In the Pride Lands, it was yet another beautiful morning. One thing that felt a little... unusual, was the ground was a little warmer than it usually would be. When the sun was rising higher over the horizon, it was clear that it was becoming warmer, and this could mean that it will be a rather hot day today. A small mirage was forming among the trees and the grasslands that made up the whole Pride Lands, and it was another sigh that this day will be a scorcher.

"I'm... getting very warm." Kion said, feeling a little hot in himself. "Does anyone know when the rains will come?"

"Not until four more months from now, sweetie." Said one of the lionesses. "And I agree, it feels warm this morning."

Everyone else was getting up the same time, and even the rest of the royal family themselves were feeling the heat of this morning. "Eesh, Kion's right." Ssid Simba. "I think the ground's getting warmer every second the sun is rising."

"Ah, you're all a bunch of wusses." Vitani said with a yawn. "I lived in the Outlands much of my life, and I've faced hot days like this one."

"No argument." Said Kovu. "I've dealt with hotter days than this."

Zira let out a yawn next, and then she remarked: "i... had a feeling that I'm stoned to this weather."

"I guess... it runs in the family." Kovu said.

"Possibly. I know you two are strong as I am."

Over the course of twenty minutes of stretching, it was a little warmer than ever. Zazu came by and be was flapping his wings and sweating like crazy around his plumage. "goodness gracious." He sighed. "This heat is terrible for my feathers. I don't know how much longer I can keep this up."

He swooped down and landed on a small rock. "Good morning, your majesties." He said. "As you all know, it is quite hot out here right now."

Kiara made a "Whew" sound, and she said; "what was your first clue? I hope it doesn't last for a whole day. I don't even know if I can hunt out here in this weather."

A few other lions complained and agreed with her. "Okay, okay, I know you're all hot, but maybe we can find shelter in the rock again. Maybe it doesn't smell so bad." Kion suggested.

"Maybe you're right, sweetheart." Said Nala. She and a couple of lions went inside Pride Rock and the smell that Pumbaa emitted before had almost vanished, though it still stunk a little within the rock. It felt a little cooler inside the rock then it was outside.

"It feels a little nice in here." Said Adisa.

"Yeah, but I still feel hot." Tiifu added. "I really wish it was raining right now."

"Simba, I think we can go back in now. Fair warning, it still stinks a little in here."

The king smiled. "That's fine. I miss sleeping inside Pride Rock." He went inside and he felt a little cooler in the shade as any other lion would do. Kion was looking over at the horizon, and he noticed the gigantic lake, it was call Lake Ahadi, which was an honor of Mufasa's father who had the same name, Kion's great grandfather to be exact.

The waters looked blue and sparkling under the sun. It was calling out to Kion, begging him to come and take. Dip in the cook waters that would keep even the sweetest hippo or rhino cool off from the heat.

He couldn't get his mind and eyes off Lake Ahadi. Maybe his great grandfather himself was trying to tell him to go over there already.

"You alright?" Asked Simba. "You looked a little dazed, Kion."

"I'm fine dad. I... was just thinking of the perfect way to cool off."

"Really? How do you think we should cool off in weather like this?"

Kion cleared his throat and began: "well, why don't we all go swimming at Lake Ahadi? Of maybe..." he had a look of uncertainty a little. "At least cool off in the water."

"Hmm. That does sound like a good idea. But, I doubt that all the lions here would want to swim in a lake."

"I know. But look at it. It's beautiful in the morning. And, the rest might get worse in the afternoon. Besides, you said you would swim with Timon and Pumbaa when you lived in the jungle with them."

Simba made a small laugh. "Guilty as charged, Kion. Guilty as charged. Well, okay, like you said; the heat might get worse over time."

"I think it would be fun." Said Kiara. "As long as there are no crocodiles. The last thing I want is to bother them."

Come on, Kiara." Kovu smirked with his left eyebrow raised. "We're grownups now, and crocodiles can't scare us anymore. And, not to mention we're gonna be the rulers someday." He sang the last part.

The future queen made a small laugh. "Yeah, you're right. Those crocodiles don't scare me anymore. Although... we were just cubs when that happened to us when we first met."

"Still, we should respect their space." said Simba. "But, I guess Lake Ahadi hasn't had any crocodiles living in it for about a month." He was thinking about this idea that his son thought of some more. "Well, I guess swimming is the perfect way to cool off. I know some of you don't like it, but... you all know how hot it is, right?"

"Yeah." said another lioness named Molapa. "Anything's better than this unusual heat.

"I guess I can try dipping myself in water. As long as it doesn't ruin my beautiful fur.

Kiara rolled her eyes at her friend's egotistical personality and self-centered attitude. "It's just water, Zuri." she said. "There's no way it can mess up your whole fur."

"Oh. Right."

"Well, I guess it's settled. We'll go to the lake to cool ourselves off."

Some lions were unsure about this, but many other lions were happy. "Good. But, what about hunting?" Asked Kion

"We can still hunt." Said Kiara

"Good luck with that." Said Zazu sarcastically. "I didn't see a lot of antelope, or zebra, or other animals for you to eat. Except for some duikers and dik-dik, along with snakes, monitor lizards, and other reptiles and amphibians."

"Can't kill for trying." Said Vitani. "I'm gonna get my food one way or another."