DarkEcoOttsel: Whew, chapter four already. Well, I wanted to thank those
who reviewed or even bothered to read this story. On with the fic!
Summary for Chapter Four: Timon, Pumbaa, Mira, and Simba set out for the Pride Land border and along the way, they meet up with the hyenas again. Will they get some more information or will they just plain get eaten? I dunno—I didn't type that far yet! A bit more romance in this chapter, too.
Disclaimer: I only own the two hyenas and Mira.
Chapter Four ~~ Goodbye May Seem Like Forever
"Well, sure I'll go with you," Simba answered Timon. They had just gotten back to Pride Rock and it was pretty late.
"Thanks, Simba," Timon yawned. All the yelling had made him tired.
"Maybe we should head out early tomorrow," Pumbaa suggested groggily. " Then we should get to Hakuna Matata by sunset."
"Great idea," Simba said as he lied down next to Nala, who was already fast asleep.
After some moving around, everyone was comfortable inside Pride Rock and drifting off into slumber land. Well, almost everyone.
Timon had just shut his eyes when he remembered Mira. He sat up and looked around to find that she wasn't among the lions. He muttered something as he stood up and walked towards the entrance. He spotted Mira sitting on a small rock just outside.
Mira sighed as she sniffed the cool night air. She leaned back on her elbows and stared up at the night sky, twinkling stars, and moon.
"It's nice out tonight," Timon said as he walked up behind her and leaned against the rock.
"Yeah," Mira smiled. "It's so clear out. We'll have good weather for traveling."
"Mm," Timon smiled a little and then stretched. "Man, I can't wait to get back home!"
"Are you sure I'll be accepted?" Mira asked again, turning to look at him.
Timon looked back at her and couldn't help notice how the light from the moon made her look pretty. Did I just type pretty—I meant beautiful.
"How many times do I have to say yes?" Timon said, snapping out of his trance.
"But its not like that," Mira snapped her fingers, "that a mob of meerkats would accept a rogue like me into their colony."
"Well, my colony's different," Timon stated. "They won't object if I bring you to live with us."
"Why—do they love you that much that they even made a song about you?" Mira asked, rolling her eyes.
"How'd you know?"
Mira turned to him with her brow raised. "You mean they actually did? What'd you do that was so great?"
"Oh, I just saved my Ma and Uncle Max's lives, kicked hyena butt, and brought my family to the promised land," Timon answered proudly.
"Really?" Mira asked, wide eyed.
"Well, sure," Timon answered plainly.
"Wow," Mira said as she looked back up at the stars.
They were silent for a while, just looking up at the stars and taking in the night's fresh air. Then Mira shattered the silence.
"Have you ever felt lonely?" Mira asked quietly.
"Huh?" Timon looked at her, a little shocked by her question.
"You heard me."
"Well," Timon hesitated. "Yeah, a couple times actually."
"When?" Mira asked.
"Right after my dad died," Timon replied, staring down at his fists and then clenched them. "Even though I still had Ma, I felt alone." Timon decided not to tell her about the first time he left the Pit of Shame and started bawling like a baby.
"I've been feeling really alone," Mira said quietly. "I don't know who I am or where I came from. For all I know, I don't even exist."
"But...you're not alone anymore."
Mira slowly turned her head and looked at Timon, who was smiling at her.
It was then that Mira realized Timon was right. She wasn't alone anymore. She had friends now. She wasn't alone.
+++
Early the next morning, Timon felt someone nudging him.
"Timon. Hey, Timon!"
Timon groaned and covered his ears. He rolled over and fell off the rock he was lying on.
"Oof!" Timon grunted as he hit the hard ground.
Mira giggled and walked up next to him. She knelt down and tapped his nose twice.
"Wake up, sleepyhead," Mira said and grinned. "Everyone's already up and ready. Except you, that is."
"Ready...? Ready for what?" Timon mumbled without opening his eyes.
"Hell-o!" Mira rolled her eyes and smiled. "You're taking me to meet your colony. Remember?"
"Huh—oh!" Timon's eyes fluttered open and he stood up. "Oh, right. Where's Simba?"
"He's waiting for us by the waterhole," Mira replied as she stood up as well. "C'mon. It'll take all day to get to your home at this rate."
"Okay, okay, I'm coming," Timon stretched until he heard a pop. He followed Mira down the path that lead to the waterhole. He hesitated and then asked, "Mira?"
"Yes?"
"What are ya gonna do after you're accepted into the colony?"
"IF I'm accepted...well, I haven't thought about it really," Mira looked thoughtful as she walked besides Timon. "Why?"
"Just wondering," Timon answered and blushed. "I mean, there's a lot to do there—go swimming, chow down on an endless supply of grubs, meet cute guys..."
"I've already met a cute guy."
Timon stopped walking, as did she, and looked at her. She was grinning.
They stood in silence, just looking at each other for a couple minutes. Then Mira tapped Timon on the nose and giggled.
"You're it!" Mira cried as she began to run on all fours down the path. Timon was in a state of shock but quickly recovered, taking off after her.
"Slowpoke, slowpoke!" Mira chanted as she ran faster. She yelped as Timon grabbed her tail.
"GotchaaaAHH!" Timon cried as Mira flipped over, dragging him with her, down a small hill. They tumbled head over heals in one big mess of fur, tails, and limbs.
"Woah!" Mira yelped as she landed in some soft grass and Timon landed half on top of her. Their noses were touching and their lips inches apart. They staid that way for a little less than thirty seconds.
"Ahem."
Timon and Mira gasped and scrambled off each other. The two meerkats blushed and tried to hide their embarrassment from everyone at the waterhole. They thanked God it was only Simba, Pumbaa, and Kiara.
"Good morning," Kiara grinned and laughed.
"H-hi," Timon stuttered.
"It's about time you decided to show up!" Simba was also smiling widely. " What was taking you two so long?"
"We were just playing a game of Tag, sir," Mira answered quickly.
"I see," Simba continued to smile. "Well, almost ready to go?"
"Ready and waiting," Timon said as he leaped onto Pumbaa's head and helped Mira on.
"Don't cha want breakfast first?" Kiara asked.
"Naw, we'll get some later," Timon said. "C'mon, I wanna go home!"
Soon all four of them were on their way to the Pride Land borders. After about fifteen minutes of walking, a growl rang out.
"Pumbaa, try to control your gases!" Timon said and rolled his eyes.
"But, uh, Timon, that wasn't my stomach," Pumbaa answered nervously.
"Tell me it was yours, Mira," Timon said, now beginning to get nervous as well.
"Uh, uh," Mira shook her head, her eyes wide.
"Simba??"
"Nope."
"Oy," Timon sighed. "I bet you it's those hyenas!"
"Now, Timon, it could be another animal," Mira said, although she had a bad feeling deep in her gut.
"Yeah—any animal with sharp teeth, razor claws, and a hunger for meerkats!"
"Chill out, Timon!" Simba ordered. "Mira's right. It could be a hungry elephant with a huge stomach—"
At that very second, the two hyenas that attacked Timon and Mira the other day leaped out of the tall grass and onto the path.
"Nobody listens to Old Timon anymore," Timon muttered and gulped.
"Well if it ain't the rats and the pig!" one hyena grinned as drool spilled out from behind his jaws.
"Look, Niku, they're hanging out with the King of Pride Rock," the other hyena said to the other.
"So it seems, Miku," Niku said. It was obvious these guys were brothers.
"Get out!" Simba roared. "You were banished along with the rest of the hyenas!"
"We were not part of the hyena pack you banished," Miku said harshly. "We are part of a different group living away from the Pride Lands."
"Hey, buddy, you attacked us yesterday!" Timon shouted as he stood up on Pumbaa's back. "You and your brother!"
"We were merely looking for a bite to eat," Niku replied with a growl.
"You also claimed you knew Mir-er, my sister!" Timon corrected himself in time. "You called her Mira or something."
"Uh, huh!" Mira said, speaking up. "And you also said you killed my mob and my brother but how can that be when he's standing right here?" Mira gestured to Timon.
"Yeah!" Pumbaa grunted, finally catching on.
"Just how dumb do you think we are?" Miku snapped.
Timon was about to say a smart remark but Niku cut him off.
"We know who all of you are," Niku grinned evilly. He looked at each person as he said, "Pumbaa, Simba, Timon, and of course, Mira."
"So what's your plan?" Mira whispered to Timon frantically.
"I'll let you know when I think of one," Timon replied as he began to sweat nervously.
"This is your last chance," Simba growled as he moved forward. The hyenas began to laugh.
"The odds are against you, Simba," Miku grinned and snickered.
Mira looked around frantically. The hyenas were after her. It wasn't fair to get everyone else caught up in her own mess. She knew what she had to do.
Timon suddenly felt the presence behind him vanish. He turned around and spotted Mira as she dashed off into the grass.
"Mira!" Timon screamed.
"Ho!" the brothers shouted as they dove into the grass after her and then everything was silent.
Timon leaped off Pumbaa's head and went into the grass as well, calling Mira's name the whole way.
"Where'd she go?" Miku asked his brother.
"She can't run THAT fast!" Niku growled as he darted off in the opposite direction that Mira was running in.
Mira looked back and yelped when she bumped into someone. She staggered backwards but soon recovered.
"T-Timon!" Mira gasped. "What—"
Timon grabbed Mira and gave her a quick hug.
"Don't you ever do that again!" Timon said sternly. He released her and she nodded and sniffed.
"GOTCHA!"
Timon and Mira whirled around with identical horrified looks on their faces.
Niku and Miku leaped out of the grass and landed in front of them.
"It's time for you two to die," Niku said and licked his lips. "I get the girl."
"What? No way!" Miku objected. "I found them!"
"So? I'm oldest!"
"We're twins, idiot!"
"So, I'm older by two minutes!"
While the hyena brothers bickered, Timon and Mira managed to escape and find their way back to Pumbaa and Simba.
"What happened?" Simba asked worriedly.
"Let's just get outta here before they realize we're gone," Timon muttered as he and Mira climbed back onto Pumbaa. They started traveling again without saying much.
After a while, Timon turned to look at Mira. He smiled, but she looked away as if ashamed of something.
"What's up?" Timon asked her.
Mira sighed and glanced at him. She said slowly, "I...I don't think I should go with you."
"W-what? Why?!" Timon cried, a little shocked at his own outburst.
"Timon, those hyenas are after me and it's pretty obvious that they aren't going to give up," Mira said in no more than a whisper. "If I stick with you and Pumbaa, I'll be putting you two in danger. I already have and I'm afraid that if I go with you to live with your colony, I'll be putting them in danger as well."
"But..."
"Timon, I don't want anyone to get hurt," Mira said softly and looked down at her hands. "Especially you."
"Mira—"
"Whether you let me go or not," Mira sadly smiled, "I'll be leaving you and Pumbaa at the border."
Timon, for once in his life, was utterly speechless. He wanted so badly to shout and tell her not to go but something inside him held back his emotions. He couldn't let them out. Leaving her made his heart shatter into a billion pieces.
Timon turned around and gasped. They were at the border? Already?! But...but....
"Good luck, guys," Simba said as he turned to leave for the long trip home. "See ya later." He left.
"Bye, Simba!" Pumbaa waved. Then he began to trot in the direction of the oasis when Mira spoke up.
"Uh, Pumbaa? Could you stop please?" Mira asked. Pumbaa stopped and she got off him.
"What's wrong, Miss Mira?" Pumbaa asked.
"Sorry, Pumbaa, I can't go home with you," Mira said, avoiding Timon's eyes. She didn't want to cry in front of him.
"Aww, why?" Pumbaa asked, his voice filled with sadness.
"I...I just think it would be safer," Mira replied. "I have to go."
"Will you come to visit?" Pumbaa asked eagerly.
"Uh, if I have time, sure," Mira grinned sheepishly.
"Okay! Bye then!" Pumbaa said as he began to walk away, leaving Mira behind. "It was really nice meeting you!"
"Bye, Pumbaa," Mira called then in a softer tone, "Goodbye, Timon..."
Timon heard her but he didn't respond. He was afraid he would cry if he made eye contact. Why did he act so darn differently in front of her?!
Mira turned and began her long journey to no where in particular. She felt rears well up in her eyes and she didn't bother to hold them back.
+++
That evening, Timon and Pumbaa returned to Hakuna Matata. They were cheered and greeted at and soon Timon's Praise Song was being sung. Word was spreading about a welcome home party. Timon, of course, didn't feel like partying.
"Timon, what's wrong?" Ma approached him once the crowd dissipated. She sat down next to him and looked up at him.
"Aw, nothing, Ma," Timon replied gloomily as he played with a twig.
"Something's wrong, you haven't looked this depressed since Buzz died," Ma insisted.
Timon sighed. "Okay, here's what happened." Timon told her everything that happened since the rainstorm all the way up to when Mira left. Ma listened intently.
"Oh, my little Timmy's growing up!" Ma hugged him tightly.
"Ma, seriously!" Timon snapped and she let go. Ma looked at him and saw the sadness and depression in his eyes.
"Timon, this girl means a lot to you, doesn't she?" Ma asked. "I mean, do you like her?"
"Sure I LIKE her," Timon shrugged.
"But do you love her?" Ma asked.
Timon was silent. He gulped and looked at his mother with an unsure look. He had never felt this way before around a girl. He had never even met a girl, besides his mom. Now he was sure about his feelings...but did Mira feel the same?
"I-I...I" Timon stuttered and Ma stopped him from saying anything more.
"Don't tell me," Ma said and smiled a little, "tell her."
Timon smiled and nodded. He stood up and started to run towards the desert. "Cover for me, Ma!"
"Okay, sweetie!" Ma gave him a thumbs up and beamed at her son as he ran. She whispered, "Oh, Buzz, if you could see your son now."
Timon ran as fast as he could out of the oasis and hopped to God that nothing happened to her. He would find her. He promised her that he would even if it took him forever.
~~~ to be continued ~~~
DarkEcoOttsel: Yahoo! Can't wait for chappie five! Get to work on those reviews and praise me! Bwa! TTFN!
Summary for Chapter Four: Timon, Pumbaa, Mira, and Simba set out for the Pride Land border and along the way, they meet up with the hyenas again. Will they get some more information or will they just plain get eaten? I dunno—I didn't type that far yet! A bit more romance in this chapter, too.
Disclaimer: I only own the two hyenas and Mira.
Chapter Four ~~ Goodbye May Seem Like Forever
"Well, sure I'll go with you," Simba answered Timon. They had just gotten back to Pride Rock and it was pretty late.
"Thanks, Simba," Timon yawned. All the yelling had made him tired.
"Maybe we should head out early tomorrow," Pumbaa suggested groggily. " Then we should get to Hakuna Matata by sunset."
"Great idea," Simba said as he lied down next to Nala, who was already fast asleep.
After some moving around, everyone was comfortable inside Pride Rock and drifting off into slumber land. Well, almost everyone.
Timon had just shut his eyes when he remembered Mira. He sat up and looked around to find that she wasn't among the lions. He muttered something as he stood up and walked towards the entrance. He spotted Mira sitting on a small rock just outside.
Mira sighed as she sniffed the cool night air. She leaned back on her elbows and stared up at the night sky, twinkling stars, and moon.
"It's nice out tonight," Timon said as he walked up behind her and leaned against the rock.
"Yeah," Mira smiled. "It's so clear out. We'll have good weather for traveling."
"Mm," Timon smiled a little and then stretched. "Man, I can't wait to get back home!"
"Are you sure I'll be accepted?" Mira asked again, turning to look at him.
Timon looked back at her and couldn't help notice how the light from the moon made her look pretty. Did I just type pretty—I meant beautiful.
"How many times do I have to say yes?" Timon said, snapping out of his trance.
"But its not like that," Mira snapped her fingers, "that a mob of meerkats would accept a rogue like me into their colony."
"Well, my colony's different," Timon stated. "They won't object if I bring you to live with us."
"Why—do they love you that much that they even made a song about you?" Mira asked, rolling her eyes.
"How'd you know?"
Mira turned to him with her brow raised. "You mean they actually did? What'd you do that was so great?"
"Oh, I just saved my Ma and Uncle Max's lives, kicked hyena butt, and brought my family to the promised land," Timon answered proudly.
"Really?" Mira asked, wide eyed.
"Well, sure," Timon answered plainly.
"Wow," Mira said as she looked back up at the stars.
They were silent for a while, just looking up at the stars and taking in the night's fresh air. Then Mira shattered the silence.
"Have you ever felt lonely?" Mira asked quietly.
"Huh?" Timon looked at her, a little shocked by her question.
"You heard me."
"Well," Timon hesitated. "Yeah, a couple times actually."
"When?" Mira asked.
"Right after my dad died," Timon replied, staring down at his fists and then clenched them. "Even though I still had Ma, I felt alone." Timon decided not to tell her about the first time he left the Pit of Shame and started bawling like a baby.
"I've been feeling really alone," Mira said quietly. "I don't know who I am or where I came from. For all I know, I don't even exist."
"But...you're not alone anymore."
Mira slowly turned her head and looked at Timon, who was smiling at her.
It was then that Mira realized Timon was right. She wasn't alone anymore. She had friends now. She wasn't alone.
+++
Early the next morning, Timon felt someone nudging him.
"Timon. Hey, Timon!"
Timon groaned and covered his ears. He rolled over and fell off the rock he was lying on.
"Oof!" Timon grunted as he hit the hard ground.
Mira giggled and walked up next to him. She knelt down and tapped his nose twice.
"Wake up, sleepyhead," Mira said and grinned. "Everyone's already up and ready. Except you, that is."
"Ready...? Ready for what?" Timon mumbled without opening his eyes.
"Hell-o!" Mira rolled her eyes and smiled. "You're taking me to meet your colony. Remember?"
"Huh—oh!" Timon's eyes fluttered open and he stood up. "Oh, right. Where's Simba?"
"He's waiting for us by the waterhole," Mira replied as she stood up as well. "C'mon. It'll take all day to get to your home at this rate."
"Okay, okay, I'm coming," Timon stretched until he heard a pop. He followed Mira down the path that lead to the waterhole. He hesitated and then asked, "Mira?"
"Yes?"
"What are ya gonna do after you're accepted into the colony?"
"IF I'm accepted...well, I haven't thought about it really," Mira looked thoughtful as she walked besides Timon. "Why?"
"Just wondering," Timon answered and blushed. "I mean, there's a lot to do there—go swimming, chow down on an endless supply of grubs, meet cute guys..."
"I've already met a cute guy."
Timon stopped walking, as did she, and looked at her. She was grinning.
They stood in silence, just looking at each other for a couple minutes. Then Mira tapped Timon on the nose and giggled.
"You're it!" Mira cried as she began to run on all fours down the path. Timon was in a state of shock but quickly recovered, taking off after her.
"Slowpoke, slowpoke!" Mira chanted as she ran faster. She yelped as Timon grabbed her tail.
"GotchaaaAHH!" Timon cried as Mira flipped over, dragging him with her, down a small hill. They tumbled head over heals in one big mess of fur, tails, and limbs.
"Woah!" Mira yelped as she landed in some soft grass and Timon landed half on top of her. Their noses were touching and their lips inches apart. They staid that way for a little less than thirty seconds.
"Ahem."
Timon and Mira gasped and scrambled off each other. The two meerkats blushed and tried to hide their embarrassment from everyone at the waterhole. They thanked God it was only Simba, Pumbaa, and Kiara.
"Good morning," Kiara grinned and laughed.
"H-hi," Timon stuttered.
"It's about time you decided to show up!" Simba was also smiling widely. " What was taking you two so long?"
"We were just playing a game of Tag, sir," Mira answered quickly.
"I see," Simba continued to smile. "Well, almost ready to go?"
"Ready and waiting," Timon said as he leaped onto Pumbaa's head and helped Mira on.
"Don't cha want breakfast first?" Kiara asked.
"Naw, we'll get some later," Timon said. "C'mon, I wanna go home!"
Soon all four of them were on their way to the Pride Land borders. After about fifteen minutes of walking, a growl rang out.
"Pumbaa, try to control your gases!" Timon said and rolled his eyes.
"But, uh, Timon, that wasn't my stomach," Pumbaa answered nervously.
"Tell me it was yours, Mira," Timon said, now beginning to get nervous as well.
"Uh, uh," Mira shook her head, her eyes wide.
"Simba??"
"Nope."
"Oy," Timon sighed. "I bet you it's those hyenas!"
"Now, Timon, it could be another animal," Mira said, although she had a bad feeling deep in her gut.
"Yeah—any animal with sharp teeth, razor claws, and a hunger for meerkats!"
"Chill out, Timon!" Simba ordered. "Mira's right. It could be a hungry elephant with a huge stomach—"
At that very second, the two hyenas that attacked Timon and Mira the other day leaped out of the tall grass and onto the path.
"Nobody listens to Old Timon anymore," Timon muttered and gulped.
"Well if it ain't the rats and the pig!" one hyena grinned as drool spilled out from behind his jaws.
"Look, Niku, they're hanging out with the King of Pride Rock," the other hyena said to the other.
"So it seems, Miku," Niku said. It was obvious these guys were brothers.
"Get out!" Simba roared. "You were banished along with the rest of the hyenas!"
"We were not part of the hyena pack you banished," Miku said harshly. "We are part of a different group living away from the Pride Lands."
"Hey, buddy, you attacked us yesterday!" Timon shouted as he stood up on Pumbaa's back. "You and your brother!"
"We were merely looking for a bite to eat," Niku replied with a growl.
"You also claimed you knew Mir-er, my sister!" Timon corrected himself in time. "You called her Mira or something."
"Uh, huh!" Mira said, speaking up. "And you also said you killed my mob and my brother but how can that be when he's standing right here?" Mira gestured to Timon.
"Yeah!" Pumbaa grunted, finally catching on.
"Just how dumb do you think we are?" Miku snapped.
Timon was about to say a smart remark but Niku cut him off.
"We know who all of you are," Niku grinned evilly. He looked at each person as he said, "Pumbaa, Simba, Timon, and of course, Mira."
"So what's your plan?" Mira whispered to Timon frantically.
"I'll let you know when I think of one," Timon replied as he began to sweat nervously.
"This is your last chance," Simba growled as he moved forward. The hyenas began to laugh.
"The odds are against you, Simba," Miku grinned and snickered.
Mira looked around frantically. The hyenas were after her. It wasn't fair to get everyone else caught up in her own mess. She knew what she had to do.
Timon suddenly felt the presence behind him vanish. He turned around and spotted Mira as she dashed off into the grass.
"Mira!" Timon screamed.
"Ho!" the brothers shouted as they dove into the grass after her and then everything was silent.
Timon leaped off Pumbaa's head and went into the grass as well, calling Mira's name the whole way.
"Where'd she go?" Miku asked his brother.
"She can't run THAT fast!" Niku growled as he darted off in the opposite direction that Mira was running in.
Mira looked back and yelped when she bumped into someone. She staggered backwards but soon recovered.
"T-Timon!" Mira gasped. "What—"
Timon grabbed Mira and gave her a quick hug.
"Don't you ever do that again!" Timon said sternly. He released her and she nodded and sniffed.
"GOTCHA!"
Timon and Mira whirled around with identical horrified looks on their faces.
Niku and Miku leaped out of the grass and landed in front of them.
"It's time for you two to die," Niku said and licked his lips. "I get the girl."
"What? No way!" Miku objected. "I found them!"
"So? I'm oldest!"
"We're twins, idiot!"
"So, I'm older by two minutes!"
While the hyena brothers bickered, Timon and Mira managed to escape and find their way back to Pumbaa and Simba.
"What happened?" Simba asked worriedly.
"Let's just get outta here before they realize we're gone," Timon muttered as he and Mira climbed back onto Pumbaa. They started traveling again without saying much.
After a while, Timon turned to look at Mira. He smiled, but she looked away as if ashamed of something.
"What's up?" Timon asked her.
Mira sighed and glanced at him. She said slowly, "I...I don't think I should go with you."
"W-what? Why?!" Timon cried, a little shocked at his own outburst.
"Timon, those hyenas are after me and it's pretty obvious that they aren't going to give up," Mira said in no more than a whisper. "If I stick with you and Pumbaa, I'll be putting you two in danger. I already have and I'm afraid that if I go with you to live with your colony, I'll be putting them in danger as well."
"But..."
"Timon, I don't want anyone to get hurt," Mira said softly and looked down at her hands. "Especially you."
"Mira—"
"Whether you let me go or not," Mira sadly smiled, "I'll be leaving you and Pumbaa at the border."
Timon, for once in his life, was utterly speechless. He wanted so badly to shout and tell her not to go but something inside him held back his emotions. He couldn't let them out. Leaving her made his heart shatter into a billion pieces.
Timon turned around and gasped. They were at the border? Already?! But...but....
"Good luck, guys," Simba said as he turned to leave for the long trip home. "See ya later." He left.
"Bye, Simba!" Pumbaa waved. Then he began to trot in the direction of the oasis when Mira spoke up.
"Uh, Pumbaa? Could you stop please?" Mira asked. Pumbaa stopped and she got off him.
"What's wrong, Miss Mira?" Pumbaa asked.
"Sorry, Pumbaa, I can't go home with you," Mira said, avoiding Timon's eyes. She didn't want to cry in front of him.
"Aww, why?" Pumbaa asked, his voice filled with sadness.
"I...I just think it would be safer," Mira replied. "I have to go."
"Will you come to visit?" Pumbaa asked eagerly.
"Uh, if I have time, sure," Mira grinned sheepishly.
"Okay! Bye then!" Pumbaa said as he began to walk away, leaving Mira behind. "It was really nice meeting you!"
"Bye, Pumbaa," Mira called then in a softer tone, "Goodbye, Timon..."
Timon heard her but he didn't respond. He was afraid he would cry if he made eye contact. Why did he act so darn differently in front of her?!
Mira turned and began her long journey to no where in particular. She felt rears well up in her eyes and she didn't bother to hold them back.
+++
That evening, Timon and Pumbaa returned to Hakuna Matata. They were cheered and greeted at and soon Timon's Praise Song was being sung. Word was spreading about a welcome home party. Timon, of course, didn't feel like partying.
"Timon, what's wrong?" Ma approached him once the crowd dissipated. She sat down next to him and looked up at him.
"Aw, nothing, Ma," Timon replied gloomily as he played with a twig.
"Something's wrong, you haven't looked this depressed since Buzz died," Ma insisted.
Timon sighed. "Okay, here's what happened." Timon told her everything that happened since the rainstorm all the way up to when Mira left. Ma listened intently.
"Oh, my little Timmy's growing up!" Ma hugged him tightly.
"Ma, seriously!" Timon snapped and she let go. Ma looked at him and saw the sadness and depression in his eyes.
"Timon, this girl means a lot to you, doesn't she?" Ma asked. "I mean, do you like her?"
"Sure I LIKE her," Timon shrugged.
"But do you love her?" Ma asked.
Timon was silent. He gulped and looked at his mother with an unsure look. He had never felt this way before around a girl. He had never even met a girl, besides his mom. Now he was sure about his feelings...but did Mira feel the same?
"I-I...I" Timon stuttered and Ma stopped him from saying anything more.
"Don't tell me," Ma said and smiled a little, "tell her."
Timon smiled and nodded. He stood up and started to run towards the desert. "Cover for me, Ma!"
"Okay, sweetie!" Ma gave him a thumbs up and beamed at her son as he ran. She whispered, "Oh, Buzz, if you could see your son now."
Timon ran as fast as he could out of the oasis and hopped to God that nothing happened to her. He would find her. He promised her that he would even if it took him forever.
~~~ to be continued ~~~
DarkEcoOttsel: Yahoo! Can't wait for chappie five! Get to work on those reviews and praise me! Bwa! TTFN!