*Athena's POV*

Night...

For dinner I caught a lizard and two small mice for Chidi and I. I carry them in my mouth to our private cave. The cave is located behind a giant waterfall. It's an excellent water source for us. Prey here is short though, but we are able to save for a day or two.

"Chidi, I'm back with our dinner!" I yell, standing outside of the cave.

Chidi walked out. He look down at what I hunt and nod his head. "Good. It'll be enough for tonight. Morning I'll try to search for something much bigger."

Chidi decide to eat the lizard. I was left with the two mice. After dinner, I took a nice clean bath in the river. Chidi sat down and watched. He kept giving me stares. They weren't stares that made me feel uncomfortable. They are stares that show full admiration.

I step out of the water shaking my wet fur clean. My eyes met with Chidi's.

I laugh, "What?"

He shook his head smiling. "Nothing, it's just that your so beautiful."

I bet my cheeks are hot red right now.

"Oh, Chidi."

"What? It's true!"

I walk up to him close rubbing my face against his charcoal colored mane. I gave his cheek a lick then ran off through the jungle laughing.

I hear running paws behind me. It's Chidi trying to catch up.

"To slow for you huh?" I ask.

Chidi smirked, "We'll see about that, Princess!"

I laugh again. I sprint faster, leaving Chidi even far behind. Not paying attention on what's on the ground, my right back leg paw got tangled in a green vine. I fall on my face.

"Ouch!"

"Athena!"

Chidi runs up. I turn my body over on my side seeing my paw stuck in a vine.

"Chidi, my right foot got wrap in a vine!" I say.

"I'll try to set you free." He said.

Chidi use his sharp teeth to tear the green vine off my foot. In about three or four minutes, my foot is now released.

I stand up happily hugging Chidi. "Oh thank you!"

He laughed, "Anytime!"

I rub my nose against his own. Chidi purred. He gave me a soft nuzzle then kiss my nose. I giggle because it tickled.

Chidi looked up at the night sky. The stars are glowing bright tonight. There's also a lovely full moon. Such a romantic scene! A shooting star zoom pass.

"Athena, quick! Make a wish!!" Chidi shout.

I close my eyes. "I wish to be with Chidi forever until death due us apart..."

I open back my eyes looking up at the sky.

Chidi smiled. "What you wish for?"

I hit his side playfully with my tail. "I can't tell you that Chidi or else the wish will be broken!"

"Fine."

"Hehe."

We both lay down watching the stars twinkle above us. I thought about my mother. I remember my parents use to tell me, Mufasa, and Scar all the time that one day they'll be up there to guide or watch over us. What if mother is a star up there?

"Athena?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you okay? You've been daydreaming for a while." Chidi chuckled.

I smile resting my head on Chidi's shoulder. "I'm sorry, I was thinking."

"Thinking of what?"

"My mother."

I've never told Chidi about my mother's awful death. Chidi met his eyes with my own. His eyes are now full of concern.

"What happened to her?" He ask.

"S-She died." I started, my voice wanting to break.

"I'm so sorry, Athena."

Chidi lay his chin on top of my head to comfort me.

"She was murdered by something or someone..." I continued, "No one know what truly happened. My father found her laying under a huge tree covered in every scratch and bite mark. She was surrounded in her own pool of blood. Who ever killed her was smart enough to take her out of the Pride Lands..."

"How awful!" Chidi said, shaking his head.

I tried so hard not cry. But my feelings are sadden and still full of pain. Tears roll down my furry cheeks. I sniff wiping my nose with my paw.

I half smiled, "But she's still here alive above us."

"Who?"

"My mother!"

Chidi look confused. "Um, how exactly?"

I point my paw at the stars. "She's one of those stars up there. My parents always taught me and my brothers that one day they're going to be up there to guide or watch over us!"

"Really?"

"Yes! I bet you my mother is that bright twinkling star up there on the left side. It's the brightest of them all! Don't you see it, Chidi?"

Chidi nod smiling. "Yeah, I see. Maybe it is her!"

I nuzzle Chidi warmly. "Thank you for traveling here with me. You've made this journey really fun! I needed to get away from the Pride Lands. I was still heart broken..."

"Understood. I'd go anywhere with you, Athena. We can travel the whole world! What ever you decide I'll join."

"Awwwh!"

I giggle and lick Chidi's cheek for probably the hundredth time today. He blushes and start to purr. Both of our tails intertwine as we lay our heads down over our front paws; falling into a quiet peaceful sleep.

I'll never leave Chidi's side...
****************
It's been two and a half years now since Chidi and I came to the tropical jungle. Over the days, months, and years we've been extremely close. By close I mean in love. I guess you can say we're now official mates. My parents probably wouldn't approve since Chidi and I aren't even married yet.

When your royalty you have to marry right away once you've found someone . I don't know why, guess it's just how the tradition goes.

It's morning. Chidi went to go hunt breakfast while I'm stuck alone in the cave. I have no choice to stay here. Chidi doesn't want me to tag along. He said I could easily injure myself.

Are you kidding me?

"I'm back!"

I walk out of the cave. In Chidi's mouth he's holding a large piece of meat.

My eyes widen, "Where did you get that from?"

Chidi shrug. He drop down the meat between our paws. "I don't know. Someone must of forgotten it. It smells very fresh."

I gave the meat a sniff. "Mmmmh, antelope!"

"It's antelope! But antelopes don't live in jungles though." I say, confused.

Chidi chuckled. "Who cares? Let's just eat before someone comes back and try to take it from us."

I nod. Chidi and I both eat the antelope quickly. In about a minute, the antelope is all gone. I lick my paw and mouth clean.

"Ah, so delicious! I needed that in my system." Smiled Chidi.

Chidi rub his belly. I laugh shaking my head.

I lay down rubbing my own. "Our cubs think the same, Chidi."

Chidi walk up close and place his huge paw on my pregnant belly. The cubs kick repeatedly.

"I can't wait till they're born!" Chidi smiled.

"Me either." I said.

We both nuzzle each other.

"Over here!" A voice yelled.

"There's two! Get them!!" Another yelled.

My ears perk up. I look around, "What was that?"

Chidi got up full alarmed. "I don't know. Get in the cave, now!"

I speed walk to the cave. Chidi follows  behind but stopped.

"Argh!" He yelled.

"Chidi!"

I walk out the cave and see him covered in a bunch of green vines. Two tall figures walk up with objects in their hands pointing at Chidi.

"Chidi, no!" I cry.

One the tall figures turn and see me standing in front of the cave.

It laughed, "Sir, I think I found his lady and she looks pregnant!"

"Get her!" The other one said.

I shook my head backing away. "No!"

Chidi roared. He manage to escape out of the vines and pounce on the tall figure who was about to get me. He instantly killed him by biting down on the throat like prey.

"Chidi, look out!!" I yell.

The other tall figure stands behind Chidi pointing his object. Chidi turned around.

Click, BANG BANG!!!