The red African sun barely peaked over the horizon. Already, a lion cub was out of the den trying to figure out how to get down the steep rocks. Her brother Mufasa stayed inside and watched her.

"Come on Mufasa! Don't you wanna know what's out there?" She yelled.

"No. Actually, I do not. Come inside Miki. It's dark."

Miki rolled her eyes and followed him inside. Her mother picked her up and set her on the cold stone floor. Their father had already left that morning and Miki really wanted to go with him. But he wouldn't let her.

Mufasa came over and curled up next to her. Oh well. She would go out when it lighter.

Miki woke up a few hours later to her mother licking her clean. "Ewe! Come on! Let me go!" She broke free and rolled uncontrollably backwards. Miki landed painfully at the base of pride rock. "Well, that works. " She said, walking off as if this was her plan all along.

"Miki! How did you get down there? Come back up here!" Yelled her brother. She smiled and began walking off.

He began to follow her but stopped when she saw a large lion grab her in his teeth. He walked back to the top with her hanging limply. "Daddy! Stop. Come on." He tried not to laugh as she pawed his almost black mane. Mufasa ran inside when he saw his father coming.

The dark colored lion set Miki down so she overlooked the valley. She tried smoothing down her fur. But stopped when she saw her dad watching her. He smiled down at her kindly. But even as young as she was, Miki saw great pain in her father's eyes.

"Miki. What do you see?"

She looked around. "I don't know. Dirt, grass, trees."

He shook his head. "This is the Pride Lands. It is our home. The land cares for us, but it has many dangers. I know you want to run around and see what's out there. I did when I was your age. But I want you safe. You must stay here until you are a bit bigger. Okay?"

She rolled her eyes but went back inside.

Miki and Sanu played together for a while. Their parents watched. They were twins. And some day, Sanu would be king. Which was best, because Miki was just as reckless as both her parents had been. She would defiantly get into some trouble someday.

Their father looked back toward them. Sanu was lying on the ground alone. The end of Miki's tail dropped over the side of the rock.

He jumped up and ran toward her. "Kiara, your daughter is gone again."

Kiara smiled and ran in front of him. She scooped up Mufasa. "Oh no, Kovu, this one is mine. She is yours. You deal with her." Kovu looked over at the child, getting further from them. Kiara smiled smugly and turned away. "Who does she remind you of? Just like my father, and both of us. The circle of life continues."

Kovu darted out. "I'll go get her. Just, no singing!"