A/N: Please don't leave reviews telling be I got the back story wrong. I can't get a hold of the books and am going off what I found on the internet. Beyond that enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Never Forget

Chapter 1: Childhood Friends

"Mufasa." Rafiki said to his friend's oldest son. "Your brother is here." The ape held the small bundle of dark fur to the small lion cub. The two cubs looked at each other with wide, staring eyes.

"What's his name?" The golden-furred cub asked, a curious look in his eyes. His mother and father walked up next to their friend. Uru nuzzled here older son as Ahadi gazed at his newborn with a small smile.

"Taka." Uru said with a smile of her own.

"Taka?" Mufasa had a puzzled look on his face. He looked at his little brother and a wide grin spread across his face. "Hi Taka!"

Three months later…

"Taka!" Mufasa pounced on his younger brother with a huge laugh. The dark-furred cub looked at him, an annoyed look on his face.

"A simple hello would have sufficed." His green eyes revealed his good humor. "What do you want?" He asked as he attempted to remove the much heavier Mufasa.

"Sarabi and Sarafina wanted to know if you want to play." He finally allowed his brother to sit up. "So do you?" Taka looked thoughtful for a moment before grinning wickedly and pouncing on Mufasa. They tumbled in the grass for a moment before rolling to a stop, Taka having pinned Mufasa to the ground.

"How's that for an answer?" He climbed off his brother and began walking towards the water hole.

"Where're you going?" Mufasa climbed to his paws hurriedly and ran to catch up with Taka.

"To get Zira." He said simply, the wind blowing through his tiny, black mane. They walked in silence for a moment before Mufasa spoke up again.

"Why do you two always play together?" His brown eyes studied his brother. Taka scoffed at his brother in irritation.

"She's my best friend, why wouldn't I play with her." He smiled lightly. "What about you and Sarabi? It's rare to find one of you without the other." Mufasa stared at him curiously.

"What's that supposed to mean?" At this Taka's smile grew to a full grin.

"You two are betrothed aren't you?" He glanced at his brother's confused expression before answering the unasked question. "Betrothed means one day you two will be married."

"What?" Mufasa jumped in alarm. "Why would we do that? She's my friend!" He looked around wildly. "That'd just be weird." Taka laughed at his brother's distress.

"Not as weird as marrying a stranger." He continued walking towards the water hole. "Zira!" He called as they neared. He and Mufasa exchanged confused looks when they heard a yelp followed by a large splash.

"Maybe you shouldn't have yelled?" Mufasa asked his younger brother.

"You're probably right." They ran the rest of the way to the water hole. When they arrived they saw a soaking wet Zira sitting next to her mother. "Zira?" Taka called to her again. She glanced at him sullenly.

"What do you want?" She asked as her mother attempted to clean her matted fur.

"Two baths in one day Zira?" Mufasa asked, sitting just out of reach of her claws. Taka lay down next to him.

"Very funny." The lioness muttered to herself. Taka smiled at his friend.

"When you've finished your bath, would you like to play with us?" He asked, hiding his amusement. Her glares softened when focused on the younger of the two brothers.

"Mom?" She asked, her brown eyes pleading. Her mother looked thoughtful for a moment before she smiled at Taka.

"You'll take care of her?"

"Mom!" Zira sighed exasperatedly. Taka looked at her, confused at her reaction.

"Of course." He said, nodding to Zira's mother.

"Then of course she can go with you." The three cubs smiled and ran towards Pride Rock. Zira's mother smiled after them before walking off to join the nearby hunt.

"Taka?" Zira began as they raced towards their home. The dark-furred cub glanced at her as they both struggled to keep up with Mufasa. He merely grunted in reply. "What are we doing?"

"In general or right now?" He asked, slowing down despite his brother's enthusiasm. "Mufasa if you keep going we're going to find something more…entertaining to do." He glanced towards a large, shadowy area in the distance. Mufasa stopped running and looked at his brother pleadingly.

"Please don't go to the elephant graveyard again." He looked around to see if anyone was listening. "I thought dad was going to kill us last time." Taka frowned at his words.

"Fine, we'll just play with you guy's today." He said with a weary sigh. They were now close enough to Pride Rock to see their friends waiting for them.

"Sarabi! Sarafina!" Mufasa ran ahead to greet them. Taka watched as the three of them ran around together. He was brought out of his thoughts when Zira nuzzled up against him.

"What's wrong Taka?" She asked with a smile. He returned her grin.

"Nothing." He stretched tiredly. "What were you asking earlier?"

"I was asking what we're doing." He glanced at her.

"About?"

"You know…" She looked at Pride Rock worriedly.

"Don't worry about it." He looked at the others just in time to see Sarabi pin Mufasa to the ground.

"Shall we Taka?" Zira asked, nodding to Mufasa as he climbed to his paws.

"Let's." They ran to the others, Taka jumping onto his brother. "Surprise!" He called as they all tumbled to the ground.

From atop Pride Rock, Uru watched the cub's play with a smile. Ahadi walked up next to her and frowned at how close they seemed to be. She noticed his grim attitude and nuzzled up against him.

"What's wrong?" She asked him as he continued to watch the cubs.

"When they grow older there will come a time when a king must be chosen." Uru pulled away from him with a frown. "The law must be obeyed." He said in a level voice, refusing to look at her.

"The law could tear them apart." She said, pacing back and forth behind him. "How are we supposed to tell them this?"

"We won't. They'll do as my brother and I did." He said simply.

"Your brother tried to kill you!" She was horrified with where the discussion was going. "Do you want that to happen to them?" He lowered his head sadly.

"The Pridelands can have only one king. One must leave or die." He glanced at her, his eyes filled with resolve. "That is the law."