Simba wasn't an only child, or cub rather, another had been born to Mufasa and Sarabi hours after their first. He hadn't been presented to the animals who called the Pride Lands home because for one, Simba would be the next king, two… he was white. White was a rare color for a lion and unacceptable where many were concerned, often abandoned and left to die. But Mufasa and Sarabi were too noble and loving to do such a thing, but the white one would surely be shunned, so he was kept secret. As aforementioned, he was born hours after Simba, a good bit smaller than his brother, with white fur and pale yellow markings. When the two opened their eyes weeks later, Simba's were the same orange as his parents, his brother's however were a pale blue.

"'Dis one is very different," Rafiki said as he looked upon the two cubs, "all his features are seldom seen in lions. Der are such incidents as this and de cubs, dey are abandoned."

"We will not abandon him," Mufasa said resolutely.

"I would not expect you to," the old baboon returned, "but udder creatures may target him. It would be best he not be presented at de ceremony."

So it was decided when most of the lionesses agreed that it was for the best; they were fond enough of the little white one. He was endearing with such white fur and yellow spots and his eyes were so beautiful.

There were, however, a few lionesses that felt the cub should have been killed and thought Mufasa weak not to do so. They were led by Zira, a conniving, cruel lioness whose heart was set on Scar, the king's younger brother. She had convinced the rest of those that wished for the cub's death that a white coat was reason enough to get rid of the thing. A white coat would stand out as clear as day against the yellow grasses of the savannah and ruin any hunt attempted by him. But Sarabi slept with her cubs close by her with the other lionesses surrounding their king and queen. Growing up, the boys were as close as Mufasa and Scar had once been, though the younger was more obedient. He had been named Marius, a name Rafiki derived from the human name for the morning star. Marius understood that Simba would rule one day as king and he had no problem with that.

Remembering Ahadi's favoritism toward himself that likely led to Scar's hatred, Mufasa did not take favorites. He treated both of them equally and loved one as much as the other. Simba was rambunctious, always eager to show-off and try to be like his father, but always getting into mischief. Marius was the voice of reason, combining Scar's intelligence with Mufasa's fun-loving, but noble nature. He never wandered far from Pride Rock, content to play and venture into the more private areas where the lionesses spent their free-time. He and Simba had their wrestling matches, their rough-housing, and Marius showing-up Simba by pinning Nala. Marius sat in the den while the lionesses had gone on a hunt; he was usually with Sarabi, but the grasslands were forbidden territory for him.

"Hey, Marius!" Simba called, running eagerly toward where his brother lay.

"What?" he asked, not bothering to look up.

"Uncle Scar just told me about this really neat place!" he replied.

"Which was?" Marius raised his head, an ear perked indicating he was listening.

"He told me about the elephant graveyard! He said only the bravest lions go there."

"Simba… you're not thinking what I think you're thinking, are you?"

"Well, what do you think I'm thinking?"

"That you're gonna go there."

Simba grinned, cockily, "Sounds like a good idea to me."

"Simba…" Marius stood up, "That's beyond our borders. Dad said never to go there, we're not supposed to. Besides, that's the hyenas' territory."

"So? Zazu said they're just slobbering, mangy, stupid poachers."

"Simba, it's not a good idea, you shouldn't go."

"I'm not going by myself."

"Really?"

"No way! You're coming with me… aren't you?"

"Simba, we aren't allowed to go beyond our own borders. I'm not even supposed to leave the den when Mom's on a hunt."

"We'll go around the back."

"Simba, I'd get into enough trouble for leaving the den, let alone the elephant graveyard. I'd rather not."

"C'mon, Marius. If we get caught, I'll tell Dad it was my fault. Please?"

Marius, bit his lower lip, thinking; it was very tempting, to go where no cub had gone before…

"Aw, Simba… Sorry, but I really don't…"

"Don't give me that 'I don't wanna'! I know you do wanna…"

"But I don't wanna get in trouble."

"C'mon, man, I'll take the blame if we get caught!"

"I'd still get in trouble… if only for leaving the den."

"Fine, stay here, I'll go. Maybe Nala'll come," Simba turned and left.

Mufasa entered a few minutes later, having taken care of the hyenas that had ventured into the Pride Lands.

"Marius," he called.

"Yeah, Dad?" he asked trotting up to the large golden lion.

"C'mon," his father smiled down at him, "Your mother's back from the hunt."

Marius ran ahead of his father, smiling as his mother approached them, and wound himself around her leg. She dropped the bit of zebra leg that she had brought for him and he pounced right on it.

"I'm going to head down soon to talk Sarafina," Sarabi said as Marius ate.

"Oh yeah?" he asked through his last mouthful.

"What have I told you about talking with your mouthful?" Sarabi mildly scolded him.

"Sorry," he answered.

"Oh, look at you," Sarabi chuckled, "You need a bath."

"Aw, Mom," he moaned as she picked him up in her mouth.

Sarafina was beginning to give Nala a bath, when they arrived, Sarabi jumping up onto her usual rock shaded by a little tree.

"Hey, Auntie," Marius said as Sarabi gave him his bath.

He had always affectionately known Sarafina as 'Auntie' since she was his mother's best friend and Simba's future mother-in-law.

"Good afternoon, Marius," she smiled between licks.

"How's the view down there, Nala?" he asked the cub between Sarafina's paws.

"Brown," she replied, looking down at the dirt.

It was after Marius had had his bath and was napping beside Sarabi that Simba trotted over before going off with Nala, Zazu overhead keeping on eye on them. As soon as Sarabi and Sarafina had dozed off, Marius got up, silently, to go after Simba and Nala. He had a strong feeling that something was going to happen, something bad…