Chapter Eighteen: The Talk ’Round the Pride

Sunrise spilled across the Pride Lands in waves of gold, stretching long shadows across the savanna. The first rays reached the base of Pride Rock, where the Lion Guard gathered, still bleary-eyed from another restless night. Vitani paced, her claws tapping a restless rhythm against the stone. Her violet eyes, focused but tired, flicking toward the misty horizon, like she could will Jitu into appearing before her. Imara let out a wide yawn and stretched her legs. “Alright, Captain. What’s the plan today? More chasing ghosts? Maybe he’ll reward us with another stare.”

“I don’t know,” Vitani muttered. “But we’re not done yet. He talks. That's means something. He can open up.” “We could try not yelling at him this time,” Kasi offered, stifling a yawn of her own. “Maybe that’s our problem.”                  “Or... we let him come to us,” Tazama said, leaping up onto a ledge. “Treat him like someone that needs coaxing, not cornering.”

Before Vitani could respond, a voice called down from above. “Well now, still chasing your frosty mystery?” Vitani’s head snapped upward. There, trotting down the slope of Pride Rock with his usual swagger, was Kovu. His green eyes sparkled with mischief. “Not now,” Vitani warned, already bristling. “Oh, but now is the perfect time,” Kovu replied, bounding down with a smug bounce. “To remind you all, that I got him to talk. ”Vitani stopped pacing, ears flicking back. “Will you please stop bringing that up?”  “I can’t,” Kovu beamed.  “It was a moment of glory. One visit from yours truly, and boom—words start to fly.”Imara narrowed her eyes. “We were there too, you know.”

“Yes,” Kovu said cheerfully. “You were, and witnessed history.”Vitani’s claws scraped against the rock. “You got lucky.” “Lucky?” Kovu gasped, dramatically placing a paw on his chest. “No, no, dear sister. I was relatable. Charming. But most importantly, nice. ”Shabaha dropped to her belly, groaning. “Here we go…” Kasi tried to hold it in, but a giggle slipped past her lips. “Kovu, you’re impossible.” “I prefer unstoppable,” Kovu said, circling the group. “All your clever plans. All your tracking. Days in the mist. And all it took? A casual chat. With me.”Tazama rolled her eyes. “You only said one thing. One. Thing.”                

“And isn’t that what being smooth is all about?” Kovu grinned. “Saying the right thing, at just the right time.”Vitani’s frustration boiled over. “You barely got anything from him! All he said was that he’s the youngest!”                           “Which, may I remind you, blew your minds,” Kovu said, clearly enjoying every second. Kiara’s voice might as well have echoed in his head: You’re enjoying this too much.Imara huffed, but a faint grin tugged at her muzzle. “It was enlightening.” Kasi giggled again. “And how Vi. tried to interrogate him after… just to stare right back.”

“Silence is a response,” Tazama chimed in. “Especially that silence.” “You think this is funny?” Vitani growled. “We’re trying to solve a mystery, and he’s treating it like a game.” “Maybe the mystery is that he’s just a shy, oversized little man,” Kovu said with a shrug. “One who, for some reason, likes me more than you.”Vitani’s eye twitched. “You’re insufferable.” “I’m delightful,” Kovu corrected. “And just for fun, I think I’ll visit again. See if he’s in the mood for some honest conversation—with a friend.” 

“You wouldn’t,” Vitani hissed.“Oh, I would,” Kovu called over his shoulder, already turning to leave. “Two strong, silent lions, building trust. Maybe I’ll get some juicy childhood stories out of him.”Shabaha wheezed with laughter. “He’s never letting this go.” “Please, spare us,” Tazama begged between laughs.“Not until Vitani admits that I won this round,” Kovu said with a wink. Vitani’s glare could’ve scorched the stone under her paws. “Go play with the fog, Kovu.” 

“Oh, I will,” he said, trotting off with a grin. “And maybe this time, we’ll talk about you!” His laughter echoed down the rockface until it faded into the savanna. For a moment, silence. Then…“Not. A. Word,” Vitani muttered. Imara snorted. “Hey, we’re not the ones he decided to ghost.”                       “Maybe he likes flustering you,” Kasi teased.“Or that he finds you intense,” Tazama added with a grin.Vitani groaned, dragging a paw down her face. “One chat. One. I will get that brute to talk. And this time…” She narrowed her eyes toward the horizon. “…he won’t walk away.” Tazama nudged her. “Hey, at least you’ve got motivation.” Vitani didn’t smile—but her eyes gleamed. “I’m not letting Kovu win forever.”