Author's Note:

Disclaimer: All characters from the original Lion King are owned by Disney… all of the other guys are owned by me. :3

Almost every character in the Lion King has a name that means something in the Swahili language, so to keep my story authentic, all of my character names translate into Swahili too. Every time I introduce a new character I will say what their name means in Swahili up in the author's note. Here's the first two:

Jasiri – means "dare, brave, or bold"

Makini – means "calmly, quietly, and with dignity"

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Sarabi's lips curved into a smile as she saw the happy new family come out to play. The two little cubs were weaving gleefully through their parents legs which were stilt-like in comparison to their own. Those two little ones looked so much like their parents, Sarabi noted. Their genetic line was so clear it was impossible not to recognize who their kin was. Little Jasiri lived for fun, just like her mother, but Sarabi saw so much of Nala in the energetic cub too. A combination of Kovu's edge and Kiara's heart seemed to have blended well in the young princess. Sarabi saw that Kiara's second born was playful too. She watched him tug on a stick that had his sister yanking on the other end. Kiara was laughing gleefully as she watched the pair and their father Kovu cheered them on. They were such a perfect family. Makini won the stick from his sister and set it down at his paws with a satisfied smile. Sarabi always saw him act in this manner. It was as if he already realized that he had nothing to prove; that gloating was unnecessary. He was always the most gracious winner, and he reminded Sarabi so much of the one lion she missed most in the world. Makini was more like Mufasa than even Simba was.

Sarabi watched the playful scene with joy in her wrinkled eyes. She felt blessed to have lived to see the births of her great grandchildren. The retired queen was assured that the pride would continue to prosper into the future; she knew what great leaders both cubs could be. Makini had a leader's noble qualities and pure heart, and Jasiri was bold and clever enough to surely be able to handle her own empire. Sarabi just hoped that the choice over which should rule wouldn't lead to disaster, as it had for Mufasa and his brother. As long as life in the pride stayed the way it was Sarabi was confident that everything would come together smoothly this time. A happy childhood can save any lion's future. As she watched the children play Sarabi felt in her heart that nothing would be able to come between this family; not this time.

The aged lioness looked up to the sky and silently wished for peace for her pride once she left to join her mate in the heavens. Her wise eyes met with the daytime's unseen stars and she knew her love was watching over her and his pride. She smiled reminiscently and cast her peaceful wish into the cloudy sky. As long as peace prospers everything will be alright, she thought, as long as our sun keeps shining…

As she closed her eyes it started to rain…