Disclaimer: Yap yap yappity know one reads this blah blah I like peanut flavoured prunes.

Awooooooo! The Lone Wolf is back on the hunt dear readers! Smelling blood and ready to rock, I want this week to thin out so that I can get more fic time in. Without any further ado, here is chapter 4 REVIEW! Enjoy!

A Different Shadow

Chapter 4: A sensitive soul

On the way down to the watering hole the two cubs got lost in conversation blissfully unaware of Zazu's watchful eye from the sky. Nala glanced at Simba and quickly glanced away blushing. Simba was doing much the same thing. Nala wondered why Simba was so reclusive at times. He was obviously the most popular male cub but he was so withdrawn. Simba flopped down in front of the watering hole when they arrived and patted the ground beside him for Nala to sit.

Nala blushed at the sudden softness in Simba's personality. She lay beside him and slyly snuggled closer.

"Have you ever looked into the watering hole?" Simba asked. Nala shook her head looking quizzically to her friend.

"No why?" Simba's eyes suddenly lit up.

"Oh you don't know what your missing!" he exclaimed suddenly. Nala blinked in response.

"The water at this time of night is beautiful! Look!" he pointed his paw towards the watering hole.

Nala looked down to see the shimmering sparkling water. The water that reflected the stars perfectly. There seemed to be a light blue glow coming from the water.

"See?" Simba asked breaking the ice. Nala looked at him the light reflected in her eyes. The air caught in Simba's throat, he felt the heat rise in his face flushing his cheeks. He had never seen something so beautiful in his life. His tongue became tight in his mouth his ears flattened in terror. The conclusion formed in his mind, he had a crush on Nala. He suddenly felt very shy and realised how strange it must seem for him to open up to a girl.

"I do see" she answered softly.

Simba visibly relaxed.

Nala looked up at Simba who practically burst.

"Wow, it's almost as pretty as your eyes!" The colour raced back into Simba's face, an explosion of red appeared where Simba's face should have been.

Nala smiled into the watering hole her eyes sparkling.

"Thanks Simba, your so sweet" Simba hid his ruby face in his chest and twirled his tail.

"It's ok" he mumbled into his fur.

"Why do you hide the fact that your so sensitive?" she asked.

"Girls kinda like the tough guys so I just pretend I'm neither" he smiled at her.

Nala felt a pull inside her that made her heart melt; he was so cute when he did that.

"Well I'm a girl and I like sensitive guys!" Nala admitted blushing.

Simba grinned in spite of himself. He didn't know if she had just paid him a complement or not but god he hoped so.

"Well I know I'm a little odd" Simba told her the colour finally diluting his complexion. His face returned to the usual golden colour Nala admired so much.

It took a long time for her to realise that she was staring at him again.

"Why are you staring at me?" Simba asked nervously.

Nala blushed her goofy smile slipping off to be replaced with shock and fear.

Nala's ears flattened to her head again.

"Erm you have a really nice muzzle…FACE!" Nala screamed her face reddening further. Simba's blush returned in full measure his eyes lightening up.

"Erm thanks I err guess" Simba responded shyly. Both Simba and Nala were fighting the urge to giggle manically.

Zazu landed on a nearby tree and watched the two increasingly nervous cubs.

"Ahh young love blossoming in the savannah. I always knew those two would fall for each other eventually."

Simba smiled across to Nala who grinned back shyly.

"So erm do you wanna hang out tomorrow too?" Nala asked staring at Simba's paws.

Simba noticed and glanced down at his paws. They were freshly cleaned and he became very self conscious.

Nala noticed how clean Simba had kept himself lately, most of the time he was seen filthy his coat carrying any colour but gold, but tonight he seemed to have made a huge effort to be perfect.

Nala wondered if he had done so just for her.

She wondered if she had finally found a guy worth giving a chance. But she was unsure if he liked her.

The two stared into each others eyes for several minutes before a voice floated over to them.

"Simba! Nala! Time to come in!" the two cubs stood up and suddenly became painfully aware of the proximity of their bodies. Simba felt very warm, and Nala shared the feeling. Both stumbled over their own feet towards Sarabi and Sarafina.

"Well look who's gone all shy" Sarafina pointed out winking. Nala blushed.

"I wonder why" Sarabi nudged Sarafina in the shoulder smiling cheekily. Sarafina giggled.

Both cubs looked slightly confused before the penny finally dropped. Nala realised much sooner than Simba, she flushed ruby red and turned away from Simba.

Simba looked at Nala questioningly. Nala gave him a look that clearly said think about it.

"Oh! No we didn't kiss or anything!" Simba exclaimed blushing. Nala wanted so badly to hit Simba over the back of the head. The look the two parents shared was enough to make both cubs stomachs churn.

Sarafina and Sarabi turned and headed back towards Pride Rock.

Nala looked at Simba.

"Why did you think she meant we had kissed?" she asked flushing.

Simba doodled in the ground with his claw.

"I dunno" he answered quietly.

Zazu landed on Simba's back.

"A guilty conscious perhaps or wishful thinking" he added slyly. Shock hit Simba's face.

"Shut up!" he hissed drawing a quiet giggle from Nala. The trio followed Sarabi and Sarafina in silence. When they arrived at Pride Rock Zazu took off heading for a nearby tree.

"Well thanks for a lovely time" Nala whispered giddily in Simba's ear.

"Hey maybe we could do it again tomorrow night?" Nala smiled to herself though Simba could not see.

"Night Simba!" she called over her shoulder.

Simba sighed watching her shrink into the darkness.

Simba turned and headed towards his parents who noticed his faint blush.

"Well how did your date go?" Sarabi asked grinning.

Simba glared at her trying to hide his embarrassment.

"It was not a date!" he called.

"Sure it wasn't" Mufasa chuckled sleepily.

Simba fell into a deep sleep a smile hitched upon his face, his dreams filled with Nala's eyes.

Across the den lay Nala whose thoughts were on Simba's words of beauty.

Awooooooooo! My first decent length chapter in a while, that's right dear readers The Lone Wolf is back in business. Sorry about not updating so much, I fell into a put of depression and truth be told I contemplated suicide. But not anymore. Like I'd give death the satisfaction ;) that bugger has to earn my soul dear readers.

I'll update as soon as I can REVIEW! It's the button beneath this XD Until next time my dear readers! Awoooooooooo!