Nala's eyes flickered open, and she was more than happy to find that she was still snuggled up with Simba. She smiled as she watched Simba sleep. His head rested lightly on the ground, and he had a little smile on his face which Nala found adorable.

She nuzzled his chest affectionately. His fur seemed so rough, but it always felt soft to her.

She just couldn't get him out of her mind, because he was so wonderful in so many ways!

I wish you liked me b ack, Simb a, Nala thought as she observed him sleeping, pretending to be talking to him. I'd make a great girlfriend, you know. We could do everything together, like we do now. I wish I could just tell you, b ut you'd never understand. You don't think of me like that. She sighed sadly, as the realisation sunk in that she would never have a chance for Simba. I'm just your friend. Your lonely friend.

That was Nala's problem. While Simba seemed to gain more and more confidence to help him admit his feelings, Nala just kept getting more and more nervous about it. Everything seemed to be conspiring against her. If Simba just admitted it then it would make things a whole lot easier for her.

Nala saw Simba's eyes flicker open, and he immediately smiled at the sight of his best friend. That was another thing she loved about him. He was always happy to see her, no matter what.

"Comfy?" Simba asked, noticing how close Nala was to him. That was kind of odd, but Simba didn't think of it as something romantic. He just thought Nala wanted someone warm to hold on to – but that was kind of strange, considering it was an extremely hot day.

Nala smiled back at him. "Simba, you're the comfiest person to hold on to," she told him, meaning every word of it.

Simba couldn't help but blush. Whenever Nala gave him a compliment like that, it made his heart race.

He remembered what his mother had told him earlier: that he should just tell Nala how he felt about her, because chances were that she felt the same way about him. He did feel a lot more confident about it now, and a sudden thought crossed his mind.

This would b e the perfect time to tell her, Simba thought to himself. Just tell her, stupid! Tell her how you feel!

"Nala, I—" Simba began before he cut himself off, fear gripping him tightly all of a sudden. So much for that bit of extra confidence.

"Yes, Simba?" asked Nala, thinking it was just going to be an ordinary question from him. If only she knew…

"Well, I just wanted to say that… I… Uh…" What was stopping him from saying it? Was it forbidden or something? Therewas always this mysterious force preventing him from expressing his true feelings for Nala to her. He just always felt so nervous and scared whenever he tried to tell her. Sometimes he wondered if it would ever happen. If he bottled this up for too long, then it would probably make him sick.

Nala giggled as she imagined Simba telling her that he had a crush on her, and had done for quite a long time. That'd be just perfect, she thought to herself.

"You seem so nervous, Simba," Nala told him. "What's wrong?"

"Uh… Well… Nothing." Simba sighed, finally admitting defeat for what felt like the tenth time. He got to his paws, sadness obviously evident on his face. He hated this!

Nala noticed the sad look on his face, and leapt to his side, a concerned look on his face. "Simba, there's obviously something bothering you. What is it?"

"It's nothing," Simba replied, staring at his reflection in the water hole. Simba noticed the sad expression on his face, and quickly changed it to an energetic one, not wanting Nala to get suspicious. "Where should we go next?"

He looks okay now, observed Nala as she studied Simba's face. She shrugged. Oh, well. That's Simb a for you.

"Simba, we've explored just about everywhere in the kingdom!" Nala exclaimed. "Where could we go next?"

"The jungle?" Simba suggested enthusiastically. "You know, we never really got much of a good look around there. All because of that stupid lion with the stupid—"

Nala gasped when she noticed someone in the distance behind Simba. "No way!" she exclaimed, causing Simba to give her a curious look.

"What is it?" Simba asked.

Nala pointed behind Simba. He turned around to see one of the oddest things he had ever seen in his young life.

Hago was walking alongside Mufasa, and neither of them seemed to have any problems at all with this. They looked like friends, and the thought of that just seemed absolutely disgusting.

"Okay, I'm going crazy," Simba stated to himself. "It's official. This is all to do with the fact that I secretly love—"

"Just what are they doing?" Nala asked curiously, cocking her head to one side. "Your Dad is hanging around with Creepy Magic Guy."

"I know," Simba said as he scratched his head in confusion. "This isn't making any sense. Do you think we're going crazy?"

"I don't think so," Nala replied, narrowing her eyes to make sure that she was seeing things correctly. "Yep. It's definitely them, all right."

"I've gotta find out what's going on." With that, Simba headed over to Mufasa and Hago, who were still walking around as if there wasn't a care in the world. Was Mufasa not aware that he was walking with a creepy psycho?

Mufasa smiled at the sight of his son. "Simba, I was just looking for you."

"Dad, what are you doing with him?" Simba asked, pointing directly at Hago.

Mufasa glanced at Hago, before looking back at Simba. "Simba, this is my good friend, Hago."

Simba's mouth dropped open in horror at his father's reply. Hago? Good? Friend? No, no, he couldn't have heard it right.

This was just crazy, this was insane! It was mad to think that Mufasa and Hago were friends! It was something that shouldn't happen at all! Not ever!

Hago smiled at Simba. "Nice to meet you again, Simba. Is something the matter?"