José sniffed the bush and smiled. He knew the smell from anywhere.
"Enjoy the show?"
Skye smiled sheepishly as she stepped out, "How did you know it was me?"
José smiled, "Come on, 'Kya. I knew you since you were a cub."
Skye chuckled sheepishly, "Right. Um...great training."
"You think so?"
Skye nodded, "I didn't think you were that strong."
José smiled, "I'm going to the nearby oasis, want to come?"
Skye's purple eyes brightened as she nodded, "I would love to."
José got up and headed towards the Pride Lands and oasis border with Skye following. But the two wasn't aware of a pale cream lion watching with a broken heart.
-O-
A mouse sat nibbling on a piece of meat as Astra stalked it from some tall grass. The tawny cub inched closer before pouncing and trapping the small creature under her colorless paws.
With a proud smile she lifted her paw. The mouse wasted no time and ran but to only get stepped on.
"What do you think you're doing!"
Astra looked at her father with fear, "It didn't do anything to me. Why killed it?"
Simba growled "You kill it or I'll kill you!"
Astra gulped as her father lifted his paw. The the tawny cub pounced ending the small animal's life.
"Ahh, was that so bad?" Simba smiled.
Astra looked at the dead body as tears formed.
Simba snarled, "I'll make a killer out of you, even it kills you!"
Simba left the scared cub behind as Lyza walked over with a cold look.
"Mommy!" Astra cried as she ran to her mother.
The tan lioness held the cub back, "You need to listen to your father if you want to live."
Astra watched in fear was her mother walked in the cave.
-O-
Cool water hit his lips as he drunk from the pond. Skye watched the wolf drink before sighing.
"I have something to tell you..."
José lifted his head and looked at the lioness.
"I...I can't do this!" Skye said with her head to the side.
José smiled, "I know. I always knew."
Skye looked at the grey wolf with wide eyes, "How did-?"
José chuckled, "From the way you stared at me."
Skye blushed as she turned her head. José smiled and nuzzled the embarrass lioness.
"I love you too."
Skye looked at the wolf with teary eyes, "You do?"
José nodded and nuzzled the creamy gold lioness again, who happily returned it with a purr.
-O-
Night has approached and the animals had started to retreat in their homes. Sherise sat at the peak looking out into the dark lands.
"Worried about, Skye?"
The queen looked and saw Sarabi.
Sherise smiled, "No. I know where she is."
Sarabi nodded and sat next to the younger lioness, "I want to say I'm proud of you."
Sherise looked at the old beige lioness in shock.
"I'm not so young anymore. I know my time is coming soon. I just want to let you know, you're a good lioness and don't let anyone tell you otherwise."
Sherise watched the old lioness enter the cave before looking back at her kingdom before letting out a sigh and entering the cave herself.
