KawaiiCutie12: I'm so excited for this chap because DAMN! Shit's gonna go down...ughhhh I needa keep quiet. Anyways, here we go with another chap!

+Guest: Because Tama's going through SOOOO much, poor babyy😭😭💔✌😒

+Dolicity: Hmm...👁👄👁

Chapter 13:

The cubs grew bored and decided to walk back to the den. While they talked and told jokes, the cubs noticed the lionesses dragging their kill, and the cubs stopped nearby, waiting for the kings' roars to signal the start of the meal.

"Ooooh that wildebeest looks even more delicious than usual!" Nina commented. Her ruby eyes glowed with anticipation.

"Heck yeah, Nin'!" Kula nudged her.

Their roars sounded the area, and the swarm of cubs hightailed towards the food.

Since they were informed that the Mountain Landers hunted for their pride, the cubs had a bit more of a fill than usual. Taking their shares, they all sat together.

"You were right, Nina!" Kula cried.

Nina grinned. "See? It's so savory."

The cubs ate and socialized, and the adults smiled at seeing them all so close.

"I knew they'd warm up to each other eventually, but they're practically inseparable," Zira commented.

"Especially with...Beleco, was it?" Scar turned to his mate.

Zira nodded. "Yes, she's an angel."

Jahi looked towards the horizon, and noticed what looked like lions. "It looks like they've returned."

The rest of the pride followed his gaze, and the clear figures of Queen Alena, Waziri, Nala, and Tama came into view. They watched as Nala and Tama went towards the waterhole, while the adults approached them.

"How's she doing?" Sarafina worriedly asked, gesturing to Tama.

Waziri offered a small smile. "She seems to be doing a bit better, thanks to your daughter."

The two shared a small smile, before changing the subject.

"So she gave you these?"

After cleaning themselves up from lunch, Malka led Vitani away from everyone else. When they were far enough, he had confided in Vitani about how Tama had been treating him lately. As the list went on, Vitani's anger flared.

"Yep." He winced at Vitani's touch.

"Oh, sorry."

Malka shook his head. "No, it's okay. It doesn't hurt that much anymore. Man, her claws are sharp."

Vitani rolled her eyes. "Malka, her father works for your parents. Why not just talk to them?"

"I know, but..." Malka sighed. "I don't want her to get in trouble."

Vitani incredulously stared at him. "So what if she gets in trouble? She deserves it!"

Malka rubbed his tufts. "You're not wrong. Believe me, you're not. I just...can't seem to bring myself to do so, ya know?"

Vitani understood. She had originally felt that way at first, but upon seeing her attitude worsen, the positive thoughts disintegrated.

"Well, regardless of what happens, you're still a great guy," Vitani reassured him.

He beamed. "Thanks, 'Tani."

Vitani grinned. "No worries, Malky."

She laughed at the Mountain Lands prince's even redder face. Lying down, the two stayed there and continued conversing with each other.

The rest of the cubs had split apart and were each doing their own thing. At the moment, Simba and Beleco were once again together.

"I honestly don't know what to do," Beleco admitted.

Simba shrugged. "We can keep walking around if you'd like."

Beleco nodded, and they resumed their stroll.

As they walked by the grassy fields, they caught sight of two very familiar lioness cubs. Simba sighed. He missed when him and Nala used to play together. Now she dedicated all her time to the homewrecking Mountain Lander.

Beleco seemed to catch on and she nudged his shoulder. "Hey, let's go talk to Nala. We're the bigger cubs here."

Simba took in her words and realized she was right. Giving her a reaction is just what she wanted. By going over there and talking to Nala like nothing, she'll see that we're not stooping to her level.

Opening his mouth to approve the idea, he got cut off by another voice.

"Hey, you two!"

They turned to see Kula and Tojo them running towards them.

"Whatcha guys up to?" Kula asked.

"Well..." Beleco and Simba turned to each other. "We've decided that we're gonna talk to Nala."

Kula frowned at the response. "Uh...why?"

"It's time we stand our ground!" Simba slammed his paw onto the ground.

Kula and Tojo shared a look, before looking back at Simba and Beleco. Smiles slowly spread across their face.

"I think one of us should go, so it won't be so obvious," Tojo stated.

Nodding their heads, they watched as Simba trotted over to her.

On the way, Simba had a random burst of energy.

"Hey, Nala!"

Surprised, Nala looked up to see Simba grinning down at her.

"Oh, hey, Simba!" Nala answered, her blue eys sparkling.

"It's been a while since I've seen you. How've ya been?" he asked, giving Nala his undivided attention.

"Pretty great," she answered. "How about you?"

"Well, that's good; same here. So, listen-"

"Simby~!"

The tree on the ground turned their heads to see Beleco trotting towards them, along with Tojo and Kula.

His eyes shone. "Hey, guys! What's up?"

"We've been looking all over for you!" Tojo answered, perfectly playing along.

Tama didn't say anything, but her irritation was slowly rising.

"Oh, I was just catching up with Nala." Simba turned to her. "Mind if they join?"

Nala's smile faltered. Does he have to invite her along? Well, if it keeps Simba here...

"Um...sure," she finally responded, forcing a smile.

The other three sat down immediately and started up the conversation again.

"We've gotta tell you this crazy story!" Simba explained. "So 'Leco and I were messing around in Rafiki's tree, and-"

"We accidentally messed up some of his paint," Beleco joined in.

"So then I thought-"

"So then he thought-"

The two cubs turned to each other laughing. "Jinx!" they shouted in unison.

"You tell it," a giggling Simba insisted.

"No, you. It's just so funny," Beleco laughed.

Nala eyed the two back and forth as they joked.

Tama huffed. "As much as I'm enjoying storytime, maybe you could hurry up and get to the point."

"Yeah, seriously, we were in the middle of a conversation." Nala gave her undivided attention to Simba. "So...the messed up paint?"

Cutting their laughter short, Simba cleared his throat. "Um, right. So basically, when Rafiki came in and saw the mess, we blamed it on Tojo's birds-"

At this, Simba nor Beleco could contain their laughter.

"And he bought it!" they cackled together.

Nala rose an eyebrow, but for different reasons. "Sounds like a funny prank but, what was the point in the story?"

"I think we should have a prank day the next time the Mountain Lands stays over!" Simba exclaimed.

"Imagine how much fun that'd be!" Beleco added.

"Yeah!" a giggling Simba and Beleco high-fived, to which Nala narrowed her eyes.

"Just leave my babies out of it," Tojo pouted.

Tama puffed out her tuft. "I'm like, seriously beginning to question your masculinity."

Tojo frowned. "What?"

Tama blinked several times. "I said, I'm seriously beginning to question your masculinity. I mean seriously, when are you gonna toughen up?"

Upset, Tojo got up and left. Simba, Beleco, and Kula watched him leave with worried eyes.

Turning to Tama, Kula frowned. "That was mean, Tama."

Tama shrugged her shoulders. "Well the truth hurts; are you gonna do something about it?"

"Why are you being such a jerk?" Simba demanded.

Nala's eyes widened at the sudden boldness in his voice.

Tama slowly turned to him. "Excuse me? It's not my fault Tojo's just being soft."

"Uh, hello? You literally just said he's not masculine enough. I'd be upset too if someone said I wasn't feminine enough!" a frustrated Beleco tossed in.

"And since when was that your problem?" Tama frowned.

"Since you walked in on my turf and started messing with my friends" was Simba's smart remark, throwing a foreleg around Beleco. He had a prideful look was on his face.

"Ooh, good one, Simby!" Beleco and Simba giggled while they did a mini handshake.

Can she honestly shut up already? Nala thought, rolling her eyes while taking a deep breath.

"Yeah, you've been mean for no reason ever since coming out here!" Kula cried. "And to think I wanted more girl cubs to come out here!"

Tama's irritation reached its limit. "Listen! Nala and I are busy, so just back off already."

Kula turned to the cream cub, who hadn't said a word this whole time. "Nala?"

Nala blinked, before opening her mouth. "I think that maybe Tama has a point."

To Beleco, this was a bit surprising, but nothing could compare the feeling Simba and Kula were feeling.

"Really?" Kula gasped.

Nala looked up at her two friends, and immediately regretted it. "Look, Tojo's practically my brother and you guys know that! It's just that, he is really sensitive and that's not gonna help him in the long run-"

"So you're just gonna follow whatever Tama says and does like some brainless cub?" Simba demanded, causing Tama to narrow her eyes at the accusation.

"I'm not just following Tama," she snapped back. "I agree with her, okay?"

Simba bitterly scoffed. "The old Nala would've defended him."

"The 'old Nala'?" she incredulously demanded, to which Simba nodded. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Simba narrowed his eyes. "It means that since you and Tama have been spending time together, you're different."

"Uh-huh? Well I can say the same for you and Beleco" was Nala's resentful retort, shooting daggers at the emerald-eyed lioness cub.

Kula turned to an offended Beleco, then back to the cream cub. "Nala, why are you acting like this?"

"Yeah, I didn't even do anything." hurt oozed from Beleco's voice.

Rolling her eyes, Tama shook her head. "Let's go, Nala." She got up and turned towards the waterhole.

Who the royal hell does she think she is?

"I'm so sick of you!"

All eyes turned to Simba, who was now on all fours, completely surprised by his outburst.

Turning back around, Tama narrowed her eyes. "What are you talking about?" she demanded.

"Puh, like you don't know!"

Simba began moving closer towards her, and Tama could do nothing but watch the prince's fury unleash.

"You ruin everything!" Simba continued, "You think you're better than everyone else, when really, you're an annoying, insecure, attention-seeking wannabe that has some major attitude problems! You wanna call 'Tani, my cousin, worthless? You of all animals have no place to talk, considering almost everyone hates you; even Malka's tired of putting up with you, so stop being a bully and a burden to us!"

"Stop it!" sounded Nala's voice. "Right now!"

The Pride Landers and Beleco turned to face the now standing, infuriated lioness cub. The air in Simba's fury balloon quickly left, seeing her anger.

Her blue orbs burned into Simba's ruby orbs. "You say I'm acting different? Well you know what? The 'old Simba', would never talk to someone like that."

Tama kept her mouth shut. She wouldn't admit it out loud, but Simba's words cut deep.

Nala looked over to a visibly hurt Tama; exhaling, her anger faded some. "Tama-"

Not bothering to give a response, she gave Simba a dirty look before turning and hurrying towards the waterhole.

Nala shot daggers at her friends. "Unbelievable."

Trotting to catch up to Tama, the reality came to Simba.

"Nala, wait!" Simba called out to her.

She ignored his calls.

"Wow...I definitely wasn't expecting that," Beleco finally spoke up.

"Yeah, I didn't think you had it in ya Simba." Turning, he saw that Tojo had returned.

"That was so brave of you!" Kula cheered.

"Yeah...I guess," Simba halfheartedly agreed.

Beleco wrapped a foreleg around Tojo. "You okay, Toj?"

Tojo nodded. "Yeah, I just needed a moment."

Realizing something, Tojo turned to Simba. "Was she gonna cry? I could've sworn I saw tears in her eyes."

"Who knows?" Simba responded.

"More like who cares," Beleco stated, earning a laugh out of Tojo.

"Well, now that she's dealt with, let's mingle with the cool Mountain Lands cubs!" Kula declared.

Following her, Simba couldn't help but think:

I technically won, but was it worth losing Nala?

KawaiiCutie12: Man, Simba was not with it anymore! It's about time someone knocked her down a peg or two...or three (Fun fact: In an earlier draft of this story, I was gonna have Vitani fight her😂).

As always be sure to leave your opinions down below and follow and fave to keep up with the story. I'll see you guys next time!

KawaiiCutie12 signing off! ✌