Chapter Three:

Pride Rock Dilemma

By the time Gurgi and Kovu returned to Pride Rock, there was already an assembly of lionesses present. The lionesses turned their gazes upon seeing Gurgi. Vitani approached the furry grey-and-white creature, examining him rather close.

"Kovu, I didn't know you brought a pet," said Vitani.

"He is not a pet, Vitani. Gurgi's just here until he gets his bearings," said Kovu.

"Gurgi won't be any trouble. Gurgi's promises," said Gurgi.

"Oh, and the incident with the crocodiles signifies you won't cause trouble," said Kovu.

Gurgi gave a solemn expression. "Gurgi doesn't mean to be a burden." He perked up with an idea. "Gurgi will play with Timon." He approached Timon, who was busy playing the same game he had already been playing.

"Gurgi, I'm playing a game right now. Why don't you do something else?" asked Timon, stubbornly.

"Oh, Gurgi doesn't get to play. Gurgi deserves fierce smackings and whackings," said Gurgi, hitting himself on top of his head.

"Gurgi, why don't you head inside the cave," said Simba. He watched as the furry grey-and-white creature fled inside the cave rather speedily.

"That poor creature may be a nuisance, but I'm sure he doesn't mean to," said Nala.

"You haven't been around him long enough," said Kovu.

"But you have," said Kiara.

"Look Simba, I'll knock some sense into him. Maybe he'll see reason," said Kovu.

Simba thought while pacing. Zazu, a hornbill, intervened, "Yes, Kovu may be right about this creature named Gurgi. Although, I would keep watch of him."

"Well, we won't be watching him for long," said Vitani.

"Why is that?" asked Simba.

"He's gone," said Vitani, coming out of the cave. "He must have taken off during our conversation."

"I'll go after him. As Simba said, Gurgi's my responsibility," said Kovu.

"Can I go with you?" asked Kiara.

Kovu thought for a moment. "All right, but stay close behind me." With that, Kovu took off away from Pride Rock, with Kiara following after him.

Timon paused the game, showing exhaustion. "Well, enough of that for a while. Now, I wonder where Pumbaa went."

"Did you miss me, Timon?" asked Pumbaa, perking up.

"Pumbaa! I thought you went off to hunt for bugs," said Timon, stunned.

"I came back to see when you would decide to join me," said Pumbaa.

"Well I do need a break from gaming. Too much gaming can get to oneself." Timon approached his friend. "Come on, let's hunt for bugs. Then I can teach you how to play a racing game."

"Cool," said Pumbaa, happily.

Kovu and Kiara searched the Pridelands for Gurgi. They asked around, but none of the animals they met knew who or what the creature was they were looking for. Eventually, Kovu led Kiara back to the crate. There, they found Gurgi inside.

"Gurgi, what are you doing?" asked Kovu.

"Gurgi doesn't have any friends here. Gurgi misses Taran," said Gurgi, saddened.

"Whose Taran?" asked Kiara, just as confused as Kovu.

"Gurgi, what can we do to get you out of that… whatever this is?" asked Kovu.

"It's a wooden crate. Now if you'll excuse me, Gurgi wishes to be left alone," said Gurgi, stubbornly.

"Surely you don't mean that," said Kovu.

"Oh, but Gurgi does mean it," said Gurgi.

Kiara turned to Kovu. "I like him, Kovu. Maybe he can stay for a while."

Kovu peered inside the crate. "Come on, Gurgi. No one here is going to hurt you."

"But no one wants to be Gurgi's friend," said Gurgi.

"Well, maybe I do," said Kovu. "And you don't have a lot of friends here. Maybe we can start now."

"Really? Can Gurgi… no, that would require getting into trouble," said Gurgi.

Kovu shook his head. "As long as you're here, Gurgi, we may not run into any further trouble. Crocodiles were enough for me." Kovu sighed. "If you're looking for a friend, you have one."

Gurgi sprung out of the crate. "Whoopy! Gurgi is so happy to gain a new friend." He clung to Kovu's neck and hugged him. When he saw Kovu's glare, Gurgi released his neck and slid down to the ground. "Gurgi will keep his distance."

Kiara laughed happily. "Kovu, he's a darling."

Gurgi perked up upon hearing these words. "And I'm pungent, too." He heard Kiara laugh once again. Turning to Kovu, he asked, "So, what can Gurgi do today with his new friend."

Hopefully something less dangerous, thought Kovu. He merely said, "Anything that isn't too harmful."

Gurgi pointed out, while bouncing up and down. "Hey, look at this!" He sped off, causing Kovu and Kiara to chase after him.

By the time they caught up to Gurgi, the three saw in a valley a group of rhinoceros. The trio screamed before retreating to a safe hiding place. Remembering their last encounter with rhinoceros, Kovu and Kiara enjoyed the thrill of the chase. Gurgi managed to find a safe hiding place right after Kovu and Kiara. With the rhinoceros stampede gone, the three laughed joyously. Once they managed to break free from their hiding place, Kovu, Kiara, and Gurgi returned to Pride Rock. Before they did, Gurgi stopped for another drink of water from the watering hole. Kovu, in a way, was happy that Gurgi showed up that day in the Pridelands.