A/N: Did you all like that cliffhangar I left you on? Maybe you didn't and you're all angry... Oh well...

A Father's Return

Chapter One: Shock

"What?" Was the only thing Nala could say to the lion that had suddenly appeared. After coming from their adventure in the Badlands, this was the last thing she expected to happen. A mysterious lion had appeared, claiming to be her father.

"Don't look so surprised." The lion told her. "Surely you knew you have a father?"

This couldn't be true... Nala's father was dead. Roka's father had murdered him, she still remembered the sadness of that event. So, how could this be her father? There was no way this guy was telling the truth.

"I've been looking for you for a long time." he told her, "Come, why don't we take a walk?"

"Don't do it, Nala." Simba warned her. "We don't know this guy."

"Don't worry." Nala told him, "I'm not going anywhere. He isn't my father. My father was murdered."

"Who told you that?" the lion asked. "Your mother?"

"I was there when it happened." Nala said, "I know who my real father is."

"Obviously your mother lied to you..." he said, "She's not a very good parent, is she?"

Nala was about to argue back, but then she heard her mother calling her.

"Nala!" they all heard Sarafina's voice call, "Where are you?"

"At the water hole, Mom!" Nala yelled back, "You need to come down here for a minute!"

A few moments later, Sarafina came into view. She froze when she saw the lion that was standing with Simba, Nala, and Haiba. He was the last animal that she needed to deal with.

"Nala," Sarafina said, "you three go back to Pride Rock. Now."

"He says he's my dad." Nala said, "Dad was killed, remember? This guy says that he wasn't my father."

"Nala..." Sarafina said with frustration, "Go."

Nala, Simba, and Haiba could sense the immense anger in Sarafina's voice. They decided that it would be best to do what they were told, though Nala was a little reluctant to leave her mother with this lion.

Sarafina waited until the cubs were out of sight before she spoke. "Buko!" She hissed at the lion as she spun around to face him. "I told you that I never wanted to see you again!"

"Be reasonable, Sarafina." Buko said, "I'm only here too see my daughter. who you've apparently been lying to... Not letting her know her true dad, it's quite a shame."

"My children don't need scum like you in their lives!" She spat, "I suggest you leave before I inform the king you're here."

Buko ignored her threat, but still had a bit of a surprised look on his face. "Children?" He had no idea that he had another cub.

Sarafina had never told him when she was pregnant with Mheetu. As far as she was concerned, Buko wasn't their father, she had met someone when she had arrived in the Lake Pride who was much better than Buko. Nala and Mheetu didn't need Buko in their lives... That would only make everything worse for them... Just like he had done to Sarafina's life. The only good thing that came from being with him were her cubs.

"Yes," Sarafina said, "as in more than one. You didn't deserve to know about your son, and I made sure Nala wouldn't remember you. They don't need to know what kind of monster you are. They had someone who really loved them. You wouldn't have."

"Oh, Sarafina..." Buko said. "You don't get anywhere by lying to your cubs."

Sarafina growled at him, "Just leave... If I see you anywhere near either of my children again, I will kill you."

"Heh..." Buko laughed, "Sarafina, you haven't seen the last of me, and neither has Nala. Go ahead and warn your pride... I'll get what I want, one way or another." He left the water hole, leaving Sarafina glaring at him as he was walking away.

"I don't get it..." Nala said as she, Simba, and Haiba walked back to Pride Rock. "My father was killed, there's no way that guy is telling the truth."

"Unless your mother lied about that other lion being your father." Haiba suggested, which only got him a nasty glare from Nala.

"My mother wouldn't lie to me!" Nala yelled.

"I was just throwing it out there." Haiba said, "I don't really think she is."

"I really didn't like that guy." Simba said, "There was something about him... Something bad... Just his presence was enough to intimidate..." Simba was right about that. That lion didn't seem like someone who you would mess with.

"I hope my mother is okay..." Nala said, looking back over her shoulder. "I didn't like leaving her down there with him."

They then heard someone walking up fast behind them. They turned around and saw that it was Sarafina. She stopped next to them and looked at Nala. She looked pretty upset.

"Nala," She said, "I need to talk to you and your brother. Follow me." She led the cubs back to Pride Rock. Now she had to tell Nala and Mheetu the truth...

Mheetu was still sitting by Tora's side when Simba and Haiba walked over to him.

"Your mom needs to see you." Simba told him. "I think it's important."

"Alright." Mheetu replied, "Can you keep an eye on Tora? She's still in a lot of pain."

"Don't worry." Haiba said, "I'll watch her."

"Thanks." Mheetu told Haiba, but as he walked by Simba, he whispered something in his ear. "Can you keep an eye on Haiba?"

"Yep." Simba told him, "I got him."

Mheetu continued over to the den entrance, where his mother and sister were waiting for him. Once he reached them, Sarafina led them down Pride Rock.

"It's time I told you two something..." Sarafina said, not wanting to continue. "Nala, that lion you saw earlier..."

"Yeah?" Nala said, wanting her to continue.

Sarafina took a deep breath before revealing the truth, "He's your real father..."

A/N: Now Nala and Mheetu know the truth... The lion they thought was their father really isn't. Mheetu might be a little confused, but it will be cleared up for him next time... Obviously, Boku is up to something, but what?