Ahadi sighed, watching the sun slowly rise over the horizon. His Uru was in their cave, her premature labor in full swing and the mandrill community was inside helping her. The occasional outcry shattered the early morning peace and Ahadi flinched just as his father came up over the summit.

"My son. How is she?"

"No word, Father. I do pray she will be alright."

Mohatu sighed, his eyes going to the few still-twinkling stars rapidly fading over the west side of the Pridelands. His brown mane was slowly going grey, and his eyesight was blurring, but his mind was as sharp as ever. He nudged his son, motioning him to look in the same direction. Half-heartedly, Ahadi did as told, and smiled as a small cluster of star still brightly shone on. Both of them knew the cluster all too well.

"Mom. Do you think she's watching over Uru?"

"Do I think? Now, what kind of question is that? Ahadi, your mother and mine are keeping your mate safe. And I am sure your cubs will be fine. The Great Drought, it is almost over. They'll be running on fat chubby legs in no time. You have to have faith, son. The Circle Of Life is a mysterious thing. It claims those we aren't ready to let go, yet at the same time, provides us with fresh blood to renew the old ones. Just, keep your head. Fatherhood is stressful. And if these cubs have issues from being early, it will be even harder. Know I am always here to help. I-"

Mohatu paused as soft cried hit his and Ahadi's ears, and the old king's face lit up in joy. "Well, my boy! Go on down and see your cubs!" Ahadi started down, and then hesitated, moving backwards to then sit in front of his father with his front paws aligned to a bowing stance, silently honoring his father.

"Do I have your leave, Sire?"

"Ahadi, you've been king for a few months now. No longer am I your sire, and nor do you need ask permission for leave."

Ahadi smiled, his soft green eyes going to his father's brown ones. "You will always be my king. Do you gift me permission to leave, Sire?"

Mohatu gave a soft roar, then bent his head to his son. "By Blood, and Flesh, and Power of Bone; by the Sun and Moon and Wind, I gift you permission to abide without my Presence. Ye of the Land Of Kings, I grant you your leave. Peace and Wisdom be with you, oh Warrior."

Ahadi smiled warmly then, rushing past his father and almost belly-flopping into the cave where his mate lay. Once he stepped in, he allowed his eyes to get accustomed to the darkness, ears flickering towards the gentle cried of babes and a soft purring that could only be his mate. Calling out her name, he watched warm hazel eyes look up at him, as as he neared, he saw how filled they were with love, and with worry. Keeping his steps slow and short to call out to her instincts he meant no ill will, he tried to keep his heart from bursting from within his chest. His marriage to Uru had not been a choice marriage, no. It had been chosen by his father's mother, Queen Gharama. She had been the blood-heir to the kingdom, and she was the one to care for betrothals, as was duty for the past kings or queens, called Elders. Never was it the parents to find a child for their heir to join with. But Uru had been from the pride across the river, atop the mountains. And after Elder Gharama's trip there the moon after Ahadi's own birth, she had secured a position for the future heir to their great nation. At weaning age, Uru came to live with them, and all was fine for many months.

Then, came the drought. The desperation. And in that desperation, the betrothal was nearly broken by Uru's uncle. He was selfish, and he felt that Mohatu owed them more than just an eventual land tie, especially with the hardships. Mohatu found the request for water rights reasonable, as the river severing the seperate domains had dried up, and granted them the right to find water in the Pridelands, though the water situation was not much better. Still, Ugondo was rude and made himself the enemy of the Pridelands, fighting the Prideland subjects for his own battle with thirst. Nearly causing a war, Ugondo insisted he was in the right, being the Lion Guard leader and 'in great need' for extra water to fulfill his duties to his king, to his brother. After a great debate betwixt King Mohatu and King Usicko, Ugondo was banished forever by both prides and a somewhat shaky peace was formed again. Mohatu had spoken to Usicku about sending back Uru, as an alliance between two nations was showing difficult to establish and keep in good terms, but Usicko plead with Mohatu to keep her, for he loved his daughter and knew as Queen-Consort she would achieve great honors and status. Mohatu reluctantly agreed, and no more problems arose from the other kingdom.

Uru and Ahadi grew up, and as generations before them had done, joined in love and mateship with each other for the good of both kingdoms. Though they had never gotten to be anything more than friends, albeit very good friends, they gave their relationship a hundred percent for the kingdom they both loved. And as they found it was time to fulfill their other duties and create children, they swore to each other they would love the cubs and raise them right. Though Uru and Ahadi had never fell into a love common for mates, they were still extremely protective of each other and would kill or die for each other.

Realizing he was at Uru's side, Ahadi snapped out of his musings and bent down, smiling softly. He licked hr cheek and warmly nudged her. "You still look beautiful, Uru. Even after this long labor. I am impressed. Are you well?"

A soft tingle rang out in Uru's heart at his compliments and she smiled back at her king and longtime friend. "I am tired, but I am well. We have sons, Ahadi! Three sons. They are weak, and very small...but they will be alright, I am sure. I'll nurse them as much as I can and hopefully they will gain strength. They'll be known as the very best lions this side of the Kingdoms! I just know it. Everybody will know their names!"

Ahadi smiled patiently, he loved hearing her get excited like a small cub. Laughing warmly, he lay down beside her and grinned cheekily. "And what are those names, my Diamond?"

Uru blushed. Though she did not 'love' him, she did like to be complimented, and only he was allowed to call her that. "I don't know. Here! Let me show them to you. I don't want to move them much, but these boys deserve to know their daddy."

Carefully she placed them each on the rock floor and Ahadi could only gape in wonder. When he had pictured his sons, he had not been able to think they would be this precious. One son was a pale golden color, much lighter than Uru's, and the cub opened it's eyes to reveal dark drown orbs, much like Mohatu's. Ahadi let out a soft rumble of laughter as he gazed at his son, for a second one tumbled of his own free will from the safety of it's mother to plop unceremoniously atop his brother, and his ruddy red coat made Ahad's heart skip a beat with absolute love. "This one! He looks like me, Uru! My son! He is so gorgeous. Of, course, they all are. This one even has green eyes...he is amazing, like his mother. Where is the third, my Gazelle?" His mate sighed worriedly and carefully placed her thirdborn in front of her mate, smiling faintly. The last son was a deeper golden color, the color of the dawning sun. The cub didn't make a sound as he was moved from warmth of paws to the cooler stone, and the eyes opened briefly to reveal jarring red iris's. The infant seemed to wince and closed his eyes, letting out pathetic mewls and Ahadi shuddered as he felt pain come off the cub in waves as his newborn struggled for breath.

"This one is the weakest. The other two are a touch under-developed, but this one...he is so weak, Ahadi. Our son may soon depart from us, into the Circles Glare. I pray he does not...but we must be prepared. Do you want to name them all...?"

Ahadi stared at his best friend, in one moment feeling as though she was very much a stranger. "Yes. We will name them so that if they all make that journey, each will go to the stars in greatness. How about we take turns?"

She nodded, looking ashamed she had dare imagine not naming her firstborn cubs. Clearing her throat, she nudged the pale golden one and tried to keep out the tremble in her voice as she licked her son and smiled. "Nidani. For within this child, lies greatness."

Ahadi nodded his approval and rubbed his other golden son. "Mufasa. For this child will grow to be king of the beasts in our land, respected by all and king of his brothers."

Uru smiled and licked him for that, shedding a few tears from her stress level, and then she looked at their remaining unnamed son and smiled a true smile, one that nearly blinded Ahadi in it's brilliance. "Taka. For his dirt colored coat, and because I want great things to be gifted to him in the future, but we must teach him -teach them all- that wanting is not enough, that you must have a drive to make things work."

Ahadi couldn't have been happier. He had his sons, his mate. He had his kingdom and pride, he had his father. All he needed was for his father to scout out mates for each son, and his life would be complete. Ahadi's mind was busy with thoughts of the future as he helped his Uru settle the cubs into a good suckling position and then watched over her as she fell into a much needed sleep.