Chapter 2
Five months later...
The animals were all gathered around, just as they had been for the presentation of Kiara, Simba, Mufasa, and all the former cubs of royalty. It was a beautiful day in the Pridelands, and Kiara and Kovu were not only having their twins recognized by the creatures of the land, they were also becoming the king and queen of the pride at this special ceremony. Ahadi, the princess. Safi, the prince. Ahadi was a spitting image of her great-grandmother, Sarabi, with a darker pelt than Kiara or Nala, and also had the same brown eyes. Safi resembled his father, but his pelt was a lighter shade of brown and a black mane and tuft, and his eyes were like Nala's, sapphire blue in color. They were indeed a sight to be seen.
Rafiki, with his staff in one hand, and his coconut bowl in the other, performed the ritual to purify the two cubs as they lay in the safety of their mother's legs. He then picked them up, and proceeded to the edge of Pride Rock, accompanied by Kovu, Kiara, Simba, and Nala. Zazu, Timon, and Pumbaa were behind the royal heads. As Rafiki held up the prince and princess for all the inhabitants of the Pridelands to see, the largest uproar of approval and happiness echoed through the lands. There were two instead of the usual one to take the place of Kiara and Kovu when the time came. This was a grand celebration, and it meant the best hope for everyone's future. There were no words to describe anyone's level of happiness in this moment. All they could do is cheer and bow to show their gratitude. The symphony of the lionesses roaring was a magnificent one, as the pride had grown much larger since the Pridelanders and Outsiders joined. This was indeed the strongest and most beautiful ceremony any creature had ever witnessed. Mufasa and Sarabi shone their light down on the two cubs, and all became serene.
Back in the den, Nala gave Kiara advice that no one was able to give to her, about being a queen and a mother to royalty. Her own mother was not royalty, and thus she would never understand all the hardships that came along with both together. Sarabi had passed away before Nala was crowned the queen. This was Nala's chance to pass along her learned knowledge to her daughter, who would one day pass it on to her cubs. Simba and Kovu were reminiscing over the past year's events. The cubs were sound asleep again, comforted by their mother's heart beat.
Two months later...
"Mom! Safi's being mean again!" waled Ahadi.
"I am not! She won't leave me alone!" retorted Safi.
Kovu and Kiara stretched as they stood up to see what the commotion was about. With a slight yawn, Kiara questioned, "Exactly what is going on here?"
"I was trying – She was following – and he said – I told her I – then he shoved me down – she tried to bite me..." Ahadi and Safi were talking over one another as they tried to explain what was going on, both getting more angry by not being able to be heard.
"Whoa, settle down little ones. One at a time. Nothing can be that bad, can it?" Kovu interrupted. Kiara couldn't help but to giggle. The cubs looked at each other, then at their parents. "It's not funny!" they chimed together.
"You two must learn to play nicely together. One day you might find that all you have is each other to count on. If you two keep fighting, who will be there for you?" Zazu had landed at the beginning of the den entrance just in time to have his input. Kiara and Kovu nodded in agreement. "Zazu is correct. You must learn to work together and help each other out in times like these," Kovu added.
"Now, run along and have fun and no more fighting," Kiara ushered her twins to play.
"And if you want to go past the water hole, Zazu goes with you," Kovu yelled out as Ahadi and Safi were treading down Pride Rock. They halted, gave each other the look of annoyance, then carried on with their journey.
"It never fails, mention 'Zazu goes with you,' and they immediately obey," Simba commented with a smirk as he passed the cubs to join Kiara and Kovu for a mid-day chat. "So," Simba started as he sat down, "how does it feel to truly be the king and queen?"
"Odd at times, still," answered Kiara, "but wonderful as long as you are there to guide us." Kovu only smiled, he still wasn't sure he could handle the task at hand, but he had no choice. He loved Kiara, he loved their children, and this was his life now. His only wish was that Vitani could be here to meet her niece and nephew.
"I must see what mischief the cubs are getting into," Zazu broke the silence. "I will check the Pridelands over on my way." Zazu fluttered away just as quickly as he had come. No one expected what was to come.