KawaiiCutie12: Well, looks like there's a little overt resentment towards Nala (I mean, who can blame 'em?) Let's see how Nala will mess up-I mean, what will happen in this chap. Guess we'll see 👁👄👁
+DJ: Well, her father would never lay a paw on his babygirl😅but I 10000% agree; unless someone's being rude to you first, there's no excuse to being rude to people...
Chapter 7:
Simba really knows to to cheer someone up.
Vitani's mood had lifted up a great amount after spending some time with Simba. The two were ready to go to bed, and they wasted no time into heading to bed.
"Hey, wanna crash with me for the night?" Simba offered.
Vitani nodded. "Let me let my parents know."
Running off, she went to find her parents. They were in the midst of scolding Nuka.
"It wasn't like that, really!" they heard Nuka insist.
"Oh, really? Because Kovu said you were on top of her" was Scar's response of disbelief.
As the argument went back and forth, Simba and Vitani looked to each other.
"Ya know...I don't think they'll care that much," Vitani stated
The two turned and headed towards Pride Rock.
A thought crossed Simba's head and he turned to Vitani. "Race ya up the steps!"
Giggling, Vitani ran after her cousin.
As annoying as he can be, I'm glad he's my cousin.
"Ha, I win!"
She watched as Simba blew her a raspberry, and she playfully growled. "Whatever, tubby."
"It's time for bed you two."
The cubs turned to see Sarabi grinning at them.
"Hey, can 'Tani crash here with us?" Simba asked
Sarabi placed her head in a paw. "Simba, she's family. You both know she, along with Nuka and Kovu, can come up here anytime."
Vitani beamed and nuzzled her leg. "Thanks, Auntie 'Rabi."
Sarabi licked her head. "Of course, beautiful. Now come on, you two."
Following the queen inside, the two immediately snuggled up against the king and queen, and went into a world of slumber.
The sun was now high in the sky, and everyone had just finished eating the afternoon hunt. While the other cubs ran throughout the fields, Simba decided to walk on his own. As much as he loved his friends and cousins, beling alone was so refreshing.
"Hi, Simba."
He turned to see Nala standing in front of Pride Rock, a small smile on her muzzle.
He's barely seen Nala these past days, so to say he was surprised was an understatement. "Hey, Nala. What are you up to?"
"Waiting for Tama," Nala answered.
"You're gonna spend time with Tama again?" Simba squeaked.
Nala sighed and put a paw on his shoulder. "When I get back, you and I can spend the rest of the day together. Just like always."
Nala's tone sounded genuine, but the incident before crept back in. "Cross your heart and promise you will?" Simba asked.
Nala took Simba's paw in hers. "Nothing will keep me away."
"So-why's Tama acting so weird?" he asked.
Nala bit her lip. "I'm sorry, Simba, I can't tell you; I promised Tama I'd keep it between us."
"But I'm your best friend," Simba argued. "I won't tell anyone, really!"
Nala heard her name being called in the distance. "Sorry, I've gotta go. Are you okay, Simba?" she asked.
Simba slightly nodded.
"Well, see ya later!" Nala nuzzled his head, catching him off guard.
Maybe Nala's realized her mistake. I can't wait to hang out with my best friend again.
Kula had ran into Vitani and asked if she wanted to hang out. Despite her answer Kula sense something was off.
"Are you okay, V?" Kula asked.
"Huh? Oh yeah, I'm fine," Vitani forced a grin.
Kula didn't buy the act. "I won't tell anyone."
Well, what do I have to lose? Vitani thought.
Leading her towards her parent's den, she sat down inside. Making themselves comfortable, Vitani took a deep breath.
"Nala likes Tama better than us," Vitani stated glumly.
This wasn't the answer Kula expected. Kula pulled her face into a slight frown. "Well, what makes you say that?" she inquired.
"Well, not only did she bail on me, she even took Tama to our secret place, when she promised me that I'd be the first to go with her."
Kula felt a hint of betrayal, but quickly brushed it off. "Oh...yeah I guess that is pretty bad."
"Exactly! What real friend does that?" Vitani questioned.
"Where is she now?" Kula asked.
"With Tama, again." Vitani rolled her eyes. "There's nothing special about her, so why's she spending so much time with her?"
Kula didn't have an answer for that. What she did know was that Nala was slowly changing.
And she didn't like that.
"Well...I'm gonna play with Chumvi." Not waiting for a response, she walked out of the den.
Vitani frowned, but soon realized her mistake.
I shouldn't have said that. I didn't mean to hurt her feelings. I better go find her.
Getting up, she trotted out the den in search for the bubbly lioness cub.
"And then we had this totally awesome feast, and oh my gosh you would've so loved it!"
The two were back in Nala's secret den. Having nowhere else to go, Nala suggested the spot.
"That sounds amazing!" Nala cheered. "Ya gotta bring me along."
"Hey, anything for my best girl," Tama grinned.
She adjusted her position before opening her mouth again. "So like, I can come to you about anything, right?"
Nala nodded. "Anything at all."
Tama ran a paw through her tuft. "It's just...it's a little embarrassing."
Nala looked at her. "It's only us there, Tama."
Tama sighed, and leaned in towards Nala. "How do you know when you're...ready?"
Nala frowned, puzzled. Realizing what she meant, she turned to Tama. "Well...my mom said that once you're older, you'll start to feel these changes in your body. Eventually, your body will let you know when it's time to...well...have cubs."
Tama understood. Despite her embarrassment, she looked up and thanked Nala for the explanation.
"Hey, don't be so uncomfortable. We're both girls ya know," Nala pointed out.
"I know it's just I never really had the chance to talk about it, if that makes sense," Tama answered.
"No, I understand," Nala reassured her.
Tama didn't say anything, but she couldn't help the warm feelings within. Nala's really a great friend. It's no wonder she's so liked by everyone.
Nala rolled over so that she was on her stomach. "Are you okay?"
Tama furrowed her brows. "What do you mean?"
Nala wasn't sure how to put it, so she went right out and said it. "It's just, you've been kinda up and down lately, and I just wanna check in with you."
Tama's face dropped a bit, and she puffed her tuft. "It's just..."
Nala knew. She put a paw on Tama's shoulder and massaged it. "You don't have to hide anything from me."
"My dad barely even spends time with me," she quietly added.
Tama buried her face in her forelegs. Nala just stayed by her side and massaged her shoulders.
It must be hard for Tama to come second to her father's royal duties, Nala thought. It's safe to say she definitely feels more alone right now.
"You know, I'm sure your dad doesn't like being away from you anymore than you do," she tried to reason with her.
"I know, but that doesn't change anything," Tama rebutted, "he's still gone most of the time."
Nala couldn't argue with that. But I can still help, Nala reminded herself.
"I'm not your dad, Tama, but I'll spend time with you. So you're not alone so much; just say a time, and I'm there!"
"Really?" Tama slightly lit up
Nala smiled. "Of course!"
Remembering something, she dropped her cheery state. "Well...are you free three days from now?"
Nala nodded. "Just out of curiosity...what's three days from now?" Nala hesitantly asked.
"There's this...thing back home, and...I don't know if I..." Tama trailed off, suddenly feeling her head spin.
Nala pulled Tama's head to her shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll be there."
I know I'm doing the right thing, Nala assured herself. Sticking by Tama's side was more important than messing around in the Pride Lands, even if it meant ditching her old friends.
They'll understand. Won't they?
Nuka and Dotty chuckled at the sight of Vitani and Malka playfully bantering with one another. To everyone's surprise, they had grown really close as well, and it made them all happy to see Vitani had another boy best friend.
"She looks so happy," Dotty commented.
"Yeah, I'm glad she's happier now," Nuka agreed.
Dotty turned to Nuka. "How much trouble did you get into?"
Nuka sat up. "Trouble? What are you talking about?"
Dotty gave him a look. "I saw you and your Dad arguing. And I overheard him saying that you were on top of me."
Nuka exhaled. Why do I even bother?
"Kovu saw us and well..." heat flushed to Nuka's cheeks. "It looked like something else."
Dotty's own cheeks flushed at the thought. "Oh, um...wow..."
"Yep..."
Red-faced, the teens looked away from each other.
"Well...he, uh, clearly knows it wasn't anything else, right?" Dotty choked out.
"Now he does," Nuka just as awkwardly forced out.
An uncomfortable moment of silence passed, before Dotty got up.
"Where ya headed?" Nuka asked, worried she didn't want to be near him anymore.
Dotty didn't say anything for a moment. No later did a playful grin appear on her face; she prodded Nuka in the shoulder.
"You're it!"
Laughing, she ran away from him. Nuka stared in shock and amusement, before getting up to chase after her as well.
"Oh man, you're a fast swimmer!"
After a bit of alone time, Vitani found Kula and the two talked things out; soon after, the girls joined up with Chumvi, Tojo, and Malka to have a swimming contest. Despite only stopping a quarter of the waterhole, Malka was no match for the spunky lioness cub.
Vitani smirked. "I get it from my parents."
"Yeah, 'Tani's the water queen," Kula hyped her up.
The girls smiled and nudged each other.
"Well, better luck next time, Malka," Chumvi patted him on the back.
"It's getting a bit late," Tojo noted. "Let's hang at the den."
Conversing, the cubs walked towards Pride Rock.
He waited.
And waited.
And waited.
But she still didn't show up.
The gold lion cub didn't want to admit she stood him up as well, but where else could she be?
"Simba?"
He turned to see his dad staring down at him with a small smile on his muzzle.
"Oh, hey Dad," Simba greeted him.
"It's late, son. Come to bed," Mufasa motioned him over.
Simba didn't have it in him to argue. Sighing, he followed his father into the den, an off feeling within.
I don't believe it. She ditched me, her best friend, for Tama! I see where we stand now.
He drifted off to sleep, but instead of dreaming happy thoughts, he was filled with rage.
KawaiiCutie12: Okay I'm sorry but if you support Nala's actions then yikes😬. I was feeling a little motivated, hence the really quick update. As always, let me know what you guys think, and I'll see you guys next time.
See ya later, angelators👼❤