[FLASHBACK]
Fuli walked through unfamiliar territory along with the rest of the Lion Guard on the journey to the Tree of Life. She was very tired and it felt as if her paws would fall from all that walking. It didn't help that the small stones and rocks that they were walking on were fairly sharp. The rest of the Guard didn't look any better though. However, Kion looked even worse. His paws were swollen and scabbed, his fur and mane were dirty and tangled due to lack of maintenance, and his eyes were so cloudy you'd think he was blind. Fuli's concern for him grew with each passing day, though she didn't quite know why. Am I... interspecies? Fuli didn't want to think about it. She tried to reassure herself by telling herself that she cares about all of her friends, but Kion was different. I care about him as a close friend. Fuli kept telling herself. Nothing more.
She saw Kion start to paw at his scar, grunting. Fuli watched with pity. She quickened her pace to match his. "Kion, are you okay?" She asked even though she knew the answer.
"I'm fine Fuli," he told her through a growl. He growled again, but Fuli realized he wasn't growling at her. He dug his claws into the ground, grunting. It's his scar, isn't it? His labored breathing alarmed her. Suddenly, without warning, he collapsed. Fuli, being very fast and having good reflexes, rushed over to him and grabbed him by his scruff. It wouldn't be very helpful to Kion by falling and scraping himself on the sharp rocks. At first she didn't realize the weight of a growing male lion and she almost fell down too. Luckily she didn't.
"Why did you do that?!" Kion asked her once he steadied his footing. The arrogance and annoyance was clear in his voice. Oh I don't know. She thought sarcastically. Saving you from getting hurt. Fuli let go of his scruff. "I didn't think it would be helpful for you to fall and get scraped up by the rocks. You're already struggling," she said, maintaining her temper. She had already learned that she should stay calm with Kion whenever his scar was bothering him, because he wasn't able think clearly and didn't quite understand his actions. Kion rolled his eyes. "I already told you I'm fine."
"No you're not! You literally just collapsed!" Fuli told him. Kion rolled his eyes and continued on with the Guard who didn't seem to notice the situation. Fuli stared after him in defeat. When will he listen? Fuli asked herself. Not today I guess...
Fuli reluctantly continued walking with the rest of the Guard, hoping they would get to the Tree of Life soon. Kion needs healing. And he needs it now. She sighed then continued walking with the rest of the Guard. Oh Kion...
"C'mon guys, we've gotta keep going," Kion told them. The Guard had disappointed looks on their faces. Fuli knew why. They were all tired and hungry.
"C'mon Kion, they need a rest," Fuli told him. "We all do," she added, eyeing him. Kion looked at his pelt. He looked surprised when he saw it. It was messy and his fur was in clumps. Some of his ribs were visible too.
"Huh, okay... We can rest. Over there." He motioned to a thicket, hidden by large bushes. Fuli nodded in agreement. Finally!
They walked over to the thicket and settled inside. Surprisingly, Beshte fit in the thicket too. Kion finally started to groom himself. He looked disgusted at the mess that clung to his fur. When he was finally done, he settled down to sleep. Fuli did too.
A little while passed. Fuli woke up to a noise. She saw Kion pawing at his scar. "Makini," she whispered. Makini, who was laying next to her, woke up. Fuli looked at her and motioned to Kion who was pawing at his scar again. Makini shook her head. "We ran out of Tuliza yesterday," she informed Fuli. "I asked Anga to look for some earlier, but she couldn't find any. I can go out and try to find some, if you want." Fuli shook her head. "One: You need rest too, and two: It's not like you'll find anything in the dark." Makini looked reluctant but laid back down and quickly fell asleep. Fuli sighed and looked back at Kion. Another long night for him...
Fuli walked over to Kion and laid down next to him, pressing her pelt against his. Kion looked shocked at this action, but he didn't move away. In fact, he didn't move at all. The only movements he made were the steady rising and falling of his chest. His paw was still rested on his scar. Fuli realized he was finally falling asleep, he was so tired that even the pain in his scar couldn't keep him awake. Fuli let him sleep - he needed it.
XXXX
Fuli heard a noise. Her father's ears twitched. Out of the bushes came large cats. Not cheetahs. These cats were stockier than a cheetah and they didn't have spots either. Lions! Fuli froze in horror. What are they going to do to us?!
"Fuli! Get in the tall grass, now!" Her father told her. Fuli jumped into the tall grass without a hesitation. She heard growling, roaring, and screaming. "Get the cub!" She heard her father shout. Many hours passed before she dared to peek out of the grass. When she did, she saw that blood littered the clearing. Her parents were nowhere to be seen. Fuli ran away in horror, not daring to look back.
Fuli woke with a start. She looked around, expecting to see one of those cruel lions that killed her parents. Then she remembered: Lions weren't savages just because of their species. The cub that was with the lions was here, it was Kion. If you looked close enough, you could see the scar on his hind leg that her parents gave him in the fight between her parents and the other lions. Now it was barely visible and very easy to miss. Fuli forgave them for hurting him as they probably didn't know that all lions weren't bad. They were just protecting me. Fuli told herself. She sometimes thought that there was more to the story, but she ignored what her mind was suggesting.
The memory played in her mind again and again. "Mom and Dad, I miss you so much..." She whimpered quietly, hoping that no one would hear. "My parents are gone... and they're never coming back."
Fuli then felt something nuzzle her and pull her into a hug, comforting her. It was Kion. Even though she didn't like being weak, she melted into his embrace. "It's okay, Fuli. Everything's okay," he soothed her. She slowly let tears slide down her face. She felt safe in the embrace as if nothing could ever hurt her. She then remembered about her thoughts of how she might be interspecies. Her heart began to beat faster. I'm not interspecies. I'm not interspecies. I'm not interspecies... Her thoughts once again circled back to her parents.
"Kion?" She asked.
"Yeah?" He replied.
"Why... why did my parents have to die? It isn't fair!"
"It's all part of the Circle of Life, Fuli," he told her, his eyes faraway.
"But it just isn't fair!"
"Life isn't fair. We just have to accept it and go wherever the Circle of Life takes us."
"Than I hate the Circle of Life! And I hate that my job was to protect it!" Fuli shouted. She thought Kion would start yelling or maybe even threaten her position on the Lion Guard when she said that, but she was wrong. Kion looked down at his paws, slowly nodding. "I do too," he told her. Fuli was very bewildered. What?!
"Everything you ever love gets taken away, piece by piece," he told her. "They all say 'it's just the Circle of Life.' I hate it! And I hate that I care about it!"
Fuli knew there was something behind all this. "Kion, what happened?" She asked him. "My dad kept telling me that I had to find a mate to complete the Circle of Life! Or else he'd betroth me!" He blurted out. Fuli's eyes widened. "I don't want to marry someone just to complete the Circle of Life. I want to marry for love!"
"That sounds harsh," she commented. "Yeah..." Kion trailed off.
"I'd only ever marry who I love," Fuli said. "Even if they're a different species-" Fuli cut herself off. That last part had slipped out unintentionally. Kion looked shocked.
"Fuli, what are you talking about?" He asked. "You can tell me." "Do you promise not to tell anyone?" She asked. Kion nodded. "I promise." Fuli was still hesitant. Would there be consequences of telling Kion this?
Fuli sighed sadly. "I'm... interspecies," she told him.
Kion gasped. Fuli braced herself for either yelling and judgement, or some sort of lecture of how it isn't natural and how it goes against the Circle of Life, but she was wrong again. "Fuli... why didn't you tell us?" He asked gently. "I... I didn't want anyone to judge me," she told him.
"Fuli... you should know that we'd never judge you because of that," he mumured. "You're a great friend to us. A great leader too. That's what matters," he told her.
"Are you sure..?" Fuli asked, trailing off again.
"Yes," he replied. Fuli was beginning to tear up again. Kion pulled her into another hug, repeatedly licking her forehead in a soothing manner. "Shh... It's okay."
"Kion? You won't tell the others, will you?" She asked him. Kion shook his head. "Your secret's safe with me. You can tell the others when you're ready."
"Thanks, Kion." They then both settled down to sleep.
[END OF FLASHBACK]
[FLASHBACK]
The Lion Guard settled down in a clearing protected by bushes and trees. They were staying there for the night. Everyone else was asleep except for Fuli and Kion. An injury Kion received a while back was keeping him awake. His scar.
Fuli saw something slither out of the grass. It turned out to be a cobra. She noticed Kion's fur stood on end. His tail was tucked between his legs. He stared at the snake with fear in his eyes, never taking his eye off it. His ear twitched as Fuli approached him. He turned around to face her. "Who's there?!" He asked fearfully.
"Kion?" Fuli asked as she walked out of the tall grass nearby. Kion almost jumped in surprise. "Fuli?! I thought you were asleep!" "No, I was gazing at the stars," she told him. "And are you alright?" She asked. "You seem frightened."
"Yeah, I'm fine," he rasped sternly. "You sure? That isn't very convincing," she said. "Don't worry, I'm fine." Fuli knew he was trying to reassure her, but he was failing miserably. Fuli shrugged, if she pressed right then and there she wouldn't get an answer anyway. "Okay, if you say so," she replied.
"I'm gonna go to sleep now. You coming?" She said. Kion shook his head. "I can't sleep... 'cause of my scar," he told her. Oh... Fuli slowly walked towards Makini. "Makini," she whispered. Makini blinked open her eyes. "Huh? Fuli?" Fuli motioned over to Kion who was pawing at his scar. Makini sighed and nodded. "Kion, have some Tuliza. It might help you feel a little bit better," Makini said. He put a paw up to his scar, grunting for a moment.
"I'm fine. I don't need Tuliza," Kion growled sternly and took a step forward to Makini. "Kion, calm down. Makini's just trying to help," Fuli told him, trying to calm him down. Kion shook his head, obviously trying to clear it. "Oh... Sorry, Makini," Kion apologized. "It's alright Kion, but you really should have some Tuliza," Makini insisted. "Yeah... okay," he replied. She held out the gourd that they stored the Tuliza in and pulled some out. Kion ate the blossoms out of her hand. He sighed in relief.
Fuli then noticed that he tried to hide a yawn. She suspected that the Tuliza blossoms caused this tiredness and some other things too. This suspicion was backed up by the fact that she heard Makini always tell Kion that he couldn't eat too much Tuliza or else he'd get sick. He tried to hide another yawn, but Fuli glanced at him the moment he did. "Makini," she whispered. "Yeah?" She asked in a whisper. "Are you completely sure that the Tuliza blossoms are safe for Kion?" Fuli asked in a whisper, her voice holding concern. "Yeah I'm totally sure," Makini replied in another whisper. "Trust me." "Okay... if you say so," Fuli replied uncertainly.
"Kion, I think you should rest," Fuli told him. Kion looked like he was about to protest but he was interrupted by another yawn. "Okay-" This time he was interrupted by Fuli yawning. "Looks like you do too," Kion said, amusement in his voice. Fuli rolled her eyes playfully. "Cheetahs don't need rest," she said sarcastically. "Suuuuuurrrrrreee," Kion replied playfully. He then settled down to sleep, Fuli laid down next to him.
"Kion?" She asked.
"Yeah?" He replied.
"Do you ever wonder what it would be like if things were different. Like, if you never got your scar?" Fuli hoped she didn't hurt Kion with this question.
"Every day, but I like to think that someday I'll find healing... and happiness."
"And we'll make sure of that," Fuli told him. Kion gave a grateful smile. Fuli smiled back. They both looked up at the stars. Fuli wondered what fate had in store for them both. She leaned against Kion, purring. Slowly but surely, she fell asleep.
[END OF FLASHBACK]
XX
A young animal felt something lifting him up. A light breeze blew through his fur. He saw a bright light on the edge of his vision. Where am I...? A realization hit him faster than lightning. I... died? A cold weight seemed to drop in him. No! No, I can't be dead! I can't be! His body shook with fear and shock. He saw a face glare at him from above, growling. Suddenly, he stopped rising and fell, his stomach churning as he dropped from the high height. What's happening?! Then all went dark.
XXX
"Fuli, please move on... please. Do it for me."
Fuli snapped back to reality. She heard that voice again. For the love of the Bright Stars, not you again, she said to the voice in her mind. It had been pestering her for longer than she could count. Although sometimes she could have sworn the voice sounded a lot like Kion.
"Fuli, you okay?" Gozi asked from the head of the group.
"I'm fine," Fuli replied. She tried not to sound harsh or rude, because she realized that she couldn't take her anger and grief out on others. "Okay..." Gozi replied then walked back to the head of the group.
[FLASHBACK]
Fuli crouched down, stalking her prey. A fat, tasty gazelle, just waiting to be caught. She checked the wind and shadows before advancing closer. Three... two... She heard a huge crashing sound coming from the bushes. The gazelle's head shot up in alarm before it dashed off. Hyena-scraps! She silently cursed. I almost had it!
She whipped around to face whatever scared her prey away. "Come out, whoever you are!" She hissed. "Show yourself!" Out of the bushes stepped a lion with golden fur and a bright red tuft of mane at the top of his head. "Kion?" She asked in confusion. "What are you doing here? I thought you were gonna spend the rest of the day at Pride Rock."
"I was, but I decided to leave because my mom... kind of.. needed some alone time," He said, shuffling his paws. Fuli knew there was more to the story. "What happened?" She asked curiously.
"It's just... my mom's been acting strange recently. I even heard her talking to herself, saying strange things."
Fuli was curious. What was wrong with his mother, Nala? She shrugged it off. Fuli was sad sometimes too, but she always got over it soon.
"Those things she said don't make any sense," Kion said.
"A lot of animals don't make sense when they're sad or sorrowful," Fuli told him. Kion seemed doubtful. "I guess...?"
"Don't worry," she tried to reassure him. "Nala will get over whatever's making her gloomy. You're mom will be fine."
"I hope so," Kion replied. Kion had been very protective of his mother ever since he lost control of the Roar for one of the first times and almost ended up harming her. Only a quarter moon had passed since the senario happened. Fuli could understand his reasons for being very protective - if she was in his situation, she'd be protective of her mother too.
"Now what..?" Fuli asked. An awkward silence followed. She suddenly felt slightly embarrassed. Ugh, why'd I have to suddenly change the subject and make things awkward?! She asked herself with a hint of anger.
"Well..." Kion began to answer. "Wanna go for a walk?"
"Sure," Fuli replied. So they walked through the savanna, a cool, refreshing breeze blowing through their fur. Fuli could almost feel a warm aura coming off of all the animals they walked past. All of them were very joyful.
It sure is a beautiful day, Fuli thought. What a beautiful day.
The sun is out
And the clouds are away
Come walk with me
And enjoy this beautiful day
I can feel the gentle breeze blow through my fur
When you asked me to go on a walk with you, I'm glad I said 'sure'
The beautiful sky
Paints a picture to my delight
And the sun's shining bright
Like the shiniest gem you could ever see
Believe me
And the birds chirping sweet songs
It makes you feel like singing along
And the coolness of the grass after the rain
Makes you feel like you'd never be hot and sweaty again
Oh, oh, oh, feel the sun shining brightly
Oh, oh, oh, and the breeze blows lightly
And today
You gotta say
Something you cant deny, it's just a beautiful day
The feeling of cold grass beneath my paws
The sparkling of mourning dew when it gets on my claws
The freshest air you could ever breathe
Or so it seems
The joy of running around in the fields and plains
Makes you forget about any sorrow and pain
Oh, oh, oh, you just gotta say
It's a beautiful day
The sun is shining brightly
And the clouds are at bay
Come walk with me
And relish this amazing day
I can feel the refreshing breeze blow through my fur
When you asked me to go on a walk with you, I'm very glad I said 'sure'
The beautiful sky
Paints a picture to my delight
And the sun's shining bright
Like the shiniest gem you could ever see
Believe me
And the birds chirping sweet songs
It makes you feel like singing along
And the coolness of the grass after the rain
Makes you feel like you'd never be hot and sweaty again
Oh, oh, oh, feel the sun shining brightly
Oh, oh, oh, and the breeze blows lightly
And today
You gotta say
Something you cant deny, it's just a beautiful day
The feeling of cold grass beneath my paws
The sparkling of mourning dew when it gets on my claws
The freshest air you could ever breathe
Or so it seems
The joy of running around in the fields and plains
Makes you forget about any sorrow and pain
Oh, oh, oh, you just gotta say
It's a beautiful day
Oh, oh and today
I just gotta say
Today is an amazing day
[END OF FLASHBACK]
"Fuli?" A voice asked. Fuli snapped back to reality once more. She realized that she was lagging fairly far behind the rest of the Guard. She saw Gozi was standing in front of her nervously, fidgeting his paws.
"Um.. uh... Fuli?" Gozi started and stumbled over his words. "Can... we all have a break?" He asked, nervousness audible in his voice.
"Of course, Gozi," she replied. Gozi breathed a sigh in relief. "Zuka Zama!" He exclaimed then spun around in a circle. "Did someone say: 'We all get a break'?" A voice said. It was Bunga walking over to them. "Yep!" Gozi replied eagerly.
"Zuka Zama!" Bunga exclaimed. He flopped down on a patch of grass nearby. Gozi did the same. Fuli chuckled. She thought she heard another laugh, not hers. Not Bunga's or Gozi's either. "Typical Bunga, heh."
"Hey, Gozi, look over there!" Bunga pointed to some low hanging trees with drooping branches. "Ya think we can swing on those?" "Yeah!" Gozi replied eagerly. They both rushed over to the trees, laughing. Gozi and Bunga had become best friends during the journey. They were practically brothers now."Sounds like fun!" Fuli heard Makini exclaim. The rest of the Lion Guard heard them and followed them. All except Kion.
"Go on," the voice said. "Grieving over me won't do you any good." Fuli was shocked and puzzled. She turned around and gasped. Standing there was a very faint outline of Kion, looking at her with pleading eyes.
"Kion!" She gasped, not loud enough for the others to hear. She rushed over to embrace him but fell down as soon as she tried to hug him. What? She asked herself. She looked at him, confused. As if he could read her mind, he started to explain.
"Fuli, I'm a spirit," he told her. Fuli shook her head in disbelief. "What?!" She was bewildered. "I... I came here to tell you to move on. You can't grieve over me forever," Kion told her.
"But, Kion..." Fuli protested then trailed off. She couldn't find the words to continue.
"It's okay." Kion's voice was soft and soothing. "But... what about you?" Fuli asked, her voice filled with grief.
"Don't worry about me," Kion told her gently. "I... I have found peace," he said, his voice breaking. There was something in his eyes that told Fuli otherwise. He looked filled with pain and sorrow.
"Are you sure?" She asked him, concerned. Fuli could almost feel a cold aura around him, threatening to freeze her in sorrow. His eyes seemed to hold a thousand emotions at once, emotions that she could not read nor understand.
"Kion... please stay here, with me and the Guard," Fuli asked, trying not to beg. Kion shook his head and a single tear rolled down his face. He stepped forward to her and tried but failed to give her a nuzzle."I... I'm sorry. I cannot stay. It isn't my time yet... It never was."
The already faint outline of Kion started to fade even more. "Kion..." Fuli managed to whisper. "What do you mean?" Kion just stared at her, his eyes seeming to plead for something she couldn't understand.
"Goodbye..."