A/N- As always, I don't own the Lion King, I'm just borrowing their characters. Please enjoy, review and thanks to everyone who's reviewed so far!
A Lack of words
Language isn't quite enough
to describe that smile you had,
the feelings that overflowed,
the feel of your hand in mine,
and the fearlessness of both.
To say what my heart already knows,
and my mind's begun to glimpse.
"Betrothed, intended, affianced." The echoes of Zazus' words continued to ring in Nalas' ears as she lay in the dim cave.
Are Simba and I really supposed to get married one day? the young lioness pondered, resting her head between front paws, though her blue-green eyes remained open. I mean, I like Simba well enough but we're just friends, it'd be so weird to be his mate! Her nose crinkled at the though and a little shiver ran down her body. No, Nala told herself firmly. We're just going to be friends forever; I don't ever have to worry about being his mate. After all, she smiled impishly and finally closed her eyes, who wants a mate who remembers the time they fell onto an army ant colony and couldn't sit down for days? Nah, Simba'll never choose me, we're too close of friends. Comforted with that logic Nala drifted off, her breathing dropping to the slow, steady pace of sleep.
"Nala, hey Nala come on!" a familiar voice laughed across the golden grasses of the savannah.
"Whadya want Sim?" she asked sleepily, too comfortable to bother opening her eyes and look at him. The cool dirt felt good against her side, and if it hadn't been for the lone fly buzzing circles around her head Nala would have said that life was perfect.
"Get up lazy bones," Simba growled teasingly, a heavy paw tapping her shoulder.
"All right, all right," the lioness sighed, lazily rolling onto her stomach and giving a final yawn before opening her eyes. "Uh…Simba?" Nala stammered, looking at him in shock.
"You were expecting someone else?" the lion in front of her questioned. He was the same golden color, the familiar amber eyes dancing in the playful face now framed by a thin, red mane. "Hurry up, before someone thinks to follow us," he encouraged, turning and trotting away from the stunned Nala.
It has to be Simba! She thought, getting up and padding after him. But he's not this old… As she loped after the prince Nala suddenly realized that her stride felt longer than normal, and when she caught up to the older Simba she was the same height. I'm older too…what's going on? Curious but with her usual fearlessness the creamy lioness followed the half-grown male. Quietly the two lions threaded their way through the long grass, following the half-trails made by the repeated travels of the local animals.
A familiar shadow flicked across the ground before her paws and Nala opened her mouth to hiss, "Zazu!"
"Shh!" Simba whispered back, putting a paw over his mouth to tell her to keep silent. Without a sound he jerked his head at her to follow him, dropping low and slinking carefully into the green underbrush. Nala followed, her light footfalls barely audible to her own perked ears, much less the flying hornbill. Suddenly the thick, jungle like plants opened up into a small clearing and Nala, not expecting it, bumped into Simba.
"Oof!" he grunted, getting knocked half a step forward and splashing his paws in the small trickle of water flowing through the glade. "Sure, I bring you somewhere special and you try and run me over!" he teased, companionably rubbing shoulders with her.
"Sorry," Nala confessed, still feeling confused about what was going on.
"No big deal," Simba comforted, padding several steps over to a certain rock and bending his neck gracefully to pick something off it. "For you," he offered, voice slightly muffled by the teeth gently holding the green stem of a flower. Nala accepted it in amazement, staring at the beautiful blossom. The dark purple of the petals was cut sharply by a bright orange brimming from the heart, and the subtle scent of it made her think of the clean air after a rainstorm.
"Thank you," she finally breathed out, raising her happy face to meets Simbas'.
"You're welcome," he purred, leaning forward and rubbing muzzles with her. Nala was startled, but one deep breath of his familiar scent calmed her.
This is where I belong, she realized suddenly, a huge smile lighting her face as Simba sat down next to her; their warm sides pressed together companionably.
"I love you," Simba suddenly whispered in her ear. Nala stiffened fearfully for a split second, then forced herself to relax and lean against him.
This is Simba, she reminded herself. He's my friend, and he always will be. The only thing that will ever change is our friendship will become stronger. That's all. Satisfied and comforted Nala rubbed her head against the older Simbas' cheek, reward by a loving smile. "I…" she began.
"Nala," a whispered tone penetrated her ears. "Nala are you still awake?"
"Huh?" the little lioness blinked sleepily, trying to clear the sleep from her eyes. "Simba?" she asked in confusion, making out the shape of her friend before her, back to the young cub she knew so well.
"Hey," he said happily, lying down next to her so they could whisper easier. "Dad just brought me back. You didn't get in trouble for today did you?" he asked, amber eyes glimmering with real concern. The days events came back in a rush to Nala; the huge bones of the elephant graveyard, the snapping of hyena teeth at her heels, and the relief when King Mufasa appeared to save them.
"No, not really," she murmured back, shaking off the last remnants of sleep.
"Good!" the prince said with a sharp nod. "Maybe we can still go out and play tomorrow then."
"Maybe, but no hyenas ok?"
"That's ok with me," Simbas' grin was slightly embarrassed as he lay his head on his paws. Nala watched him for a moment, eyes once more seeing the half-grown lion from her dream.
Maybe…maybe being betrothed won't be so bad… she thought silently, watching the rise and fall of his ribs as Simba settled into sleep. On impulse she scooted closer to him, reclaiming the comfort and warmth she recalled from the dream. The future king didn't wake, but in his sleep scooted still closer. Sighing Nala lay her head on her front paws, lulled to sleep by the rhythmic breathing of her best friend. I love you too.