Written by: Caldafox
Happy Valentines' Day!
Story[]
It was a relaxing spring day. Birds tweeted, and the long grass swayed in the gentle breeze.
Vitani and Dotty lay down in the shade. Safiya rested between her mother's paws, listening as her mother spoke.
"It's so nice that we finally get to meet together again, Dotty." Vitani said.
"Yes," Dotty answered. "Now that you don't have any Lion Guard duties to attend to."
"I think Imara can handle being in charge for one day," Vitani thought aloud. "I don't think anyone would try to interrupt a nice day like today, anyways."
Safiya met eye contact with Dotty and smiled at her. "Your daughter is so well-behaved," Dotty commented.
"Thanks, Dotty," Vitani said, giving her cub a lick. Safiya purred and rubbed against her mother.
"Where's your son off to today, 'Tani?" Dotty inquired. "I haven't got the chance to meet him yet."
"He should have been here by now," Vitani said, looking over her shoulder. "I guess it was taking a while for him to learn to pounce with his father."
"I see," Dotty said. She got up and went into her cave. "I'll go and wake up Majuto now. I think she's had a long enough rest."
"Sure thing," Vitani said. She perked her ears up, suddenly hearing another voice behind her.
"Mom! I'm here!" The voice called. It was Nuka II, Vitani's son, running up to his mother and sister.
"There you are, Nuka!" Safiya said, climbing out from her mother's crossed paws. "Where have you been, son?" Vitani asked. "I was waiting a while for you to come."
"Sorry Mom, sorry Safiya," Nuka II panted. "I learned to pounce with Dad, but then he got sidetracked talking with one of his friends..."
"I see," Vitani said, with an eye roll of annoyance. She turned her head towards Dotty's cave. The grayish lioness walked out of her home carrying a young cub by the scruff.
"Who's that, Mom?" Nuka II asked. "That's Dotty, one of my friends," Vitani said. "And that's her daughter, the cub she's holding."
Dotty sat back down, and placed Majuto beside her. "This is my son, Nuka II," Vitani said, patting her cub.
"Hello, ma'am," Nuka II smiled, looking up at the older lioness. "Good afternoon, kiddo," Dotty replied. "Huh. He certainly looks like his uncle, but doesn't act like him."
"I know," Vitani said, with a nuzzle to her son. "I'm so proud of your manners."
"Really?" Nuka II asked. "Thanks, Mom!"
"Why don't you say hello to Dotty's daughter?" Vitani suggested. "Maybe you two can be friends."
"Ok!" The cub replied. He walked up to the sleepy lioness cub, while Safiya stayed with Vitani.
Nuka II approached Majuto quietly. She blinked her eyes sleepily, and yawned. When she opened her eyes, there was Nuka II in front of her!
"H-hello?" Majuto asked. "Hi," Nuka II said, smiling. "My name's Nuka. What's your name?"
"I'm Majuto," The lioness cub replied. "I'm sorry I was sleeping for awhile. I still get tired in the afternoons..."
"It's OK," Nuka II replied. "I was busy before you got out here, too."
"Really? What were you doing?" Majuto inquired.
"My father was teaching me how to pounce," Nuka II said. "Want me to show you how?"
"Sure," Majuto smiled, warming up to this friendly fellow.
Nuka II walked backwards and positioned himself to pounce, eyeing a branch as his target. He ran, then leaped, his foot getting caught on a loose pebble.
"Oops!" He called, as he flew off-course ---- and crashed into Majuto.
He pinned her as they collided. Both of them looked at each other, flustered and embarrassed. Safiya gasped from between Vitani's paws.
"I'm sorry!" Nuka II said, as he scrambled off of Majuto. "I didn't mean to -"
"It's OK," Majuto smiled, getting up. "At least you taught me how to pounce."
"Yeah, I guess..." Nuka II said. He looked at the pretty lioness cub, flustered. His ears went back as he blushed.
"Hey, we both have green eyes!" Majuto noticed. Indeed they did. Nuka II got his green eyes from his uncle Kovu, while Majuto got her green eyes from her uncle Rogue.
"Yeah, we do!" Nuka II said. He smiled at Majuto, who blushed also, and smiled.
"Thanks for playing with me," Nuka II said. "Do you wanna play again some more tomorrow?"
"Sure, why not?" Majuto said. "I'm sure my Mom won't mind."
At that, the two began chatting some more, sitting down in the grass together. They introduced themselves a little more and told each other about their lives and families.
After another half hour, Vitani got up and said, "Well, I better head out."
"Awww!" Nuka II and Majuto whined. "Looks like you two have become great friends," Dotty observed.
"Mm hmm," the cubs both replied. They smiled at each other.
"I promised Nala I would join her hunting party," Vitani explained. "Would you want to come, Dotty? Sabini, Tazama, Sarafina and Kiara will be there."
"I think I'll pass this time," Dotty said. "I've got something else to do today. Give my regards to the Queen, present and former."
"Absolutely," Vitani smiled. "Goodbye, Dotty!" "Bye, 'Tani."
"Bye, Majuto!" Safiya said, waving from her mother's back.
"See you later, Majuto," Nuka II smiled. "Bye, Nuka." Majuto said. "See you tomorrow!"
Nuka II looked back and smiled as he walked away with his mother and sister. Majuto looked on and sighed dreamily.
"Looks like you've had fun today," Dotty said to her daughter. "Glad to see you've made a friend."
"Thanks, Mom," Majuto said. She smiled at her mother.
Elsewhere, as they walked back to the pride, Safiya looked down at her brother, who smiled as he walked along.
"A little bit of lovin' goin on there, huh, Nuka?" Safiya smiled.
"Safiya!" Vitani scolded. Her daughter just laughed.
Yeah, I think so, Nuka II thought but didn't say. He smiled all the way home, and even smiled that night as he slept.
That was the start to a great friendship.
The End.