KawaiiCutie12: Well, the dynamic duo is back baby! and Tama and Kula are now friends! A small detail will be revealed today.
+RyanSquad: Tama's a little slow😂
+HydroCOre: I'm glad Beleco's one of your faves; she's one of mine as well. Yeahh, like I said above, she a little dumb😂😂ironically enough, she didn't/doesn't feel resentment towards Beleco. Same here, though...I wouldn't blame Tama for still finding her a bit annoying lmao XD. Mm...I don't wanna spoil anything...👀ALL respectful opinions are welcome here. You stay safe as well!
+vampiregal15: I swear you're always so mean to Tama😂
Chapter 11:
Perfect, the coast is clear. Now I gotta keep up.
Dotty decided she had enough and wanted to know what was up with Spotty. She caught sight of her leaving the den, and ultimately made up her mind: she was gonna follow her.
She snuck after her through the grassy fields, and towards the Pride Lands border.
What could she be looking for out here? It's just the Outlands.
Pushing her confusion away, Dotty kept her pace.
She watched as Spotty stopped and looked around.
What's she staring at?
With no warning, she whipped her head back, and Dotty quickly ducked to the ground.
Shit, shit, shit! Did she see me? I'm so fucked.
Peeking, she was surprised to see that Spotty hadn't spotted (Pffft XD) her whatsoever. Instead, she was now staring at the same direction.
Suddenly, a teen lion trotted towards her, and she watched as Spotty's face lit up. He had a white coat and a cream colored mane, and if she had to take a guess, he probably had brown eyes.
"You actually came," she heard the lion say.
"I wouldn't miss spending a day with you for the world, 'Bari" Spotty replied.
Jabari grinned, but soon dropped it. "Does anyone know about us?"
Spotty's own smile dropped. She shook her head. "No, they wouldn't understand. Rogues are seen as dangerous, but I know you're not."
As she said this, Spotty threw her head underneath his. The two stayed in that position for a moment, taking in each other's scents. They pulled away, and Spotty took a quick glance at the land.
"Should we go now?" she asked.
Jabari nodded, and the teens talked and laughed as they walked away.
She's dating a rogue! That's why she's been away from the Pride Lands! Well, as long as she's happy, I'm happy.
Satisfied that it wasn't anything bad, she trotted back to Pride Rock, hoping to catch up on her sleep.
"Hah, found you, Nala!"
A few hours went by and the cubs were awake and energetic. While Chumvi, Kula, Tojo, and Malka had a water war in the waterhole, Simba, Beleco, and Nala were attempting to play gazelles and lions.
"You know, this isn't working. Wanna just play Pinned Ya?" Simba suggested.
The lioness cubs turned to each other, before turning back to Simba and nodding.
Beleco playfully glared at Nala. "Come on, Nal', let's see if you still have what it takes."
Nala playfully growled, and lunged at the cream cub. Simba laughed and cheered for both teams, seeing the potential in both. He looked up for a moment, and caught sight of Tama standing a good four to five feet in front of him. The moment they made eye contact, she lowered her gaze.
Guess I better fix this, Simba thought.
Taking a deep breath, he walked past the wrestling cubs, and approached Tama, who had a nervous look on her face.
Now in front of her, Simba slightly smiled. "Hey."
Tama didn't say anything, but anxiously scanned him.
"Do you wanna play with us?" Simba asked, hoping to ease her nerves.
Tama puffed her tuft, and stared at Simba in disbelief. "Really? You want me to play?
Simba smiled again. "Sure. We don't have enough people to play gazelles and lions, and you seemed lonely."
Tama averted her gaze and slightly sighed. "I know everyone's mad at me right now. I can't blame them."
She looked back up at Simba. "Look, I'm sorry I kept butting in whenever you and Nala were spending time together. I just get excited and want to make sure I get to be included in things. But..." she shook her head. "I totally went about it the wrong way."
Simba couldn't help but chuckle at her timidity. "I get it. Of course you're gonna want to make friends; I wouldn't have been mad at you if you told me upfront though, Tama."
Tama's eyes slightly widened. "You...wouldn't have?"
"Why would I? Our friendship is pretty intimidating." He puffed out his chest.
"Okay, don't get too cocky, now," Tama joking warned, causing the two to laugh.
"But...I'm sorry too."
Tama's smile faded at the now guilty expression the prince wore. "What are you talking about?"
Simba looked up at her. "I'm sorry I talked about you behind your back, and I'm sorry about those things I said."
Tama's small smile returned. "Thanks, I forgive you." She looked up at him. "You're gonna make such a great king."
Simba blushed. "T-Thank you."
Tama giggled, and sighed. "So...friends?"
Simba nodded. "Friends."
The two shared a hug, and a thought popped into Simba's head.
"How's your mom?" Simba asked, pulling away.
Tama's face warmed. "She's okay. She's here now, talking with Sarafina."
Simba grinned at her. "I gotta introduce myself to her later. Now come on, we have a game to win."
Tama followed Simba to where the confused lioness cubs were.
"Hey, guys."
The two turned to see Simba, and were both surprised and happy to see Tama standing right next to him.
"Hey, Tama!" Nala greeted.
"Hi, Nala." She looked over at Beleco. "Hey, Beleco."
Beleco was surprised at first, but found her smile contagious. "Hi, Tama. And you can call me 'Leco, or whatever nickname you come up with."
Tama grinned. "Okay, 'Leco."
Simba playfully sighed. "Uh, hello?" He threw a foreleg around Tama. "Tam' and I have a game to beat you two in."
Nala and Beleco turned to each other, then back at the new friend duo. "It's on!"
The four started their game, and their competition went on and on.
"Gotcha, Malka!"
At the waterhole, things were only just getting started. Chumvi and Kula were completely whooping Tojo and Malka; their soggy tufts completely confirmed this.
"Yeah, you guys suck," Chumvi teased.
Malka and Tojo looked at each other thinking the same thing: These two were crazy.
"Yeah yeah, whatever," Malka grumbled.
Deciding they had enough games, the group climbed out of the waterhole and shook themselves off.
"Wonder where the others are," Chumvi stated.
Malka and the other two Pride Lands cubs looked at one another before staring back at Chumvi.
"They were playing in the fields," Malka remembered.
"To the fields we go, then!" Kula declared.
The four cubs walked towards the field. While Chumvi and Kula walked and talked ahead, Malka and Tojo hung back.
"Hey, Malka?" Tojo piped up.
Malka turned to the dirty golden cub. "Yeah, what's up, Toj'?"
"I know she's your friend and all, but I don't really want to play if Tama's there," Tojo confessed.
Malka sighed. "No, I get it. Tama and I...aren't on the best terms right now."
Tojo was intrigued by this. "Really? Why?"
Malka turned away as he combed his paw through his black tufts. "Well, I told Simba some personal information, Tama overheard and got mad, words were said and..." He turned back to Tojo. "she hates me."
Tojo was surprised-well, not that much.
"You're her best friend," Tojo reasoned. "I'm sure she'll forgive you."
They arrived at the field, seeing the others laughing and running around.
"Welp, let's find out," Malka sighed, catching up with the others.
Simba and the three cream lioness cubs were having a blast. Tama had proven to be not just a great friend but also a great teammate, and even Beleco upped her game from before.
Nala stopped to catch her breath. "I think we should take a break."
"Why? We just got here!"
They all turned to see a bouncing Kula and a cheekily grinning Chumvi.
"Hey, guys!" Beleco called out.
As the four walked over to the brown cub duo, Tama caught sight of Malka and Tojo. The two were hanging back, and she had a good feeling why.
Tama took a deep breath. I can do this.
She walked up to them, and they seemed surprised by the gesture.
"I've been so mean to both of you, and I'm really sorry," Tama began.
She turned to Malka. "Malka, you've been my best friend since the minute we could crawl, and you've helped me through so much. I'm like, the luckiest girl ever to have you in my life."
Taken aback by the sudden compliments, Malka's face reddened more than usual. "I mean...that's what friends do."
Tama smiled, before turning to Tojo. "And I'm so sorry I made fun of your birds; like Kula said, we each have our own things that we like, and that's totally okay." She paused. "You wanna know something?"
A curious Tojo nodded his head.
Tama's cheeks had gone red, and he was curious as to what she had to say.
"There was this...baby rabbit I had stumbled across one day," she began. "he was so helpless, and I couldn't just leave him there to die. So...I took him in and cared for him."
This shocked Tojo. "Wait...really?"
Tama nodded. "Not to like, get all sappy or anything, but I'd play with him whenever I didn't have anyone else to play with, and we were like, the best of friends. But, not all good things last. One day when I went to go find him, he wouldn't wake up; apparently, he somehow died in his sleep. I was crushed, and..." she locked eyes with him. "Seeing your birds reminded me of him, and I thought maybe if I acted like that was totally weird, I'd feel better. But that wasn't the case. And I'm sorry, Tojo."
Tojo stared at the tufted cub. She too, had an odd quirk to her, but instead of embracing it, she hid it...
"I forgive you," Tojo smiled. "And I'm sorry about your rabbit."
Tama gave a small smile. "Thanks."
"Are you guys done? We have a game to crush you guys in!"
They looked up to see Kula staring in mock annoyance.
Tama playfully glared. "Puh-leeze!" she threw her forelegs around Malka and Tojo. "We're gonna whoop all your tails!"
"Bring it, Tami!" Beleco cried.
The cubs started their games, and they laughed, unaware of the vibe nearby.
"Hey, where are your siblings?"
Kiara had noticed that she barely saw Vitani with the others, and Dotty was now majority of the time alone. Despite not being incredibly close to the two, she had to admit they were like siblings to her as well.
Kovu's ears lowered, and Kiara regretted asking.
"I don't know," he sadly admitted. "They just left in the middle of the night."
Kiara froze. In the middle of the night?
"That's not like them at all," Kiara commented, a weird feeling overcoming her.
Kovu solely nodded. "It's been a few days now."
This got Kiara thinking. They're really gone? I know Scar and Zira aren't really the nicest to them, but would they really just up and leave?"
"That's crazy," Kiara finally said.
She looked at Kovu and noticed his face.
"Hey, wanna head back to the den?" Kiara suggested, hoping to cheer her best friend up.
Kovu nodded, and the two silently walked back to the den.
"We've checked everywhere possible, and there was blood with their fur mixed in! If they are alive, where else could they be?"
Once again, the adults went off to look for the cubs. This time, Sarafina and Tisha volunteered to join, but they didn't spot anything either. While Scar was managing to keep his composure, Zira didn't bother masking her fear.
"That doesn't necessarily mean they're dead," Sarafina reminded her.
"They could've very well gotten hurt from their journey," Tisha added, though she was scared for her niece and nephew as well. For them to just up and leave didn't sit right with her.
"What could it possibly mean! Nuka and Vitani are gone, and even if they're not dead, I highly doubt they're coming back!" Zira choked back a sob.
No one else had anything to say. Well, except Scar. But the lump in his throat wouldn't let him.
"I..." Mufasa was at a lost for words.
"We can't give up," Sarabi reasoned. "They could've been taken in by another pride."
Though unlikely, Scar nor Zira disapproved of the theory.
"Come on, let's talk about this at Pride Rock," Mufasa ushered all of them.
As they trudged their way to Pride Rock, they didn't notice just who was listening.
And now crying.
Spotty hummed as she trotted back to Pride Rock. The sun had set some, but she decided to come home and spend some time with her-
"Spotty!"
Sister...
She turned to see Dotty racing towards her. "Hey, Dots, what's up?"
Dotty stopped in front of her to catch her breath. Finally doing so, she stared into her twin's eyes.
"Where have you been going these days? And don't lie to me," Dotty firmly demanded.
Spotty racked her brain. She thinks she's gonna get an answer out of me? PFFFFT.
"I've been spending some alone time," she confidently answered.
Spotty, Spotty, Spotty...you know you can't lie to me. You know this.
"Oh, really? So you weren't with someone named Jabari?" Dotty hit the nail on the head.
Spotty was thrown off by the sudden question. "W-What are you talking about?"
"I followed you this morning, okay! I saw who you were with!" Taking a deep breath, Dotty calmed back down. "Why didn't you tell me you were seeing someone?"
Spotty's guilt got the best of her. Sitting down, she sighed. "Because I know what you guys think about rogues. I just...I didn't want you guys to worry."
"Well you're my twin! I'm gonna worry regardless!" Dotty reasoned, cracking a teensy smile.
Spotty couldn't help the chuckles that came out. "I know, and I'm sorry."
Dotty shook her head. "No, I understand. I have yet to tell Mom that Nuka's most likely the one."
Spotty wasn't surprised; the two were childhood best friends.
"So...no more secrets?" Dotty make sure.
"No more secrets!" Spotty smiled.
The sisters nuzzled, and they turned to see the sun was set some.
"Come on, we need some sister time," Dotty stated
Side-by-side, the teen lionesses walked and talked.
"Man, I wonder why the adults have been so distant lately."
The cubs were now walking back to Pride Rock. Despite always having fun with one another, they noticed that their parents seemed...down, most of the time.
"Well, I say we go and find out," Beleco suggested.
And so here they were trotting up to Pride Rock. Within a few minutes, their parents came into view.
"Hey, there they are!" Simba cried.
They picked up the speed, but stopped noticing Zira's anger. The cubs crept closer, to hear what was being said.
"Nuka and Vitani are gone, and even if they're not dead, I highly doubt they're coming back!"
The cubs gasped.
"Nuka and Vitani are gone?" Simba questioned in disbelief.
Nala looked to Simba. "Maybe they're coming back soon."
Kula let out another small gasp. "That's why Mister Scar asked us where 'Tani was that day. That's when they ran off!"
The other cubs didn't know what to say. Tama, however, wasn't having it.
"No."
The cubs turned to her.
"What do you mean, Tama?" Beleco asked.
Tama didn't say anything for a minute. Then, she looked up at the cubs.
"No, she couldn't have ran off. There's no way. She couldn't. She wouldn't!"
They now noticed that Tama was fighting back tears. This surprised everyone, especially Simba and Nala.
Beleco placed a paw on Tama's now trembling shoulder. "Tama, Nuka and 'Tani are no longer in the Pride Lands."
Tama jerked away. "That's not true! They can't be gone! I...I never got to tell I was sorry and that I..."
She couldn't take it anymore. Tears now streaming down her face, she ran away, her sobs still audible.
"Oh no...we better go after her," Kula voiced.
Not waiting for a response, she quickly left in search for Tama. The others stared at each other for a minute, before Malka and Tojo raced the same path Kula did.
Simba, however, was frozen in his spot. He knew it was weird that he hadn't heard from them, but hearing his own aunt say it...
Nala, Chumvi, and Beleco noticed Simba's sick at heart expression.
"Simba?" Nala asked with worry.
Simba didn't say anything. Every thought in his head was swirling, and he couldn't form a sentence.
"Simba, are you okay?" he heard Beleco's voice ring.
Nuka and 'Tani are really gone...I should've been there for them...maybe I should've told my mom and dad to let them stay with us...I can't believe they're gone...they probably felt so alone, and I didn't even bother to try and help them out in any way...
"Yo, Simba." Chumvi waved his paw in his face, before shaking him.
Simba still didn't say anything, but this time he looked up at the three cubs. There was an eerie, unfamiliar void in his eyes, and that broke the others.
"I..."
Feeling ill, Simba trotted back to Pride Rock. The trio watched him go into the royal den, before looking at one another.
"I'm sorry but, I need to stay with Simba," Nala let her friends know.
The two nodded and watched as she trotted up the same path the disheartened prince took before looking at one another.
"Should we follow her?" Beleco unsurely asked.
Chumvi looked up at Pride Rock, then back at Beleco. "I don't know..."
The two were torn; they wanted to check on Simba, but they had a feeling he needed some alone time. Not to mention, they had no idea where Tama had ran off to.
"Should we just stay here?" Chumvi asked Beleco.
Beleco thought it over, then came to a conclusion. "You stay with Simba and Nala, I'll try and fond Tama."
Chumvi agreed with the plan, and with that, Beleco raced off to where their other friends were, while Chumvi hesitantly made his way up to Pride Rock.
The minute he entered the den, he collapsed into the corner of the den. His mind still swirled, but one thought still stood out from the rest:
Nuka and Vitani left the Pride Lands...
Without as such as a goodbye, may he add.
Unable to deal with it anymore, he buried his head in his forelegs and began to tremble. There was nothing he could do to bring them back, and every negative emotion was flowing out of him.
"Simba?"
He lifted his head to meet Nala's gaze, but couldn't form a response.
"Do you wanna talk?" Nala asked, fearful for her ride-or-die.
Simba shook his head, and lowered his gaze.
He heard Nala approaching him. She sat down and stared at his sad figure; not having siblings, or even cousins, of her own, she couldn't fully understand Simba's pain. However, she knew that if it were Simba-or any of her other friends-that had ran away, she too would be heartbroken.
She pulled him towards her and held him. "It's okay, Simba, it's okay."
Simba didn't say anything, but he buried his face in Nala's lap. The crean cub felt her leg dampen, and her heart plummeted. She stroked his head as he cried, rocking him ever so slightly.
"Is it okay if I come in?"
Nala looked up to see Chumvi standing just outside the den, hesitant to step further.
She looked down at the prince. "Is it okay if he comes in?" she whispered.
Simba slightly nodded, so Nala motioned for Chumvi to come inside.
Chumvi padded in, the only sound being his steps and Simba's sniffles. Upon arriving, his heart felt heavy seeing his usually energetic, adventurous friend so...down.
"Simba, I get that I don't understand, but I'm sure Nuka and 'Tani are fine," Chumvi tried to comfort him.
Simba didn't respond, and Nala continued stroking his head. Chumvi sighed, placing a paw on his shoulder.
"What's going on here?"
Nala and Chumvi looked up to see Mufasa and Sarabi; immediately the two froze. On one hand, they didn't want to get in trouble for eavesdropping, but at the same time, their friend was a mess...
The royal pair noticed as well and moved closer to him.
"Simba, what's wrong?" his mother asked.
Chumvi looked down at Simba. "Should Nal' and I tell them, or do you want to?"
Simba didn't answer.
"Simba?" Nala tried again.
This time, Simba sat up and stared at his parents. His eyes were bloodshot, and his fur was slightly matted due to crying.
"Is it true?" his weak voice came out.
"Is what true, son?" Mufasa wondered.
"What Auntie Zira said. Is it true that they're gone?" Simba asked.
The king and queen froze. They must've overheard them while they were talking. As much as they wanted -and tried-to hide it from the cubs...
Mufasa sighed. "Yes, guys...it's true. Nuka and Vitani left."
"And there's been no sign of them," Sarabi added.
Mufasa shot his mate a look, but the damage was already done.
"N-Not even their t-tracks?" Simba asked.
Swallowing the lumps in their throats, the two shook their heads.
More tears fell from Simba's eyes, and Chumvi's and Nala's worry escalated.
"Oh, man," Nala whispered, now holding Simba's paw.
"But they'll come back...right?" Chumvi asked, nervous of Simba's reaction.
"We'll do everything we can, Chumvi," Mufasa reassured him.
Simba wiped his face, though kept his sad look. "I hope they're okay."
Sarabi pulled him towards her and held him in a hug.
"They'll be okay, love," Sarabi whispered. "We'll do everything we can to try and find them."
Simba weakly nodded against her, and Nala and Chumvi could do nothing but stare in worry for their friend.
Pulling away, Sarabi looked at all three of the cubs. "Why don't you guys and the others go for a walk around the Pride Lands? I know it's pretty late, but we'll make an acception."
Despite wanting to just lay there forever, the three got up and trudged out the den, leaving a concerned king and queen.
"I think it's best we tell the others the cubs know now," Mufasa suggested.
Sarabi nodded, and the two made their way back to the base of Pride Rock.
There's totally no way they left. Why wouldn't they tell anyone? And Nuka has his girlfriend or whatever they are, and Vitani has her friends! Why would they want to leave us-er, them-behind?
Tama's legs gave in and she fell to the ground, thoughts still going a mile a minute.
I so messed up...I so messed up real bad...I never got a chance to tell her that I love her...
Thinking back to their past altercations, guilt began to gnaw at her insides. Despite her anger, she should've never said even a quarter of the things she did. How could she say such horrid things? Cousin or not, no cub should have to hear those things said to them from anyone.
Tears began to stream down her face, and she sank even lower, until she was practically one with the floor. Her sobs became louder and louder, until she could barely hear her own thoughts.
"Tama!"
"Tama, where are you!"
She lifted her head to see Kula, Malka, Tojo, and Beleco running towards her. They skidded to a stop in front of her, seeing her completely red face.
"Tama, are you okay?" Kula asked.
Big mistake. Tama snarled at Kula, making Kula stepped back some.
"Did you like, seriously just ask me that?" she weakly demanded. "Are you like, actually for real?"
Kula swallowed. "I-I'm sorry, I-"
Tama scrutinized her for a moment more, before dropping the glare. "No. I'm sorry, I just..." She sighed, before speaking her mind. "I miss her."
Tama wiped up her face. "I know that we didn't get along most of the time, and we always spent more time with our own friends but..."
She looked up at them. "She was the closest thing I had to a sister. I shouldn't have pushed her away. I should've asked her what was wrong; I should've been her rock; Hell, I should've even vented to my parents! But no. I just saw how distant she grew, and I totally pushed her even farther and found a new bestie. She was right. I am selfish."
Everyone was...surprised? While she had a feeling Tama wouldn't fully say no, she also hadn't expected her to pour her heart out.
Kula sat down next to her and placed a paw on her shoulder. "We get it, Tama. It's okay to miss her."
"Yeah, I'm sure she wants to make things right with you too," Beleco added in.
Tama took a deep breath. "I don't know guys."
"Trust us on this," Tojo urged her.
Malka sat down in front of Tama, and Tama looked up at her friend.
"I don't know Vitani as well as everyone else here does," Malka began, "but what I do know is that she has a heart of gold, and she's fairly forgiving. Plus...you both said some regretful things."
"Yeah, he's right, Tama."
Everyone turned to see Nala, with Chumvi and a heartbroken Simba.
"You guys...really think so?" Tama asked.
Everyone nodded.
"Just give her some time," Nala explained. "that's the only thing I'd say."
Tama smiled and nodded. "Thanks, I love you guys."
"We love you too, Tami!" Kula cried, crushing her in a hug.
"T-Tami?" Tama forced out.
Realizing what she said, Kula pulled away and her cheeks blushed.
"S-Sorry, I didn't mean to say-"
"I like it," Tama chuckled. "It's cute."
Happier now, Kula squeezed her again. Everyone chuckled as Tama struggled to breathe, and they looked out to see the red horizon.
"Hey, us three were gonna go for a walk," Chumvi informed them. "You guys wanna come too?"
The group on the floor looked at each other, before getting up and joining them for their stroll.
"The cubs know."
Hours had passed, and the royal couple felt it'd be best to tell Scar and Zira in private. With the cubs now asleep (Well, in the den at least), it was the perfect time.
Their eyes widened.
"What? How do they know?" Zira demanded.
"You said we wouldn't tell!" Scar exclaimed in frustration.
Mufasa facepalmed. "Let me rephrase that: The cubs overhead what Zira said, and now they know."
Thinking back, Zira realized she had been a bit too loud. That probably wasn't best, especially knowing the cubs were playing so close by.
"How...how did they take it?" Zira asked.
Sarabi sighed, rubbing her head. "Not great; Simba was crying earlier, and apparently Tama had a meltdown."
Scar and Zira looked at each other. Simba and Vitani were close, no doubt. Tama and Vitani? Not so much.
"I know what you two are thinking, but Tama and Vitani are still family," Mufasa noted. "Especially considering she's an only child."
Scar and Zira couldn't argue with that, but still...
"It's just...they always argue," Scar explained.
"And they've never been close," his mate added. "Cordial maybe, but definitely not close."
Believe us, we've noticed, the king and queen thought.
"I just...I don't know anymore," Zira sighed.
Sarabi walked over and nudged her. "We'll get your cubs back. All we can do is pray to the Great Kings that they're okay."
All the lions looked up into the now starry sky. Nuka's nor Vitani's stars were up there, they could feel it. They just had to keep looking.
Finally looking down, Zira looked at her in-laws.
"Sleep well, you two," Zira stated. "And thank you for the talk."
"We greatly appreciate it," Scar added.
Mufasa and Sarabi grinned. "Of course. You two as well."
Parting ways, they returned to each of their dens, feeling more confident.
KawaiiCutie12: Sorry for the delay...I had to write a whole new chap, and I just...didn't know what to write. So yeah...
BUT, it's here, and that's all that matters!
Before this outro ends, please please PLEASE check the poll in my profile; I've gotten one opinion on it already, but after finding my "Notes" journal, I'm not so sure. So if you could please check that out, it'd help me a lot🙏💕
As always, leave your opinions down below and follow and fave to keep up with the story. I'll see you guys next time!
KawaiiCutie12 signing off! ✌