Hello dear readers. The main thing that needs to be put to light is that the story was originally written by Son of the amazons. But I'm taking over with some creative twist of my own. I hope you enjoy this just as much as Son of the amazons' story, Life in the Pridelands. Without further ado, here's the first chapter of Circle of Life.

Prologue: Abandoned

Heavy breathing went through the hot air of the barren Outlands. The ones that dared to cross the unclaimed land was two lions, a male and female. The female kept moving her pale golden eyes behind her as she followed the dark grey lion. The lioness stopped walking and placed two small newborn cubs on the cracked ground before looking at the lion.

"Jengo, are you sure about this?" the light beige lioness asked with uncertainty in her voice.

The dark grey lion stopped and glared with dark green eyes. "Chiku, yes. If we want the throne then we have to get rid of the heirs."

Chiku lowered her head. They have already gotten rid of the king and queen. Even though they were her sister and brother in law, she didn't feel guilty about killing them. She wanted to be queen and now she was going to. She just didn't want to kill her nephews. The deep voice of her sister's brother in law and her mate brought her out of her thoughts.

"You stay here. I'll take them to the border."

Chiku shook her head. "No. I'll do it." she loved her mate but trusting the cubs' life with Jengo is foolish. After all he did rough them up a bit. She knows that it would be best to kill them but she couldn't find the stomach to do it. So if they were taken in now, they wouldn't know that they're royalty and the heir to the throne. She picked her nephews up and ran across the dusty Outlands.

When she felt grass under her paws, she started to look for any signs of a pride. That was until she spotted a rocky structure in the distance. She realized that she was in the Pridelands. They once came to visit but that was before her sister was queen and before her mate and now deceased brother in law came to kingdom. So they wouldn't know who her nephews were. Chiku looked around before making a quick dash into the kingdom. The light beige lioness got to a bush that was pretty close to the rocky fortress, close enough for her anyway. She place her nephews in the greenery before turning and running full speed towards the Outlands, the last thing that entered her mind as she reached her mate, was that she hoped a member of the pride finds them first.

-COL-

Chapter one: Welcome to the Pridelands

As two little figures came to, all they could see were blurry shapes and shadows. There was a lot of noise too, and they were wondering what was going on. All they could remember was a bright light and loud noises, different from what they were hearing now. As their vision came into focus, they found themselves surrounded by a group of lionesses. The two little ones didn't know who the lionesses were and was feeling very timid at the moment. They hadn't looked at each other yet, but when one of them lost his balance, they were in for another shock. The two of them looked similar to the lions that surrounded them which led them to conclude they themselves were lions, well, newborns. One had a black pelt of fur and a small black fur sticking up on his head. The other had pale beige fur and a small black tuft on top of his head. Some of the black even seemed to be on his ears. The little pale beige furred cub tried to reach for the black furred one, but fell on his belly in doing so.

The lionesses giggled at the scene. "Mom, their so cute," Said one of the cubs gathered.

"That they are Sarafina," said a powerful but gentle voice from above the little figures heads.

The two little cubs looked up, cowering a bit in the presence of the lioness above them as they saw her. "It's okay, little ones, we're not gonna hurt you," She said.

The two little cubs still trembled, but were now more relieved. "It's a miracle we found them so close to Pride Rock. I'm surprised they were only a little bruised. Had you not found them Eshe, they could have been food for the buzzards, or worse hyenas," Said one of the adult lionesses.

This then made the two little cubs whimper a bit, for these creatures didn't sound friendly. "Shhh, it's okay, I'm here, come on, come on," Eshe said to calm the little cubs down.

"Sheesh, what wimps," Said another cub.

"Naanda, knock it off, their only babies," said another cub who looked like the one called Sarafina.

Another cub similar to Sarafina, only male glared at the creamy yellow cub that spoke first. "Do you have to be rude."

"Yes, no more then two weeks at most, maybe younger, and the world is a scary place for them. You were the same way at their age," Eshe said with a sigh.

Naanda was intent on saying something when they heard, "King Ahadi and Queen Uru, along with Prince Mufasa and Prince Taka are arriving."

The voice came from something that wasn't a lion at all. The two baby cubs were curious of what kind of creature it was. "Always leave it too the Hornbill Zuzu to keep me from talking," Mumbled Naanda.

The cubs watch as the entire group of lionesses bow in front of four other lions. Two were grown up, one had rich golden pelt, who they figured was the queen, the other had a brownish pelt and a black mane, which made him the king and co leader since his mate was queen from royal blood that runs through her veins. There were two cubs that resembled their parents. The bigger of the two had their mother's pelt of fur, he had a bit of golden scruffy fur on his head. The smaller one had a pelt mixed from his parents, making his coat a rich brown.

Soon, the four lions stood in front of the two baby cubs and Eshe. "I wasn't aware you were expecting cubs Eshe," Ahadi joked with a genuine amused smile.

"Oh, my king, you flatter me. I can assure you these cubs are not mine. I found them near Pride Rock, sleeping and slightly bruised. The poor little dears were out there helpless," Eshe said.

"I see, and you brought them inside to get them out of the searing heat. It is very noble of you. I'm sure if you had waited much longer, they may have been in much greater danger," Uru said.

"Indeed my queen, being a mother already, I couldn't just leave them alone out there, and any scent their parents would have left was long gone. They were probably abandoned, as much as I hate to think about it," Eshe replied.

"I understand perfectly. I can't imagine putting my two young boys at such risk on their own," Uru said.

Mufasa walked up to the two cubs. The two scooted back towards Eshe's chest as he approached. "Well, gotta admit, I've never seen a black lion cub before dad. And another that has the color of his mane on the ears, that's new too," Mufasa said.

"He looks goofy, and so does the black one with his black fur," Taka said.

"Taka, show a little more respect. How would you feel if someone made fun of how you looked? Both of those cubs are what you call rare. Not many have spotted black lions in their lifetime and ones who have some of their mane grow on the ear are just as rare. I think they are very blessed to have found their way to us. Eshe, what was your plan after you had found them and brought them here, if I may ask?" Uru said.

"Well.." Eshe was cut short as her son and daughter cut in and said,

"Oh, please mom, can we keep them, we always wanted a little brother or two."

Eshe smiled. "Looks like Sarafina and Wyatt made my request for me your majesties,"

Uru chuckled, "I guess they did."

"That is, as long as it is alright by my king and queen," Eshe added.

"I see no reason why not, my pride could use some muscle, once their old enough of course. The hyena's would think Twice before tangling with seven young males of the same pride, and that includes my sons," Ahadi said.

"Hmhm, don't tell me that my king has gotten too frail now," Uru said.

"Of course not. Just lifting their spirits some. Two little rascals seem to have been through more then their fare share already," Ahadi said.

"Hehehe, so Rafiki see that the pride gain two new members," said a voice that sounded unfamiliar to the two little cubs.

"Ah, Rafiki, seems nothing gets past you does it old friend," Ahadi said, as he greeted another creature unknown to the two little boys.

"Old Rafiki always gets the latest news in many ways," Rafiki said.

"Well, allow us to introduce... uh..." Ahadi looked at Eshe, lost on what their names were.

"Oh, forgive me your majesty, I've decide to name this cub Kipawa," She pointed to the black furred cub and then continued, "And this one Kamili."

"Well, I think their fine names for your new sons," Uru said.

"Thank you, Queen Uru," Eshe replied.

Just then Kamili sneezed knocking him onto his back. He looked up at Eshe, who now was his mother, and gave a goofy smile. All the grown ups giggled and dawwed at the scene. Ahadi then spoke, "Well, it smells like the hunting party made a fresh kill. I'll let you perform your blessing ceremony for the two cubs, and we'll have them presented to the land tomorrow. Zuzu?" Ahadi commanded.

"Yes sire, how may I help?" Zuzu said.

"I need you to make a quick errand for me before you settle down in your nest here. Tell all the animal herds and packs that there are new members in the pride and are to be presented to the land tomorrow. I know that you hatchlings are going to arrive any day now, but rest assured, the eggs will be well cared for while you are gone," Ahadi said.

"As you wish you highness. I'll make haste at once," Zuzu said, and soon she took off and let all the surrounding herds and packs of fellow predators know of the two new arrivals of the pride.

Rafiki had just finished blessing the cubs as the pride walked in with the kill. Kamili and Kipawa were amazed at how big the creature they brought in was. They then looked at Eshe who chuckled, "You're a bit too young for that boys. But don't worry, since I am your new mommy, you get to have some of my milk."

Eshe soon moved into another position exposing her underbelly to the two baby cubs, which had pick nipples protruding through her fur. "Go on my little ones, drink,"

Kamili and Kipawa looked at each other and then back at their new mother, not sure what they should do. Eshe sighed, "Fina, Wyatt, can you show them how it's done. I know I just stopped nursing you a few days ago, but looks like your little brothers don't know what to do."

"You're... not gonna get mad if I nurse again?" Sarafina asked.

"This is the last time I will let you nurse, but after your brothers are used to it, no more, alright sweetie, you know you're old enough to eat meat, and you don't need my milk, but I will let it slide today okay," Eshe said.

Wyatt shook his head. "I'm good. You go ahead, Fina."

"Okay. So little brothers, this is how you drink mom's milk," Sarafina said, before she put her mouth on her one of her mother's nipples.

She soon started to drink some her mom's milk and Eshe smiled at her new sons. "See, so do what your sister is doing dears."

Both were were hesitant. Kamili was the first to latch on and slowly began nursing. Soon his pace quickened as the taste entered his mouth. Kipawa, after seeing his brother was okay with it, latched on himself. Sarafina stopped and watched as her brothers started having their first meal from their new mother. Eshe smiled as the two cubs fell unconscious and nursed a bit as they slept before latching off. The tawny lioness pulled her baby boys near her and gave them motherly licks. "Sweet dreams my little ones," Eshe purred lovingly.

Sarafina couldn't help but smile at the sight, even Wyatt smiled. They soon also fell asleep in their mother's arms. Ahadi was kind enough to carry a piece of the kill over to Eshe, who thanked him and had her fill. It wasn't long til the pride was full, and soon fell asleep to a cool, clear and crisp night air that entered the den. Zuzu had returned to her nest just as the last lioness closed their eyes.