Simba stared down at the little baby cub, raising an eyebrow in confusion. The cub had big brown eyes, dark brown fur and a little tuft of brown fur on the top of his head. The small thing continued to cry, and Simba feared he would go deaf if it didn't stop soon.

A baby? Just what was a baby doing out here, all alone with nowhere to go? Simba looked around the rocky field. He couldn't see anyone nearby, so it seemed like this cub didn't have any parents. The poor little guy was all on his own.

Checking the area one more time to see if anyone was around, Simba decided to pick up the baby. "Hey there, little guy," he greeted him, smiling. "What's a baby like you doing all the way out here?"

The baby stared into Simba's friendly auburn eyes, and stopped crying. He nuzzled Simba's chest and smiled, immediately taking a liking to him. Simba chuckled in response. "Well, you're cute, aren't you?" he said, cuddling the baby back. "Almost as cute as me."

Well, he definitely likes me! Simba thought, still trying to figure out why the baby had ended up here in the first place. I wonder why he ended up here? I don't recognise him, so he can't b e from around here. Simba continued to deliberate on how the baby had come to be here, when he came up with a suitable conclusion. He must have gotten separated from his Mom. That's gotta be it! I mean, it can't be for any other reason. Who would leave a cute little guy like him out here all on his own? He definitely got lost. Simba was happy with that. It seemed like a logical enough reason.

That just left one other important question: what was Simba going to do with the baby until his mother found him? So what do I do with him now? Simba asked himself, as the baby continued to cuddle him, as if he didn't want to let go of Simba for fear that he might suddenly disappear.

I can't just leave him here, Simba told himself, looking around the field. Who knows what could happen to him? Simba deliberated for a moment, when he thought of something he could do. It was something so crazy, and so insane, that it just might work.

Maybe I should take care of him? he suggested, even though he knew it was an odd idea. It'll only b e for a day or two. His Mom's gotta notice he's missing sooner or later, and she'll come here to take him back. I can handle a little baby for a while. I'm Prince Simb a! I'm the expert at taking care of b ab ies. I'll b e like his Daddy. He nodded in approval. Yeah. I like the sound of that.

Simba looked down at the baby and smiled. He placed the baby on his back, turned around and started making his way back towards the water hole. "Come on, little guy. Let's go and meet your new Mommy."

Nala's gonna love this, he thought to himself, carrying the baby on his back as he left the rocky field. I can't wait to see the look on her face! She'l great Mom. I mean, how else is she gonna react?

Nala couldn't believe what she was hearing. It was something she never expected – and didn't want – to hear at all. It didn't make sense. But that didn't mean it had no effect on her. As soon as it was said, it broke her heart. She was amazed the heart never made a sound when it snapped in two.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Simba said cruelly. "I don't want you looking at me with your ugly face." He chuckled evilly. "You're such a loser, Nala."

Nala could only stare at Simb a with a b lank expression of shock. She really couldn't do anything else. She was so stunned that she felt paralysed. She literally felt fixed to the spot. This whole situation felt so… false. But at the same time it felt so true. Why was Simb a acting like this?

"Simba, I…" she choked, trying desperately to fight back the tears.

"What?" Simba spat. "You can't believe I don't actually like you? Get real, Nala. I don't like you. In fact, I never liked you. Of course, since you're so stupid and worthless you never would have figured it out. You're not nearly smart enough."

"Simba, h-how can this be t-true?" Nala stammered. "Y-you said you l-liked me. You've said it lots of t-times! I thought w-we were…" She looked down at the ground sadly. "In love."

Simba let out a big laugh in response, and Nala felt sadder than she'd ever felt b efore. This was the worst day of her life. She didn't even feel like living anymore. Not after this.

"Nala, it was all just a trick," Simba revealed, causing Nala to gasp in shock. No! That couldn't be true! That wasn't possible! "I've b een tricking you ever since we met each other. It's been really funny, to be honest."

"Why?" Nala asked, as tears finally began to leak from her eyes. "Why would you want to do something so horrible to me?"

"Because I hate you," he replied. "You're nothing. Nothing. I've never liked you, and I never will. You should just go and kill yourself. No one wants you around."

Nala began to sob and cry, collapsing to the ground. It was all a lie. She'd had so much trust and faith in Simb a, and it turned out to all b e one b ig joke for him. He was a liar! She wanted to say she hated him, but she knew she wouldn't. She still loved him, despite all of the lies. She knew that was stupid, b ut it didn't really matter. She'd become too attached to him.

"Aw, is little Nala upset?" Simb a teased. "Well, go ahead and keep crying. I don't care, honestly. Don't expect me to take pity on you. You could cry blood and I wouldn't care. Not one bit. That's how much you mean to me. Like I said b efore – you're nothing."

"Simba, please—" she pleaded, b efore Simb a rudely cut her off.

"Shut up!" he roared. "Your voice is so irritating. Every word you say just makes me want to hit you in the face! In fact, I think I will." Simba bared his teeth, and pounced at Nala.

The last thing she saw before she died was the pure hatred in Simba's eyes…

Nala shot up, breathing heavily from that horrible nightmare. I was… Nala looked around, and saw that she was still by the water hole. Oh. It was just a nightmare. Nala breathed a deep sigh of relief. Just a stupid, silly nightmare. I'm fine. I'm not dead.

"Hey, Nala!" she heard Simba call.

And Simba doesn't hate me, she thought with a smile. He still loves me. That's the most important thing. To me, at least.

Simba hurried over to Nala, grinning. "Hey, Nala, I've got something really cool to show you!"