12 days of Christmas!

SIMBA

We entered slowly into the territory, trying not to be seen. That was easier said than done when you're trying to sneak your way down a valley's decline. lucky for us we had the covering of the valley grasses. So sneaking in wasn't a problem. I really knew nothing about the valley pride, I was half expecting to be met by a pride of lions once we stepped one paw into their land. But it was nothing...that's one thing for me to not worry about.

"It's quiet here." voiced Nala.

"Yeah." it was almost too quiet for my liking. But I guess when you aren't expecting trouble from anyone around you. You can have the leisure of being relaxed. "I think we better set up somewhere and wait."

"Don't you think we should get a little closer? what advantage do you have been far away?"

"The advantage of not being seen."

" But what if we miss my mother and the others when they come? I thought you wanted to ambush them?"

"I do, but it would be better if we did it under the cover of night, that way they won't see it coming." the look on Nala face made me think she was considering otherwise. "what?"

" Nothing, I'm just trying to think of what their plan is."

"Plan?" from what the hyenas said, I figured Nuka would just have them be escorted right to the king and queen of the valley pride.

" Yes. There has to be something, he wouldn't just send them otherwise." hmp, looking at her now, she seems normal. compared to how she was last night, you'd think nothing ever happened. That we didn't just walk a whole 10 hours, to escape...whatever she was doing though. I still, concered...no freaked about what happened last night. She's not telling me something, and I know it has to do with Nuka. She just off, and I don't think I can depend on her to see this through if she's going to have moments like that. "do you think we beat them?"

"Since we doubled back sooner than later, I think so. plus the distance from the mountain pride to the valley pride has to be another full day for them. So even if we were slow in moving, we'd either beat them or arrive on time with them."

"...Right.." her eyes cast low to the ground. I wondered what she was thinking. I remember a time when we were closer, and all we had to do was look at each other and we'd know what the other was thinking. Those were certainly simpler and happier times for both of us. the only thing we had to worry about was how we'd talk our way out of the trouble we no doubtable be in.

" what do you think then?" I asked.

"...I don't know." right, of course.

We scoped around the edge of the territory until we found a location that would suit fit for hiding. It was nothing more than more tall grass, but this area had a snucken ditch, which added more cover. Moreover, we had to make sure we were smelled by any of the prey in the area here too. if the valley pride is like...or was like the pride lands, the lionesses always knew when something was off with the territory by the way of herds acted around it.

If we're lucky the valley pride won't be as observant.

"Now what?" asked Nala

"We sit and we wait. now would be a good time if not our only to catch up on rest. we can take shifts, just in case they come early and we have to change plans." I took a spot leaning against the dirt wall. I expected Nala to join me I know she has to be exhausted more so than me. but she stood distance looking around. "what now?'

"I'm going to go find us something to eat."

"Here, I'll come with you."

"Oh, there's no need I got this."

"you sure?"

"Two's a crowd, plus what do you know about hunting." was she trying to be funny with me? look I may not be the best or most skilled...or skilled at all, but I can throw around my weight.

"Um, I'm pretty sure the term is three's a crowed- not two. Plus what if you need me for backup, and besides I didn't see any close herds animals here."

"There definitely is, but I'm not going after them. Small prey quieter and causes less of a commotion. I saw some rares a few ways back, they won't fill us, but at least we won't be starving." yes, starving is definitely not the way I'd ever want to go out. I learned how lousy I was at hunting when I left pride rock, it was pathetic. I was almost reduced to eating tree bark.

I'd rather that than starve, and feeling that low...is miserable.

"Fine, but I'll still come with you."

"Simba you don't I got it."

"you sure?"

"Yes I've done fine on my own." look I was trying to be helpful. I can't see why she didn't see that. "What's with you, you seem bothered."

"um yeah, you don't remember what you said to me last night?" I watched the expression on her face changed, as I got up to walk towards her. " You said I wasn't there, you kept saying that."

"Last night was different...I had a nightmare, it's nothing."

" You could have fooled me-"

"Like you've never had them before."

"You know I have them, so I understood you were freaking out and going through something."

"yeah and now it's over so there no need to talk about it. Look I'm sorry I worried you. it won't happen again."

"You know you can't say that Nal." look this was not going to the way i wanted it. I just wanted to be helpful to her. " Look, I'm...just trying to be there if you need me since i wasn't there last time. that's all." at least she didn't look as pissed with me as she did a few moments ago. whatever she going through is a touchy subject for her, but if it's going to get in the way of her functioning, then I think I'd have the right to know. at least something. I mean my life's on the line here too.

" For this, I don't need you...thanks though. and if I do need you, I promise I'll call." ugh, I halfways feel like she was saying this just to please me and make me feel better.

"she's too weak for this, she's going to bring you down." I didn't need to look to see that he was there, I felt it brewing moments before.

"She's not."

"You only say this because you feel sorry for her." I laid my head down on the dirt. closing my eyes, I knew he wouldn't go away, I'd still have to hear him in my head. but at least I wouldn't have to see him. " and what, are you feeling guilty for what she said? so what you were there, hell I wasn't even there when my cubs were born." of course you weren't.

"What do you want Scar?" because the dead only hung around to nag you for a reason. and my uncle had his. His soul was likely so messed up the great kings of the past, didn't want to be bothered with him. I wouldn't blame them...but that leaves him here to fuck with me. "Hello?" I opened my eyes, half expecting to see him standing in the flesh as he had down before. but he wasn't there was nothing in front of me. I think I'm imagining him being here more and more. Because when I have a fear or agitation...he never fails to come for me.

But right now, I'm too exhausted to him suck any life from me. Tomorrow I know ill need all my energy to deal with whatever Nuka will have to store. I can only hope everything does according to plan and they arrive tomorrow night. and this kill and ambush can be over with because I'm going to need an impressive story to tell the king and queen.

+KawaiiCutie12, just glad I can bring some amusement to your day!

+RyanSquad, it will and that's crazy...I don't think ill be able to top this ever again.

+Iz (Guest), Nala a tough lioness, but she's hurting, however, I think having help from others will help her too.

+ExGeneration35, me too...I wonder how I'm going to pull this out lol