KawaiiCutie12: I don't think I've ever updated a story faster. I'm just so excited about this one, and the fact that I found the book that helped inspire me only increases that.

+Yumerio Patissiere Lover: Thank you❤️Truee

+Kelsey: I agree; Tama needs to not take her problems out on people, and Nala...she's a lost cause at the moment😪

Chapter 10:

Kula snuck back into the den. She managed to creep away from her dead asleep mother, but didn't realize how long she was at the waterhole for.

Shoot! Dear Kings please don't let my mom be awake. Please don't let my mom be awake! Kula prayed.

As she went to walk up to the Pride Landers' den, she involuntarily turned to peer into the guest den...

And wasn't the least bit surprised seeing Nala and Tama curled up together.

You love us to death, huh, Nala? You clearly love Tama more! Kula resentfully thought.

Marching back into the den, she vowed to never trust Nala again.

"And she promised me we'd do hunt training together!"

The sun was just beginning to rise, but it felt like morning to Vitani, Beleco, and Kula. At the moment, they were listening to Kula vent about what she saw.

"But noooo, napping away with Tama is so much more important huh!" Kula flopped down, letting out a sigh of irritation.

Beleco turned to Vitani. "Nala isn't...always like this, is she?"

Vitani sighed and shook her head. "That's why we're frustrated. Ever since her and Tama have been hanging out, she's changed."

Beleco put a paw on her shoulder. "Why don't you talk to her? She probably doesn't realize how you guys feel."

Vitani and Kula looked at each other, thinking about it.

"It's worth a shot, I guess," Kula stated.

Vitani didn't answer. She still couldn't get her brother's words out of her head.

"No real friend would put themselves in a position to lose you. Remember that."

"I, um...I need to think about it."

Without another word, Vitani got up and walked towards her den, leaving a worried Beleco and Kula.

"Did I say something wrong?" Beleco worriedly asked.

"No, you're fine," Kula reassured her. "It's just...Nala's been her rock for a long time, so the fact that she's replacing us stings."

"Oh." Beleco understood.

"Yeah..."

The air felt heavy, and neither knew what to say to fix the unintentional tension.

"Actually...I need to talk to Chumvi and Tojo about this. I'll catch up with you later, okay?"

"Yeah, sure thing!" Beleco nodded.

She watched as Kula ran off, before running off on her own as well.

What am I doing wrong? I know she's upset, but it's not my fault she's feeling bad.

Malka sauntered around the fields, the thoughts racing through his head.

"She can be pretty sarcastic and aggressive, but plain rude? That's not like her at all."

The Mountain Lands prince continued to walk around and gather his thoughts.

"Maybe Simba was right. Maybe I should just stop trying to-"

"Hey, Malka."

Turning his head, his eyes widened at who was standing behind him.

"Nala? What are you doing here?"

Nala walked up to him. "Well...I know my friends really hate me, and I was wondering if...well..."

"What is it?" Malka pressed on.

"If you could, maybe...get them to talk to me?" Nala hesitantly finished.

Malka stared at her, mouth wide open. "What? Nala, are you-no, no way. This is something you have to do on your own."

"But I can't!" Nala cried. "I can't convince them to hear me out."

Malka sighed, tired of the conversation. "Then there's your answer."

Malka walked off, not giving Nala a chance to even open her mouth.

Great, now he's against me too. Nala thought.

Sucking up her hurt, she walked away in search for her friend.

"So, are you excited to rule the Pride Lands?"

Despite being introduced to each other, Beleco and Simba didn't really bond with each other. With Vitani hanging out with Kovu and Kiara and Kula with the other Pride Lands cubs, this was the perfect opportunity for them to become good friends.

"Heck yeah! I get to do whatever I want, whenever I want, however I want, and to whoever I want."

Beleco giggled. "You got confidence. I like that."

Simba bashfully grinned. "Heh, thanks."

Beleco looked away, feeling heat rise to her face. "You're welcome."

"How are you enjoying the Pride Lands, Bel'?" Simba changed the subject.

Beleco nodded. "It's so beautiful! You're real lucky to get to rule a land like this! Malka's pretty lucky too."

Simba nodded. "Yeah, he's gonna be a great king."

"Mhm," Beleco agreed.

"Hey, you wanna go exploring beyond the northern border?" Simba asked, now excited, "it's really dangerous, but it's worth the adventure!"

Beleco's grin widened, and she followed after Simba.

"Pinned Ya!"

Not knowing what else to do, Nala and Tama settled for playing a good old game of Pinned Ya.

"Okay, I'm like, totally convinced you're cheating," Tama stated.

Nala laughed. "Nope, I'm just that skilled."

The two laughed, falling into a heap on the grass.

"I'm glad we met," Tama voiced. "You're literally such an awesome friend."

Nala balled up her paw into a fist. "Best girls forever?"

Tama grinned and bumped her paw against hers. "Best girls forever."

Lying back down, they basked in the sun, which was now higher than before.

"What do you think the lionesses will hunt today?" Nala asked.

"Hmm...I have a feeling it'll be zebra," Tama thoughtfully answered.

"Hm, good guess."

The two stared out into the field, taking in the scenery and enjoying each other's presence.

"You'll be able to eat, right?" Nala asked.

Tama gave her a reassuring smile. "Yeah, I'm okay. Thanks again for being by my side."

Nala shrugged. "Hey, you'd do the same for me."

Tama rested her head on hers. "Well, of course."

The sounds of the kings' roars snapped them out of their trance, and they quickly got up and trotted over.

"Man, I've been dying for some zebra!"

The cubs shook their head as Kula devoured her shared within seconds.

"Kula, honey, you're gonna get a stomachache."

The cubs turned to see Adia, Kula's mother, teasingly smiling at her cub.

Sheepishly rubbing her head, Kula chuckled. "Sorry, mama."

Everyone laughed, and Adia returned to join the lionesses.

"Your mom seems really nice, Kula," Beleco commented.

Kula's eyes widened. Then she went into a laughing fit. "That's a good one, 'Leco!"

Everyone joined in, and quickly recovered to finish their shares. Cleaning themselves up, Beleco looked back to see Vitani lagging behind.

"Hey, you okay?" she gently asked.

Vitani looked into Beleco's worried emeralds. "Hm? Oh, yeah, I'm fine."

Despite knowing her a short amount of time, she saw right through the girl.

"You can tell me, ya know," Beleco reassured her. "What goes between us stays between us."

Vitani warmly smiled. Mom and Daddy were right. Sometimes you do have to speak up first to find a great friend.

"It's just...what do I say to her? As long as Tama's around, she'll never listen," Vitani confided in her.

Beleco sat down and gestured Vitani to do the same. "Listen, it doesn't matter if Tama is there or not. You've gotta be firm with Nala, regardless if teat-sucker Tama opens her mouth." she then snickered. "Maybe she'll be too busy drinking milk that she won't have a chance to say anything."

The lioness cubs cracked up at the statement, and Vitani smiled. "Thanks, Bel', and you're right. I can't let some Mountain Lands teat-sucker ruin my friendship!"

Beleco patted her shoulder. "That's the spirit, 'Tani!"

"Yeah!" she cheered. "You rock, Beleco."

Beleco's cheeks went pink. "Well...you were the first friend I made. Of course I'm gonna be your rock."

Vitani placed a paw on hers. "And I'll be yours."

Squeezing each other's paws, the two stood up. "Come on, they left us behind."

"What traitors."

Laughing, the girls ran and tried to catch up with the rest of the gang, where they all spent a good amount of time playing.

The lions were sitting in fhe guest den, while their mates sunbathed on the rocks.

"The cubs never seem to run out of energy," Jahi chuckled.

"Try having twins," Scar commented.

"But your cubs-Vitani and Kovu, was it-are mature for their age and know when to calm down," Jahi pointed out.

Scar shrugged. "Fair enough."

"Regardless of who's crazy and who's not," Mufasa stated, "they're all getting along just well."

"Well, I sure hope so."

All of them turned to Waziri, who had a nonchalant look on his face.

"How's Tama doing now?" Jahi asked. "We've been here for a good week or two."

Waziri rubbed his light brown mane. "Malka told me she had a mental breakdown a day or two back...she's really not enjoying being away from home".

"Given your guys's...circumstances, or does she just not deal with change well?" Mufasa wondered.

"Well, it must be the circumstances," Waziri reasoned. "My precious Tama can tackle anything thrown her way. But this..."

Mufasa moved towards Waziri. "Well, that's not easy for anyone, let alone a young cub. She needs time, that's all."

"Maybe so...I'm just worried. I know she doesn't think so, but it wasn't easy for me either."

"I have no doubt Tama understands," Scar added in, "but do keep in mind she's only a cub."

"I suppose you're right," Waziri agreed.

"Now stop your moping, your mane's going to go gray!" Jahi cried.

The mes laughed, and moved on from the topic

"Ya know, I think I'm starting to enjoy being away."

Nala and-you guessed it-Tama were lounging on a large rock by the waterhole. The sun had just began to go down, despite it still looking bright out.

That's good to hear. I'm glad I could help!" Nala complimented.

"See, the thing is..." Tama trailed off, breaking eye contact.

Nala frowned, now puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"Look, you were really nice and all, but the truth is, I..."

"What? What is it?" Nala demanded.

Tama whipped her head back towards her. "Gotcha!"

"Tama!"

The girls burst into laughter and Nala batted Tama's shoulder. "I hate you!"

"Love you too, Nal'." Tama cheekily smiled.

Rolling her eyes, Nala grinned at the statement, and opened her mouth to respond.

"Nala."

Both paused the conversation to see Vitani staring at them. Tama immediately rolled her eyes and looked away; Nala, surprisingly, didn't share the same reaction.

"Oh, hey, 'Tani! What's-"

"I need to talk to you." Vitani immediately cut her off. Remembering Tama was in there, she quickly added in "alone."

Nala stood up, but quickly stole a glance at Tama. "Can't it wait-"

"No." Vitani once again cut her off. Beleco would be so proud right now.

She turned to Tama. "I'll be right back, Tam'."

Seeing as though she wasn't getting a response, Nala turned only to see Vitani had already started walking. Part of Nala wanted to just sit down and let her keep walking. The other half of her forced her legs on motion. Trying to keep up with her, she raced towards her.

"What do you need, 'Tani?" Nala asked, upon arriving there.

Vitani didn't say anything for a minute. Finally, she glanced up at Nala and looked into her eyes. "Are we still friends?"

Surprised, Nala nodded. "Of course."

Vitani didn't look convinced. "Are you sure? Because ever since Tama came around, you've been giving her all your attention."

Nala sighed. "Tani you're being unreasonable. Just because I've been hanging out with Tama doesn't mean we're not friends anymore."

Vitani narrowed her eyes. "It does when you're breaking promises."

"I said I was sorry!" Nala finally snapped. "Kings, how many more times do you want me to apologize?"

Vitani was slightly taken aback by her outburst, but quickly snapped back. "I don't want another lame apology, I just want you to stop breaking your promises for Tama. Why do you even hang out with her that much?"

"Because Tama's happy, that's why." Shaking her head, she turned away, but didn't make a move.

"Oh, right." Vitani rolled her eyes. "As long as Tama's happy. You don't care that your old friends aren't happy."

"Oh, I see. You're jealous," Nala bitterly confirmed.

"I'm not jealous!" Vitani's voice rose angrily. "you're the one who wants to spend all your time with toffee-nosed Tama-who's completely mean to everyone else."

"Tama's not toffee-nosed!" Nala quickly jumped to her defense. "She's just been going through a lot!"

Vitani just glared back at her; she hasn't felt that much anger in a long time.

"Well, since you like her so much, Tama can have you for as long as she wants." She turned away.

"Because I quit dealing with you!"

KawaiiCutie12: Vitani has had it! Okay, all of them have, but Vitani showed her who's boss.

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Until next time:

KawaiiCutie12 signing off! 😘