What's up, everyone? I'm updating pretty fast cuz I've gotten my groove back with this story and the part you've all been waiting for has finally arrived! Who will Simba choose? Anaya or Nala?!
So then without further ado, let's see what happens!
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE LION KING
Chapter 13 – "Can You Feel The Love Tonight?"
"Anaya?" Simba asked. Anaya was shocked that this lion knew her name since she had never met him before and Nala was equally shocked as well. Anaya quickly got off of him and backed away, next to Nala as they both stared at Simba as he sat up.
"Is it really you?" he asked with a smile
"Who are you?" Anaya asked
"It's me….Simba" he said. Anaya gasped and Nala did too. Then Nala growled lowly.
"You're lying" she growled at him
"What?" he said
"The Simba we know is dead so you can't be him" she said
"Nala, I'm not dead. And if I wasn't Simba, how come I know your names?" he reasoned. Nala was at a loss for words. He did have a fair point. Anaya was curious and inched closer and closer to Simba. She leaned up to look at him until he face was close to his and then she leaned in closer, closed her eyes and sniffed his mane. Simba and Nala knew what she was doing. She was checking to see if Simba's old scent was still there and to her shock; it was.
She pulled back and looked into his russet-colored eyes and then a huge smile spread out across both of their faces.
"WHOOOOOOAAAAA!" she yelled
"AHHHHHHHHHHH" Simba yelled back and then bumped foreheads with her. Timon's jaw dropped.
"WHOA WOW!" Simba said happily
"Where did you come from?!" Anaya asked
"Wow, it's great to see ya!" he said smiling.
"It's great to see you!" she answered. Nala smiled and then joined in and bumped foreheads with him too.
"Simba…..I..I don't know what to say" she said. Simba smiled softly at her.
"Hey, what's going on here?" Timon asked but they didn't hear him.
"You don't need to. I'm just glad you're both here and speaking of that, what're you guys doing here?" he asked
"What do you mean 'what are we doing here?', what are you doing here?" Anaya asked
"HEY! WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?!" Timon yelled
"Timon, this is Nala and Anaya. They're my best friends!" he replied
"Friends?!" Timon said
"Yea, hey Pumbaa! Come over here!" he called just as Pumbaa pulled himself out of the hole.
"Nala, Anaya; this is Pumbaa. Pumbaa; Anaya and Nala" Simba introduced
"Please to meet your acquaintances" Pumbaa said politely. Anaya giggled
"The pleasure's all ours" she said
"WHOA! WHOA! Time out! Lemme get this straight" Timon said
"You know them and they know you, but they want to eat him and everybody's okay with this? DID I MISS SOMETHING?!" he shouted
"Relax, Timon" Simba said
"Wait till everyone finds out you've been here all this time!" Nala said and then looked at him with wide eyes.
"And your mother; what will she think?" she said, remembering how heart-broken Sarabi was when Scar told her about Simba's supposed death. Simba looked nervous for a moment.
"She doesn't have to know. Nobody has to know" he said quietly
"Well of course they do; everyone thinks you're dead" Anaya said. He looked at her with raised eyebrows.
"Yea….Scar told us about the stampede" Anaya added and then frowned
"He did? What else did he tell you?" he asked, worried that Scar had mentioned Simba's horrible secret. Anaya brushed it off.
"What else matters? You're alive…..and that means….you're the king!" she said with some excitement.
"King? Pfff, lady have you got your lions crossed" he said and looked at Anaya.
"The king? Your majesty, I gravel at your feet!" Pumbaa said and then started to kiss Simba's paw. Simba pulled his paw away.
"Stop it" he said, not really liking this newfound attention.
"It's not gravel, it's grovel! And don't, he's not the king! Are ya?"
"No"
"Simba?" Nala said
"No, I'm not the king! Maybe I was gonna be, but…that was a long time ago" he said. Anaya was shocked and surprised to hear this. Both of them were. She remembered that when they were younger, he used to say that he couldn't wait to be king and now that's he's older, he doesn't want the responsibility anymore?
"Lemme get this straight. You're the king…and you never told us?" Timon asked
"Look, I'm still the same guy" Simba said
"But with power!"
Anaya was annoyed and saddened at the same time. How could he turn his back on everything and everyone he had ever known? How could he turn his back on his pride, Nala and Anaya herself? Nala looked at her sster and saw the troubled expression on her face. Even though Nala was equally upset at Simba's statement, she knew that it was affecting Anaya more than her. Simba and Anaya had a deep bond, ever since they were kids and it was even deeper than Simba and Nala's.
"Could you guys excuse us for a few minutes?" Nala asked kindly
"Hey, whatever they have to say, they can say in front of us. Right, Simba?" Timon asked
"Mmm…maybe you'd better go" he said. Timon's jaw dropped again.
"It starts…..ya think you know a guy" he said and then him and Pumbaa went off into the jungle. And right behind them, Nala quietly left them alone but watched their interaction. In a part of Nala's mind, she knew that Anaya may be harboring some feelings for Simba and she wanted to see if they were true.
"Timon and Pumbaa,….you learn to love them" Simba said jokingly and then gasped when he saw the sad expression on Anaya's face.
"What?" he asked and then walked up beside her.
"What is it?" he asked
"It's like you're back from the dead. You don't know how much this will mean to everyone, Simba. You don't know how long I've had to deal with the idea that you were dead all this time. And now to come back and see that you've been alive all this time? You don't know what this means to me" she said sadly.
"Hey, it's okay" he said soothingly
And then without even thinking, she looked at his handsome, grown up face and then nuzzled her head underneath his chin, surprising both Nala and Simba.
"I've really missed you" she whispered softly. Simba smiled and closed his eyes, relishing in the feeling of her affection.
"I missed you too" he replied and then pulled away to nuzzle her cheek. Anaya, with closed eyes, smiled and leaned into his touch. Nala watched as the two reconnected with each other. She smiled, for she wasn't angry or even spiteful towards her sister. As Nala matured, she realized that her feelings for Simba were nothing but friendly and that's what led to the close friendship that bonded her and Anaya so much. She watched as the two pulled from each other and then looked around for her.
"Where did she go?" Anaya asked and was about to search for her more, but Simba stopped her.
"Wait, Anaya….there's….there's something I wanna show you" he said and then motioned for her to follow him. Anaya looked back at the jungle one last time before she sighed and followed alongside Simba. Timon and Pumbaa watched in dismay at the two lions.
"I tell ya, Pumbaa. This stinks" Timon said
"Oh, sorry" Pumbaa said
"Not you! Them!"
"Him….her…alone" Timon said in a romantic tone.
"What's wrong with that?" Pumbaa asked
"I can see what's happening"
"What?"
"And they don't have a clue"
"Who?"
"They'll fall in love and here's the bottom line; our trio's down to two!"
"Oh"
"Ze sweet caress of twilight! There's magic everywhere! And with all this romantic atmosphere; disaster's in the end!"
Simba guided Anaya to a beautiful waterfall and she was surprised to see how amazing it looked with the sun shining on the water, making it seem so magical. She took the lead and went down the rocky steps to the spring and Simba followed behind.
"Can you feel the love tonight?"
"The peace the evening brings!"
Anaya smiled and played with Simba by guiding him around the water so he could follow her and so she could gaze at him in return. She looked down at the prince and saw the playful yet caring gleam in his eyes and Simba could see the same in hers.
"The world, for once, in perfect harmony"
"With all its living things!"
Simba guided Anaya to the small pond and she was opposite from him as they leaned down to drink the water.
"So many things to tell her, but how to make her see?"
"The truth about my past; impossible. She'd turn away from me"
Anaya finished her drink and looked up to see the sad expression on Simba's face which quickly turned into a smile when he looked at her but she couldn't understand what he wasn't telling her.
"He's holding back; he's hiding"
"But what I can't decide. Why won't he be the king I know he is? The king I see inside!"
Simba gave a sly smile to her and then ran past her. Anaya looked behind her to see what he was up to and then got her answer when he ran with a vine in his mouth and then leaped into the water.
"Can you feel the love tonight?"
Anaya looked out into the water and tried to look for him but was surprised when he popped out of the water, wrapped his arms around her neck and and pulled her down into the pond with him. Instead of freaking out, she laughed and then splashed some water at him and then got out.
"The peace the evening brings!"
Simba got out of the water too and then grinned at her, but se smirked and then pushed him back into the water again.
"The world, for once, in perfect harmony"
"With all its living things!"
The two played with one another and laughed as they wrapped their arms around each other, as if to wrestle, and then without warning, they fell backwards and tumbled down a large hill onto a huge patch of soft grass and leaves with Simba on top and Anaya underneath.
"Can you feel the love tonight?!"
Anaya and Simba laughed at their silly antics and then Anaya looked at Simba and his handsome face again. At that moment, she realized why she was so attached to him and why her heart swelled continuously at his presence. She was in love with him. And then with boldness, she placed her paw against his face and closed her eyes before tenderly letting her tongue out to brush against his cheek.
"You needn't look too far!"
Simba opened his and was shocked at what Anaya had just done, but when he looked at her he saw how much she had grown and how strikingly beautiful she had become over the months and realized that he was indeed in love with her.
"Stealing through…..the night's uncertainties!"
He smiled back lovingly at her and then lifted himself off of her. She sat up and then gasped as she felt him kiss his forehead and then tenderly press his muzzle against hers. She blushed heavily and looked away from his gaze but he only nuzzled her more to Anaya know of his love for her. Anaya looked back at Simba and saw how sincere he was in his love for her and then kissed him back. They both smiled and then leaned in once again to brush themselves against one another, finally showing their feelings.
"Love is where they are!"
What neither one of them noticed was that Timon and Pumbaa were both across the lake from them and were watching their interaction and their new love blossom.
"And if…he falls…in love…tonight. It can be assumed"
"His carefree days…with us are history"
"In short; our pal….is doomed!"
And then the two cried like babies….
Simba and Anaya walked up the stream together while relishing in the feeling of being together. Simba was happy that Anaya was his mate now and she felt the same. Nala was wandering around the area, just admiring the scenery when she happened to see the new couple walking by.
"Isn't this a great place?" he asked her
"It is beautiful,…but I don't understand something….if you've been alive all this time,….then why didn't you come back to Pride Rock?"
"Well, I just needed to get out on my own…live my own life and I did and it's great!" he said, relaxing against a bunch of vines.
"But we've really needed you at home" she said sadly
"No one needs me" he mumbled
"Yes we do! You're the king!" she argued
"Anaya, we've been through this, I'm not the king. Scar is" he said.
"Simba, he let the hyenas talk over the Pridelands"
"What?!"
"Everything's destroyed. There's no food, no water! Simba, if you don't do something soon, everyone will starve!" she pleaded
"I can't"
"Why?"
"You wouldn't understand" he mumbled again
"What wouldn't I understand?" she asked
"No, no, no, it..it doesn't matter. Hakuna Matata" he said
"What?"
"Hakuna Matata. It's something I learned out here. Look, sometimes bad things happen-"
"Simba" she warned with irritation
"And there's nothing you can do about it! So why worry?" he said with a crossed look
"Because it's your responsibility!" she reminded him. Simba didn't want to look at her because a part of him knew that she was right, but of course he wouldn't admit it.
"Well what about you? You left" he accused. Anaya glowered at him.
"Nala and I-" but then Anaya calmed herself because she didn't want to end up blurting out what Scar had almost done to her, "Nala and I went to find help. And we found you! Don't you understand?! You're our only hope"
"Sorry" he replied in a dismissive manner. Anaya and Nala were shocked from his attitude.
"What's happened to you? What happened to the Simba who just couldn't wait to be king? Where's that Simba? Cuz you're definitely not the Simba I remember" Anaya said distastefully
"That Simba IS dead. And you're right…I'm not the same, now are you satisfied?" he asked sarcastically
"No…just disappointed"
"You know, you're starting to sound like my father" he growled and then moved away from her.
"Well good, at least one of us does. Besides if he were here, he'd be disappointed too. To see that his only son can't even grow a pair and step up to the plate" she hissed at him. That set Simba off.
"Listen, you think can just show up and tell me how to live my life?! You're not even a part of the pride! You're just adopted and that's all you'll ever be!" he snarled. Anaya gasped and moved back from him. Nala gasped too. How could he say that to her?
"Simba" Anaya said with tears in her eyes.
"Besides, you don't even know what I've been through!" he growled and then turned his back to her.
"I would if you would just tell me" she pleaded
"Forget it!" he yelled
"FINE!" she yelled back and then ran off crying.
Nala was taken aback from that whole scene, but she knew she had to step in and talk with Simba. Simba was pacing in circles with an angry expression.
"She's wrong! I can't go back!...What would it prove anyway? It won't change anything. You can't change the past!" he declared
"But you can change the future" Nala added and walked up to him.
"Nala" he said
"Simba, you need to go talk to her" she said
"Why?" he said looking away
"Well for starters, you're acting like a jerk" she said. Simba said nothing.
"And then on top of that, you basically told her that she means nothing to you"
"I never said that!" he replied
"Yea, you did. You said she's only adopted and that's all she'll ever be" Nala reminded him. Simba was shocked that he had said that to her. He felt guilty now.
"I didn't mean too" he mumbled.
"I know that, but….why don't you wanna go back?" she asked. Simba sighed.
"Nala….I..I can't tell you"
"Why not?"
"Because…because…..look that's not important right now. I have to find Anaya. Where did she go?"
"That way and listen, you're lucky you're my best friend or I would've killed you for saying that to her" she warned and Simba took off without replying.
In a meadow nearby, Anaya was crying and sniffling over a pond and looked at her reflection. It wasn't until a handsome young lion came up behind her and spooked her a bit.
"What do you want?" she asked with sobs in her voice.
"Anaya….I'm sorry…I didn't mean for what I said back there"
"Really? Cuz it sounded like you really meant it" she replied
"Well does this look like I'm lying" he said softly and then kissed the side of her lips. She blushed and turned her head towards him which resulted in him kissing her muzzle and then her forehead. She smiled lightly and nuzzled her head under his chin again and then against his soft fierce red mane. Simba opened his eyes and smiled down at the beautiful lioness and brushed his nose against hers, making her giggle.
"Fine, I forgive you" she said
"Good, now come on"
"Good grief! Now where are you taking me?" she asked.
"A private little place for the two of us" he answered and she followed him, like she always would.
"Remember when…we never needed each other."
"The best of friends like…sister and brother"
"We understood…we'd never be…alone"
Simba led Anaya to a meadow full of small flowers and butterflies and she smiled as she remembered Mufasa taking them somewhere like this one time.
"Those days are gone…now I want you so much"
"The night is long….and I need your touch"
"Don't know what to say; Never meant to feel this way!"
"Don't wanna be…..alone tonight!"
And then she ran into the field and startled all the butterflies and Simba chased her, pinning her down with the butterflies surrounding them. They both laughed and smiled at the colors and the moment right now between them.
"What can I do…to make it mine?"
"Falling so hard….so fast….this time"
"What did I say….what did you do?"
Simba looked down at his mate and smiled lovingly before he nuzzled her face and then lathered it with so many kisses.
"How did I fall in love with you?"
She laughed and then smirked before pushing him off of her and running away again, but of course, the young prince was always up for a challenge.
"I hear your voice….and I start to tremble"
"Brings back the child that….I resemble"
"I cannot pretend….that we can still be friends"
"Don't wanna be…..alone tonight!"
He chased her all the way back to the pond and saw her smirking at him still. He wondered what she was planning and then he got his answer when she leaped into the water.
"What can I do…to make it mine?"
"Falling so hard….so fast….this time"
Simba smirked as well and jumped in too, making a huge wave. Both his and Anaya's heads popped out of the water and he swam around slowly with her, just watching her move around and admiring how flawless she looked right now, while she did the same.
"What did I say….what did you do?"
"How did I fall in love with you?"
They swam for a little ore until they finally felt the need to dry themselves as the moon was now fully in the sky.
"Oh I wanna say this right and it has to be tonight!"
"Just need you to know!"
Simba got out first and then Anaya did too and brushed her wet fur against his side, making him purr in delight and kiss her again.
"I don't want to live this life! I don't want to say goodbye!"
"With you I wanna spend…the rest of my life!"
"What can I do…to make it mine?"
"Falling so hard….so fast….this time!"
The couple walked to a small area in the meadow where leaves were gathered around next to a tree. Simba motioned for her to go first and Anaya lied down onto the soft leaves.
"What did I say….what did you do?"
"How did I fall in love with you?!"
"What can I do….to make it mine?!"
"Falling so hard….so fast….this time!"
Simba smiled caringly at the young lioness and her curled up form before he moved in behind her and nestled himself against her body, eliciting a soft purr from his mate.
"Everything's changed; we never knew!"
"How did I fall…..in love…."
Anaya snuggled closer to him and then looked up at her mate.
"Simba?"
"Hmm?"
"I love you" she whispered. Simba's heart swelled at those words and gazed at her.
"I love you too" he said and then gently bumped foreheads with her before resting his head on top of hers.
"With…..you…"
Simba smiled in his sleep as he felt so much happier than he had ever been before. He had his best friends back in his life and at the same time…..he had the love of his life too…..
Come on, say it with me! "AWWWWWWWW!"
So yes my lovely viewers, Anaya and Simba are finally TOGETHER! *fangirl screaming & throws confetti*
And the song used was 'How did I fall in love with you?' by The Backstreet Boys. So now, there's a couple more chapters to do before this story ends (insert tears). But I promise, I'll make these next chapters the best and the ending will be perfect too!
So please stay tuned and review!
~ Animelover5234 ~