The Lion Guard: Unexpected Romance

Author's Note: This fanfic was updated on July 4th, 2024, nine years after publication.
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On a calm day in the Pridelands, Kiara, Vitani, and Clea had decided to spend the day in the Meadow. The three of them had been excused from the hunting party, and Nala had offered to look after Denahi and Belee. 
Currently, they were settled down underneath the baobab tree. 
"I appreciate the two of you inviting me to come along today." Vitani said.
"Of course, Tani. You're our sister." Kiara said.
"We'd never leave you out." Clea added.
"There's actually something I wanted to talk to you two about." Vitani continued.
"What is it, Tani?" Kiara asked.
"I've fallen in love with Kora." Vitani admitted.
Kiara and Clea exchanged a knowing glance, both of them had already taken notice of Vitani's emotions when around Kora.
"That's wonderful, Tani. We're so happy for you." Clea said, her eyes shining with a look of understanding and compassion.
"Are you okay? I know how overwhelming it can seem at first." Kiara added.
"Most of my life has been spent taking care of Kovu, protecting him from Nuka's bullying, or trying to soften Mother's training. I never put much thought into finding a mate or falling in love, until now. I know I will be happy with Kora, if he chooses me as his mate." Vitani said.
"You deserve to have all the happiness you want, Tani." Clea told her.
"Kovu wants you to be happy, we all want you to be happy. If being Kora's mate is what you want, then we'll support you." Kiara put in.
"I know. It's not Kovu I'm worried about, it's Kora's family. You know what his mother and sister are like. They already resent the fact that I was welcomed as a member of your family, who knows how they'll react to Kora and I becoming mates." Vitani confessed.
"Tani, listen to me. It's not their opinion that matters here. The only opinions that matter are yours and Kora's. You have the support of the royal family behind you. Kata and Maya can't do much to protest against that." Kiara said.
"Besides, we all know that Kora is just as in love with you. He won't let his family interfere with the two of you becoming mates." Clea said.
"I'm sure they won't appreciate the fact that our future cubs will have mixed heritage." Vitani pointed out.
"Denahi and Belee also have mixed heritage, Tani. It's nothing to be ashamed about." Kiara reminded her.
"Your children are royalty." Vitani countered.
"Any children you have will have a blood connection to the monarchy." Kiara told her.
Suddenly, Clea glanced up as Kora and Kovu approached them, having been asked by Kopa to find the three of them in the Meadow.
"Look who's here, Tani." Clea said.
Vitani glanced up, her blue eyes widening with surprise as she caught sight of Kora.
"W-What's he doing here?" she questioned, feeling her heartbeat quicken as the two of them came closer to the three lionesses.
"We're just as surprised as you are." Kiara said.
Her eyes softened with affection as Kovu approached them, Kora following behind him.
"I thought you'd three would be on the hunt with Nala today." Kovu said.
"Mom gave us the morning free from the hunt. What are you two doing here?" Kiara asked.
Before Kovu could answer, Clea cleared her throat pointedly, noticing the love in Kora's gaze as his eyes met Vitani's.
"Vitani, would you like to rest on Sunningrocks with me?" Kora asked.
"Yes. I'd love to." Vitani replied immediately.
The two of them stood up, beginning to make their way towards the rock formation. As they watched them head off, Kiara, Clea, and Kovu exchanged satisfied looks.
"I'd say our plan was a success." Kiara said.
"Yes, my love. They'll be very happy together. It'll be great to have Kora as a brother." Kovu said. 
"Nothing left to do now but wait." Clea commented.
By that point, Kora and Vitani had settled down on Sunningrocks. 
"It's peaceful here." Kora observed.
Vitani nodded in agreement.
"Yes, it is. It's beautiful here as well. I always like coming here." she said.
"I'm glad you're here today. I've been meaning to ask you something for a while." Kora told her.
"What is it?" Vitani questioned.
Kora moved closer to her, gently brushing his tail along her flank, entwining it with hers.
"Vitani, I've fallen in love with you. I want us to be mates. Will you be my mate?" he asked.
"W-What about your family? What will they think?" Vitani asked.
"I don't care about what they think. I love you, Vitani. I want to be with you." Kora said firmly. 
"I love you too, Kora. I'd be honored to become your mate." Vitani said.
She leaned forward, pressing her muzzle against Kora's affectionately.
"We'd better go home to tell the pride and my family." she said.
"I'm looking forward to being welcomed into your family." Kora told her.
"Nahi and Belee will love having another uncle." Vitani said.
The two of them stood up, beginning to make their way towards Pride Rock. Once they'd gone, Kovu, Kiara, and Clea stood up from where they'd been settled down underneath the baobab tree.
"I'm so glad our plan worked. They'll be perfect together." Kiara observed.
"Yes. My sister deserves to be with a mate who loves her and who will make her happy." Kovu said.
"We should head back. We don't want to miss the announcement." Clea pointed out.
"That's a good idea." Kiara said.
The three of them began to head towards Pride Rock, still excitedly discussing Kora and Vitani's romance.
When they arrived, they saw that the pride had gathered around Kora and Vitani.
As they approached, Simba and Nala emerged from the entrance to the den, joining the crowd gathered around Kora and Vitani.
"It appears there's an important announcement to be made." Simba said.
Kora and Vitani exchanged a glance.
"Kora and I are going to be mates. We've fallen in love with each other." Vitani said.
Simba and Nala shared a glance, their expressions showing identical looks of warmth and understanding. 
"That's wonderful, Tani. Nala and I are very happy for the two of you." Simba said.
"Thank you, Simba." Vitani replied.
In the crowd, Kora's mother, Kata, and sister, Maya exchanged identical scowls of frustration and anger. Vitani glanced at them apprehensively, before her attention was drawn to Kion, Denahi, and Belee, who were waiting for their turns to congratulate herself and Kora.
"Come here, my darlings." Vitani invited warmly.
Immediately, the three of them rushed towards her.
"Is there really going to be a marriage ceremony, Aunty?" Denahi asked.
"Yes, Nahi. After Kora and I become mates, he'll be your uncle." Vitani told him.
"He'll be like another brother to me." Kion put in. 
Vitani chuckled, ruffling Kion's head tuft affectionately.
"That's right, sweetheart." she said fondly.
Belee's eyes were shining with excitement as she watched Kora press his muzzle against Vitani's cheek.
"I'm so excited!" she said brightly.
"I'm excited too, darling." Vitani said.
From behind them, Simba cleared his throat.
"When do you want the marriage ceremony to take place?" he asked.
"Tomorrow. Kora and I want to be married as soon as possible." Vitani answered.
"Excellent. I shall have Zazu inform Rafiki." Simba said.
"We don't want a big fuss. The kingdom doesn't have to witness it, just the pride." Vitani said quickly.
"Of course, Tani. We understand." Nala said.
Kiara stepped forward to stand beside Vitani.
"Perhaps we should all get some rest. Tomorrow's a big day." she suggested.
"That's an excellent idea, Kiara." Simba said.
The next morning, the pride assembled outside the den, joined by Timon, Pumbaa, and Zazu. Simba and Nala appeared in the entrance to the den, beginning to make their way down the pathway towards the peak. Kopa, Kiara, and Kion followed, leaving Kovu and Vitani at the entrance to the den. 
"Are you ready, Tani?" Kovu asked his sister.
Vitani nodded, her gaze focused on Kora, who was waiting on the peak.
The two of them began to make their way down the pathway. Once they reached Kora, Kovu stepped aside to join Kiara, as Rafiki approached, coming up to join them on the peak. 
"What a very special day this is." Rafiki said warmly.
"Yes, it certainly is." Kora agreed, watching Vitani affectionately.
Rafiki's gaze swept across the assembled pride, Timon, Pumbaa, and Zazu.
"As we stand here, in the presence of the pride, and your families, it is my very great pleasure to bless this union. May the two of you have many seasons of happiness." Rafiki said, raising his staff above their heads, and shaking it. Vitani moved closer to Kora, nuzzling him affectionately.
Simba stepped forward, his expression softening as his gaze rested on Vitani.
"I shall like to take this opportunity to welcome Kora as a member of my family. I'm very proud to offer royal titles to himself and Tani, should they choose to accept them." he said.
Kora and Vitani exchanged a glance. 
"We'd like to decline your offer, Simba. Kora and I want to raise our future cubs without the pressure of being titled royalty." Vitani told him.
Simba nodded, an expression of understanding in his eyes.
"I understand, Tani. I promise that you and Kora, and your future children will always be welcome as members of my family." he said.
"Thank you, Simba." Vitani said gratefully, stepping forward to nuzzle him affectionately.
From the crowd, Kata and Maya exchanged disgusted looks, their eyes reflecting each other's frustration and anger. Kora glanced over at them, noticing the hostility in their eyes.
"If you two have something to say, go ahead and say it." he challenged them, a note of anger in his tone.
"Why would you decline royal titles, Kora? You already went against my wishes when you decided to marry her, the least you could've done was receive some advantages from this disastrous union." Kata said scathingly.
"What makes you so sure she'll be a good mate? She might not even be able to give you cubs." Maya added.
Kora stalked forward to face his mother and sister, his eyes burning with an expression of intense anger and fury.
"You want to know how I'm sure Vitani and I are perfect for each other? Because we love each other. Vitani is a wonderful lioness. I know she'll be a fantastic mother someday. It's your own choice if you want to be a part of my life and see our children. I'm leaving that up to you. I strongly advise you to watch what you say about my mate from this moment on." Kora told them firmly.
Simba stepped forward to stand beside Kora.
"The two of you need to go back inside. Now. You've lost the privilege to see Kora and Tani off on their trip to Hakuna Matata." he said.
Still scowling angrily, Kata and Maya pushed past the pride, heading inside the den.
Kovu stepped forward to stand at Vitani's side, gently brushing his tail along her spine.
"Are you okay, Tani?" he asked gently.
Vitani nodded.
"I'll be fine, Kovu." she assured him. 
Kovu's expression softened, and he leaned over to nuzzle his sister's cheek affectionately.
"Dad and Grandmama would be so proud of you, I know I am. I have no doubt that you and Kora will be happy together." he told her.
"Thanks, Kovu. I love you. I think Dad and Grandmama would be proud of you too." Vitani answered.
"I love you too. Have a good time in Hakuna Matata." Kovu replied.
Kiara and Clea came over to them, their eyes shining with pride and excitement. 
"We're so happy for you two!" Kiara said excitedly.
"Thanks, Kiara." Vitani said.
"How long will you be in Hakuna Matata?" Clea questioned.
"Just a quarter-moon." Kora replied.
"Shouldn't you get going then?" Kiara asked.
Vitani nodded.
"See you soon." she said.
She and Kora bade goodbye to their family, beginning to head down the pathway towards the grasslands.
Category:Fanfiction
Category:Ginnyharry4ever
Category:Ginny's Fanfics
Category:Love Stories