The Lion Guard: A New Hope (#2)

Chapter 2.2

The Lion Guard and Night Pride stopped outside the Lion Guard Lair.

"There's too many here to go in at once," Tumaini said.

"Tumaini and I will go in for sure," Aasha said.  "We'll need both of us."

Mahali walked up to Tumaini and licked her cheek.

"Be careful, alright?"  he asked.  "I love you, and I don't know what I'd do if I lost you."

"I will," Tumaini responded, not knowing what else to say.  "I love you, too."

Tumaini looked at Pride Rock after seeing Shakti's face in the corner of her eye.  The lioness' scent was even full of jealousy.  She couldn't bear to see her best friend upset at her.  Why did Mahali have to do that?  He probably just didn't know Shakti liked him.

"Let's go, Aasha," Tumaini said.  The two cats started to walk up to Pride Rock.

"You good?"  Aasha asked once they were out of earshot.

"Yeah," Tumaini said.  "Just trying to process what happened back there."

"I said Mahali likes you," Aasha responded.

"I know, but I didn't really believe it," Tumaini said.  "Not that I think you'd lie.  I just thought you were getting something wrong.  Like, if I said Moyo likes you."

"He doesn't," Aasha said.

"Are you sure?"  Tumaini asked.  "He's been showing off a lot for you."

"He shows off for everybody," Aasha responded.

"Trust me," Tumaini said, "he's my brother.  He likes you.  The only problem is that you'll end up living at the Tree of Life, and he couldn't bear to be that far from his family.  That's why he's been doing it less.  He doesn't want to admit to himself that the lion he loves is leaving him."

"We'll find other mates," Aasha said.

"I doubt it," Tumaini replied.  "You'll see."

"Maybe," Aasha stopped outside the main entrance to Pride Rock.  "Anyways, it's now or never.  We have to defeat Scar."

"We can worry about all this later," Tumaini agreed, walking into Pride Rock.  They were already outnumbered by one.

"Aasha, Tumaini," Scar said.  "We've been expecting you."

"Where's Ushari?"  Tumaini asked.  She had seen the snake around the borders.  Scar growled in annoyance.

"Ushari!"  he called.  "Reveal yourself.  We're going have to take these two on the traditional way."

"Of course, Scar," Ushari slithered out from behind a rock.  Tumaini and Aasha weren't paying much attention.  They Roared, causing all but Scar to vanish.

"You may have defeated me," Scar said.  "But I can keep you and your teams out of the Pride Lands for a while.  It's the most I can do."

Tumaini suddenly collapsed to the floor.  The last thing she saw before she lost consciousness was Scar disappearing.

Tumaini opened her eyes.  She was far away from the Pride Lands, and lying next to Shakti.  She put her paw on the lioness and gently shook her.  Shakti looked up and shook her head once she saw Tumaini.

"I know what you're going to say," Tumaini said.  "You can rat me out about it all you want once we get back to the Pride Lands."

Shakti started laughing.