~Fiygon

Hey guys, yeah, I know. I didn't upload on Saturday/Sunday, I have a good-ish excuse. You know how I said I could just draw the queen's guard? Well I may have tried my hand at it, and the results are... idk, amateurish but they get the point across. Sadly links don't work on this site, but I'll put it here anyway. I IRONICALLY uploaded it to DeviantArt, which I had to make an account for, (all my usernames were taken, ugh.)

My DeviantArt is - koberryant

There she is if any of you care. It's not that great so don't get any expectations, it was my first attempt at digital art.

Anyhow, most of you probably don't care about all that, lol. and that's completely valid.

Thanks so much for all the support last chapter, especially over the "twist" I guess you could call it. You guys were super supportive, thank you!

Hope you enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 7

"Paranoia"

I didn't know what to expect from this mandrill. But I know whatever I was expecting was definitely not what I got… Simba and Nala followed close behind him, the white bearded mandrill, carrying a cane with multiple shells of something attached to it's top. The blue lines under his eyes and red nose, easily complimenting how crazy he seemed at first. "Hello…" I said shyly.

"Rafiki!" Keira said, running up to him. He patted her head.

He smiled, "Good to see both of ya so lively."

He pointed towards me with the stick, "More so you," He laughed a bit, "Since you 'ere almost dead when I last saw ya!" He laughed a bit more.

I nodded unsure, "Yeah that was me. I'm Da-"

"Daniel?" He finished, laughing at my expression.

"How did you..?" I looked at him oddly.

Simba walked forward and laughed fondly, "It's no use asking him where he learns things. Best to just listen." He said with a smile.

He nodded, "Yes, yes. Now let old Rafiki take a look shall we?"

I nodded as he began to look over each individual appendage, nodding happily at each. Until he reached my previously unharmed arm, "This wasn't quite as bad when I was last here," he said putting a hand to his mouth in thought, Nala began stepping forward worriedly, as Rafiki pondered. Simba leaned over to look at my arm himself, having not seen it, growing concerned and frowning.

Rafiki leaned in closely, "I trust my friends have guided you from this dark path…" he said using a hand to direct the words to me. I nodded and he smiled, "Excellent!" He said loudly.

Nala and Simba looked at him oddly as he smiled back at them, "His wounds are looking much much better, yes! I'd say he's even ready to walk some. With a little help of course."

Both of them looked relieved for me, nuzzling each other. He laughed, "I will clean them now, and then you can tell old Rafiki what else it is you bring me here for."

The king and queen looked extremely caught off guard, as they smiled to try and hide the shock. Looking at one another for an answer. The other three lioness began laughing at their expense. After a few minutes of the mandrill cleaning old wounds, and patching new ones, he stepped back dusting himself off, "Good as he will be." He said confidently.

"You said I could… walk now?" I asked.

"Ah ah," He said lightly tapping my head with the edge of his stick, "Only with others to support you for now." He laughed again.

He stopped suddenly, leaning forward he started inspecting me rather uncomfortably close. With an extremely curious face about him. Nala stepped forward worriedly, having noticed his intrigue, and coming to look at my new bandages. "Is something wrong Rafiki? He's okay right?" She asked worriedly.

He looked at her oddly, then laughed, "Yes the prince is fine," laughing even more at her face afterwards. Everyone had been acting pretty weird lately, I wasn't quite sure why either.

He returned to inspecting me, and leaned in, "Lion?" He said to himself with a confused look, "Come, Come." He said helping me a few feet over to the pond of water from before.

The other three looked at me and Rafiki curiously, he set me back down, "Look into the water…" he said vaguely.

"Okay…" I did as he said, and the reflection of me slowly turned into that of the lion I was earlier.

The mandrill laughed loudly, "Excellent, excellent!" He said excitedly, as the others looked on in confusion. He leaned over again to me, "Her name is Miri?"

My eyes widened at that and I grew slightly defensive, "How do you know that name." I whispered defensively.

"My friends in the stars," he started, "They told me you

might be blessed. I've even spoken to that friend of yours, the lioness." He said quietly.

I sat in shock, but he didn't elaborate as he stood back up and laughed, "Ah perfect! His eyesight is still good." The others seemed to relax and nod to that, as I continued staring down at the pool, but that… that thing wouldn't stop staring back. It wasn't me.

Simba and Nala bowed thankfully, "Thank you Rafiki," Simba said politely.

He waved his cane, "Not a thank me, thank all of us!" He laughed, "Come, I'm sure ya have much to discuss."

They nodded, wearily being pushed out of the room by him, leaving me and Kiara. Kiara came up to me and sighed, leaning in close to whisper, "He saw it too, didn't he?"

I nodded, "How does he do that? He speaks to spirits?" She just shrugged and shook her head, just as confused as I was.

I looked up to the other three lionesses who were conversing between each other. "What did Rafiki mean? I thought he was just here to check me?"

They all giggled between themselves, and Mkali shrugged, "Who knows? He is a rather mysterious old monkey."

Sanaa and Mkali stood up and said their goodbyes, walking out of the cave to join the others, and leaving Kimya to watch us. They kept glancing at me and laughing quietly... I began to feel slightly off-put, were they making fun of me now? Maybe they saw my injuries and… What if Nala told them, or Simba? Sarabi and Sarafina saw too…

No…

No they wouldn't be doing that, that makes no sense. It's against all I've learned about them, not that you ever truly know somebody until they know the worst about you…

I won't let myself be ridiculed, if I'm guessing right.

Simba, Nala, and Rafiki approached the edge of pride rock, looking over the pride lands. Nala leaned against Simba, nuzzling against his chest. As Rafiki came up slowly to join, "And what else can old Rafiki help with?"

Nala looked up at Simba, and he nodded down at her. "We're asking him… tonight." Nala said confidently.

Rafiki smiled, "I suspected as much, you're very bad at hiding intentions!"

Simba laughed, "Can it be done Rafiki? Will you allow us?"

He nodded slowly, "Yes, yes… if he agrees I will."

Nala seemed to tense up when he said 'if', and she nodded, "We can give you a few days, if you need it."

He shook his head, "Nonsense! I have everything I need already!" He started laughing.

Simba shook his head in disbelief, "You already knew then?"

"I felt it with the changing winds. I could tell royalty was about to be born." He said with a shrug.

"Born?" Nala asked.

Rafiki laughed more, "Leave it for another time, for now, you two must make a decision!"

They looked at him in confusion, and he stared at them as if they were dumb, "How to tell him? What, did you think I was about to make that decision for you?"

They shook their heads quickly, "No no, we have an idea already." Nala said.

"Good. I will make myself at home around here, and wait for tomorrow then." Rafiki said with a short crazy chuckle, walking back down the path he came from.

They both nodded, "Thank you Rafiki." Simba said respectfully.

Nala watched him leave, and slowly turned to her mate, "Dinner time?" To which Simba nodded.

Me and Kiara were discussing quietly how I might've switched between the two. But carefully as to not accidentally change in front of Kimya who was watching us. As we did we heard Simba's voice, "Alright you two," we both nearly jumped in excitement, "Who's hungry?"

Kiara nodded vigorously, and I bowed my head respectfully, "I could eat, yes."

Nala came over from behind Simba, laying down next to me, offering her side. "I could carry you, or you could try and walk if you'd like."

My eyes brightened at the offer, "I'll try it."

Using her side as support she slowly stood up, though she was very big so it wasn't as easy to get my arm around the top of her. Though she held a gentle paw to my back, "If anything hurts tell me okay?" She asked.

"Yes Ma'am."

For the most part my legs felt unhurt, just weak. We exited the small alcove for my first time since I had been here, the rest of the cave being a rather large opening where nearly every lioness was staying. They all bowed, and giggled and talked amongst themselves as I passed by. I must have looked really funny these past few days…That… or did they all know what had happened?

Curiously Simba led us outside, and over to a path on the right. "Daddy, where are we going? I thought we were going to eat?" Kiara asked.

"We are, don't worry." He said with a reassuring smile.

"Should we check first?" Simba asked Nala, she nodded and they gently set me down.

"We'll be right back you two, don't wander okay?" Nala said sweetly as the both went up ahead. We sat there waiting for a few minutes.

Sanaa, Kimya, and Mkali approached. Sanaa seemed happy, "Hey guys. Aren't you happy to be out of the cave Daniel?" She asked, ruffling my hair.

I nodded, "It is more interesting, that's for sure."

Mkali hummed, "Where are the King and Queen?"

Kiara jumped excitedly, "We're eating dinner at the summit today! They said they needed to check something."

They glanced between themselves giggling a few times, and my heart sank a bit. Kimya nodded, "Probably making sure Daniel will be more comfortable up there."

Mkali smirked, "Well you know, they wouldn't want him getting hurt." At that, the three seemed to giggle amongst each other. Though I assumed it was entirely about me.

My mood turned south really quick, and I turned my head downcast. "Yeah." I laughed hollowly.

Kimya and Sanyaa seemed to notice first, as they tilted their heads questioningly, Kimya stepped forward, "I-Is everything alright, Daniel?"

Mkali obliviously continued, "It is pretty sharp up there."

"Mkali!" Kimya whispered loudly to try and get her to be quiet.

"They probably have Zazu filing them down into nubs just for Dan-"

Kiara looked back and forth between the two of us, and seemed to try and tell her to stop speaking. But it was too late and I lashed out a bit, "Can you stop?" I asked with slightly more venom than intended.

All three of them stopped, and their ears flattened against their heads, as Mkali seemed to realize I was upset. She stepped forward gently, leaning downwards, "Daniel, did I upset you? I'm so sor-"

"Of course I'm upset, making fun of people's mistakes is rude." I said, turning my head away. "I wasn't in my right mind when I did it."

Mkali stared confused, before something clicked, and she lowered her head more with regret, "No! No, no, no. I wasn't… not about your pain, Daniel. I would never make fun of that!" I paid her no attention.

Mkali stuttered, "I-I… Daniel I wasn't making fun of… I was just joking about…" she couldn't seem to tell me what she really meant.

She seemed genuinely devastated by what my reaction, and her head lowered even more. "Daniel!.. Please!.. I-I wasn't making fun of your injuries-"

"Then, what was it?!" I asked, glaring at her.

She started crying some, "I... can't tell you."

I turned away from them, "Of course…"

Sanyaa and Kimya could do little as they guided a crying Mkali away from me. They clearly had more to say, but for whatever reason they couldn't say it.

Nala and Simba came back, and my mood brightened a bit. They looked at us happily, "All set!" Nala said, "Come on you two." She said leaning down to give me support.

Slowly we made our way up and around the side of this massive rock, the view from the side was good, but at the top it was beautiful. With a vivid view of the sunset in the distance. They had a fresh carcass up here, and already had a small fire made for me right beside it, I'd guessed it was for me anyway. Did they do this, because of my feet kinda working now?

"Here we are!" Simba said, turning around while at the summit, "Pride lands, our kingdom."

Nala dropped me off gently near the fire, sitting down near me. Kiara sat across from me. None of the three seemed to want to be near the fire, I appreciated that they thought about me anyway. I looked around, "Just us four?"

Nala smiled, "We thought you'd enjoy the peace up here, being out of the cave for the first time in a while."

I nodded, looking at the sunset. The same very place where most of my worst memories were made, but… in this new lighting it was amazing. I could stare over the planes forever, it felt like a moving painting. I smiled, "So you did this for me?" I asked, looking over at Nala and Simba who were nuzzling each other affectionately, they nodded. "Thank you…" I smiled.

After that we decided to eat, I had to admit lions were messy eaters, I was used to it though. I fed Miri a lot… Nala helped me by cutting off slices of meat for me that I could cook over the fire, with some sticks they had brought preemptively. "Careful please," She said as her fur bristled when I held it over the fire for the first time.

I laughed to myself, "I've been doing this since I could walk, I'll be fine."

As I cooked some of my food, they asked me questions about what I thought of it here, and what I wanted to do. I replied rather unsure of myself, "I don't really know. I feel lost… like something is missing." I said, thinking of my happiness from before I entered these lands. Obviously the lack of my father and friends was heartbreaking, but something more was taken from me amongst all of that.

"Hmm, what exactly feels missing?" Nala asked curiously.

"My purpose is just… gone… I'm a human in a lion pride, I'm not even helping with any of the hunting or anything I'm just... taking, and taking…" I was quite annoyed with myself.

They looked at me worriedly, and I continued, "And you're being the most gracious hosts for me while I've been here, but I feel like I don't belong here."

Nala's face seemed to fall in a rather sorrowful way, "Now, Daniel. That isn't true…"

Simba smiled, "Everyone has a purpose in the circle of life, I promise you."

Nala continued, "You're just a cub, we don't expect those things from you…"

"I'm sorry." I said, "I'm being rude, It's just what came to mind first."

"You're so courteous," Nala said with a giggle, "Speaking your mind when you feel lost isn't something to be ashamed of, little one." Nala said, nudging me.

I continued eating, it was really quite better than I expected for unseasoned meat. I was surprised, it at least did the trick anyway. As we neared finishing, the sun had just begun going below the horizon, some heavy clouds were rolling in from behind us, bringing with it a rather biting cold wind. I lifted my head up, and felt the evening rays mixed with the soft colder winds against my skin. It brought me back to before all this, when I could dance and leave my problems past me.

Kiara yawned, "That was good, thank you mom, dad. And whoever caught it."

I lowered my head down from the sky and opened my eyes. they were smiling sweetly at me, especially Nala. Her gaze reminded me of my mother's, always so loving and kind. I bowed my head, "Thank you two. I needed the fresh air for sure."

They nodded, "Of course," Simba replied.

"Have you thought about what you'll be doing when you recover fully?" Nala asked me.

I nodded, "I might see about finding my old campsite, making my way back to civilization or something." I said with a shrug.

Nala's face widened in many emotions, "But-.. I-I meant-"

Simba laughed, "You said you had joined our pride did you not?"

I paused, was it disrespectful to move on if you agreed to join a pride? See, this is why I'm not a lion, I'd probably die within an hour to my own foolishness. I nodded at his question, "The fresh air made me think… If I return I could probably make a change for others like me. I might be able to change things, I could… I dunno." I felt like the worst injustice had befallen me. I didn't want anybody else to go through the same thing I had...

Nala seemed to stutter nervously, "B-But you just joined! There's no need to rush away."

I nodded, "I will always feel welcomed here, as a member of the pride. But it would be best to return to my own people right? I feel most of you guys would agree."

"You're still so little, Daniel. It's too dangerous to let you go by yourself." Nala said sadly. I'm not that little… I'm thirteen, a teenager. Why is she so insistent that I stay?

The wind picked up from behind me, and Simba hummed, "You don't seem very convinced of your own answer, young one." Why are they analyzing me like this? I thought we came for a peaceful dinner but I felt like I was being scolded for my words. Maybe they're trying to keep me around for another purpose, like the royal jester or something.

Nala shook her head, "Yes, Daniel, we were actually going to ask if you wou-"

I interrupted her, a hollow smile on my face. "It's just… I don't feel like I belong. The other pride members laugh and talk about me all the time, I see it everywhere. Even with my own guards… I just, maybe I need to move on."

"NO!" Nala yelled, I looked over in shock at her tear stained face, and felt guilty, had I said something wrong? "Daniel, honey they-.. they aren't laughing at you. They're excited for us because we've been planning this for a few days."

Planning dinner? I looked at her curiously, "Oh… I appreciate it a lot, but I don't see why they'd act like that still…Are you sure they don't just want me to leave?"

"No, you're… not going back Daniel!" She said sternly.

I looked back with a raised eyebrow, "Why not?"

"Who do you have back with them?! There is nobody waiting for you!" Nala said quickly, determined, though her face immediately retracted in regret at what she said. Kiara and Simba recoiled as well, Kiara hiding herself behind Simba.

I didn't let myself get angry, after all she was right, "Daniel…" she said softly, "I didn't… I didn't mean it like that." She whimpered.

"No, you're right!" I said looking up and smiling. "I don't have anyone. I don't really belong anywhere, do I?"

She shook her head vigorously, "N-No! You have us!"

She sighed, "Sweetie this… this whole night I've been working up the courage to ask you…" she hesitated more, looking back to Simba who nodded.

Just as she began talking I felt the same sensation from earlier when I transformed. I looked frantically around me, enough to catch Kiara's attention, who seemed to realize what was going on and she closed her eyes and cover her face with her paws, thanks for the help! I started backing away, eyeing the exit down the side of the plateau. Nala looked shocked at what I was doing and stopped from whatever she was saying, "D-Daniel!"

I backed up more, the nervousness making me breathe quicker, nearly tripping over myself, the wind picked up knocking the fire out, and I felt a few drops of rain on my skin. "Daniel… What are you doing? Sit back down honey." Nala asked worriedly.

"Daniel, let us talk with you before you do anything rash." Simba said calmly.

"You… you don't understand." I told them, backing away more. I couldn't hold the feeling any longer, slowly I felt my form switch. Starting from my legs and quickly spreading up through my body. I came falling forward in my lion form, and tripping over myself immediately. The same white lion cub…

Simba and Nala stared in disbelief, and my face looked up at them in horror. For the longest moment I watched their faces switch between many emotions. Nala's going from confused, worried, to a comforting look. Simba's the same, but almost a more understanding look. "Daniel?" Nala was first to ask after a long moment.

I backed up more, and more, "N-No! Stay away from me!" I said, panicked.

Nala and Simba started approaching very slowly, and I felt terrified, even as Nala soothingly tried to speak to me, "Daniel, don't panic, please." She intended to lean down and comfort me.

I backed up more, shaking my head in fear, Nala lowered her head, "There's no need to be scared little one."

I denied her, eventually feeling my foot slip against the edge of the cliff face. The water wasn't helping my footing either, a couple of rocks fell, making me realize just how loose the edge was. Nala gasped in worry, "Daniel sweetie come here, carefully."

I shook my head completely unwillingly. Simba hunched down low, and stalked closer, he approached quickly in worry, "Daniel, that's not safe, don't move, I'll get you."

I shook my head, and cowered in fear, a few tears falling from my eyes, "Just stay away from me!"

Simba halted, and looked down at me like it would all be okay, clearly it wouldn't be, "Daniel, let's us help!"

I shook my head, backing away from the cliff to their relief, and looking towards the exit down the mountain. Nala cried desperately with tears in her eyes, "Daniel we love you, don't go! Y-You'll get hu-"

"NO!" I yelled, "You can't!" My voice squeaked out.

Nala tried to approach me more, but I turned down the path running as best as I could. "Daniel, come back!" Simba yelled after me desperately, he was about to follow, but Nala stopped him.

"You'll scare him even more by chasing him!"

"Then what are we supposed to do, Nala?"

"I don't know! Why is-"

I heard their voices fade away as I ran more and more down the rocks. Passing a confused Rafiki on the way down. Getting to the bottom only to see all the pride members lined up in eagerness. One glance between them and me, and I froze. Sarabi and Serafina jumped up in surprise, "Hello? Are you lost, little one?" Serafina asked.

I backed up, running down the path back into the pridelands, tripping over myself on the way down. The rain started to pick up. I didn't care, they wanted me in their family? I wasn't even… me to begin with.

"Why is he running from us, we just want to help!?" Nala said, sitting down and breathing quickly.

"Simba what just happened?!" Nala said hysterically.

Simba shook his head, "I... I'm not sure"

"D-Did we do something? Did I say the wrong things? I-I… I know he's confused, but I thought I should help him calm down!" Simba nuzzled her sympathetically.

"No it's not… you." Kiara said timidly. Then she sighed, and they both looked at her.

"Did you know?" Nala asked sternly.

She nodded slowly, and they both stared in silence, before Nala asked; "What's going on Kiara?"

Simba stepped forward, "Why would he run? What did you tell him..?" He asked with a short growl, which Kiara winced at.

Nala glared scoldingly, "Daniel's so sweet, he would not have run unless you scared him half to death! What did you tell my cub, Kiara?"

She looked up in tears, "It's… all my fault! He turned into a lion and I… I told him our pride dislikes white lions… you know? From our rival tribe? Like the old stories you used to tell me daddy?"

Simba and Nala looked at her horrified, "You did what?!" Nala yelled in anger, making Kiara cower in on herself.

"I'm sorry… it's all my fault… I-I didn't mean to!" she whimpered. "It's all my fault again!"

Rafiki got to the top of the ridge, looking over the three. He nodded, "Yes, yes. The poor lad thinks this is a curse, when it is but a blessing."

Simba put a paw to his head and took a deep breath, releasing it loudly, "You knew as well! I should've expected that… What is happening, Rafiki?"

He chuckled, "His heart has joined the Pride, the rest is taking some time to catch up. He's scared of himself."

Nala, done with conversations, took off down the ledge, Simba taking off after her. "Keep Kiara safe!" Simba yelled to Rafiki, who only waved his hand dismissively.

Reaching the bottom of the slope, Simba and Nala looked around frantically over the pride, out of breath. The pride collectively looked at them with worry, "Did you guys see a white cub?" Nala asked.

They all nodded, Sarabi stepped forward with a dissatisfied hum, "It was Daniel, wasn't it?"

Slowly nodding, Nala took a deep breath, then suddenly yelled desperately to the gathering lionesses, who were curious about their queens' panic, "W-Where did he go?"

Sarabi nudged a head towards the exit into the pridelands. And Nala's heart felt like it skipped a beat, "No no no, help me find him, please! I need search parties, right now!"

The lionesses all looked understanding to her and nodded, breaking off into their regular hunt formations. Nala and Simba took off together again, moving into the grassy pridelands, "Sarabi you lead!" Simba yelled back to Sarabi, who nodded respectfully..

They ran through the pridelands, yelling, "Daniel! Dan!" They both yelled out. They could hear other parties in the distance yelling as well. But the heavy rainfall, and the thundering lightning made sure to drown out their voices enough to make them worry.

They tried to follow tracks, but it was useless. The rain made sure the tracks were being washed away quickly, they couldn't find a single trace of him. Nala's calls for his name became more and more desperate. After a while of searching, Nala burst into tears, and started breathing quickly, concerningly quick for Simba's liking. He stopped her gently with his paws, nuzzling her. She at first attempted to wrestle herself from his grip, but eventually collapsed against his chest, "Simba…" she sobbed, "Where's my cub I-I… If he gets hurt!" She said between quick breaths.

"He'll be fine! He's a brave cub Nala." He said nuzzling her and rubbing her back. "But you'll have to be strong for him, when we find him okay?" She nodded, and they continued on.