In Hazina Cave all the lions slept peacefully. As the day began to blossom, Naasir rose from the cave and went down to the stream. Today Naasir was rather sure we would be kicked out of the pride seeing he had come of age. Naasir was let into the pride when he was 1 week old, now being an adult it shall be expecting he is removed from the pride. 3 years have passed since he became an Mlima member, ‘Lots of good memories here’ he thought to himself. Out from Hazina he noticed Kiros rise, and start walking towards. Inside Naasir was petrified on what Kiros was about to say to him. Naasir turned his head and acted like he was drinking, Kiros came right up by his side. “Naasir” Kiros ordered in his deep stern voice. Naasir’s head rose from drinking and he submissively bowed his head at the king. “Yes Kiros” Nassir politely answered. Naasir knew what he was going to say, ‘You are to leave the pride now’ or something along those lines. As he saw Kiros’s mouth open, Naasir decided to beat him to it. At the same time Naasir said “You majesty I will be on my” while Kiros said “I want you to marry my daughter.” Naasir spook so loudly he didn’t hear but Kiros had said. So he raised his head high and marched off. Kiros’s expression was none other than confused. So he tried again “I want you to marry my daughter” he yelled from behind Naasir hoping this time he would hear him. Naasir froze where he stood seeing this Kiros supposed he heard that time and walked over to him. Once he reached Naasir he stood by his side. “You ok kiddo” Naasir’s expressions spoke for themselves. His eyes were huge and mouth was wide open and he was as stiff as any lion could be.

Kiros stood next to him trying to make him move. “Kid could you please talk to me?” Kiros was slightly concerned on how Naasir was taking it. Soon the lionesses would wake up and wonder what was going on. “Sire, I’m sorry but I can’t marrrreee Sanura” Naasir graciously replied. Still to this day the word marry got at Naasir no matter how old he got. Kiros was trying to think of a way to make him understand so he just explained. “Look kid, I know Sanura was your best friend when you were kids and it may seem weird to you in a way. But I would much rather have you as king then some foreigner. Do you understand where I’m coming from?” Kiros explained, but Naasir went back to his stiff state. “Alumine and I have talked about it she will break the news to Sanura and I would break to you, but to be honest kid I didn’t think you would take it like this.” Kiros continued to explain. “Kiros, I just don’t think I can do something like maaaarrreee…your daughter. As she grew up we grew further apart, we haven’t talked in years she completely ignores me.” Naasir describe what he had been going through. “You know kid that should make it easier for you” Kiros directed Naasir back to the cave, on the way it was easy to locate loud yelling from the outside of Hazina, as Kiros and Naasir came up to the entrance of Hazina they saw Alumine and Sanura yelling at each other. Naasir and Kiros stood at the entrance watching. “WHY DO I HAVE TO ALWAYS OBEY RULES AND ALWAYS DO WHAT YOU WANT” Sanura screamed, before turning and heading into the cave as she entered she noticed Naasir and just glared at him. He lowered his head and jumped off Hazina and began walking away. “Kid where are you going?!” Kiros yelled still on Hazina, “Somewhere far away, for now!” Naasir yelled back. Alumine walked to be by Kiros’s side. “So I assume it didn’t go well with Naasir?” Alumine predicted. “No he doesn’t want to marry his best friend” Kiros confirmed Alumine. “But they aren’t friends anymore remember they haven’t talked in years” Alumine tried to understand what was going. “Yeah but he still obviously sees her as his best friend” Kiros commented. “So how did it go with Sanura?” Kiros wondered aloud. “Not very well she refuses to marry him or anyone else for that matter” Alumine sighed. “What are we going to do with them?” Kiros looked for help from Alumine. Both lions sighed and watched Naasir walk off.

‘Maybe I don’t want to get married at all’ Naasir said to himself. ‘Maybe I just want to be a loner hmmm’ he babbled on. Naasir made it to his favourite spot, it was a little ditch surrounded by orchids, it was the spot where butterflies use to lay their eggs, and every week hundreds would fly out of the small clearing and into the sky. He couldn’t remember why he loved this place so much but he didn’t ever really go into it. ‘What am I going to do?’ Naasir asked himself. “Well maybe you could let me talk to you” Alumine said as she walked out of the bush. Naasir was slightly startled by it and jumped. “Hun, why aren’t you two friends anymore, you use to be so close” Alumine wondered.  “I guess we just grew apart” Naasir answered. “Now you and I both no that is not the case, are you going to tell me?” Alumine questioned Naasir. “One day I just woke up and she wasn’t talking to me, so I asked her what was wrong and she said….I was always bugging her, or always in her way. So ever since then I have just stayed out of her way like she wanted” Naasir informed Alumine. Both lions went quiet and Naasir just placed his head on the soft grass. Alumine looked at him “You still care about her don’t you?” Alumine asked in her soothing voice. There was no reply for Naasir and Alumine wasn’t expecting one. This whole time ever since Sanura yelled at him he has always loved her but she had never felt that way about him. Alumine rose from the grass and began walking back to Hazina where Kiros stood at the entrance. All the lionesses including Sanura were up and sun bathing. Alumine walked in front of Kiros and then whispered in his ear “Naasir loves Sanura” With that Alumine directed her head towards the cave where she would be able to explain. The two entered the cave and Sanura noticed this and quickly head behind a boulder in the cave so she could hear what they were talking about. “I was just talking to Naasir and he said that he has always loved Sanura, that apparently she told him to stay out off her way. Ever since then the two haven’t talked but no matter what Naasir has still loved her through it. Alumine explained. “Then why is it so hard for him to marry Sanura?” Kiros answered confused. “I think it is because he is doing what she asked.” Alumine continued, “Yeah which is?” Kiros continued to be confused. “Kiros, Naasir is doing exactly what Sanura asked…he is staying away from her and he has been for 2 years. So therefore by marrying her he will be in her way and he doesn’t want to do that to her….Do you get it now?” Alumine finished. Kiros had an ohhh expression in his face. Behind the boulder Sanura was laying behind it very shocked by what she was hearing and was continually blinking, she had heard enough and she lept out from behind the boulder and exited the cave. Kiros and Alumine saw her run out but didn’t chase her knowing she had been listening to their conversation.

Sanura was running as fast and far as she could, eventually she made it to a clearing that seemed some what familiar, and it happened to be the same clearing Naasir was in. Sanura kept her head high as she watched all the butterflies flying around her head, then she picked up the scent of a male, she brought her head down to see Naasir laying on the grass. She began to sneak over but was noticed, Naasir lifted his head and turned it see Sanura sneaking towards him. He immediately jumped up and began reversing with his eyes on Sanura trying to leave the clearing. “You don’t have to leave” Sanura tried to reassure him. He stopped moving but kept his eyes fixated on Sanura. Naasir moved closer to Sanura and stood right in front of her “Why all of a sudden are you talking to me?” Naasir asked confused. There was no reply from Sanura, Naasir had an angry expression on his face. “Because I know what you have been doing for 2 years in regards to me…you have been staying away from me…because I told you to” Sanura began unravelling the past and remembering what she had said to Naasir. “I told you to stay away from me…and believe me I’m so sorry about it, I never meant to say it, you have always been my best friend” Sanura explained. “So why did you say it” Naasir continued staring at her with a glare. “My parents were thinking of sending me to live with another pride so I could learn how to be a queen…but I couldn’t bare to leave you…or um The Mlima Pride. It happened to be that you were the first lion I ran into and I needed to take my anger out on someone and unfortunately it was you…I’m so sorry Naasir.” She waited for Naasir reply but there wasn’t one he walked passed her and headed home to Hazina. Sanura lowered her head and followed behind home but from a far distance. The sun had begun to set and Naasir entered the cave and fell asleep. Eventually the sun had set and Kiros and Alumine sat outside looking at the stars. “Did you see Naasir and Sanura this afternoon, they walked home together” Alumine proudly announced. “Yeah If you wanna go head and call it that” Kiros brought the mood down again. “Do you think this is a good idea?...” Kiros asked Alumine for support. “I think somewhere Sanura loves Naasir but she has to find it” The two walked into the cave and dosed off.

As the new day bloomed, Naasir dreaded it he placed one paw over his eyes as the sun peaked into the cave. He didn't want to wake up and have another dreadful day. All of a sudden Naasir heard someone walk out the cave, he peaked an eye through his paw and saw Sanura walk out. He jumped up and lept out of the cave. At the entrance he could see Sanura drinking from the stream. He had mixed feelings about whether or not to go down there with her or whether to stay away from her like she commanded so many years ago. Finally he decided to face the music and shot off Hazina and walked down to the stream as he arrived he noticed Sanura lift her head. “Morning” She greeted him with a joyful grin. Naasir was shocked by how friendly she was being but was glad to see her like this and didn’t waste it. “Good morning, how’d you sleep?” Naasir asked hoping for a promising answer. “Fine thank you” There was an awkwardness in the vicinity. The conversation froze and both just began drinking from the stream. At the same time the two said the exact same thing, “I’m sorry”. The awkward level rose and the two just had a chuckle about it. “I’m sorry about well everything” Naasir exclaimed. “Well I’m especially sorry about yelling at you, but thank you for doing what I said even though I didn’t mean it like that...it is odd because I never knew lions did things like that...” Sanura responded. “Like what?” Naasir questioned. “Well, I was so mean to you and yet still you did as I said” Sanura softly explained, “I didn’t mean for that to happen, and I didn’t expect you to be so considerate. I said stay away and you have for 2 whole years, I don’t know how you manage to put up with me.” Sanura lowered her head. Naasir didn’t know what to say after something like that. He wanted to make her feel better by head butting her but he felt it wasn’t a good idea. “If it makes any difference I forgive you” Naasir quietly whispered.  She lifted her head and half smiled at him, Naasir decided to try something else that may lift her spirits. “Hey to you remember when we were cubs and we were playing by this stream and I pushed in the water and then you pulled me in?” He chuckled while reliving the memories. It seemed to lift her spirits “Yeah and then we went and chased the zebras?” Sanura finished for him. “Yeah it was great” Naasir commented with a laugh. By the end of it he had gotten her to smile nd laugh. The two eventually stopped laughing then Naasir intersected the silence “Hey, why don’t we go to the clearing?” Naasir suggested. But didn’t get an answer instead Sanura stood up and walked away into the long grass. Naasir sighed and felt that he was right back to square one. SPLASH!. Naasir went head first into the stream he lifted his head out of the water to see Sanura giggling on land. He smirked in her direction and watched as she fell to the ground laughing, she was so amused she didn’t see Naasir going to grabbed her back leg. With one sweep she was in the water with him, he lept out and began running and Sanura was quick to chase him. Naasir tried to keep his stride going but it wasn’t long until Sanura literally lept in front of him taking the lead and still having the energy to laugh while running, quickly Naasir lost her breath and tripped over a strategically placed stone. He fell to the ground trying to catch his breath and laughing. Sanura ran back to check he was ok. “Are you alright?” She asked with a snigger. Naasir jumped up and began running again and Sanura was quick to catch up she ran by his side, both laughing hysterically.

Soon they came to the top of the hill that leads you down to the clearing, Naasir stopped immediately so he didn’t end up rolling down it. But Sanura was preoccupied and didn’t notice him stop and ran right into his back and pushed him down the hill. She remained at the top and watched as he rolled down until he hit the bottom. She saw him turn and groan, “Naasir!” Sanura yelled and ran down the slope. Once she made it to the bottom and ran over to Naasir’s side. “Are you ok?” She asked half humorously half concerned. He groaned and rolled over to look at her and laughed, with that she sighed knowing he was ok. She fell to the ground right next to him still laughing. Suddenly hundreds of butterflies flew up from the ground and Sanura had a memory come back to her. “Oh my god this is where we came after we chased the zebras like 3 years ago, I thought it looked familiar.” Sanura announced. “Yeah I come here all the time still, it is my favourite place” Naasir revealed. He kept his eyes on all the butterflies but couldn’t help turning his head to look at Sanura. She knew he was looking at her but continued to stare at the butterflies as they hovered into the sky. “Why do you still come?” Sanura asked with interest. There was a pause of silence before Naasir answered her question, “It reminds me of the good times…and you” He said while watching her. She turned her head to face him. The two became transfixed with each other’s eyes. Eventually they looked up to see the sun set but saw no need to return make to the pride, they continued to lay in the clearing watching the sky in complete silence, every now and then Naasir would watch Sanura, but with all the butterflies gone by then they were perfectly content staring at each other. Soon it was pitch black and the only lights were the stars. For both the day drew to a end, the two of them slowly falling asleep. Naasir was the first to wake put not immediately, as he slowly opened his eyes expecting to see the cave roof, but he didn’t he had forgotten neither of them returned home last night, he turned his head still half asleep hoping to see Sanura still by his side, and there she was sound asleep. She quietly rose from the soft grass and stretched. He didn’t want to wake Sanura but knew eventually he had too, so he sat by her side watching her sleep until she woke up. By the time she woke the sun was right on the two warming Naasir. Sanura woke slowly to see Naasir standing patiently by her side. “Did I sleep in?” Sanura asked sheepishly. She stood up and quietly yawned. “We should probably head back” Naasir recommended. Without reply the two began walking back to The Mlima Pride hoping there would be no questions asked. After a far walk they returned back at the worst possible time all the lionesses were awake including Kiros and Alumine. Sanura and Naasir then went their separate ways. Sanura went to be by her parent’s side out at the entrance of the cave and Naasir went to sun bake with the lionesses. “Hello honey, and where were you last night?” Alumine questioned her daughter. “With Naasir” Sanura answered in as short a way possible. Alumine and Kiros felt an erge to smile knowing that they had succeeded in getting the two together but didn’t want to push the limits and left it at that. “I better go then hun, I got to go and patrol I think I might take Naasir with me” Kiros announced. “See ya girls” Kiros departed with that. “So you spent a night with Naasir?” Alumine teased. Sanura couldn’t help but grin as they sat at the entrance. “Yes, it was nice.” Sanura answered as mature as possible. “So what did you two kids talk about?” Alumine continued to drag the conversation out. “Well you could say we revisited our memories together, some really nice ones. You remember that day we were gone for the whole day and then we came back when it was really dark?” Sanura explained. Alumine nodded, answering Sanura’s question. “Well we just talked about that” Sanura finished. “Mom…I think I love him” As hard as it was for Sanura to announce this so openly she had managed it and a thrill of excitement rushed over the both of them.

Meanwhile, Kiros and Naasir were talking about the night before. “I hope you controlled yourself!” Kiros began his interrogation on Naasir. “SIRE!” Naasir replied with a large amount of shock, “I would never…I mean you really think I would do something like that?” Naasir felt his pupils extend in size and he became nervous about what else lied ahead in the conversation. “Well you cubs now a days” Kiros teased. Naasir turned his head away from Kiros so he wouldn’t have to meet his eyes. “So then what did you two talk about” Kiros continued. It took a while for Naasir’s answer “Well just about our childhood, really” Naasir managed to answer. Kiros threw himself at Naasir and looked him right in the eyes “It better stay that way!” Kiros growled. “I’m just kidding kid” Kiros broke the stare and began laughing, Naasir instead just laughed nervously. “It is just I never thought I would do anything like this, you know set the ground rules. You know be like a real dad?” Kiros was obviously thrilled about the whole thing, which brought down Naasir’s fear. “So does this mean you are feeling better about the marriage thing?” Kiros asked. Naasir for once in his life didn’t mind hearing the word ‘marriage’. “Yes, I just hope she feels the same way.’ Meanwhile back at Hazina: “Do you think he wants to marry me?” Sanura nervously asked her mother. “Hun you can only find that out by asking him.” Alumine answered. “Yes I know but I just keep thinking he doesn’t.” “Well you can’t find out unless you ask him…how bout you two spend a romantic night together and ask him?” Alumine suggested. Sanura’s eyes lit up “What a great idea!”.  “You let me know what he says and your father and I will plan the ceremony.” Alumine declared. Shock filled Sanura, “Ceremony? What is the sudden urgency? Suddenly Alumine went silent not wanting to answer the question. “Mom?” Alumine tried to keep away from Sanura’s stare. Finally Alumine couldn’t watch her daughter look so scared. “Honey, I don’t think I’m going to be around much longer. I haven’t been getting any sleep and I just don’t have the energy I use to” Alumine explained in a depressing tone. Silence struck the region and neither one made a word. “Mom if I get married I want you to be there. I’m going to ask Naasir if he is up for the marriage and then if he is in two days we will get married.” Sanura tried to please her mother. “Hun, don’t do that unless you really do love him and you want to spend the rest of your life with him.” Alumine tried to persuade her daughter but was butted in by her. “BUT mom, I do love him more than anything in the world I always have ever since I was little I had the biggest crush on him and now look at us.” Sanura proudly announced. Once she finished as if on cue, Kiros and Naasir arrived back at the cave. “NAASIR!” Sanura yelled from the top of Hazina and ran down to be by his side. “Would you like to spend the night at the clearing again?” She asked hopeful. Of course hearing her invite Naasir was filled with excitement “Of course.” Naasir answered. With that the two bounded towards the clearing. Kiros walked up to be by his mate’s side. “What’s wrong?” He asked seeing the sadness in her eyes. “ I told her why” That was enough for Kiros to understand, “Then why are you so sad” He continued to question her emotions. “I’m not sad, I’m happy…our daughter is in love” Alumine proudly announced as the two of them watched Naasir and Sanura run through the savannah.

After a long run, Naasir and Sanura made it to the clearing. She ran ahead and quickly jumped onto the grass upsetting hundreds of butterflies causing them to fly up from the pasture. Naasir stood from a distance watching her with a smile on his face, he walked to be next to her and without thinking rubbed up against her. He may have feared it but didn’t regret doing it at all. Naasir slowly pulled away and looked at Sanura’s eyes. “I love you” he whispered, but had no idea of the words spilling out until after he said it. Then he felt like rewinding and not saying a word. But one thing was for sure Sanura was the complete opposite. She brought herself closer and licked Naasir and hugged him. She then slowly fell to the ground and sat down next to him hoping he would join her and of course he did. After a few minutes of silence like usual Naasir was quick to break it. “Do you want to marry me?” Naasir nervously asked. There was a pause but only a short one. “Of course” Sanura whispered. Soon the romantic afternoon fell to night and the two fell asleep once more under the stars.

As the morning crept to greet Naasir and Sanura, neither one woke. Naasir was still dreaming about what happened the night before everything he had ever wanted had come true. For Sanura excited was filling up her dream space she was now so excited about the ceremony that would be held tomorrow. At the same time the two lovebirds woke and greeted each other with good morning. “So may I ask when is the ceremony then? Naasir asked half nervous half excited. “Tomorrow” Surprisingly Naasir didn’t react like Sanura thought her would. She was expecting him to freak out, but he just smiled and began walking back to The Mlima Pride, knowing that Sanura would follow when she was ready. Once they returned back to the pride there was a huge gathering at the entrance to the cave. All the lionesses in the pride had formed an aisle, “What is going on” Naasir whispered to Sanura who was now right next to him. “I think they know” Sanura smirked. The walked up the ramp taking you to the entrance where they where greeted by all the lionesses in the pride. Sanura and Naasir walked down the lion made aisle to the end where Kiros and Alumine stood waiting to greet the happy couple. “Congratulations” Kiros and Alumine said simultaneously. Sanura stood right next to Naasir’s side feeling comfortable, feeling protected by the audience watching them. “We have planned the ceremony, it shall be tomorrow when the sun hits Hazina Cave. There shall be a gathering of all the animals in the reserve so I hope you can all handle the audience. Alumine and I will open the ceremony and then you two shall close it.” Kiros explained how the ceremony would run. Naasir and Sanura took the planning well and were well and truly ready for it and couldn’t wait for tomorrow, especially Sanura.

Quickly the day arrived and everyone decided to sleep in. Eventually all the lions began to wake, and animals started to gather out the front of Hazina Cave. Everyone seemed to be rather calm, all except for Sanura. Luckily she had Naasir to comfort her fear, all too quickly the ceremony begun. Kiros and Alumine walked to the tip of Hazina Cave and patiently stood waiting for silence. Sanura and Naasir stood in the cave waiting for their moment to walk up to where Kiros and Alumine stood. Behind them all the lionesses in the pride sat behind also in the cave. Silence swept across the savannah and instantly Kiros and Alumine let out a roar that continued to sweep right across the savannah for miles. The animals in front began to bow to the King and Queen. Kiros and Alumine stood until all the animals finished bowing. Then Kiros and Alumine turned and walked into the cave. Naasir and Sanura had to wait for a bit before walking to the tip. But it seemed to just happen instantly, slowly and gracefully the two took the first few steps out of the cave and began walking to the tip. Soon they were at the tip and looking down at all the animals, millions of them. Naasir looked into Sanura once more before the two of them let out a roar. All the animals began cheering Naasir and Sanura let out another roar and then another before all the animals before them began bowing before them. They were bowing to the new King and Queen. Alumine leant against Kiros with a smile swept across her face. “She has grown up so much.” Alumine whispered to Kiros. Soon the ceremony ended and all the animals left. Sanura and Naasir were receiving thousands of congratulations from all the lions in the pride as well as other animals. “Can you believe it, we’re the new rules of Kilimanjaro” Sanura whispered to Naasir in complete shock. Naasir leant down and nudged her gently. “Yes I can believe it.” He whispered back. From behind the two a lioness appeared. “So now what, will we be seeing a prince or princess soon?” The lioness asked. Sanura and Naasir chuckled “Not very likely” Sanura answered.

To be continued…..

THE END!