Kion and Fuli were walking through the Back Lands, looking for a den as the sun started to set.  After they finally found one, they settled in for the night.

"This is nice," Kion said.  "Just us together."

"I know, Kai," Fuli responded.  "And Vitani has the Guard.  But we're coming back the day before the Ukumbusho, right?"

"Yep," Kion agreed.  "Few days to ourselves.  I kinda feel sorry for Vitani.  She has to deal with Bunga."

"Isn't Bunga your best friend?"  Fuli asked.

"He is," Kion said, "but that doesn't mean he doesn't get annoying sometimes.  But I'm pretty sure he saved me from fighting you."

"But then caused you to run away," Fuli added.  "We saved you, but I'm pretty sure we wouldn't have made the mistake we made if he didn't step in.  I would've done anything to make you realize you aren't evil.  If Bunga didn't step in, I would've said how I felt about you right then and there.  It sounds cliché, and I'd hate for the Guard to hear it, but it might've snapped you back to reality."

"Probably would've," Kion agreed.  "I might've still ran away, though.  To just think about what you said."

"At least it would've been for a better reason," Fuli said.

"The Tree of Life certainly helped  me," Kion said.  "But I'm sorry I hurt you with Rani.  If I knew you felt the same way, I would've never become mates with her."

Kion moved closer to Fuli and drew a paw along her muzzle.

"But you would've never had those stripes, then," Kion said.  "They make you look nice.  It makes you look fierce."

"Really?"  Fuli asked.

"Come on," Kion stood up.  "The moon's out.  We'll find a pond and I'll show you."

Fuli stood up and followed Kion out of the den.

[Fuli]

We've been together for so long 

[Kion]

But we're only now righting our wrongs

[Fuli]

Together we can stand

[Kion]

Together we finally understand

[Kion & Fuli]

It doesn't matter who we are

It doesn't matter in which land,

As long as I'm right next to you-ou

All I want is to be together

No matter how impossible it may seem,

All I want is to be with you-ou

[Fuli]

Now that I've been with you, I can tell what's true

[Kion]

Nothing matters as long as I'm with you

[Kion & Fuli]

It doesn't matter who we are

It doesn't matter in which land,

As long as I'm right next to you-ou

All I want is to be together

No matter how impossible it may seem,

All I want is to be with you-ou

You-ou

[Fuli]

All I want  

[Kion]

All I want

[Kion & Fuli]

Is to be with you-ou

Kion and Fuli stopped at a pond, looking into it.

"See, Fuuls?"  Kion asked.  He noticed his mate's eyes were closed.  "Open your eyes.  You look good."

Fuli turned away from the pond.

"I can't," she said.  "It looks too much like Harako."

"Fuli, look at my legs," Kion said.  "I have markings on them.  Just because you have markings doesn't mean you look like Harako.  All cheetahs have those stripes."

"Exactly," Fuli said, not meeting Kion's eyes.  "I don't want to be normal.  No cheetahs I knew besides Azaad didn't have those stripes."

"You're special, Fuli," Kion assured.  "Not only are you my mate and part of the Lion Guard, but on your forehead, there's a special spot.  Just open your eyes and look at your reflection."

Fuli tentatively walked to the pond and peered into it.  Her stripes were contrasting her yellow fur, but she smiled.  She could see the spot that Kion was talking about.  It was shaped in a heart.

"You're right, Kai," Fuli said.  "I look different.  But I still look like Fuli."

Fuli bent down and lapped up some of the water.

"Asante, Kai," Fuli said.  "I love you."

The cheetah licked Kion's cheek.

"I don't know what I'd do without you," she said.

"You'd be a mess," Kion chucked, returning the lick.  "But you'd be my mess.  I love you, too."

"You're my mess, too," Fuli said.  "Let's head back to the den."

"Right," Kion followed Fuli, starting to walk to their den.  "We should get some sleep."

"But that was necessary," Fuli said.  "I don't think I would've ever looked at my reflection again if you didn't make me."

"Hakuna matata, Fuuls," Kion said.  "I went through the same thing.  I just hope my scar doesn't start to act up again."

"It won't," Fuli assured.  They walked to their den and lied down, cuddling together.

"Good night, Fuuls," Kion said.

"Good night, Kai," Fuli responded.

In the Pride Lands at sunset, Vitani was out on the escarpment Kion had showed her how to master the Roar in. I know Kion and Fuli are mates, but they still have a chance of Fuli bearing cubs, don't they? Imara and I would never be able to have cubs. But we could adopt cubs, couldn't we? I'm just gonna ask her. I know her well. She's going to want to say yes, but I'll probably have to get her alone.

"'Tani?"  Imara came walking up to the leader of the Lion Guard.  "Everything okay?"

"I think," Vitani said.  "You wanna go for a walk?"

"I don't see why not," Imara said.  The two lionesses left Pride Rock and started to walk.

Come on, Vitani, Vitani tried to encourage herself.  You've been alone with Imara before.  This is nothing.  And you're leader of the Lion Guard!  This should be nothing.  If only Kion was here.  He'd know what to say.

"Vitani?"  Imara's voice jolted Vitani out of her thoughts.  "You've been unusually quiet.  What's wrong?"

"I wanted to ask you something," Vitani explained, "but I'm not entirely sure how to word the question."

"It's okay, 'Tani," Imara said.  "Just say whatever you want to say."

Vitani took a deep breath.

"I love you, Imara," she said.  "And I want you to be my mate.  Will you?"

Imara looked at Vitani and blinked.

"O-Of course!"  she exclaimed.  "There's nothing I'd want more.  I was actually going to ask you the same thing.  Fuli talked to me about our relationship."

"Kion talked to me, too," Vitani said.  "I guess they both saw us together."

"We'll have to ask them when they get back," Imara said.  "And speaking of that, do you know when they'll be back?"

"They're either coming back the day before or of the Ukumbusho," Vitani said.  "They'll be happy to hear that we've become mates."

"Yeah," Imara agreed.  "Maybe we can take our own break after the Ukumbusho.  Kion and Fuli can take over the Guard then."

"Or Tazama," Vitani said.  "I think Kion's Guard might be heading back to the Tree of Life."

"We'll just have to wait and see," Imara said.