Sunrise, the plains were filled with the early light. Clouds were few, no sign of rain. The grass was thick and rich. Animals from all over the Pridelands came to the waterhole to quench their thirst that morning.
Back at Pride Rock, Kovu was stirring. Kiara lay beside him, her paw kept the sleeping twins from getting far. Simba and Nala also lay together at the back of the cave. Kovu shifted into a more comfortable position.
He looked at his cubs. One was a female and the other a male.
"I'm a daddy." He chuckled quietly to himself.
The male had golden fur, like his mother, and a dark little tuft on his head, the colour of Kovu's mane. His eyes, although shut, were obviously amber.
The girl was a tan colour, like Nala, with a white chest and belly, and greenish blue eyes.
Kovu nuzzled his mate gently before getting up and going outside to stretch.
Simba awoke at the sound of his son in law leaving; he too rose and went outside.
Kovu sat and thought.
"I'm a daddy…" he repeated quietly, trying to make the news sink in, he stretched and shook his mane, trying to clear his mind but resulting in a headache.
He sighed and sat down again; "Is it supposed to come naturally?" he asked himself.
Simba replied, "Is what supposed to come naturally?" making Kovu jump.
"Oh! Simba! I...I didn't know you were here…, I thought you were asleep" he corrected himself nervously, clearing his throat.
Simba smiled and sat down next to Kovu; "What are you worried about" he asked softly.
Kovu looked down, not meeting his father in law's eyes; "It's nothing" he mumbled.
"Come on, we're family now," Kovu glanced up at these words, "What's up?"
Kovu hesitated, "How…how do you be a dad?" he asked slowly.
Simba raised his eyebrows, surprised, "Explain."
"I mean, I kinda thought that as soon as I saw the cubs I would know what to do. But it's not like that. I couldn't even think of names for them. We are going to decide today, and I have no clue what they should be called." Kovu said, slightly ashamed.
Simba laughed.
Frowning Kovu said; "Well that's not helpful"
Smiling Simba replied, "Calm down, and let me explain. You see, as the cubs grow into lions and lionesses-" Kovu shuddered, unprepared for the thought, "you grow into a father. You learn, you make mistakes, and then they learn from your mistakes and make some of their own. For now they depend on you, enjoy that because they grow up faster then you'd think. Help them and love them, teach them and always be there when they need you. That's all the advice I can give…the rest is up to you…"
Simba smiled once more and turned to leave, Kovu stopped him, "Thanks…dad…"
Simba smiled and headed back into the cave, leaving the young male to think.
Later that morning the whole pride was out, enjoying the sunlight. The older cubs were jumping about, playing chase and occasionally being pulled in for a bath by their mothers.
Simba was lying down regally on a smooth rock, watching over the pride and enjoying the peace. Nala was chatting to Sarabi about grandchildren. Kovu was beside Kiara and the cubs, he looked nervous.
"Are you okay?" he asked for the umpteenth time.
Kiara laughed and rolled her eyes, "I'm fine you mook!"
Timon nodded, "And the student becomes the teacher" he said proudly to Pumba. The two of them were playing with the older cubs of the pride.
"So," began Kovu, "Any Ideas for cub names?"
"How about Hasina?" suggested Nala.
"Aura?" suggested Pumba, everyone peered at him strangely.
"What?" he said, indignantly.
"It means wind ya mook!" Timon told him.
Kiara shook her head thoughtfully, "I know! This little guy could be called Zuberi!" she looked around excitedly. Everyone looked to Kovu.
He paused before saying, "Let's see what he thinks…"
Kovu placed his paw in his son's tiny grip, the cub held on with obvious strength. Kovu smiled and nodded, "Zuberi…strong…"
He looked over to Simba who gave him an encouraging nod.
"Now what about this li'l sweetheart?" asked Timon.
"Sayfiah" Kiara said firmly, "I want to name her after your second name Sarabi, if that's ok?"
The pride looked satisfied and Sarabi was touched, sharing a second name was a great honor.
Sarabi didn't say anything but went over to give Kiara a big hug.
Rafiki jumped down from the tree he had been resting in, "So, the royal family; Simba n' Nala, Kovu n' Kiara, Zuberi n' Sayfiah. Yes?"
Kiara and Kovu looked at each other for confirmation before turning back to their wise old friend and nodding happily.
"Then it is decided, I will inform the animals of the Pridelands, good day your majesties." Rafiki bowed and left.
Suddenly Zazu flew to them, panting heavily.
Simba stared at the tired bird, "Good morning Zazu, you're late. Are you okay?"
"Perfectly fine, sire. Deepest apologies about my late arrival." Zazu perched by the King.
Simba nodded before Zazu could continue.
"Might we hear the morning report?" asked Nala kindly.
"Oh yes of course, sorry." Zazu said looking flustered and distracted.
He took a deep breath before beginning;
"ZebrasarearguingaboutwhethertheyareblackwithwhitestripesorwhitewithblackstripesthebaboonsaregoingbananasiaminloveelephantsaregoingonholidayandwantmoretrunkspaceplantsaredyingintheheatIsenseastormcomingbutatthemomentwaterissparse-" Zazu was going faster and faster and getting redder and redder, so much so that everyone stopped listening.
"You can stop now" Simba interrupted the bumbling bird.
The pride continued their business as Zazu tried to regain his composure and his breath.
Only Sarabi had noticed something about his speech, but decided not to confront him here in front of everyone.
Nala glanced at the suns position before nodding at the lionesses.
"Time for the hunt, earlier we noticed the markings of a buck, not far from here. Wish us luck." Everyone murmured 'happy hunting' as the pride's females got up and left.
"Look after Saffy and Zubbs; I'll be back soon." Kiara licked Kovu and got up to leave.
He hid his panicked feelings until she left, then his worry was obvious.
Sarabi was too old to hunt so everyone was surprised when she too, rose.
"Zazu, may a talk to you privately?" She asked politely.
The Bird looked startled but followed her all the same.
Simba looked at Kovu who shrugged, also confused.
He watched the lionesses in the distance and murmured to himself; "Help…"
Okay, that was the first proper chapter, hope you enjoyed it.
Will Kovu survive his first time alone with the cubs? Why was Zazu late? What will Sarabi talk to him about? How will the hunt go? And will the morning report ever make sense? Keep reading and reviewing to find out! I will dedicate the next chapter to my first reviewer!
