There was something about the Pride Lands that has a sort of inimitable charm.

I always became so excited whenever we had business there, and was especially happy once I finally saw Simba's face.

Simba…

He had Nala, and I think that's what made it made it so sad. But sometimes I forget myself and think of what'd it'd be like – Simba and I hanging out at the Oasis, alone…first it'd just be friendly chatting, getting to know each other…then we'd scoot a little closer, and closer still as the sun goes down. Maybe, we'd even start grooming each other, and then he'd—

I shook my head. My favorite animal's always been cats, but maybe this was going too far.

My thoughts had subconsciously taken me to the Oasis. Donald and Goofy were off with Nala and Rafiki, so I just wandered over to a spot by the waterfall.

"Sora!"

My head jerked up at the sound of his voice. "Hey, Simba. What's up?"

"Nothing, I just noticed you had left, and I wanted to see if anything was wrong," Simba padded over to me and laid down, rather closely. His body was so warm…

"Oh, no, nothing's wrong," I replied, resting my head back down so it lay just barely touching Simba's paw.

He put his said paw over my neck.

"Cheer up!" he laughed.

I smiled. "I'm fine."

Simba suddenly draped his whole arm around me, almost…protectively. I couldn't resist snuggling into him.

"I'll always be here to cheer you up, Sora."