Here is chapter five. Do you think I should add anything about Shireen and Dillon? Please review and tell me what you think of the story so far. The more reviews, the faster I will upload. And, just imagine the place where Simba and Nala go to is the Jungle from the movie.

A few weeks passed and the morning came that all the young lionesses had been waiting for. It was the day that the new leader of the Pride's best hunting party was going to be announced. All the young lionesses were told to gather in the large den and the males were not allowed to come in. Nala entered with her mother.

"Don't be disappointed" Runju said to Nala softly as she had walked in. Nala felt her boiling with anger. Couldn't he at least give her some supporting news? Sarafina hadn't said anything to Nala, because it was a law not to say anything about who the next leader was to anyone.

Penda was waiting for her pride mates. When everyone was there, she smiled and said, "The backup leaders will now be Tama and Kula. They will take over if the leader cannot attend the hunt. And the leader will be, Nala."

Nala felt stunned. Did she just say her name? She felt her mother and aunt smiling at her along with some other close lionesses. "Nala from now on, I will be training you on what skills you will need" Penda said and then the meeting was over.

Nala walked out, surrounded by her friends. The minute they walked out, Tojo said " Who's the leader?"

Nala smiled "Me,"

"Seriously?" Chumvi demanded.

"Yeah, and Kula and Tama are the backup leaders" Nala replied

"Wow, good job both of you" Moraan smiled and nuzzled Tama and she nuzzled him back.

"Nala, you're actually the leader?" Thresh asked with a smile.

"Of course she is. I've seen her hunt" Simba said and stepped forward and nuzzled her. Thresh frowned, but didn't say anything.

"Good job, Nala," Shinda said "You should go see your parents now. They probably want to talk to you. Nala nodded and walked away. Simba walked after her.

"Nala!" he called " I have to ask you something,". Nala stopped and turned.

"Listen, maybe tonight could we go on a walk or do some star gazing. Just the two of us?" Simba asked looking hopeful.

"Sure Simba I'd love to," Nala said feeling elated.

"I'll see you later then," Simba said and walked away looking happy.

Nala thought for a few moments. For the last few weeks, she had spent a lot of time with him. They often talked late at night in the meadow and went hunting together a few times. They sometimes went swimming, but Nala liked talking in the meadow more. Whenever she was with him, she felt happy and nothing seemed to bother her. She realized she loved him, but she couldn't bring herself to tell him that. Maybe I'll tell him tonight

Nala found her parents by the Waterhole. Her mother looked proud but her father looked a bit ashamed of himself. Sarafina stepped forward and rubbed her neck against Nala. "Well done, my little one, " she murmured. Nala just smiled. She then looked at her father. "Good job, Nala" Runju said softly. "Thanks Daddy" Nala replied, studying his face closely.

Nala went back to Priderock with Sarafina and Runju was left alone in his thoughts. He felt guilty. He had told Nala there was no chance she would be leader, but yet, she was given the job. He closed his eyes, remembering the hurt in Nala's sapphire blue eyes when he had told her she wouldn't be the next leader. Runju sighed "Don't under estimate her again", and walked back to Priderock.

Simba was waiting for Nala in the meadow that evening. He greeted her with a loving nuzzle. "Hey," he said softly, smiling at her. "Hi Simba" Nala replied.

"Dad took in some more territory. We have to cross some dry land, but the place is really nice. Do you want to go see?" Simba asked.

"Of course" Nala replied "Let's go"

The two of them walked toward the edge of the Pridelands, then crossed some dry land. While walking the two of them talked about general things, both of them too nervous to cross the line.

"Here we are," Simba stopped walking and Nala looked. It was a jungle, but when she peered through the moss she saw a beautiful waterfall and lush trees. Near that was a meadow, teaming with butterflies. Beside that was a slope with thick trees. It was the most beautiful place she had set her eyes on.

"What do you think?" Simba asked.

"It's beautiful" Nala replied. Simba smiled, "Just like you. Come on, let's go and get a drink". The two lions then walked in and when down the rocks beside the waterfall to a crystal clear lake. As Nala walked she could feel some kind of feeling that was attached to Simba. Both of them stopped, looked at each other several times locked in each other's gaze and then continued. Nala walked ahead of Simba, then stopped to take a drink. Simba was drinking around two meters away from her, and Nala felt his gaze on her. Nala lifted her head, gave him a questioning look and he averted his gaze. Nala began to lap at the water gain, when she saw Simba moving toward the trees. For a minute he disappeared, then jumped out with a wine between his teeth. He fell into the water. Nala gasped.

"Simba!" Nala called. She bent her head trying to see if she could spot him underwater. Suddenly. Simba burst over the surface, wrapped his paws around her neck and pulled her in. Nala went under the water and came back gasping, She jumped out with an amused Simba beside her. Nala gave him one look, and pushed him back in and ran away laughing.

"Watch out, I'm gonna get you!" she heard Simba call.

She ran through the meadow, with Simba behind her. Then she found herself on top of a slope with trees surrounding her. Simba reached her and she got up on her hind legs trying to pin him down. He grabbed her upper body with his paws, and both of them tumbled down the slope.

They landed at the bottom with Simba on top of Nala, but she didn't mind. Simba seemed to be unable to look at her. Then without thinking, she reached up and licked Simba's cheek. He looked surprised, but Nala smiled and whispered "I love you,". Simba smiled and Nala pulled herself up and buried her face into Simba's mane. He felt her lick the back of her ears. "I love you, too" he whispered back.

The two of them lay there, nuzzling each other for what seemed like hours. Then Simba pulled back and said reluctantly, "We should go back. It's really late.".

Nala nodded and said lets go. She felt Simba entwine his tail in hers as they walked back. Their walk together back to Priderock seemed way to short for Nala. They reached the top and without hesitation, Nala rubbed her head against Simba "Goodnight" she whispered. "Goodnight", Simba replied and both of them went into their separate dens.

That night neither could sleep. "Spirits above, the Prince of the Pridelands loves me," Nala thought.

At that same time, Simba was in the royal den, beside his sleeping family thinking " I love her, she loves me back"