KawaiiCutie12: Pray for Nala...nothing happened to her, she's just a backstabber😂

Chapter 6:

As the Pride Lands and Mountain Lands lions ate the kill, they socialized with one another.

"You guys seen Nala?" Chumvi asked.

Simba rolled his eyes. "Where else?"

They all turned their heads to see Nala laughing at something Tama said. Nala turned to their direction, and he quickly looked away with flushed cheeks.

"Well I say she needs to share Nala!" Kula cried.

The cubs stared at Kula with raised brows.

"Kula...Nala's a living cub; if she wants to hang out with Tama that's her choice," Malka explained.

"I still think she's a friend-stealer!" Kula declared.

The cubs shook their heads, despite the bits of truth in her statement.

'Where's 'Tani?" Tojo wondered.

"She's over there with Kovu and Kiara," Chumvi said, pointing a claw.

"At least something good came out of their stay here," Kula muttered.

She didn't catch the frown Malka tossed her way, and the cubs put their conversation on pause to continue eating.

"I missed ya, 'Tani."

Vitani decided to play with her twin and his best friend. Despite not being super close to Kiara, the two lioness cubs still got along and considered each other family.

"Same here, Kiara," she answered with a smile.

"Hey, hurry up, sissies!" they heard Kovu call out.

"We're coming, mama's boy!" Vitani called back, earning a laugh from Kiara.

"You're so mean," Kiara chuckled.

Vitani cheekily grinned. "Nah, I'm an awesome twin."

Vitani looked up ahead, then back to Kiara. "Race ya there!"

"Hey!"

Giggling, Kiara ran after her and caught up with Kovu.

Nala hummed as she trotted along. After lunch, she spent a bit of time with her mother, before meeting Tama for their girl getaway.

Catching sight of her, she smiled and sped up-

"RAH!"

Nala fell to the floor, and she turned to see her attacker.

Simba was on the floor laughing at the ordeal. "Hah, I gotcha Nala!" he cried.

Nala shot him an irritated look. "Cut it out, Simba, you're so childish!"

Simba's laughter died down and he frowned at Nala. "What's up with you? Don't you wanna play?" he asked.

Nala turned around and caught up with her friend. "I do, but not with you."

"Hi, Nala! I can't wait to see this place!" Tama stated as her and Nala ran up the path.

What? Nala wants to take Tama to a secret place but not me? Simba thought to himself.

Following them in, he kept his eyes on them.

What could be stuck in a pile of rocks? I'm sure I'd know about it by now! Simba was thinking.

"I discovered it some time back, Tama!" he heard Nala say, "Actually, I walked by it again last night, but I hadn't gone fully in yet..."

Woah! There's a gap exposed between the rocks! Simba thought.

Following them deeper, he stared at what was in front of him.

"...Because I thought it'd be nice to explore together with you!" Nala finished.

Tama's eyes widened in awe. "This is totally insane!"

The lioness cubs ran deeper into the valley, commenting on everything they saw; Simba walked in after them.

Woah, what a view! Simba stared in awe.

"I've never seen such beautiful flowers, have you?" Tama asked.

"Me neither! This place is like paradise!" Nala answered.

Flowers, butterflies, blah blah blah. That girl's so annoying, Simba glowered.

Suddenly he heard a gasp, and fearing it was Nala, he looked up and moved ahead.

"Are these hot springs?" Tama turned to Nala.

Nala's eyes widened as she nodded vigorously, grinning from ear to ear.

Tama couldn't believe her eyes. "Nala...I...you're such an awesome friend!"

Nala bumped her head then motioned with it. "Well, let's go!"

Racing towards them, Simba just stared at the two, trying to drown out their laughter.

So this is where the hot springs are! Simba thought. Wait...didn't she promise 'Tani she'd be the first to go with her?

Flashback:

The cubs were enjoying the breeze in the grassy fields while the adults hung near Pride Rock.

"Wanna play 'I Spy'?" Simba suggested.

"Nah," the others answered.

"You guys are no fun," Simba groaned.

"No, your suggestions are no fun" was Vitani's cheeky remark.

The other cubs snickered, while Simba blew a raspberry at her.

"Well, I wanna play 'gazelles and lions'! Who's with me!" Kula cried.

Chumvi, Tojo, and Kovu stood up and followed Kula, leaving Simba with Nala and Vitani.

"Hm, maybe if we had a dirt rolling contest..." Simba wondered out loud.

The lioness cubs laughed.

"Boys will be boys, right Nala?" she asked.

Nala chuckled. "Yeah. You know, we need a girls-only day away at the hot springs, just you and I."

"We don't have hot springs," Simba frowned.

Shoot! I forgot he was there! Nala thought.

"Well...if I do discover some, I promise you'll be the first to go with me." Nala winked at a grinning Vitani.

"Yeah!"

Nala and Vitani high-fived, and soon played their own little game.

End flashback:

Sneaking out, he raced to wherever his cousin was.

Vitani had invited Kula to play with her and the other two. She had to admit, despite not being incredibly close to Kula before, she sure enjoyed spending time with her.

Right now, the two were seated underneath a tree while Kovu and Kiara ran around.

"And you guys say I'm energetic," Kula laughed.

Vitani laughed as well, but it almost seemed...forced?

Kula sensed it too, and put a paw on her shoulder. "Hey, what's wrong?"

Blinking back tears she didn't realize had formed, she smiled. "Oh, nothing! I just...kinda got lost in my thoughts."

"Oh, okay!" Kula stated, "well, what do you wanna do?"

"Well-"

"Tani!"

The girls turned to see Simba running towards them.

"Oh, hey, Simba! You need something?" Vitani asked.

"Well, um..." Simba didn't know how to break it to her.

"What is it? You can tell me," Vitani assured him.

Simba sighed. Okay, here it goes. He locked eyes with Vitani. "Nala took Tama to the hot springs."

Vitani didn't say anything for a moment. She stared at Simba and scanned him all over. Then, to his surprise, she laughed.

"Yeah, right. Nala wouldn't break her promise to me," she finally responded.

Simba shook his head. "No, 'Tani, I'm serious! Come with me and I'll show you!"

She was still doubtful, but nonetheless got up and joined Simba.

"I'll be back, Ku'," Vitani stated.

"Okay!" she answered.

Following Simba, Vitani's thought were swirling. Nala wouldn't lie to me, would she? Yeah she's been spending more time with Tama, but that wouldn't affect our friendship.

Would it?

"Take a look for yourself."

Simba's voice snapped Vitani back, and she slowly made her way into the gap.

This is a really nice place, Vitani thought. I wonder when Nala-

Laughter broke through and the tufted cub followed the noise. Walking a bit further, she turned and caught sight of not just Nala, but Tama sitting in the hot springs. The two were chatting like best friends or-dare she say it-sisters, cheery and not a care in the world.

Vitani felt sick at heart. She lied. And she brought Tama to the hot springs instead of me.

"Tani?"

She slowly turned to see Simba now inches behind her. She couldn't form words; even if she could, what was there to say?

Nala gestured with her paw for Tama to go. She got up and shook her fur off, then turned her head.

Immediately locking eyes with the duo.

Busted! the cousins thought.

They watched as Nala's eyes widened, and her cheeks slowly turned red.

Oh, no! Nala's heart lurched when shs saw the two. Wait...what's Simba doing here?

It didn't matter why they were here. What mattered was that they knew she lied. Oh man, how am I gonna explain this?

She knew Tama was busy deep cleansing her coat. Since she hadn't exactly been doing so lately, it would take her some time.

Taking a deep breath, she let her body go into auto-mode and made her way over to the royal cousins.

No one said anything. Vitani's mouth was slightly agape.

Nala couldn't stand the silence anymore. "I guess you both want to know the same thing, huh?"

"Uh, yeah, we do." Simba folded his forelegs and nodded.

"Well first off, it's a place I found one day," Nala answered, "I didn't plan on telling anyone but 'Tani about it at first."

"Were you gonna tell us eventually?" Simba hopefully asked.

Nala hesitated, then shook her head. She wasn't about to lie again. "I wanted to keep it a secret between her and I, but I mistakenly brought it up to Tama."

"But why did you lie?" Vitani sounded more upset than angry.

"Yeah, I don't get it. We could've all came together and had fun!" Simba added.

"Actually, no we couldn't." Nala sighed. "Tama didn't want you guys to come."

"What?" Vitani demanded, "What do you mean she didn't want us to come?"

"Tama doesn't feel too comfortable being around new cubs," she explained.

"She didn't have any trouble when we were playing games in the den," Simba brought back.

"That's different. She knew most of them for a good chunk of her life."

Nala sighed. "Look, I'm really sorry. But Tama hasn't really had any fun since she came out here; I was just worried if you guys came, she'd clam up and wouldn't enjoy herself.I know that's no excuse for lying, but I didn't want to hurt your feelings by telling you you couldn't come."

There was a long pause. Then Simba sighed.

"Okay." he nodded. "I guess you were just trying to help Tama. But you could have told us the truth up front, Nal'. We would've understood. Don't lie to any of us again, okay?

"Promise! Absolutely not ever again!" Nala was relieved that Simba understood. But then she glanced at Vitani.

Vitani still looked totally furious-and totally hurt.

Getting Vitani to forgive me isn't going to be that easy, though, Nala thought.

Simba stepped aside as Nala moved closer to Vitani. "I'm really sorry about this, 'Tani."

"But you said it'd be our secret." Vitani folded her forelegs. "And you brought Tama instead-and left me out!"

"I know, but it's not that simple." Nala couldn't remember a time where she had felt this awful. She had to make her friend see her side of it somehow. "I know you want Tama to start liking the Pride Lands. And you want her to be your friend, too, right?"

Vitani hesitated, then nodded slightly.

"Well, I just thought that having a good time might help Tama feel better about being away from home and stuff," Nala explained. "So she'd warm up and want to make more friends. Like you. Understand?"

"Yeah." Vitani sighed. "I guess."

"So you won't stay mad at me-or Tama, will you?" Nala asked.

"No." Vitani shook her head and lowered her gaze.

Nala could tell Vitani was still upset. But at least she's not totally furious with me!

Vitani wandered out of the den with Simba.

"How about we do more exploring?" Simba offered.

"Okay," Vitani mumbled, even though her mood was ruined. Something inside her felt absolutely awful.

Nala is here with Tama instead of me, she thought, when she promised I would be the first to go with her long before Tama came around.

She says it's because she's really concerned about Tama and her feelings. But it seems like Nala doesn't care about my feelings. Or about any of us!

Kula was now by the den with Chumvi, Malka, and Tojo. Kovu and Kiara were sitting in Scar's den, away from everyone else, while the other Mountain Lands cubs played around the waterhole area.

"I just don't know what I'm doing wrong," Kula vented. "I know I accidentally knocked her over, but does she hate me that much over a little mistake?"

Chumvi sighed. "I don't know, Kula, maybe she's sensitive."

Kula turned to the Mountain Lands prince. "Malka?"

Malka sighed. "Listen...I can't you guys her business, but I can tell you guys this: she's not usually this aggressive."

"But if she opens up to us then we can help her!" Kula argued. "You know that, right?"

Malka gave her a reassuring smile. "I know, Kula. Give her some time. She'll warm up to you eventually."

Kula's eyes twinkled. "Thanks, Malka."

Hugging him, the two ignored the pair of burning eyes directed at them.

KawaiiCutie12: Mm Mm MM. Nala, the definition of a bad friend😬. And poor Kula; she just wants to be Tama's friend😞

Welp, hopefully you guys enjoyed this, and as always give your opinions!

QOTC: If "cancel culture" existed in the lion king universe, do you think Nala would be cancelled right about now?

See you in the next chap! 😚