OMG! Its been FOREVER since I last updated. I'm sooooo sorry my lovelies. I had senior Project to orry about but I'm free of my fate. I'm graduating! WOOT!

A/N:I DO NOT OWN LION KING! IT BELONGS TO DISNEY.

Edit: I've changed Razi's home of the Dark lands to the Shadowlands since it sounded better. I may change it back if I feel it doesn't fit. I'm open for any ideas right now!

Well anyways, enjoy the chapter now! :)

Shadow lands

The sun was low in the sky, painting it a hue of oranges and yellows. The slow sunrise was always beautiful in the savannah. The herds were peaceful as they grazed in the warm sun.

Razi awoke to find herself wedged between her mother's paws. Wiggling out of her mother's grasp, she stretched and yawned. Her eyes took notice of the beautifully colored sky and decided to take a closer look.

Razi sat down at the cave mouth so that she could have a better look. Beyond the ugly lands in which they lived, the bright rays of the sun was a lovely sight in comparison. Of course, she wished her lands were more lush and plentiful like the ever-prosperous Pride lands.

If only her mother and father weren't so against them, maybe their pride would have a fighting chance at life. In some cases, the adults would sacrifice what little they had to eat for the cubs and expecting females but it just wasn't enough. And she did not like it one bit. If nothing were done soon, even the newborn and unborn cubs were going to die.

"I have to do something." she murmured, feeling her own stomach protest.

Pridelands

Sarabi was the first up well as Sarafina. The two had gone out onto the incline of pride rock to speak about the matter of yesterday's incident. It may not have seemed like anything to worry about for the time being but it was something to think about.

"So Chike returned to the Pridelands." Sarabi stated with a sigh.

Sarafina nodded in response. "He and his mother were banished from the Pridelands but now he's returned with an entire pride. This could cause a fuss with the hunting parties."

"What do you mean mother?" questioned a voice.

The two old lionesses turned to face the curious face of Nala. Her beautiful eyes were filled with the curiousness that would often appear in a cub's eyes. Sarabi nodded, indicating that she could join them.

"I feel you should know about this as well Nala. Its best to be discussed among us before telling the children. I wouldn't want them to worry too much into it."

Nala understood Sarabi's wise words. She was very much right. Having just become the King and queen of the Pridelands had taken a bit of their time already. Dealing with something of this magnitude might just prove to be too much along with their other duties.

"We should inform Simba as well. He might be able to provide some solutions to this."

Savannah

The animals of the Pride lands grazed happily under the warm African sun. It was peaceful and there was no sense of danger. Even now, some felt a bit jumpy because of Scar's murderous rein as king.

Even so they were overjoyed that Simba had claimed the throne as his. The lands were now ever-prosperous and they had him to thank for it.

Even now the former king sat upon a rock incline and looked on over the savannah. He was watching over the animals as well as keeping an eye on

the three playful cubs who were in the grasses just below the incline.

Jelani and Tanai were wrestling around while Alala just took in the warm sun. her mind had been in a fog about yesterday. Razi had only wanted to play when they'd accidentally ventured into that dark cave. She'd been scared out of her mind.

"Whats wrong Alala?" questioned Tanai as sat next to her.

Snapping out of her stupor, she looked up at Tanai. Alala smiled at him before turning to look into the distance. She saw something up ahead and it was coming towards them.

Kovu also noticed it and lept down before the cubs, crouching low. Whatever it was, halted its advance to a leisure walk. The creature then made its way through the grasses. Jelani sniffed the air and recognized the scent.

"Razi? Is that you?"

The leopard cub poked her head out of the thick grasses. Kovu's body relaxed and he was glad it was only her. The cubs gathered around with questionable looks upon their faces.

"What are you doing here?" questioned Tanai.

Razi looked up at Kovu. "I was hoping for an audience with the King & Queen of the Pride lands."

Elsewhere

Chike watched from his perch just a short distance away from his pride's den. He overlooked the barren lands with a frown on his face. He did not like how Simba and his descendants had all forced him into exile.

Then he noticed that his hunting party had returned with a few small gazelle. A lioness separated herself from the party as the others went into the cave.

Chike looked up at her and his expression softened. Her fur was of a rusty cinnamon and her eyes were a dark golden color. She nuzzled him and licked his cheek.

"Whats with that face?" she questioned. "...I don't like it."

He sighed. "Its nothing Khari."

Chike stood to his feet and turned to go into the cave. The lioness blocked his path. Khari looked up at him, hurt in her eyes. Her mate side-stepped her and joined the others in the den to eat. Khari, a bit heart-broken, lept from the incline and settled into a grassy patch beneath it.

"If only we weren't in exile..." she whispered, a silent tear rolling down her cheek.

Pride Rock

Razi looked up at her elders as she sat before them. Three Generations of Royalty sat before her and she couldn't be anymore nervous. Jelani and the others weren't present so it only made it worse. Kovu cleared his throat.

"For you to travel so far, little one, you surely must've had a good reason for requesting an audience with the King and Queen." said Sarabi as she overlooked the cub.

Razi nodded. "Yes, I came here today to somehow request assistance for my Pride. We're nearing starvation and if nothing changes soon, we will loose not only our King & Queen but our elderly, young & future leaders. I' don't want to be looked upon as a princess who did nothing for her pride in their time of need."

Kiara listened to Razi's plight. It was something no pride should go through especially if young were involved. Kovu saw the hurt in Kiara's eyes though she tried not to show it. Nala and Simba also noticed it. It was then that Kovu broke the silence.

"I understand your struggle and hereby Grant you and your Pride, permission to hunt in the pridelands until you have recovered." he said clearly, authority echoing in his voice.

Razi bowed in respect. "Thank you King Kovu, Queen Kiara."

Another questioned arose and Nala stepped forward. "Little one, why did you come alone. Surely, you're parents would've wanted to hear this themselves?"

Razi stiffened as she continued looking at the ground. She looked up sheepishly at Nala. "My Mother and Father don't exactly know I came out here to make such a request."

Shadow lands

Fahari yawned, a growl escaping her chest. She stretched, working out the stiffness before ruffling her fur a bit. She then turned to her pride who relaxed in the coolness of the den. The young were nestled against their mothers, drowsy from their meal. It then reminded her of Razi.

"Razi. Time to get up." she said, looking down to her daughter's favorite napping place.

Her daughter was not there nor could she spot her anywhere in the could she be? Worried, she nudged her mate who opened one eye to look at her.

"Enzi, I can't find Razi."she said hurriedly.

The large leopard then rose and looked Fahari straight int he eyes. "Have you checked outside?"he questioned, his heart beginning to race.

Fahari said nothing as she bounded outside and into the open. Spotting her daughter wouldn't be hard with no grasses to hide in or large boulders to hide behind.

"Razi!" Enzi shouted as he searched frantically around the area.

Turning around, he met with Fahari's tear filled eyes. "You don't think its about the scolding we gave her about venturing into the Pride lands last night?" she questioned.

Flashback

Razi gave her gratitude to Simba for escorting her back home now that night had fallen. She treaded upon the barren land, her paws remembering its texture.

She missed her friends already. What she wouldn't give to play with them again but right now she had another challenge to face: her parents.

As quietly as she could, she entered the cave that was her home. Once inside, she was met with two pairs of eyes.

'Busted.' she thought as she sat before her parents.

Her mother nuzzled her daughter affectionately, glad to have her back safe and sound. Her anger had subsided in all the commotion but her husband's had not even begun to simmer down.

"Razi! Where in the Great Kings were you?" he yelled, his voice thundering throughout the area.

The leopard cub winced at the intensity of his voice. She didn't think he would be so mad but she could not blame him. She was his only heir to the throne let alone his little girl.

"Daddy, I...was playing."she answered simply.

Enzi raised an eyebrow. "Playing? Playing with who and where?"

Razi averted her gaze before sttling back onto him, the moonlight illuminating his face. Fahari grew curious as well about what would make her daughter do such a thing.

"I was playing with Prince Jelani and his friends...in the Pridelands...and then..."

Fahari and Enzi turned to their daughter. " THE PRIDELANDS?"

Razi winced. Her parents had never wanted anything to do with the Pridelands because of the Reign of an Evil King. It was the reason they were so cautious about her going out by herself but something told her it was more than that.

"You must never return there. Stay where we can keep an eye on you, do you understand?" both said in unison.

Disappointed, the cub nodded her head. "I understand." she said, settling down for the night.

End Flashback

Enzi and Fahari looked to one another. "Couldn't be."

AH! This chappie too so long to type. Guess I had to get the old Juices flowing but I hope this make you all happy. 3:17 am now. Going to bed.

Until next time,

-EmikoSakura27-