The moon and stars shined brightly over the Himalayan mountains as Rani and Kion were walking all over the mountain, they were on their way to visit the Pridelands with the desire to see old friends and family again. Of course they had to go through the long journey again but it was a price they were willing to pay easily, as they were traveling the mountain Rani yawned a little as she was getting a bit tired from walking many hours, Kion noticed Rani's yawn and tired expression.
Kion felt himself tired as well and it's pretty common knowledge that a good night's rest is important, but where were they going to sleep for the night, it was then Kion noticed a large cave up ahead which looked big enough for the both of them "Come on Rani well spend the night in there."Kion said as he and Rani approached the cave. When they entered the cave they were immediately greeted by the sight of two snow leopards, one male and one familiar female, Kion and Rani gasped in suprise and got into defensive stances after realized who they were in the presence of.
"You?!"Kion exclaimed in shock staring eye to eye with Chuluun who was laying down next to Ayaz and after seeing her two hated archenemies she immediately went into vicious mode "You?!"Chuluun growled back getting up and standing in front of Kion and Rani matching their defensive stances. Ayaz got up as well and stood beside Chuluun looking at the lions intruding into his cave "Who are these lions Chuluun and how do you know them?"Ayaz asked not taking his eyes off of Kion and Rani.
"I'm Kion and this Is my mate Rani we are the rulers of the tree of life and it's protectors."Kion said with a firm tone staring daggers at Chuluun Ayaz scanned Kion and Rani bas he heard stories about the tree of life and even it's protectors the Night Pride which Ayaz could tell they were apart of. Chuluun gave Kion and Rani a slight bewildered look when one word hit her ears that was Kion calling Rani his mate.
"Wait you two are mates?"Chuluun asked recalling that they were good friends before how did that escalate to romance "That's right and happily so."Rani said with a little sass making Chuluun growl "You two are a long way from home."Ayaz said noting that they were here and not at the tree of life where they said they ruled.
"Yeah we're going to the Pridelands."Rani said glancing at Ayaz who narrowed his eyes intrigued he had heard of the Pridelands as well, "I'm the son of the King there,we were going to visit you know to see friends and family."Kion said Ayaz nodded then he spoke "and what brings you to our cave?"
"Well we needed a place to rest for the night, but we didn't know this place was occupied."Rani explained glanced at Chuluun who frowned "now you know thanks for stopping by now get out."Chuluun said harshly making Rani scoffed "Gladly." then she and Kion before they were stopped by Ayaz who was still confused by the hostility between Kion and Rani and Chuluun.
"Hold on a minute, if you need a place to rest you both are more than welcome to rest here for the night this cave is big enough for the four of us."Ayaz said with kindness making Chuluun look at him with suprise. Kion and Rani had the same reaction but they were also grateful for Ayaz's offer of hospitality.
"Ayaz they can't stay here."Chuluun said firmly making Ayaz look at her confused "Why not?" Chuluun took a deep breath while glancing at Kion and Rani "Remember the Lion Guard group i told you about, the group i...antagonize here and over at the tree of life?"Chuluun asked Ayaz recalled that conversation between him and her, of course Ayaz wasn't exactly pleased to hear the terrible things she's done with her band of misfits.
Ayaz looked at Kion and Rani with sympathy "I don't suppose sincere apologies are out of the question?" hoping to patch up the bad blood between them Kion gave Chuluun a stern glance before turning to Ayaz "I think it's a little late for apologies." "Not that you would've gotten one."Chuluun said with a scoff "Chuluun hush."Ayaz said calmly and firmly.
"Kion is right Chuluun as caused my Kingdom so much trouble to be forgiven and quite honestly when Kion blew you and Makucha's army away i was praying I'd never have to lay eyes on you again, looks like my prayers have gone unheard."Rani said coldly making Chuluun chuckled scornfully "Trust me princess i never wanted to see you again either."Chuluun said Rani stepped forward to chuluun getting close to her face. "It's queen."she hissed "i missed the part where I'm supposed to care."Chuluun responded coldly Rani growled viciously and Chuluun growled in response having a stare down threatening to tear each other apart as soon as the bell rings.
"Ladies please let's not stain this cave with blood."Ayaz said calmly making the girls pull away from each other "Look i know what Chuluun did to you and your kingdom is completely inexcusable but she's learned her lesson and is a completely different person now she's changed."Ayaz said glancing at Chuluun with a little smile Kion gave Ayaz a skeptical look "Really,did she tell you that?"Kion asked "No because I helped her be a better person."Ayaz said making Rani raise an eyebrow at him "And how did you do that?"
"For one thing Queenie he saved my life."Chuluun said with bared teeth making Kion and Rani look at Ayaz who nodded his head "it's true when we met it wasn't on great terms, she wanted to fight me for ownership of this cave we wrestled and Chuluun dangled off a cliff but i saved her this cave wasn't that important to me to let someone die."
Kion and Rani found Ayaz's compassion and respect for the lives of others extremely admirable in fact Kion went so far as to think that he would be a perfect potential member for the Night Pride. "Then i gave Chuluun a choice: accept my earlier off which was the two of us share this den or she could refuse and be chased away, it's pretty self-explanatory on what she chose."Ayaz finished with a smile.
"And I'm proud to say i don't regret it, for the past few months Ayaz has been very kind to me, he has given me care,food..."Chuluun turned to Ayaz with smile that made Kion and Rani look at her with suprise "His heart."she said with a smile that said i love you.
Kion looked between Ayaz and Chuluun with complete bewilderment "Woah woah hold on a moment, Are you two..?" Kion said unable to get the word out "Yes we are mates."Ayaz said with a smile as Chuluun nuzzled him lovingly then Chuluun glared at Kion "what i can't have someone to love?"
"I'm just surprised you actually found someone to love Chuluun you never did strike me as someone who was ready to socialize romantically."Kion stated making Chuluun frown at him and growled "But i did strike you in other ways."
Rani looked at the two snow leopards with uncertainty she thought Ayaz could do better than Chuluun but she decided to keep that thought to herself "I'm surprised too but i think it's sweet that Chuluun found someone to spend the rest of her life with and if it help her clean up her act and not cause trouble I'm all for the new happy couple."Rani said with a sincere smile making Chuluun roll her eyes.
"My offer still stands you two can rest here for the night if you'd like."Ayaz said looking at Chuluun to see if she'll protest again she didn't she just looked away from Kion and Rani, Kion and Rani wanted to say refuse to spend the night in a cave occupied by Chuluun but since they were tired enough and they didn't know where another cave would come along they decided to stay there.
"Thank you for opening your home to us Ayaz."Kion said while glaring at Chuluun "You're most welcome come on love."Ayaz said as he walked towards the back of the cave with Chuluun and laid down and Chuluun laid down next to him. Kion and Rani then laid down in the middle of the cave snuggling next to each other Chuluun saw this a decided to play a little joke on them "Ooh I wouldn't lay there if I were you."
"And why not?"Rani asked a little rudely "That's where me and Ayaz...well...you know." Chuluun said with a little grin and a wink, Rani and Kion stared at Chuluun for a few seconds before looking down at the spot.
"Ew."Rani said as she and Kion moved back to the side wall of the cave snuggling against each other then all four felines drifted off to sleep.
The End