TMNTTLK lover; We hope not, that's all I'm saying.

We're finally here, the final chapter of Delicate. I want to say that this book wouldn't of came this far without all of your reviews and comments/feedback. That I truly appreciate.

The song used is Fireflies by Owlcity.

Now, onto the story. Enjoy!

Jesùs lowered his head as tears fell. He had lost everything after just gaining it. Why did life work in such ruthless ways?

The red-brown lion was knocked out of his thoughts by a dry cough. Jesùs looked down to stare into the beautiful dark purple eyes that he fell in love with.

"Sherise..."

The dark brown lioness smiled weakly. "I love you too. I think I always did from the moment I first saw you. You captured my heart,"

Jesù as heart swelled. "I want to be with you."

Sherise smiled lightly before nuzzling her lover who gladly returned the affection.

...

It wasn't long after Dijon and Aziel retreated with the remainder of their father's followers.

Sherise, between sobs told them what happened to her father.

For the future queen to break completely down after she was told that her Grandfather Chumvi and Grandmother Nala were murdered as well.

Off to the side Jessica growled as she watched Jesùs comforted the now weeping princess.

She never was in love with Jesùs, but she hates to be humiliated. She never wanted cubs but only tolerated Brysen because he wanted the Pridelanders to suffer as well.

The tawny-white lioness herded her whitish-tan son away, that was hidden before running after Dijon and Aziel. Javion and Amell saw and lowered their heads in shame before turning to the rest of the Pridelanders.

Kiara limped over to her daughter and embraced her. "I'm so sorry dear but we must get home."

Sherise nodded in understanding. After all, they had funerals to prepare. Rain begin to pour as the Pridelanders made their terk home. The journey home, was longer than usual. Everyone was not ready to say goodbye.

...

Future Queen Sherise's dark purple eyes flew open, her breathing was labored, her heart was racing. As she worked to calm her breathing, she caught a pair of dark brown orbs staring at her in concern. There she noticed her body was drenched in a layer of sweat.

"What happened?" she groaned, disoriented.

"You were having a nightmare." a familiar deep voice answered.

"A nightmare..." Sherise suddenly remembered the rushing of the river, the knowing look in her father's eyes. Knowing that he was going to die. Or seeing the dead body of the lion she loved.

Even though the last one never happened and she thank the stars that it didn't.

Sherise let out a sigh of relief, as the lion's words sank in, it had only been a dream. At least that time it was for some of it.

"How did you know?" Sherise asked tearing herself away from the horrible memories.

"Uhh-you were yelling my name." Jesùs answered awkwardly.

"Oh." was all she could say.

It's been a week since the battle, her grandmother, grandfather and father's deaths.

After a moment, Jesùs asked, "Do you want to talk about it?"

Sherise looked out of the den. The Pridelands was now quiet...peaceful. She couldn't tell him about the nightmare, not when it was a dark memory. No.

Sherise decided, there was no need to upset anyone over a dream...no matter how terrifying or real it had once upon a time been.

"No." Sherise answered, shaking her head. "It was just a dream."

The dark brown lioness then stood and began to walk out of the cave, that was under the kopje.

"Hey, where ya' going?" the red-brown lion questioned.

"I just need some fresh air, I'm sorry I woke you." Sherise replied softly.

"No, it's alright, but are you sure you're alright?" Jesùs said, never taking his eyes off the younger female.

"Yes, I'm fine. I think I'm just going to take a walk."

"Mind if I join you?" Jesùs asked.

"Not at all." Sherise responded with a small smile.

And so the two lovers began contentedly strolling through the pale lit kingdom, heading in no particular direction.

'You would not believe your eyes, if ten million fireflies, lit up the world as I fell asleep.'

The moon that night was just shy of being a full circle, the sky was clear, and the stars bright.

Sherise breathed in the crisp night air, along with the warm scent of the lion who walked beside her. As they approached an open field they stopped...

'Cause they fill the open air, and leave teardrops everywhere, you'd think me rude, but I would just stand and...stare.'

Jesùs and Sherise looked out into the grassy field and saw strange, little blinking lights flying through the air, and resting on the grass.

"Amazing...they're...beautiful." Jesùs whispered as he continued to stare.

Since he was appointed guard, Jesùs didn't get too much time to see much of anything. Including fireflies.

Sherise couldn't help but giggle at the fascination that was in Jesùs' dark brown gaze and tone. Then before she knew what was happening, the large lion had taken off, diving into the sea of lights.

'I'd like to make myself believe that planet Earth turns slowly, it's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep, cause everything is never as it seems.'

Jesùs plunged into the field and the flashing bugs scattered, filling the air with a lively glow. Struck by a cub-like awe, he began to spin about, laughing and batting his paw at the blinking insects.

Sherise laughed before she joined him and the joy that had overtaken him, spilled over into her, and soon, she too, was dancing about the swirling lights.

'Cause' I'd get a thousand hugs from ten thousand lightening bugs, as they try to teach me how to dance. A fox-trot above my head, a sock-hop beneath my bed, a disco-ball is just hanging by a thread...

I'd like to make myself believe that planet Earth turns slowly, it's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep, cause everything is never as it seems.'

Sherise and Jesùs continued to frolic among the flashing lights that had created a circle around them.

'To ten million fireflies, I'm weird cause I hate goodbyes, I got misty eyes as they said farewell, but I'll know where several are, if my dreams get real bizarre, cause I saved a few and I keep them in a jar...'

Suddenly the fireflies began to ascend higher into the air and fly off. The two lions began to chase them, when a misstep on Sherise's part caused her to fall into Jesùs.

Sending them both tumbling to the ground. Recovering, they watched as most of the fireflies disappeared into the night. But then, the red-brown lion began to feel an odd tickling sensation in his mouth. Upon opening his jaw, Sherise saw that his whole mouth was aglow in a golden light, as three little fireflies frantically flew about.

The dark brown lioness burst into a wild fit of giggles as Jesùs spat the bugs out.

"Oh so you thinks that funny, do ya'?" the guard asked with a mock glare, "Well, let's see what you think of this!" and he pounced at her.

But the dark brown lioness scrambled out of the way before he could pin her under his body, and releasing a gleeful scream, she darted toward the cover of the grassy area, Jesùs close on her heels.

'I'd like to make myself believe that planet Earth turns slowly, it's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep, cause everything is never as it seems.'

When Jesùs finally caught up, Sherise had easily hidden herself in the foliage.

Jesùs was just about to discover her hiding place when a rustling noise from another bush caught his attention, and he stalked towards it.

Grinning slyly he said, "OK 'Reese, you can give it up, I know where you are!"

When he parted the leaves though, instead of a lioness, he found a pair of huge eyes staring up at him, before the tiny creature leaped at his face with a belting noise. It took him by surprise and before he could stop it, a shrill yelp escaped him.

Sherise, who had yet again let out an explosion of laughter emerged from her hiding place.

"Well I was going to jump out and scare you, but it looks like that zebra foal took care of that!"

Jesùs playfully growled at her.

"Oh and by the way, you scream like a girl." Sherise commented with a cheeky smile.

Jesùs suddenly charged at her, but this time the future queen held her ground, causing him to stop short. As she approached him, he could see the changed expression in her dark purple eyes.

Sherise came up to him and let the tip of her black tail tuff slid slowly beneath his chin, before turning and walking the other way, knowing he would follow.

Sherise led him to a small pool that was glimmering in the cascading moonlight. For the first time that night Jesùs realized how beautifully the pale moonlight reflected off her fur, and how the twinkle in her eyes was more brilliant than that of the heavens above.

To his surprise, she began to walk into the water, till' the only visible part of her body was her head and upper neck. She gestured for him to follow and he did.

The two lions swam through the shimmering water, the occasional brush of their bodies becoming more frequent. Neither could deny the intoxicating attraction they felt for one another, and when they finally emerged from the water, they snuggled close near the shore and began innocently grooming one another's fur, completely giving in to the tender love that was blossoming between them.

'I'd like to make myself believe that planet Earth turns, slowly. It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep, because my dreams are bursting at the seams...'