Zazu was still wide awake.

It had been only two days since Simba's return to Pride Rock. The land was still struggling to regrow its grasslands and trees. Yet there was no problem with the waterhole. It had rained a lot since Simba's return and in a matter of hours, the river was flowing again.

It was particulary stormy this night. Lightning flashed, thunder rumbled in the skies and the rain pelted down like bullets.

But that wasn't the reason Zazu couldn't relax. It was nice to hear the rain again; but his back ached and he tossed and turned, trying to get comfortable.

Zazu was in the lion den underneath Pride Rock. His home was destroyed during Scar's reign, nor did it help much that he spent those years in a cage, made from the bones of a deceased creature. So the poor bird had to sleep on a high rock in the den until he could rebuild his home.

Zazu was about to give up, trying to sleep when he spotted a certain meerkat and warthog, snoring in the corner of the den.

Timon and Pumbaa, of course.

Zazu stared at them for a moment, remembering what Simba had explained to him, as well as everyone else. Timon and Pumbaa had rescued Simba, not long after the death of his father, Mufasa and raised him in the jungle.

While he felt that it wasn't quite right for Timon and Pumbaa to teach Simba to run from his past, Zazu was secretly grateful for them.

'Simba would be dead if they hadn't come to him' Zazu thought. 'And I wouldn't be free either'

Timon and Pumbaa had also rescued Zazu from his prison. They weren't the smartest creatures he had met, but they weren't mean either. It was clear that they cared for their friends and for each other.

Then a thought passed Zazu's mind. He stood up, groaning as he did for his whole body was sore and tried to gently soar down to where Timon and Pumbaa were asleep. But the pain in his body was too much and he ended up dropping, mid-flight, and tumbled to a stop a few feet from the two of them.

Timon was lying on top of Pumbaa's belly and Zazu's crash had woken him. He turned and saw him struggling to pick himself up, cringing as he did.

'Hey Zazu' Timon yawned. 'You ok?'

'Oh!' Zazu gasped. 'I'm dreadfully sorry Timon. I didn't mean to wake you. I was just...that is...uh...'

He couldn't bring himself to speak. What he wanted to say was too embarrasing for him.

Timon tried to keep himself awake. 'You were just what?' He asked.

Zazu took a deep breath and spoke in a small voice. 'Timon, do you mind if I slept with you and Pumbaa tonight?'

For a moment, Timon stared at him with concern, then he smiled and nudged Pumbaa awake.

'What's wrong Timon?' Pumbaa grunted.

'Pumbaa buddy' said Timon. 'Zazu's gonna bunk with us tonight, what'd ya say?'

'Sure' Pumbaa said with a smile. 'But are you sure you don't mind...my problem?'

Zazu shook his head. 'Trust me, Pumbaa. You don't smell any worse than that cage I was trapped in for years. And don't forget, that cage was once a dead animal'

'Good point' Pumbaa yawned. 'Make yourself comfortable'

Timon grabbed Zazu's wings and lifted him onto Pumbaa's belly. They both laid down on their backs and stared up at the roof to the den for sometime.

Zazu felt his eyes grow heavy.

'Thank you, Timon' he spoke.

'For what?' asked Timon.

'For this and everything before' replied Zazu.

Timon turned his head. Zazu was now asleep with a smile on his face.

'You're welcome, banana beak' Timon whispered back.