Kovu

The sun peek its way inside the dark cave. I cover my eyes turning on my left side with a groan.

Sun rise already?

That means it's time for training...

Ugh!

I remove my paw from my green eyes and stood up with a long stretch. I notice not all the lionesses are here. Some of them must of gone hunting already. My sister Vitani is sleeping cuddled next to my big brother Nuka.
Even though the two constantly argue, some where deep in their hearts they still love each other.

I smile at them and quietly exit out the cave to meet mother at our normal training area. There I found her sitting, her tail moving impatiently back and forth.

"Come on, come on, we don't have all morning." She said.

I rush forward. "Good morning, mother!"

"Good morning young Prince! Today I'm going to teach you how to sneak up and attack your opponent."

"Cool! I've been waiting so long for this. Trust me mother, I've been practicing a lot with Vitani."

Mother smirks. "So your saying your good huh? Let's see you try it on me."

I smile excitedly. "Okay!"

"I'm going to go further away. You hide some place else! Try not to make any sudden movements. That's how you lose a battle. You want to surprise the enemy."

I nod and watch mother walk away. Once she was no longer visible, I quickly search for a place to hide. Ahead I spot a tall gray rock. Perfect! I squat low behind it and wait.

Out of no where a blue butterfly comes and land on top of the rock.

Come on Kovu, don't get distracted...

The butterfly flutter its wings. I growl getting into a hunter position ready to pounce.

Don't...

I stop and sit.

The butterfly flies off the rock and sits on my nose. I roll my eyes as I began to sneeze.

"Aaaah...chooooo!"

The sneeze had sent me flying backwards. The butterfly flies away. I got up rubbing my nose.

"Distracted by a little pretty butterfly huh?" Said a voice.

I look up and see mother glaring down at me.

"Sorry..." I chuckle innocently.

"Kovu, you can not let things like that easily distract you. This is not a game!You must stay focus at all times. If this was a real battle you would have already been targeted."

Mother was angry. I nod trying to understand.

"Now, let's start over."

She turn around walking back to where she was. I hide behind the rock again.

Stay focus Kovu...

A loud rustle came from the grass. I growl extending out my claws. Thinking it was mother, I jump out roaring and tackle down my opponent. We both roll three times then stop. I find myself pinning someone that is not mother, but another cub just like me.

A female...

"I-I'm sorry Prince Kovu, p-please don't tell the Q-Queen on me!" She begs.

I raise a brow.

How does she know who I am?

I get off her. "Don't worry, I won't tell. Who are you and how do you know my name?"

She stands up. Her long furry bang covers both of her eyes. It's so impossible for her to see I bet.

"Silly, everyone in the Out Lands know who you are." She chuckles. "I'm Tisha! I'm a new member of your pride. My mother and I came last week. I was told by other cubs here to not get in you or your mother's way. So I best be going!"

She shyly smiled. I watch Tisha turn around heading back to the pride's cave. Her egg shell cream colored fur glisten under the sun light.

Hmm...

"Distracted again, Kovu?"

I feel a close presence behind me. I look and see mother shaking her head with disappointment.

"I see we have more work to do. Your just a growing cub. Go ahead and play. I'll let you off the hook."

"Really? Thanks, mother!"

I run off happily.

Finally now I can go find Vitani and play!

I walk in the pride's cave.

Empty...

Everyone must be hanging outdoors today. I walk back outside and see Vitani play fighting Tisha.

How do these two already know each other?

I must investigate...

"Hey, Tani!" I greet trotting forward.

"Ah, Kovu! Finally your done with you're training." Vitani stops playing and smiles.

Tisha looks surprised. "You two know each other?"

Vitani chuckles. "Duh, he's my brother!"

"This whole time I was playing with the Princess?!"

Vitani and I share a laugh at the new member.

"But, I thought I wasn't allowed to talk or play with the royals?" Tisha said confused.

"What idiot told you that?" Vitani asks.

"A couple of cubs here."

I roll my eyes. "Don't listen to them. They were only kidding. The one you shouldn't get in the way is our mother. She gets in her moods a lot sometimes."

"I can tell. She was angry about something yesterday. Something about Pride Landers?" Tisha says, trying to remember.

"Yeah, but enough talk. Let's all play together!" Vitani lower her body down in a fighting position and grins. "Two against one! Tisha is on my team."

I snort. "This will be so easy."

Vitani jumps at me first. I paw at her face not so hard, causing her to stumble backwards. I look at Tisha who's standing unsure what to do. I growl at her and run up. She quickly dodge making me miss.

Tisha laughs running away. I chase after her. Vitani stays behind.

"I'm gonna get you, Tisha!" I warn, smirking.

"We'll see about that, Prince!"

Tisha continues to laugh but then came to an sudden stop. I try to slow down but instead I crash into the back of her landing on my side. Tisha falls on her belly.

"Why did you stop like that?" I ask, rubbing my head.

"Sorry. Something had caught my attention." She said, while standing slowly back up.

"What?"

"What's on the other side of the crocodile river?"

Tisha points her paw at the beautiful green land as the sun shines it's bright rays directly on it. My eyes follow her point.

I recognize it.

The Pride Lands...

"Oh uh, that's just the Pride Lands. Nothing big or any thing. Now, let's go back to the pride. I'm sure my sister Vitani is wondering where we are." I say, getting back up on my four paws and turning around.

"Wait, I want to get a closer look!" She says smiling.

Tisha starts walking on a bridge-like log that helps cross over the large river. I look over my shoulder seeing her walk halfway.

"Tisha, no!" I warn. "You'll get in trouble."

"I know, Kovu. But I just want to see what's all the talk about the Pride Lands. Why do lions want to go there so badly? Why does the Queen hate when one of us mention it around her?? So many questions, that's why I must go see."

I can't let Tisha go...

My mother will be so angry and might exile her and her mother...

And if Simba finds another outsider cub in his land...

It won't end so well...

But maybe I can see Kiara just for another time...

"Fine, I'm going with you!" I say, leaping behind her.

"Kovu, don't you remember what happened yesterday?" Said a voice.

It's Vitani. She's standing on a high level ground. She frowns at me somewhat. "I see mother's lecture didn't get inside your little head."

"Shut up Tani! I can't let Tisha go on her own there. Someone has to witness."

"Let her go on her own then. If some thing happens it's her fault, not yours."

With that, Vitani turns around walking back home. I growl under my breath at her. Tisha is now my friend. I won't let her get hurt.

"So are you coming?" Tisha asks, while walking up behind me trying to keep her balance on the log.

I look down at my paws thinking about it. "Yeah, I'm coming."

"Great!"

We both walk down the log to the other side which is now the Pride Lands starting point. The texture of the ground is so different. It's more moist than dry.

I'm so going to get in trouble for this...

I should have listened to Vitani...