The Lion Guard: An Intense Sleepover

It was a beautiful evening in the Pridelands. 
Belee, Kia, and Nita were on their way to Rafiki’s Tree for a sleepover, accompanied by Marigold, as well as Kora and Vitani, who were escorting the four young lionesses.
“Ooh! I’m so excited!” Kia exclaimed, her eyes alight with eagerness and enthusiasm.
“Me too!” Belee commented.
“I just know we’re going to have so much fun! It'll be a real girls’ night, with Rafiki and Mosi too.” Nita said.
“It’s great that Kia and I get to come along this time. Thanks for inviting us.” Belee said.
“You’re welcome.” Nita replied.
Behind them, Marigold was walking between Kora and Vitani.
“I get to come too! I’ve never slept at Rafiki’s Tree before!” she said excitedly.
Vitani chuckled.
“I’m sure you’ll have lots of fun.” she said, a purr rumbling in her chest.
As they approached Rafiki’s Tree, Nita’s eyes lit up as she caught sight of Makini, Anga, and Mosi waiting outside the entrance to the store cave.
“Hi!” Nita called out enthusiastically.
Makini’s expression brightened, and she rushed over to greet them.  
“I’m so glad you’re here!” she said excitedly.
She embraced Nita tightly, her eyes shining with happiness and anticipation.
“We’re going to have fun tonight.” Nita said.
Makini moved aside to greet Marigold, Belee, and Kia as Mosi came over to Nita.
“Do you think Uncle Rafiki will tell us stories?” he asked as he embraced Nita.
“I’m sure he will, Mosi.” Nita said warmly, her expression brightening as Anga came up.
“I’m glad you came, Anga.” she said.
“Me too.” Anga replied.
Kora and Vitani exchanged a glance, and Kora cleared his throat.
“Have a good time tonight, girls.” he said.
“We will, Uncle Kora.” Kia said.
“We’ll be here in the morning to take you home.” Vitani said.
“Okay, Aunty.” Belee said.
Marigold bounded over to Kora and Vitani, and nuzzled them affectionately. Nita joined her, pressing herself against Vitani’s side.
“We love you. See you tomorrow.” Nita said.
Vitani bent her head to nuzzle Nita’s cheek.
“We love you too, my darlings.” Vitani said.
“Look after your sister, Nita.” Kora instructed, watching his daughters affectionately.
“I will, Daddy. I promise.” Nita replied.
As Kora and Vitani made their way towards Pride Rock, Rafiki came out of the entrance to the store cave.
“Hello, everyone. I am very pleased to have you all here this evening. Come inside.” he welcomed.
As they followed him inside the cave, Makini turned to Rafiki excitedly.
“What are we going to do first, Uncle Rafiki?” she asked as they came up into the tree.
Rafiki’s expression softened and he reached over to ruffle Makini’s mane affectionately.
Unbeknownst to them, Nefu had ventured to the tree and was standing outside the entrance to the store cave.
“Uncle Rafiki!” he called.
Hearing his shout, Nita and Makini exchanged identical glances of dread and foreboding.
“Uncle Rafiki-” Makini began.
“Please don’t let him up here, he’ll just spoil everything.” Nita finished, knowing what Makini had been about to say.
“It will be all right, my darlings. I am sure Nefu means no harm by this visit.” Rafiki said reassuringly, though there was a note of suspicion in his tone.
“I’ll believe that when I see it.” Nita muttered darkly. Makini wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
Beside them, Kia, Anga, and Belee exchanged an awkward look. Mosi and Marigold were playing with a moss ball and several pebbles that Rafiki had set out.
Rafiki moved towards a branch, glancing out to see Nefu pacing outside the the entrance to the store cave.
“What is it, my nephew?” he asked.
“I heard Makini and Mosi talking to Mother and Dad about the sleepover earlier. I want to join in. Nobody’s ever invited me to spend the night here before.” Nefu said.
“Maybe the reason we’ve never invited you is because we didn’t want you to come and ruin everything.” Nita said under her breath.
“You are welcome to come and join us, Nefu.” Rafiki invited.
At his words, Nefu immediately bounded up the slope. Before he could come up into the tree, Rafiki put a palm on his shoulder, halting him.
“I am expecting you to behave yourself and be polite towards your siblings, Nita, and the others. If you cannot, you shall be sent back home and I will be informing your parents. Am I clear?” Rafiki said warningly.
“Yes, Uncle Rafiki.” Nefu sighed.
Behind Rafiki, Nita and Makini shared another glance, their expressions showing similar feelings of suspicion.
Nefu came over to them, settling down beside Makini. Rafiki followed him and settled down beside Nita.
“If you wanted to join the sleepover, then why didn’t you come with us?” Makini asked.
“Why are you actually here, Nefu?” Nita added.
“I’m tired of being left out. Uncle Rafiki is my uncle too. I never get to spend time with him.” Nefu responded, ignoring his sister’s question.
“You have never wanted to join in before. You’ve always made it seem like you had better things to do.” Makini pointed out.
“Of course you would have been welcome to join us at any time.” Rafiki put in quickly.
“Really? Because you’ve never tried to make me feel welcome whenever I do visit you. You’re always giving Nita and my siblings more attention than me. Ever since Nita became your apprentice, she’s always gotten more praise then I ever have.” Nefu said.
“That’s not fair.” Nita interjected, sharing an irritated look with Makini.
“It’s not, is it? How do you think it feels to overshadowed by you three and pushed to the side?” Nefu snapped.
“Nefu. That is enough. I know it may seem otherwise, but you are my nephew and I do care about you. You will always be welcome at this tree, when you wish to visit.” Rafiki said firmly.
“We can’t be together without a fight breaking out eventually, you’re literally proving it right now. The last time you were here, you destroyed valuable herbs.” Nita growled.
Nefu opened his mouth to respond, only to be cut off by Rafiki putting a palm on his shoulder.
“I think it is best if you head on home.” Rafiki said pointedly.
“Fine.” Nefu muttered, turning to bound down the slope.
Once he’d gone, Makini sighed, her eyes welling up with tears.
“I wanted tonight to be perfect.” she said mournfully.
Rafiki pressed a palm against her cheek, gently wiping her tears away.
“I apologize for his behavior, my precious.” he said soothingly.
“It’ll be okay, Makini. The night isn’t over yet.” Nita said consolingly.
“Yeah, we can still have a good time.” Anga added.
“Yes, what would you like to do now?” Rafiki asked.
Before they could answer, they heard loud shouts coming from outside the tree.
“Who’s that?” Belee asked.
“It sounded like Nahi and Kenai.” Kia said.
“Let’s go see.” Nita suggested, leading them towards a branch.
As they looked outside, they saw Denahi and Kenai approaching the tree. The two lion cubs were shouting angrily after Nefu’s retreating form.
“Young ones! Would you like to come up?” Rafiki called out.
“Sure, Rafiki.” Denahi responded.
He and Kenai bounded up the slope, and entered the tree. Belee and Kia came over to greet them, closely followed by Anga, Makini, and Nita.
“What are you two doing here? It’s past sundown.” Belee questioned.
“Kenai and I were playing Baobab Ball in the Meadow.” Denahi explained.
“We noticed Nefu heading towards here, so we decided to follow him. We didn’t want him to disrupt your night.” Kenai added.
“Why were you out playing Baobab Ball so late?” Kia asked.
“Do Mom and Dad, or Uncle Kopa and Tante Clea know where you are?” Belee questioned.
“Not exactly. We snuck out to play another game before we went to sleep.” Kenai admitted.
Rafiki chuckled.
“I shall vouch for you being out this late, if you cubs were to join us here.” he offered.
“Sure, Rafiki. Sounds like fun.” Denahi said.
Nita glanced over at Mosi and Marigold, who had fallen asleep in a nest of moss.
“I’m glad Mosi and Mari didn’t hear the argument with Nefu.” she said.
“Yes, it would have been very upsetting for the little ones to hear.” Rafiki conceded.
“What are we gonna do now?” Makini questioned.
“Would you like to hear a story?” Rafiki asked.
“We’d love that!” Nita said brightly.
“Tell us about Grandpa and Nai Nai’s coronation.” Belee requested.
“All right.” Rafiki agreed.
Category:Fanfiction
Category:Ginnyharry4ever
Category:Ginny's Fanfics