This is the sixth chapter to Caldafox's Lion King/Guard fanfic "Unexpected Love". The text is copied from elsewhere.
Plot[]
Kion had been staying at the Pride Lands for almost a week now. Him and Rani were thinking about heading back to the Tree of Life. After all, it was a really long way away.
The day came when the pair was saying their goodbyes. Kiara nuzzled her younger brother affectionately. "Thanks for staying here, Kion," she said. "Even if it was only for a little while." Kion smiled. "Glad to have come back. I'll miss you, Kiara." He nuzzled her back.
Kion turned to Kopa. "I'm glad I got to meet you, older brother." he said. "The journey here was certainly worth it." Kopa smiled. "Thank you, Kion. I'm glad I got to meet you, too."
"Thanks for coming back to the Pride Lands," Rani said to her brother-in-law. "Absolutely," Kopa said, with a nod and smile.
Fuli and Azaad added, "I hope you find your place in the Circle of Life, Kopa." "I'm sure I will," Kopa replied. He smiled at his family, who smiled back.
"We'll miss you, Kion," Simba and Nala said to their youngest son. "I'll miss you too." Kion said, nuzzling his parents.
Simba and Nala turned to Rani, who was almost surprised when they nuzzled her, too. "We're glad you're part of the family now," they told her. Rani smiled, very thankful. "Thank you, your highnesses."
"You can just call us Simba and Nala if you like." Nala replied. "Thank you, Simba and Nala," Rani said, to her in-laws' appeal.
With that, the group of four headed back to the Tree of Life.
Everyone was sad to see Kion leave, but they knew he found his place now, so they were happy for him. After watching Kion leave, all the lions dispersed.
Vitani went to get a drink of water. She went to a waterhole that was not well visited. Kopa was behind her a little way back. He didn't like sneaking up on her, but he also didn't like bugging her by being too close.
As Vitani drank some water, her mind went back to the day before: Kiara and Rani were hanging out together, when Vitani passed by. At that moment, the two started to giggle, causing Vitani to frown.
"What's so funny?" Vitani had asked, annoyed.
"Oh, nothing," Kiara smiled. "You'll see one day." Rani added, with a small giggle.
What was with all the giggling, anyway? And why did Kiara make that comment? Vitani wanted to ask her about it, but didn't, so she wouldn't be rude.
The cool water was refreshing on a hot day, so Vitani closed her eyes while she drank. Kopa stood a few feet away from her. He noticed something was moving in the water... A CROCODILE. And it was headed towards Vitani, who was unaware of its presence!
His eyes growing wide, Kopa shouted, "Vitani! Look out!"
Vitani stood up and looked at Kopa in shock, her ears alert. Suddenly the croc lunged at her, causing her to back up and gasp in shock. Water flew everywhere.
With a hiss, the large croc got out of the water and began moving closer to Vitani. Vitani put her ears back, growled, and gave the croc a swat on its nose.
However, much action from her wasn't necessary. Kopa leaped right in front of her and ONTO the croc, snapping its mouth shut. "Vitani, get out of here!" he cried to the amazed lioness.
"No way!" Vitani said back. She leaped onto the crocodile's half-submerged body and gave it a bite on its side. It swung Kopa to the side, causing Vitani to look there to see if he was hurt. Unfortunately, that gave the croc an opportunity to swing her aside with its long, fat tail. She went flying onto land again.
Kopa shouted "HEY!" and roared as he leaped onto the crocodile again, quickly getting up. He quickly sliced it on its face.
The croc hissed, and Kopa gave it a chomp on the snout as well, holding it still with his sharp claws. In pain now, the croc slapped its tail, causing water to fly everywhere. Kopa was drenched but didn't let it bother him.
With one more "roar", and a bonus swat on the face from Kopa, the croc sunk back deep into the waterhole.
Kopa stood there, panting, and shook of the water that was on his fur. Vitani came over by him, amazed by what she'd seen. She, too, was drenched, but had shaken off some water before coming over by Kopa.
Vitani looked at him in sympathy. "Wow," she said. "Guess we make a pretty good team, huh?"
Kopa smiled. "Yeah," he said back. He was bleeding on one paw, because as he held the croc, one of his paws had gotten pinched in its mouth for a quick sec. "Thanks for saving me," Vitani said, full of gratitude. "Why- what made you do that, anyway?" "I'll do anything to protect my friends," Kopa replied.
"I'm glad I'm one of them." Vitani finally admitted, she was indeed acquainted with Kopa. With his skills and loyalty, why wouldn't she want to be friends with him?
Kopa smiled warmly, which was becoming his trademark. Vitani looked at the ground, eyes wide, before saying, "How long were you at the Pride Lands again?" Kopa began, "Well, you see..."
The two lions walked, side by side, back to Pride Rock. Kopa was telling Vitani nearly everything about his childhood. Vitani made a few remarks about hers, but since it wasn't the sweetest one around, she mostly just listened to Kopa.
When they got back, Vitani turned in front of Kopa and said, "Thanks again for, you know... saving my life."
Kopa smiled. "It was an honor doing so. I'm sure you could have gotten out of it yourself, but it never hurts to come help in a scene like that."
"I guess I could have," Vitani said, then admitted, "I think I would have still preferred your help."
Suddenly, someone else's voice said, "Uh, hello?"
It was Kasi, the fastest in Vitani's Lion Guard. She didn't expect to walk in on this. After all, Vitani had never been this friendly with Kopa.
"Hi, 'Tani." Kasi said to her fiercest. "What's...goin' on here, anyway?"
"I'll tell you all about it back at the Lair," Vitani said to her friend. "See you later, Kopa." "Bye, Vitani," Kopa said back, smiling. Kasi smiled back at Kopa dreamily, then proceeded to ask her friend,
"Why are you so wet? What exactly went on over there?"
Vitani smiled. "I said I'd tell you all about it, didn't I?"
TO BE CONTINUED...