The sun was on the brink of falling to rest. An ending on the horizon, following Kion as he peacefully strolled through the Pridelands. His day has been long.

The Lion Guard have been seeing frequent invasions from the outlaws of the Outlands, no doubt being conducted by the new power, Katili.

Although she promised a return, a few moons have passed, and she has yet made a presence. Unsure if they should be concerned or relieved, the Lion Guard continue to prove themselves as the reliable protectors of the Pridelands, especially with another dry season around the corner.

It was put on the back-burner of his mind, though, for his thoughts were sizzling with the idea of a pleasant night with his favorite hyena.

It would be the first time, since the last dry season, Kion and Jasiri visited their special watering hole.

To Kion, it seems as if the oasis has become more beautiful with passing time. The same could be said about his beloved, who was resting beside the pool of water.

"Lost? Again," Jasiri's teasing grin never ceases to bring a smile upon Kion, for he knew it was her way to say she missed him.

"Admitting your worried? You have gone soft," Kion said, laying beside her.

"As if, and scoot over, big guy," Jasiri elevated her head slightly, trying to keep eye contact with the lion, who now stands nearly a foot taller than her, "I don't want to wake up with a sore neck."

Kion rolled over onto his back, laying his head between her forelegs, "How about I do this instead? Your lovable, handsome, humble lion looking up to you?"

"Humble seems to be a bit lacking," Jasiri mused with a passionate stare upon him.

She then slid her paws gently from underneath Kion's head, proceeding to climb onto, and nestling into, his chest, "But I could add comfy to that list."

"There are a lot of good traits about me, aren't there," Kion stuck his tongue at her when she playfully rolled her eyes, "But enough about me. Look at you. I saw you only few days ago, and it still feels like you have grown. I find it hard to believe, dare I say, you look even more beautiful than before.

"Enough, charmer. You know that doesn't truly work on me," Jasiri said with a smirked.

"Your blush says otherwise."

Jasiri tried to turn her head to hide her rosy cheeks, "Fine… continue then."

"Where to start? Your eyes burn with a determination that always amazes me. A beacon of light from the fire of your heart," Kion leaned up, licking her cheek and causing her to giggle, "Fitting for such a gorgeous smile and sturdy, but lovely voice. Your mane has also become quite exquisite and luxurious."

"You're one to talk. That mane of yours sure is coming in nicely," Jasiri ran a paw around the edge of Kion's face, small hairs of red brushing back.

"Notice it covers my jawbone. Pretty soon, you won't be able to get to that favorite spot of yours."

"Is that so? Then I better enjoy it while it lasts," Jasiri placed a few caring licks on Kion's ticklish spot.

Kion squirmed slightly, unable to control his laughter, "Ok! Ok I yield!"

Jasiri laughed along side him when she decided to show mercy. She finally decided to cut the act. Her facial expression returned to a slightly embarrassed smile, "Guess I'm not much of a mood setter, huh?"

"Its fine," Kion's chuckles calmed down into a caring sigh, "Romance doesn't suit you very well anyways. I like your style better."

Jasiri pursed her lips, though a challenging smirk tugged at them "Are you saying I'm not romantic enough for you? Then what kind of style do I have?"

"The one and only Jasiri style, of course," Kion smoothly said with one raised brow.

Jasiri rolled her eyes once again, knowingly shaking her head, "You know Kion, I say those charms don't work, but you do know how to talk yourself out of trouble."

"I'll take it as a compliment," Kion nuzzled into the side of her face, causing her to give into his comfort, "So, what have you been up to?"

"You know me, Kion, caring for my clan and watching the two tykes grow up."

"Ah, Tunu and Wema. I haven't seen those two in a while. How big have they gotten?"

"Those two weeds sprouted fast," Jasiri jokingly said, "In fact, Tunu passed up Wema, and she is not taking a liking to it. Madoa is constantly trying to keep the two from fighting all the time. After she and Kiume spend some time together, she always comes back wondering why they seem calm when their under my watch."

"If I would take a guess, I'd say you tire them out."

"Oh, you know me so well, Kion. I might or might not still like roughhousing a little," Jasiri let out a small chuckle, then turned to Kion when he pulled away, "What about you? How's life up there on Priderock?"

"Well, Kiara is still peeved that she won't be joining her friends on their first hunt. Dad still isn't letting her go until next dry season, so I've been having to listen to her complain to me about it. As for myself, I've just been so busy with my duties of the Lion Guard, you are the only one I can spend my spare time on. Not to say that's a bad thing," Kion mused.

"Adulthood is calling out to you, huh," Jasiri teased, "Pretty soon we will be saying good bye to our relaxing days and playful games."

"Well, it wouldn't really be fair, anyways," Kion shot back, "I am bigger than you now."

"Don't think just because you got a size advantage on me means I can't out-wrestle you," Jasiri pressed her paws a bit harder on his chest, "I'll pin you anytime, anywhere."

"Is that a challenge?"

"For you, maybe."

Kion reached and wrapped his paws around her, flipping them over and causing a joyful yelp escape from Jasiri, "I'm the fiercest of the Pridelands. No challenge is too difficult for me."

"You may be the fiercest, but you acted before you thought. Relying on strength leaves you open to be outwitted."

Jasiri used the leverage of being underneath him to push his back paws apart, throwing him off balance. She then took the opportunity to tumble him back over, pinning him by the shoulders once again.

Kion did not think much of it, merely figuring he could turn the tables by flipping them over yet again, but he froze when a long, loving lick found its way up his neck.

He quickly relaxed and could not help but laugh, "Alright. You win."

Jasiri beamed, always loving any victory, then turned over so her backside could lay against her fluffy prize, "That's what I thought."

Kion sportively shook his head, covering her with his paws as they found themselves in a warm embrace.

The remained silent for quiet some time. Jasiri leaning her head back so she could share a nuzzle with Kion, listening to his soft purrs and feeling his strong, soothing heartbeat between the back of her shoulders.

It was a bliss that stood unmatched by any other experience.

As the sun disappeared, the two stared up at the nighttime sky, hearing an orchestra of crickets playing a gentle melody for the two.

While gazing at the beauty of the stars above, Kion began to start a conversation of their past.

"Do you ever think about the time we first met."

"Considering it's the twin's favorite story, it's kind of hard not to," Jasiri let out a small chortle, "The day a pesky lion entered my territory."

"That was an accident," Kion defensively said, "I got pulled in when I fell into a river."

"Let me correct myself then. That was the day a clumsy lion entered my life," Jasiri glanced at him, then gave him a little wink, "And I'm glad he did."

Kion chuckled and answered her tease, licking the top of her forehead as she went back to staring at the stars, "What about the first time we admitted feelings for each other after you saved me from Janja?"

"Nah-ah, remember what I said about that, Kion. You confessed, I pitied."

"You said only when I told others. I said that I would be sure to bring it up to you as much as possible."

"Well, if we're gonna talk firsts," Jasiri gave him an ambitious smirk, "Let's not forget I was the first one to make a move. The first one to give a lick."

Kion was still annoyed by such a fact, which was evident by his grimace, "I was working up to it, give me a break."

Jasiri decided to show mercy and nuzzled him gently, "You know what else I remember? Meeting your family for the first time."

"Now that was quite a show," Kion said, "To this day, I still can't believe how you stood up to my father like that."

"I sometimes question it, myself. Luckily, though, we made amends. After a walk and talk, I come to respect him more, and I think he has the same for me."

"Do you mean after that incident with Zuri and you?"

Jasiri still seemed a bit embarrassed by the situation, despite it being nothing more than a bad memory now.

"Yeah. After that happened… I still don't know why she came after me in such a way, " Kion could not hold back a chuckle as it escaped his breath, making Jasiri stop her nuzzle and look at him in the eyes in a confused manner, "What's so funny, Kion?"

"Kiara told me that she talked to Zuri the day after. It turns out Zuri has been harboring feelings for me since we were little cubs, and she confronted you offensively because she was jealous."

"And why is that amusing to you?"

"I just think about how after all that so called talk of me chasing you, you and another female fought over me."

His jester earned him an offended jab in his side, causing him to flinch in pain and laugh at the same time.

"First of all, I was fighting to defend myself," Jasiri glared at him while he continued to chuckle, "I had no idea she wanted you for herself. Second of all, I don't appreciate you making fun of my incident with Zuri."

Kion began to settle down as he tried to apologize, "Ok, ok, I'm sorry, Jasiri, but you were the one who asked why I found it funny."

Jasiri rolled her eyes away, but after a few moments, a small smirk appeared on her, "Besides… You're mine. If another female wanted you, I'd make it clear that she can't have you. I'd fight over you any day."

Kion's smile grew when her rebellious spirit showed its feisty side.

"Do you remember…"

He opened his mouth to continue, but suddenly stopped.

The words he wanted to say refused to leave his breath, and this was not the first time it has happened. He could never tell if it was anxiousness or anticipation. He could never find the right moment.

Jasiri was slightly puzzled when she looked back to him, raising a suspecting eyebrow to his desire for reminiscing their time spent, "Why are you asking me these questions, Kion?"

Kion cleared his throat, "I just want to look back at our lives and see how far we have come. I was once told that our relationship would be a longer road than it would it first seen, but I was also told that if I took a moment to look back, smell the roses, as I went along, the journey would be much greater than the destination. Now that we have a moment of pause to enjoy ourselves, I just…"

Kion got choked up yet again. It aggravated him as the words danced on the tip of his tongue, as if taunting him.

He finally shook his head and took a deep breath, "I just… I wanted to say… I think you're an amazing animal. I could never be any happier to have someone like you be so special to me. Looking back at the all the hardships and trials we've been through, it makes me realize…"

He was the master of his speech, and he was not going to let his nervousness get the best of him. With his patience pushed past its limits, he almost yelled the phrase.

"I love you."

Jasiri was taken slightly aback, somewhat from the sudden change in volume, but mostly from the words themselves. There was a long pause before Jasiri said anything, as if the words were slowly sinking in. When she finally spoke, however, she had returned her gaze back to the sky.

"Oh…"

Oh? That was not the response Kion expected. He thought he conquered the hill he had climbed only to realize he has yet reached the top.

Did he say it at the wrong time? He could admit that the way he wanted to tell her did not go the way he planned, but, knowing Jasiri, he figured she would just tease him about his anxiousness and then say it back. Does she want to say it back? Does she not have the same feelings he has?

Kion was plain stunned. He did not feel rejected nor joyful. Surprised if anything. He was just lost n his thoughts as they came to a screeching halt. He only snapped out of his trance when Jasiri spoke once more, only, asked him a question in return.

"Kion, what do you think of the nighttime sky?"

Kion was confused as he looked towards the stars above, "What do you mean?"

Jasiri paused before she continued, a sign to Kion that she was unsure whether or not she wanted to continue the conversation, "I… I have a secret."

"I'm not sure I follow."

"Well, a long time ago, when I was a very young cub. My father told me a secret that is normally passed down from mother to daughter. He said that my mother told him to pass it on in her absence, though I guess it wasn't something he did not already know. It's a secret Madoa told Kiume as well."

Kion could tell this was something that meant dearly to her, and in response he tightened his secure grip around her for comfort, "I don't mean to sound rude, but that doesn't sound much of a secret if everyone knows it."

"I guess it's more of a hyena tradition then," Jasiri let out a soft chuckle, "Do you see that light up there?"

Jasiri pointed towards one of the brightest stars in the sky, one of the first lights that could be seen at dusk. Its twinkling show seemed to have more dedication than any of its brothers and sisters. Its desire shined from a passionate soul that burned within.

"My mother watches over me from there. The secret passed on for every female hyena is that the brightest light represents the passion within us all. When a female hyena's passion finds another, the one she wants to spend part of her life with, she tells him this secret, and when the time comes, pass on the secret to their daughters."

Kion stared at the star as it danced in the sky. He was in bewilderment of a state as Jasiri confessed these hyena traditions to him.

Jasiri had a blush on her face as she too stared at the same star, "Or so our father told Madoa and me. I was hesitant to tell you this because I figured you would find it ridiculous and laugh at me. My mother watching me from the sky above? A little silly if you ask me… or wishful thinking…"

Kion looked back down at her and smiled softly, "I don't find it silly it all, because I know its true."

Jasiri gave him a side-way glance, "What? How could you possibly know?"

"I know that my own ancestors are watching over me from the clouds above, for I have spoken to my grandfather, Mufasa."

"You've spoken to Mufasa," Jasiri stared at him in disbelief, "Your father's father?"

"Yep," Kion nodded, "I couldn't exactly explain it to you how it works, that would be a Rafiki question, but I know that in my direst moments, Mufasa will be there to guide me."

Jasiri's mouth formed a smile of relief. With what Kion told her, she truly believed the stories her father told her, and hoped that her mother was actually up there, watching over her.

"Though, I'm a bit confused," Kion continued as he laid his head back down on the soft grass, "Why did you tell me about your hyena tradition?"

Jasiri's brows furrowed and she looked at him as if he was clueless, "Were you not listening, you thick skull lion?! You're the one I want to spend my life with! I'm trying to say I love you too without actually… saying it…"

Kion had a sly smirk on his face when Jasiri realized what he did. He had tricked her into her confession of love. She jabbed him once again in annoyance, though it did not wipe away the grin.

"I said it," Jasiri grumbled, yet she did have a hint of giddiness from saying it, "Happy?"

"Say what? Could you repeat that?"

Jasiri wore a frown, but only for a moment longer as it slowly flipped the other way, "I love you too."

"Sorry, one mor-"

"If you make me say it one more time, I'll really hurt you," Jasiri threatened, though her joyful grin did not leave.

"Alright, alright," Kion laughed, though one more comedic jest did come to mind, "But guess what."

"What?"

"I confessed love first."

"Oh, come here you!"

The two began to wrestle around once more, just like they had when they first expressed affection with each other.

A passion that never has changed, and never will. Like a star that burns bright within the sky, that passion will live for a seemingly endless time.

They shall stay together, one in the same, forever in the endless time.

# # #

"So that's how you two met?"

"That's correct."

"Wow… But what happened afterwards?"

"A story for another time, little one. It's getting late."

"Aw, come one, I'm not even… tired…"

"That yawn of yours sure says otherwise. It will be dark soon, if we don't get you home, your mother will worry."

"Alright… Promise me you'll tell me more tomorrow?"

"I promise. Now lets go. I need my rest too."

"Ok…"

(The End)