Well, I am back and with another chapter to boot! Thanks to LionLover23 and Keep Calm and Join Team Loki for reviewing. Be sure to check out Keep Calm and Join Team Loki's story The King's Daughter, and LionLover23's story Lion King: We Are One. They are both excellent reads and deserve more reviews. PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW! Well, I have done enough blabbing, so without further ado, here is the chapter.

DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING

So it seems Kula will birth the cubs of an insane psychopath. How will these cubs turn out? But alas, it is not their turn to play the game. Now, we shall return to the story of Nala and her followers.

Nala kicked the dirt beneath her as she walked, her steps slow and cautious. She carried her cubs on her back, as did Zira, who was trailing shortly behind her, with Sarafina covering the rear.

The young lioness sighed, her blue eyes gleaming with a combination of sadness, anger, and regret. It had been one week since they had been banished, and the life of a rouge had been a tough adjustment. There was little protection, little support, and was generally not a great life for small cubs to grow up in.

The landscape around them was the classic Savannah grassland, with a single large tree making an occasional appearance. The large orange sun was beginning to set; it's orange rays illuminating the land with its gleaming light.

"We should stop soon. Day has not long to remain."

Nala turned around to see Zira approaching her, she having been the one to say that statement. The young lioness nodded in agreement. "I agree. I don't think the cubs can take too much more."

Sarafina nodded as well, and then lay down on the soft grasses of the Savannah. Nala and Zira followed in suit, both of them once again laying the four youngest cubs side by side.

They were about to succumb to slumber, when storm clouds formed in a matter of seconds, suddenly covering the evening sky. Lightning flashed frequently, and large booms of thunder were heard. However, no rain fell, puzzling the group of lionesses.

Soon, the clouds split, and a shimmering lion walked out from between them. The lion's mane was blood red, but he was far larger and more muscular than Simba. The lionesses gasped when they recognized him.

"Mufasa?"

The ghostly lion chuckled, his shimmering body covering the night sky. "Yes Nala, it is I. I have many things to say, and not a lot of time, so let us begin. Nala, you have done very well. I am sorry that my son treated you as cruelly as he did, and to say I'm very angry would not even come close to describing my fury. You deserve someone far better than him, and I'm pretty sure you'll find him."

Nala beamed at the spirit, still considering him a father figure. She was glad that the spirit shared the same opinion as her about her son. The specter then turned to Zira. "Zira. You have done well. Your kindness has earned you many friends among the Great Kings, and you are a great friend to the rightful queen. Your cubs are lucky to have a mother such as you."

Zira smiled and the nodded in respect. Mufasa nodded as well, before turning to Sarafina. "Sara, thank you for being such a friend to Sarabi. She has passed on as well, and she wanted me to give you her thanks."

The three lionesses each shed a tear at the news of the death of Sarabi, but Mufasa still moved on. "I have two more things to say. The first, go the East. Everything that all of you could possibly want is in the East. There, you shall find your salvation from your worries. The second is for Nala especially. There is a lion that would like to speak with you."

Mufasa stepped to the side, and another dead lion made his presence known. This lion was much scrawnier, had a black mane, and a small scar running through his eye.

"Father?"

"Yes, Nala, it's me."

Nala looked to the ground and sighed, before looking up again, her blue eyes holding a twinge of anger. "So, what do you have to say for yourself?"

Scar sighed, and looked towards his paws in shame. "I have come to apologize, as well as beg for your forgiveness."

Nala went deep into thought, staying this way for several seconds, before responding to her not so dearly departed father. "I accept your apology. And I also forgive you. Not because I condone your action, but because if I spend my entire life hating you, I am afraid that I will become no better than Simba."

Scar smiled sadly. "Thank you Nala. You have no idea how much that means to me. I can now rest in peace. I love you."

Nala was going to respond, but the shimmering spirit of Scar slowly faded into the night. Then, Mufasa waved one last paw good bye and also faded into the night sky. The storm quickly dissipated as well, leaving three stunned lionesses and four sleeping cubs consumed in an aura of absolute silence. After many minutes, this trend was broken by Nala, who chuckled. Zira stared at her feeling puzzled. "What are you laughing at?"

"I'm about to go east because a ghost told me to. That is what's funny."

Zira nodded before chuckling as well. "We will leave at dawn. Maybe we'll get to wherever Mufasa wants us to go by nightfall."

Nala nodded in agreement as the two lionesses retreated back to their cubs, and they prepared themselves for slumber.

-TLK-

It was dark and cool in the Pridelands, and all was quiet. The only bit of noise came from a lone lioness who was moving through the grasses. After several miles, she came to her destination.

"Mheetu. It is safe. You can come out now."

A young lion ran out and nuzzled the lioness fiercely. She returned the nuzzling before beginning to lick his face.

"Mmm…Tama…Mmm...I…Mmm…missed you."

"I missed you too. I have a great idea on how we can spend our time together."

Mheetu smirked. "Oh, do you now?"

"Yes I do. Come here."

Well, that is all for now! PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO LEAVE ME A REVIEW! I will try to have the next chapter up as soon as I can. If you have any ideas, don't be afraid to let me know in a PM. Well, until next time, take care and drive home safely!