This is my first fic so no flames please. If you really feel you need to flame me, then go ahead. This chapter is short because I had trouble getting started. Please R&R!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Lion King. It is the property of Disney. I only ownTalib,the plot in this story, and any lions not original to TLK.

Her cub was finally old enough to leave the cave and go out on his own. She was worried he would get into trouble but she figured that it was because it would be the first time he'd be on his own for a while. As her son ran up to her, she smiled.

"Mom, can I go play now?" The cub looked at his mother questioningly.

She laughed. "Yes, but Talib, be careful."

Talib rolled his eyes. "I will mom."

She licked him. "I know you will."

As she sat atop Pride Rock, she still couldn't help but worry. He was her only son and the only heir to the throne when it was time for her and Kovu to step down. Her mate joined her.

"I see Talib was eager to go exploring." Kovu said.

"Yes, he was. Do you think he'll be okay?"

"Kiara don't worry. Besides, I saw him leave with Acacia's son, Thorn."

Kiara sighed knowing very well that she had behaved the same way when her father let her go out for the first time. Simba and Nala, her parents and former king and queen had joined the past rulers when they passed away a little after Talib had been born. A mysterious disease had taken the former rulers.

Out on the savanna, Talib and Thorn were taking in the sights. Neither one of the cubs had ever been out on the savanna. They marveled at all the different animals they saw. They rested under the shade of a tree for a few minutes.

"Those elephants were huge!" Talib exclaimed.

"I know. I can't believe our parents let us go exploring on our own." Thorn lay down in the shade.

Talib, however, wanted to go exploring some more. "Let's go visit Rafiki."

Thorn stood and looked at his friend. "Rafiki lives beyond the limit our parents said we could go."

Talib smirked. "It's not that far."

Thorn growled. "Talib, I am not going against my mother's rule. I will not go."

Talib sighed heavily. "Fine. You win. Let's go play near the watering hole."

"Okay!" The two cubs made a game out of going to the watering hole. They raced to see who could get there first. Talib was the first only by a little.

"I won!" Talib jumped around the other cub.

Thorn pounced on Talib. "I'll show you!" The two cubs wrestled until they were bored and found another game to play. The two cubs chased frogs around the pond. Thorn found a large bullfrog and when he tried to pounce on it, he slipped and fell face first in the mud. Talib laughed at his friend. Completely covered in mud, Thorn pounced his friend again making mud stick to

Talib nodded and the two cubs made a mad dash for Pride Rock. But they weren't fast enough to get back before the rain fell. They climbed Pride Rock to get to the cave. Thorn slipped a couple of times. So did Talib. Completely drenched and shivering, the two cubs ran to their mothers and snuggled against their warm dry fur. The other pride lionesses laughed as the cubs were given baths.

Kiara cleaned her son. " You two just can't stay clean can you? Did you have fun?"

"Yeah! Thorn and I saw some elephants. They were huge!" Talib exclaimed as his mother continued to clean him. Acacia, Thorn's mother, cleaned her son as well.

"And the giraffes had such long necks!" Thorn jumped up.

"I see." Acacia commented as Thorn settled down and curled up beside her to sleep.

Kovu entered the cave and lay beside his mate. Soon, the pride was asleep. The rain continued to fall. Lightning lit up the sky and the resulting thunder shook the ground, but the lions did not stir.