KawaiiCutie12: Vitani popped the hell off! I mean, someone had to do it. Let's see what'll happen in this chapter.

+izzymariee: Yesss 'Tani is a queen! 😌👑

+Dolicity: Thanks, I'm glad u are! 😘

+Guest: I will, don't worry😊❤

Chapter 11:

It was now later in the evening. The guys ran off, leaving Beleco and Kula on their own.

"Hey, you think 'Tani's okay? It's been a while," Beleco noted.

"I'm sure she's fine," Kula reassured her. "She probably made things right with Nala and is just spending time with her."

Beleco hopefully gave a slight nod, and got up from her position. "It's getting late. Maybe we should head into the den?"

Kula looked up at the sky and realized she was right. The lions would soon be calling them back to Pride Rock in a few minutes or so anyway.

"Yeah, you're right. Let's go."

Following Beleco, the two cubs trotted up to Pride Rock, and went to their respective dens.

Morning hit, and everything felt nice. It was a cool, breezy day, and good vibes were in the air.

Too bad I'm not looking forward to it.

Nala had tried to apologize to Vitani for their argument that morning. She really wanted to make up with her. When Vitani said that she quit dealing with her, Nala felt as if she'd just been punched in the stomach.

Vitani wouldn't listen to anything Nala had to say. She had gotten up, eaten, and ran off to play without uttering a single word to Nala.

"Hey, Nal', you okay?" Chumvi asked his friend. Tojo stayed silent, waiting for her answer.

Nala stared at them for a moment, then lowered her gaze. "Tani and I had a huge fight," she remorsefully admitted, "she's not talking to me."

"Really, what for?" Tojo, now intrigued, wondered.

"Long story short?" Nala sighed. "Vitani's jealous of Tama."

The boys shared a look with each other, before turning back to Nala.

"Are you that surprised?"

Nala looked to Chumvi, baffled by his question. "What do you mean?" she asked, to which he facepalmed.

"Oh come on; all that time you've been spending with Tama. Plus she's a little...harsh."

Tojo nodded in agreement. "Yeah. Think about it, Nala. You have been spending more time with Tama than any of us lately; why do you think Simba and Kula avoid you now?"

Nala squirmed a bit. "Well, I shouldn't let their jealousy affect my other relationships; besides, I had a good reason."

Chumvi raised an eyebrow. "And just what is that 'good reason'?"

"Tama really needs me. She isn't happy in the Pride Lands. And she's so homesick she keeps pushing the other cubs away; except me."

A bewildered look plastered itself onto Chumvi's face. "Isn't that a personal problem? I mean, the others were definitely trying to be her friends."

"Yeah, Nala," Tojo stated, "Tama could have friends if she wants them."

Nala sighed. "Kula was being a little...too friendly. Simba, well, Tama thinks he's always trying to one-up her, even though I told her he's just naturally competitive. As for Vitani..."

She stopped, and shook her head. "the joke was really insensitive, and she shouldn't have said it. Let's just leave it at that."

Chumvi sighed. "I hate to admit it but..." he turned to Tojo. "Nala's kinda got a point. Simba and Kula's extroverted nature can be a little overwhelming, and...even though it was super rude of her to tell Vitani to mate herself and then drop dead, you shouldn't joke like that with people you're not close to."

"Well...I guess you're right," Tojo finally agreed. "Not to mention we all laughed at the joke afterwards."

"Exactly." Nala felt a little better now that her friends understood the problem. "Plus Tama's father's always busy with helping Malka's parents. She really does need me right now."

"Well...why don't you two just hang out with us and the other Mountain Lands cubs?" Tojo suggested, despite being a little hesitant.

"Yeah!" Chumvi agreed. "Maybe if she sees that we're just normal cubs, she'll loosen up and gain her old friends and us."

Nala shook her head. "No, she doesn't really want to hang around anyone else now. Besides, we needed some girl time."

Chumvi shrugged, then threw another question at her. "What are you gonna do, then?"

"I'll do whatever I can to help Tama, and I'll keep trying to explain things to the three. Oh, speaking of which..." Nala looked both in the eye. "I won't be here tomorrow. There's something important at the Mountain Lands, and it's important I go."

Chumvi and Tojo shared the same thought: It's gotta do with Tama.

"Oh...okay...well, did you want us to let them know-"

"No!" Nala blurted. "I mean, I'll let them know after the event."

"Okay, we won't tell," Tojo promised.

"You have our word," Chumvu seconded.

Crushing them into a hug, she nuzzled their heads. "Thanks, you guys are the best!"

"N-No problem, N-Nala," Tojo forced out.

Letting go, she sheepishly grinned watching them catch their breath.

"Y-Ya know*gasp*the problem with them can be taken care of pretty easily," Chumvi realized. "Why don't you spend some time with them today?"

"Yeah!" Tojo agreed. "I'm sure Tama can go one day without seeing you

Nala felt bad about abandoning Tama. But then she thoughy about how much she wanted to make up with them.

I'll try-if they'll talk to me!

"Man, girl time at the waterhole is my new favorite."

Vitani and Kiara were swimming in the intermediate part of the waterhole. The two didn't spend so much time together, and since both Kula and Beleco were off bonding together, they took the opportunity to catch up.

"Yeah, so relaxing," Kiara agreed.

"So fun," Vitani seconded.

"And the best part..."

Kiara and Vitani grinned at each other. "No boys!"

Laughing, the cubs floated on their backs

"So what's up with you and my brother?" Vitani asked.

"N-Nothing! W-What are you talking about!" Kiara immediately demanded.

Kiara, Kiara, Kiara...

"Oh, really? Nothing at all?" She leaned closer. "Becauss if I didn't know any better, I'd say you have a crush."

Kiara's face burst red. "I don't! You don't know what you're talking about! You're crazy!"

"No, you're crazy...crazy for Kovu!" Vitani burst into laughter.

"No I'm not!" Kiara defended herself.

"Yeah, you are," Vitani cheekily countered.

"Am not," Kiara shot back.

"Are too."

"Am not."

"Am too."

"Am not."

"Are too."

"Am not."

"Are not."

"Am too-hey!"

Vitani laughed as Kiara realized her mistake. A flustered Kiara tried her best to fix it or take it back, but thay only made Vitani laugh harder.

"Sorry, Ki', I've missed messing with you," Vitani stated.

Kiara couldn't help but smile at that. "Same...I guess."

Vitani grinned, amd she paddled to the shore. Shaking her fur dry, she turned back to Kiara. "Come on, let's go find Kula and Beleco."

Grinning, Kiara repeated Vitani's actions and trotted alongside with her.

Simba watched in awe as Beleco showed him her hunting skills. For a one-year-old cub, she had fairly good experience.

"Looks like someone's been working hard," Simba stated.

Beleco bashfully rubbed her head. "Well, I don't know about that."

"Well, I do," Simba grinned. "I think you'll make the best huntress all across the Savannah!"

Beleco blushed furiously. "Simba, I-that means a lot to me. Thanks."

"Of course. I don't say things I don't mean," he countered.

Laughing, she sat next to him. "Yeah, I'm glad you're a real one."

Simba's nose was tinted red. "Same here..."

Feeling awkward, the two red-faced cubs looked anywhere but at each other.

He's such a sweetheart...and I'd be lying if I didn't say her was cute.

She's so nice, fun to be around, and her eyes are so pretty. They're not so dark like Kovu's but they're definitely darker than Uncle Scar's...

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

"I, uh..." Simba trailed off as well.

"I know Vitani was technically the first to talk to me, but..." she looked up at him. "You're the sweetest, and I'm so lucky I met a lion cub like you."

Simba's face reddened even more at the compliment. "Wow, uh...thanks, Beleco..I'm glad I met such a nice fun, upbeat, and honest lioness cub."

Beleco turned away. "Thank you..."

Simba turned to her. "So...one of these days...we should watch the sunrise together."

Beleco's eyes widened, and she vigorously nodded. "I'd love that."

Simba rubbed his head. "I thought you might."

There was now an even more awkward silence, and unbeknownst to either one, they were thinking the same thing:

What a pure soul.

With no warning from each other, the two shared a deep, but quick nuzzle. Realizing what they did, the two immediately pulled away.

"I'm so sorry-"

"-I don't know why I did that."

Realizing they apologized at the same time, the two burst into laughter.

Wiping his eyes, Simba looked to her. "Man, I knew we'd make a good duo."

Beleco chuckled. "Yeah, Beleco and Simba. Nice ring to it."

Simba stood up and stretched his limbs before turning back to Beleco. "Wanna swim in the waterhole?" he asked.

Beleco nodded, walking side-by-side with him.

"And then she asked me to get you guys to talk to her!"

Malka still couldn't believe Nala would try and rope him into her mess. Not being able to find Simba, he went to the next best things.

"I never thought Nala would be the type to chicken out," Tojo stated.

"Yeah, she's usually very upfront," Chumvi agreed, before turning to Malka. "I know she's your friend and all, but...Tama's changing Nala."

"Nala never acted like this before," Tojo backed him up. "And now all of a sudden she's turned into some artificial lioness cub who doesn't care about her friends? It doesn't matter what happened to Tama, that's not an excuse to brainwash our friend. Not to mention, she even got into a fight with Vitani."

Now this, Malka didn't know about. "Really? When?"

"Yesterday," Tojo explained. "Tani was telling her about how she felt Tama was getting in between them. Nala got defensive and accused Vitani of being jealous. It ended with her basically saying Tama can have Nala, because she's done dealing with her."

Malka sighed. He defended Tama for so long, but now...

"You're right."

Equally surprised, the Pride Lands cubs looked at the Mountain Lands prince. "What?"

Malka repeated himself. "You're right. She did change Nala, and I'm sorry I was in denial. I guess since we used to be so close, I felt obligated to defend her, but now I realize..." he glanced up at the two. "there's no excuse for her attitude."

Chumvi frowned. "So...you're not friends with Tama anymore?"

Malka sighed, rubbing his black tufts. "More like...I'm giving myself space. Taking a friend break. Whatever you'd like to call it."

"Oh..." Chumvi still didn't understand, but found no use in pushing it.

"Well, now that you're on your 'friend break', let's find Simba and the others!" Tojo declared.

Running out the den, they hunted for their friends.

Simba and Beleco were having a fun time swimming in the waterhole. After a few splash fights and water wrestling, it felt great to be able to just relax and unwind with his new friend.

"Man, you're a great wrestler," Simba complimented. Probably even better than Nala.

Beleco flushed.."Hehe, thanks, Simba. I'm kinda a tomboy, if you couldn't tell."

Simba's eyes went wide. "Please. No girly-girl is that good at wrestling...okay, maybe Kula."

Beleco laughed, and Simba soon joined in after.

"So tell me, if there's one rule you could change when you become king, what would it be?" Beleco asked.

Simba pondered on it for a moment. "Hmm...well, no more arranged marriages."

Intrigued by this, the lioness cub asked another question. "Who were you betrothed to?"

Simba made a slight face. "Nala."

The atmosphere got heavy, but before Beleco could change the subject, Simba turned to her.

"We used to be best friends, but ever since Tama came, she's been spending all her time with her. How are we supposed to get married if we're barely even friends anymore?"

Beleco wasn't a fool; she could hear in his voice how bad it was affecting him.

"Look, I know you're mad at Nala right now, but I overheard her beg Malka to try and get you guys to hear her out. She sounded really hurt, so maybe you should talk to her."

Simba looked thoughtful, but flashbacks of their last encounter took place. "What if we never become close again?"

Beleco wrapped a foreleg around him. "Then she wasn't worth having in your life."

Simba repeated the message in his mind, and nodded.

"Besides, regardless of what happens between you two, you're future king of the friggin' Pride Lands!" she excitedly added.

A wide smile made its way onto Simba's face at the memory. "Yeah...yeah! I'm gonna rule this place!"

"Heck yeah!" Beleco cheered.

Laughing at the cheery mood, Simba turned to Beleco. "Thanks, Bel', you're the best!"

Beleco blushed. "Y-You're welcome, Sim'."

Smiling, Simba rested his head on hers, unaware of the pair of eyes watching them.

Vitani lied down by herself on the waterhole rocks while everyone else played. A minute to herself was long overdue, and it really seemed to be doing wonders at the moment.

"Mind if I join?"

She turned to see Malka standing right by her. Nodding, she made room for him.

"How are you doing, 'Tani?" Malka questioned.

"Okay." Vitani forced a smile.

"Are you sure?" Malka pressed further. "I got told about the fight."

"Oh." Vitani looked back at him. "Is she really mad at me?"

"Nope." Malka shook her head. "She think you still resent her, and she feels horrible about it."

Well good, she should feel horrible, Vitani wanted to snap back. Instead, she felt her anger fading.

Nala had tried to apologize to Vitani that morning, but she was too angry to listen. Now that she had time to calm down, she realized she wanted to make things right with her friend.

"Well, I guess I'll forgive her." she turned to see Nala and-to her disappointment-Tama. They were standing under a large, acacia tree, and Tama was talking a mile a minute.

"As soon as I get a chance."

"That good." Malka looked relieved. "I know this sucks, 'Tani, but Nala's just scared."

"Huh? Scared about what?" Vitani wondered.

"Something happened back in the Mountain Lands," Malka explained. "Tama hasn't been the same since, and Nala just wants to make sure she's okay."

"Ohhh," Vitani said. So that's why she's being supernice to Tama. She feels sorry for her!

Why didn't she just say so? I would've understood.

Turning back around, she saw that Nala was walking away.

And Tama was nowhere in sight.

"Hey, I'll be back," she told Malka.

Getting up, she raced over to her. "Nala!"

Surprised by the voice, she turned and her mood lifted. "Oh, hey, 'Tani."

"You...got a minute?" Vitani asked.

Nala smiled and nodded, gesturing for Vitani to follow her.

"So you're talking to me again, huh?" Nala asked, standing in her private den.

"Yeah, I don't like arguing with you," Vitani admitted.

"Me either," Nala added. "I'm-"

"-really sorry."

They laughed when theh realized they apologized at the same time.

"You first." Nala's blue eyes sparkled.

Vitani took a deep breath. "I shouldn't have acted the way I did, but that was just because I felt like I was losing my friend."

"I know." Nala let out a guilty sigh

"I admit it, I was jealous," Vitani confessed, "but...I realized I didn't have to be."

Curious, Nala questioned what she meant. "Why?"

"Well, now I know you were being nice to Tama only because you felt sorry that her home life was bad."

"So...that's what it was?"

Both lioness cubs turned at the voice, and time stopped. There was a certain hair tufted lioness cub, whose gaze was down.

Oh, no. Vitani thought. She must've heard everything I just said!

When she lifted her head, there was bitterness in her eyes. "Wow...you really had the audacity, huh Nala?"

"Tama, that's not true!" Nala insisted.

"I trusted you, only to find out you were lying this whole time?" she darkly demanded, now livid.

Moving closer, Vitani tried to explain. "Tama, you know that's not what I me-"

"Oh I'm sorry, does this somehow involve you?" Tama remarked in a snarky tone, before turning back to Nala. "I so can't believe i thought you were actually my friend. I should've known you Pride Landers were nothing but backstabbing jerks."

Vitani's joints turned to goo as Tama stormed out. She, unintentionally, messed up everything. She hurt Tama's feelings and ruined her friendship with Nala.

"I should've known you were planning something. I can't believe you, Vitani," Nala seethed. She raced after Tama, frantically calling out to her.

Vitani cursed up a storm in her mind. Good Kings, I-Just how did I manage to screw that up?

KawaiiCutie12: Yikes, that did NOT go as planned😬 Will Nala still come through tomorrow? Guess we'll wait and see...

Thanks so much for reading and as always, leave your opinions below.

KawaiiCutie12 signing off. See you next time! 👼