It was still a peaceful in the snowy atmosphere of these sacred mountains. Kion and Rani were looking around the beautiful landscapes and wonders around them. So many snowy pikes and mountaintops in the horizons and continuous snowfall going on right now, it made it all the more romantic for them both in a way. "You know, if Zazu was up here in the mountains, he would be very grumpy. Last time he was hear, he was complaining about the cold and shivering like he was about to freeze to death."

"If you ask me, Kion," said Rani, "That bird can be a little bit of a killjoy."

Kion couldn't help but chuckle with Rani's little remark about the loyal, yet overzealous majordomo. "True, but he's a good friend to me and my family. He was the majordomo for my grandparents when they were alive." he made a little sigh while slightly bowing his head. "Who knows how long he's got in him? it's just a matter of time before he... you know."

Rani gave him a sympathetic look and said: "Don't worry, Kion." she said. "We both know there's nothing we can do about it. And hey, when it does happen, he had a good life."

Smiling, the male cub said: "True. That's what we should remember."

"Although he was forced to he a servant of Scar when he took the throne for himself." Rani admitted. "But that was a minor setback."

"Right. Zazu was just as manipulated as everyone else from Scar. We would call him an evil mastermind."

"At least he didn't have those powers like Inuwa does."

"Thank Mufasa for that." Kion smirked. "My dad wouldn't stand a chance against Scar if it happened like that."

"Nope. not even a little."

They continued their stroll in the snow and then they noticed it was getting a little colder out here. The higher an animal was up in the mountains, the colder it would get.

Alas, they were not freezing like Zazu was when he first came on the mountains. It was thanks to their fur keeping them both warm. "So when it... happens to Zazu," Rani was careful not to make her boyfriend sad, "Who will take his place?"

Kion had his thinking face on and he was a little silent. There were so many good birds he knew that could he a good candidate replacement for Zazu when he dies. "Honestly... I don't really know." he admitted. "But I wouldn't worry about that now. My parents can look for that."

"That's probably a good idea. If Zazu retires, I hope he takes it easy."

"Me too. That hornbill can be quite overzealous and worries too much." Kion admitted. "He might not want to retire, but he will realize he will have to."

"Good."

They walked a few more miles away from the cozy cave and they found something that they had never expect to see in a range of snowy mountains.

It was a large group of hot springs, somewhere around ten or probably 7o to fifteen. Many were big and some were small, but there were steam rising up from the warm, soothing waters of these circular springs.

"Whoa. I didn't expect to see these around here." said Kion. "Do you think that the gorillas know that there are springs up here?"

"Probably." said his Rani. "I mean, this is their home, and they know it well."

"Makes sense, Rani." Kion admitted. "They probably know there are some springs around here."

"So Kion, should we take a little dip?" Rani suggested. "It should make our date a little more... romantic, right?"

"Good idea." said Kion. "From the looks of the steam, the waters must be super warm and cozy."

"I'll say." Both of them decided to slowly take a dip in the biggest spring, probably around fifteen feet wide.

Yes, the waters felt nicer than anticipated. The warmth of the spring was like a safehaven from the coldness of the mountaintops.

They let out a loud "Ahhhhh." with their eyes closed as they were beginning to relax into the relaxing feeling of the spring.

"Yeah that hits the spot." Rani said.

"Totally."

"Just like the spring Kiara and Kovu like to dip in the jungle." Kion smiled. "If only they can see this. I bet even Zazu would be more than happy to stay in one of these springs, he wouldn't even care if his feathers would get wet. And he hates it when his feathers wet."

"Haha! i bet he does." Rani let out a small chuckle. "Do you think we might find trouble out here?"

"Nah. the cave is only a few miles from here. Any evil animals would have to feel my Roar of the Elders."

"Oh yeah, that's right."

For the next ten minutes, they were just quiet as they were unwinding in the spring.

Having their eyes closed in relaxation, Kion and Rani almost felt like sleeping right now. Little did they know that someone was watching them without them knowing.

There was the sound of snow crunching and lions had good hearing. Kion looked back, but didn't see anything that might have stalked him and his love.

"You hear something?" asked Kion

"You mean besides tbe bubbling sounds of the water."

"Yes, Rani. i mean other than that." Kion smirked. "I feel like someone is watching us."

Rani looked behind her and didn't see anyone, but she kept alert for at least thirty seconds until nothing appeared at all.

"Probably nothing." Kion said. They turned away when something spooked them both.

"BOO!" said a voice. Both of them were spooked out of the spring and were wet. Turns out: they were greeted by a Chimpanzee that was almost as large as a gorilla.

"Hahahaha! that never gets old!" said the chimp while guffawing.

"What the?" Rani said.

A dozen other Chimpanzees appeared from the snowy hills left and right of the springs.

"What's going on here?" asked Kion.

"Haven't seen lions before." said the male chimp. He had black fur on him and his skin was bluish black. "Allow me to introduce myself, youngins. I am Kutojali, proud leader of the Gombe group."

"Look, we don't want any trouble." said Kion. "We just came here to enjoy the hot springs."

"You mean me and my family's hot springs." Kutojali corrected.

"Look, i'm Kion."

"And i'm Rani." she added.

"Oh. So you're the one i heard about." said the chimp leader. "The one who can roar so powerful enough to blast boulders away."

"Well... i don't know about getting rid of boulders." the male cub admitted

"Either way. i would call it a pleasure to have you visit our side of the mountains." Kutojali said before leaping out of the spring. "Tell me, what brings you both here?" he stood on his two front legs while hanging hinself upside-down.

"We just wanted to visit the mountains and meet Sokwe and-"

"Sokwe?" the chimps said in unison.

"So, you know that stupid ape huh? How quaint. Well, i can see he told you dreadful things about me and my family here."

"No." the two lions fibbed at him.

"Just let us go and we'll never bother you guys again." Kion said before he and Rani walked away and tried to run. Alas, Kutojali jumped and landed in front of them.

"Oh no, you are not a bother at all. As a matter of fact; a rather evil smile appeared, looking wide with his sharp teeth showing, giving the lions an uneasy feeling. "We have so much more to talk about."

A bunch other chimps appeared behind Kion and Rani, looking tough and unpredictable with their arms crossed and smiling.

"Uh-oh." Kion and Rani said in unison