The golden sunlight of the savanna stretched across the Pride Lands, casting a warm glow over the endless plains. Birds chirped cheerfully in the acacia trees, and a gentle breeze rustled through the tall grass. For many, it was the perfect day to be out and about. But for one young lioness, perfection was often in the details—especially if those details involved her fur. Zuri padded along a well-worn path leading from Pride Rock, her glossy tawny-orange coat groomed to immaculate perfection. She paused every few steps to check for any stray twigs or specks of dirt, using her reflection in a nearby watering hole to fuss over her fur. The small tuft on her head stood flawlessly, and her blue eyes scanned her appearance with critical precision. “Ugh, why does it have to be so… dusty out here?” she complained with a dramatic sigh, rolling her eyes. “Honestly, this heat isn’t doing my fur any favors.” Beside her, Tiifu, her closest friend, seemed content and unbothered by the weather, while Kiara, the future queen, had ventured off somewhere ahead, likely chasing after some important task or training session. “I just don’t get why anyone wants to get all sweaty and gross,” Zuri muttered to Tiifu, who nodded sympathetically. “Why can’t someone else just bring us food? It’s not like there’s a shortage of zebra out here.” As they meandered closer to the tall grass, a rustling sound caught Zuri’s attention. Her heart skipped a beat, and she took a step back, her claws instinctively unsheathing with a sharp snikt sound. “Tiifu, did you hear that?” she whispered, her voice shaky yet laced with drama. “If it’s something dangerous, I just got my claws done, and I am not ready to get them all scuffed up! Ugh, why can’t Kion be here when you actually need him?” The rustling grew louder, and Zuri’s ears flattened. With a tense flick of her tail, she prepared herself for whatever was about to emerge. But as she waited, she couldn’t help but wonder if she was about to be covered in mud yet again.