KawaiiCutie12: The tension is real I see. Nala's not very well liked right now, and it's what she deserves😌That's a bit brutal, but hey, what you give is what you get

+Yumerio Patissiere Lover: Thanks❤Yeah Simba's sweet when he wants to be

Chapter 8:

The next morning seemed no different. The Pride Lands cubs and sat in the den in a circle, while the Mountain Lands cubs were outside; this time, Vitani had invited Beleco(1), a lioness cub from the Mountain Lands, to join them. She had a creamy brown coat lighter than Tama's but darker than Nala's (with the acception of a creamy white patch on her head that stopped just between her eyes), her eyes seemed to be her own beautiful shade of green, and despite just meeting her, they could tell she had a heart of gold.

"I had this crazy dream," Kula began, "I was walking throught the Pride Lands late at night, and I came across this freshly killed zebra. It was so plump and juicy and I couldn't control myself. But the minute I went to dig in, it somehow came back to life, kicked me in the head, and then ran off! Can you believe that?"

The gang didn't know what to make of that dream.

"It's um...different," Tojo finally decided.

"Yeah, very, um, interesting," Simba seconded.

"I knew so! What about you guys?" Kula looked around the circle, laying her eyes on the cream, emerald-eyed lioness cub.

Beleco sheepishly smiled. "Well-"

"Hey, guys."

The group grew silent and turned to see Nala standing just a foot or two behing Beleco.

No one said anything; they were surprised to see that she was not only there, but without Tama in sight.

"You...guys mind if I join?" she hesitantly asked.

Kula patted a spot next to her and Nala sat down. The atmosphere was now tense and awkward; no one wanted to say anything, but they also loathed the silence that had make itself home.

"So..." Kula didn't know what to say.

"What were you guys talking about?" Nala wondered.

"Stuff" was Beleco's quick reply.

"Oh...what kind of stuff?" she pried a bit more.

"Nothing exciting," Tojo answered.

Nala nodded. She felt a bit uncomfortable, but didn't want to push it any further; she also noticed Simba and Vitani were totally ignoring her.

"You guys wanna play hide-and-seek?" Nala asked.

This time, Simba's amber orbs locked eyes with her ocean orbs. "No, we don't."

Nala frowned. What's their deal?

"Why are you guys acting so weird?" she asked.

Simba stormed off to where Malka was. Nala watched him leave before turning to the girls.

"Well, I'm gonna go play with Kovu and Kiara," Vitani stated. She got up and left without uttering a single word to either one of them.

"Yeah, uh, maybe I should join her." Beleco got up and followed after Vitani.

I guess she's still a bit mad at me, Nala reasoned.

She then turned to Kula, who was eyeing her weirdly. "I know I've been distant lately but...do you wanna spend some time together, just you and I?" Kula continued eyeing her, before nodding her head.

Walking out the den, Nala's mind raced until it dawned on her. I was too busy trying to stop Tama's panic attack, the promise I made to Simba completely slipped my mind! How did I manage to-

"Nala!"

"Huh! What!"

She shook her head to see Kula, now seated, staring up at her.

"What's wrong, are you okay?" Kula asked.

"Oh, yeah! I just had some stuff on my mind," Nala reassured her.

Kula looked at her. "Nala, you know you can talk to me; we've been friends since we were babies."

Nala couldn't help but smile at that. At least Kula doesn't hate me.

"I know, but it's nothing. Really. Now tell me what I've missed out on," she egged her on.

Now ecstatic, Kula spilled everything. To the normal Pride Lands shenanigans, to an entirely random argument between the Mountain Lands cubs.

"Wow, I really need to be around more," a wide-eyed Nala commented.

"Yeah, I missed you." Kula hugged Nala. "Don't get me wrong, 'Tani's practically a sister to me, but I've barely seen you lately."

A pang of guilt struck as she hugged Kula back. As much as she wanted to beam at Kula's words, all she could think about was the look on Simba's face.

"Hey, Kula, do you know where Simba went?" Nala asked.

Pulling away, Kula frowned and shook her head. "I wouldn't bother him, either; he seems pretty upset."

Damn...I gotta fix this. Nala got up from her position. "I'll be right back, Kula."

Trotting away, she scanned the area for Simba. So far she was having no luck, and it almost seemed like he was hiding from her.

"Simba?" she called out.

No response.

"Simba?" she shouted again, a little louder this time.

Still no response.

Just as she was ready to give up, she found Simba lying under a large acacia tree. Chuckling at the sleepy sight, she trotted over to him.

"Simba?" she nuzzled him.

He grunted and batted her away at first.

Typical Simba, Nala chuckled to herself.

Nuzzling him more, her nerves increased as he slowly came to.

"Huh, wha-" Realizing who was in front of him, he growled. " 'the rest of the day together', huh?"

"Simba, let me explain-"

"No, Nala, I don't want another lame excuse. If you'd rather spend your time with Tama than me, then I won't bother you again-for anything!" Nose in the air, he turned and marched towards Pride Rock.

Nala's shoulders sagged. "Oh, come on, Simba!"

Ignoring her, he stormed away, leaving a hurt Nala. Trudging back to Kula, it didn't take long for her to go into motherly mode.

"Nala, what happened? What'd he say?" Kula began bombarding her.

"I...I...I need some time alone," she finally stated.

Kula got the hint and backed off. "Oh...okay."

Nala stopped in her lifeless tracks, and turned back to the brown lioness cub. "Listen, I promise later on, we can ask on of our moms to do a quick hunt training lesson together."

Kula immediately lit up, and she nodded vigorously. "See you then, Nal'!"

Nala halfheartedly smiled, before making her way over to the waterhole.

Kula watched her go with worried eyes. I wonder what Simba said to her. She looks really upset.

Deciding it'd be best to leave her alone and give her some space, she went in search for Beleco and Vitani.

I so can't do this.

My stomach feels weird, and my head's whirling.

Everything's a blur.

My chest hurts. What's going on with me?

Oh no...I'm gonna puke...maybe not.

I'm shaking.

What's wrong with me?

I wanna go home.

Daddy, what were you thinking? You knew I didn't want to leave the Mountain Lands.

I seriously need to lie down before I do get sick.

I literally can't do this..

Vitani was having the time of her life with Beleco. She made the right choice in approaching the cub, and was so lucky to consider her a close friend already.

"So, are you a Mountain Lands native?" Vitani asked.

Beleco shook her head. "My mom was stopping by just for a short time, but since they were ready to head over here, my parents thought it'd be best for me to spend time with the cubs."

Vitani nodded. So they're rogues. Hmm...maybe I can get them a spot here.

"I know you weren't there for long, but how do you like the Mountain Lands?" Vitani wondered.

Beleco didn't answer for a minute. Sighing she looked at Vitani. "Honestly...the adults seem nice, but the cubs..."

"What do you mean?" Vitani had a feeling she know what she meant, but wanted to hear her say it.

"For one, Malka had came up to me and was trying to talk to me. We started talking and laughing together, then all of a sudden some hair tufted cub came outta nowhere and butted in on our conversation; when I tried to join back in, she just kept ignoring me."

Tama's attitude needs to go, Vitani thought. She's gonna chase everyone away.

"You mean Tama? Yeah, I don't know what her deal is." Vitani rolled her eyes. "Don't worry about her; you're an awesome girl, and I'm glad we're friends."

Beleco beamed. "Same here; thanks, 'Tani."

Vitani grinned at her. "Anytime, Bel'."

Rolling on their backs, the two continued to enjoy their time together.

"Hey, termites."

The two looked up to see Nuka and Dotty.

"That's my brother, Nuka," Vitani introduced him, "and that's his...special friend, Dotty."

She turned to the teens. "This is Beleco."

She offered a shy smile. "Hey, guys."

The teens looked at her.

"Wait, your's names Bell-a-koo?" Nuka frowmed in confusion.

Beleco actually burst out laughing at this; wiping her eyes, she looked at the two. "No, Bel-ay-so. It's Esperanto."

"Ohh," the teens said in unison. before laughing at the misunderstanding.

The cubs joined in before the teens sat with them.

"So, you guys enjoying the get-together?" Dotty asked.

The lioness cubs' smiles faltered a bit, and Vitani sighed. "Well...it's okay."

"Yeah, nothing really crazy's happened," Beleco added in.

Nuka looked down at the cubs. "You guys wanna go exploring?"

Their eyes lit up and they nodded.

Laughing at their enthusiasm, Nuka stood up. "Okay, but stay behind us at all times, okay?"

"Okay," the two agreed, following after him.

Feeling better, Nala had reunited with Kula. The two were walking through the fields, and despite the silence, Nala was grateful to have her.

Hunt training is so soon! I can't wait to test out my new skills on Nala! Kula thought.

"Hey, Kula, can we talk real quick?"

Nala's voice popped Kula's thought bubble. Surprised by the sudden question, she nodded her head.

"I know I've been spending a lot of time with Tama, but you know I love you guys to death right?" Nala asked. "I mean, you guys are my family."

It sure doesn't seem like it, Kula wanted to say.

Instead, she forced a grin and nodded. "Yeah, I know. It's okay to be friends with her too, ya know."

Nala smiled at that. "Thanks, that means a lot to me."

Continuing their walk, the two picked up their conversation and even ended up by the waterhole.

Kula stopped walking and turned to Nala. "Hey, thank for coming with me today. I missed doing this."

Nala looked away and rubbed her head. "Well-"

"Nala!"

The two turned to see Malka racing towards them.

"Malka, what is it?" Nala asked.

"It's Tama! She's..." he trailed off, noticing Kula. "She's, um...she needs you!" he finally blurted.

Nala understood, and followed after Malka.

"I'll find you when hunt training starts!" Kula called out to her.

Nala stopped in her tracks and turned back and bit her lip. "I'm sorry, Kula, I won't be able to be there. I've gotta help Malka with Tama."

Kula's jaw dropped. "But, you promised me we'd be together!" Kula cried.

Nala sighed, placing a paw on her shoulder. "I know, Kula. But this...is important," she carefully selected her words.

"Nala, we always do hunt training together!" Kula protested.

Nala looked at Kula apologetically. "How about this? You tell me all about it when you finish."

Turning away, she trotted in the same direction Malka headed.

Kula felt pain in her chest. 'Tani was right. She does like Tama better than she likes us!

KawaiiCutie12: So...lesson of the day: Don't make promises you can't keep.In all honesty, I type out what I can see them saying, and tnen I fill in the gaps as I right: another reason why I'm updating this quicker than ever.

Voice:

Beleco~Lilia Buckingham's voice

Hope you guys enjoyed the chap, an as always let me know what you think down below.

See ya next time! 👋