Kopa's POV

It was not long before Vitani and I found ourselves surrounded by everyone, their curious stares falling full force upon us. I'll admit it; I don't really like crowds, and I really don't like being stared at by crowds. I grasped Vitani's paw even tighter, to the embarassment of both of us. But I just didn't want to let go; I felt safe this way. But I still tried move into a position that appeared less awkward,while my heart was pounding in my chest. Vitani said next to me, almost in a mutter, "O gods; this is going to be hard to explain." She suddenly fell over, coughing what I knew was a fake cough.

To make things worse, Vitani's mother pushed her way through the crowd; and she did not look happy. My ears flattened, I froze, and I crouched to the ground as low as I could, considering Vitani and I were attached at the paw. Vitani's mom was, admittedly, one scary lioness when she was in a mood; mainly 'cause I could usually hear the loud muttering and temper tantrums from their den. Vitani quickly took up the exact same stance I was in, looking up at her mom. Zira gave her a sharp look.

"Vitani, what is the meaning of this?" she demanded, her voice as cold and sharp as a steel blade. I could fell Vitani moving even closer to me, and she stammered, ""I-I-I well, we all went swimming an... um... K-Kopa started sinking and…" She began crying again, and I didn't want her mom to be mad at her; no matter how much I was scared of Zira. I finished the sentence for her.

"That's when she saved me, um, Zira." Vitani gave me a grateful look. Zira gave her daughter an extremely patronizing look.

"You saved him? What an unfortunate turn of events." I was slightly stung, but before I could anything I heard a voice shout behind me, "What was that, Zira!" My Dad was now amongst the crowd, glaring at Zira. Zira's tail twitched for a second, before she changed her manner slightly, "Ah, Simba; I merely said what a fortunate turn of events, your highness." The sarcasm was virtually oozing out of every word she spoke. Dad gave her a long look, and snapped, "I need no recognition from you!" Then he saw me, and his face softened. He moved towards me urgently, and Vitani and I finally separated our paws. "Kopa, are you alright?"

"Yes dad- I'm-" Cough. "-fine." Another cough. "-thanks to... Vitani." I said, every phrase punctuated with a cough. Dad loked kindly at Vitani, and said, ""Yes, well thank you Vitani," He looked back at Zira sternly. "And as for you, Zira, I suggest you take your leave, as I am taking mine." He pickedm e up by the scruff of the neck, and carrried me back to our den.

After we had arrived in the den, my dad set me down. He slowly and walked around to the entrance and laid down with a sigh. I looked, and happened to notice that he was looking at me with a lopsided grin. I looked at him quizzically. His face took on a look of parental concern, and he just said, "Kopa, are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes dad, I've finally been able to stop coughing." I said with a shiver, still dripping on the cave floor.

"That's good." He looked worried now, as if bracing himself to tell me something he figured I would react badly to. "Now, Kopa... don't take this the wrong way, but... um, well- I think it might be for the best if you stay away from Vitani."

"WHAT!" I yelled, brimming over with outrage. She had just rescued me, for the love of the gods! "She didn't do anything, Dad! She SAVED me, thank you very much. And this is how you treat her?" I shouted, enraged. Dad raised a paw, giving me the "calm down and take deep breaths" look. I breathed in slowly, trying to calm myself down. It worked somewhat, and my dad patiently waited until I was a little calmer to say anything else. He shifted uneasily and said, beseechingly, "Just for a short time while things blow over... and Zira forgets about this." I looked up at dad, finding this explanation and situation utterly ridiculous in my cub mind.

"Why should Vitani or I have to suffer because of some dispute between YOU and her DAD?" I said, still angry. Dad shook his head, giving me the "you'll understand when you're older" look I knew so well.

"It's for your own good, Kopa…" I really could care less for my own good right now. "-and hers." He finished solemnly. Well, if it was for her good...

Once Dad noticed my expression, he knew he had my consent. He gave me his lopsided, cheesy grin again. "But if you think you can go out and not be noticed by Zira that's perfectly fine son." Yes, this is what I was waiting to hear!

"Sure Dad!" I piped up, tail twitching. I wasn't really worried about what Zira could do to me, however scary she was. "But, why are you so concerned? I mean I know she gets mad but she wouldn't…" I noticed my dad's blatant expression, and my courage dropped just a notch. "-well, anyway, thanks for caring so much, Dad. I'm going to go and see if my friends know everything's okay." Before I headed out of the cave, he stopped me, concern in his eyes again.

"Ok. But just promise me you'll be careful!" I nodded my head and ran off, leaving my dad alone in the cave.

Simba's POV:

How did this all happen? It's all good and well to have a friend... especially if Kopa is thinking the way I think he is. I approve; but, I can't help thinking this can't end well.

"Antelope for your thoughts, dear?" Nala, my dear soulmate, stepped out from the shadows of the cave, dragging in a fresh carcass. As she set it down, I looked her in straight in her sapphire eyes.

"I-I-I was just wondering... are we doing the right thing, dear?" Nala chuckled, unperturbed.

"Simba, he'll be fine... especially if he's not half as bad as YOU!" she said, tackling me like she had when we were cubs. We tussled like that for a few more minutes; but I couldn't take my mind off of my son. I eventuallyy stopped and glanced at her again, a father's worry showing through.

"Nal, are you sure this is a good thing? You and I both know how Zira is... and I can't risk losing Kopa to her; especially if she uses Vitani to do it." A low growl emanated from Nala's lips. Nala always looked even more beautiful when angry... as long as the anger wasn't directed at you.

"If she so much as touches our son... I'll kill her myself." She spat vehemtly. She quickly changed demeanor and looked back at me, calm as ever. "But Simba... Scar is gone. And don't forget that people change…" I chuckled inwardly; if zira changed any more, she'd be an exact copy of my late uncle. "...moreover, Vitani would never hurt Kopa."

"How can you be so sure?" I asked, anxious as ever. Nala gave me that dazzling smile of hers.

"I remember how we used to be…" She said, nuzzling me affectionately.

"I love you, Nal."

"And I love you too!"