It felt like it was getting hotter every second in the Pride Lands, but, it was not a big problem for the lion pride that ruled over the very lands where Mufasa once ruled in his time. No, everyone was having a good time in lake Ahadi, and the waters felt so good against their fur and skin, and nothing could possibly ruin this day for everyone taking a dip in this gigantic piece of water, and some water birds were enjoying their time as well.

"Pretty nice time to enjoy this, right Kion?" said a voice. It was a male shoebill stork named Soba. His voice sounded a little goofy and sounded a little wet, along with slightly dumb. "I wouldn't blame you if you and everyone in your pride came here to cool off."

"Heh. It is a good thing we're here." the cub agreed with the gigantic blue bird. "We shoebills are very atoned to the water in any condition. We always know how to stay out of a crocodiles' way."

The lion cub sighed in relaxation and he replied: "I know I should be patrolling around the Pride Lands right now, being the leader of the new Lion guard and all. But... you feel how hot it is, right?"

"We all feel not to move so much in this horrible weather." Said Soba. "I mean, I can't imagine any animal looking for a lake and or river, or a mudhole like elephants, rhinos, and buffalo would do if they get too hot."

A couple of saddle-bill storks came and decided to cool off in the lake as well. "The last thing I want is to have a bunch of crocodiles coming in and trying to ruin me and my family's day."

"Oh, come on, Kion." Said Nala. "Even if they did come here to swim and cool off, there are other ways to cool off in."

"Yeah, I mean, they might not be as beautiful as this lake, but it would still have water." Kiara added.

"What about Janja." Said Kovu.

"No. I think he and his friends are trying to cool off too. It wouldn't surprise me if the Outlands are hotter than here." Said Simba

"Oh yeah." Said the future king. "It is way hotter than here. But, this just broken a record. Probably."

"Be glad that we do not live in that place." Said Zira.

Every one if the lions agreed with her and enjoyed more of the soothing waters like this. Kion was even beginning to wish that Mufasa and Sarabi were there with him to enjoy the lake, especially since it was named after Mufasa's father himself.

Still, mufasa and Sarabi were there, just not physically. No, their flames, their spirits were there, even if everyone doesn't know it either now. Kion's stomach began growling and he needed something to eat to full his belly.

"Dad, is it okay if I go and hunt for an antelope or a zebra? I'm getting hungry."

"Of course son. Just be careful and try not to get hurt."

"Come on dad. You know me well enough for me to see that I am very careful. Have i ever let you down before?"

Simba made a proud chuckle and he replied. "No. Of course not. I know you would never let me down."

The cub got out of the water and he saw a small impala aboitbto take a drink of water from Lake Ahadi. It was the perfect opportunity for him to try and eat and sustain his hunger. While grazing and having some grass, Kion quietly sneaked behind the impala and pounced, riding on its back.

It put up quite a fight, but Lion managed to bite on its neck and suffocate it after one long minute. Sure, Kion was still a small cub and a boy, but he was still able to hunt like his parents and Kovu taught him before.

It was a rather good kill and he was munching on the flesh and meat to fill up his stomach. However, there was a catch. Because the weather was hotter than it usually is, more flies are coming to the carcass than before.

Sure, the cub was used to some flies, but this; this is a whole new level of annoyance. Nobody liked flies buzzing around them, and this weather took them to a whole new level of being annoying.

"Hevi kabisa." The cub said to himself. "Is this heatwave going to end soon?" A few vultures were swooping down and letting out a harsh call for their bellows. The cub know what this exactly meant, being scavengers and carrion eaters they are.

One of these buzzards was Khemu, the large lappet-faced vulture with a long wingspan. This bird of prey had a very large wingspan and He wasn't really like Mzingo and his cronies. No, Khemu was a vulture who didn't mind the company of other animals. But, when it came to eating, he prefers to eat alone and not be bothered, and he can be a little surly and grumpy at times.

Young Kion was a little too hungry to even notice him, and he was mucking through more meat and flesh. Khemu cleared his throat, and Kion looked. "Ah! Mzingo!" Tbe reason why he looked at the culture that was was because he was silhouetted in front of the sun, and was ready to fight.

"Easy Kion." Said the lappet-faced vulture. "It is only me." His voice was a very low British accent that was smooth like a musical note.

"Oh. Khemu it's you. I'm... still eating here you know?"

"I know. I am just waiting for my time to have my own breakfast." Khemu stated flatly. "Although, I really hope to will save some meat and flesh for me."

"I will. I promise. It's just so hot out here."

The vulture walked up to him. Lappet-faced vultures were huge and ginormous, and he easily towered the Lion cub, especially with his rather long neck. "Indeed." he said. "I am seeing some more dead animals dying from the heat more than I would usually see across the lands I have came across. To me, it feels a little bit like a feast for me and my family."

Kion looked a little scared by the vulture's creepy words, and gulped his throat. "Well, I hope you don't come after me next."

"We've been over this countless times, Kion." Said Khemu. "I have no intention of wating you, or your family. I solely eat carrion... mostly carrion. It is in a vulture's nature."

"Try telling that to Mzingo and his friends." Kion remarked.

"I am nothing compared to them. And besides, I have known your grandfather before."

"Really?" The cub sounded a little surprised to hear that. "You never told me you knew grandfather Mufasa."

"Well, I usually never talk about it because... it saddens me that my old friend is not here anymore. Still, it was nice to known him."

"Right. Sorry for thinking bad of you."

"No need to worry about offending me, boy." Said the lappet-faced vulture. "Many other animals in the Pride Lands think the same way as you a little. Still, you should know that I am nothing like Mzingo and his little cronies.

"Okay." Kion began eating morenmeatbshd when there was a little bit left, he said: "okay Khemu. It's all yours.

"Hehehe. Thank you, Kion." Then the vulture began esting the remains. It sounded a little unpleasant but Khemu was only doing his job for the circle of life. He paused for a moment, and he said: "unheard that Zira has returned."

"Yes, but she's changed and not evil anymore."

"I do believe you. I am just trying to tell you to be csreful. You can never be too careful these days."

"Thanks, but I'll be fine. Anyway, I need to get back to the lake. See you soon, Khemu."

"See you later, my friend." After that, the lion cub say back in the cool waters to get away from the sun's rays.