meerkat standing besides them. Deep cuts and claws marks covered her body while her eyes were filled with relief.

“Thank you for saving me,” she whispered looking at Simba and Timon.

“Those hyenas have been banished from this land. I am Simba king of this land.”

“The name's Timon, are you all right?” Timon asked smiling.

“My name is Tabia. My cuts hurt but I don't think anything is broken.”

“A pleasure to make your acquaintance Tabia,” Timon said smiling.

“Nice to meet you Tabia. We need to get those cuts looked at. Tabia if you are willing to ride on my back we can have your injuries looked at.”

“Thank you Sire I would be most grateful,” Tabia replied.

Gently Timon helped Tabia onto Simba's back before climbing up behind her. Sitting together the pair looked at across the land. The fear in Tabia's eyes had begun to fade and the blood on her fur had begun to dry. Gently Timon put his arms around Tabia's waist to steady her as Simba ran. Turning around Tabia smiled and Timon felt a strange sensation in his stomach. For a moment it was as if Tabia and Timon were the only animals in the world. Reaching Rafiki’s tree Simba let out a might roar that quickly summon the wise baboon. Climbing down Rafiki placed his medicines on the ground and directed Tabia to a large nests like structure.

“Oh dear you have suffered child,” Rafiki said as he examined her. “Hhmm deep yet not to the bone. No broken bones just a sprained right front paw and a case of shock. I advise plenty of rest for the next seven suns and you will be fine.”2

Carefully Rafiki put salve onto her cuts and bruises and put a plant made binding around her right front paw. As Rafiki worked Tabai told them about her life. Like many she had suffered during the recent drought. After half her colony had died she and the remainder had left their home on the backs of a herd of elephants. As they travelled other meerkats had joined them to escape the drought. Now the groups had merged to form a new colony and hoped to make a home in the Pride Lands.

“It would be a pleasure to have your clan living in this land. I am sorry for what those creatures did,” Simba apologetically.

“I do not blame you Sire, I should have been more careful.”

“Stupid poachers. Besides Simba here banished them from the kingdom trust me they'll gets what coming,” Timon said grinning evilly.

Leaving Rafiki's tree the group made their way home through the rain, dark clouds promising thunder. Arriving home they were met by Nala and Serabi who were both stunned at the day's events. Standing circled by a groups lioness the two hyenas looked terrified. Walking onto rocks directly above them Simba glowering. Swift justice was dealt out, for the first time the lionesses saw a streak of hidden ruthlessness. The hyenas received the fate they had been promised, death. Though they knew this before committing their crime they had not believed Simba would actually got through with his threat.

Passing a cave near the back of Pride Rock some time later Simba saw the Tabia on a bed of grass and feathers with Timon and Zazu sitting next to her. The trio were deep in a conversation about Tabia's colony, earlier that day Zazu had taken a message to them telling them about the situation. All had been worried when their friend had gone missing and very much relieved to hear she was safe.

“I am great full for letting me staying here to recover.”

“Our pleasure Tabia. After the shock you suffered it was the least we could do,” Zazu replied smiling.

“I am grateful for everything you have done for me,” Tabia replied.

As night fell the inhabitants of Pride Rock settled down for a peaceful nights sleep. In a cave Timon lay on a bed of grass looking across to the now sleeping Tabia, as he fell asleep he wondered if he might become friends with her.

_____________________________________________________________________

Two weeks had passed since Tabia's attack, after a few days recuperating at Pride Rock she had been taken back to her colony, all of whom had been relieved to see her. Thought her paw was still bandaged the bruising had reduced and her cuts were well on the road to healing. The colony had thanked Timon and Simba for their help and had accepted Timon as a new friend.

As Timon walked across the hot savannah to visit his new friends he thought about how quickly he had been accepted by the colony. Arriving at the colony he greeted the sentries who were on duty, all of whom nodded in reply, their eyes never leaving the surrounding area.

“TIMON!”

Turning around Timon saw Tabia popping up from a one of a variety of entrances to the meerkat's burrows.

“Hi Tabia you look great,” Timon said helping her out of the burrow.

“Thank you Timon, you look well yourself,” Tabia replied brushing dirt from her fur, as other meekats greeted Timon.

Leaving the colony the pair walked off into the long grass with a few whistles from the males as they went. As they walked Timon told Tabia some of his best jokes causing her to laugh. Seeing her laugh for the first time Timon felt a slight blush on his cheeks and a funny warmth in his stomach. Changing subject the pair began to learn more about each other, chatting about their different adventures. Both were keen to learn about the places the other had seen, with Tabia especially curious about the jungle.

“Maybe I'll get to take you there one day,” Timon said, a blush coming to his cheeks when he realized the word's implication.

“I'd like that a lot Timon, your old home sounds beautiful,” Tabia replied, looking away shyly.

Arriving at a herd of zebra the pair were distracted from the awkward conversation when one of the herd, who was a friend of Timon's, walked over to say hello.

“Morning Timon. Is this the famous Tabia I have been hearing so much about?”Asked the zebra, raising his eyebrows.

“In the fur,” Timon replied, trying not to blush at the remark.

“Nice to see meet you,” the zebra replied extending a hoof for Tabia to shake. “Say this place is getting crowded, you could get squashed if you stay down there. How about a ride on my back?”

“I'm up for that, how about you Tabia?”

“Well of Timon is brave enough then so am I.”

“Excellent,” the zebra replied as a passing elephant helped them up. “Hold on tight you are in for the ride of your lives!”

Sitting on his friends back Timon held on tightly to the zebra's mane while Tabia slipped her arms around his waist. Rearing up the zebra started to run across the grassland, steadily increasing his speed to a canter. The wind brushed their fur. The speed took their breath away, the utter thrill of the ride racing through their bodies, adrenaline racing through their blood.

“YYYEEEEHHHHHAAA,” Timon called letting go of his friend's mane.

“YYEEEHHHAAA,” Tabia laughed letting go of Timon's waist briefly.

With a crash the zebra raced into river, water flying into the morning sun, drenching them to the bone. Stopping in the river the zebra stock his head, the water coming up to the his shoulders. Looking down at the water Timon and Tabia saw their reflections staring back at them.

“Timon that ride was amazing, I have never had such fun in all my life,” Tabia gasped smiling.

“I'm glad you enjoyed it, not many 'kats would be brave enough to ride a zebra,” Timon replied looking at Tabia.

“Well them I am not like most 'kats then,” Tabia giggled, her eyes shining.

“I guess not,” Timon replied blushing slightly.

“I enjoyed seeing you Timon............could we......I mean could we do this again some time?”

“I'd love to Tabia. I know a great place to rustle up some grubs.”

“I'd like that Timon,” Tabia replied.

For a brief second their paws touched, a spark of static electricity passing between them. Looking up their pair smiled at each other. Raising a paw Timon stroked Tabia's cheek, without planning it the pair kissed. Time seemed to stop, looking at each other they smiled, no words needed to express what they were feeling.

Hope of a new beginning

A few days had passed since Timon and Tabia's wild ride. As the sun set Simba stood down at the water hole drinking. The water was crisp and cold bringing relief from what had been a hot day. As he drank Nala's reflection appeared in the water. Lifting his gaze Simba saw her standing next to him, a nervous smile on her face.

“Simba we are going to be parents,” Nala whispered, a nervous tremor in her voice.

For a second Simba stood there numbly as her words rang in his head. The words connecting to his brain and his heart hammering in his chest.

“Nala that is......wow,” Simba stammered nuzzling her.

“I am so glad you are happy, a cub coming so soon.....”

“I could never be unhappy Nala. The kingdom needs an heir, now everything will be perfect.”

Looking down Simba and Nala saw their reflections had joined in the water, they were one. Standing together Simba smiled as Nala lend her head on his shoulder, a sense of peace and pride entering his heart.

That evening Simba called the pride and their friends to the base of Pride Rock. Standing side by side Simba and Nala took deep breaths, announcing their news to the assembled group. Sarabi, Sarafina, Timon and Pumba gasped in utter shock, the pair's