Chapter Seven: Reprieve

TRON0602: Yup, Ashaki is back. Enjoy the chapter.

Hunter305414: Once someone's tainted, it is forever, I feel. He was the CHOSEN heir of Scar, SCAR, not Taka, so, I felt it only right Kovu turn on Ashaki, and yes, both Kiara and Kovu can jump off a cliff. I agree. Remarriage is a possibility with Ashaki, we just have to wait and see, :) we catch up with Ashaki almost right where we left off last chapter, so enjoy, my friend :)

Whoa it's Fandoms: That's okay! I loved your one-shot. It was short, but you are a good author, my friend :)

Guest: You got it right on the ball. Kovu wanted to kill his own son, and his daughters, even though one of them is his adoptive daughter. JJ did whip her father's ass pretty thoroughly, and was only barely able to hold herself back, had she not held back, let's say it wouldn't be Kovu's exiling, he would have been dead. Seeing Kiara suffer made last chapter just… worth it. WORTH IT SO DAMN MUCH! *clears throat* enjoy the chapter :)

Keep Calm and Join Team Loki: Easy, there! I understand your anger, friend, I wanted to kill them both throughout the last chapter, but had to restrain. Let Simba and JJ comfort you, they're great huggers. Thank you and enjoy the chapter :)

CSIMentalistTLK Lover: I am glad Sarabi isn't dead either. Vitani… Dammit ASHAKI, would just suffer too much. I didn't want that, despite the dark theme I've taken on. And yes, I made Kovu and Kiara messed up and evil and… HORRIBLE! I love being an author, all you have to do is mess up one thing and it changes a whole concept, and makes a smooth road bumpy! JJ and Amri have found love… and… nevermind that's revealing some plot :) Enjoy the chapter.

And I just realized I need to assign voice actors for some characters. NOTE: Adult voice actors, not cub:

JJ/Jolina II: Paula Tiso (Lulu from Final Fantasy X and X-2)

Jasiri (Kopa's daughter): Tara Strong (Rikku from Final Fantasy X and X-2)

Zuri: Taylor Swift

Fahamu: Zac Efron

Jua: Julia Fletcher (Judge Drace from Final Fantasy XII)

Mwenzi: Cree Summer

Chaka: Bobby Edner (Vaan from Final Fantasy XII)

Ramsa: Sandra Bullock

Amalia: Jennifer Aniston

Kazai (Malka's daughter): Laura Wright (Carly on "General Hospital")

OH! And read Whoa it's Fandoms one shot: Cries for Vengeance. :) it's short, but to the point and beautiful. And also, CSIMentalistTLK Lover has a new story in her "The New Lion King" Series, CHECK THEM OUT!

Ashaki woke up the next morning, JJ, Nurisha, and Chaka at her side. The peach-beige Queen lifted her head, expecting to see her mate… her former mate, at her side with their children. Ashaki held in the tears and sighed. The Queen stood up, shook out her fur, and walked outside. Life had to go on, and today was the day that Ramsa, the Princess of the Downwind Pride, would visit to try to win Muujiza's heart. Amalia had tried, but the Princess of the River Pride had decided to return home after much trying.

Ashaki didn't blame the girl, rather, she blamed Kibuluu for making these times trying.

The Queen continued to the northern border, where she saw a brown lioness emerge from the mists. The lioness was, for lack of a better word, beautiful. She had a smooth head, perfect brown fur, lighter underfur on her belly, neck, paws and lower jaw, whilst her upper jaw had a beautiful shade of dark brown. Earrims adorned her ears, she had a light eyeshade on top and a dark eyeshade on bottom, and her eyes were a delicate shade of pink.

Ashaki smiled as the Princess Ramsa approached her. Ramsa smiled at the Queen of the Pridelands and bowed her head.

"Queen Vitani." Ramsa said. Ashaki smiled.

"Vitani is no more. I've chosen to go by my birth name, Ashaki." Ashaki said. Ramsa nodded.

"I see. Very well then. It is a pleasure to meet you." Ramsa said. Ashaki bowed her head.

"Likewise. Our families are quite related." Ashaki said. Ramsa laughed, a deep, throaty laugh that made Ashaki feel safe.

"Well, your grandmother is my great-great aunt." Ramsa said. Ashaki laughed.

"That is true. Your family seems to have children quite young." Ashaki smiled.

"That we do. Unlike Zira, who has a son the age of your daughter." Ramsa said.

"Yet, Fahamu is well. Shall we go to Pride Rock, Ramsa?" Ashaki asked.

"We shall, if I may ask, where is your husband?" Ramsa asked. Ashaki took in a breath. Ramsa looked to the Queen in concern. Ashaki let out her breath.

"He had a wandering eye… he was having an affair with his sister-in-law and… and he tried murdering our son yesterday." Ashaki said softly. Ramsa's eyes widened.

"Oh my Kings… I'm so sorry. Maybe now is not the best time for me to be here…" Ramsa said. Ashaki shook her head.

"By all means, stay. The children need to know that life must go on after heartbreak. It is just such a shame my little boy has to deal with this at such a young age." Ashaki said. Ramsa nodded slowly.

"I…I can't say I understand, because I don't. My sincere condolences, Ashaki." Ramsa said. Ashaki gave a small smile to the Princess.

"Thank you. I appreciate it." She said. Ramsa smiled.

"How old are your cubs?" Ramsa asked. Ashaki smiled and sighed.

"Jolina, JJ, is almost a year and a half old, Nurisha, my adoptive daughter, is a year old, and my son, Chaka, is five months old." Ashaki said.

"Varying ages. You adopted one child?" Ramsa asked.

"Nurisha's mother was dead upon my arrival. My majordomo, Zazu, had seen the mother with her. I adopted her because… because she needed a home." Ashaki said.

*+-/_\-+*

Kibuluu sneaked to the border of the Pridelands, not seeing his daughter anywhere. He growled.

"Where are you, Kiara? Show up you ungrateful twit!" Kibuluu hissed under his breath. Three red-billed hornbills appeared above Kibuluu. He recognized one: Zazu. The other two must have been his mate and subsequent brat. Kibuluu went back into the bushes, disguising himself as Zazu landed on the ground.

"Zazu, dear…" A female voice emerged from one of the hornbills.

"What is it, Binti?" Zazu asked.

"I just wonder why you aren't teaching our daughter how to be majordomo yet." Binti said.

"I have a few good years left!" Zazu said. Kibuluu readied his muscles. He was going to get the truth out of the three hornbills about where his daughter was. Zazu and his family turned around and then Kibuluu pounced, luckily catching all three hornbills. Binti screamed.

"Zazu! Zizu!" Binti yelled.

"Mama!" Zizu said. Zazu looked to the golden lion.

"YOU! Kibuluu! What are you doing here?" The hornbill asked.

"I was supposed to meet my daughter, Kiara, here today, where in the hell is she?" Kibuluu growled. Zazu cowered.

"Queen Ashaki exiled both Kiara and Kovu to be imprisoned in the Riverlands." Zazu said softly. Kibuluu growled.

"So she's going by Ashaki again? Interesting… however… I can't have all three of you going to her and mentioning this to her…" Kibuluu raised a paw so quickly that the three hornbills didn't know when their lives ended.

*+-/_\-+*

Myota walked out of the cave, his eyes bleary and reddened from tears throughout the night. His wife, the love of his live, Kiara, had cheated on him with his own brother. The white lion sat down, and sighed heavily. In the morning sun, even in his grief, he looked beautiful with his snow-white pelt, lime green eyes, light tan mane, and sharp red-pink nose.

"My boy." A feminine voice said. Myota's head snapped up and he looked into bright blue eyes. He looked at the lioness, seeing a white pelt, and a nose the color of his own. He was taken aback.

"Who, who are you?" Myota asked.

"My name is Mpenzi, and I'm your mother, and Nurisha's mother." Mpenzi said. Myota's eyes widened. It couldn't be, not the mother that abandoned him. Myota closed his eyes, dropping his head.

Blue eyes looked upon him. Loving, caring blue eyes, his mother's eyes.

"Get rid of it." A brown lion said.

"I can't, he's my son!" The lioness said.

"It's the child of Scar! I will not have it in my Moonlands." The brown lion said. The silver lion at the white lioness's side sighed.

"Give us two days." He said.

"Fair enough. Don't get attached." The brown lion said.

Myota lifted his head, looking into his mother's eyes.

"You are my mother… Scar is… my father?" Myota asked. Mpenzi nodded.

"The Moonlands offered help to the Pridelands during the drought. I was the messenger from the Moonlands to the Pridelands, and Scar… Scar saw an opportunity for a white heir in me." Mpenzi whispered.

"Uncle Myota?" Nurisha asked, coming out of the cave. The white one-year-old also saw the white lioness before them. Mpenzi smiled at Nurisha. Nurisha shook her head adamantly.

"I… no… no you're, you're dead. I'm not crazy, I'm not seeing things…" Nurisha said.

"I'm seeing her too, Nuri." Myota said. Nurisha stepped up. Mpenzi sighed.

"I only expected to see one of my children. I'm glad to see both, dear Nurisha." Mpenzi said. Nurisha lowered her head.

"Ashaki's my mother. She raised me." Nurisha said.

"I can understand. As Zira is Myota's mother, she raised him." Mpenzi said. Myota looked to his mother.

"I... I don't know… why are you here?" Myota asked.

"I'm here to tell you that Kovu will not stay sealed away in the Riverlands, nor Kiara. That's all I can say, but I can also say this," Mpenzi paused, looking at both of her children, "I'm proud of both of you. Be strong. Every dark night turns into daylight," Mpenzi looked to Nurisha, "every heartache turns into love eventually." Mpenzi told Myota.

Both Nurisha and Myota looked away.

"But how…" Nurisha began as she looked up. Mpenzi was gone. Myota shook his head.

"Then… we're…" Myota said.

"Siblings. But… we have no proof." Nurisha said. Myota nuzzled Nurisha.

"Doesn't matter, you're still family regardless." Myota said. Nurisha looked to Myota with wide white eyes.

"Do you think… that she's trying to keep the Pridelands safe? She said Da—Kovu and Kiara would…" Nurisha said.

"We will just be the sentinels then, Nuri." Myota said.

*+-/_\-+*

JJ woke uneasily alongside her brother. The beige lioness nuzzled her sibling, and then turned to see her beloved, her betrothed, Amri, alongside his mother. JJ smiled.

Amri stirred, his teal eyes meeting JJ's blue eyes, and smiled. Chaka stirred alongside his sister. Chaka was immediately up.

"Where's Mom? Where is she?" Chaka was panicking. JJ brought her brother into a tight hug.

"But you'll see every day that we'll never turn away. When it seems all your dreams come undone, we will stand by your side filled with hope and filled with pride." JJ sang softly. Nurisha appeared and nuzzled Chaka, seeing fear in her brother's face. Muujiza woke and saw his niece and nephew alone. The golden lion walked over to his family and lied alongside them.

"We are more than we are, we are one." Muujiza sang. Chaka looked to his uncle with wide eyes. JJ released the cub and Chaka ran into Muujiza's arms. The gold lion laughed.

"My mom sang me that song when I was little. It rings true. No matter how hard the circumstances, we are one. Two worlds, one family." Muujiza said.

"Grandma Tama sang that to you?" Nurisha asked.

"And Grandpa Tojo. I didn't see why I couldn't go to the Outlands… but then I realized why. Those words rang true when your mom helped the prides accept what was true." Muujiza said. JJ smiled.

"She's always been strong." JJ said. Muujiza nuzzled his eldest niece.

"So have you, JJ." Sarabi appeared, the elderly lioness looking worn from the previous day's events. JJ stood up and ran to her great-grandmother, nuzzling her. Sarabi laughed and held JJ in a tight hug.

"I'm glad you're okay." JJ said.

"I'm just fine, I'm more worried for my great-grandchildren." Sarabi said, looking from JJ to Nurisha to Chaka. Chaka nuzzled into his uncle's chest, while Nurisha stood and walked to Sarabi, nuzzling her.

"I'm okay, Gramma." Nurisha said. Sarabi smiled and walked to Chaka, first nuzzling Muujiza, then going to her great-grandson.

"Chaka?" Sarabi asked. Chaka nuzzled his great-grandmother. Sarabi smiled.

"I see almost everyone's up." Ashaki said. Chaka saw his mother and smiled.

"Mom!" The five-month-old cub ran to his mother and hugged her leg. Ashaki smiled.

"Hello, my darling boy." Ashaki said. A chocolate brown lioness appeared next to her. Muujiza smiled at her and stood up.

"Ramsa, I suppose?" Muujiza asked. Ramsa smiled and nodded.

"Of course. Muujiza?" Ramsa asked. Muujiza nodded.

"Yes, I am Muujiza." Muujiza said. Ramsa chuckled. Ashaki and Sarabi looked to each other, both smiling.

"Go on, you two." Ashaki said after a period of silence. Muujiza looked to his sister.

"You're sure?" He asked. Ashaki nodded.

"Of course! Go!" Ashaki said. Ramsa and Muujiza both smiled and walked away. Ashaki sighed once they were gone. Sarabi winked at Ashaki.

"Think that they'll hit it off?" Sarabi asked.

"I hope. Ramsa's very nice, I like her." Ashaki said with a smile. Amri walked up to JJ and nuzzled her.

"You okay?" He asked. JJ nodded.

"I'm okay, you?" JJ asked. Amri nodded and purred. JJ sighed contentedly. Ashaki's electric blue eyes narrowed in happiness.

"Amri?" Ashaki asked. Amri looked to his Queen.

"Yes?" Amri asked.

"Thank you for taking care of JJ and Chaka yesterday afternoon. They needed you." Ashaki said. Amri lowered his head.

"It was nothing…Queen Ashaki… I love JJ." Amri said. Ashaki smiled.

"I know. I think it's only fitting that you two be together." Ashaki said. JJ's jaw dropped.

"Mom?" JJ whispered. Ashaki smiled.

"You have my blessing." Ashaki said. JJ smiled and bowed her head to her mother, hiding her happy tears.

It was in vain. Ashaki saw the tears and her heart, still heavy, lifted a little.

*+-/_\-+*

Kiara woke in the cave of the River Pride. Her throat was dry, and her anger knew no bounds. The dusky gold lioness stood up, turning to Kovu.

Well, at least some good came from this. Kiara thought as she nuzzled the wounded mahogany lion. Kovu looked up.

"Hey, Kiara." Kovu licked her cheek. Kiara smiled.

"You two!" The guard of the cave roared at them. His pelt was dark, darker than Kovu's, and his eyes were a bright blue. Kiara growled.

"What the hell do you want, you asshole?" Kovu asked. The guard rolled his eyes.

"Queen Amani is here to see you, become presentable." The guard turned away. A black lioness with lime green eyes appeared, a smile on her face as she looked to Kiara.

"How did I know that you'd do this, Kiara?" Amani asked. Kiara rolled her eyes.

"You're delusional." Kiara sneered. Amani sighed.

"You always were jealous of Ashaki. Always, just because your big sister Kula had no love loss for you or Rikala." Amani said as she made eye contact with Kovu. Kovu growled.

"What?" He asked the River Queen.

"I'm disappointed, Kovu. You aren't even the kin of evil and you chose this path." Amani said. Kovu huffed and laid his head back down.

"Oh, and don't be expecting special treatment while you're here. I have orders to do whatever I wish, and Kiara, unlike you, I was trained by our mutual sister, so watch yourself." Amani turned her back and left the cave. Kiara growled.

"Who does she think she is? Just because she's become Queen…" Kiara grumbled.

"Easy, Kiara." Kovu said.

"I wish I had my father. He'd know what to do." Kiara said.

"Speaking of your father, you mentioned something of a brother?" Kovu asked. Kiara smiled.

"My father found himself a bitch…a lioness who bore him a son." Kiara said.

"Who was this lioness?" Kovu asked.

"Moyo, Amri's… excuse me… Kivuli's mother." Kiara chuckled. Kovu laughed darkly.

"And my eldest little horror is to marry him… maybe it's not such a bad match." Kovu said.

"She still stands to inherit before him." Kiara said. Kovu nodded.

"True." Kovu said.

"Means she must go regardless." Kiara said.

"I know. I'll do it myself." Kovu said as he absently licked the wounds on his front legs.

*+-/_\-+*

Myota stepped back into the cave to hear his daughters' voices calling for him.

"Daddy!" Jua said as she nuzzled her father's leg. Mwenzi ran up behind her twin, nuzzling his leg as well. Myota nuzzled his daughters. It made sense, why Kiara left him, if he was the child of Scar. It was only proven in Mwenzi's odd behavior. She acted like Scar.

"Myota, are you okay?" Ashaki's voice brought Myota back to reality. Ashaki had Nurisha and Chaka with her. Myota smiled at Ashaki.

"I'm fine." Myota said. Ashaki shook her head, her electric blue eyes sure. Myota frowned.

"You're not okay. You just lost your wife to your brother, the one you thought you could trust. You don't have to be brave. Just take it one day at a time." Ashaki said. Myota sighed. Jua and Mwenzi looked to their father with wide eyes. Mwenzi had Kiara's eyes. Myota smiled at his girls.

"Ashaki's right, girls. Mom may be gone, but I'm still here. One day at a time." Myota said. Mwenzi smiled at her father and Myota nuzzled his creamy-white daughter, then his bright gold child. Ashaki chuckled when Chaka puffed up his chest.

"I'll be brave, Mama." Chaka said. Ashaki laughed and licked her son's developing hairtuft that was coming in dark red, like Tojo's mane.

*+-/_\-+*

Kali's bright white eyes opened to see Usafi next to him, with Maji and Hafsa. Kali smiled at his family.

Soon, Mpenzi would have her revenge, and he would have Nurisha back. Kibuluu promised.

The silver lion walked down to the river, getting a deep drink before hearing a female clear her throat. Kali chuckled.

"Usafi, I was just…" Kali began.

"I'm not Usafi." Mpenzi said. Kali's heart skipped and the silver lion turned around, seeing the snow-white lioness and gasped as he gazed into her blue eyes. Kali swallowed hard.

"Mpenzi…" Kali whispered.

"Don't do it, Kali, don't attack the Pridelands. You know better. I tried sending Takali, but it seems I need to do this." Mpenzi said.

"I have to, Vitani is evil. She killed you and her own mother to become Queen!" Kali said.

"No, she didn't! She saved our daughter! She raised her. Nurisha would have died, Kali!" Mpenzi's voice was urgent. Kali stepped back.

"Then… how did you die?" Kali asked. Mpenzi had tears in her eyes.

"Exhaustion. I had run too fast for too long from Kibuluu." Mpenzi said. Kali's white eyes widened.

"From Kibuluu?" Kali asked. Mpenzi groaned in frustration.

"Are you that blind, Kali?! Kibuluu wanted me dead because I knew the truth. You know I was a seer, and I had seen his past crimes. I was going to turn him in to the Pridelanders, but he had chased me long enough…" Mpenzi said.

"He killed you, indirectly." Kali said. Mpenzi nodded.

"He did. Kali, calm this fire. Don't fight." Mpenzi begged.

"I have to. Vitani still could have returned Nurisha." Kali said.

"This isn't her fault, Kali," Mpenzi stepped back and sighed, "meet me halfway. If you do attack the Pridelands, don't kill the Royals, otherwise there will be nothing left to save."

"Mpenzi, I can't." Kali said.

"Kali, if you still love me, if you ever loved me, you will meet me halfway." Mpenzi said. Kali was taken aback. Mpenzi was never domineering, and usually submitted.

"Why are you so concerned?" Kali asked. Mpenzi closed her eyes, and her figure started disappearing.

When she was gone, her voice said: "My son."

Kali's eyes turned a pure yellow color throughout his whole eye and he saw a handsome lion with a tan mane, white pelt and lime green eyes followed by a young lioness with a pure white pelt and white eyes.

"Please. Meet me halfway." Mpenzi's voice rang.

A/N: Seems some ghostly intervention is changing Kali's mind. And Myota, being Mpenzi's son with Scar? An… interesting development, nonetheless, like Amri being Kibuluu's son. Betcha none of ya saw that one coming.

Amri: Um…. Why am I Kibuluu's son?

Me: It fits, okay? I was going to design a new character but… I figured that you're a male, with a fairly generic name so it's only fair that maybe Moyo named you something else than what your father originally planned.

Moyo: I'm not going evil, am I?

Me: No. It's why you renamed your son Amri from Kivuli. Kivuli means "Shadow." Amri means "Power."

Moyo: Still sounds like I'm power hungry.

Me: You aren't, no worries. You renamed him Amri because you figured that he'd have a better power, a more legal power than his father.

Moyo: Oh…

Amri: I'm going to be discovered, aren't I?

Me: Plot revelation, if this were a private convo, I'd reveal all.

Amri: AW MAN!

Me: Take a breath, bud, now readers, a bit of a breather here in this chapter, but we're getting right back to the action next chapter, so review and stay tuned!