Peace for the Soul ~ A Lion King Fanfiction

Chapter 18: Love's Blossom

An audience of warriors watched as I squared up to Beshte, even though we are close friends, we routinely wrestle in our downtime to maintain our ability to fight.

"Beshte will surely beat him."

"No way, Kion's got him right where he wants him!"

The audience quietly made bets with each other waiting for us to begin. I see Beshte, he is surely bigger than me, and definitely stronger, but if I can use my size to my advantage, I can trip him up pretty good. He suddenly charges, "Twende kiboko!" He yells as he rushes me. I quickly jump over his head, using it as a platform to jump off of and across his body, sending him to the ground.

The audience stood there, shocked that I grounded Beshte so quickly. I walk over to him, giving him my paw to help him stand up, "You got me there Kion, that was Poa!" Even in defeat, he still has such a good attitude, something I envied greatly. Most days were like this, calm and relaxed with some fun here and there, no trespassers were spotted on the morning patrol, and we have nothing to do until we patrol in the evening, so we often just pass the time doing little competitions with each other.

"Kion!" That sounded like...

Heshima, leaps and bounds to our patrol party, seemingly in a hurry. "Heshima, it is good to see you again." I say with a subtle bow. "Please Kion, the pleasure is all mine, especially with the news I have."

Huh?

"Excuse me? What news?" He turns and shrugs his shoulder forward, signaling me to follow him, "Follow me, son." I do as he says, he is my father in law now.

He takes me back to his den, and ushers me inside, by myself. I see a small crowd of cheetahs grouped together in the cave. Intrigued, I begin to slowly make my way over to them.

"Is it true?"

"How is it possible?"

"The great kings have spoken!"

I break through the crowd to see Fuli laying down, turning to face me, her eyes are dreamy as always and full of love. I walk up to her and give an affectionate nuzzle, "Fuli, what is the meaning of all this?" She chuckles, in her usually innocent yet almost sarcastic tone. "Kion, there is nothing wrong, in fact quite the contrary." She reaches her muzzle up to touch mine, releasing slowly and looking deep through my eyes, "Kion, I'm pregnant."

I froze, not knowing what to say or do. I slowly crane my head to Fuli's underbelly, then back to her, unable to contain my smile as a feeling of pride washed through me, thrusting my head into her neck and place my paw on her stomach, "I can't believe this, I am going to be a Father!" She returns my nuzzle with her gentle purrs, "I know, and I can't wait to be a parent with you."

That day, the coalition excused me from the evening patrol. I spent the night with my mate, shocked, but oh so happy to hear the news.
'I can't believe this, I'm gonna be a father!' Still, I am unsure of how, but maybe the great kings decided to smile upon us, granting us the opportunity to raise our own together.

The coalition hosted a grand celebration announcing Fuli's pregnancy and the future leaders of the coalition. The rest of the day was full of laughter, joy, humor, bunga for once actually managed to crack us up, maybe because of his own foolishness, but hey, we laughed none the less. Fuli and I were returning to our den, exhausted from the festivities, and desiring some rest.

"Kion..." That sounded like...

"Heshima," the elder cheetah walks up to us,

"Kion, I need to speak with you briefly, alone." I turn to Fuli, she nods with her beautiful grin, "I'll be in the den waiting." She nuzzles me before walking off, "What is it Heshima?" He turns to the open draw in the ridge line to which we enter and exit the valley.

"Kion, the summer is nearing its end in the south, and the herds by now have migrated..."

I know where this is going,

"... This is our chance to return our coalition to its rightful home, in the Pridelands."

I sigh, while I miss home greatly, I had a reason to leave, and a reason to stay,

"Heshima, I have explained to you why I left, I don't know if I feel comfortable bringing your daughter and our future litter there either. For Mufasa's sake, mating with an opposing species is spat upon there!" I end in a whisper, clearly impatient with the conversation.

"Kiongozi..." I lower my head, "Forgive me, Heshima." He nudges my head back up, "Remember that I had a reason to leave too, but with you helping me make the peace, I think our coalition can finally reside in its rightful home, free of strife and filled with opportunities." I look to the ground, for the first time in months, remembering the brutality of the war I spent years fighting...

"Dad, what are you doing!"

"What I have to do for my Pride, son! Do not question my judgement!"

"Father, this is unjust! These hyenas..."

"Silence, Kion!"

He glares in a way which I've never seen before, except for one other lion...

Scar

I look back up to meet Heshima's gaze, understanding what he has been through to keep his coalition safe and free. I can't help but wonder, if all of this was just an effect of constant fighting and all would be right in the foreseeable future. Begrudgingly, I nod my head,

"Wonderful, Kion! We will leave in seven sunsets time, matching the fall solstice to give the coalition time to prepare. We will take a handful of our best warriors, as well as some younger members to see how they handle the journey."

"I only hope that your optimism pays off." He looks at me, understanding my concern,

"Kion, I know you have been through much, but we must take this chance while we have it, for all we have lost, and all we will gain." With that, I respectfully bow, and walk to my cave to join my mate.

Fuli's beauty always amazed my while she slept, now knowing she carried life inside her only added to it. I lay down behind her, pulling her lean and slender frame against my muscular and robust frame and wrap my arms around her so I have one paw on her belly and one on her chest. She begins to stir, "Kion..." I begin to rub the top of her head with my chin, "Yes, Fuli?" She chuckles, then cranes her head to face me, "You know, no matter what anyone may say, I couldn't be happier than I am right now." I hold her closer, while trying to still be gentle with her, and our unborn cubs.

"You, as well as our cubs are the best thing that's ever happened to me. I'll say my promise to you again, I will never leave you, and I will always be by your side." She purrs with such delight, turning her body so our chests pressed together and we stare into each other's eyes, getting lost in each other yet again.

What up everyone! This streak of chapters I'm putting out took a lot of time to make and I'm so happy with the reception that they have gotten so far! Starting next chapter will be the beginning of the main conflict that I have wanted to write since this book became a concept. Obviously I don't know if it will live up to the better  kionxfuli stories, however this book really wasn't meant to be. Rather an exploration of Kion's mind when faced with many different conflicts. Just know the last four chapters are being tweaked as you are reading this and I they are gonna help make this book something I will always remember as an accomplishment.

Have a good day and stay frosty! 🤞