Jashua and Sherise opened their eyes. Where they were surprised to find themselves on the same hill where they had been stargazing.

"What…just happened?" Sherise asked looking at Jashua.

The pale cream lion shrugged. "I told you. Rafiki is a…little strange. You learn not to question him." He gave her a gentle smile before looking up at the sky. "We should go back," he sighed, rising to his paws. "It's a lot later than usual, and my mother will send someone if we don't return soon."

Sherise sighed but nodded as she got her paws as well.

They strolled across the plains together, leaning on each other, giggling and whispering. Wandering beneath the stars, Sherise felt the prince's black mane and whiskers tickle her face and the soft grass her paws; he was right beside her… Yet it wasn't just his body heat that made her feel so warm.

The brownish lioness wasn't quite sure what to think, and even if she had wanted to, she couldn't focus at all, at least, not on anything other than him. What that strange emotion was, she didn't quite understand. She had never been one for fuzzy feelings or romantic gestures; Chumvi and her mother had beat that out of her. But there was something about him that made her feel… different, and she couldn't quite grasp why.

"Wow, what a day!" Jashua exclaimed and snapped Sherise out of her thoughts. "First those rhinos, and then the stargazing, and that— that… Upendi-thing! Rafiki sure knows how to have fun!"

Sherise chuckled and grinned sheepishly, then froze for a moment as she recognised a certain silhouette contrasted against the night's sky; Simba. He was watching them from a distance, hidden between the tall grass, almost invisible.

The sight of her brother snapped her attention back to what she was supposed to be doing, yet a sharp pain seared through her at the thought of betraying the prince. The feeling confused her, the fur on the back of her neck stood on end, she was torn.

Sherise quickly disregarded the feeling and returned her attention to Jashua, who was looking at her with those big, dreamy orange eyes of his.

"I didn't think it would be so nice to let loose and enjoy that moment together," he mused.

Sherise scoffed at him, he definitely knew. She caught herself gazing into his eyes and quickly looked away, scolding herself mentally as she tried to regain her focus. "Ah, neither did I…" she mumbled.

"Thanks, 'Ri…" Jashua breathed out, and her eyes widened at the nickname. She sighed and avoided his gaze.

"Oh, don't thank me just yet…" she muttered, another stab of guilt wavering her resolve. Not really knowing how else to change the topic, she feigned a stumble and fell.

Jashua quickly leaned in to assist her, right before she hit the ground. "Oh, careful," he smiled, glad she was okay.

As the future king sat beside Sherise she gazed at the brownish lioness with mixed feelings.

It was just the two of them.

Honestly, there was nothing he wanted more. But all of a sudden, it felt like things were moving fast, and though he was certain of his feelings, he didn't want to put any pressure on her, so he leaned away from the lioness, giving her space.

Jashua wanted to say something but he chose looking up at the sky and the many stars as he desperately tried to avoid her purple eyes. Oh, those beautiful eyes…

"Princey, you are perfect," Sherise sighed, lying her head down on her front paws. How on earth was she supposed to do this..?

"Thanks," Jashua grinned, grateful for the compliment.

Then, a shooting star flew past the two of them. Sherise lifted her eyes to get a better look and Jashua smiled his radiant smile. Sherise admired how Jashua was able to enjoy such simple things and live in the moment; all she was ever able to do was think.

Think about her words, about her actions, about how she looked and sounded every minute of the day. After all, presenting the wrong behaviour landed her a blow from her brother and mother without fail, whether physical or mental; if she didn't pay attention, she'd be punished.

Simply enjoying the world around her had never been an option for her.

"You know," Jashua sighed, "when I was a cub, I would have given anything to be exactly like everybody else."

Hearing that puzzled Sherise, since the prince seemed so confident and… happy, fulfilled. At least to her. And being like everybody else… He'd be much worse off in her opinion.

"You wanted to be petty and dishonest?" she growled, getting up and walking a short distance away.

Jashua turned to look at her, confused. "Everybody's not like that," he said, sensing the in her voice.

"Yes, they are," Sherise breathed out, numerous unpleasant memories flooding her mind.

"You're not like that," Sherise whispered as he came up behind her. His genuine nature and blind trust sent another stab of guilt through her heart. Yes, I am.

"How do you know what I'm like..?" she whispered in response, turning around to face him.

There was a part of her, a part she had pushed down, and tried to forget about and ignore, because she had been taught to. A part of her that wanted to lean in, that wanted to be vulnerable, a part that he was bringing to light and a part that was refusing to back down.

It didn't matter how hard she tried to suppress it now, his genuine emotion, his respect, his caring kindness… It was too much; she couldn't resist him anymore.

"All I know is," Jashua said softly, "that you're the most amazing lioness I have ever met. 'Ri, when I'm with you, I don't feel so… alone…"

Sherise tore herself away from him and turned to look the other way. "Sometimes, it's better to be alone," she sighed.

"What do you mean..?" Jashua asked slowly, wondering why she tried so hard to keep distance between them. He didn't want to push her, so he waited for her answer.

"That way nobody can hurt you," Sherise breathed out, almost inaudibly.

"I would never, ever, hurt you," Jashua spoke, steadfast and genuine as could be, and Sherise, who had never been able to trust anyone not to hurt her, not even her family, not even her mother… believed him.

"And I don't want to hurt you," she whispered. She meant it. "So let's both do ourselves a favour and…"

Jashua leaned into her and she into him.

"…stop this, before… we…"

Sherise didn't finish her sentence as Jashua pressed his forehead against hers and purred softly, nuzzling her. Sherise breathed out and relaxed against him, closing her eyes.

The brownish lioness couldn't think, couldn't focus; she had forgotten about Simba watching the two of them, she had forgotten about what the rest of her siblings and mother might think, what her mother and Chumvi might do… Even Eshe she wasn't thinking about.

All that seemed to matter was that moment they shared; everything else faded away like dust and milkweed floss on the wind.

After a short while like that, they reluctantly pulled away from each other and continued their walk back to Pride Rock in a quiet but comfortable silence. They exchanged a brief glance before quickly looking away, both wearing shy smiles. As they walked, fireflies flew out of the grass, illuminating their path.

When they arrived at the den, Jashua leaned in close and gently nuzzled the brownish lioness. Sherise, to his delight, returned it. They stayed like that for a few moments before the future king pulled away.

"Good night," he said softly as he met her gaze.

Sherise smiled. "Good night."

They looked at the den's entrance, then at Sherise's rock on the promontory. She sighed and walked toward the rock, a bittersweet regret rising within her.

Jashua started walking into the den. He paused for a moment, smiling over his shoulder at Sherise, clearly smitten. Sighing, he entered the den.

~TLK~

Queen Eshe emerged from her hidden vantage point, watching as her son entered the den. She gave a brief smile before turning to look at Sherise, who was settling beside her rock. The light brown lioness sighed, her smile fading and her face becoming uncertain, as she moved her gaze from the younger female to the den.

Looking up at the stars before approaching Sherise, she came to a halt in front of her and gave her a small, hesitant smile.

Sherise raised her head warily. "Did you need something, Your Majesty?"

Eshe dipped her head toward the brownish lioness. "It's kinda cold tonight, huh? Come on in." she turned and walked toward the den without waiting for an answer.

Sherise was surprised, but she stood, casting a sidelong glance. She could just make out her brother's silhouette against the landscape. She frowned slightly. She was starting to walk a fine line now. Accepting the queen's invitation would signal to him that their brother's plan was working.

Yet …Sherise no longer shared her family's goals. Her own dreams, which she had long given up on, were coming back to life and taking their place. Accepting the queen's invitation would also bring her one step closer to fulfilling them.

Sherise sighed as she looked at Eshe, who had paused to wait for her, and decided it was a problem for tomorrow before finally following the older lioness into the den, giving the queen a grateful smile.

...

Unaware of of his sister's shifting loyalties, Simba watched her follow Eshe from beneath Pride Rock. He grinned maliciously as his sister entered the den.

"Yes. It's all going according to plan." Giving a final, satisfied look, he turned and ran to where his brother was waiting with the other Outsiders.

As he approached the group, Chumvi raised his head. "Well?"

Simba nodded, still grinning. "Sherise appears to be gaining Eshe's trust. I just saw her invite Sherise into the den."

Chumvi's face broke into a grin. "Excellent." he shifted his gaze to the Outsiders. "If all goes well…tomorrow will see the dawning of a new era!"

Growls of approval sounded as he cackled.