'Great, it's that time of the year.'
Although it had never snowed in the Pride Lands, according to his friends from the other lands, it was Christmas.
When he inquired whatever Christmas was to his parents', his father had told him that they never celebrated Christmas since Scar's region had badly damaged the Pride Lands. Christmas is an annual festival, observed primarily on whatever a month is... called December as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of animals and whatever humans are around the world.
Kion, leader of the Lion Guard, was desperate to find a present for Kiara and Zuri. He would have tracked one for Tiifu and his friends too, but the Lion Guard was celebrating the season with their families like Bunga who's going to the jungle his father lived with Timon and Pumbaa, Fuli going with her estranged mother to the Backlands, and Ono going with his parents to travel across the world. Tiifu went with her mother across Africa so it was only Kiara and Zuri.
This was beyond infuriating as Kion is unable to think of ideas, but he could tell they manage to get him a present. How was he supposed to tell them on Christmas day?
"Oh, Kiara, Zuri, you both got me presents, but unfortunately, I was unable to get one for you.' thought Kion bluntly, feeling the urge to bang his head against the rocks of Pride Rock.
'Why not to speak with dad?'
Mom is out with the lionesses in the Backlands, having to haunt so far as many of the animals across the Pride Lands have chosen to go somewhere warm where they could wait out the season into peace. It never snowed in the Pride Lands, but it tends to get very cold here, and that only increases Kion's frustrations.
As Kion approaches Simba who was staring out at the Pride Lands, shivering slightly but the King had always enjoyed staring out at the lands.
"Dad, I need to talk with you," Kion declares nervously as he walks up to his father, thankful Kiara wasn't there like usual. Simba raised his eyebrows at his son, wondering why he appears so anxious.
"What is concerning you, son?" Simba inquired.
"Well, it's 'that time of the year again' and I want to get a present for Kiara and Zuri. However, I don't have ideas." Kion declares, an irritated sigh forming on his lips.
"Oh, I see. Why not get Kiara and Zuri flowers? Kiara and Zuri have always loved flowers." Simba suggested, having been limited to what to think of what to get for Nala.
"Flowers? Dad? How special is that for girls?" Kion demanded, all the while thinking, 'Of course good old dad would suggest that.'
"Presents come from the heart. Kiara loves you. Zuri loves you. They would appreciate whatever you give them. Not whatever special. Love comes from thought and motivation, not from whatever the present is." Simba said, a frown coming across the King's muzzle. Seeing that his son wasn't convinced, the King releases a sigh. 'Was I really like this when me and Nala first got together?' Simba thought, recalling when Nala would roll her eyes when he would disappear for days just to search for a perfect present and it has gone so far for at least two months until Nala snapped and commanded for him to stay inside of Pride Rock. "Son, listen, do you think your mother and I fallen in love because of a pitiful present? Listen, I can see the way Zuri looks at you. She loves you for you, but Kion, let me give you a little bit of advice; never ever run from a lioness and go too deep."
Kion chuckles slightly.
"Something tells me you tried that with mom before Kiara and I were born," Kion noted, knowing that his mother can be snappish at times, and Kiara carries after her sometimes unfortunately. His mother and his sister are very straightforward and wouldn't agree to anything without asking questions which tends to get either annoying or just enough to make one chuckle.
"Oh, yes, until your mother basically told me to grow up," Simba replied with a slight chuckle. "Just listen to me, Kion, your sister is a lot like your mother sometimes, and unless you want to avoid an angry lioness, you best get something classic or she will know something is up."
"You got that right," another voice was heard from behind and he and his father turned to see Nala walking up to Pride Rock, blue eyes gleaming as always, a smile on her lips. "Son, you cannot conceal anything from a lioness. Kiara and Zuri are not weak-minded lionesses. Remember when Kiara demanded a certain something from her father."
"Oh yes, I just wanted to give it to her as a surprise, and yet that didn't work to perfection," Simba replied with a sigh, rolling his eyes as he remembered Kiara pulling rank over him and proving to be a lot like her mother.
"Oh yes, but you love me for it," Nala said affectionately, leaning in for her mate.
"You got that right," he agreed.
"Mom! Dad! Stop with the lovey dubby!" Kion yelled, having witnessed them getting in this state many times before which had spiked his annoyance greatly. Seeing that they were avoiding him, Kion sighs with annoyance, rolling his eyes, before turning and walking away, releasing another sigh as he could practically hear their loving moans but trying his hardest to avoid it. "Okay, I guess I will try asking Rafiki then. It's less awkward and not having to worry about ruining a lovey dubby moment."
"Hey, Rafiki?" Kion asked, shaking the tree with his paws and standing on his hind legs. "Rafiki!"
Seconds later, the mandrill emerged. "What! U-" It was then he had noticed Kion. "Ah, Prince Kion, what is the leader of the Lion Guard doing without any Outlanders' attack?" Rafiki inquired, grabbing onto a log with his paw to ensure he doesn't fall but also looking somewhat tired.
"Well, I'm searching for a present for my sister and-and?" And what? Zuri wasn't exactly his girlfriend yet she wasn't just a normal friend. They had certainly kissed a few times and would occasionally give each other licks across the muzzles.
"My friend," he decided to say.
"I'm not an expert on presents, Kion, but if you want to get a present for your sister and friend, get some flowers. I have happened to have beautiful flowers."
Kion sighs, "Flowers are irrelevant. Why does everyone keep suggesting I give them flowers?"
"What comes from the heart matters most, Kion, no matter what present you give."
Kion thought about that for a moment and sighed. What else can he give them? He should just go out to the field and give them flowers. Hopefully, this won't be wrong.
It was the day, and Kion decided to just give his sister and his friend, following the order of his father, mother, and Rafiki.
"Here, Kiara and Zuri, I got this for you," Kion declares, giving them flowers, causing them to roll their eyes.
"So that's why you were anxious, huh?" Kiara teased.
"Your mother told us about it," Zuri declared, a kind but teasing smirk coming on her lips.
Kion rolled his eyes.
"Oh, I need a vacation."
Arthur's note: Merry Christmas!