Chapter 3 is up! Yeah! This is one of my favourite chapters! Thanx for all the reviews! I really appreciate it ^_^

On a Rough Start

Tomorrow came, leaving yesterday behind. The animals were busy as always. The hippos were swimming, the giraffe were aching and the lionesses were hunting. Well, with the exception of one that is…

"Girl, I think I have found you the perfect mate," said Ariana, anxious to give her friend the good news.

"Really?" Florrie was surprised, almost forgetting why she called her friends for a meeting. "Wait, before we get to that…"

Ariana was too excited about her good news that she didn't even tried to listen to Florrie, "His name is Leonardo. He is one of Ty's friends. He's handsome, strong and a gentleman."

"Wow, he sounds gorgeous- I mean, guys listen…" Florrie tried to gain focus.

"Ooooh, is he romantic?" Corin interrupted.

"Well, I heard that he serenades!"

"He sounds dreamy," Corin's leg began to shiver.

"GUYS!" Florrie yelled to get her friend's attention.

"What!?" Ariana and Corin stopped their conversation. Feeling a bit confused. They didn't get why Florrie wasn't excited about Leonardo.

"I'm sorry. I just… I just can't go out with him," Florrie said.

"C'mon Flo! Stop that!" Ariana exclaimed, "You haven't met him yet! At least try."

"Yeah, don't be a party pooper," Corin added.

Florrie didn't take that offense seriously. She understands that her friends was just trying to help her. But they need to hear her story first before taking any drastic measures.

"You guys I can't do it because…" Florrie took some time to answer.

"Because of what? Spit it out, girl!" Ariana was becoming impatient.

"I'm already engage," Florrie let it out in one breath.

Ariana was stunned to hear that. She didn't believe it at first. Engage? Our Flo? Our still single Flo? She thought. However, after seeing Florrie in a down but yet serious disposition; she was convinced.

Corin on the other hand, fainted. She was shocked to learn that her best friend was getting married. She was more shocked when she noticed that now she is the only one who was still single.

"What!? Flo, are you serious?!" asked Ariana, fanning Corin who was still unconscious.

Florrie nodded and started explaining what happened. She told them everything: about the dinner, about her parents' agreement and about Zuba. She was really an opened book to them.

"Let me get this straight: Your parents and Zolo decided that you and Zuba should get married and now you're given a week just to get close to him?" Ariana recapped, still fanning Corin.

Florrie nodded again. She didn't want to say anything. She was still confused to the whole thing. She didn't know much about Zuba. All that she knew was his name and the fact that he is the next alpha-lion. If she could recall, the last time she saw Zuba was when he was surrounded by lionesses. When was that? A couple of months ago. Zuba was really popular, a ladies man if you could say.

She had no interest in him; as a result, she didn't have a clue on what's the scoop on Zuba. Nevertheless, she was a bit eager to know what Zuba is like.

"So, are you really going to marry him?" Ariana asked.

"I dunno. I'm still thinkin' here," Florrie answered, having a few thoughts in her head. "The only thing I want from you guys is support."

Ariana understood her friend and patted her on the back to give the support she needed.

The sun was in the center of the sky. From her point of view, it was straight above her head. This can only mean that it was already noon. Florrie remembered she had to be at Zolo's home by this time. "I have to go now. I'm suppose to be havin' lunch with his family."

Florrie sprinted away, leaving a cloud of dust behind her causing Ariana to cough. "Man, I just had the strangest dream," Corin woke up; she was certain that she just had a bad dream. Ariana just gave her the 'it wasn't a dream' look.

Mona and her husband, Lars were waiting for Florrie's arrival. They didn't expect her to be late. Zolo was there too. He was anxious to meet her soon to be daughter-in-law. Zuba however, was still unhappy with his father's decision. He put on his moody face and crossed his arms the whole time, awaiting his fiancée.

"Sorry I was late," Florrie's voice entered the room. She was panting, gasping for air. She ran really fast just now, trying to catch up to time.

Zuba's eyes widened. This was the first time he had seen Florrie. She wasn't as attractive as the other lionesses he knew but she could be called 'pretty'. Her sapphire blue eyes caught his attention for a minute.

"Finally, I thought you weren't going to come," Mona was relieved. Seeing her daughter stood Zuba up was the last thing she had hoped for.

"Hello, Florrie. Have you met my son?" greeted Zolo, motioning to Zuba.

"No, I haven't, sir," Florrie tried to be polite as possible, even though Zolo was the one who cause of her engagement. "But I would love to meet him.

Zolo turned to Zuba, giving a signal to him to introduce himself. Zuba got up, walked up to Florrie and bowed, still having his moody face on. Florrie felt discomfort by his expression but hid it; she didn't want to start a scenario in front of the alpha-lion.

"Alright, we'll be leavin' now," Lars spoke, ready to get out of the place.

"What? You're not staying?" Florrie blocked the entrance, which was also the exit.

"Of course we're not. You two need some alone time together," her mother grinned, pushing her aside gently.

"You two be good now," Zolo winked as he and Florrie's parents got out.

Now they were alone. Both Florrie and Zuba didn't say a word as they stared at each other. The place was quiet, too quiet. Zuba took his seat back. Florrie followed and sat opposite to him. Between them was a 'table' with two plates of fresh meat sitting on it. The banquet looked delicious but was never touched.

"Is he going to stay grumpy or what?" Florrie thought to herself. Zuba's expression got even moodier with his eyes narrowed more and his mouth scrunched up. This was the first time Florrie saw him up close. She now sees Zuba more detailed than looking at him from a far. He was a bit older than she was. His mane was scruffy and his tail was crooked, as any lion would have. He had muscles, proved the fact that he's toughest fighter in the pride. She had to admit he looked kinda cute if you take away that stupid face.

She felt as if she was wasn't welcomed here. "Umm… nice weather we're having today," she tried to start a conversation using simplest of small talks.

Zuba just stared at her, looking grumpier. His father gave him some tips on how to break the ice but he had other plans. He decided to try to make Florrie hate him so she could beg his father to cancel the engagement.

"This is getting nowhere!" she thought, feeling more uncomfortable with Zuba. "That's it. I really don't like the way things are going here," she finally gained the courage to speak.

Zuba's narrowed eyes were back in its proper shape. He didn't know what to respond except, "What?"

"I don't like the way things are going here," she repeated herself. "It's bad enough with you making grumpy faces at me."

Zuba raised a brow, "So, why not you just skedaddle back to where you came from and leave me alone!"

Unbelievable! Is he for real? Some gentleman he is! Florrie's anger erupted. "What's your problem!" Florrie raised her voice, "All I wanted to do is have a nice talk with you…"

"Maybe I don't want to talk to you!" his anger took the best of him. "You don't know what I had been through!"

"So that's what you are," she finally made a conclusion. "You're selfish, self centered and everything has to be all about you!"

Zuba choked to her conclusion. She was half-right about him.

"And you know what!? It wasn't my idea to get engage! It's your idiot father's idea!" she added in anger.

"Don't you say that about my dad! Where's you're respect to the alpha-lion?" Zuba protested, having is anger backed him up.

"And where's your respect to other people?" she replied. "Didn't your mom teach you to respect other lionesses? Or did your mom never taught you anything useful? "

That triggered him. Bringing up his mom was really a bad idea. Indignation took over his body as his pupil shrunk. "How dare you talk about my mom!" the enrage Zuba leaped away from his seat and pounced Florrie.

Luckily, Florrie was good at fighting. She didn't expect Zuba to attack her but by all odds, she needed to stay alive. The battle took place on the floor; they rolled over one another. They were scratching, biting, and punching each other to bits, knocking some furniture in the process. Zuba who completely lost his mind was aiming to bite her neck while Florrie was just trying to defend herself.

Zuba attracted his claws and swung it over Florrie's face, leaving a small scratch on her cheek. As for revenge, Florrie bit Zuba's paw. "Argghhhh!!" Zuba cried in pain. He tried shaking her off to make her released his paw but it only made it worse.

After much strangling, the fight came to a halt, with Florrie pinning Zuba against the ground. Both readied their right arm, claws attracted to send the finishing blow. The two lions just glared at each other eyes, seeking fear in them.

Breathing heavily of exhaustion, Florrie sensed depression in Zuba's eyes. His emerald eyes caught her attention.

Zuba was tired also. He was waiting for the right time to swing his arm at her but the time never came. He simply froze there, looking at her angry face.

"Is everything alright in there?" Mona entered the room "I thought I should do some checking -" She froze bewilderment once she saw her daughter and Zuba in their current position. "Ooops, was I interrupting something."

Florrie and Zuba froze too. They looked at each other and turned back to Mona. They noticed that it was awkward of them to be in this situation.

"You know what? I'll just be leaving now. Sorry for ruining the moment…" Mona head back to the exit, frustrated that she disturbed the so-called 'moment'.

Alone again, they froze for a minute, trying to gather some senses back into them. Zuba moved first by pushing Florrie aside so he could get up. Both feeling very silly but the anger was still in between them.

"Great!" cheered Zuba sarcastically. "Is you mother blind or can't she tell the difference between hate and love?!"

"Don't you talk about my mom like that!" Florrie took the offense and got up on her feet.

"Like the way you talked about my mom!" he replied, giving her the taste of her own medicine.

Florrie stood there feeling guilty. Having no comment, "Ughhh!" she moaned in irritation. "This date is officially over!" said Florrie, didn't realize she used the term 'date'.

"Splendid! Now get out!" Zuba pointed his finger to the exit; his moody face went back on

"Now!" he firmed his demand.

Zuba watched in doubt as a dejected Florrie huffed and slogged off. He felt his heart weakened as Florrie's shadow disappeared into the horizon. What was he thinking? What a jerk he had been! Zuba turned around to the mess he and Florrie made. "That was stupid of me…" he sighed.

Hope that you guys and gals enjoyed that. I know I did. Chapter 4 will be soon, just keep reviewing and I'll keep posting! Ehem-ehem: MuahahHAHAHhahahHAHAHA!!!