Like Water and Rain (Chapter 15)

The next day, Kiara and I decided to visit Timon and Pumbaa, who had head back to Hakuna Matata falls to spend time with Bunga. True, they ain't the sharpest tools in the shed, but we had a job for them...and they reacted as you would expect.

"You want us to do WHAT!?" Timon shouted. "Kiara, you have to be kidding!"

"Timon, trust us." Kiara sighed. "Once he and I-"

But the meerkat stopped her as he hopped on her head. "Listen sweetheart, I get your boyfriend here is giving you support, but you two are waaay over your heads!"

"He's not my-"

"Timon." I looked at the meerkat, who was still sitting on the Princess' head. "You know that I wouldn't go headfirst into danger this size without a plan, so hear us out."

"Buddy, you want us to charge towards the Outsiders!" Timon pointed out. "What do you expect us to do gas them?"

"Actually...that doesn't sound too bad of an idea."

"...Come again?"

"A gas attack may not be too bad of a plan." I rubbed my chin as Timon paled. "Great idea, Timon."

"Why only Uncle Timon and Uncle Pumbaa?" Bunga whined. "What about me?"

"You have your guard duties to worry about. Plus, you have never really had a situation this major in The Pridelands since Kenge and he pales in comparison to this." I explained. "Zira makes Kenge look easy to deal with."

"Zuka Zama..." His eyes widened. "But we dealt with those pesky Outsiders before and we can do it again!"

"It's not that simple, Bunga…" I sighed. "Back then, Zira was holding back her evil intentions to get into Kion's head. This time, she has little to nothing to lose, making her more deranged and unpredictable. Focus on The Guard while we deal with Zira."

While hesitant, Bunga nodded and went off to join his friends.

"Well, considering our very way of life is at stake, we can't just sit back and eat grubs." Timon groaned.

"Let's do it!" Pumbaa frowned with narrow eyes, all business.

Connor...head to the waterhole behind Pride Rock.

Huh? Why?

Just do it...there's something I need to tell you.

….

"Kiara." The lioness turned to me, curious. "Get everyone ready. I'm heading behind Pride Rock."

"Why?"

"Do you have faith in me?"

"More than you kn-"

"Then you know I can handle this."

The Princess looked down, then nuzzled me. "Alright. See you when you get back."

As she walked off, I looked at Timon, and Pumbaa, who were smirking. "Don't even think about it…"

--

Alright, prince of no one, talk to me.

Scar, ignoring that jab, started to speak...but what I didn't expect was his full form appearing, albeit fiery. "Your time is coming up soon."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that tonight is the last time you'll ever step foot in these lands, or this world for that matter."

That made me stop, blood turning cold. Do you mean…?

"Yes." He scoffed. "Your time on this world is running out and your battle with Zira is expected to be your last shot at making a difference until you will be forced to choose between one or the other."

"'One or the other?'" I raised an eyebrow at those words.

At that, his eyes narrowed, yellow eyes piercing like a sword. "The Pridelands and those you have deemed yourself loyal to...or your own family."

W-What?

"Because of your transportation, the gateway between worlds is cracking with every coming day. Every day, every night you spend here further damages that gateway. If you wish to prevent a fate worse than death, the merging of both worlds, you will need to choose between two lives." He explained. "Your life with my relatives or yours."

I..I…

"It is indeed a difficult choice." He admitted. "But in life, there are choices nobody would like."

"Is there a way to bring my family here?" I asked and Scar raised an eyebrow. "There has to be, right?"

"Hm…" Scar rubbed his chin. "I recall father telling me that there was a way to bring one outworlder to here before he died. However, he added that it's only after a royal is dead is that possible."

As he continued, I blinked. "You were my guinea pig. But I do believe I can transport your family here, though the procedure could take from hours to even days depending on which part of your depressing planet it's on."

I snickered. "Will my family be turned into lions like myself?"

The dark prince nodded. "Though I'm not sure how they'll react with you being in love with a lioness…"

That made chuckle. "I've done weirder things."

"Have you, now?"

"Oh yeah."

"Well." He began, slightly amused. "I suppose I could begin the transportation now."

"Do so. Anything for my family to be happy and with me."

He then closed his eyes before opening them, causing it to begin raining, drenching my fur, but his fire burned too hot, vaporizing the rain as it tried to come down on him.

The bangs from my mane blocking my vision, I blew into them, sending them back up.

"How long will this take?"

"Will you be patient, you pitiful brat!?"

"Alright, alright!,

--

"Alright, so when they're disoriented, we'll move in and attack." I heard Kiara say as I was approaching the den. "Teamwork matters! If we don't work together and instead fight alone, then we'll probably be ripped apart."

"You changed her." Nala said beside me.

"Nala, I didn't do anything, it's a part of child development." I joked, rolled my eyes in amusement.

"I wouldn't say that's entirely true." She shrugged. "You gave her something to live for other than her family. It's mostly because of you that she became so happy in the past few days...like her world was whole again."

"Nala, I'm not a hero-"

"Then be one. For us. The Pridelands..and for her."

Pointing to Kiara, who was still in the commando stage, Nala continued with a chuckle. "And from the looks of it, Kiara is looking to be one."

"Why didn't you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Take leadership. You're the Queen, Nala, surely you should lead in this time of need."

Feel like Zecora with that rhyming..

"I knew you and Kiara were the perfect ones because we set you up for betrothal." She revealed, causing my eyes to widen to unseen heights. "We knew from your first fight you would be two halves of the same heart."

They were psychic! Predicting the future like fortune tellers…"That's creepy."

"From a certain point of view."

"What?"

"Originally, when Kiara met Kovu, we got word that Rafiki planned for the two of them to get together, but after she fell for you, he swapped you and Kovu."

"So...matchmaking."

"Well…"

"I'm fine with that."

"Hey, whatcha talking about?" The Princess asked after she finished being an army general. "Heard you discussing something and out of curiosity, I decided to come to see."

"Kiara, have your parents never taught you about barging in on others' conversations?" I smirked at the huffing lioness. "It's quite rude."

"Puh!" She scoffed playfully. "As if you're any different."

"Are you comparing myself to you?"

"In a way."

"Should I feel loved or embarrassed?"

"How about both?"

"Hoe fair would that b-"

She then licked me with a wink. "Maybe that fair."

Rubbing my cheek, I laughed. "That was a cheap shot!"

"As you told me last night, cheap shots are a part of battle."

Looking down, I looked at the Princess. "Kiara. I have an idea that might cease hostilities depending on the situation."

"What do you mean?"

"Uniting the prides."

"So my idea?"

"YOUR idea?"

"Yeah!"

"As if!"

"You wanna go, hero?"

"As long as you don't be all cuddly, Princess!"

We then started wrestling with each other as the entire pride laughed.

Note: Two chapters before Season 2 ends! Oorah! I wish everyone a Happy Veteran's Day!

NOTE: With two hours remaining until Zira's Invasion, Shujaa's family is successfully transported far sooner than expected. Now, not only will he have to prepare to fight Zira's Pride, but also help his parents and sister adjust to their new life and home.