TMNTTLK lover; I know it's not hard to figure out who the mystery lioness is. But it'll be all the sweeter when she's officially revealed.
Enjoy chapter seventeen of Delicate!
It's been a month and a few weeks since the arrival of Jessica, things haven't much changed.
But now, Princess Sherise was on her daily after patrol with her best friend and guard.
"Why does a flamingo lift up one leg?"
Jesùs chuckled before looking at the grinning dark brown cub. He shook his head before responding, "I have no idea."
Sherise pouted, "You didn't even try." before she smiled brightly that reached her dark purple eyes. "But I'll tell you anyway. It's because if it lifted both legs it would fall over! "
Jesùs smiled at the joyful laughter. "Alright. I have one. What is grey and blue and very big?"
Sherise frowned as she thought on it hard before shaking her head. "I don't know. What is it?"
Jesùs smirked as he answered the question. "An elephant holding it's breath."
A unamused trumpet caused the two to smile sheepishly before quickening their pace. When they put a enough distance between them and the not happy elephant bull, they shared a look before bursting out in laughter.
"It's seems for someone who just escape death is in a really good mood."
Jesùs and Sherise looked to see the of the newest member that joined, Jessica. Jesùs smiled as Sherise glared.
Jesùs smiled brightly before walking over and embrace the tawny-white lioness lovingly. "What are you doing out here, love?"
Sherise watched and felt a vile feeling rise up. Feeling that she couldn't stomach anymore of their affections. She turned and headed back to priderock.
Jesùs turned from his girlfriend to his retreating friend. "Sherise..."
Jessica used a colorless paw to force the red-brown lion to look at her. "I have exciting news."
Jesùs somehow felt like he knew where this was going. "Oh."
Jessica nuzzled into Jesùs' black mane. "I'm pregnant."
Jesùs gulped as he took in the information his girlfriend provided. He was happy but it wasn't with the lioness that still hunts his dreams...and his heart.
...
News of Jessica's pregnancy spread and months after the news there was a royal meeting. Leaving Sherise sitting on the peak of the kopje with her friends, who was Joyce and Joyce's young adult creamy pelted cousin, Josh.
Amanda was with Zawadi and had brought her brother along with Mapenzi.
Sherise had smiled at the cousins that seemed to always bicker like an old married couple. It helped with the irritating situation she was in.
Sherise suddenly frowned when she saw Jesùs rush off. Off to a now panting Jessica who was being led to the cave under priderock by Josh and Joyce's mothers, Jiona and Nadine.
Sherise growled before snapping her eyes back to the savannah. To only winced at the cheering a few hours later.
Sherise sneered before turning and quickly leapt down the stoned slope. Stunning her friends.
"Let's go see what's going on." two year and a half Josh quickly stood and headed for the slope. "Joyce, come on."
The dark yellow preteen nodded before joining Josh in following after the upset princess.
...
Joyce and Josh followed their friend's scent to the edge of the kingdom to come to a dead end. With a defeated sigh the two returned home.
A few months later, both Joyce and Josh were assigned to cubsitting. The sun was highest in the sapphire sky as Prince Desta was playing with Jessica and Jesùs' adventurous, playful, rambunctious triplets. Brysen, Amell and Javion.
"Hey guys," came the emotionless tone of the cousins' missing friend. "How's things going?"
Josh frowned before narrowing his brown eyes. "That's all you have to say? You up and left...been missing for two months!"
Sherise sighed before looking away. "I haven't been missing...just avoiding."
Josh relaxed a bit feeling that his friend was hurting. "Sherise, what's wrong? Why are you avoiding everyone? Us?" But he wanted to say was, "Why are you avoiding me?"
The bit of a year dark yellow lioness narrowed her brown eyes at the older male. "Josh, shut it."
Sherise sniffed up some fresh tears before lowering her head. "I have been mostly avoiding a guy...a guy that I liked for a long time."
Joyce and Josh shared looks before looking back at Sherise who was already leaving.
Josh quickly stood and began to run after the princess but his path was blocked by Desta, who was looking up with big green eyes.
"Joshy, I'm hungry. When do we go home to eat?"
Joyce smiled at the cubs. "I believe the queen and her hunting party returned."
The cubs cheered before chasing after one another while following their sitters.