Hello, people. This is my first story, and to tell you the truth, I never thought I would write a TLK story, so that's cool. Constructive criticism is very welcome. Don't be afraid to go hard on me; that means grammar errors, inconsistencies, plot holes, logic fails, or whatever you can find. As long as the criticism is reasonable and constructive I will take it and appreciate it. I want to get better, after all.

Also, as you will probably figure out, these characters are not really lions. I'm putting in some African mythology, so the characters will be more like shape-shifters and/or people with animal qualities. Hopefully this idea will clear itself up as the story goes on, but please et me know if it is confusing.

Disclaimer: I do not own Disney or the Lion King and its characters...obviously.

Anyways, thanks for checking out this story and please enjoy!

The Queen's Heir

"Sarabi!" The lioness cried out.

Her sister was by her side immediately, "Sarafina, what do you need?"

"The baby," Sarafina gasped, "it's coming."

The queen nodded, "Don't worry, I'll be here to help."

"Just hold my hand."

Sarabi obliged. Her sister held onto her hand tightly as she continued through labor. Sarabi's nurses showed up shortly after to assist in the birth, and soon it was over. The nurses cleaned up the baby and handed it to Sarafina.

"Look, Sarabi, she's beautiful."

The queen smiled, "Yes, sister, now if you can excuse me, I would like to bring Rafiki in."

"Oh yes, please bring him in."

Sarabi stepped outside of her sister's hut to motion the shaman in. He came in and gently picked up the newborn from Sarafina. He inspected her for a moment, whispering something incomprehensible. Sarabi and Sarafina waited in silence. The shaman turned to the two women and smiled.

"I present to you the future queen of this pride."

"Truly?" Sarabi asked excitedly, "I have an heir now? And it's my sister's child!"

Rafiki handed the infant back to her mother. Sarafina looked at the shaman, "So, my daughter has the gift?"

"Look at her," The shaman said.

Both lionesses watched as the little infant wriggled around. Her ears kept switching back and forth between feline and human ears, a clear sign that she could become a full-fledged ailuranthrope.

Sarafina's own lion ears twitched with excitement, "Looks like she got your gift, Bi."

The queen leaned on her sister's shoulder, "I knew the gift was inside you. Who knew you were just saving it for your daughter."

The sisters chuckled together.

The shaman cleared his throat, "You know what this means?"

Sarabi looked at the infant, then to her sister, "Fina, your baby and mine are to be betrothed!"

Sarafina cocked her head, "But what if another is born with the gift."

"Rafiki knows that this cub will be Queen," the shaman said with certainty. Feeling his work was done, Rafiki left the hut and the sisters.

Sarabi laughed, "Well, what Rafiki says, goes. Your cub and my Simba will be betrothed."

Sarafina smiled sadly at her child, "If only Kai was here."

Kai was the father of Sarafina's child, but he had been banished for reasons neither Rafiki nor Mufasa would reveal. It had killed Sarafina, and Sarabi tried her best to distract her sister with Simba while she was pregnant, and she had hoped having her own child would keep her mind happy.

"I'm sure he would have been proud," Sarabi said quietly, "Do you have a name for your little beast?"

The new mother smiled, "She looks like a Nala, doesn't she?"

Ok, so this first chapter was short and prologue-y. I intend on the future chapters being longer, though. I know this chapter is a bit...vague, so I'll post the next chapter soon, and hopefully some people will stick with me. Thanks for reading!