Chapter One

Simba tossed and turned in his sleep, he was having *that nghtmare* again

It started off the same: a stampede in the gorge, Mufasa rescuing him, then leaping up on a cliff face, Simba now convieniently standing above him.

'Simba! help me!' Mufasa pleaded with his now-adult son. Simba reached for his dad, 'Father!' he called out

The dream changed here, Sickening female laughter came from over his shoulder, he turned to see... not his uncle as the dream usually went.

'Zira.' He said turning his gaze back to his father.

But the lion who's forepaw he now gripped was not his father, 'Kovu?' he asked, surprised to see him there.

'Simba! Help me!' Kovu pleaded, a look of terror on his face as he saw the wildebeest stampede below.

Pain shot through Simba's forearm as Zira dug her claws into his other Forepaw, 'Bastard, now you and the traitor die!' Zira said, a look of Euphoria on her face.

Simba cringed as he felt Zira's grip lessen, he knew how this dream, despite the variances, was going to end.

'Not this time.' he said in defiance of his pre-determined fate.

Zira's expression morphed into one of surprise as Simba let go of Kovu and lashed out with his now-freed forepaw, striking her across the face.

Simba looked down toward the stampede, he was horrified at what he'd just done, but he was determined not to let Kovu's sacrifice be in vain.

He rallied all of his strength into climbing up, succeeding in this; he focused his attention on the reeling Zira, but another strange thing had occurred.

The attacker wasn't Zira anymore.

'What's the matter dad? don't recognise your own son?' the new lion asked, rage evident in his tone.

Simba stood motionless in shock, 'No...you're dead...it can't be!' he shouted, closing his eyes.

The newcomer laughed, 'No dad, I'm very much alive, it was just more convienent to you for me to be dead.'

Simba forced himself to wake up. he panted heavily as his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he noticed Nala was awake and watching him with a concerned look on her face.

"The nightmare again?" Nala asked in a gentle tone

"Yeah, but it was different this time..." Simba replied, genuinely terrified of what he'd just experienced.

"How so?" Nala asked, her concern clearly evident as she asked.

"Our son was in it." Simba said, closing his eyes in pain.

"Simba...it was only a dream." Nala said, empathizing with Simba's pain, "Tano was the reason you protected Kiara in the way that you did, his death was *Not* in vain, it taught us to be more responsible parents, look what that has rewarded us with Simba, our daughter is the queen."

Simba looked Nala in her eyes, "We never found Tano's body Nala, we have to warn Kiara that there may be even the most remote chance that she has an older brother who may come seeking his rightful inheritance..."

Nala shook her head, "all this will do is start an arguement with her Simba, besides, we resigned the thrones to her and Kovu, even if Tano were alive, he'd have to wait to claim it."

Simba cringed visibly, "Scar had to wait for the throne, remember how well that went?"

Tears welled in Nala's eyes, "I lost you, for a long time I thought you had died..."

Simba nodded, "I...know, but don't you think Kiara and Kovu have the right to at least hear Tano's story? maybe they will become better parents to their cub because of it." Simba nuzzled Nala after this, the two remaining silent for some time.

Nala nodded finally and said, "very well, tommorrow we'll tell them." she tackled Simba and added, "did you ever think of me during those years in that jungle?"

"Are you kidding? all the time!" Simba answered truthfully as he reversed Nala's hold on him, pinning her to the ground.

Nala licked him across the face, "Good." she said, a smile on her face.

Simba licked her back, "So, how does becoming a grandparent in a couple of days feel to you? I feel too damn old..." a cheezy smile crossing his face as he said this

Nala laughed, "you *are* old, it comes with the title." she shook Simba off of her, stood and added, " it hasn't really impacted me yet, let me see how I feel on presentation day."

Simba smiled, "Well if I'm old, you have to be old too, I'm not doing this aging thing by myself." he joked, in an attempt to get a reaction out of Nala

Nala feigned offense and replied, "Fine, I know someone who'll be sleeping outside, while his ancient mate enjoys the warm comfort of her den."

Simba's smile widened, "go ahead, wouldn't be the first time I slept outside." he joked

Nala laughed, "Please, you'll freeze without me at your side." she said, shivering for emphasis

Simba nodded, "True, but it's only because you are so hot." he said, a clever looking smile on his face.

Nala smiled, "Simba, are we trying to sweet talk our way back into the den? 'cause it worked."

The two returned to the den, they fell quickly back to sleep, but it wasn't long before the nightmare resurfaced...

A/N: I began the sequel! if you read this one first, you may understand what is going on, but you might want to read, 'Finding the Way' to know who some (one or two) of the OCs in this one are. Dream for a chapter two soon Mi Amigos!

Disclaimer: yeah, I didn't put this in my last one, but I am not fortunate enough to own any of the rights to any characters (Except my OC 'Ra') or locations mentioned in this fanfic, those are locked up in a Disney vault somewhere in Florida.