Aiysha

After breakfast, I decided to go get a drink from the waterhole. Aunt Kiara told me a quick way on how to get there, so I followed a short narrow path that appears to be a short cut.

When I arrived, a few animals are here too for a drink. Others like elephants are playing in the water. A kind male giraffe stands aside so I could have a spot to drink.

I nod at him. "Thank you, sir!"

I bend down and lap up the cool water on my rough pink tongue. So delicious!

"Aiysha?" A voice calls.

My ears twitch. I stop drinking from the water and sat up. I felt a presence behind me and look over my left shoulder. It's my brother Hashaan.

I smile. "Oh, hey brother! You missed out on breakfast. Mom was able to save you a piece of hippo."

"Oh, thanks..." He said sadly, while sitting down.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing..."

I sit across from him and put my paw on his right shoulder. "Hashaan come on, your not fooling anyone here. I know when my brother is upset!"

Hashaan frowns while turning his head away. "It's Auni."

"What about her?"

"I told her that today is our last day being in the Pride Lands. Of course she was upset, but then out of no where confessed her feelings to me. She said that she wants to start a relationship and doesn't mind coming with us back home."

I sigh. "Oh Hashaan..."

He covers his eyes with his paws, shedding a few tears. "I told her no that she couldn't. She doesn't know the dangers out there. She's so use to being in a Pride with a big number of lions who can protect and feed her. So she got upset at me after we argued back and forth."

"It's okay Hashaan, you've done the right thing. Where is Auni?"

"I don't know. She ran some place. I tried calling her name but she completely ignored me. I didn't mean to hurt her feelings."

I hug my brother after feeling so bad. He really loved Auni. But this long distance relationship thing isn't going to work and Hashaan is right about Auni staying here in the Pride Lands. It's a better life. Why throw that away? Plus she has her own family!

"It's going to be okay brother." I cooed. "She'll get over it soon and meet another guy and you'll meet another girl."

He takes his paws from off his red eyes and sniffs. "I know, sis. She was just so beautiful and strong. I know how to hunt better now because of her. I can't stop thinking about that day. She was so happy for me!"

"Yeah, heartbreaks suck. But it's okay. You'll get through it! Think about your family. We'll always be here to love and support whatever decision you make. That was the best decision you could have ever done Hashaan. I know it was hard, but I am proud of you."

Hashaan smiles and we both embrace for a big hug.

"Thank you, Aiysha! Your very wise."

I chuckle. "I get told that a lot and you're welcome."

"I wonder what mom, dad, Uncle Kovu, and Aunt Kiara was talking about earlier this morning. You know there was a meeting?"

"Yeah, I heard about the meeting. Not everyone participated. Uncle Kovu selected only a few. Something is going on out here and I don't know what."

"You think it's about that strange lion Uncle Kion had warned the entire Pride about?" Hashaan asks.

I shrug. "Could be or maybe something else. Tomorrow before sunset we'll be gone. So hopefully it's nothing that we don't have to worry about."

"Yeah. Cause I've noticed how distant our cousin Prince Makosa has been from us. He only speaks hello and that's it. I can't even remember the last time we've had a full conversation."

"Yeah, same with my friends Bahiya and Maha. They've been pretty distant now too. It's like they're keeping a secret about something. Strange, but hey. If it's none of our business, then it's none of our business. Let's go back to Pride Rock!"

Hashaan nodded as we walked side by side down the narrow path. I agree, things have been acting pretty weird lately.

At the bottom of Pride Rock I see mom talking to Aunt Kiara. As we come forward, Aunt Kiara moves off going up Pride Rock.

I greet mom with a head bud. "Hey mom!"

She smiles after hugging us both. "Hey you two! Have you seen your little brother?"

"I'm here mama!" Said a small voice.

Sahel runs forward. Mom chuckles and hugs him too.

"Hey there sweetie, where were you?"

"With Mosi and Adia. Adia saved me from two hyenas!" Sahel beams.

I gasp. "Hyenas?"

Hashaan looks concerned. "Where at? I thought you cubs couldn't go anywhere without an adult?"

"We were still in the Pride Lands. But the hyenas came out of no where and chased after me. Adia and Mosi had came to save to me. Adia scared the hyenas away with a loud roar. You should have see the look on their scary faces. Hahaha!"

Mom giggles. "Well, I am glad that you three had made it home safe and not hurt. Adia seems to be brave like her father. That was nice of her! I'll thank your Uncle Kion later whenever I see him."

Sahel nodded and climbs up on Hashaan's back. Mom met her blue eyes with Hashaan's red ones.

"So, Hashaan how did the talk go?" Mom asks.

"Terrible."

"What?"

He looks over to the side. "Long story short, we've got into a argument and she ran off upset. I didn't mean to hurt her feelings!"

Mom furrow her brows. "What exactly did you say?"

"I told her that being in a relationship wouldn't work out for us. We live in two separate homes. Then she confessed her feelings. I told her I liked her too, but also said that she should stay her with her Pride and family. She has everything here! Being friends is good for us. Auni didn't like the idea and left. I have no clue where she went."

I point my paw seeing a lioness with burnt orange fur coming towards our way. "Is that her there?"

"Oh gosh!"

Hashaan began to sweat like crazy. Auni doesn't pay him any mind as she walks pass us.

"Hello Aiysha, Sahel, and Vitani!" She greeted with a smile.

We nod at her returning the smile. Auni didn't say hello to Hashaan though.

Ouch...

"I don't care. At least she's in a better mood now it seems like." Said Hashaan, with a tiny frown.

Mom place her paw on top of Hashaan's. "Give it time son. Maybe tomorrow before we leave, she'll be more comfortable."

"Alright."

With that, mom got up and left I guess to go find Aunt Kiara.

"Love stinks!" Hashaan mumbles.

I chuckle. "And now you see why I'm not in a relationship."

"Aiysha you're beautiful, you should!"

"No, I shouldn't..."

Hashaan raised a brow. "And why not?"

I wrinkle my nose. "Because I am fine being alone. I'm better that way. I don't need any distractions."

"Uh huh, sure..."

"What the hell is that suppose to mean?"

Hashaan walks off with Sahel still on his back and grin. "Oh nothing."

I roll my blue eyes with a groan. "Whatever..."

I don't need a boyfriend! I am perfectly fine being independent. I get a lot of things done. All I need is my family.

Besides, I've already dated before and I disliked it. I was hurt once before. I was left for another lioness. Every since then, I gave up on love. My bad self esteem for myself which isn't good.

I kept thinking to myself, "What did she have that I didn't?" That question runs through my mind all the time.

But that's in the past though. Right now I am happy being alone. I feel stronger than before. Someday I'll meet that special lion.

Just not now...