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"Maybe you can go back to the Tree of Life someday… I think Mom and Dad would understand.”
“Maybe…”
After revealing his feelings for Queen Rani, and his intentions for staying with her to his older sister Kiara , Kion felt relieved, though somewhat awkward, since she was the only one he’s told about it. He wasn’t sure about what his friends would think, because “Why would he even hesitate about coming back to his homeland, The Pridelands, only because he fell in love with a Queen?”; that’s what he thought. He knew Kiara could understand. After all, she fell in love with Scar’s chosen heir, Kovu, and now they were destined to become King and Queen.
Unexpected love. In this aspect their love stories may be similar in a way
Silence reigned while Kion and Kiara continued to gaze at the stars, until the older sister yawned.
“I think I’m going to sleep now. Are you coming?” Kiara asked, to which Kion nodded silently, and they headed into Pride Rock.
Inside were King Simba, Queen Nala and the rest of the pride, asleep. Kiara looked around for Kovu until she spotted him sleeping. Smiling, she approached him, as Kion watched from afar. Kiara laid down next to her mate and turned her gaze back to her brother.
“Usiku mwema Kion. Good night.”
“Usiku mwema Kiara…”
As Kion walked slowly among the oldest lionesses in order to not wake up anyone, he spotted an empty corner. He laid down onto the ground and took one last look at the future Queen, already asleep next to her beloved, before sleep overtook him.
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“We’re almost there… Keep your eyes closed!”
“C’mon, where are you taking me? Just tell me!”
“It’s a surprise! Gosh, you’re so impatient…”
A female voice led Kion with his eyes closed, laughing alongside him for his curiosity and impatience. The young lion felt something covering his eyes, that this girl seemed to have put over them, and she helped him walk. He felt her body pressed against his side, bringing him warmth and security.
They both laughed nonstop, already looking forward to this ‘surprise’ to come.
“Okay, now stop!” The voice ordered him to halt. She moved away from Kion to help him remove the object from his eyes. “Stay there, I am going to take the leaf off. Slowly…”
“We’re… We’re here?” Kion asked, feeling the girl remove the leaf that was supposedly covering his eyes. He slowly adjusted his vision, and right then and there he saw Rani before him, her chocolate-brown eyes glimmering with joy, a look that always melted his heart.
“Yeah, we are! Now follow me.” Rani replied, and the two lions began to approach the place she longed to show him.
Kion already travelled that zone with his Guard and with Rani. He wondered what could be so special about a place he’d visited twice, the only difference is that the sun was setting. But he was still excited, especially seeing Rani, who smiled as she walked and occasionally looked back at him to check if he was indeed following her, with a joy in her eyes that made Kion believe this place must hold something worthwhile.
They took the last few steps towards the edge of the cliff they were walking along. They’d seen this before, but the time of the day made it magical, causing Kion to gasp in audibly surprised expression.
The cliff overlooked the entire territory of the Tree of Life, bathed in the orange sun that slowly dipped below the horizon, and the first stars slowly started shining up in the sky. The lakes glowed, the snow on the Tundra mountains reflected the last glimmers of orange light, the forests turned dark. The Tree of Life stood out in the middle of the habitats, it seemed huge and unique wherever they stared at it.
The sunset definitely made its magic, and gave the territory of the Tree a new perspective.
Both teenage lions sat together to admire the view, sharing one of the few moments they could be alongside the other without the Lion Guard or the Night Pride interrupting.
Now they can be calm. Together. Alone.
“Wow… this is beautiful.” Kion said. Rani turned to see him and noticed a big smile on his face, his eyes glimmering that she’s never seen before since they first met. She was glancing at Kion, the one who knew everything was going to be alright, not worrying about his scar.
“Have you seen anything like this before?” Rani asked him, curious
“Well, I mean, I’ve already seen the Pridelands at sunset and that was pretty, but they weren’t as magical as this.” Kion chuckled, briefly recalling the moments he and the Guard concluded their patrol at twilight, and Pride Rock had a different glow.
“That’s one of the things that make the Tree of Life so special, and personally one of my favorites. I think that’s what might make patrols at night more bearable. And this view is beautiful.” Rani spoke, admiring the territory.
“Yeah, it’s beautiful…” Yes, the view was beautiful, but Kion had his gaze fixed on Rani as she spoke. Rani glanced at him, only to find him already looking at her. Kion noticed this and quickly stared away, so the Queen wouldn't notice how ashamed he felt.
“Crap, you really are a bit clumsy, aren’t you Kion?” he thought to himself.
Rani slowly looked away, somewhat embarrassed as well. Silence took over their moment, until she finally spoke again.
“Y’know, every time I take a deep look at these lands, I feel like I suddenly get reminded of my reality. I’m the Queen, my role in the Circle of Life is far more important now. I really want to do a great job and that the inhabitants of the Tree of Life live well and happy under my leadership.”
This made Kion think. Rani already proposed he be her King, meaning that he, too, would have to fulfill a bigger role than leading the Lion Guard. But, he was never taught about it. Kiara was destined to be the heir to the throne, not him. Could he really be a good King next to a true heir who had been raised to handle her future responsibilities?
“Rani, I have to ask you something…” Kion said, feeling ashamed.
“Yes?”
Kion hesitated before speaking, his sudden nervousness preventing him from doing so, and he murmured under his breath.
“Kion?” Rani asked. Kion slowly looked at her, his face showing concern. “You can trust me, you know? Everything will be alright...”
Their eyes met, giving Kion the confidence to voice his thoughts. He inhaled deeply, exhaled, and prepared himself for what he was about to say.
“Do you think I could be a great King as well?” Kion finally asked, taking Rani by surprise. “I was never raised to be King, only my sister Kiara. I was only meant to lead the Lion Guard. I never would’ve thought that this scar would take me to such a bigger new path in just a few months…” Kion’s eyes began to shine, as if he was about to cry, and Rani looked at him sadly. “Even if you still doubted yourself before Janna… Well, left, you took the lead and you’re doing an amazing job right now, and I admire you for that. But, you already knew how to handle your role. I don’t. I’m worried I might let them down, all of them, or even you… I wasn’t made for this…”
Rani understood silently. She took her time searching for the words she thought Kion might need. He was just as insecure as she had been the day Queen Janna, her grandmother, passed away.
What she must do now is reassure him, in the same way he did with her that awful day…
“It’s hard when you can’t yet trust your own process. I thought that by the time my coronation came, I would already have the knowledge to be Queen. But that came sooner than I expected… I thought it would be much harder, until I saw that Janna left me her wisdom in the walls of the Tree, so I could still learn on my journey.” Kion looked at Rani attentively, and she returned his gaze. “I’m not saying you won’t make mistakes. They’re part of life, but know this: you’ll learn along the way, and if you’re sure about the crap you’re doing, then the rest should be fine. I’m still learning too, and making mistakes. We can take this path together. I can give you what I know and what Janna gave us, and you will be alright. We’ll be alright. We’ll have each other, I promise.”
Kion chuckled softly and wiped the small tears in his eyes with his paw. “Who would’ve thought that the same lioness who didn’t let this idiot into her territory would have a heart-to-heart talk with him?” He jokingly asked, making Rani laugh.
“It’s funny how things can change once you get to know someone.” Rani followed up the joke, but something about it resonated with Kion.
“Didn’t you say that before?”
“I did? I- I don’t remember…” Rani looked around in confusion, trying to remember when she had said that phrase.
“Uh, forget it. Maybe it was something else…” Kion sheepishly tried to avoid the confusion.
Kion turned back to Rani and gently tapped his snout against her face in a sign of affection, which surprised her a bit.
“Thank you, Queen Rani. I really appreciate it.”
“Well, thank you, Kiongozi…”
The two young lions locked eyes, and their pupils widened the second they made eye contact. Kion’s eyes instantly sparkled, and he began to smile unconsciously. Rani briefly noticed this, and smiled as well, happy to share such a moment with him.
“Although… there’s something else I have to tell you…” Kion revealed, somewhat nervously.
“What's wrong?” Rani asked, smiling at him.
They gazed warmly at each other, slowly drawing closer. Kion’s heart pounded, straining as he approached Rani as if he wanted to kiss her. He did, in fact, want to kiss her.
“Rani, I…”
“Yes, Kion?”
They were so close now. There was no turning back. Both their eyes shone as they began to close
“I… I lo-
“Kion? Kion! KION!!”
Kion woke up startled, adjusted his vision and found Bunga shaking him by the shoulders as the Lion Guard watched from the cave entrance and approached.
“Bunga! Did you really have to wake him up like that?” Fuli shouted, annoyed.
“Whaaaat? He didn’t wake up anyways, what else did you want me to do?” Bunga excused himself.
“I think a little push was enough, Little B. Although we were really tired after the long trip from the Tree of Life.” Beshte added calmly to the situation.
“Beshte’s right. You’re even lucky you’re friends. Lions and honeybadgers have a complicated predator-prey relationship. Common knowledge really.” Ono replied, as always with his random animal facts.
“I see…” Kion responded, getting up “Thanks for waking me up, Bunga.”
“Hakuna Matata, my bro. Happy to help.” Bunga playfully patted Kion’s shoulder.
“We came to wake you up ‘cause we were planning to go back to the Guard’s Lair. We haven’t visited it since we arrived at the Pridelands,” Beshte said, approaching and adding with a smile, “We ran into each other this morning and thought it would be nice to spend some time there again.”
“Ooooh, that’s right! Do you wanna come, Kion?” Bunga asked his best friend, jumping in excitement.
“Well, the Pridelands are finally at peace, so it’s a great idea. And we could use some fun.” Kion happily answered and smiled, particularly at Bunga.
“Zuka Zama!!” Bunga celebrated and started to run towards the Lion Guard, who had already begun to leave the royal family’s cave.
“I already told Anga a while ago. She’s on her way.” Beshte said, walking along with Bunga and Fuli, and Ono was resting on his back as always.
“Oh, great! Actually, I don’t think Anga has been to the Lair yet. It’ll be nice.” Fuli added.
“I’ll look for some grubs to celebrate! Does anyone fancy some?” Bunga suggested, happy and hungry
“I think I’ll pass…” Fuli flatly refused the offer, somewhat disgusted.
As the Lion Guard chatted on their way back to their lair, Kion followed behind, until he stopped at the cave entrance and gazed melancholically. He was still thinking about Rani and the dream he’d had about her. He knew he had to wait and see what the future held, and whenever he could be with her again. He sighed, smiled, and approached the Lion Guard at his own pace, focusing on the present. Though deep down thinking about what he intended to tell Rani in his dream before waking up.
“I love you, Queen Rani.”