Her sorrows where like the darkness. Deep, plentiful, and always present. Of course darkness was beginning to become a theme around the land since the tyrant king, Scar, had begun to rule less than two years ago, so why shouldn't it become a theme in her life, too? The last year had been hard for her, as her best friend's supposed death had shaken her to the bone. She had had many terrible nights where her slumber was replaced with bitter, sob inducing thoughts, and she had to leave the den and stroll out into the night to cry alone. This just happened to be one of those terrible nights.

The full moon was hidden behind a thin curtain of dark clouds. A soft wind sent ripples fanning out on top of the clear water of the water hole. A few scattered stars twinkled dimly among the scarce breaks in between the clouds. The endless shadows brought mystery and a creepy feeling to linger in the air. She lifted her head and felt the wind caress her fur.

"Simba, I miss you," she spoke softly with a broken voice.

Salty tears slid down her forlorn face as she stared into the night sky, wishing he was still there. Her shoulders shook up and down as she sobbed quietly out of utter sorrow. Her heart was broken into a million pieces, and she couldn't find any way to fix it. Her eyes stung from the hot tears that flooded her eyes and spilled onto her cheeks. She was lying down in the lush green grasses next to the water hole, taking time to think. All was quiet as the animals of the land were resting peacefully. She was thankful she was allowed this time to mourn alone. She didn't like to make a fuss over her feelings, but recently she couldn't help it.

"Nala?" A voice called gently from the depths of the shadows.

She lifted her head to see who was there.

"Is that you?" the voice asked.

She, Nala, wiped her tear stained cheeks and sniffed gently.

With a frown she replied, "Yes, it's me,"

A teenage lioness stepped out from the shadows. The lioness's pale peach face had concern written on it. Her amber eyes turned even softer when they met the gaze of her friend. It pained he to know her strong friend Nala was hurting bad enough to weep almost every night over the lost prince.

"Oh, Nala," The lioness sighed tenderly as she walked over to her friend.

She stood beside Nala, looking down into her eyes which showed how broken she was. She was fully grief stricken. The lioness sighed again and lied down gently beside Nala, attempting to give her friend comfort.

"Nala," the lioness frowned, her ears back.

"Look, Tama, it's nice that you came out here to help me, it shows how great of a friend you really are. But I came here to be alone, and sulk-" Nala began to tell the lioness.

"-Nala," Tama interrupted. "I. . .I didn't come out here just to comfort you."

"Oh, well. . .what else did you come out for?" Nala asked, confused.

Tama sighed again.

"Everyone is worried about you. Your mother, and myself as well, uh-well we think it might be best for you to come back to the den, and get some rest." Tama said.

"I-I understand." Nala replied with a voice that showed she didn't. She adverted her angry gaze from her friend.

They sat out under the cloudy night sky for a few more minutes before Tama disrupted the thoughtful silence.

"You know, Simba once told me something about the stars. It sounded a little peculiar at first, but it was a nice thought." Tama said.

"What was it?" Nala asked, laying her head onto her paws with a frown.

"He said, that his father told him, all the great kings of the past look down on us from the stars." Tama relayed.

Nala didn't answer, but instead she lifted her head towards the heavens and gazed up at the stars. She didn't know if she believed what her friend had just told her, but it gave her comfort anyway. A warm feeling filled her as Tama sat up and gave her a loving hug.

"I know this won't be easy. Simba was your best friend and losing him probably feels like nothing I've ever had to experience before, but you need to let go. Move on from this." Tama said. Her voice showed her pity but also her firmness.

"It's not that simple, Tama." Nala sighed, another tear falling.

"I know that! But you need to try. Simba's death is hurting you, your health, and your pride. More than it should." Tama stopped and sighed. "Look, Nala, Simba wouldn't want you to grieve forever. He would want you to move on and live your life to the fullest."

"I know," Nala's whisper was barely audible.

"Come on," Tama said gently, standing up and stepping back. Her eyes pleaded with her friend. "Let's go get some rest."

Nala sniffed and wiped her eyes again. She gave one last glance up to the hidden stars that shone behind the clouds, wondering if she could try to pick out Simba's face--or star--or whatever. She shook her head at the silly thought and galloped back to her friend.