Disclaimer: I do not own the lion king or any of the characters they belong to Walt Disney I am merely borrowing them for the purposes of this story. The story however is mine and any reference to locations i.e. "Pride Rock" are creations of Walt Disney
Summary: Well this is my first fan fiction and since i have loved the film since I was like 6 I'm going to do it on TLK: D. Feel free to offer criticism but don't be too cruel, basically about Simba and Nala as cubs
And They Called It Cubby Love
Chapter 1: New members of the pride
A hearty sunny beat down on the savannah and the animals grazed, leapt, bounded and ran. All except that is for one. King Mufasa paced the inside of pride rock nerves tingling and fur on end. The king was about to step up to the most frightening prospect he had ever encounted...parenthood. His mate Sarabi had gone into labour in the early hours of that morning and Mufasa had not seen or heard from her since the lionesses took her into the den. Zazu the orange billed bird and close friend of the kings was Mufasa's major domo, and from the look of how he soared was worried about something.
"Sire am I too late!" he exclaimed landing in a swift and graceful bow, the king held a scowl before he smiled and bowed his head in acknowledgement.
"No Zazu you are right on time as always" the king beamed as the bird sighed in relief. Mufasa climbed the incline of Pride Rock and stood proud at the peak looking out across the vast plains that were his to rule, a huge sea of animals had come to witness the birth of their future king. Mufasa stood proud his thick mane blowing in the wind for a good few minutes before a soft voice floated out of the den.
"Come see your cub my King" the alluring voice of his mate drew the breath from Mufasa's lungs as he turned and hurried inside to the birthing chamber. There lay Sarabi practically glowing with pride as she cupped her new born son between her paws, and Mufasa could do little more than beam. Nuzzling his mate the king looked down on the young prince his golden fur the same as his fathers and soft tender paws of his mother. Rafiki the old baboon and Sharman to the king hobbled into the den a broad smile on his lips as he clapped eyes on the new parents, he opened his arms and grasped Mufasa in a tight embrace his eyes full of mystery and wisdom. Standing over the young cub Sarabi gave him a quick lick on the top of his head to awake the small ball of golden fur. The cub rolled over and gazed up with chocolate brown eyes to meet the red rimmed wise ones. The old monkey broke open a large fruit and wiped a small portion over the cub's forehead; he then scooped up a handful of dust and sprinkled it over the juice making the cub sneeze. The sneeze drew a grin from Mufasa who nuzzled Sarabi once more before Rafiki lifted the cub to his shoulder smiling reassuringly at Sarabi and Mufasa, he then took a steady climb with the cub to the top of pride rock and held the young prince up for the world to see. The gathering animals grunted, whinnied and roared for their future king.
Zazu stood beside the proud couple still nuzzling each other affectionately, and then feeling self conscious voiced the thing the whole den wanted to know. "Sire I don't mean to interrupt but what is the name of our new future king?" the king exchanged a look with his mate and replied "Simba"
On the edge of the savannah bordering on the desert trudged a tired lioness carrying her one week old cub in her mouth. The lionesses name was Sarafina and she carried her daughter Nala from across the desert banished by her own pride for mating with the king when he already had a mate. Had it not been for king Serbs merciful nature she would be dead and her cub killed, however as punishment for her attraction to the male whom she had loved since a cub she had been banished to find another pride or starve. In the distance the weary Sarafina saw the outline of a mighty rock erecting itself from the landscape. Her decision that day though she didn't realise it would change the very course of her daughter's life, Sarafina decided to leave her cub with a different pride and leave from shame to live alone. So she trudged the lonely path towards pride rock with her heart heaving with every step the burden of her daughter would soon be transferred from her mouth and body to her soul and her heart. She loved her Nala she was the only thing that reminded her of Serb the love of her life and savour. Little did she know that the king of these lands was more powerful and far more dangerous than her previous home.
Sarafina arrived at pride rock her paws sore her back strained and her stomach empty, but she didn't care her Nala was asleep on her back curled up safe and warm unaware that it could be the last time she ever had contact with her mother. Sarafina pulled her starving and feebler frame up the sharp jagged rocks towards the mouth of the den of pride rock, nerves kicking in she lay Nala down and stepped over her as she swallowed her fear and voiced a requesting hello into the cave. "Hello? I'm looking for the king of these great lands?"
Her voice reverberated off the inside of the dens walls and a mighty lion stepped from the shadows shaking his huge main out of his eyes, the king studied the young lioness in wonder and shock. What shocked him even more was her skinny and dirty tan coat, her tell tale sign that she wasn't a member of his pride. But the more shocking thing was the lioness held no shame, she stood proud and scared. The king stepped forward and announced himself.
"I am Mufasa king of the pride lands! Who are you?" Mufasa's booming voice awoke Nala who turned a curious blue eye on the lion before her she cocked her head to one side as Sarafina bowed her tan head low to the ground and replied. "I am Sarafina I have no home, no pride. I have been discarded for my hearts wishes and needs, but I don't want my child to suffer for my life. Please your majesty will one of your lionesses take my cub and raise her as their own so that she need not die for me nor that she may feel the shame I carry. I will leave your kingdom and never return but please I beg of you be merciful for my child" Sarafina's voice cracked slightly as a single tear fell from her turquoise eye. Mufasa regarded the half starved lioness and pitied her, but she had committed a heinous crime at her old pride how could it be sure her daughter would not be the same. Sarabi pulled up beside her mate and smiled at the young lioness. "Whatever your crimes you love your cub enough to entrust complete strangers with her and with no gain but to have her live. But a cub needs her mother I know I'm a mother myself" she said smiling at Mufasa.
Sarafina nodded sorrow gripping her heart worse, she couldn't hunt anymore she was weak ready to die and her daughter would soon follow however the queens voice stayed her paws as she prepared to pick her cub up. "You will stay with us as a queen's privilege you will be my guest and I'm sure Mufasa would agree". Sarabi looked enquiringly at her mate whom to her surprise shook his head sadly, "I'm sorry but you have committed the worst of all crimes and despite my better wishes I feel it is my duty to deny your request" Mufasa's voice was sad and sympathetic but final and Sarafina nodded accepting her fate and turned to move Nala away from the kind king. Sarabi however had other ideas, she blocked Sarafina's path and claimed happily that she knew how she could stay. Mufasa and Sarafina both cocked their heads curiously. "Muffy how many cubs have been birthed this year?"
Mufasa frowned in thought, "Six" Sarabi nodded and continued, "And what are their genders?" again Mufasa frowned in thought, "All male" and then it sunk in.
There were six cubs, they were all male. Simba was prince, he was male. There were no females his age aside this new cub before them.
Mufasa smiled and addressed Sarafina firmly but kindly, "Very well you and your cub are welcome to stay on two conditions." Sarafina blinked her mouth agape in shock she only had to hear his conditions and she was no worse off but she could be better off and she kept Nala with her but safe.
"One, you are to remain close to my mate and when you are strong once more you will be a member of the hunting party, where you will work as everyone else, and two, your daughter is to be betrothed to my son when they are old enough. My son needs a mate in the future and we have none of his age"
Sarafina was delighted, her daughter would be with her and safe AND she had a future in royalty. The two conditions were not only fair but ideal for her; however she kept her dignity intact.
"King Mufasa, your majesty I accept your conditions and will be happy to serve you" she said bowing with grace.
Mufasa smiled and returned her bow with a slight incline of the head; he passed his mate nuzzling her and stepped over towards the grass to start his morning patrol.
Nala staggers beside her mother as the three lionesses walk into the den in order to greet Simba.
First time writing Fanfic so come on review give me a chance ehhh? lol next chapter will be up ASAP and unlike some authors i wont give up on this until its finished :) oh and ive changed a few things to fit the story Nala and Simba start off shy together and yes there will be cute bits in the next couple of chapters