Chapter III: Overwhelmed

Nala lazily laid on the cliff's edge of Pride Rock, her paws dangling over, sighing. The Pride Lands had been great lately – a little dull, but nothing to complain about. No one knew about her visit from Zira, and she intended to keep it that way. She did not find it necessary to scare the rest of the pride.

Speaking of which: Zira had been pregnant when Nala spoke with her. Perhaps her cub was born already. Why would Zira need another cub? Then she remembered what her mother had told her about the heir born to Scar and Zira. He was weak, frail, and clumsy. She sighed, ashamed at herself for ruining another's life. But still, why should Zira go through to trouble of another cub? Nala shook her head slowly. Zira was up to something. As if her visit did not make it obvious enough already.

Nala lied on her side now, trying not to suffocate her belly. She was very pregnant and Rafiki had predicted that she would burst anytime now.

She smiled down on the Pride Lands in all her glory. Being queen of them made her feel like she ruled the world. She would never admit it, but that's how she felt. And to have a new addition to her family, to teach one of her blood the world with the lion she loved… life never seemed so right.

All she had to do was protect those she loved from Zira.

She rolled onto her back now and drew her arms in. She was gazing at clouds when a familiar face hovered over her, blocking her view.

"You look comfortable," Simba said, sitting down by her. Nala smiled and rolled over on her side to face him. "Enjoying the view?"

"As always," Nala replied matter-of-factly. She stretched out her paws and legs, then relaxed as she and Simba stared into each other's eyes, minds wandering.

"So, anyway…" Simba began cheerlessly. "My mother is sick. She wasn't feeling well, so Rafiki checked up on her." He paused. "It's old age, but it's wearing her down."

Nala lifted her head up and looked a Simba consolingly. She reached out her paw and laid it on his. "I'm sorry," she whispered. Sarafina had passed away a while ago, after the Pride Lands had been restored. It was peacefully and happily, but Nala would always be disappointed that she would never lay eyes on her grandchild. She had left Sarabi now the oldest lioness in the pride, and now rather lonely.

"But that means soon she will be making up for lost time with your father," Nala said with a soft, gentle smile.

Simba grinned slightly as he nuzzled his mate, and then they sunbathed silently in the comfort of each other, until twenty-five minutes later when a few lionesses were in need.

"Excuse me?" One of them – Ayril – spoke up. "Nala, the hunting party is having a little trouble… So, we know that you are relieved of your duties for the time being and all, but… we are really hungry."

Nala smiled at the bashful group of lionesses as they made their requests. "Oh, I suppose I can make it out there to give some pointers," she replied. Nala had, after all, become one of the greater hunters the pride had ever had in history.

"Oh, good…" the lionesses paused and looked at each other. "Now?"

Nala nodded and stood up slowly. "Yes, now."

Twenty minutes later, the hunting party was trudging through tall grass, looking for a meal. Nala was close by to them, whispering out pointers, such as "Watch that! Stay quiet," and "Stay low and unseen." She was actually having a good time; feeling very wise and noble, when a rustle in the bushes next to her caught her attention.

Intrigued, Nala took her focus off of the hunt and cautiously made her way over to a rustling patch of tall grass. Slowly, she poked her head through and took a step in, looking to see what was on the other side.

To her surprise, there was a very dark brown lioness eating a zebra carcass. Nala tilted her head, assuming that the lioness had no pride, but very curious why she was trespassing.

"Excuse me," Nala said, making the other lioness jump. "Umm… I don't mean to sound rude, but you don't belong here. Can I help you?"

The lioness just stared at Nala. Almost as if she couldn't believe what she was looking at. Nala felt extremely uneasy about it, and was about to speak up again before she was interrupted once more.

"I know you," the other lioness said.

Nala stared at her blankly.

"I've seen you. I don't know your name, but I know your face. I just know it."

Nala had nothing to say. In fact, she was pretty freaked out. "You probably have me mixed up for someone else-"

"And your voice," the other one said again. "It is you. I know it's you." She took a few steps over toward Nala, but Nala was a little distracted.

While the stranger had been talking, Nala was overwhelmed with pain. A cramping pain from her stomach overcame her and she sat back on her haunches, stunned with the feeling. She knew it only meant one thing, so ignoring the strange lioness, she lay down and took deep breaths.

"I can't believe it's you," the lioness continued.

"Do you mind!" Nala nearly shouted. "I'm having a cub!"