Authors note: This will be my first foray into the lion guard. So hopefully this all goes well. This will be a one shot lest there is demand for further or if other stories are sought. My main goal is romance and for this I decided to separate Kion and Rani from the rest placing them in a situation most do…lost and no idea where they are. I feel it helps in terms of character development but also strengthening the bond of the characters in play. I realize Kion is paired with some characters but felt for my first one seeing how the series is already into its run why not Rani. Set sometime in season 3.

The Lion Guard: Stranded together

Kion listened to the rumble of thunder overhead as he made his way through the rough terrain of the jungle. It was just a routine mission along with Rani, a friend of his, huh…well…it was complicated. Truth was developing between the two it almost felt closer to something more meaningful but for whatever reason stating those feelings often led to a tongueful and it felt like his entire face was on fire.

Kion was in charge of the Lion Guard and thus his main duties had been to that of the Pridelands, sometimes going outside of it to protect those in need. However due to some incidents it had left him badly scarred and he was out here with his friends looking to heal, take some time to reevaluate certain things.

Rani was not exactly who he was planning to meet but somehow she made his heart leap with joy when they were together…and when apart he desperately longed to see her again. And so this mission came to be…but…it quickly led to them out here…lost.

"I am telling you that is the same tree you passed a minute ago," Rani was the leader of the Night Pride and of course he was the leader of the Lion Guard.

"No, I am pretty sure this is not that tree. I swear it. Now come on the longer we are out here the more we'll have everyone worrying about us." Kion was not about to be told that this was the same tree from a minute ago.

"Are you always this stubborn? Fine, be my guest…but just to save time, I told you so." Rani happened to be sitting on a rock looking down at him.

"You won't have to…cause I am getting us out of here." He could do this. True it wasn't like he had help from above or the rest of his friends to rally behind, but, how hard could it be?

Kion proceeded past the tree and was determined that no matter what he not look like a fool, well, not too much that is. He pushed on feeling positive that tree was behind him and it was only as he made the turn that he found himself staring at that same exact tree.

"Hi, I'm Rani, you look awfully familiar…have we met?" Rani's cool voice reaches him and he sits on his haunches.

"Let me guess…you know the right way?" Kion had not known her long but even when she was smug she looked simply beautiful to him. Her radiance making such a situation like this almost unbearable as he should be mad or giving her lip; but, he wouldn't…he'd never.

"I wouldn't go that far, but, let me see if I can get us past this bothersome tree." Rani leaps down and her tail runs along his face as she passes him.

"You are too kind." Kion lets out a laugh as he goes to follow her. The rumbling did not cease any and soon the rain starts to fall through the canopy of trees. At this point they are running looking for any shelter that might hold them.

"We won't be able to get anywhere if we can't see what is front of us. We'll seek out shelter for the night and hope the rain goes away tomorrow." Kion didn't disagree any and soon they were hunkered in some cave.

"Um…Rani, sorry about earlier…I really did think I knew where I was going. I know it wasn't called for, but, thanks for-."

"Listen Kion, we are both leaders…so that means we have to act like it. Still…given the situation and how long we have been out here, all is forgiven." Lightning sounded and Kion found Rani nestled up against him. The closeness causing the two to blush but somehow he feels protective of her. His paw reaching behind her keeping her close to him; she does not pull away.

"We might need to stick together…you know for the night, cause it might get cold." Kion saw her raise a brow some and he coughed.

"Very well…but…only for the night. I mean what if somebody saw, could give the wrong idea." Rani eyes him some before she finally closes her eyes. "Night Kion."

Kion smiles softly and finds himself also falling to sleep. The wetness of his fur and the fact that the rain was relentless just made it soothing to hear and nothing to fear so long as they were dry. Kion would do anything for her.

The following morning the rain was just a mere sprinkle. What sunlight was out added some warmth and as Kion stirred he found himself next to Rani. Smiling at her some he nudges her with his nose and she gets up with a start.

"I never knew you were so jumpy in the morning," Kion remarked which caused Rani to clear her throat.

"Yes…well…the weather has eased up some so we should get going." Rani left the cave first and Kion simply followed.

"Are you really so insecure about what happened? I thought you looked…" He noticed her staring back at him and he felt it was his turn to clear his throat. "Well…I mean it is really just a thought, nothing really important."

Rani continued on for a bit avoiding puddles and leaping about and it was only as they made a good amount of progress that she stopped. "Kion I feel the more time we spend together…the more of myself is showing. It won't be long before I am Queen and when I am…look, I don't want things to get…complicated between us."

Kion felt his heart sink at this but there was also the fact he was only here till he got better than he would be heading back to the Pride Lands. The Tree of Life was fine and all but it wasn't home. It just irked him to no end he would not be with her. Did she feel the same way? Kion heard a roaring up ahead and as they scrambled forward they found a huge water that blocked their way from the other side.

They had come here but wound up lost…now here they were facing yet another obstacle. Kion however could not let this perturb him in the least. "Do you trust me?"

"Do I have to answer that now?" Kion waited till she took his paw. Together they bounded across the raging water on logs he had seen before. It was a bit choppy the water and he wasn't certain the two would make it…but…once across it all seemed to make sense.

"You know, you and I…we make a pretty good team. I know we come from two different places but perhaps-."

"Quit your talking, look, you might be cute but that doesn't mean you start the speech about us when there is still so much we don't know about each other. Can we please just continue?"

Kion watches her take the lead again but it is hard letting the silence go. "You know I think the only thing I heard was you thought I was cute."

Rani shakes her head some but soon they hear a call of distress. Both immediately put aside talks of feelings as they rush forth.

It takes a bit but they soon find a possum and her babies surrounded by wild snakes hissing away at them. The family was surrounded as the snakes began to slither along the ground.

"This looks bad. We should charge in…I can…" Kion wasn't sure about using the roar at the moment as he was still healing.

"I think it is important in this situation to do it with a bit of diligence, patience to ensure the family remain unharmed. Rushing in will only set the snakes upon them and while I can see where you are coming from…there is a time and place for such moves."

Kion held back his tongue knowing she was right. In the Pride Lands and with his friends such a situation would be dispersed. "So…what do we do?" Kion tensed noting how scared the babies were.

"How is your acting?" Kion tilted his head to the side not sure if he is going to like this idea or not.

Kion was not liking this idea a whole lot. He feigned injury and to make matters worse he had to actually be injured. Rani had bit his shoulder just enough for the scent of his pain to waft out to the snakes. Sure enough the snakes were beginning to alter course as nothing suited their needs more than an injured animal.

"I sure hope you know what you are doing…" Kion saw the horde of snakes or whatever a pack of slithering mass of death looked like. He had already been scarred by one and that is why he was here to begin with.

Rani for her part manages to slip in and helps the family of possum out of sight. The snakes for their part continue to hunt him down. Rani nods her head and he begins to scamper to the water. The snakes appear to let out a hiss of annoyance at their prey at being deceived. They coil along the ground snapping at the back of his paws.

Kion spots the logs and immediately jumps across. The snakes go after him but Rani is there with a branch between her teeth knocking them away. The snakes seem to reconsider before going back, those in the water could not fight the rapids as they are carried off.

Kion lands on the other side with Rani and for a moment they are staring into the other's eyes. "How did you know that was going to work?"

Rani shrugs. "I've dealt with their kind before with the Night Pride, they thrive on those who are injured. You handled yourself well amongst all of them, um, sorry about the bite…"

"Nah it is fine…a small memento from our time together. Anyway we should probably work on finding our way out of here. Still…should anyone else need help this time you will be the one acting."

"Well…only if you catch me first." Rani winked at him before racing off. Kion lets out a laugh following suit. It might have started out with them lost but he was finding it hard to deny his feelings for her, he just hoped when the time came he would stop feeling the way he did…well…maybe.

Authors note: I hope you all enjoyed. As I mentioned there is room to make further adventures but there is also room to make other stories either with Kion and Rani or someone else you have in mind for Kion.