*Jengo's POV*

Sky Leaf Pride...

"Please, be careful Jengo. It's not safe at night!" Warn my mother.

I rub my nose on her soft cheek. "I will. Dont worry, Taavi is coming with me too. Tonight he officially start his Lion Guard job!"

She nod. Taavi walked out of the den and stood by my left side.

He smiled, "Ready?"

I led the way stepping inside the African plains. The wind blew a cool breeze through my coffee color full grown mane. Taavi's aqua colored eyes glow in the dark. He shook his full grown dark red mane then lick his black nose.

"So, how's being King going Jengo? Easy or hard??" Taavi asked, breaking the awkward silence.

"Both." I replied.

It's been a week since I've become the new King of the Sky Leaf Pride. My grandfather King James passed away due to old age. I took it hard of course because he was the only father figure in my life. He taught me everything.

Now I'm a young adult lost in this royalty world. I still have my grandma Queen Milia alive, but it isn't the same like grandpa King James. He guided me and always stood by my side. My mother doesn't know much about royalty.

Grandpa taught Aunt Uru because she was next in line for the crown. Grandma Milia only knows a little. She wasn't born royalty like grandpa. All I have is the lessons grandpa taught me when I was a cub. I still remember them all and use them.

"You'll get use to the change soon. Its only been a week. Maybe in a month or two you'll feel stronger and better." Said Taavi.

"I just want the pride to look up to me as good leader like my grandpa, Taavi." I said, with sad eyes.

"You are a good leader, Jengo."

"How do you know?"

Taavi pause in his steps. He move both of his ears.

I stop walking too. "Taavi, what's wrong?"

"I hear a sound. A sound like someone moving around in a bush or grass."

Taavi sniff the air. I did the same not coming up with no scent. Taavi sprint off leaving me behind clueless.

"Taavi!" I call.

He kept running. I chase after him with a groan.

ROAAAR!!!

My ears perk up. It wasn't Taavi's roar, it's someone else. A rouge maybe. I growl picking up my running pace.

"Argh, get off me!" Said a voice.

That voice sound so familiar. Once I reach up, I see Taavi pinning down...Taka? Taavi raise his heavy paw up ready to kill.

"Taavi, no!" I yell.

I push Taavi over. He fell hard on his side. Taka quickly got up. He growl at us both. Why is he growling at me? I just save his life!

"Taka, relax." I said, Calmly.

"How do you know my name?" He spat.

Wow, he doesn't remember Me.

"Because, I'm your big cousin." I answer, stepping a bit forward.

Taka stop growling. His body relax. "Jengo?"

I nod smiling. Taka gave me a hug.

"I'm so sorry. Its just that your older and your mane is fully grown." Taka chuckled.

I chuckle too. Taavi stood in the background clueless. I turn around and smiled.

"Taavi its okay. This is one of Uru's children, Prince Taka." I introduce.

Taavi bowed. "My apologies Prince Taka."

Taka nod accepting. I turn back and face Taka again. He's grown into a teen lion now. His mane is black, short half grown. But why is he in the Sky Leaf Lands?

"Taka, not trying to be rude but why are you here in the Sky Leaf Lands and not in the Pride Lands?" I ask.

Taka sat down. "Its a long story."

"We have time to listen."

"We?"

I follow Taka's eyes to Taavi's. Oh, it must be private. I clear my throat. Taavi got the message and left returning back to the pride. I sat down across from Taka.

"Okay." I nod, ready for him to begin the story.

Taka started with his parents deciding who will be the new future Queen or King of Pride Rock. It took him an hour or so to finish the whole story. I didn't care though. I can finish patrolling in the morning.

"Wow, I am so sorry Taka that this happen to you. Uh I mean, Scar." I said, while staring down at my front paws.

He wants everyone to call him Scar now because of the scar that's on his eye. His father Ahadi, my uncle gave it to him.

So sad...

Scar release a tear as it travel down his furry cheek. I got up and hug him.

Scar sniff, "So that is why I'm NEVER returning home."

I nod. "I see. So where will you be staying?"

"I don't know, Jengo. I sleep in unwanted caves now. Thank God for my mother's hunting lessons that she taught me, my annoying brother, and my sweet sister when we were cubs. I use those skills and that's how I eat."

"Well, I am King now."

Scar's eyes grew wide. "No way, congrats! How's your grandparents?"

I look up at the stars. "Grandpa James passed away. It's been a week since his passing and me taking the throne."

Scar put a paw on my shoulder. "I am terribly sorry, Jengo. I give my condolences!"

"Thank you and it's alright, Scar. He's up there now with the Great Kings. Someday I will join him."

Scar and I stood silently staring up at the dark night sky. The silence didn't last long though. Scar cleared his throat.

"Is it okay if I stay here in the Sky Leaf Lands, until
I find a new home?" He ask.

I took my eyes off the stars and met them with Scar's green ones. "Sure. I am King after all and this is my land. Stay as long as you need to. My lionesses can hunt for you in the morning, if you want."

"Thank you."

"Come on, I'll take you to the warm den. That's where the whole pride sleeps."

Scar nod. I led the way home with him walking close beside me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Zaina's POV*

Next Day, Morning...

The sun shine brightly inside the den. I open my grey eyes and yawned.

"Morning sleepy head!" Said a giggly voice.

I look up. My best friend Kaisa is standing in front of me. In her mouth she's holding a piece of meat.

"Morning Kaisa!" I smile.

She drop the meat. I lift a brow.

"What's this?"

"Antelope that me and the huntresses had hunt."

I cover my face with my paws. "Oh my gosh, I can't believe I miss the morning hunt."

Kaisa laid down. She laughed, "It's okay Zaina, you need your rest. You've helped the hunting party so much. It's time we do you a favor!"

"Thank you, Kaisa."

I smile. She nod and watch me eat the Antelope meat. After we gossip and me finally done with breakfast, I exit out the den to go get a drink of water.

I went to the river. Other animals are here too. Some are swimming or drinking. I crouch down and use my rough pink tongue as a spoon to get the water in my mouth.

Another lion approach the scene. I didn't see him at first until I sat up turn to my left side. He came to drink too. I never seen him here before. Could he be a rouge?

"Who are you?" I question, with curiosity.

The male lap the water up a few times then stop. He met his green eyes with my pretty grey ones.

"Wow, what gorgeous eyes you have!" He complimented with a smile.

I blush. "Thank you."

My ears move to the sound of paws walking. I turn my head seeing Jengo, my second close best friend.

"Oh, I see you've both already met." Jengo smiled.

"You know this guy?" I ask.

"Yes, he's my little cousin. This is Prince Taka, one of Queen Uru and King Ahadi's children."

The lion frown. "It's Scar!" He corrected.

The lion looks a few years younger than me and Jengo. His black mane is still growing which mean he's a teenager.

I bow showing respect since this is a Prince, not a regular lion. "Nice to meet you, my name is Zaina."

Jengo pounce on me playfully. I fall on my side laughing.

"She's also my best friend just like Taavi. I don't know what I would do without them!" Said Jengo.

I paw at his coffee colored mane. Jengo bit my ear, but not so hard. Scar smile watching us.

"You two would make an amazing couple!" He said.

Jengo's eyes grew wide. My cheeks turn red.

"Scar, I said best friends not mate." Said Jengo, frowning.

Scar stood up and start walking off with a smirk. "Mhm, sure. Actions speak louder than words big cousin."

We watch Prince Scar go until we couldn't no longer see his reddish brown fur in grass. Jengo looked at me shaking his head.

"Please ignore him." He said, rolling his hazel eyes.

I chuckle. "It's okay, Scar is still a cub. He's sweet too! He commented on my eyes."

"What did he say?"

"He said they're gorgeous."

Jengo smiled, "Well, it is true Zaina. I always tell you that everyday. Even when we were Cubs!"

I smile back. "I know. I just never knew they are that attractive. My mother said I get them from my grandmother. Too bad I didn't get a chance to meet her. She died before I was born..."

Jengo place his large paw on top of my small one. I look into his amazing hazel colored eyes. I always like them, just never told him. Maybe I should since we're talking about eyes.

"Have I ever told you about your eyes before, Jengo?" I ask.

He shook his head. "No, what about them?"

"They make you handsome."

I watch Jengo's cheeks turn red. I feel bad because he's a light cream lion. It's easy to see his blush! Haha, so adorable.

"Really?" He asked, surprised.

I nod chuckling. "Yes, silly."

"No one never told me that before..."

"Are you serious?"

"Yup."

"Well, lions are crazy then."

Jengo laughed. I did too then stop looking down at our paws. His paw is still on top of mines. Jengo finally realize and took His paw off.

"Oops, sorry Zaina!"

"It's alright."

I met my eyes with his again. "Jengo?"

Jengo sat down. "Yes?"

"Have you ever thought about Queens yet?"

"No. Why?"

"No reason. I just want to know if your interested in anyone yet. If so, I'm going to make sure they treat you right. Your my best friend, I can't see you hurt."

"Oh, Zaina." He smiled, "That's so kind of you. No, I'm not interested in any lionesses right now. Once I get use to being a King, then later I'll think about a mate."

I nod. "Okay, cool."

"What about you? Any males around you have your eyes stuck on?" He ask, changing the subject fast.

I took my paw scratching the back of my neck nervously. "Uh, no."

"Oh come on Zaina. Beautiful as you are, I know there's some male your interest in. Trust me, there's a lot of males in this pride that wants to be with you now."

"I know, I just..."

Jengo scoot closer to me. His warm fur press against me. It sent a chill down my spine. "It's just what? Come on, you can tell me. We're best friends!"

I look down at the ground moving my tail side to side. My ears fell flat. "It's complicated."

"How?"

"You wouldn't understand. You're a guy Jengo!"

Jengo made a small gasp and put a paw on his chest. "Well then."

I let out a loud laugh. "No, I didn't mean it like that."

He stood up with a laugh. "I know. Come on, let's see what the pride is up to."

I got up and follow Jengo back to the pride. Phew, that was a close one. I cannot let Jengo know that I like him!