John Burkitt - Chronicles of the Pride Lands

"You dimwit, your head must be full of dead grass." She laughed joyfully. "Of course I don't hate you! Malaika didn't throw me out; we planned this! "

Tanabi gaped up at her. "W-What? She knew?! " He laughed shakily. "Ohh, man, you had me going, Misha." He scowled suddenly. "That was a dirty trick! "

"So was what you had planned for me, young prince." Tanabi cringed at the familiar voice. Craning his head back, he saw the inverted form of Uzuri pacing nonchalantly toward him, her wayward cubs following her meekly. She stopped, her huge form looming overhead. Tanabi was utterly flabbergasted as he saw the serene smile on Uzuri's normally stern features. "By the way; it wouldn't have worked, Tanabi. I'm the hunt mistress, remember? I can spot an attack pattern a mile away, especially one I invented." She clucked disdainfully at her children. "Really, kids; you've GOT to learn to invent your own stalking patterns." The lioness chuckled and meandered away, with Togo and Kombi following reluctantly.

Misha put her paw under Tanabi's chin and shut his mouth gently. "You're drawing flies, T." Laughing softly, she rubbed up against his side. "Did you really mean what you said about wanting to spend some time with me?"

"Of course."

She grinned as he fell neatly into her trap. "Great. C'mon. I'll show you how to babysit."

The spring rains had brought forth an abundance of flora from the valley floor, the flowers blooming in a riot of color which dazzled the eyes of the two yearling cubs who scampered about through the scented plants, laughing gaily.

Tanabi grinned at Misha as he crouched down among a clump of yellow wildflowers, his tail lashing madly. Giggling, she complied, standing tall and straight, strutting through the greenery as though he did not exist. He sprang from cover, tackling her and sending the two of them rolling down the gently sloping hillside.

Tanabi lost his grip and flew over his friend to land in a heap. He got up, chuckling, but froze when he heard Misha cry out. He looked over to see her emerging from a dense shock of brambles, staggering unsteadily as she favored a paw. "What's wrong?"

She shook her paw gingerly and looked at him, a tear gleaming in one eye. "I can't put my weight on it, Tanabi, it hurts! "

"Lemme see." His stomach knotted as he trotted over to her. His mother had sprained a leg a few months back, and even with Rafiki's assistance, she was only now returning to her full capabilities. If Misha had done the same, or worse, broken a bone... He sighed with relief as he spotted the problem. "It's just a thorn, Misha. No problem."

She looked at him worriedly. "Can you get it out?"

"Uh-huh. Hold still." Nosing through the fur, he carefully took hold of the edges of the shank with his teeth. With a smooth, gentle tug, the thorn pulled free.

Misha hissed in pain, then relaxed slowly. "Thank you, Tanabi."

He smiled back at her. "You're welcome." He began to groom her wounded paw in smooth, soothing strokes, noting absently how much she had grown recently. Her legs, which were her only vanity, had grown out quite a bit, much to her relief, now rivaling even the older Lisani's in their graceful appearance.

Misha sat quietly, enjoying the sensation as Tanabi cleaned the wound on her foot. Finishing, he raised his head and smiled at her. "All better."

She felt a surge of warmth for her friend. Tanabi was always so sweet. He never played too rough like the other cubs, and if he had something nice to eat, he was always willing to share. Impulsively, Misha leaned over and planted a kiss on his cheek.

Tanabi froze for a moment, then grinned. "Back at 'cha! " he said, and kissed her. But he didn't draw away immediately. Instead, he stood balanced on three legs, his attention riveted on Misha's eyes. "M-Misha?" he stammered. "I, uh-"

She laughed prettily and swatted him with a forepaw, sending him to the ground in a heap. "Tag! You're it! "

"Oh yeah?! " He leapt to his feet, grinning, and gave chase. She ran, laughing, dodging through the underbrush from spot to spot, always staying just out of reach as he pursued her across the savanna. They had begun to near Pride Rock when he finally caught up with her, intercepting her gracefully in mid-leap to send them both sprawling in the grass. The cubs paused there to catch their breath, giggling softly.

Tanabi looked over at Misha again, unable to tear his eyes off her. As she looked over at him and smiled, the sun sailed out from behind a cloud, the brilliant light surrounding her with a golden nimbus as the sun shone off her fur. His breath caught in his throat, and he was unable to speak.

Misha blinked, perplexed. "Tanabi? Are you okay?"

He cleared his throat scratchily. "Uhh, yeah. You ready to head back?"

She nodded. The two made their way towards the Rock slowly, enjoying the warm sunshine and the pleasant breeze that ruffled their fur, sending ripples across the green carpet of grass that covered the ground.

Misha leaned her head against Tanabi's shoulder companionably, noting absently the pronounced bulkiness which had not been there only a month ago. Cool, she thought. I wonder what Tanabi will look like with a mane. She tried to imagine her best friend's visage surrounded by a ruff of hair like Simba's and giggled quietly.

Uzuri passed them heading the other way and chuckled. "You two lovebirds been out walking again, eh?"

Misha's ears flattened in embarassment as Tanabi's fur spiked along his back. "Yeah...well, I mean no! That is, we're not-"

The lioness smacked him playfully with her tail as she passed. "Uh--huh. That's what I thought." She grinned and shook her head. I always knew you two were made for each other."

Tanabi writhed in total embarasment. "Uzuri! "

She laughed softly and nuzzled him. "I'm just teasing, honey tree. You go ahead on and play, now." The lioness headed away, still chuckling softly to herself.

Misha groomed herself self-conciously. "I, uh, better get back. I promised Malaika I'd help babysit while she went out hunting."

"Okay." Tanabi stared after her thoughtfully. He abruptly turned and trotted up the slope to thw promontory of Pride Rock. Seeing his father, he walked over slowly, uncertain now of what he wanted to say.

Simba was in the middle of taking a report from Zazu when he saw his son sitting quietly behind him. Breaking off, he looked at the cub curiously. "What's up, Tanabi?"

The cub squirmed uneasily. "Uhh, Dad, can I talk to you alone for a second?"

Simba raised an eyebrow. "What about? I'm in the middle of something right now; is it very important?"

"Weelll, sort of." He lashed his tail, embarassed. "It's about...uh, a friend of mine."

Simba's forehead furrowed. "Who? Is somebody in trouble?" He looked at his son sternly. "Have you kids been teasing Uzuri again?"

Tanabi sighed in exasperation. "No, it's about Misha."

Simba's mouth made a soundless "Ohhh, " as he turned to look at Zazu. The hornbill smiled knowingly and cleared his throat. "Well, Sire, that concludes my report for now. I shall return later and inform you should anything else come up."

"Of course, Zazu. Thank you." Zazu flapped off as Simba turned to his son. "Well, Tanabi? What's on your mind?"

Tanabi's brow wrinkled alarmingly. "Dad, I can't get her out of my head! " He sputtered helplessly. "I feel so weird. I want to go play with Habu and the other guys, but I want to go play with Misha, too. I don't want them to come with us, though. She's my best friend, after all, but..." he trailed off, uncertain.

Simba cocked an ear. "But...what?"

The cub looked at the ground, embarassed. "I thought she looked looked kinda pretty, today, so... I gave her a kiss."

His father chuckled. "She IS pretty, isn’t she. So, was it fun?"