Author Note: The credit for the name of this chapter goes to Sipheravenger on Deviant Art. This name was almost chosen as the title of the story itself! I asked permission to use it as a chapter name instead.

Chapter 22: Avoiding the Heart

"Even if Dayya wasn't a problem, we still couldn't be together…" Jayden said after a brief moment of silence. Dark pulled back from her to look her in the eye. He looked a little hurt.

"Why?"

"We're leaving. I'm leaving. Again-after Tempest's cub is born."

"That's not for sometime. Besides, Vitani wouldn't march you all out as soon as the cub is born. It would be too small to travel. So that's even more time." Dark reasoned.

"But I'm not willing to start a relationship-"

"Restart." He interrupted. She ignored him.

"Just to end it again in a little more than a month."

"So what about the other option?" He gazed into her eyes.

"What other option?" She searched his expression but came up with nothing. Crickets chirped in the background during the brief moment of silence that followed the question.

He sighed, exasperated. "The one where you stay here, with me."

"That's out of the question."

"Why?"

"I can't leave my family…" she looked down.

"Jayden." he said, but she didn't look up. "Don't you want to be with me?"

"Yes, of course. More than anything in the world." her eyes peeked up at him.

"Except for keeping your sister clueless and staying with your family."

She sighed. "Yes, except that."

He sighed too. "I would never force you to leave your family because of me." he looked down. "Cuz I know I would never be able to leave my mine either."

"I know." she said, and lightly touched Dark's arm with her paw. "So we just can't be together." she said, though it hurt. "We're just friends."

"Friends…" Dark tried, then shook his head. "It's so hard to avoid my feelings. I've been doing it the whole time you've been back."

"I've been doing it for two years." Jayden murmured. "We'll be okay." she added, catching his eye. Am I making a huge mistake? she asked herself.

"Maybe…" Dark said. "I just wish…"

Something over Dark's head way up in the sky caught Jayden's attention, and she let out an involuntary gasp. Dark turned around to see what she had reacted to. A shooting star blazed though the sky in a long streak, and then disappeared in two blinks. Dark turned back to Jayden, a serious look in his eyes, and said,

"I wish we could be together."

Jayden and Dark went to bed just a few minutes later. They didn't embrace or nuzzle when they parted ways. Both were emotionally defeated since they reached their decision. Jayden collapsed in her bed in the den, but didn't sleep. She cried quietly for a long time. She couldn't decide which was worse: Loving Dark thinking he loved another, or loving Dark and knowing he loved her back but being unable to do anything about it.

She was surprised she hasn't woke Zula with her crying and shifting in her bed of grasses and big leaves. And she was more surprised that she eventually fell asleep.

Pretending to be normal the next morning was harder than usual for Jayden. She avoided Dark whenever she could. She joined the hunt as usual, but wasn't into it and didn't try very hard. She stayed out of the way and did almost nothing. She hoped Vitani hadn't been watching. Upon returning home, Dayya walked beside her, looking forlorn as well.

She's down for the same reason I am.. But she has no idea about me and Dark.

Jayden spent the rest of the afternoon with Dayya. The red lioness talked about Dark for a little while, but eventually changed the subject. They did talk about lighter subjects, and both girls felt better. At one point, they spotted Ciara and Kivu going up to a tree full of resting birds and trying to talk to them. Jayden told her sister about Simba's story and how Kivu was trying to get the Pride lands a new "majordomo."

"Looks like they're having a bit of bad luck." Dayya said as they watched the royal couple go around the tree but every time they spoke, the birds would fly away, or move to the other side of the tree.

Jayden actually laughed, and Dayya joined in. It felt good to laugh. Eventually the couple gave up and came over to the giggling sisters. Ciara collapsed next to them on Dayya's side.

"This is harder than I thought." she said.

"I thought it would be challenging to find a good bird for the job, I didn't think it would be hard to findany bird for the job." Kivu said, sounding defeated.

"Keep at it, you'll find one!" Dayya said.

"I think you'll know you're close to the right bird when one's not afraid to listen to what you have to say." Jayden said.

"So far, that would be zero." Ciara said. Dayya patted Ciara's paw with sympathy.

"I'm going to keep trying." Kivu said, heading off. "You rest for a while." he called to Ciara over his shoulder.

"Don't have to tell me twice." she said. "Or once, actually."

Jayden and Dayya giggled. The three of them talked for a while, then took a nice nap.

That night, Jayden avoided the place where she and Dark met and just went straight to bed in the cave. She felt the pull in her paws and her heart to go to that place… to throw herself into Dark's arms and smell his soft mane. But she didn't allow herself to do so. She forced herself to lay down and go to sleep.

The next day Jayden almost bumped into Dark at the bottom of the stairs. She accidentally lit up, had a huge smile and said his name. But then she remembered her decision, and said, "oh…" and looked down. Dark looked upset too, and didn't say anything, thought he gave her a small smile.

She had to move away from him immediately so she wouldn't cry. Later in the day, a large group of the young lions had gathered out in the grasslands to hang out. Jayden was there with Zula, Zuna, Clous, Mebala, Taeliss, Malowa, Nundi, Ahila and Drayden. Jayden had been avoiding Drayden when she could too. She decided to wait a while longer to attempt to picture herself as Drayden's girlfriend. She was way too upset about Dark to even think about it. Drayden would have to just wait a bit longer until Jayden could control her emotions and decisions.

At this outing, Jayden wondered if Dark was going to join them. As their meeting went on, it became clear that he wasn't. Jayden had an idea where he was.

As if reading her mind, Zula asked everyone, "Where is Dark? Did anyone tell him to meet us here?"

"I did." said Ahila. "He said his stomach felt weird, so he was just going to relax at home."

"Oh okay, maybe next time." Zula said. The group was talking happily for a while. Every now and then, Jayden saw Zula looking at Clous as he joked to Malowa or said something in Zuna's ear. Jayden nudged her friend, then when she had her attention, she gestured her head at Nundi, who was laying opposite from them in the circle. Jayden gave Zula a suggestive expression to make her laugh.

It worked, and Zula giggled. "No way." she whispered. She looked over at Nundi, then said to Jayden quietly, "I wonder if they have a thing."

Jayden looked to see who she was talking about. Next to the light orange lion was Ahila and the two of them were talking. Jayden had never seen Nundi talk this much before, so maybe they did have a thing. Jayden noticed Ahila didn't strike fury in her any longer, since she found out she and Dark weren't dating.

"Everyone has a thing but me." Zula said sadly. Jayden checked Drayden on her other side to see if he was listening to their conversation. He wasn't. He was talking with Mebala about her up-coming hunting test.

She turned back to Zula, and whispered "Well, me either."

"So you've decided about…" she gestured with her head to Drayden. Jayden nodded. "Tell me later."

"There's not much to tell."

"Tell about what?" Drayden said, turning toward them.

Jayden thought fast. "Zula asked me to tell her the secret behind my hunting skills. But I have none! What about you, Drayden, I heard you giving Mebala advice for her huntress test." she quickly turned the subject on him, feeling proud of herself for avoiding the conversation he almost dropped in on.

"I was just telling her to be watchful for branches and things that are tucked into long grass. They would make noise and alert the prey if stepped on or nudged."

"There's so much I have to watch out for!" Mebala complained.

"And of course, you have to catch something." Taeliss imputed. Her test would be around the same time as Mebala's since they were the same age. They could even test within hours of each other.

Zuna, Zula, and Jayden all shared a few hunting tips for the younger lionesses. Jayden told her all about knowing when to act and when to wait. Zuna talked about being silent. Zula spoke about speed and how to pace yourself.

The group relaxed the rest of the afternoon and evening. At some point, Dayya, Kivu and Ciara joined them. Kivu reported he hadn't gotten any luck talking to birds, though one did look at him and hesitated before flying away. His friends sarcastically congratulated him on that detail.

That afternoon, Jayden joined the hunt. It was really hard to concentrate again. All she could think of was Dark, or how tired she was, or how itchy her neck was now that her wound had scabbed up. She complained in her head how annoying joining the hunt everyday was. The hunt finished before she knew it though, and she got to go back with her friends after everyone had a bite to eat. The group headed in that night and went their separate ways. Jayden planned on sleeping outside that night with Tempest and the rest of her family under Pride Rock's peak. Tempest was bigger in the belly than she had ever been, and Jayden made sure to tell her. The spunky light colored lioness seemed proud and happy. Only after sitting with them for a few minutes, Jayden started thinking about Dark again, and rose to her paws.

"Be right back." she murmured to her sister, hoping she looked like she was just disappearing to use the restroom. She headed to the side of Pride Rock.

I'm just checking on him. She told herself. He wasn't feeling well earlier. I should make sure he's okay.

Dark was laying there in their spot as she expected, and she rose to his paws when he saw her.

"I was just um…" she started. "I wanted to make sure you're okay. Ahila said your stomach was bothering you."

"Yeah, something I ate I guess. I'm feeling better. Or as good as I can be…considering the situation." he said without emotion.

Jayden stepped closer to him. The pull to be near him was too strong.

"Um… can I have… just one last hug?" she said sadly. He lifted an arm, and gestured with his paw for her to come. She closed the distance between them and pressed her chest against his. His heavy arm pulled her close, and she put her arm around her back too. She hadn't meant to, but she started to cry. "It's not fair." she muttered between sobs. Dark didn't say anything, only pet her back comfortingly. Somehow staying like that with him did help her feel better. She wanted to whisper I love you but didn't. When she stopped crying, she retired to bed after saying a sad "Goodnight."

The next day, after the usual hunt and meal, the young lions of the Pride met again, this time by the waterhole. It was particularly hot that day, so they wanted to be near the water. Across the body of water was a family of giraffes, but they didn't seem to mind sharing the water with the lions.

This time, Dark did join them. He told them he was feeling better. He sat near his sisters, but not next to Jayden. She didn't feel as nervous as she used to when Dark was around. Now she felt sad, but she tried to act normal as usual. Dayya talked to Dark a little. She acted normal too. Jayden didn't know if she was acting or if this was her doing better with his decision to turn her down. She probably is better. Jayden decided. Dayya's a confident girl, and could find another potential boyfriend if she wanted and tried.

Kiara and Kovu came to the waterhole to drink a short time later. With them was little Afia.

"Hey kids." Kiara greeted their group.

"Hi, Qeen Kiara! King Kovu!" Malowa greeted politely. Others greeted as well.

"Don't forget me!" Afia said, jumping into the center of their circle with her head held high and her chest puffed out.

"And Princess Afia…" Malowa amended.

"Everyone is in the perfect position for me to play over-under!" she shouted excitedly. There were some groans.

"Honey, you need to drink water first. It's a hot day, I on't want you to get overheated." Kiara warned.

"But I wanna plaaaaay!" She whined.

Kovu came to her side and picked her up by the scruff. He took her to the water's edge and set her down. "Drink first."

"But that's dirty water."

"No, it's not, just drink it, then you can play."

"Fine…" she gave in and drank. Kiara and Kovu took a drink too. When they were finished, Kiara and Kovu joined the circle and Adia jumped into the middle again.

"I'm ready!" she anounced to everyone or no one. Nundi stood and walked away, heading back toward Pride Rock without a word. Kiara only laughed.

Jayden didn't blame him…again. But she of course stayed to be a part of Afia's game. She liked the spunky cub.

It seemed evident the cub liked her too, when she raced to Jayden's paws and looked up at her. "Hi Jayden!"

"Hi, Cute-stuff!" Jayden nuzzled the cub.

"I'm gonna start with you!" She said, and jumped over Jayden's outstretched paws. Afia went around the circle going over or under the lions. They all put up with it, and tried to continue talking while she played. When she got to Kovu, he pulled her tail affectionately with his paw. She giggled.

Afia went around the circle a couple of times and Jayden started to notice some of her friends beginning to be annoyed, so when the cub made it back to Jayden again, she grabbed the light orange cub around the middle and gently flipped her on her back.

"Gotcha!" she said, and tickled the cub's soft belly. Afia giggled loudly. "You're mine now!"

"Noooo!" she struggled to be free, so after a second of momentary tickle torture, Jayden gave her a big lick and let her go. She looked up to see Dark watching her with a smile. He didn't try to hide the fact that he'd been watching her. Jayden shyly smiled back.

Kiara let out a loud yawn. "I think it's about time to head back." she said and stood.

"Aww!" Afia complained, but then said, "Okay." and went to her mom's paws. Kovu stood and stretched.

"Thanks for letter her play with you guys." Kovu said to the group.

"Thanks everyone!" Afia shouted. There were some murmurs from the lions while Jayden waved "bye" at the cub with her paw. Afia ran over and gave Jayden a quick hug on her shoulder, then ran back to her parents who were already headed back home. Jayden smiled after the cub. Her friends around her began talking again, and when Jayden turned her attention back to them, she again caught Dark looking at her. He smiled again, which made her smile too. She wished she could read his thoughts.

She put her smile away, and tried to get back into the conversation before somebody noticed. A few mintues later, Malowa suggested they spar. Everyone agreed since they were becoming bored. Malowa was tussling with Clous when Jai and Mani joined them. The younger lions got to test their skills with the older lions. Jayden was entertained while watching, and thought about sparing with one of them herself. The lions' positions got moved around while taking turns sparing, and eventually Dark ended up sitting by Jayden. She tried being nonchalant about it. Dark would turn to look at her every now and then. At first, she tried to ignore him, but he started nudging her with his tail or paw when no one was paying attention.

"What?" she whispered to him when he had done it again.

"Nothing."

She tried to hide the grin that came.

"What?" he said to her.

"Nothing," she said, mocking his tone. He chuckled and whapped her side with his tail again. Without thinking, she turned her upper body and swatted Dark hard on the arm. There was a quite audible THUNK when her paw landed. All eyes turned on them.

Jayden returned their stares, then said smoothly, "There was a mosquito. You're welcome, Dark!"

Dark only chuckled. Mebala shouted, "Check my back for mosquitoes, then! I thought I felt a bite earlier!"

The young lions had a nice day together. That night Jayden decided to meet with Dark at their night-time meeting spot. They talked together at first just like friends would, but then Dark said,

"You were cute when you played with Afia today." It caught Jayden off guard and she blushed. "And you're cute right now." he said pushing his muzzle into her cheek. She leaded away and pushed his head, giggling.

Over the next few days, Dark and Jayden hung out during the day, usually with their other friends, and then met at night. Jayden forgot her own rule about remaining just friends and let herself love the black lion. Dark seemed perfectly okay with this of course. The two were happy.

Jayden still joined the hunt on each of these days and was doing better. She could concentrate well and be an important part of the group, not just a lioness standing by. She could feel her muscles strengthening. And her neck wound was all scabbed up and closed.

On one of the nights Dark and Jayden met together, they were positioned close to each other. They lay side by side with their arms in front of them. Jayden rested her head in his arms, feeling more happy than she ever had.

Dark bluntly brought up their relationship, something they hadn't spoke of during these days, "I guess we aren't just friends after all, are we?"

Jayden turned away a little. She just wished things were easy. "No, we're not."

He touched her paw, and she looked at him. Again, his smile made her smile.