A third crossing, with "The Chronicles of Narnia", is in this chapter.

Chapter Four:

Fond Farewells

Out in the Pridelands, Gurgi took quick strides to catch up with Kovu. The lion was busy catching a gazelle when Gurgi arrived on the scene.

"Gurgi thinks we should return to Pride Rock now," said Gurgi, troubled.

"Gurgi, I'm busy," said Kovu, as he started eating the dead gazelle carcass.

"Oh, what to do," said Gurgi, moving his foot over a small ant hole. He jumped up in excitement when a thought came to him. "Ooh, ooh, Gurgi will find something to do by the river!"

Kovu cried, "Well, don't go too far!" He muttered to himself, "I might never find you again."

Gurgi stopped in front of a termite mound. "Hmm. I wonder what this does."

Gurgi tapped gently on the termite mound. To his shock, the termites started coming out from the mound. He walked backwards, stepping on another ant hole, right as an ant came out from the hole. Nervous that the ant might bite him, Gurgi threw the ant far away from him. More ants came out of the hole. Frightened, Gurgi sped back to Kovu. The ants returned to their hole, unable to find something to clamp their jaws on.

"I thought you were going to the river. You changed your mind," said Kovu.

"Oh, that's right," said Gurgi, speeding towards the river.

When he reached the river, Gurgi ran around in circles, splashing the water as he went. He eventually stopped upon seeing a pod of hippopotamuses. At first, Gurgi thought of greeting the hippos. He quickly thought against it upon seeing the hippopotamuses yawn. Nervous that the hippos might attack him, Gurgi sped off in search of Kovu. He found the dark-furred lion all too quickly.

Approaching the river, Kovu asked the furry grey-and-white creature, "Are you scared of hippos?"

"Oh, those creatures might attack Gurgi," said Gurgi, hiding behind Kovu's leg.

"Oh, I'm sure they don't mean any harm," said Kovu, right as another hippopotamus yawned. "Then again, I could be wrong." He told Gurgi last, "Come on, Gurgi."

"But how do you know those hippos won't attack Gurgi, or even you?" asked Gurgi, catching up.

"I don't," said Kovu.

"Ooh, maybe Gurgi can check the crate again. I'm sure there's something Gurgi missed," said Gurgi, heading towards the crate.

By the time Kovu caught up to him, Gurgi had jumped inside the large crate. He searched through the stuff inside the crate until he came across a letter. Climbing out of the crate, Gurgi read the letter aloud:

Dear Gurgi,

Due to special circumstances, the crate you came inside will be moved in two weeks. Enjoy your stay in the Pridelands, for that may be all the time you get. Hope to see you in Prydain soon.

Signed,

Aslan

"That doesn't give Gurgi time to stay with new friends," said Gurgi.

"You're leaving us?" asked Kovu, glum.

"Gurgi's having fun here. Oh, this letter saddens Gurgi," said Gurgi, throwing the letter back in the crate. "Gurgi doesn't want to leave!"

"There isn't anything you can do?" asked Kovu.

Gurgi wept in front of Kovu.

As the days passed, Gurgi eventually told Simba's pride he would have to leave in the same crate he came from. Timon and Pumbaa weren't convinced.

"What do you mean Gurgi has to leave? There's no law that says he has to go," said Timon.

"Gurgi has to leave," said Gurgi.

"But what about all those great games you were going to show us?" asked Timon.

"Yeah, what will you do once you leave?" asked Pumbaa.

Gurgi shook his head. Depressed, he said, "Gurgi doesn't know." He took the games from Timon and Pumbaa. Returning to the crate, Gurgi put the game platforms and games back inside.

Kovu approached the crate, telling Gurgi, "You're something, Gurgi. I hope you don't change."

Gurgi perked up. "Gurgi is so happy to have found friends."

A woman's voice, somewhere in the crate, said, "The crate will be leaving in five minutes."

"Well, Gurgi has to leave now," said Gurgi, embracing Kovu by the neck. "Thank you for being Gurgi's friend."

"Anytime Gurgi, anytime," said Kovu.

After saying a few farewells, Gurgi jumped inside the crate. The woman's voice went into a countdown. By the last tick, the crate flew back up in the air. Kovu watched and waited until the crate was out of sight before returning to Pride Rock with Simba and the pride. Back at Pride Rock, Timon became quizzical.

Pumbaa asked him, "Eh, Timon. What are we supposed to do now that Gurgi's gone?"

"It's a shame I couldn't play anymore games. They were fun," said Timon.

"So, what should we do now?" asked Pumbaa.

"The only thing we can do, Pumbaa. The very thing we've been neglecting ever since Gurgi showed up," said Timon.

"We're going to hunt for bugs," said Pumbaa.

Timon repeated, "We're going to hunt for bugs."

"Yay!" said Pumbaa, cheerful.

Kovu stood out on the Promontory as Timon and Pumbaa made their way off of Pride Rock. Kovu was approached by Simba, who noticed his troubled expression.

"There's nothing you could have done. Gurgi's away," said Simba.

"I guess that's true," said Kovu.

Kiara approached Kovu now, "Kovu. He'll be all right. Gurgi's a smart creature."

"I know that, Kiara. I worry about him, though," said Kovu.

Kiara rested her head under Kovu's chin. Kovu returned the gesture by rubbing his head against hers in a loving manner.