to answer a few questions:

1. The lioness' talk about Simba as a comparative point in reference to Kukuza, as Simba is younger, yet not as strong or attractive as Kukuza.

2. I can't have Kukuza teach Simba hunting and fighting, because a different story (which I'm releasing tonight) will have that kind of thing in it, and this story and that will eventually merge.

3. The kovu question is answered within the chapter.

4. The king was not allowed to leave the pride lands because I didn't want him to, if he were there things could have gone badly for everyone.

Thank you Mr. Butter, and get an account so I can PM you and not waste space on top of my chapter. Drop a review and tell me if my answers were satisfactory, but seriously- get an account.

Kukuza sat down next to Simba, they both looked down at the playing cubs not to far away, their small bodies bouncing around with joy and youth. Kopa and Vitani were playing tag while Nuka sat next to Kovu- still so young, not yet able to be left alone.

The four were off having some private fun. Kukuza had been to far away to see or be seen by the king or the cubs, but Simba was in the perfect spot to watch over the three males and single female. He had been watching them intently, putting commentary on their game in his mind- enjoying their playfulness and innocence.

"They have a lot of fun together." Said Kukuza, his mood now extremely uplifted. As if he was channeling the happiness of his daughter.
The grey lion could see them now just as the king was seeing them, Kukuza's black mane acting as a dish or blinder- directing his view toward the cubs.
They were close, visible, but slightly far away.

The king tried to speak, but something else caught his immediate attention.

"Why do I smell my mother's scent on you?" Said the king, asking a question that would be impossible to answer. Honestly or in a lie.

"I just came back from talking to her, does that answer the question?"
Would it be enough? It wasn't a lie, or the truth, that kind of neutral zone of bad faith.

"That's a lot of her scent. It's so strong on you!" Said Simba, not entirely certain Kukuza's answer was valid.

"I'm not sure, you smell like Nala."
Crap. Simba smells like Nala because they're mates! That doesn't justify why Kukuza smells like Sarabi.

"I do?" Said Simba, unsure what he meant, but now accepting Kukuza's explanation of African scent transfer mechanics. If such a thing ever existed, which it didn't.

"You were saying?" Said Kukuza, bringing the conversation back on track.

"Kukuza, do you approve of them, spending so much time together?"

Simba sounded worried slightly, although, he didn't know why he should be.
He returned to look at Vitani and Kopa, who were still very close together in the distance.

"I'm not worried at all Simba, look at them! So happy and young, I feel strongly that their futures will be much happier and smoother then our pasts."

Kukuza would do anything he could to maintain this current peace. Especially since his daughter and sons seemed so relaxed and calm, a feeling they had never experienced before.

"About their futures, do you think that..."
"I have my suspicions." Said Kukuza, stopping Simba mid sentence, knowing exactly what he was saying.

"I plan on talking to Vitani latter, so that her emotions, if there are any, could be made clear."

"I suppose I should do the same then?" Said Simba, realizing he hadn't planned what direction this talk would go in. But it was harmless, if they were happy, then let that be.

Kukuza looked at Simba, nodded his head with a smile. Others might question Vitani's lineage, and how she was supposed to be Scars daughter. But Simba missed a lot, and he just assumed Vitani was Kukuza's daughter by blood.
Kukuza felt uplifted even more by this talk, knowing that regardless what happened, his daughters future was secure, here.

"What do you think he'll say to me?"
Asked Simba quietly, considering his sons feelings and what might happen.

"He's just as smart as you are, he'll know how he feels if you ask him the right way."

"Do you think I'm doing good job?"

"You're a better king then Scar was, I can only hope Kovu will do just as well."

"You don't actually believe Kovu will be king over my Kopa."

"Kovu will be a fine boy, he'll do good things. I do wish to see him as king, but being number 1 isn't a bad job either."

"That position will always be reserved for you Kukuza."
Said Simba shyly, concerned about what might happen to him in the future. Lions had fought over the title of king before, and last time his father died.
Kukuza saw this discomfort and spoke:

"Simba, you know I'm not like Scar, I'm not going to kill you."

"Oh! I tried to say, it's that, I'm sorry."

"Don't worry Simba, you're alright."

Kukuza stood, walking away and down the side of pride rock.

From pride rock, Simba yells down to Kopa:

"Kopa! Come here!"

Kopa moans in displeasure, knowing this means the end of his game.

"Vitani." Kukuza motions with his large grey head for her to come to him.

"No need to say goodbye, you'll be back playing in just a few moments, you too Kopa. Now go on."

Kopa scampered off toward the walkway that lead up to Simba, Vitani walked toward her father, sitting at his paws.

"Come on Vitani, we've got a lot to talk about."

Kukuza walked over to the rock where Nala was all those years ago.

They sit, feeling the light African breeze in their fur. A tree not to far away casting some light shade near them, but the shade was ineffective. The sun cast westerly shadows of the two, one shadow larger then the other, seeming to stretch forever across the land.

"Vitani, if I ask you a question, will you answer? Even if it's a weird question?"

Kukuza took his parental tone, with a look of concern and simplicity on his large features.

"Sure dad, what's the question?"

Vitani sounded serious now, she knew her dad was having a real moment here with her.
"Vitani, do you like Kopa?"

"Of coarse I like Kopa! He's a great friend!"
Vitani sounded sure of herself, as she always did, not a hint of doubt.

"Not like a friend, do you like like him. More then just friends."

Kukuza did not expect an immediate response, this question would hit the cub like a wall.

Vitani was unsure of herself.

I do like spending time with him, and he's really nice to me.
He's really sweet and has a nice smile...

Vitani's mind trailed off, thinking of all the things that were good about Kopa.

"Dad, will you be mad at me?"

Kukuza looked slightly hurt by this response,

"Never Vitani, I would never be mad at you for telling the truth."

Vitani smiled, her father had a way of making her feel comfortable when no one else could. Kukuza made you feel understood, he made you feel like you were a better person, like you're exactly what you wanted to be- and agreeably so. His company was cherished, of his many physical gifts, his ability for warmth and compassion out preformed the sun on its brightest day.

"I... I... I do like like Kopa. I think."
Vitani sounded unsure at first, but the more she thought about what she had said, the more she liked the way it sounded.

Her father was proud of his daughter, taking such a definite stance on such an important topic. So strong.

"Vitani, can I tell you a secret?"

Kukuza was overwhelmed with happiness and pride, so speaking wasn't the easiest task.

"Sure dad, what is it!"
She sounded excited, but slightly nervous as to her fathers verbal reaction to her decision.

Kukuza bent down low, motioning for Vitani to come closer to his muzzle.
He whispered to her, just like the lioness' did when they gossiped.

"I think he likes you too."

Vitani took two steps back, so overjoyed that her father would tell her this, and even more so because she wouldn't be the only one with feelings for the other.

"Thanks dad!" Vitani nuzzled his large head, running her face through his soft black mane.

"I love you dad."
"I love you to Vitani."

She ran off then, bouncing up and down happily. She was in love.

Kukuza smiled, watching her go, knowing that she felt good inside and out.

WITH SIMBA

Kopa came running up to Simba, butting the kings ribs with his small head.

Simba smiled weakly, he was about to do something very strange, it felt weird to him, but Kukuza was wise, and if he agreed with it- and no one got hurt- it was ok.

Kukuza and Vitani were just walking out of eyesight.

"Kopa, I need to talk to you." Said Simba sounding stern and kingly, but still open and fatherly for his son.

"Sure... about what?"

Kopa was still having fun, rubbing up against his father's fur.

"Kopa this is serious!"

Kopa stopped then, sitting down in front of his father, who was now sitting upright.

Simba's sudden raise in the noise level alerted the still gossiping lioness', who had then gathered by the mouth of the den quietly- hiding, so no one could see them.

"Kopa, do you like spending time with Vitani?"

"Yes dad, why?"

Simba continued without answering his son.

"Do you see a future with her?"

Kopa was confused and uncomfortable, unsure how to answer his father.

Simba saw this, and rephrased the question.

"Do you like her Kopa? Do you like her like a mate?"

Kopa was really confused now. Simba would try again,

"Do you think she'd make a good queen for you?"

Kopa was very lost, he had been roughed up before, but this was a mess. A tangle of thought and cable inside his mind. Cluttered and disorganized, the text seeming to read in a different language.

"Sure dad... Can I go now?"

Simba signed heavily, "Yes son."

The listening lioness' were disappointed, Simba had confused Kopa. So the answer wasn't genuine like it should have been.

Kopa was walking away now, thinking to himself.

Do I like Vitani like a mate? Like a... Girl- mate?

Kopa's stomach was churning, he didn't know what he was feeling, but it was new. Just her name made him dizzy and paranoid.

It was a short day really, just full of new events new things. So much was happening.
Lunch passed by slowly.

Kukuza went hunting with the woman again, this time bagging an even larger zebra.

He seemed to have more and more to offer as time went on. So incredibly impressive. Under Scar, he never seemed to be anything more then muscle with a few internal rules and brakes. But now, he was utterly astounding. Everyone saw him as a potential suitor, he was a man of good breeding- and interest was peaking.

No one put more thought into this then Sarabi.
It's been so long... could I even be enough?

Sarabi's last and only child was Simba, and to think that now she could produce more cubs was a long shot.

From the gossipy conversation i was listening to earlier, he does want cubs, but I don't know if I can do that!

Sarabi was upset, upset that her physical limitations could get in the way of her desires.
Maybe Sarafina was right, maybe I am getting my hopes up for nothing.

Kukuza saw no one as a mate though, he was still unsure whether or not he had feelings for Sarabi.
He wouldn't jump in unless he was sure. Those brakes and rules, would forever prevent him from doing anything without his being sure.

Look at her! She's a queen! More then anyone she's seen the evil I'm capable of, she wouldn't have an interest in a monster. Even a rehabilitated one.

Kukuza knew he wasn't the same lion he was long ago, everyone else knew this to, but he still felt estranged with his past.

This meal, rather than woman approaching Kukuza to introduce themselves, they all just sat around him, creating a figurative and literal barrier- blocking everyone else out.

Kukuza wasn't looking at the ladies, although he did speak to them. Instead, Kukuza was watching his son Nuka discretely. Nuka was failing miserably at his woman acquisition efforts.
Kukuza had enough of this.

"Nuka! Comer here!" He yelled from the core of his atomic lion mass.

Nuka turned away from his strategic location (or so he thought) and ran over to number 1.

It would have been a difficult push for him to get to the center, but the lioness' accommodated Kukuza nicely, creating a small cub sized path for Nuka to walk through.

"Thank you." Said Kukuza looking at the kind-enough-to-move lioness'.

"Yes number 1, you wanted to see me?"

Some of the lioness' snickered at the title number 1, which had lost its meaning over a year ago.

Although, it hadn't lost its intimidation, nor had Kukuza, because the woman quieted down quickly.

"Son, what is it that you're trying to accomplish?"

Kukuza had a look on his face that said you should of came to me first.

"Just talking to those lioness' over there da... Number 1. No problems."
Nuka smiled weakly, lowering his head down.

Nuka almost called Kukuza dad.

Nuka had now spent enough time in the pride lands, to the point where any termites were gone from him, his small patches of mane had straightened up, and his overall softness was beginning to return.
Nothing special, but worth a second glance.

"Nuka, are you talking to them, or do you wish you were?"

He had been caught, so quickly to!

"The second option."

"Now how do we change that answer to the first option number 2?"

Kukuza called Nuka number 2, he had never done that before.
Nuka perked up at his new title.

"How?" Now realizing this male of incredible prowess, a male he called number 1, but secretly called dad, would help him.

Kukuza bent down to whisper to his child for the second time today.

"Go over there, listen to what they have to say, offer information yourself, be the center of the conversation! Steer it as you so please!"

"That Beleco girl is very pretty Nuka." He added before smiling and winking at his son.

Kukuza gave him a slight push, sending his number 2 back into the unknown- this time equipped.
Nuka never had the chance to respond to the Beleco comment.

"What did you tell him Kukuza?" Asked one lioness.

"I said I would talk to him, and I did."
He continued eating, leaving it at that.

Night came, slowly extending itself into the sky, attacking the happy sun from behind, forcing him from his chair, and into a fall from grace. He would come again. Just wait.

The day was hot, but the night was cool, the dark sky was without obstruction, allowing the many bright stars above to shine down as they longed to do every night.

Kukuza was standing by the mouth to the den, allowing the woman and children to enter before him, as a gentleman would.

Sarabi watched him patronize these woman's affections, lightly touching them as they passed, or maybe they were touching him?

Sarabi had something to say to him, a question. A question she'd been holding in for long enough.
She had talked to him earlier, a real heart to heart, and now she had to know. To 'talk to him later.' Later was now.

Sarabi began walking forward, taking slow, and heavy steps. Her paws seemed to be weighted down, guiding her away from him, but she had to know. She pressed on.

"Kukuza?" Sarabi said quietly.

At that volume, no one would ever hear her speaking. But Kukuza had a way of knowing when someone wanted something, even if they said nothing.

The last lioness walked inside the cave where the king, queen, and cubs already were.
Leaving the two alone.

"Kukuza, can I ask you a question? Will you promise to answer me honestly?"

Kukuza had heard this tone of voice and question before, he had asked it to Vitani not 12 hours ago.

"Yes Sarabi, ask away- honesty guaranteed."

He wasn't sure what the question was, but it sparked the opportunity to talk to her, something he had longed to do since after their last moment was so rudely interrupted.

"You won't be mad at me, will you?"

Kukuza had heard this question to.

"Sarabi, tell me."

She bit her lip lightly, looking around slowly, checking to make sure they were alone. Sarabi wanted to hear him say it, to her, alone.

"Kukuza, do you love Zira?"

Kukuza was shocked, his heart skipped a beat by the woman's abruptness.
Sarabi wanted to ask something else as well, so she added it in to fill the silence.

"Kukuza, do you love her? Or do you not know?"

Of coarse I know where my loyalties lie, it's just- well, I know where they don't lie. But I'm unsure who I love. Am I unsure?
Kukuza stopped thinking and spoke, tried to anyway.

His mouth was dry, he opened his rigid jaw to speak, but no words came out.
Kukuza recovered moments later:

"Sarabi, I really thought hard about the answer to that question, and I realize that I was confused. I did love Zira, but she never loved me and never will."

Kukuza was starring into Sarabi's eyes, unsure whether he loved her or not.

"So you don't love her?"

"No."

"So who do you love?"

Sarabi's blatant inability to accommodate Kukuza's struggling heart was almost to much to bear for him.

"Sarabi..."

Kukuza fell over, curling into a ball and trying his best to grab his chest. He was on the ground now, experiencing severe pain, it felt as if his ribs were being compressed by an immeasurable force, his heart throbbing.

"Kukuza! What's wrong, where does it hurt?"

Sarabi was looking over Kukuza's body, as if somewhere physical damage could be shown.

In all my years, I've never seen anything like this!
Kukuza cringed in pain, interrupting his train of thought.
His chest throbbed, words blasted at his ears like sirens and his nose felt warm and strange. He was dizzy and hot, lying there, barely conscious.

He was not having a heart attack, or a stroke. Kukuza's heart was breaking. Yes.
He had finally done it. He had finally admitted to himself, truly, that be didn't love Zira. That she was trouble.
As Kukuza's old heart broke away, the new, fresh one beneath the old layer emerged, large and strong.

Kukuza's pain began to subside, and he sat up, unsure what had just happened to him, but feeling much better now then he had.

"Kukuza! Do you want me to go get Rafiki?"
Sarabi sounded desperately panicked.

"No!" Kukuza said, almost shouting.
Luckily, no one heard him.

"You... You... Wanted an answer? Right?"
Said Kukuza, still reeling.

"That doesn't matter now..."
"Of coarse it does!" Said Kukuza sounding annoyed. But only a trace of annoyance could be heard, he was too sweet for such petty emotions.

"I'll tell you, on one condition."

Sarabi was scared that Kukuza was hurt, she would do anything for him in that instant.

"What ever you need!"
She sounded so worried, still looking at him like he could die at any moment.

"You tell me who... who catches your eye, now, we'll do it at the same time."

What? He wants me to tell him... But do I?

Sarabi nodded her head, unsure what she was getting herself into.

"On 3, 1... 2... 3..."

"You!" Kukuza said in a labored voice.
"You!" Sarabi said in an over whelmed voice.

Both lions stepped backwards,
Kukuza backed into the rock wall behind him.
Sarabi backed up, just back- walking into nothing.
They were both sitting. Stunned.

"You do?" They both said this at the same time, faces reading joy and amazement.

"I thought you wouldn't because of all those other girls..." Said Sarabi blushing.
She hadn't blushed like that for years. Her orange eyes twinkling attractively, swelled with emotion and bliss.
Of all the girls- her. He picked her. Sarabi.

"I thought you wouldn't because everything you saw me do... and the fact that I come preloaded with three cubs." Said Kukuza, feeling ashamed at the mentioning of his past life, but not ashamed for his cubs, never. He was proud of them.

"You've changed." Sarabi stepped forward, nuzzling Kukuza fiercely as he nuzzled back.

"Even then you did good things, you saved Simba, you brought Nala and my son back together, and you returned Simba back to where he belongs."

"Nala told you?"

"Every word."

"I'm dreaming aren't I?" Said Kukuza, unsure if this was real.

"This is real, and I love your cubs, they're sweet just like you." Said Sarabi, crying now.

No ones ever been so romantic with me... I've never felt this way with anyone before.

Kukuza wasn't crying, his face was expressionless.

Never would I have ever expected this happy an ending.

But it wasn't the end, it was the beginning.

"Why hadn't I noticed you earlier... My um-"

Kukuza twitched slightly, nearly mentioning a secret of his, a secret no one knew. Scar, Zira, Simba, Nala, the cubs, or Sarabi. He wanted it to stay that way.

"I should have seen how perfect you are, smelled your wondrous scent and payed you more attention."

Sarabi giggled, knowing she had him so nervous and worried, talking to a woman he liked.

"As I should have noticed you- now come on!"

She padded him lightly on his shoulder as she spoke.

"Wait! One thing first."

She turned to look back at him, unsure what he could want, but she was happy, what ever he wanted, anything, he could have it.
Luckily, what he had in mind, she also liked.

He reached out, kissing her softly on the tip of her muzzle, pressing his against hers, they had their eyes closed softly in peace and love.
Sarabi reacted at first by her eyes growing wide, large and open, just as quickly they closed, and she returned the kiss with melting passion.

Kukuza was worried she wouldn't approve, that she wouldn't like him anymore. The brief moment she hadn't returned the kiss, the insides of his eyelids were a flame with words of worry, despair, anxiety, and sorrow. The moment she returned the favor the words retracted and he couldn't be happier, even happier then before.

He released, pressing his head against hers, smiling.

That was enough for him, but she wanted just a tad more. With her paw, she lifted his muzzle, kissing him again, releasing briefly every so often for air, returning to the original lock of lips with him quickly in fast swigs of affection.

Now she released him, smiling, licking her lips and teeth in joy.

"You gave out a little early." Said Sarabi, referring to him ending their first real kiss rather quickly, he was, and always would be, very low maintenance when it came to physical love.

"A decision I regret."

"Was it nice?"

"More then nice, beautiful, I loved it."

"And I love you."

"I love you too Sarabi."

"So we were doing more then bonding."

"We were falling in love."
Kukuza was right, they were, and had, fallen in love.

"Are you sure you're ok?"

"Kisses make everything better."

"Be serious!"
Sarabi giggled, ramming her head into his mane- a rough and strong nuzzle.

"I'll see Rafiki tomorrow morning."

"Good, now lets go to sleep."
She licked the side of his muzzle, walking into the den.

They both walked into the cave slowly, leaning against one another happily.
Everyone else was asleep.

"One thing first!" Said Sarabi in a frantic and happy whisper.

She trotted off several feet to Kukuza's left, meandering deeper into the warm mass of lioness bodies.
She stopped, knocking one lioness with the tip of her nose, waking her up, or at least pulling her from sleeps narrow fingers.

"Sara!" Said Sarabi, even quieter the before.

"What? What did he do? What's happening?" Said Sarafina in a groggy, semi-alert way.

"He loves me! He kissed me and it was perfect!"
Sarafina smiled, her eyes remaining closed as they were to tired to open again.

"I'm glad, now we'll talk about this tomorrow."
Sarafina peaked through mostly closed eyes around Sarabi's body, seeing a large lion like shadow not far from her, looking in this direction and standing still.
"He's waiting for you Sarabi."

"Sweet dreams."

"Don't be to loud tonight."
Said Sarafina with a final smile before she fell asleep again.

"What did you say to her?"

"I just had to tell Sara."
Kukuza nodded silently, rubbing his face against her neck in happiness and comfort. She returned the soft collision of fur.

The two lay where they did the first night, together, this time closer.

Kukuza was the big spoon, Sarabi the small.
She fit so perfectly into his body, there legs intertwined, comfortable.

Kukuza kissed her lightly, sometimes a little rough- but always with passion. She loved the way his muzzle felt on her neck, so cool and soft.
Kukuza had, and knew his boundaries- the neck is where he stayed and he couldn't be happier.

"Kukuza you're so amazing, I feel so good."
He kissed her neck again, nuzzling his face just behind her ear with a whispered reply.

"I'm emotionally needy."
They laughed silently as he kissed her again. He was thrilled to have someone who loved him back.
Sarabi was equally thrilled- someone really loved her.
She giggled occasionally, smiling so much that her cheek muscles felt numb.
Their kisses were happy and loving.
Their sleep was deep and peaceful.

A different lion had been watching this gross encounter from a distance, greatly concerned as to the topic of the conversation.
Less concern, more rage was generated toward the actions.
She growled, smacking a small bush as she retreated away from pride rock and back to where she came.

Zira was angry.