Alrighty then...i know that i haven't updated since Christmas, and that's usually a long time for me. I'm sorry about that...i've just been busy...and, sadly, lazy. Lol, but don't worry! i won't just drop this story and make you wait 3 months before i update again...lol. I'll try to update once every few weeks at MOST.

As always, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW!!! i'm not kidding about that, PLEASE REVIEW! thats one of the main reasons that i write these, so that people will review! it lets me know that people are actually reading it. My reader traffic option only shows me how many people look at the PAGE that the story is on. It doesn't let me know if people are reading or if they're just glancing and deciding they don't want to read it! PLEASE REVIEW!

Enjoy!

Stranger

----Ayden----

Three years passed since the banishment of the pride of lionesses that soon became known as the Outlanders. Not once did they dare set paw back in the Pride Lands for fear of losing their lives. Only on one occasion did a small encounter with Zira waver the peace that had been established.

Several months after the Outlander's banishment, Kiara, by then a six month old cub, had wandered off into the Outlands, where she had met none other than the cub Kovu. The two quickly became friends after a rather dangerous skirmish with a river full of crocodiles. However, Simba and our Pride caught the two cubs playing just as Zira appeared to snatch her adoptive son away. It quickly became clear, after some verbal combat with her, that Zira was filling Kovu's head with lies and hate, and that he would eventually grow into an angry and hateful lion. With this knowledge, Simba forbade Kovu from entering the Pride Lands as well, and Kiara never saw Kovu again.

Over the years, the issues that Simba and I had revealed to each other began to steadily get better. Unfortunately I never fully got over my jealous impulses, try as I might; so instead, I learned to live with them. By now I had learned to just brush it off whenever it popped up, telling myself that there was nothing to do for it. True, it still troubled me more than anything else, but I had learned to live with it. Simba was also working on his own habits. It was a struggle for him to avoid his natural instinct at all costs. There had been a few close calls, but they ended quickly with him regaining control of himself. He was also earning a lot of experience and respect from both the Pride and the Pride Landers.

Our personal issues were not the only things that changed with the years. We all were growing.

By now, I was almost 22 years old. Each day during my morning customs, shaving became a daily routine. Once every couple of weeks, I would cut my hair just to keep it in check. My facial features became more chiseled and refined and I actually gained more muscle with my continuing exercise and hunting. Simba always said he would never understand the ways of humankind, considering he would never dream of shaving his long mane.

Simba was growing as well. His mane finally reached full length as it extended down to his lower stomach. He gained more muscle, and he grew slightly in size. He no longer resembled a young and inexperienced lion, but a powerful and decent-sized adult.

Tanabi and Kiara had grown into two young, well-built adolescent lions. Tanabi greatly resembled his father. About the same in build, Tanabi was merely smaller than his father due to age. His mane had finally come in and fully covered his head and neck, though it only extended down to his upper chest. The only two clearly noticeable difference between the two was that Tanabi's mane was more of a brownish color rather than the rusty russet that his father sported and his eyes were the clear sapphire blue, like his mother's. Over time, it became clear that Tanabi was a natural born hunter. He quickly picked up stealth with no trouble at all, and before his mane even extended down his neck, he successfully killed an antelope on his own.

As Kiara grew, it became apparent that her build was a mix of both her mother and her grandmother, Sarafina. Curiously enough, her pelt still retained the unique apricot color she had at birth instead of lightening up. Her ruby eyes held the exact same kindness and compassion that both her father and grandmother, Sarabi, had. Kiara's hunting skills were far less honed than Tanabi's, but at the same time, Tanabi was four months older, so he would be more experienced. Kiara was good, she just needed more practice.

For a while, things went back to normal, or at least as normal as they could get. With Zira and the Outlanders gone from the Pride, the tension that I felt had lifted almost entirely, which allowed me to really focus on my task of taking care of the kingdom. The animals in the kingdom soon knew that I really was a good and kind king, and they finally learned to trust me.

But unfortunately, nothing lasts forever. On one peaceful and seemingly insignificant day, the arrival of one single stranger would forever change the future of the Pride Lands.

Simba and I had finished taking our morning stroll with Zazu who was filling us in on the goings-on of the kingdom. We had walked back to Pride Rock and walked up to stand on the ledge to simply observe the beautiful kingdom.

"You know," I sighed happily, "It's hard to believe that three years ago, this was nothing more than a dead and barren wasteland. If you would have told me then that in three years the Pride Lands would be greener than they ever had been, I would have said it was impossible."

Simba chuckled. "Nothing is impossible."

I smiled back at him and looked back out to the beautiful landscape.

Then a loud and savage roaring broke through the semi-silence, shattering all feelings of peace.

"What was that?" I asked alertly.

Simba pricked up his ears waiting for the sound again. He didn't have to wait very long. Within seconds, the roaring echoed again from the northwestern corner of the Pride Lands.

"That's Tanabi!" I said urgently.

"Get on!" Simba growled, and I jumped on his back without hesitation. Instantly, Simba was off like a rocket down the slope of Pride Rock, and soon he was sprinting to the northwest as fast as he could run. He roared several times to let Tanabi know that he was on his way.

Within seconds, we came upon a sight that I will not soon forget. Tanabi was standing triumphantly on top of another lion, pinning him down and striking him repeatedly. The lion made no move to attack back or even to defend himself. Instead, his right paw was raised in a form of submission.

I slid off of Simba's back quickly enough, for he had sprinted over to Tanabi and pulled him off of the strange lion.

"Enough Tanabi!" he shouted over Tanabi's roars. "Can't you see he surrendered?"

Panting heavily, Tanabi growled, "He's looking for Sarabi! I don't know…I thought he wanted to kill her."

The stranger stood up and I was able to get a good look at him. My mouth fell open, and I quickly closed it for fear that Simba might see.

It can't be!

This lion matched the exact description of Kamau, the cub that Sarabi had given birth to; the cub that was brought to life because she was raped by Scar.

His pelt was the exact same color of Scar's; rusty brown with a creamy underbelly and a flowing black mane that extended down to his upper chest. His face had Scar's nose and snout. However, that was the extent of how much he resembled Scar. His features were much more powerfully built, rather than the skinny and lanky build that Scar had. His face was not as pointed or harsh as Scar's had been; in fact, his face resembled Sarabi's immensely as gentleness and peace practically radiated off of it. His sparkling blue eyes held true kindness within their gaze.

No, maybe it's not him! Maybe you're just worrying over nothing!

"No," the stranger said, bowing his head to Simba. "No, your majesty, please understand that I had no intention of doing anything like that. I just wanted to see-"

Two more roars echoed out from behind us, and I turned to see, to my horror, Sarabi followed closely by Kiara. When Sarabi would lay eyes on Kamau, it would put the secret out in the open for everybody to see; for Simba to see.

My worst fear was about to come true.

Sarabi skidded to a halt next to Simba.

"What's going on here?" she asked urgently, staring around at the scene she just arrived on. "What-"

She cut off abruptly. Her eyes rested on the new stranger, and my worst thoughts were confirmed. This was Kamau. The look in her eyes confirmed it. Shock, fear, and overwhelming joy melded together and reflected in Sarabi's eyes as she looked upon her youngest son. Unmistakable tears of joy sprang to them.

Kamau looked up at his mother.

"S-Sa-Sarabi?" He stammered, tears welling in his eyes as well.

I chanced a glance at Simba, who looked utterly perplexed at the two lion's reactions to each other.

I looked back at Sarabi and Kamau, who I expected to run to each other and embrace. Instead, Sarabi did exactly the opposite. For a while, she simply stared at Kamau with disbelief and joy. She took several unsure steps backward and to everybody's astonishment, turned around and sprinted out of sight.

Instantly, my fear was subdued. Not permanently, but at least now would not be the time for revelations. Simba would not know the secret.

At least not yet…

"Hey, where are you going?" Simba called out to his mother, but it was pointless. Sarabi was already too far away, running at incredible speeds. Simba sighed and looked back at Kamau, whose face had fallen. Instead of the joy it once reflected, it was now filled with sadness and rejection.

Tanabi spoke up to break the silence. "His name's Kamau, Dad."

"Well Kamau," Simba said, glancing back at the spot where Sarabi had once been. "I'm sorry for what happened. If it is business that you have, you're welcome to stay until she returns. Please feel free to stay as long as you like. I don't know what's gotten into her."

"Neither do I," Kamau replied dejectedly, raising a paw to wipe his tears.

That makes three of us. I thought to myself.

"Are you ok?" Simba asked him concernedly.

"Yes, I'm fine. Sorry."

Simba, who was wholly oblivious at this moment, (a fact I was overwhelmingly grateful for) smiled at Kamau and motioned to Pride Rock. "Home is this way. Follow us. Hakuna Matata! No worries! We'll get you sorted out." And he started to make his way to Pride Rock.

"Erm…Simba?" I said tentatively. He looked around at me, smiling.
"What's up?" he asked.

"I was actually thinking that maybe I could show Kamau the way? I would kinda like a word alone with him for a moment."

"Yeah…" he said slowly, a confused look on his face. "Sure. Just don't be long."

"Hakuna Matata." I said happily. "We'll be there shortly after you guys."

With that, Simba looked at Kamau one last time, and then he, Kiara, and Tanabi set off to Pride Rock.

I turned around faced Kamau who was staring at me with the utmost confusion. I knew perfectly well why. I had seen that look on the faces of hundreds of Pride Landers before.

"I'm gonna take a wild guess and say that you've probably never seen somebody like me before," I said lightly.

"Well, no," he said. He looked away again to the spot where Sarabi had been. "And not to be rude, but what do you want with me?"

Slightly taken aback I said, "Well if you don't know who I am then what does it matter what I have to say?"

Kamau opened his mouth to say something, but closed it immediately. He knew I was right.

"I am King Ayden, the second King of the Pride Lands alongside King Simba. I have a few questions for you before I can tell you what I have to say."

Kamau looked up at me bewilderedly. "YOU'RE King Ayden?" he asked in disbelief. "You're a human? My goodness, your highness, please forgive me for saying so, but you look nothing like a monkey."

I chuckled. "Is that what Yetunde told you I looked like?"

Kamau stared at me in even more disbelief than he had a second ago. His mouth hung open.

"How did you know that Yetunde told me about you?" he whispered.

"I know a lot more about you than you would think," I replied.

"How?" he asked quietly.

"Sarabi is my mother too. My adoptive mother, but my mother nonetheless. She is the reason I know so much about you."

He stared at me incredulously for a moment, and then looked away. "What would you like to know, your majesty?"

"Well firstly, don't call my 'your majesty' please. Just Ayden will be fine," I said smiling.

"Oh, ok then," he said smiling slightly, but then it was gone.

"Now," I began, "I've noticed that you are alone. Where is Yetunde?"

At my words, Kamau bowed his head and suddenly I understood.

"She's passed on?" I asked quietly.

He nodded. "About a year-and-a-half ago. She died trying to protect me from a pack of hyenas."

"Then may she rest in peace. She's with her family and friends with the Kings of the Past now."

"She was like a mother to me," Kamau said, tears in his eyes. "She took care of me. She loved me. She always told me stories of my mother. How she loved me more than any mother ever loved a child. How giving me up was the hardest decision she ever had to make."

He looked up at me, his eyes reflecting a rejection I had never known. "And now she doesn't even want to see me."

I sighed. "Kamau, I am the only person that Sarabi told about your existence, and let me tell you this; Sarabi loves you unconditionally. I've never seen such a longing in her eyes until after she gave you up. Sarabi loves you."

"Then why did she run away like that?" he asked defiantly.

"I'm not positive," I said, "but your appearance was certainly shocking for me. To be honest, neither of us were expecting you to show up again. So your sudden appearance may have been too much for her to take in all at once. I'm sure once she's over the shock, she'll be overjoyed that you're back. After all, you are her son."

Kamau's face lightened at my words, but I knew that he would not be entirely convinced until he heard this from Sarabi herself.

"Now, I only have one more question," I said, and I began to worry. This was the one question I dreaded the answer to.

"What did Yetunde tell you of your father?"

Kamau still stared at his paws. "Nothing," he replied.

The dread vanished instantly. So he didn't know. Which meant that he couldn't tell Simba, which meant that for now, the secret was still safe.

"Yetunde never told me anything of my father," Kamau continued. "She told me that she never knew him. I think she did, but she didn't want to tell me." He perked his ears and looked up at me curiously. "Why? Did you know my father?"

I opened my mouth to answer "yes", but thought better of it. What was I going to say? That his father was a brutal, bloodthirsty tyrant?

On one hand, Kamau deserved to know the truth about his parentage. Nobody deserved to be kept in the dark about their past. And he really wanted to know. I could see it in his eyes.

On the other hand, if he knew about his father's identity, he could accidentally let it slip to Simba, and everything would be ruined. I was still unsure of how Simba would react if he discovered that his mother was raped by Scar.

I decided to play it safe. "Yes. I knew him, but it is not my place to reveal who he is."

That's Sarabi's responsibility; after all, she's the one he's seeking answers from, I thought to myself.

Kamau sighed. "Everybody I ask refuses to tell me the answer. I'm beginning to think that maybe I don't want to know my father's identity."

I bit my lip, but said nothing. Turning away so Kamau wouldn't see, I looked around at Pride Rock. I squinted as a glint of golden-brown caught my eye.

Simba was standing at the edge of Pride Rock, looking out in my direction. Quickly, I turned back to Kamau.

"I'll make this quick then," I said urgently. "Kamau, this is very important, and it should not be taken lightly. Do I have your full attention?"

He stared at me, eyebrows contracted. Slowly, he nodded.

"Okay, listen to me," I said. "If and/or when you find out who your father is, you cannot tell anybody, especially Simba. Trust me on this one; it will be bad enough if you find out, but if Simba does…"

I trailed off, hoping that he would get the message. Kamau continued to stare at me for a moment. Then after a few seconds, he spoke.

"Yetunde was right. Humans are strange." He said this more to himself than me. "Alright Ayden, I'll trust you. If I ever find out the identity of my father, then Simba will never know."

I sighed with relief. At least now Kamau had a basic understanding of the situation. "Good. Now c'mon, we better get going."

Expect an update within two weeks, AT THE MOST. The next chapter is really exciting! Just be patient, and remember... REVIEW!!!