KawaiiCutie12: Back with another chap, and I'm pumpeddd. Let's see what will happen this day. Of all days.

+DJ: I know right? She definitely didn't deserve that, even though she was being the biggest brat in the Pride Lands. Poor Tama right? 😭😞💔 (Okay but sarcasm aside, she's gonna get it later on, don't worry)

+Dolicity: Thanks so much! ❤💕

+Guest: Mmhm, you got that right! ❣

Chapter 12:

"Gotcha, Simba!"

The cubs laughed as Beleco pinned Simba. The Mountain Lands cubs decided to mingle with them, and they actually enjoyed spending time with the Pride Lands cubs. This time, Kiara and Kovu were with them as well.

"Yeah, yeah, get off," Simba grumbled.

Beleco let him up and softly headbutted him. "Don't feel bad, mini kingy."

Simba blushed at the nickname, to everyone's surprise.

"Aww!" Kula teasingly cried out.

Simba's cheeks turned even redder as Beleco's were now tinged with crimson.

"Queen Beleco does have a nice ring to it," Nina, a Mountain Lands cubs, joked.

Beleco's face created a new shade of red. "No way, never!"

Chumvi smirked. "~Simba and 'Leco sitting in a tree~"

"K-I-S-S-S-I-N-G~!" Everyone chorused, laughing after.

"Shut up!" a reddened Simba shot out.

"Can I be the flower girl?" Kiara teased.

"Ooh! And I can help Rafiki bless you guys!" Kovu added in, causing the cubs to laugh even more.

Now beet red, the two turned in the opposite direction. In doing so, the embarrassed lioness cub caught sight of her friend. Face immediately cooling off, she raced over.

"Tani!"

Vitani looked up, and Beleco immediately read her face.

"It didn't go so great huh?" Beleco winced.

Vitani nodded, and Beleco pulled her into a tight hug.

"Well, you did all that you could," she warmly stated. "It's Nala's and Tama's losses."

Vitani slightly smiled, nuzzling Beleco. "Thanks, Bel', you're the best."

Beleco smiled. "Of course. Now come on, the rest of the Mountain Lands cubs are actually playing with us!"

Eyes widened, Vitani raced after Beleco back to their original spot.

"Hey, guys!" she gestured to Vitani. "I brought 'Tani with me!"

"Wait...you're Simba's cousin, right?" a lion cub asked her.

Vitani nodded her head. "I am. Why?"

The Mountain Lands cubs looked at one another, then back to Vitani. "Hello, Princess Vitani."

Vitani was entirely taken aback. "What-no, no, no! You don't need to use formalities. We're all friends here."

Her heart warmed seeing their shy smiles.

"I actually have a question for you guys." She paused. "Is Tama...always that mean?"

The Mountain Lands cubs frowned at the question.

"She was mean to you too, huh?" Nina asked, still frowning.

Vitani nodded.

"Well..." Nina and the other cubs looked at one another.

"She can be pretty sarcastic and bold, but she's not usually mean unless you're mean first," a lion cub spoke up.

"Yeah, Chaka's right. Not to mention very opinionated," Nina added, rolling her eyes.

"She used to be caring and would go to hell and back for her friends, but it's like ever since she became future advisor, she just acts like she's so high and mighty." Chaka rolled his eyes. "It's mostly that pretentious family of hers's fault; she was 'mama's little angel', and her father won't accept that the 'light of his life' is the darkness in ours."

Everyone laughed at the pun.

"Well, recently...I'd say she's toned it down, now," Nina slightly defended her.

"True..." he agreed.

So she wasn't always a brat. I knew it! Now if only I could figure out what happened-

"How about we either A: talk about something important, or B: keep playing!" Kula's voice popped her thoughts.

"I vote playing!" Nina declared.

"Me too!" Chaka stated right after.

Vitani giggled, then tapped Beleco on the shoulder. "You're it!"

Laughing, everyone else ran away, leaving a shocked Beleco.

Playfully calling out "You'll pay for that!", she chased after the cubs.

I don't believe her! Of all things, she had to go and say that? I swear I never wanna see her face again! Why I oughta-

"Nala?"

She turned to see her mother staring at her in concern.

"Nala, honey, what's wrong?" Sarafina worriedly asked.

Take a breather, Nala. You gotta do this on your own. Forcing a smile, Nala waved her paw, and half-lied. "Oh, it's nothing. I just saw something that upset me. But I'll see you soon, Mom!"

Before she could give her a reply, Nala raced away in hopes to find Tama.

What was all that about? Sarafina wondered, before shrugging it off and going about her business.

Nala raced around the place, but found no sign of Tama. Even her scent seemed to have disappeared. Just as she was ready to give up, she saw Waziri, Tama's father, climbing out of Rafiki's tree.

"Waziri!"

He turned, surprised to see her. Bolting over as fast as she could, she skidded to a stop in front of him.

"Well hello, Nala. And just how may I help you?" He asked, a friendly light in his eyes.

"I, uh..." Sighing, she went right out and said it. "Tama hates me, and I need your help to fix it."

Waziri blinked. This was not what he had in mind. But since it pertained his precious girl...

He walked away, and Nala followed after him. Suddenly, he stopped, causing Nala to nearly crash into his leg.

Sitting down, he instructed Nala to do the same.

"So, dear, how exactly does my pride and joy hate you?" he wondered.

"My...a cub and I were talking things out, and she said something completely insensitive and rude. Tama believed it and now she doesn't want to be friends anymore."

Waziri scanned the cream cub. Her blue eyes were filled with sadness, and he would be lying if he said he didn't hear her voice crack.

"I believe you."

Nala snapped her head up. "What?"

Sighing, Waziri placed a paw on her head. "I see the way you are with her, and she told me about how you're constantly by her side. If I'm not mistaken, you must be the realest friend she has."

Nala went wide-eyed. Her? The realest friend she has?

Waziri's laughter broke through her thoughts, and he rubbed her head. "Don't look so surprised. My precious Tama loves you to death; hell, she swears you two are sisters separated at birth."

Nala couldn't help but chuckle. She looked back up at the Mountain Lands advisor. "How do I get her to believe me?"

Waziri leaned into her ear. "Show up tomorrow."

Nala blinked, surprised by the suggestion. "A-Are you sure? I think-"

"Tama may be mad at you today, but deep down, she needs you," Waziri reasoned. "You're her rock, and she loves you."

Thinking it over, she realized he was right. She had been there for Tama through her worst, and she needed to be there tomorrow as well.

Smiling, she nodded. "Okay, I will. But...do I leave with you guys, or do I go a little after and surprise her?"

"A little later. Queen Alena will escort you, don't worry," Waziri reassured her.

Nala stood up. "Okay, thank you, Waziri."

He nuzzled her head. "Anytime, Nala. Now run off and play, okay?" he told her.

Nala smiled and nodded, before running off to the den.

Waziri's grin faded the farther she got. Tama, my princess, I'm sorry things have to be this way.

As night rolled in, the cubs were getting bathed by their mothers.

"Hold still, Simba!" Sarabi commanded.

"Mom!" Simba tried with all his might to break free, but the queen had him in an iron grip.

"Oh, come on, mini kingy, baths aren't that bad," Beleco grinned, oh-so-obviously enjoying her bath. Since her own mother was back in the Mountain Lands, Adia offered to bathe her.

Blushing at both the nickname and the comment, he looked away. "Yeah, whatever."

Beleco giggled as Adia finished with her and started with Kula. "Boys will be boys. Right, Kula?"

"You're so right, 'Leco!" she agreed.

The two laughed and high-fived, much to Simba's discontent.

"Okay, guys, time for bed," Adia stated.

Despite their groans, the cubs trudged into their dens.

"Goodnight...Simba," Beleco said.

Simba gave her a toothy grinned. "Goodnight, 'Leco."

Headbutting each other softly, they walked into their respective dens. Both Mufasa and Sarabi had a surprised look on their face, seeing their son flush the way he did.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say she's falling for him," Mufasa stated.

"She sure is." Sarabi sighed. "She probably doesn't know he's betrothed already."

"Simba probably told her," Mufasa reassured her. "If they're really that close I have no doubt he'd let her know."

"I guess you're right," Sarabi finally gave in. "Come on, let's go to bed."

Climbing in the royal cave, Sarabi snuggled Simba in her arms and drifted off into sleep.

Nothing could've prepared her for this.

This was not the way she wanted to return home.

The sun had barely rose when her father had woken her up. Puzzled at first, it dawned on her what day it was.

And in all honesty...

She was dreading it.

One glance was all she took, and everything in her swirled around like a tornado. She saw stars, felt queasy, and swore she was gonna faint. Using her last bit of strength, she stumbled away from it all.

That was two to three hours ago. Now, she lied on the cool floor, in her own personal hideout.

At least I still have my hideaway place, Tama thought.

Slowly getting up, she trudged over to their waterhole to clean her face up.

"Hey."

Tama turned and was...surprised, for a lack of a better word, to see Nala standing there with worry all over her face. Remembering yesterday, she frowned and lowered her gaze.

"You seemed shocked...did you think I was just gonna forget and leave you?" Nala asked.

Tama still didn't say anything to her. Not that she had, or wanted, anything to say.

Nala couldn't take the silence. "Tama, please talk to me."

"Why?" she turned to her. "You're only pitying me, so why bother?"

"That's not true; none of what Vitani said was true." Nala looked Tama in the eye. "I just want you to believe me. I honestly like you as a close friend, and I don't want anything or anyone to ruin that. Yes, I do feel bad that you haven't been yourself lately, but that has nothing to do with our friendship."

Tama's eyes slightly widened. "Really?"

Nala nodded, happy that Tama was taking in her words.

Tama heavily sighed. "I believe you, and I'm sorry I didn't." She looked into Nala's blue eyes. "So...friends again?"

Nala smiled. "We always were."

Smiling, the girls pulled each other into a hug. Everything was fine between them again, and this time, nothing was splitting them apart.

"Hey, Nala?"

Pulling away, she looked at Tama. "Yeah?"

Tama took a deep breath, then look up and sadly smiled. "Thanks for coming today."

Nala gave her an incredulous look. "Well, of course! I can't abandon my best girl!"

The two softly chuckled, and Nala stood up. "Come on, let's join the rest of them."

Walking over to them, Nala couldn't help but smile.

Well, that's one cub whose problems are solved, Nala thought.

Now if I can just figure out what's going on with the gang, I'll have a few more to go.

That same morning, Simba's gang and the other cubs were walking around the Pride Lands together. As they talked and laughed, the air felt good.

"I want lunch to get here!" Kula cried.

Despite their looks towards her, they all laughed and agreed.

"Yeah, any time is food time," a voice spoke up.

Kula whipped her head around. "Who said that?!"

"Uh..." Nina, the cub from before, revealed herself. "Me."

Kula's eyes widened like saucers. "Ohmigosh! Someone that gets my language!"

Cracking up, she moved next to her, and the cubs continued their walking and talking.

"Is it bad that things seem more peaceful the day that Tama and Nala are gone?" Beleco whispered to the royal cousins.

The two looked at each other and grinned at Beleco.

"A-greed," they said in unison, before cracking up along with her.

"So what are some fun things you guys do?" a lion cub from the Mountain Lands asked.

"Well..." the Pride Lands cubs turned to one another. "We love to go exploring."

"Yeah, Simba's uncle, a.k.a Nuka, 'Tani, and Kovu's dad, tells us stories about when he was a cub, and man are those places amazing!"

"Yeah, my daddy's the best storyteller ever!" Vitani pridefully declared.

"That's so cool!" Nina cried. "My daddy's boring and strict."

"Yeah, same here," another lion cub spoke up. "You're lucky, Vitani."

"Oh, you guys can call me 'Tani. All my other friends do," she warmly made clear, causing the Mountain Lands cubs to beam at her friendliness.

"My dad's always sleeping," a lioness cub chuckled. "Pouncing on him is fun."

Everyone laughed.

Another lion cub frowned. "My dad's kinda mean, actually."

Everyone cut the laughter and looked over at him.

"Yeah, mine always yells at me," another lion cub added.

Soon, the Mountain Lands cubs grumbled about the things they hated about their fathers. Some childish, others questionable.

"At least you guys have your dads!"

Silence spread across as they all turned to stare at Beleco. Realizing the attention was on her, she quickly trotted away.

"Oh, no." Vitani turned to Simba and Kula. "We better go talk to her."

Nodding, the three followed after Beleco, leaving Chumvi and Tojo with Malka and the rest of the cubs.

With Beleco:

Beleco plopped down at the waterhole and sighed. She wasn't sure why she acted the way she did, but for some reason it really got to her today.

What the heck? I've never acted like that before, Beleco thought.

"Leco!" she heard Kula called.

Turning her head, she saw Kula and the royal cousins racing towards her.

"Hey, guys," Beleco halfheartedly greeted.

Vitani sat down next to her and pulled her close. "Are you okay? Talk to us."

Beleco sighed, pulling away to face the other two. "I...I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me to act like that. I guess..." she sighed. "I guess seeing them say that stuff just made me feel bad, because I hardly remember my dad."

Vitani and Simba stared at her in consolation.

"I know how you feel."

All eyes turned to Kula, who had now sat down next to Beleco. Sighing, she continued on. "My mother told me my father was a rogue. I just wish he came around sometime. I don't even know if he's alive right now."

Beleco pulled Kula close and the two sat in a furry bundle. "Same here."

Watching them, Vitani and Simba felt...guilt?

"I'm so sorry."

The girls on the ground looked up at Vitani, who had remorse smeared on her face.

"Yeah, I am too," Simba added in.

Beleco frowned. "What are you guys talking about?"

"Yeah, you guys didn't do anything," Kula added.

"We were always talking about how great our dads are, and how great uncles they are to both of us, that we didn't even think about how you two would feel," Simba explained.

"Yeah, we're sorry guys," Vitani stated. "That wasn't fair of us."

Beleco and Kula looked at each other, before getting up and nuzzling the two; Simba's face flushed significantly at Beleco's nuzzle.

"It's okay, we know you guys didn't mean it!" Kula cheerfully reassured them.

Beleco nodded. "Yeah, Kula's right. Besides, if I had a dad like both of yours, I'd definitely brag about it as well."

"Well..." Vitani and Simba looked at each other.

"If you two are okay, then we're okay."

The four grinned at each other, relieved that the microscopic tension was no longer there with them.

"Well come on, we can't keep the others waiting!" Kula suddenly cried.

Bouncing up, she raced back to where they originally came from, leaving the other three to shake their heads and chuckle.

"That girl is something," Beleco remarked.

"Yeah," Vitani agreed. "But we love her for it."

Simba took a few steps before looking back at the lioness cubs. "Race you guys back!"

The girls giggled, running after the golden lion cub.

"I wonder how it went."

Sarafina stared out into the horizon to see if Nala and the others were returning.

Zira raised an eyebrow. "How else would it have gone? It's a-"

"Boo!"

Jumping at the sound, she turned to see her youngest cub and Kiara in hysterics; they laughed even harder seeing the tan lioness's unamused face.

"Sorry, Auntie," Kiara giggled. "Kovu made me."

"Hey!" Kovu cried. "Way to throw me under the bus."

"Sorryyy." Kiara blew a raspberry at him, making him growl.

Alena laughed. "Cubs will be cubs, huh?"

Zira rolled her eyes, before laughing along with them. "I guess so, Alena."

Turning back to the cubs, she motioned them away. "Go on, run off and play."

Obeying, the two ran off laughing, and Sarabi came onto the scene. "I swear those two are the perfect pair."

The lionesses looked at the two, running and laughing through the fields.

"I wonder how Tama feels about the cubs now," Alena wondered.

Sarabi warmly smiled. "Well, knowing my son, I bet he's continuing to make Tama feel at home."

Turning slightly, she motioned with her head. "Come on, let's hunt for the lunch."

KawaiiCutie12: Oh, Sarabi😂. Oooh I can't wait to get to the next chapter you guys have NO ideaaa!

As always, let me know your thoughts down below

KawaiiCutie12 signing off! ✌