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"These were my lands before they were yours..."
_______________________________________________

It was almost sunrise. Due to Rani's pregnancy, Kion had taken over Rani's patrols, so he now had to work double-time to keep the Night Pride and the Tree of Life in shape. This suited them both just fine. They had been going through a rough point in their marriage, constantly fighting over every little thing; how to solve the problems of the animals residing in their little "kingdom", where to sleep for the night, what they should have for dinner. Rani's cubs would be due in a few weeks, and Nirmala had strictly advised the young queen to lie down as often as she could, and not to stress herself out too much. She did her best. If she was honest with herself, Rani missed her mate. Very much. But the two had been growing apart seemingly ever since they first found out they were expecting. Neither of them were prepared to be parents at their age, and Kion wanted to wait until they were much older. At least until his mane grew in fully.
The light of the morning turned a light gray, and the golden lion decided he should check up on his mate. He still loved her, it was just becoming more and more difficult to maintain a steady conversation without it turning into a full-blown argument. Kion decided to blame Rani's arguments on her hormones, refusing to consider the alternative; Rani might be falling out of love with him. He entered the Tree where she resided, a piece of zebra leg in his mouth. As he approached her rock, Rani let out a small yawn and greeted her mate sleepily. Kion set the meat on the rock beside her with a simple "Good morning". She frowned, furrowing her brows slightly.
"What, no kiss good morning? No hugs, or "how did you sleep, sweetie"? Nothing?" There was a certain disappointment in her voice.
"I don't see why it matters so much, I said "good morning", but ok. Good morning sweetie," he leaned over and licked her cheek.
"It doesn't count now! You wouldn't have done it if I didn't ask you to." She looked at him as if she was offended at something. Offended at what? Kion had done what she asked. What more did she need from him?
"Ok, fine," he sighed, "What would you like me to do to please you on this fine morning?" He said, sarcasm infected in his words
"It's not about pleasing me!" She retorted.
"Oh really? What's it about then? I don't read minds, Rani." He was getting angry now.
"Yes really! I am well aware you don't read minds, Kion, I just want you to show me a little more love!" She was shouting now.
"I've been trying! But I swear, Rani, sometimes you can be so infuriating that I-"
"What? That you what, Kion? What are you like when I am this infuriating?"
"Well, I just-"
"What? You what?"
"I-"
"Come on, spit it out--"
"AHHHGGGHH! I just can't be around you when you're like this!" He screamed.
"You're like this!" She snapped back.
Kion stormed out of the Tree, growling the whole way out and mumbling under his breath, "I knew I shouldn't have gone in there..."
............

The morning's events wandered through Kion's mind as he walked along the outskirts of the lands he now called his own. It was the sound of footsteps running towards him that snapped him back to reality. It was only a few moments before a pale orange lioness ran right passed him, and swiftly and gracefully climbed up a nearby tree. Kion looked in bewilderment at the young lioness, who couldn't be older than he was. She began licking her paws, one of which looked like it had been injured. Kion decided to approach the lioness, ask what she was doing, see if she was all right. The closer he got, the more beautiful she seemed. She had a stripe running down her back and on her head, and had a few large freckles under each of her eyes. Her eyes. There was a certain familiarity about them that the young lion couldn't place.
Without realizing his surroundings, he stepped on a particularly noisy twig, causing the lioness to immediately snap her head up to notice the lion before her. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion, and she jumped down from the tree, careful not to land on the paw that had been injured. He could make it out clearer now. A few smaller bruises surrounding a much larger one, which spanned nearly the entire length of the side of her front right paw. Three small cuts ran along her ankle.
At first, she didn't move. They both just stood there. Silent. Finally, Kion spoke," Who are you, and what are you doing here?" His tone wasn't demanding. It was soft, quiet, and uncertain.
"My name is Nia. I don't know where I am. I have been a rogue since I was a cub and just stumbled upon this place a few days ago. Is it your territory or something?" She replied. There was a certain tease-like tone to her response.
Kion studied her for a second. "How did you get that bruise?" He gestured to her now purple-black colored paw.
She simply replied with, "Hunting accident."
He nodded, suspicious of her reply. Then she did something he didn't expect: She came up close to him and ran her tail along the side of his face. Kion could see her eyes better now; The light olive-green, almost exactly like those of Kiara's childhood friend Tiifu. He wondered if they might somehow be related, as that specific eye color was rare from what he had seen, but quickly dismissed the thought; that would be too much of a coincidence.
"You know, I have been rather lonely the past few years... Maybe you could give me a little... company?" For some reason, Kion knew that she didn't just mean a buddy to tell jokes with.
He started to decline her offer, "Uhh, I... I don't know, I mean I-"
Nia cut him off, "Oh, come on... it'll be fun! Just you and me... you wouldn't leave a poor, helpless, injured lioness here all alone to fend for herself, would you?" Her voice took on a pleading, and almost seductive tone, as she tried to persuade the golden lion into doing her bidding.
Kion considered this last part. Hadn't his sole purpose in life been to defend the circle of life? To protect the animals in it? Of course, he knew she was trying to persuade him, but he had to admit; it was working. It couldn't hurt, he thought, just one time...
Without waiting for an answer, she led him to a nearby cave. Kion was starting to see where she was really going with this and figured he should probably go. He was about to say something when he saw her sprawled out on one of the rocks. She let one word escape her,"Stay..." Nia looked up at Kion with the best sexy eyes she could muster. Kion's resolve to leave was deteriorating. Fast. He just about decided to just walk out and leave her, when her tongue brushed his cheek and, once again, she wrapped her tail around him. This time, though, she used it to lead him to her little rock. Kion, despite his best efforts, gave in to temptation. The two stayed in that cave all morning... I won't go into detail.
Kion tried to tell himself that was the last time. That it was just a one-time thing, and he would just forget it ever happened. Right. Kion still greeted Rani every morning, bringing her food. But he was cautious not to tip off what he had been doing, When Kion and Rani had bigger arguments, he would go to the cave where Nia temporarily resided. He let the green-eyed lioness ease his anger. This continued for a few weeks. Much longer than Kion intended, but as long as they were not caught, he didn't care anymore.
One morning, however, Rani didn't receive a visit from her mate. This was especially odd, as her cubs would be due any day now, and Kion promised to be there with her when they did. Everyone else was out doing their normal business, so Rani had no one to call to go find him. She decided to go look for him herself. She rose from her rock, and slowly and cautiously made her way out of the Tree. The queen thought of all the places he might be. Eventually, she came to the conclusion that he must be on patrol. Rani was very close to the borders. She was about to make her way back when she heard Kion's roar. Not the Roar of the Elders, not even a big roar. It more just sounded like a loud yawn. She walked toward the sound, wondering why Kion would make such a noise. Eventually, with her tracking skills combined with following the sound of the roar, she came to a cave. As she approached, something caught her off guard. Another lioness's scent. This one, completely unfamiliar to her. Fearing the worst, she ran inside, only to see something she wished she hadn't. "Kion... What are you... How could you!?" She screamed in disbelief. Kion looked up. His face immediately turned to one of those "oh shit" expressions, which quickly turned into one of anger at being interrupted. Nia walked over to greet the Rani, her introduction about to spill from her lips, when Rani roared in Nia's face with such fierceness and loudness, it made the young queen's head dizzy. She didn't let it show. Defeated, Nia slunk out of the cave, leaving Kion alone with his mate.
"You..." Her tone was full of accusation and pain, "You cheated on me. You lied to me... Who do you think you are!?" Tears were welling up inside her eyes now.
"I-I... Uh..." He didn't know what to say.
"You don't even have anything to defend yourself, do you? I think you might be forgetting something, Kion. These were my lands before they were yours. You can't just barge around here, doing whatever you want! Especially cheating on your mate! I don't care how much we've been fighting, I still love you. I just thought you would feel the same." Kion couldn’t argue. He knew she was right. Rani’s tears began to fall. One. Then another. Then all at once, she broke down.
Running.
She was running. Out of the cave. Anywhere but in that cave. She ignored Kion's calls for her to come back, to stop, to talk it out. She just kept on running. She didn't care where, or when she would stop. Only one thing was clear to her: she would never let herself be so naive again.

________________________________

Kion, Rani, Kiara, Tiifu, etc. (c) Disney
Nia, art, story (c) Me
DO NOT STEAL, TRACE, RE-UPLOAD, CLAIM, OR REUSE MY ARTWORK IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM WITHOUT MY PERMISSION!!!!!!!!

Description
"These were my lands before they were yours..."
_______________________________________________

It was almost sunrise. Due to Rani's pregnancy, Kion had taken over Rani's patrols, so he now had to work double-time to keep the Night Pride and the Tree of Life in shape. This suited them both just fine. They had been going through a rough point in their marriage, constantly fighting over every little thing; how to solve the problems of the animals residing in their little "kingdom", where to sleep for the night, what they should have for dinner. Rani's cubs would be due in a few weeks, and Nirmala had strictly advised the young queen to lie down as often as she could, and not to stress herself out too much. She did her best. If she was honest with herself, Rani missed her mate. Very much. But the two had been growing apart seemingly ever since they first found out they were expecting. Neither of them were prepared to be parents at their age, and Kion wanted to wait until they were much older. At least until his mane grew in fully.
The light of the morning turned a light gray, and the golden lion decided he should check up on his mate. He still loved her, it was just becoming more and more difficult to maintain a steady conversation without it turning into a full-blown argument. Kion decided to blame Rani's arguments on her hormones, refusing to consider the alternative; Rani might be falling out of love with him. He entered the Tree where she resided, a piece of zebra leg in his mouth. As he approached her rock, Rani let out a small yawn and greeted her mate sleepily. Kion set the meat on the rock beside her with a simple "Good morning". She frowned, furrowing her brows slightly.
"What, no kiss good morning? No hugs, or "how did you sleep, sweetie"? Nothing?" There was a certain disappointment in her voice.
"I don't see why it matters so much, I said "good morning", but ok. Good morning sweetie," he leaned over and licked her cheek.
"It doesn't count now! You wouldn't have done it if I didn't ask you to." She looked at him as if she was offended at something. Offended at what? Kion had done what she asked. What more did she need from him?
"Ok, fine," he sighed, "What would you like me to do to please you on this fine morning?" He said, sarcasm infected in his words
"It's not about pleasing me!" She retorted.
"Oh really? What's it about then? I don't read minds, Rani." He was getting angry now.
"Yes really! I am well aware you don't read minds, Kion, I just want you to show me a little more love!" She was shouting now.
"I've been trying! But I swear, Rani, sometimes you can be so infuriating that I-"
"What? That you what, Kion? What are you like when I am this infuriating?"
"Well, I just-"
"What? You what?"
"I-"
"Come on, spit it out--"
"AHHHGGGHH! I just can't be around you when you're like this!" He screamed.
"You're like this!" She snapped back.
Kion stormed out of the Tree, growling the whole way out and mumbling under his breath, "I knew I shouldn't have gone in there..."
............

The morning's events wandered through Kion's mind as he walked along the outskirts of the lands he now called his own. It was the sound of footsteps running towards him that snapped him back to reality. It was only a few moments before a pale orange lioness ran right passed him, and swiftly and gracefully climbed up a nearby tree. Kion looked in bewilderment at the young lioness, who couldn't be older than he was. She began licking her paws, one of which looked like it had been injured. Kion decided to approach the lioness, ask what she was doing, see if she was all right. The closer he got, the more beautiful she seemed. She had a stripe running down her back and on her head, and had a few large freckles under each of her eyes. Her eyes. There was a certain familiarity about them that the young lion couldn't place.
Without realizing his surroundings, he stepped on a particularly noisy twig, causing the lioness to immediately snap her head up to notice the lion before her. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion, and she jumped down from the tree, careful not to land on the paw that had been injured. He could make it out clearer now. A few smaller bruises surrounding a much larger one, which spanned nearly the entire length of the side of her front right paw. Three small cuts ran along her ankle.
At first, she didn't move. They both just stood there. Silent. Finally, Kion spoke," Who are you, and what are you doing here?" His tone wasn't demanding. It was soft, quiet, and uncertain.
"My name is Nia. I don't know where I am. I have been a rogue since I was a cub and just stumbled upon this place a few days ago. Is it your territory or something?" She replied. There was a certain tease-like tone to her response.
Kion studied her for a second. "How did you get that bruise?" He gestured to her now purple-black colored paw.
She simply replied with, "Hunting accident."
He nodded, suspicious of her reply. Then she did something he didn't expect: She came up close to him and ran her tail along the side of his face. Kion could see her eyes better now; The light olive-green, almost exactly like those of Kiara's childhood friend Tiifu. He wondered if they might somehow be related, as that specific eye color was rare from what he had seen, but quickly dismissed the thought; that would be too much of a coincidence.
"You know, I have been rather lonely the past few years... Maybe you could give me a little... company?" For some reason, Kion knew that she didn't just mean a buddy to tell jokes with.
He started to decline her offer, "Uhh, I... I don't know, I mean I-"
Nia cut him off, "Oh, come on... it'll be fun! Just you and me... you wouldn't leave a poor, helpless, injured lioness here all alone to fend for herself, would you?" Her voice took on a pleading, and almost seductive tone, as she tried to persuade the golden lion into doing her bidding.
Kion considered this last part. Hadn't his sole purpose in life been to defend the circle of life? To protect the animals in it? Of course, he knew she was trying to persuade him, but he had to admit; it was working. It couldn't hurt, he thought, just one time...
Without waiting for an answer, she led him to a nearby cave. Kion was starting to see where she was really going with this and figured he should probably go. He was about to say something when he saw her sprawled out on one of the rocks. She let one word escape her,"Stay..." Nia looked up at Kion with the best sexy eyes she could muster. Kion's resolve to leave was deteriorating. Fast. He just about decided to just walk out and leave her, when her tongue brushed his cheek and, once again, she wrapped her tail around him. This time, though, she used it to lead him to her little rock. Kion, despite his best efforts, gave in to temptation. The two stayed in that cave all morning... I won't go into detail.
Kion tried to tell himself that was the last time. That it was just a one-time thing, and he would just forget it ever happened. Right. Kion still greeted Rani every morning, bringing her food. But he was cautious not to tip off what he had been doing, When Kion and Rani had bigger arguments, he would go to the cave where Nia temporarily resided. He let the green-eyed lioness ease his anger. This continued for a few weeks. Much longer than Kion intended, but as long as they were not caught, he didn't care anymore.
One morning, however, Rani didn't receive a visit from her mate. This was especially odd, as her cubs would be due any day now, and Kion promised to be there with her when they did. Everyone else was out doing their normal business, so Rani had no one to call to go find him. She decided to go look for him herself. She rose from her rock, and slowly and cautiously made her way out of the Tree. The queen thought of all the places he might be. Eventually, she came to the conclusion that he must be on patrol. Rani was very close to the borders. She was about to make her way back when she heard Kion's roar. Not the Roar of the Elders, not even a big roar. It more just sounded like a loud yawn. She walked toward the sound, wondering why Kion would make such a noise. Eventually, with her tracking skills combined with following the sound of the roar, she came to a cave. As she approached, something caught her off guard. Another lioness's scent. This one, completely unfamiliar to her. Fearing the worst, she ran inside, only to see something she wished she hadn't. "Kion... What are you... How could you!?" She screamed in disbelief. Kion looked up. His face immediately turned to one of those "oh shit" expressions, which quickly turned into one of anger at being interrupted. Nia walked over to greet the Rani, her introduction about to spill from her lips, when Rani roared in Nia's face with such fierceness and loudness, it made the young queen's head dizzy. She didn't let it show. Defeated, Nia slunk out of the cave, leaving Kion alone with his mate.
"You..." Her tone was full of accusation and pain, "You cheated on me. You lied to me... Who do you think you are!?" Tears were welling up inside her eyes now.
"I-I... Uh..." He didn't know what to say.
"You don't even have anything to defend yourself, do you? I think you might be forgetting something, Kion. These were my lands before they were yours. You can't just barge around here, doing whatever you want! Especially cheating on your mate! I don't care how much we've been fighting, I still love you. I just thought you would feel the same." Kion couldn’t argue. He knew she was right. Rani’s tears began to fall. One. Then another. Then all at once, she broke down.
Running.
She was running. Out of the cave. Anywhere but in that cave. She ignored Kion's calls for her to come back, to stop, to talk it out. She just kept on running. She didn't care where, or when she would stop. Only one thing was clear to her: she would never let herself be so naive again.

________________________________

Kion, Rani, Kiara, Tiifu, etc. (c) Disney
Nia, art, story (c) Me
DO NOT STEAL, TRACE, RE-UPLOAD, CLAIM, OR REUSE MY ARTWORK IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM WITHOUT MY PERMISSION!!!!!!!!