Disclaimer: I do not own any of the original characters in Ice Age. They all belong to Twentieth Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios, not to me. I also do not own the Lion King characters, for they are owned by Disney. All lines in bold are either from any of the Ice Age movies, any of the Lion King movies, either Brother Bear movie, or from a song that will be specified at the beginning of the applying chapter.
Chapter 3
Kiara's P.O.V.
My two beautiful cubs begin to nurse, and I look down at them fondly. Kovu is not turning out to be the father I expected. He is not a hands-on dad, and is hardly ever home to see the cubs and me. In fact, Kovu barely even made it when Ari was born. He completely missed Layla being born. Ari finishes nursing first, so I carefully grab my son by his scruff and place him between my paws. When he is situated between my paws, I begin to bathe him. Ari doesn't complain, and I am thankful I have at least one cub that behaves during baths. When I finish cleaning Ari, I grab Layla by her scruff and begin to give her a bath. She instantly starts to mewl in protest, and I hate hearing my daughter cry.
"Shhh, Layla, you're okay. Mommy's just giving you a bath where you don't have milk all over you face," I comfort.
I know my cubs can't see or hear yet, because they aren't eight days old, but maybe the vibrations of my voice can calm my twins. When I put Layla down near Ari, she instantly squirms over to her brother and places her head on Ari's back. Within seconds, both my son and daughter are asleep. My stomach growls and I know I am hungry. I notice how Layla and Ari are very close to my stomach, and I know if I leave they will panic because there is nothing warm beside them. Fortunately, I hear familiar voices outside of my cave.
"Uncle Timon! Uncle Pumbaa! I need you," I whisper.
A few second later, my meerkat and warthog uncles are in my den.
"You better have a good reason for interrupting lunch," Uncle Timon tells me.
"Timon, anything Kiara needs is a good reason. She's a mother now, so she might need help while the cubs are still young," Uncle Pumbaa points out.
Another growl comes from my stomach.
"Actually, lunch is exactly what I need," I explain.
"Why can't Kovu hunt for you?" Uncle Timon asks.
"He's out with my father," I remind.
There is no way I'm explaining the fight I had earlier with Kovu, because Uncle Timon will blow the situation totally out of proportion.
"What can we do to help, Kiara?" both of my uncles sweetly inquire.
"Well, I need you guys to keep the cubs warm while I'm gone. The snow and cold isn't good for newborn lion cubs," I respond.
Pumbaa comes over and takes my spot behind my cubs. I now am free to get up, and I head out into the forest to hunt for some lunch.
I soon have my sight set on a herd of gazelle. There is a giant male that will make a perfect lunch and dinner, if I can catch him. I get down in my hunter's stance, only to have the herd stampede towards me. Before I run, I see an orange figure jump on the gazelle I want and kill it. I now begin running, before circling back around. I instantly recognize the orange carnivore.
"Kiara, what are you doing here?" Diego asks.
"I was trying to kill the gazelle that's under your claws," I answer.
"Sorry I stole your kill. Let me carry it back to your cave for you. It's the least I can do," Diego offers.
"Thank you, Diego. That idea beats mine any day," I smile.
"What were you planning on doing?" he questions as he catches his breath.
"I was going to eat what I wanted of it for lunch and then drag the rest of the carcass to my den to eat for dinner," I tell my saber friend.
"It's a good thing I stopped you, then. Dead gazelles are magnets that attract other predators," Diego says.
"I'm glad to have a friend like you, Diego," I bring up.
"Don't mention it. I like helping my friends. It's what you do in a herd," he responds.
Vitani's P.O.V.
"Nuka, is that you?" I ask with a catch in my voice.
"Yes, Vitani, it's me," my long-lost brother replies.
"I thought you were dead," I sob as I pull my older brother in for a hug.
"I thought I was done for, too. It's a good thing that I got out of the gorge before the river flooded," Nuka tells me.
After I release my brother from the hug, I notice how skinny he's gotten since the last year. He's skinnier than he was before, if that's even possible.
"How did you know where I was?" I question.
"I went back to the Outlands to look for you and Mother. I didn't find anyone but Aunt Shenzi, Uncle Banzai, and Uncle Ed. When none of you were home I decided you must have taken over the Pride Lands. It looks like I was right," he reveals.
"Nuka, we're not in charge. Simba and Nala are still in charge, but Kovu and Kiara are next in line," I respond.
"Mother is allowing Kovu to be married to Kiara?"
"No, Nuka, Mother's dead. She died the same day we thought you did."
"I guess it's just me, you, and little termite Kovu," Nuka smirks as he refers to our younger brother by his highly hated nickname.
"I don't think so!" Koda speaks up.
"Who are you?" my older brother inquires.
"I'm Koda, Vitani's mate. You're not just going to take her away from me," Koda roars.
"Nuka, don't you notice anything different about me?" I press.
He circles around me a couple of times before replying.
"You're actually happy, for once," he guesses.
"Look a little harder," I answer.
"Your stomach looks kinda swollen," Nuka continues.
"Yes, go on," I urge.
"Are you pregnant with Koda's cub?" he asks.
"Yes, she is. The cub's due in about three weeks," Koda answers.
"I'm going to be an uncle?" Nuka gasps.
"Yes, you are. Actually, you're going to be an uncle twice because Kovu and Kiara are expecting cubs too," I reveal.
"Should we get going? It's almost dark," Koda points out.
"I need to rest for a few minutes before we go," I pant.
"Take however much time you need," my mate says.
I pad over to a rock and carefully lower my stomach onto the rock's smooth surface. Koda and Nuka come closer before flopping down in the grass beside me. Movement occurs once again in my stomach, and I am filled with joy.
"Koda, the cub's kicking again," I call down to him.
My mate instantly raises his head up, and stretches his paw to where it's touching my stomach. His face is overcome with a huge grin, and he lovingly licks my cheek.
"You sure are strong, little warrior. Just don't get too rough while you're still inside of Mommy. We love you very much," Koda coos.
"Can I feel the cub kick?" Nuka questions.
"Of course you can. Put your paw where Koda's was," I answer.
Nuka obeys, and soon my cub's tiny paw hits the side of my stomach. My brother's face lights up in a smile.
"This reminds me of when Mother was pregnant with you and Kovu. They knew they were having twins because Rafiki told them. I always wanted to feel you specifically kick, and I told you good night every single night. I even went as far as kissing Mother's stomach, hoping it got to you. Mother didn't like that very much, but I did it anyway," Nuka grins.
"I never knew you did all that. Did you think you were having two little brothers or something?" I chuckle.
"No, I really wanted a sister. Mother and Father both wanted two sons, but I wanted a little sister to protect and hang out with," he tells me.
The sun is setting on the horizon, and I know it is going to be dark when we get home. The three of us walk through the tall, thick grass all the way back to Pride Rock.
"The landscape sure has changed since we lived here, huh Tani?" Nuka asks.
"Yes, it has. This year has been the best I've eaten since I was weaned at six weeks old," I laugh.
Koda and I climb up Pride Rock and disappear into what Simba calls a "couple's den." He likes for all pregnant lionesses and their mates to have their own cave on Pride Rock. This way, the couples have a reclusive spot to live in until their cub or cubs are six weeks old. This works out well for Koda and me, because we like to talk to our cub at night when the other lionesses of the pride are sleeping.
Koda and I walk over to our bed-shaped rock and curl up around each other. I lean back to where my head is resting in Koda's thick, black mane. I straighten out to where I am lying on my side, where I don't crush the cub that is inside of my stomach. Koda wraps a paw around my waste, and begins to pull me closer. When I am close enough to him, he starts to gently caress my constantly swelling stomach. Koda rubs his paw over my stomach, and the longer he does this, my stomach starts to tingle more and more. Before I know it, I begin to purr, which cause Koda to continue rubbing his paw over my swollen belly. I snuggle closer to Koda, and he begins to purr as well.
"How are you doing with all of this?" my mate inquires.
"How am I doing with the whole fact that we're expecting a cub, or how I like how much of a devoted mate you are?" I question.
"I know you love how devoted I am to you. What I meant was how you are doing with having a cub growing inside of you. I know I should have asked this sooner, but I forgot. I'm asking you now, because Simba and Nala told me that first pregnancies are always the hardest to cope with," Koda answers.
"I'm adapting to having to take care of our cub that's developing inside of me," I assure my mate.
"I am glad to hear that. I wouldn't want my Tani worrying over if she was doing the right thing to ensure our cub's safety," he tells me.
"The one thing I can't believe is that it's been three months since Rafiki told us that I am pregnant," I say.
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Koda asks.
"It's a good thing. I can't believe in a month we're going to be parents!" I cheer.
"I can't believe it either. This year sure has gone by fast. We dated for two months, got married seven months ago, and found out three months ago that we're expecting a cub. How can my life get any better?" Koda responds.
I nuzzle his head, and notice how his cream-colored coat shines in the moonlight. It must be really late.
"I think it's time for me to go to sleep. I've got a busy day tomorrow with both border patrolling and hunting," my mate drowsily replies.
"I'm exhausted too. Make sure you tell our little warrior goodnight," I yawn.
"Good night, Vitani," Koda says as he kisses me.
"Good night, Koda," I return as I kiss him back.
"Good night, little warrior," we whisper in unison to our unborn cub that's continuing to develop in my stomach.
I rub my front right paw over the bulging part of my belly. Koda gently kisses the bulge the cub makes to my stomach, and I let out a giggle. I soon fall asleep under Koda's paw.
Shira's P.O.V.
Night is falling on the icy landscape that I call home. Diego settles down beside the cubs to help keep them warm. He lets out a huge yawn as he wraps a paw around Junior, Snowflake, Bolt, and Maya. Voices can be heard from the cave entrance, and both my mate and I turn to face the noise.
"Calm down. I just came to see how you guys were doing," Manny whispers.
"Manny, have the cubs come yet?" Sid asks in a loud voice.
This is just what I have feared. Sid, Crash, Eddie, and Granny are here to disturb our newborn cubs.
"I want to see some saber cubs!" Eddie complains.
"They just better have at least two boys," Crash says.
Diego lifts his head and signals for Manny to come in.
"When can I see my nieces or nephews?" Sid questions.
Manny kicks Sid's butt, and sooner rather than later, our smelly sloth friend is flying through the air. I wrap myself around the rest of the cubs to protect them from Sid's predictable crash landing.
"Incoming!" he shouts.
"It's Sid!" Diego smirks as Sid falls flat on his face.
Sid looks at Lily, who is curled up against my chest.
"It's a boy!" Sid cheers.
I look at him in annoyance, wondering how someone can be so stupid.
"That's HER tail," I growl.
"It's a girl!" Sid announces to correct his mistake.
Lily turns over as she sleeps, and Sid looks at her in awe.
"Hi, sweetheart. Hello, hello! It's Uncle Sid. Yes it is. You're so beautiful. She is! She looks just like her mother," Sid says.
I smile at the compliment.
"Thank goodness," he adds in a whisper while casting a glance at Diego.
Diego shoots Sid an icy look, and as the sloth cringes, my mate cracks a smile.
"No offense, Diego! No offense! You're beautiful on the inside!" Sid recovers.
"It's good to have you back, Sid," I tell him as he continues looking at Lily.
"I never thought I would say this, but I missed you, buddy," Diego reveals.
"You're a real Softie, you know that?" Sid asks.
"I'm only told that every day by Shira," my mate smiles.
The rest of the herd starts to come over to look at the cubs. Crash and Eddie reach us first.
"I promised myself I wouldn't cry," Crash sniffs.
"I didn't," Eddie says as tears bombard his face.
Buck comes and looks at each of the cubs.
"Buck, I forgot to tell you something," Diego announces.
"What is it, Tiger?" Buck inquires.
"Everyone else knows this, but you're going to be an uncle to the cubs. What do you think about that?" Diego responds.
"I forgot what it was like to be part of a family. Of course I will!" our weasel friend answers.
Crash bumps Eddie as he further looks at the twelve cubs surrounding Diego and me.
"Look, Eddie, they have six boys!" Crash happily says.
"What does that mean for us?" Eddie asks.
"That means we can race them down the snowy hills, teach them how to roll on logs, and teach them how to fight!"
"OVER MY DEAD BODY!" Diego snarls.
"We were just kidding," the possum twins assure.
"You better hope you are," I growl.
The possum brothers' stupidity is not going to ruin my cubs' lives. Peaches comes over and looks at her new cousins in awe.
"They're beautiful, Aunt Shira and Uncle Diego. I can't believe I have twelve cousins!" she tells me.
Manny comes over to Diego and tells him something I can barely make out.
"You're a great dad, Diego. I told you Shira wouldn't get mad," Manny whispers.
"Thanks, Manny," Diego replies as he lets out another yawn.
As Granny looks at our twelve newborns, I know she is going to say something.
"Why are four of them different?" she rudely asks.
See, I knew she was going to say something.
"Which four cubs are you talking about?" Diego questions.
"I'm talking about those four," Granny says while pointing at Shadow, Maya, Cierra, and Bolt.
"We adopted them because they don't have a mother. They're wolf pups, so of course they'll look different," Diego responds.
I can tell he is on the verge of growling.
"No one is EVER going to tell these cubs that they are adopted. We want them to feel equally loved, because we love them all the same," I add.
Pinky slowly walks over to us, and he looks at the cubs with wide eyes.
"Diego and Shira, your cubs are so beautiful. I love them with all my heart," Pinky tells us.
"That's awesome, Pinky, because you're their cousin," we reply.
Pinky cheers excitedly before following the rest of the herd out.
Author's Note: So, there was chapter 3! I am glad that people were really excited for this chapter, which makes me excited too! Just as a reminder, since school is coming up soon, it will take a little while longer to update each chapter. As always, I love your support and comments, they make me super excited!