A slender lioness who has grayish-tan fur with a dark stripe down the center of her head saw all of the commotion that was going in Pride Rock. Two cubs were missing, and they were caught up in the storm.

However, it wasn't just any two cubs. It was Shanti and Prince Simba.

Their parents were worried sick about them. They already had a search party for them, but they couldn't do anything when the downpour of rain started.

"What if something happened to them?" Masika, Shanti's mother, asked Simba's parents.

All of the lions were inside the cave for shelter from the storm.

"I don't know. I'm trying not to think about that." Sarabi replied.

"I'm sure the cubs are hiding somewhere," The grayish-tan lioness tried to comfort the scared mothers. Only she could be the reasonable and logical one at the moment. "Maybe they lost track of the time. They'll show up once the sky clears."

"Maybe you're right, Zira." Mufasa agreed.

"Aren't I always?" She chuckled.

Zira walked to her best friend who was laying down.

"You're actually on speaking terms with them?" Femi, her best friend, asked her with surprise.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

The two lionesses talked only in low voices so no one else would overhear.

"Because of what Mufasa did to your mate." She clarified.

"I rather be on good terms with them now than getting exiled for killing him in return for Scar," Then Zira whispered only for her friend to hear. "I am pregnant with his cub."

Femi gasped in shock. "You are?"

"Yes. I appreciate it if it remains a secret until I announce it. Got it?"

"Got it." She nodded.

"Hopefully, our cub will be a boy," Zira dreamed. "To give Scar the heir he rightfully deserves."

In the morning, the rain stopped, but the sky was still gray and cloudy.

Simba's eyes slowly opened. He realized he didn't have any nightmares. Nothing from the stampede or from Scar. For once, he had a peaceful rest.

He turned his head over and saw Shanti was asleep right next to him.

Was it because of Shanti that he slept peacefully?

Simba didn't know for sure. He got up, and winced, as if the pain reminded him of his leg injury. The terrible bite he had from the jackal. He tried walking around, but he was limping.

It would be a slow walk back home.

Simba woke up Shanti so they could return to Pride Rock. Their walking was slow because of Simba's bad leg, yet Shanti stayed at his pace.

It felt like they were walking forever.

"What if those jackals come back to us?" Shanti whimpered. Her paranoid green eyes were searching for them to be hidden somewhere.

"We'll run." Simba answered always being the brave.

"But you can't run." She shook her head.

"I can try." He was adamant about the possible scenario.

"Fine," She grudgingly replied. "I hope you won't get eaten."

Simba glared at her which she ignored.

Throughout the day, the gray clouds went away bringing in the clear blue sky with the shining sun. The cubs were still walking with the heat beating down on them, and their stomachs were growling in hunger for food. Since they hadn't eaten yesterday.

Simba glanced up to the skies, and was glad it wasn't raining anymore, but also noticed there was a familiar looking bird flying in the sky. He squinted his eyes to spot it closer, and could've sworn it was his father's majordomo.

"Hey! I think that's Zazu!" Simba looked up at the sky, and so did Shanti being surprised.

"It is him!" Shanti instantly recognized.

They started calling down for him as Zazu was flying in the air to search for those same cubs. When he heard his name being called, he gasped, and flew straight down to them.

"Oh, thank the Great Kings, I've found you!" Zazu exclaimed with relief. "All of the Pride is out on the search for you since before sunrise!" Then his tone immediately changed to being angry. "Where exactly have you been? Your parents are worried sick about you!"

"We were just minding our own business yesterday then all of a sudden we've been chased by three jackals, and one of them hurt Simba." Shanti explained.

Zazu looked at the prince's leg, and was mortified. "Oh, dear! You poor thing!"

"I'm fine. Really..." Simba said because he didn't want the hornbill to make a fuss over him, and report it to his parents who would most likely act the same way.

"You are most definitely unable to walk such a long distance back home! You are not fine!" Zazu sternly told him. "You cubs stay close together right here and I'll get your parents. Your mother can carry you, Simba."

"But-" Simba tried to protest, but Zazu won't hear it.

"No buts!" Zazu flew off to get their parents.

The prince groaned, and the cubs sat onto the ground as they wait for their parents' and Zazu's arrival.

It was quiet for a while between them until Simba was the one who spoke.

"Thanks for helping me out yesterday. That was a good slap you did on that jackal."

"I remember you saying you did the same thing to one of the hyenas at the Elephant Graveyard to save Nala." Shanti said.

Simba also remembered how he fought with the hyenas. Nala thought he was very brave.

Finally, their parents returned along with Zazu. The cubs' mothers were the first ones to be at their side instantly. Especially, Sarabi when she saw the condition her son was in. She was much more horrified.

"Simba, what happened?!"

Shanti repeated the same explanation that she gave to Zazu in greater detail, and their parents were listening intently.

"We're going to keep a close eye on those jackals," Mufasa vowed. "And the hyenas as well. They might be their influence."

"You don't have to keep a close eye on them. I can kill them myself for hurting my son." Sarabi said protectively.

"Sarabi…" Mufasa warned his mate.

"You can't walk can you?" She asked her son.

"No he absolutely cannot," Zazu answered for him the moment Simba opened his mouth. Which annoyed the cub. "He's limping!"

Mufasa examined his son's injury. "Perhaps Rafiki can create some sort of healing concoction for him."

Without another word, Sarabi picked him up, and carried him with her mouth. She was already going back to her way to Pride Rock not caring if the others started to follow.

"What about you, Shanti?" Her father, Abuchi, asked his daughter with worry and concern. "Are you alright?"

"You're not hurt, are you?" Masika asked in the same anxious tone.

"I'm fine and I'm not hurt. I'm just worried about Simba." Shanti answered his parents.

"Simba will be fine," Mufasa assured. He looked at his family who was already going back home without them. "He's very strong at his age. He can get through with this."

Later on in the day, Rafiki healed Simba, and he was only supposed to eat and then rest. In the night, Simba wondered why bad stuff always happened to him. Just because he was destined to be king. It was like everyone was out to get him. Even his own uncle.

Simba had a yearning desire to escape his life. To have no responsibilities and no worries. To be lost in paradise.

Author's Note: I would think Zira was once in Mufasa's Pride and then in Simba's until he banished her like he said in the sequel. Don't worry, Timon and Pumbaa will show up soon. I hope you all liked this chapter and please review! :)