Love and Hate

Confessions of a Lion Prince

Kion looks out of the Pride Lands from his home, Pride Rock. From the top of his home, he can see everything in the Pridelands, from the edges of the boundary when the sun touches at the Outlands, to Rafiki's Tree right in front of his and his family's home. With all this information, he can easily see anybody in the Pridelands at almost any time. Right now, he watches as Fuli runs throughout the Pride Lands, a yellow blur kicking up dust wherever she went. 

He smiles at her, even though he knows she can't see him. His lips turn up in a loving smile as he imagines her in front of, smiling happily back before throwing herself in to his loving awaiting arms, ready for her. "I love you, Fuli. And today, you'll realize you love me back." His lovestruck smile disappears. "There's no way you won't."

Kion breathes in and out, steeling himself. With a steady glare in his eyes, he mutters "I'm ready." 

He runs down Pride Rock, and starts into the Pride Lands. Passing through Mizimu Grove, he catches sight of Bunga and Hamu playing with a baobab fruit. 

"Hi, Kion," Bunga shouts. "Where ya going?" 

Kion looks back at him. "I'm gonna find Fuli," he yells back. 

Bunga gives him a thumbs up and grabs the baobab fruit out of the air after Hamu kicks it. 

Kion continues on. He passes Lake Matope, where Basi and his pod, including Beshte are playing in the water. Some of them accidentally splash Makuu and his float, who are sunning themselves next to the lake. Some of them glare at the hippos. 

Kion runs through the grass. He still can't see Fuli, but he knows she last went this way. As he looks around, he sees Ono and his egret flock above him. 

"Ono!"  Kion shouts.  Ono looks down at Kion, before disengaging from his flock to land on a rock in front of him. 

Kion skids to a stop. He pants, as Ono looks over him in concern. 

"What are you doing in such a rush, Kion?" Ono asks. 

"I'm...looking...for...Fuli," he gasps out. 

"Fuli?" Ono asks. "She's heading to Azaad's cave. Common knowledge, really." 

Kion nods. "Thanks, Ono." 

"Sure, Kion." Ono says, smiling. Then he takes off after his flock, who are waiting in a nearby tree. 

Kion moves on, hoping to catch Fuli before she goes into Azaad's lair. He's got nothing against Azaad, except for the fact that Fuli is dating him, not Kion. Kion growls. That will all change soon enough. 

Kion catches sight of a yellow shaping moving through the grass to his left. He swerves, and falls through the reeds. 

"Zuka Zama," he yells, as he lands on top of Fuli. Just like my dream, he thought. 

Fuli looks at Kion. "Seriously," she asks, irritated. 

"What?" asked Kion. "I can't tackle my best friend?" 

"I thought that was Bunga," Fuli asked, pushing off Kion and getting up. 

"Well, uh..." Kion stammered. "Hey, Fuli. Can I talk to you a moment?" 

Fuli looks at him. "Sure, Kion. What is it?" 

Kion sighs. "It's just... Fuli, I've loved you for a really long time and I hope that you feel the same as me, so that'll date me instead of Azaad, and then I could really be happy." He says this all in a rush. 

"Wait," Fuli asks, confused. "You love me? 

Kion nods. "And I know that you feel the same, so maybe we could, I dunno, get together?" 

Fuli sighs, looking like she really hated to say what came next. "Kion, look. I don't feel the same as you, and I probably never will. We're just friends, like you and Bunga, or Kiara and Tiifu. I don't even love Azaad anymore. I thought I did, but I don't. I love Busu, and I was just on my way to tell Azaad that I was breaking up with him." 

Kion stares at her in shock, open-mouthed. "You're lying," he said, shaking his head. "You may not love Azaad, but I know you're lying about Busu. You love me. I can feel it!" 

Fuli says calmly "Kion, you're in denial. Just calm down and take some breaths, maybe go for a walk, talk to Mufasa. Just wait a bit before we talk about this again, okay? Now, I really need to go talk to Azaad about my sexuality and how I'm leaving him. So, uh, bye, Kion." She turns, and walks inside Azaad's cave. 

Kion stares at her retreating form. He can't believe it. The liar! She flat-out lied to his face about her feelings for him! He knew that her little fib about loving Busu was fake, even if the part about not liking Azaad was true. But that evil cheetah! She just lied to him! 

Kion growls. "Don't worry, Fuli. I'll make sure you know you're true feelings, one way or another. No one refuses Kion and gets away with it. No one." 

(AN: HELLO AGAIN. IF YOU WANT SEE IF KION HELPS FULI SEE HER "TRUE" FEELINGS, CLICK THE VOTE IN THE TOP CORNER. ALSO, COMMENTING AND FOLLOWING WOULD BE MUCH LOVED AS WELL. THANKS A BUNCH!)