Sorry again about the late update, but I don't have much free time. D:

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Chapter four: Kingly business

Simba's eyes fluttered open and he peered down at the bundle of fur resting in his paws.

I must have fallen asleep telling the story. Simba thought. Ah well, at least it got Taka to sleep. That kid's gonna give us all a heart attack one day.

He set Taka down as gently as possible on the stone floor and nuzzled him quickly before padding out of the den into the early morning light, squinting slightly as he did so. Today was no different from any other day in the Pridelands, and as king Simba had to patrol the borders for any rogue that might try to sneak his way into the pride.

"Hey! Dad! Where ya goin'?" Taka's voice echoed off the den's walls and Simba cringed. He'd hoped to not wake Taka up, but it looked like that was out of the picture now.

"I'm just going out on my patrols Taka, why do you ask? I do this every morning." Simba explained, letting his son climb up onto his back and on top of his head. Taka looked down at his father with an excited expression. "Can I come?" he asked, hopeful.

"Taka, I don't think it's safe for-" Simba was cut off as Taka drooped his ears and gave the cheesiest, most pitiful expression he could. Simba sighed and rolled his eyes, knowing all too well that he'd pulled the same trick on his mother and father throughout his childhood.

"Alright Taka, fine. You can come." Simba relented. Taka cheered.

"Thankyouthankyouthankyou!" Taka blurted out ecstatically. Simba promptly picked his son up by the scruff of the neck and held him suspended in front of his face.

"Now, Taka. This is serious kingly business. No messing around or you could get hurt. Ok?" Simba asked, giving Taka a stern glare. Taka nodded, his head bobbing up and down rapidly.

"Good. Now, the first order of business is to patrol the borders. You up for a little morning run?"

Taka looked at Simba, a confused look on his face. Simba just smiled at his son.

"Come on, I'll show you!" Simba said, running off. Taka followed Simba, having to sprint extra hard to catch up with his father's large strides.

"Dad, where are we going?" Taka asked, struggling to catch up.

"We're running the borders, Taka." Simba replied. Taka paled.

"RUNNING them?" Taka exclaimed. Simba laughed at his son's shocked expression.

"Yes, of course! It's procedure."

Taka groaned. "Can't we just walk the borders? Wouldn't that be easier?" Simba shook his head no vigorously.

"We need to be as fast as possible to make sure we can catch any of those evil rogues!" Simba jokingly replied. "Besides, you could use a little muscle."

Taka groaned inwardly, and Simba rolled his eyes.

About an hour later, with many complaints, Simba and Taka walked back up the slope of Pride Rock.

"Have fun, Taka?" Nala asked, approaching the duo and nuzzling them both. Taka moaned and fell to the ground.

"Being a king… Is hard work…" Taka panted. Simba laughed and clapped his son on the back, resulting in a pained groan from the cub.

"Well then, you don't have to worry Taka! That's Kopa's job." Simba said, walking past Taka back into the den.

"I think I'll take the rest of the day off…" Taka mumbled, getting up. He cringed as his sore muscles burned in protest. Taka made his way into the den, his face contorting with every step.

Taka sprawled himself out on the floor, falling asleep instantly.

Not really a story-driven chapter, but it's a chapter nonetheless. I PROMISE I'll try and get some more chapters out (Hopefully not once a month…) as soon as I can. :D

Please review? :)