she should still be suspicious.

"This week," he told. "I've been waiting on the fireflies and the sky to get clear."

"So that's where you have gone whenever you were on patrol alone," the cheetah said relieved. "I thought you were mating around with lionesses."

"What are you talking about?" the lion asked puzzled.

The cheetah was silent for some moments. "Just me being a, pathetic, paranoid insecure cheetah," she confessed. "It's just you deserve better than me."

The lion touched her cheek affectionately and brushing his paw in her mane. "Why should I, when you're like the satisfaction ever guy would hunger for," the lion said pleased.

The cheetah looked at him some disapproving but loving eyes as well. "Shut it, Kion. You make me blush," she teased, giving the lion a bop on the nose. The lion laid himself down on his back, suggesting invitingly that she should lay on top. "You just know how to spoil me, your romantic lion," she teased, licking his body passionately, feeling the lion's heart beat faster. He looked at her with a slight desirous look. Fuli stopped her looking and stared transfixed into his amber eyes, shining with desire.

"So, what are you saying about cubs?" the lion teased. If he had thought it would have been a fun joke, that would make the cheetah laugh, the thought wrongly. Her enchanted eyes became all of a sudden harsh.

"Oh, I see. The fireflies, favorite meal, romantic atmosphere," the cheetah said rather stiff. She got up from the lion. "I know what you want you want, but I'm not that cheap, Kion. This is just an attempt getting me into mating with you again," she added and began to walk. "To please your sexual needs on me as well."

"What?" Kion asked shocked and went after her. "No, Fuli, that's not the truth."

"Then why go all the trouble through creating a romantic night?" she asked sharply.

"Because-," he tried to say, thinking hard how to explain something so obvious. "Because you deserve being treated like a queen. You're my wife. Look, I know we don't got much time for our self but-"

"I don't want to hear your pathetic excuses, Kion," she hissed. "Go do it with your lionesses if you want to."

"What are you talking about, fool?" Kion asked puzzled.

"Don't act like you don't know," she said threateningly. "It's mating season. You can't possible fool me to think you spent the last few days working on this."

"what? You think I have been together with someone else?" he asked shocked. "I just thought after telling Rafiki you wanted him to revive you if it happened again."

"In case you should have forgotten, Kion," she sighed. "We lost a cub last season. It has scared me away from trying a new attempt."
Kion touched her cheek very softly and pulled her head up towards his.

"I just thought you would be ready, but I guess the grief still lies deep," he sighed.

Fuli gave the lion a hurt look. "Look, Kion, I'm sorry I judged you, but I'm still touchy about what happened with Angle."

Kion pulled her in for a hug. "It's okay, babe. I should never had left you with the cubs alone this week."

"They're hardly cubs anymore, Kion," the cheetah sniggered.

"They are still ours, no matter how old they get," the lion teased. "Care to finish of that zebra."

"Course, love," she teased, kissing the lion lovingly on his lips.

The days went by and Fuli and Kion's love seemed to have bloomed once more. It stilled looked like Tani were meeting up with Ahardi, but it didn't care Fuli anymore. She had her husband and she was being spoiled like never before.

The season passed and whenever the cheetah passed the lioness, she noticed she looked very moody, like if someone had eaten her heart. Fuli didn't bothered to ask what had happened. If she was going to bet, Ahardi had left Tani for good, achieving what he had come for. For some reason she didn't felt sad for the lioness at all. Hadn't she warned her plenty of times? Though one day she though it was enough mocking and she found the lioness, gazing out upon the savanna alone, trying to comfort her. She breathed in and approached the lioness.

"Tani?" she timidly asked.

"Go away, Fuli," she replied, sounding hurt.

"Is there something wrong?" she asked again.

The lioness turned her face so fast towards her that Fuli stepped a bit back. Anger were plainly shining in her face.

"Just fuck you, Fuli," she hissed. "I know what you have come for. You're just her to mock over my stupid decisions and tell me that you were right all along!"

"No that's not why I'm here," Fuli said alarmed. "Im-

"Just really fuck you, Fuli!" she hissed. "Maybe with your perfect husband. Fuck him as well and your freaking cubs!"

This time the lioness had gone too far. Fuli raised her paw in an alarming speed, anger blooming in her. How dared her friend speak so badly about her family. She wanted to hurt the lioness, making her feel the pain she felt when she was neglected her trust, but she redeemed herself and lowered her paw.

"You can harass me, my husband," Fuli said in a quivering voice, filled with anger. "But you never dare to harass my cubs in front of me!"

The lioness just sneered at her.

"Honestly, Tani. What have happened to you?" the cheetah asked, full of pity. "You are no longer the friend I once knew."

"Who said I was ever your friend?" she barked. "Just stay out of my way, cheetah," she snarled and walked away, leaving a stunned cheetah behind.

Fuli walked back towards Pride Rock, anger oozing out from her. She saw that her husband were waiting for her with a flower in his mouth.

"Fuli, where have you been?" Kion asked worried, putting the flower behind her ear, but Fuli threw the flower away. "I have been worrying sick."

"I'm not going to sleep inside that cave with her," the cheetah spat. "I'm sleeping outside!"

"Wha-what?" Kion asked perplexed. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm not going to sleep inside the rock with Tani," she spat.

"Why not, she is your frie-"

"Oh, some pretty friend she is," Fuli snapped. "She thinks she just can continue harassing me!"

"What did she do?" the lion asked worried.

"Oh, you know, just simply said I wasn't her friend and that I should fuck you and our cubs," she said fast.

"You're not friends anymore?" he asked puzzled, stroking a paw down her spine.

"No, and I don't want to fix it. I have done enough for her," the cheetah spat. "Come on, let's find our cubs and find a place to sleep under the sky," the cheetah said grumpily, stepping down from the rock.

Morning rose and Kion and Fuli returned to Pride Rock with their cubs. They found Kovu pacing the floor and Kiara casted worried looks on him. He didn't stop when they entered.

"Something wrong?" Kion asked puzzled.

"Tani haven't returned," Kiara told.

"And that's no news," Fuli said bitterly.

Kovu finally stopped, looking oddly at the cheetah. Tasha too, looked odd at her mother. It was a long time since she had used such a bitter voice towards the lioness.

"She didn't seem to be herself yesterday," Kovu said alarmed. "I saw her, and she was moody, not her fierce self. I might think she hurt herself."

"That would be a tragedy," Fuli whispered sarcasticly.

Tasha and Kion frowned at her.

"Then it seems like we got some work to do," the lion said. "I'll inform the others, Fuli you will be looking at the water banks."

"I super hate you right now," the cheetah said gloomily and walked outside followed by Tasha.

"Ma, is there something wrong between you two?" she asked. "You didn't seem very concerned."

"I had an argument with her, and it came to that point where I had to pull the plug," Fuli said. "We are no longer friends."

"But ma, surely you're going to miss her?"

"No, I'm not!" Fuli said abruptly. "She harassed my family and when it comes to it, she doesn't deserve my friendship."

"Because of what? Some argument?"

"She refused to take my warnings seriously about that slimy git from the Night Lands. He only wanted to use her," she hissed. "But oh, no, no. He was charming, the desperate love she had searched for."

"Ma, you're being very selfish right now!" Tasha said shocked that her mother was being so coldhearted.

"How dare you!"

"Don't you see what it is she is cowering for?" Tasha asked. Fuli frowned. "She is expecting." going

Fuli made a cold laugh. "Tasha, I know she is desperate, but she is not a fool."

"How can you be so sure she is not?" Tasha asked. "It was mating season. Besides, you acted the same way when dad told you were expecting cubs."

Fuli's jaw dropped. "How did you know?"

"Dad told me," Tasha confessed. "Listen ma, you're being a very bad friend not helping her. Even if she harassed you," she added, seeing her mother's face turn from shock to amazement. "You better go look for her!"

"Where I'm glad there are still two seasons before you become mature," the cheetah said. Tasha blushed a little. "I can't imagine how this talk is going to be when you'll have yours."

"I'm not going to have anyone," she said sheepishly.

"What, you're attractive, sure men want to stand in line for you," Fuli joked.

"And what then?" Tasha asked. "Just get dumped and live with the responsibility of raising them on my own?"

"No, it wasn't meant like that."

"Can we please not talk about this," Tasha said uncomfortable. "Just find Tani and say sorry."

"Fine!" the cheetah said grumpily, leaving her daughter on the rock.

She looked alongside the water banks for a what fell like a very long time. She didn't take much noticed of what she was doing because she was in her own thoughts, thinking about what her daughter had said. Could be possible that Tani had been foolish enough to mate with Ahardi?

Fuli were thrown out of her thoughts when she saw a shape laying in the water (passed out). It was Tani and she looked dreadful.

"Tani!" Fuli said alarmed, running over to the lioness. She tried to pull the lioness up from the water, but it was a lot harder with a lioness that were passed out. "Come on, you heavy girl."

Fuli pulled once more and managed to get the lioness on the shore. She pushed the lioness on her back, pushing gently down on her stomach. "Don't give up now!"

The lioness opened her mouth and spat out some water. "Fu-li?" she said with a thick voice.

"Come on, Tani, we need to get you to Makini," Fuli said, trying to get the lion up on her feet, but the lioness fell down again. "Come on, you heavy sack."

At last the lioness got up on her paw, and walked weakly, supported by the cheetah. The lioness didn't meet Fuli's eyes and had her head bended in shame. Fuli didn't said anything to her about how stupid she was which was very grateful for, but what would she say when she found out what she had been telling Ahardi?

They arrived to Rafiki's tree now hosting the female mandrill. She looked happily out through the tree when she saw the two felines approach.

"Fuli! Tani! How wonderful to see ya," she said happily as she climbed down the tree. "Already back, Tani?"

The lioness laid flat in the grass, not answering.

"Tani stayed all night in the water," Fuli said shortly. "She needs warmth."

"Then Ahardi-" Makini said, but Fuli shook franticly her head. She pushed the mandrill a bit away. "Don't mention his name in front of her. She has just been dumped by him."

"Auch, that's tough," Makini said.

Fuli lowered her head to the mandrill. "What did you mean by "Already back"?"

Makini beamed at her. "She is going to be a mother," she whispered excitedly. Fuli looked stunned at her. "Isn't it wonderful?"

Fuli were walking back towards Pride Rock to inform Kovu were his sister had been. Tasha were giving her an unsure smile when she entered.

"Your sister has been playing a bit too much in the water last night," she informed. "Makini is taking care of her now."

"Phew, what a relief, I thought something bad had happened to her," Kovu said relived. Fuli eyed her daughter and gave her a very stern look, confirming her theory. "I'll go see her."

"That's not a very good idea," the cheetah said moodily.

"What do you mean?"

"Eh, she doesn't want to infect others," she said. "Don't worry, she'll be fine. Will you tell Kion I'm briefly visiting the Night Lands, there're some stuff I need to do."

"The Night Lands?" Kovu asked puzzled. "Okay."

"Great, I'll see you," the cheetah said and walked outside.

"Ma, ma," Tasha cried after her. "What happened?"

"You were right," she sighed. "She is expecting."

"What do you want to do?"

"I'm going to talk to the father."

"You think you can reason with him?"

"I'm going to give his ass for a fit," Fuli hissed. "He made her pregnant and now he is going take feel the consequences," she added and began to walk. "Don't tell dad."

When Fuli arrived at the Night Lands, she saw that Rani was in a meeting with the elder lions, but she stopped when she caught sight of the cheetah.

"Fuli," she greeted and hugged her. "How are you? Been a long time."

The cheetah bowed before lioness. "Your majesty," she teased. She looked up again with a more serious look. "Is Ahardi here?"

"Yeah, anything you want with him?" Rani asked puzzled.

"There is a load of things I want to do with him, but I'm afraid I can only give him his ass full!" the cheetah replied bitterly. Rani looked stunned at her but didn't say more. She found the lion surrounded by a flock or admiring lionesses. The lion had his usual smirk face and seemed to feel superior over the lionesses. Fuli rolled her eyes by the merest sight of him and walked down to the lion, passing through the lionesses.

"I'll like to have a word with you, Ahardi," she said calmly.

"Ah, come to talk about your friend?" the lion purred. "How is she."

Fuli slapped the lion, which took him by surprise, but quickly it twisted into a deadly smile. The other lionesses looked with exited faces at them, but Fuli sneered them of.

"Bogger off, ladies! I got some things to tell this rat," she sneered.

The lionesses scowled at Fuli while they reluctantly left.

"So, what is it you want?" he asked in his usual sneer.

"I want to know why you ditched Tani when she needs you the most," Fuli said, feeling her anger bloom. "She is expecting."

"Congratulation to her than," he sneered. "Listen, Fuli. Tani is not my type. I simply did her a favor. She said she liked to try how it was to be a mother."

"With a mate by her side," Fuli exclaimed.

"Must have slipped my mind. Well it wasn't all waste of my time."

"What do you mean?"

"She came with some valuable information."

"Do you have any idea what she is going to go through?"

"Yeah, her belly is going to swell to the enormous and when the time comes, she will give birth to a whore cub," the lion mocked.

"Don't you dare call her unborn cub a whore!" Fuli snarled. "She tried to take her life today, simply because she is ashamed to be fooled by you. How would feel if you were betrayed by your own mate?"

"It's not why she is ashamed," the lion said firmly.

"Wh-what are you talking about?" Fuli asked confused. "You know what, you're just trying to trick me. I'm telling Rani what you really are," she added and turned around.

"If you do that," the lion said coldly. "I tell a certain leopard about your secret."