Chapter 14 ½: A Warm, Spring Day
Bug Pops are a trademark of Nestle. I don't own them.
It was now spring in the Pridelands and love was in the air. The birds, antelope, hippos, and lions were spending time with their mates and enjoying the season. Simba and Nala were dozing under a tree, while a hippo couple splashed in the water, and giraffes picked leaves from trees. Niru, Siva, and Suvo were only days away from turning a year old. Although not ready to mate for another year when they will be adults, Niru and Siva's friendship was beginning to blossom into something more.
Siva was practicing her hunting skills she had learned near Pride Rock, when Niru sneaked up on her left and tackled her.
Siva screamed until Niru pinned her. Realizing whom it was, she flipped Niru onto his back. Niru cried out. "Whoa! Geez, I was just playing' around, Siva," he laughed.
"I'm not in the mood for playing. I'm trying to hunt," she said annoyed, as she stood up.
"Why? Everyone else is busy enjoying themselves. It's spring after all," Niru smiled, sniffing the air.
"Yeah I know, that's why I'm trying to get away from that," Siva sighed, troubled.
"Why do you want to get away from everyone? Did something happen, are you OK?" he asked, concerned.
"No, it's just," she paused, embarrassed to admit how she felt. "Everyone acts all weird this time of the year," she turned away from her best friend.
"What's so weird about spending time with someone?" Niru asked, cocking his head and taking a step towards her.
"Nothing, it's just-
"Good, because I was wondering if you want to take a walk with me, please?" he asked, nervously.
"Well, why take a walk?" Siva argued.
"Well, I just wanted to talk with you. I mean, you are my best girl friend, Siva. Friends are supposed to talk, right?" Niru smiled hopeful, and sat down.
Siva blushed and felt her heart skip a beat at the words "girl-friend." She did want to spend time with Niru and talk, so she casually smiled and said, "Yes, they are. Sure, I'll come on a walk with you, your majesty," she joked. She sighed, relieved, feeling more comfortable knowing she didn't have to hide from her best friend if he wasn't hiding from her.
As the couple walked, they spotted Timon and Pumbaa wearing 3-cornered leaf hats, and calling out to passing animals, who were apparently ignoring them.
"Come to the grand opening of Timon's Dessert Stand! The finest sweet treats in the Pridelands!" Timon called out.
"Pweeze!" Pumbaa added.
Niru and Siva looked at each other and shrugged.
"Let's go help them out," Siva nodded and trotted over to Timon and Pumbaa with Niru. "Hey guys!" Siva smiled.
"Oh hello Miss Siva, hello Prince Niru," Pumbaa greeted them cheerfully.
"Ooh customers!" Timon exclaimed, jumping on Pumbaa's head. "Sooo, what'll it be, lovebirds?"
"Lovebirds?" the adolescents looked at each other, startled.
"You are buying something, right?" Timon grinned hopefully. "Oh please buy something! We've had no customers all day!" Timon cried as he fell to his knees and clasped his hands together.
"I can't imagine why," Siva muttered to herself, on account of hardly anyone in the Pridelands ate bugs, except the birds, which were busy mating, and Timon and Pumbaa.
Niru sympathized with the duo, shrugged, and asked, "Well, what do you have?"
Timon jumped up ecstatically. "Why, we have every fine grub delicacy you could ever imagine! Pumbaa, would you do the honors?"
"Absotively, Timon! There's cream-filled "grubwiches", fresh sticky bug pops-
"And our lovebird special-Triple Whipped fruit smoothies," Timon grinned.
"Uh, what would you like, Siva?" Niru asked.
"Well, I'm 'bugtose intolerant', so uh, the smoothie sounds good," she smiled shyly.
"Yeah, me too, that sounds good," Niru nodded. "How much is it?"
"Well, since you're my first customers today, I'll give you a discount-
Pumbaa cleared his throat and snorted at Timon. "Come on, Timon."
Timon sighed. "Alright, this one's on me, but just this once!"
The cubs' faces brightened. "Thanks Timon," they said one after another.
"Yeah," Timon replied casually, while mixing up the smoothie in a tall, slim gourd shell resembling a glass.
Pumbaa picked up a large leaf from the ground and laid it on a flat rock as a table clothes. "Your table, Prince Niru," Pumbaa bowed fancily.
"Uh, thanks, Pumbaa," he replied nervously, as this was his first time together alone with Siva. Niru led her over to the table and waited until she sat down so he could sit close to her.
"Comfy?" he asked with a smile.
"Very," Siva smiled back shyly.
"Good," Niru smiled nervously and looked around until Timon brought their smoothie out.
"One triple-whipped smoothie on the house with one spoon and twooo straws," Timon drawled. "Enjoy!" he quickly added and then slipped away behind a tree to "observe" the cubs.
"Looks good," Niru said, keeping his eyes on the smoothie.
"Yeah."
"You first, Siva," Niru said generously.
"No, you can go first, you bought it."
"It was free," Niru said obviously.
"It was on the house!" Timon grumbled to himself.
Pumbaa whacked a hoof over his buddy's mouth to shush him.
"Well you ordered it," Siva giggled.
"No, you did, you said you wanted it," Niru argued.
"But you-
"Siva! Are you going to drink it or do I have to spoon feed it to you?" Niru asked, getting annoyed.
Siva gasped and smiled mischievously at him. "I dare you to try!"
"All right, you asked for it," he said reaching out and pulling her against him.
Eek!" Siva yelped startled that he was actually serious.
Niru took the spoon from the drink and scooped a big pile of smoothie onto it. Then he moved the spoon near her mouth, and fed it to her like a baby. "Eat you skinny lioness," he laughed.
Siva gasped and grabbed the spoon, scooped up some more of the smoothie and stuck it in his mouth while he was laughing. "Build up some muscles you scrawny excuse for a lion!" she burst out laughing.
A bit embarrassed, Niru dipped his paw in the smoothie and smeared some on her face. Siva gasped and squealed but quickly took some of the smoothie and smeared it on Niru. Before long they had a smoothie fight going on and had created a scene in the Pridelands. Timon and Pumbaa along with some other animals passing by watched the play fight like it was the Super Bowl.
"Hey, I bet the warthog 10 worms the lioness win," a monkey screeched.
"Hmm, betting eh?" Timon rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Siva stopped to catch her breath from dodging Niru's pounces. That's when she noticed the small crowd that had gathered and ran off behind a tree, pretending it was part of her game strategy, in hopes that the crowd would disperse. On the contrary, the crowd followed them almost as fast as Niru, shouting and cheering. She thought maybe if she ran into them, they would think the game was getting to rough and it wasn't safe to be so close anymore, and then they would go away. She realized that would be too risky, she might really hurt someone. So, her last resort was to lie down, literally.
"Ok, I quit. I need a bath," she panted, dramatizing each word for the crowd.
"Aww, boo. Let's go home," the animals muttered to one another.
"Where's the worms?" Pumbaa asked the monkey who had bet him them minutes ago.
"The lioness quit. I'm keeping them!" the monkey scoffed and swung away in the trees.
"Aww," Pumbaa pouted, looking at the ground.
"I quit, too," Timon grumbled. "Come on, Pumbaa, let's go look for something else to do," Timon climbed on his friend's back and pointed in the direction the crowd had left.
Pumbaa began walking, leaving Siva and Niru by themselves.
Siva had recovered from the smoothie fight, and looked up at Niru sadly, who was now standing above her. "I'm sorry, Niru, I was just, well, shy at first. I mean, it's scary this whole spring love season. I should've told you before," she sighed, putting her head to the ground.
"You were nervous and scared, too? Siva, I was too! I feel the same way you do, but no matter what, I'll always be your best friend. I'll be there for you. That's what friends are for, right?" Niru smiled and lay down next to her and nuzzled her.
"Yes, and I'll always be there for you. No matter what happens, I'll stand by you," Siva said nuzzling him back.
They embraced for a moment before looking at each other's faces again.
"Eww, I'm all sticky and so are you," she laughed.
"I think you need a bath," Niru grinned.
"You'll have to catch me first," Siva flirted and got up. She took off sprinting, with Niru close behind.
He quickly tackled her and asked, " I caught you, now what?"
"See if you can hold me down long enough to give me a bath," she giggled, beginning to squirm.
Niru put his entire body weight on her. "Oh you aren't going anywhere for awhile," he laughed and licked her face clean.
"Eww, I can't lick all this off by myself. I think you need a little water!" he grinned mischievously and pushed her into the nearby water hole.
Siva shrieked and splashed him. "Get in here, you need a bath, too!" she shouted.
"Not until I'm done grooming you, now get scrubbing!" he laughed.
"But you'll still be sticky when you groom me, and you'll just get me all sticky again, so get in!" Siva argued.
Niru shook his head.
Siva sighed and pouted. "I'm so lonely in here all by myself. Maybe I'll just go talk to Suvo or Timon and Pumbaa or Rafiki, Reekyo, maybe Zazu, King Simba," she trailed off.
Niru gasped and jumped in. "Don't go. Then I'll be all alone," he pleaded, swimming over to her.
"I know, which is why I'd never really leave you," Siva said bringing her face close to his.
Niru blinked and reached out and hugged her. Then he touched his nose to hers and smiled. "I know you wouldn't. I'll be here for you, Siva, just like always."
The 2 hugged and purred together for a few more moments before Siva lifted her head gently and asked. "So, am I clean enough now?"
Niru grinned and pawed her nose. "You better believe it!"
Siva and Niru quickly swam over to the edge and leapt out of the chilly water hole. As Siva shook off, Niru slipped away into the tall grass. When she was done drying off, she looked around for Niru and sniffed the air. Catching his scent, she attempted to run in the opposite direction as Niru in, but he sprang from the grass too quickly and pinned her. Then he slowly began to groom her fur back into place.
When they finished grooming each other, Niru and Siva rested together under a tall, shady tree.
"I guess we've really grown up in the past year, huh, Niru?"
" Yep, we sure have. So much learned, and so much more to come," Niru nodded, looking into Siva's sky blue eyes.
"Well, whatever happens, we'll stand together, right?" Siva smiled unfeigned.
Niru took his friend's paw. "Yes we will. You'll stand by me, and I'll stand by you."
From a distance, Rafiki and Reekyo were watching Siva and Niru cuddle together.
Rafiki sighed happily. "Ah, dey are growing up so fast. Siva into a beautiful, smart, and kind princess, and Niru into a brave, wise, and handsome prince," he smiled while painting a single blue mark over Siva's painting, to represent her age. Then he smeared a green mark over Niru's painting and a blue one over Suvo's. Then he dipped his thumb into a gourd of light brown dust and made a small mane marking on Suvo's head, and a darker brown one on Niru's head. "Der, finished, for dis year," Rafiki chuckled.
"Uncle Rafiki, look!" Reekyo yelled as she looked into his turtle shell and saw an image.
Rafiki hurried over with his walking stick. "What is it, Reekyo?" He gasped as he looked into the shell. The image was of Uvok and the three lionesses left in his pride growling at the Pridelanders in his jungle kingdom. The Pridelanders hung their heads in despair as Kiara said something to them.
Just then Mufasa spoke to them.
"Yes?" Rafiki nodded, listening. "What! Uvok is forcing de Pridelanders to remain in his jungle kingdom as his prisoners? If dey don't he will attack de queen? So, naturally, dey have no choice but to go along wit him," Rafiki said sadly. "Oh no, Reekyo," Rafiki put his hand over his face.
"Uncle, what are we going to do?" No sooner did Reekyo than Mufasa reminded her of the paintings on the tree. She gasped and stared at Niru, Siva, and Suvo's paintings. "The trio that stands together. The power of one," she whispered.
"Reekyo?" Rafiki gasped at his niece's words. "You found de answer," he smiled and looked at the paintings.
"I did?" she asked.
"Yes," he smiled wisely.
She smiled back. "What should we do now?"
"Quick, we must tell Simba and Nala. Den dey will decide what to do next," he nodded.
At Pride Rock, Simba and Nala were shocked by the news, and were just as troubled as Rafiki.
"Oh no, this is terrible indeed. Our daughter and son-in-law and the rest of our pride is in trouble, but if we send the cubs out, we'll be putting them in too much danger. They're not old enough yet, they're not ready to take on something like this," Nala said troubled.
"Nala's absolutely right. I'm not about to send my grandson and his best friends out into the jungle to fight that crazy lion," Simba growled, and then sighed, trying to think of what other options they had.
"Well obviously Simba and I can't go, because then no one would be here to control the Pridelands, and besides, we aren't as agile as we used to be. Sarabi, my mother, and Chaka can't go because they are older than we are and that would be suicide sending them. The truth is, Niru, Suvo, and Siva are our only hope, but they're not even a year old yet, not for a few more days at least.
Suddenly Reekyo spoke up. "I know, we wait until the cubs are fully grown into adults next year! Then they will have trained for another year and will be prepared to fight. I know they will bring the pride great honor," she smiled.
"Yes, dat just might work," Rafiki said rubbing his beard.
"Yes, we will wait until next year," Nala said.
"Then we will test them to see if they are ready," Simba added sternly.
And so, another year passed in the jungle and in the Pridelands.
Uvok forced the lionesses to hunt for him, and allowed them only a few meals a week and they had to earn them by doing favors for him. Kovu was only allowed to talk with Kiara and the other lionesses once a day and in the presence of Uvok, for he didn't want them plotting anything.
In the Pridelands, Suvo was beginning to see the attraction between his sister and best friend. This confused him and gave him a feeling that he'd never felt before. Although the three of them still played together, Siva and Niru would sneak out after dark and go stargazing or get up early before Suvo and watch the sunrise together. Suvo didn't know what to do. He loved his sister and Niru was like a brother to him, and he just wanted the both of them to be happy. However, he was afraid they would forget him about him after awhile. One morning, a couple days before their second birthday which they would become adults, Suvo woke Niru.
"I gotta talk to you, bro," Suvo whispered troubled.
"Sure, what's up, Suvo?" Niru blinked and yawned.
"Shh, don't wake Siva. Come on, let's go outside," he said tiptoeing out of the cave.
"Ok, wait up," Niru whispered as he got up. When he found Suvo sitting with his head hung behind Pride Rock, Niru became worried.
Niru trotted up beside his best friend and nudged him. "Alright let's talk. What's going on with you?" he smiled.
Suvo sighed deeply. "Well, it's hard to say, but I have to because we're all supposed to be honest with each other."
"You, me, and Siva, right?" Niru asked to make sure they were on the same page.
"Yeah, remember I said to you when we were cubs, 'You, me, and Siva, we're like brothers and sister.' Well, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. You see I can't help but notice that you well, like Siva. I mean you like her more than just a friend, you really love her."
"Well I don't know about love-
"Trust me, Niru, you do. I've seen the way you two act around each other when you're together. I'm happy that you two are happy, that's all I want is for my best friend and sister to be happy," Suvo smiled sadly.
"But," Niru said sadly.
"But, I can't help but feel like you guys are ignoring me. I mean, we're supposed to be a team, and I don't want us to break apart. That's what's always kept us together, is our love for each other, our friendship. I don't want us to lose that, even if you and my sister, well, are truly in- love," Suvo blinked a tear away.
"Suvo, I had no idea. I-
Just then Kunta's voice called out their names.
"Is that dad?" Suvo asked surprised.
"I think so, what's he doing in the Pridelands?" Niru asked.
"Maybe it's an emergency, come on!" Suvo took off running.
"Suvo wait!" Niru called after him as he followed close behind his best friend.
They stopped in front of Pride Rock, where Kunta was standing.
"Dad! What are you doing in the Pridelands?" Suvo asked shocked and happy.
Kunta nuzzled his son. "Suvo, Niru I'm so glad to see you both."
"Good to see you too," Niru replied, still surprised at seeing his trainer in the Pridelands.
"Today is a very important day for you three. Where's Siva?"
Just then, Siva came out of the cave and ran to the edge of Pride Rock. "Dad! Niru, Suvo! I'm coming!" she shouted as she ran down.
The rest of the lionesses and Simba were coming out of the cave.
Siva ran to nuzzle her dad. "What are you doing here?" she asked surprised.
"To discuss something important with all of you," he replied seriously.
"Kunta, what is it?" Simba said as he climbed down Pride Rock quickly yet carefully.
"Yes, what's going on?" Nala said, coming down after Simba and trotting over to Kunta.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, Rafiki and the great kings have told me to come tell you," he paused.
Everyone listened intensively, ears erect and eyes wide, anticipating the message.
"Yes?" Simba asked quietly.
"That the time is right," Kunta nodded seriously.
Everyone looked at Niru, Suvo, and Siva with wide eyes and began to smile proudly. Everyone except Simba for he was nervous for the young lions and lioness, but indeed, the time was right. He thought of his father and the great kings watching over them all, guiding and protecting them, and then Simba smiled proudly at his grandson and Siva and Suvo.
Bug Pops are a trademark of Nestle. I don't own them.
It was now spring in the Pridelands and love was in the air. The birds, antelope, hippos, and lions were spending time with their mates and enjoying the season. Simba and Nala were dozing under a tree, while a hippo couple splashed in the water, and giraffes picked leaves from trees. Niru, Siva, and Suvo were only days away from turning a year old. Although not ready to mate for another year when they will be adults, Niru and Siva's friendship was beginning to blossom into something more.
Siva was practicing her hunting skills she had learned near Pride Rock, when Niru sneaked up on her left and tackled her.
Siva screamed until Niru pinned her. Realizing whom it was, she flipped Niru onto his back. Niru cried out. "Whoa! Geez, I was just playing' around, Siva," he laughed.
"I'm not in the mood for playing. I'm trying to hunt," she said annoyed, as she stood up.
"Why? Everyone else is busy enjoying themselves. It's spring after all," Niru smiled, sniffing the air.
"Yeah I know, that's why I'm trying to get away from that," Siva sighed, troubled.
"Why do you want to get away from everyone? Did something happen, are you OK?" he asked, concerned.
"No, it's just," she paused, embarrassed to admit how she felt. "Everyone acts all weird this time of the year," she turned away from her best friend.
"What's so weird about spending time with someone?" Niru asked, cocking his head and taking a step towards her.
"Nothing, it's just-
"Good, because I was wondering if you want to take a walk with me, please?" he asked, nervously.
"Well, why take a walk?" Siva argued.
"Well, I just wanted to talk with you. I mean, you are my best girl friend, Siva. Friends are supposed to talk, right?" Niru smiled hopeful, and sat down.
Siva blushed and felt her heart skip a beat at the words "girl-friend." She did want to spend time with Niru and talk, so she casually smiled and said, "Yes, they are. Sure, I'll come on a walk with you, your majesty," she joked. She sighed, relieved, feeling more comfortable knowing she didn't have to hide from her best friend if he wasn't hiding from her.
As the couple walked, they spotted Timon and Pumbaa wearing 3-cornered leaf hats, and calling out to passing animals, who were apparently ignoring them.
"Come to the grand opening of Timon's Dessert Stand! The finest sweet treats in the Pridelands!" Timon called out.
"Pweeze!" Pumbaa added.
Niru and Siva looked at each other and shrugged.
"Let's go help them out," Siva nodded and trotted over to Timon and Pumbaa with Niru. "Hey guys!" Siva smiled.
"Oh hello Miss Siva, hello Prince Niru," Pumbaa greeted them cheerfully.
"Ooh customers!" Timon exclaimed, jumping on Pumbaa's head. "Sooo, what'll it be, lovebirds?"
"Lovebirds?" the adolescents looked at each other, startled.
"You are buying something, right?" Timon grinned hopefully. "Oh please buy something! We've had no customers all day!" Timon cried as he fell to his knees and clasped his hands together.
"I can't imagine why," Siva muttered to herself, on account of hardly anyone in the Pridelands ate bugs, except the birds, which were busy mating, and Timon and Pumbaa.
Niru sympathized with the duo, shrugged, and asked, "Well, what do you have?"
Timon jumped up ecstatically. "Why, we have every fine grub delicacy you could ever imagine! Pumbaa, would you do the honors?"
"Absotively, Timon! There's cream-filled "grubwiches", fresh sticky bug pops-
"And our lovebird special-Triple Whipped fruit smoothies," Timon grinned.
"Uh, what would you like, Siva?" Niru asked.
"Well, I'm 'bugtose intolerant', so uh, the smoothie sounds good," she smiled shyly.
"Yeah, me too, that sounds good," Niru nodded. "How much is it?"
"Well, since you're my first customers today, I'll give you a discount-
Pumbaa cleared his throat and snorted at Timon. "Come on, Timon."
Timon sighed. "Alright, this one's on me, but just this once!"
The cubs' faces brightened. "Thanks Timon," they said one after another.
"Yeah," Timon replied casually, while mixing up the smoothie in a tall, slim gourd shell resembling a glass.
Pumbaa picked up a large leaf from the ground and laid it on a flat rock as a table clothes. "Your table, Prince Niru," Pumbaa bowed fancily.
"Uh, thanks, Pumbaa," he replied nervously, as this was his first time together alone with Siva. Niru led her over to the table and waited until she sat down so he could sit close to her.
"Comfy?" he asked with a smile.
"Very," Siva smiled back shyly.
"Good," Niru smiled nervously and looked around until Timon brought their smoothie out.
"One triple-whipped smoothie on the house with one spoon and twooo straws," Timon drawled. "Enjoy!" he quickly added and then slipped away behind a tree to "observe" the cubs.
"Looks good," Niru said, keeping his eyes on the smoothie.
"Yeah."
"You first, Siva," Niru said generously.
"No, you can go first, you bought it."
"It was free," Niru said obviously.
"It was on the house!" Timon grumbled to himself.
Pumbaa whacked a hoof over his buddy's mouth to shush him.
"Well you ordered it," Siva giggled.
"No, you did, you said you wanted it," Niru argued.
"But you-
"Siva! Are you going to drink it or do I have to spoon feed it to you?" Niru asked, getting annoyed.
Siva gasped and smiled mischievously at him. "I dare you to try!"
"All right, you asked for it," he said reaching out and pulling her against him.
Eek!" Siva yelped startled that he was actually serious.
Niru took the spoon from the drink and scooped a big pile of smoothie onto it. Then he moved the spoon near her mouth, and fed it to her like a baby. "Eat you skinny lioness," he laughed.
Siva gasped and grabbed the spoon, scooped up some more of the smoothie and stuck it in his mouth while he was laughing. "Build up some muscles you scrawny excuse for a lion!" she burst out laughing.
A bit embarrassed, Niru dipped his paw in the smoothie and smeared some on her face. Siva gasped and squealed but quickly took some of the smoothie and smeared it on Niru. Before long they had a smoothie fight going on and had created a scene in the Pridelands. Timon and Pumbaa along with some other animals passing by watched the play fight like it was the Super Bowl.
"Hey, I bet the warthog 10 worms the lioness win," a monkey screeched.
"Hmm, betting eh?" Timon rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Siva stopped to catch her breath from dodging Niru's pounces. That's when she noticed the small crowd that had gathered and ran off behind a tree, pretending it was part of her game strategy, in hopes that the crowd would disperse. On the contrary, the crowd followed them almost as fast as Niru, shouting and cheering. She thought maybe if she ran into them, they would think the game was getting to rough and it wasn't safe to be so close anymore, and then they would go away. She realized that would be too risky, she might really hurt someone. So, her last resort was to lie down, literally.
"Ok, I quit. I need a bath," she panted, dramatizing each word for the crowd.
"Aww, boo. Let's go home," the animals muttered to one another.
"Where's the worms?" Pumbaa asked the monkey who had bet him them minutes ago.
"The lioness quit. I'm keeping them!" the monkey scoffed and swung away in the trees.
"Aww," Pumbaa pouted, looking at the ground.
"I quit, too," Timon grumbled. "Come on, Pumbaa, let's go look for something else to do," Timon climbed on his friend's back and pointed in the direction the crowd had left.
Pumbaa began walking, leaving Siva and Niru by themselves.
Siva had recovered from the smoothie fight, and looked up at Niru sadly, who was now standing above her. "I'm sorry, Niru, I was just, well, shy at first. I mean, it's scary this whole spring love season. I should've told you before," she sighed, putting her head to the ground.
"You were nervous and scared, too? Siva, I was too! I feel the same way you do, but no matter what, I'll always be your best friend. I'll be there for you. That's what friends are for, right?" Niru smiled and lay down next to her and nuzzled her.
"Yes, and I'll always be there for you. No matter what happens, I'll stand by you," Siva said nuzzling him back.
They embraced for a moment before looking at each other's faces again.
"Eww, I'm all sticky and so are you," she laughed.
"I think you need a bath," Niru grinned.
"You'll have to catch me first," Siva flirted and got up. She took off sprinting, with Niru close behind.
He quickly tackled her and asked, " I caught you, now what?"
"See if you can hold me down long enough to give me a bath," she giggled, beginning to squirm.
Niru put his entire body weight on her. "Oh you aren't going anywhere for awhile," he laughed and licked her face clean.
"Eww, I can't lick all this off by myself. I think you need a little water!" he grinned mischievously and pushed her into the nearby water hole.
Siva shrieked and splashed him. "Get in here, you need a bath, too!" she shouted.
"Not until I'm done grooming you, now get scrubbing!" he laughed.
"But you'll still be sticky when you groom me, and you'll just get me all sticky again, so get in!" Siva argued.
Niru shook his head.
Siva sighed and pouted. "I'm so lonely in here all by myself. Maybe I'll just go talk to Suvo or Timon and Pumbaa or Rafiki, Reekyo, maybe Zazu, King Simba," she trailed off.
Niru gasped and jumped in. "Don't go. Then I'll be all alone," he pleaded, swimming over to her.
"I know, which is why I'd never really leave you," Siva said bringing her face close to his.
Niru blinked and reached out and hugged her. Then he touched his nose to hers and smiled. "I know you wouldn't. I'll be here for you, Siva, just like always."
The 2 hugged and purred together for a few more moments before Siva lifted her head gently and asked. "So, am I clean enough now?"
Niru grinned and pawed her nose. "You better believe it!"
Siva and Niru quickly swam over to the edge and leapt out of the chilly water hole. As Siva shook off, Niru slipped away into the tall grass. When she was done drying off, she looked around for Niru and sniffed the air. Catching his scent, she attempted to run in the opposite direction as Niru in, but he sprang from the grass too quickly and pinned her. Then he slowly began to groom her fur back into place.
When they finished grooming each other, Niru and Siva rested together under a tall, shady tree.
"I guess we've really grown up in the past year, huh, Niru?"
" Yep, we sure have. So much learned, and so much more to come," Niru nodded, looking into Siva's sky blue eyes.
"Well, whatever happens, we'll stand together, right?" Siva smiled unfeigned.
Niru took his friend's paw. "Yes we will. You'll stand by me, and I'll stand by you."
From a distance, Rafiki and Reekyo were watching Siva and Niru cuddle together.
Rafiki sighed happily. "Ah, dey are growing up so fast. Siva into a beautiful, smart, and kind princess, and Niru into a brave, wise, and handsome prince," he smiled while painting a single blue mark over Siva's painting, to represent her age. Then he smeared a green mark over Niru's painting and a blue one over Suvo's. Then he dipped his thumb into a gourd of light brown dust and made a small mane marking on Suvo's head, and a darker brown one on Niru's head. "Der, finished, for dis year," Rafiki chuckled.
"Uncle Rafiki, look!" Reekyo yelled as she looked into his turtle shell and saw an image.
Rafiki hurried over with his walking stick. "What is it, Reekyo?" He gasped as he looked into the shell. The image was of Uvok and the three lionesses left in his pride growling at the Pridelanders in his jungle kingdom. The Pridelanders hung their heads in despair as Kiara said something to them.
Just then Mufasa spoke to them.
"Yes?" Rafiki nodded, listening. "What! Uvok is forcing de Pridelanders to remain in his jungle kingdom as his prisoners? If dey don't he will attack de queen? So, naturally, dey have no choice but to go along wit him," Rafiki said sadly. "Oh no, Reekyo," Rafiki put his hand over his face.
"Uncle, what are we going to do?" No sooner did Reekyo than Mufasa reminded her of the paintings on the tree. She gasped and stared at Niru, Siva, and Suvo's paintings. "The trio that stands together. The power of one," she whispered.
"Reekyo?" Rafiki gasped at his niece's words. "You found de answer," he smiled and looked at the paintings.
"I did?" she asked.
"Yes," he smiled wisely.
She smiled back. "What should we do now?"
"Quick, we must tell Simba and Nala. Den dey will decide what to do next," he nodded.
At Pride Rock, Simba and Nala were shocked by the news, and were just as troubled as Rafiki.
"Oh no, this is terrible indeed. Our daughter and son-in-law and the rest of our pride is in trouble, but if we send the cubs out, we'll be putting them in too much danger. They're not old enough yet, they're not ready to take on something like this," Nala said troubled.
"Nala's absolutely right. I'm not about to send my grandson and his best friends out into the jungle to fight that crazy lion," Simba growled, and then sighed, trying to think of what other options they had.
"Well obviously Simba and I can't go, because then no one would be here to control the Pridelands, and besides, we aren't as agile as we used to be. Sarabi, my mother, and Chaka can't go because they are older than we are and that would be suicide sending them. The truth is, Niru, Suvo, and Siva are our only hope, but they're not even a year old yet, not for a few more days at least.
Suddenly Reekyo spoke up. "I know, we wait until the cubs are fully grown into adults next year! Then they will have trained for another year and will be prepared to fight. I know they will bring the pride great honor," she smiled.
"Yes, dat just might work," Rafiki said rubbing his beard.
"Yes, we will wait until next year," Nala said.
"Then we will test them to see if they are ready," Simba added sternly.
And so, another year passed in the jungle and in the Pridelands.
Uvok forced the lionesses to hunt for him, and allowed them only a few meals a week and they had to earn them by doing favors for him. Kovu was only allowed to talk with Kiara and the other lionesses once a day and in the presence of Uvok, for he didn't want them plotting anything.
In the Pridelands, Suvo was beginning to see the attraction between his sister and best friend. This confused him and gave him a feeling that he'd never felt before. Although the three of them still played together, Siva and Niru would sneak out after dark and go stargazing or get up early before Suvo and watch the sunrise together. Suvo didn't know what to do. He loved his sister and Niru was like a brother to him, and he just wanted the both of them to be happy. However, he was afraid they would forget him about him after awhile. One morning, a couple days before their second birthday which they would become adults, Suvo woke Niru.
"I gotta talk to you, bro," Suvo whispered troubled.
"Sure, what's up, Suvo?" Niru blinked and yawned.
"Shh, don't wake Siva. Come on, let's go outside," he said tiptoeing out of the cave.
"Ok, wait up," Niru whispered as he got up. When he found Suvo sitting with his head hung behind Pride Rock, Niru became worried.
Niru trotted up beside his best friend and nudged him. "Alright let's talk. What's going on with you?" he smiled.
Suvo sighed deeply. "Well, it's hard to say, but I have to because we're all supposed to be honest with each other."
"You, me, and Siva, right?" Niru asked to make sure they were on the same page.
"Yeah, remember I said to you when we were cubs, 'You, me, and Siva, we're like brothers and sister.' Well, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. You see I can't help but notice that you well, like Siva. I mean you like her more than just a friend, you really love her."
"Well I don't know about love-
"Trust me, Niru, you do. I've seen the way you two act around each other when you're together. I'm happy that you two are happy, that's all I want is for my best friend and sister to be happy," Suvo smiled sadly.
"But," Niru said sadly.
"But, I can't help but feel like you guys are ignoring me. I mean, we're supposed to be a team, and I don't want us to break apart. That's what's always kept us together, is our love for each other, our friendship. I don't want us to lose that, even if you and my sister, well, are truly in- love," Suvo blinked a tear away.
"Suvo, I had no idea. I-
Just then Kunta's voice called out their names.
"Is that dad?" Suvo asked surprised.
"I think so, what's he doing in the Pridelands?" Niru asked.
"Maybe it's an emergency, come on!" Suvo took off running.
"Suvo wait!" Niru called after him as he followed close behind his best friend.
They stopped in front of Pride Rock, where Kunta was standing.
"Dad! What are you doing in the Pridelands?" Suvo asked shocked and happy.
Kunta nuzzled his son. "Suvo, Niru I'm so glad to see you both."
"Good to see you too," Niru replied, still surprised at seeing his trainer in the Pridelands.
"Today is a very important day for you three. Where's Siva?"
Just then, Siva came out of the cave and ran to the edge of Pride Rock. "Dad! Niru, Suvo! I'm coming!" she shouted as she ran down.
The rest of the lionesses and Simba were coming out of the cave.
Siva ran to nuzzle her dad. "What are you doing here?" she asked surprised.
"To discuss something important with all of you," he replied seriously.
"Kunta, what is it?" Simba said as he climbed down Pride Rock quickly yet carefully.
"Yes, what's going on?" Nala said, coming down after Simba and trotting over to Kunta.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, Rafiki and the great kings have told me to come tell you," he paused.
Everyone listened intensively, ears erect and eyes wide, anticipating the message.
"Yes?" Simba asked quietly.
"That the time is right," Kunta nodded seriously.
Everyone looked at Niru, Suvo, and Siva with wide eyes and began to smile proudly. Everyone except Simba for he was nervous for the young lions and lioness, but indeed, the time was right. He thought of his father and the great kings watching over them all, guiding and protecting them, and then Simba smiled proudly at his grandson and Siva and Suvo.
