Authors Note: Finals are finally complete for me which means I have more time to write the chapters. Before I continue I need to make an important announcement. One of my friends on the site, Kiara092 has passed away. Therefore this chapter is dedicated to her memory.
Rest in Heaven, my Friend.
Even though the peace celebration was now underway, the day was quickly turning into night time, much to the cub's disappointment. Long dark shadows began to blanket the trees and the rocks surrounding the Pride Rock area as the bright orange ball of light was slowly slipping down against the red sky and the black clouds. Even though the celebration would continue on throughout the week, all the cubs from both prides didn't really enjoy the idea of ending the fun or getting ready for bed.
"Simba! You need to hold still!" Sarabi said while trying to hold down the golden cub in her paws. In order to save herself and Simba from embarrassment, Sarabi decided to give her son a bath before the next morning. Of course, Simba protested by squirming and struggling in his mother's arm as she gave him long licks with her rough tongue.
"MOM!" Simba cried out as he pushed away from Sarabi's chest with his legs, but to no avail, "why do you have to bathe me, I'm perfectly fine."
Sarabi sighed with annoyance, her son would never accept a bath from her. While she continued to clean him, the queen's thoughts began to wonder. What would Simba be like in a year or so? Simba's personality definitely paralleled that of his father's. Sarabi distinctly remembered Mufasa complaining to his mother about the pointlessness of being groomed when they were cubs. How that certain trait in the family got passed down to Simba was beyond Sarabi.
"And here I thought my son was starting to grow up," Sarabi thought to herself. After Kula's competition last week, the queen started to notice a change in Simba's behavior. She noticed that the prince became shy and dazed off when in proximity to Nala. In addition, the cream cub exhibited similar behavior. Sarabi even caught her one time staring at Simba by the waterhole.
"Could it be that more than just a simple crush is developing?" Sarabi asked herself. Simba and Nala both had a strong bond that was shared. Sarabi might dare say it was greater than any other cub relationship.
"I guess it was a good decision to have them betrothed," Sarabi concluded to herself.
"MOM!" Simba yelled breaking the lioness's thoughts and snapping her back to reality. She shook her head while her eyes focused on the small pouting cub in front of her.
"Yes, Simba?" Sarabi asked.
"You can stop licking me, I think I'm clean now," Simba said. Sarabi didn't realize that she was still cleaning Simba when she dozed off. The queen loosened her hold on him and Simba leaped out of her arms and on to the den floor. Sarabi then stood up from the ledge that she was sitting on and made her way towards the large rock that was reserved for the royal family, Simba trailing behind her. Already on the rock was Mufasa resting his large head in between his paws as his mate and son settled in and nuzzled up against him, falling into a peaceful slumber.
Morning's first light peered through the top of trees, letting everyone know that the new day has started and that the celebration was to commence once again.
As according to tradition, the royal family, as well as accompanying advisors of the visiting pride, was to sleep in a separate den from everyone else. This act was to represent the peace and unison that the Pride Lands and Mountain Pride now shared. The den itself was located in a collection of red rocks that were scattered about the base of Pride Rock. While the den opening seemed small it was actually quite roomy. Offering a wide den for the royal family to unwind and relax away from their subjects. The only issue was that when the advisors had to sleep with the Royals, that meant that their family had to as well.
Malka found it to be extremely boring to be cooped up in the den while Simba and the others were at the upper levels of Pride Rock. As the reddish brown cub laid between his mother and father on the den floor, all he could do was sigh and think how boring this all was. On the other end of the den was Tama and her father, Wakili. The tan lioness cub was curled up against her father gently sleeping with quiet snores.
Malka didn't know how Tama could sleep at a time like this. They were in the Pride Lands, a place of legends, and all she could do was sleep? Though, Malka had to admit he had woken up quite a while ago. He would have gone to wake her up, but apparently, he had found himself imprisoned in between his parents embrace. He tried pushing and batting at their arms to wake them up, but it was no use. They were both stuck in a deep sleep. Eventually, he gave up trying and receded back to his sleeping position. Malka's eyes continued to wander around the den before landing back again on Tama's sleeping figure.
The light cream cub had been acting out of character recently he didn't know why. Since arriving in the Pride Lands she was more aggressive and sarcastic than usual. However, the prince was too tired to question it any further and then slipped back into slumber.
By the next afternoon, the celebration festivities continued. According to tradition after the first feast, the next 3 days were spent with a party like atmosphere and several activities that taught the younger cubs about the history of the event. Though all the adults were enjoying themselves, the cubs were not too enthusiastic.
Gathered under a nearby acacia tree at the shores of the waterhole, the cubs listened to Sarafina discussing her memory about the war during her cubhood. While it was an interesting story and none of the cubs found Sarafina boring herself, she did sometimes get carried away trying to impress the cubs, making it rather embarrassing; especially for Nala.
"So, there we were, Mufasa, Sarabi and I laying down at this spot watching the negotiation take place between Ahadi and the King of the Mountain Lands," Sarafina swooned as she looked up at the sky with dreamy eyes, "I could I already tell that Mufasa and Sarabi weren't paying attention. Even then they were constantly making googly eyes at each other."
"MOOMMMMM!" Nala groaned while covering her eyes with her light cream paws.
"Nala, sweetie, let me finish!" Sarafina countered completely oblivious to her daughter's agony.
Nala sighed rolling her eyes. The cream lioness then slumped herself on Simba's side her face completely buried in his golden fur. In response, Simba's face turned completely red.
Kula, Chumvi, and Tojo chuckled at the sight. After the events of Kula's dating game, the relationship between Simba and Nala was pretty obvious. It was a wonder that the two didn't notice all the signs.
"Eventually the two kingdoms finished the negotiation and that's how this celebration came to be," Sarafina finished. The other cubs then started to chatter amongst themselves again dispersing around the waterhole area.
"Hey, Nala!" Tama called out padding over. The cream lioness raised her head from Simba's shoulder, much to the prince's relief although he was slightly disappointed by it.
"Hey, Tama. What's up?" Nala asked.
"Now that your Mom's story is over you wanna hang out by the water hole?" Tama proposed, Nala smiled and then nodded, Simba, however, wasn't happy. The prince was starting to have a growing resentment towards the snarky lioness cub. Nala's blind acceptance of her only increased the anger building up inside of him. However, Simba kept his feelings concealed, as to not ruin his reputation especially in front of Nala.
"You mind if I tag along," Simba asked hopefully. Tama instead pulled her face into a slight frown.
"I'm sorry but, we just need some girl time," Tama said Nala got up from her position and joined Tama.
"OH! Can I join!" Kula shouted standing up while knocking over Chumvi due to her abrupt movement. Tama looked back at the peppy brown cub and her face slightly scrunched at the thought.
"Ugh… I can't have her come along," Tama thought to herself, "She'll interrupt every conversation that I'll have. She's way to perky."
"Well, Nala and I want some girl time… alone," Tama reiterated stressing the alone. She then turned back to Nala trotting away with her.
Kula then slumped down dejectedly onto the ground a frown on her muzzle. The other cubs looked in shock at Kula's sadness. I was a rare occurrence for her to ever be sad, almost like an eclipse. Kula, with tears forming, took a hold of Chumvi, squeezing the life out of him. Burying her head into Chumvi's chest, tears started to stain the light fur of his underbelly.
"Why...does...she...have...to...be...so...mean!?" Kula said with heavy gasps in between her words.
"I… don't… know… Kula," Chumvi sputtered out, losing oxygen flow from her vice grip, "but could you loosen your grip? I'm starting to feel lightheaded."
"NO!" Kula shouted only squeezing him tighter, "I'M NOT LETTING GO UNTIL TAMA BECOMES NICE!" Chumvi then succumbed to the bear hug collapsing into the grass with Kula still on top of him.
"When did she get this clingy?" Malka asked. Since the adventure in talon cave, Malka was aware of Kula's attachment to the snarky chocolate brown cub. However, the tan prince wasn't aware of how bad it got.
"About 12 days ago," Tojo stated, "Things kinda move fast around here I guess."
"Well, shouldn't we help Chumvi?" Malka asked turning his gaze back to the two.
"Trust me, buddy," Simba said resting his arm on Malka's shoulder, "There are two lions that you never want to mess with. My Uncle Scar, and Kula."
"So what did you have in mind?" Nala asked lying down in the shade of a small cool den that was hidden in the rocks of the waterhole. Nala had discovered the small den on a game of hide and seek and keep it hidden from everyone. Except for Simba, of course.
"We can talk about, our homes, or learning to hunt, or...boys," Tama said pausing before the last statement.
"Huh? What do you mean, boys?" Nala asked confused by her question. Tama in response rolled her eyes, flicking the tuft of fur on her hair back.
"Come on, it's only us here," Tama pried a bit more, "and I know you have the hots for Simba." Nala's face instantly turned red.
"Am I that obvious?" Nala asked herself.
"What!" Nala exclaimed hoping to throw Tama off, "First of all Simba is my best friend, I see him as a brother. There's no way that it could be any more than that!" Nala defended herself. Tama, however, wasn't buying Nala's act.
"Come on, surely being future queen isn't that bad," Tama said. This caught Nala's attention. Future Queen? What it that supposed to mean?
"Excuse me?" Nala asked taken by surprise at Tama's statement. The advisor-in-training made a questioning look at Nala.
"Surely, you've heard of it by now right?" Tama said, confusing Nala even more so, "I mean just yesterday I overheard some of the lionesses than you and Simba are to be married."
Nala's eyes widened. "MARRIED?!" The words hit Nala like a huge rock. She slumped down from her upright position her paw up to her forehead.
"Nala, are you okay?" Tama asked concerned.
"Yeah, I just…" Nala started but then stopped herself. She stood up from the floor of the den in a dazed way, "I... I… I need a moment." With that Nala sprinted out of the small cave leaving a confused Tama.
"So that's why Dad told me not to tell about my betrothal to Malka," Tama said to herself.
When the lionesses returned from the evening hunt Kula was still clinging onto Chumvi's body. Luckily Tojo was able to lure Kula away from him with the leg of a zebra, leaving Simba and Malka to swiftly carry him to Rafiki to be resuscitated.
Learning that Rafiki was at Pride Rock both Princes approached him with Chumvi's legs in their mouths dragging the unconscious cub along the ground stirring up dirt. When they reached the main den, Rafiki and Mufasa were in a conversation.
"Umm Rafiki?" Simba asked his speech muffled. The two adults turned their head, looking at the scene.
"What happened?" Mufasa asked.
"Kula," Simba simply stated. Rafiki sighed walking over to Chumvi with his staff in hand.
"Let's see what de damage is this time," Rafiki said examining his body. With one short jab to Chumvi's underbelly, the brown cub sharply inhaled, his eyes shooting open.
"Chumvi please relax!" Rafiki said. Chumvi's short breaths quickly deepened until it slowed down, "It would seem as though you have one collapsed lung. What were you two doing?"
"KULA!," Chumvi groaned, "She was...she was...strangling me to death with her grip!" Chumvi then laid his head back on the floor of the den, "Great spirits that girl is strong!"
After sometime Chumvi was allowed by Rafiki to stand up again. Malka and Chumvi were walking back to the waterhole, while Simba choose stayed behind with his father.
The two were making their way back Malka keeping a close eye on Chumvi to make sure that he wouldn't faint again. Trudging through the grass during the sunset made quite a peaceful walk.
Malka then stopped abruptly in the tall grass.
"What?" Chumvi asked stopping as well.
"I hear something running in the grass," Malka stated. The two paused, then suddenly a light furry blur came out of the grass knocking Chumvi down to the ground for the second time that day.
"Hey! Watch where you're going!" Chumvi cried out in annoyance.
"Oh sorry, Chumvi!" The fluffy object frantically apologized. Chumvi rubbed his eyes before opening it to see that Nala was the one who crashed into him.
"Nala?" Chumvi asked, "what are you doing running around. I thought you were with Tama."
Nala quickly became flustered as he cheeks reddened. She wasn't great at lying in these situations but she didn't want Chumvi or Malka to know about the betrothal. Either way, Nala knew that something would slip. The cream cub sighed and sat down on the grass.
"Look I'm only going to say this once so don't tell anyone especially Simba," Nala muttered lowering her head in embarrassment.
"So I may or may not have, a crush on Simba," Nala said, "and I found out that Simba and I are supposed to be married."
Malka and Chumvi exchanged confused glances.
"So what exactly is the problem here?" Chumvi bluntly asked. Malka facepalmed, while Nala gave him a glare.
"THE PROBLEM HERE IS THAT I DON'T KNOW IF SIMBA LIKES ME OR NOT!" Nala screamed at the brown cub.
"Ugh what is wrong with boys!" Nala muttered to herself frowning. The cream lioness then stopped over Chumvi, then disappearing into the grass of the Savannah once again.
Chumvi rubbed his face, a red mark in the shape of Nala's footprint forming on his dark forehead. The brown cub stood up a dazed look in his eyes. Malka was still standing shocked by Nala's outburst.
"Wow, I didn't know how aggressive she can get," Malka commented.
"Yeah," Chumvi said still rubbing his head, "It's best to not upset her. I'm sorry that you had to find out like this." The last statement confused Malka.
"What do you mean?" The reddish cub asked his eyebrows curling up. Chumvi rolled his dark eyes.
"About the betrothal, between Simba and Nala," Chumvi said.
"You mean you knew?" Malka asked surprised.
"Yeah, I've known for quite some time. Sarafina accidentally let it slip when she was babysitting us. Simba and Nala were too busy trying to pin each other that they didn't hear," Chumvi explained, "I guess you must be pretty bummed about it."
"Well I…," Malka stammered embarrassed about the last comment the chocolate brown cub had said. Malka's crush for Nala faded over time after the cave incident. Sure the prince still cared for her as well as admiring her beauty but it wasn't as strong as it once was.
"Chumvi, to tell you the truth. I got over her," Malka admitted. Chumvi's eyes widened.
"Seriously!" Chumvi said, "I don't believe it! There's only one way you could forget a crush that strong, by finding another girl. So who's the lucky one?"
Malka then blushed deeply, his eyes wandering down into the dirt.
"Umm…..It's...well...I have a crush on…..," Malka stammered his paws fiddling with a small rock. Eventually, he stopped and took in a deep breath.
"I have a crush on Tama," Malka stated quietly.
"WHAT!?"
AN: That concludes the third chapter. I just love cliffhangers hehehe. For the rest of the story I'm predicting about 5 to 7 chapters, I'm aiming for 6 chapters. See you next time readers.