To those of you who reviewed, Thank You!!! Your encouragement keeps me going!

Heads Up: These next couple chapters might be a bit rough. I know what I want to happen but I can't seem to word things right. I apologize for that in advance.

Also, there will be a lot of jumping around. Please tell me if it gets hard to follow.


Nia padded out of the cave, squinting her eyes against the afternoon sun. A yawn forced its way out of her before she stretched the sleep out of her body.

"So your finally awake, I see." Paka said coming up behind her.

Nia smiled, "Morning, Mother."

Paka chuckled, "Well it's not exactly morning anymore. You're the last to wake up."

"Oh," The younger one replied sheepishly.

The Leadress smiled fondly at her cub, "Your brother is looking for you."

"What for?"

Paka shrugged, "He's out near the Pride Land border, go find him."

Nia nodded and turned to race off. She treaded the familiar path to the place she knew her brother would be. Once she spotted her log that overlooked the Pride Lands she smiled victoriously. "You wanted to speak to me?" She said as she came up behind him.

Hakan looked over his shoulder, "Yes, Merah told me about last night."

Snitch, Nia thought as she leaped on the log to sit next to her brown furred sibling, "What about it?"

"What lion did you sneak out to see?"

"Merah didn't fill you in?" Nia questioned bitterly.

"She said it was something I deserved to hear from you." Hakan answered, his face in an amused expression.

Nia's ears fell and her shoulders slumped, "It was Prince Akida."

"What?!" All traces of amusement disappeared from his face, "The Pridelander?"

The lioness frowned, "Yes."

Hakan blinked before giving a humorless laugh, " You can't be serious." He shook his head, "Your not going to betray us for him. Some spoiled brat who's gotten everything he's ever wanted!"

"Don't talk about him like that!" Nia snapped as her ears shot up. Her eyes narrowed in anger.

"What should I say then?," Hakan started sarcastically. "Should I talk of his generosity towards our pride? Of how none of themever tried to help us? Of how, if we're caught hunting in their abundant playground instead of our barren, dead Outlands, we'll be killed!" He finished with a sneer.

Nia shook her head, "Akida's not--"

"He is!" Hakan exploded. He jumped down on the ground so he could stand on all fours, "He's one of them."

"He's not like them!" Nia jumped down to join him, her body tensing. "He's different! He cares about me, and he'll help the pride when he becomes King!"

"No he won't!" Hakan half yelled, half laughed. "Whatever he told you he would do, he didn't mean it! He only said it so he could mate you!"

"N-No! He cares--"

"No he doesn't! He cares nothing for you! He'll never care about you! All you are in his eyes is a dirty Outlander!"

"No I'm not!" The young lioness's voice started to waver, "He loves me! Not as an Outlander but as me!" Nia was aware she wasn't making total sense. She was also aware that Akida had never told her that he loved her, but Hakan didn't know that. Besides, he was going to, wasn't he?

Hakan roared before snarling and glaring at his sister, "You are so naïve, Nia! Why would he want you? Your just a lowly Outsider lion, he's the prince of a whole kingdom! Why would he choose you?!"

For the first time in her life, Nia growled menacingly at her brother, "Your right, I am just a lowly lion. I don't know why he choose me, but he did. He would never hurt anyone, and he would never tell me things that he didn't mean." Her voice lowered to a deep growl, "I am not marrying Nuru. I'm going to be with Akida in the Pride Lands and I don't care if that's selfish of me."

Hakan roared in frustration and glared at her. Nia met his stare with her own, determined to win this dominance game. Hakan bared his teeth, a warning to look away, but Nia only kept still, her narrowed eyes unblinking. Eventually, he lowered his eyes and sighed. He plopped down and the air deflated out of his body.

Nia continued to stare at him, not sure what to do or say.

"Go ahead then, run away." He wouldn't look at her.

"That's what a lowly lion would do, right?" She spat.

He turned to her with regretful eyes, "I didn't mean it like that."

"How many ways can you interpret, 'You're a lowly lion!'" She mocked, still angry.

"Not like that. I only meant to show you that he was lying. You know I don't think you're lowly." He frowned at her, he was stumbling over his own words.

The little lioness smiled and moved to nuzzle him, "I know."

He nuzzled her back, "I don't want you to get hurt."

She pulled away, "I'm a big lioness, I can take care of myself!"

He leveled his gaze at her, "You're my little sister, it'll always be my responsibility to protect you."

She pouted, "I don't need anyone."

"You apparently need Akida." Hakan shot sourly.

"Don't be that way." She pleaded.

The older lion merely scrunched his nose at her. "Come on, let's get back." He turned without another word and walked on, not looking back to make sure she was following.

Nia sighed and hung her head as she followed after him. Suddenly, her stomach thundered. Her head shot up as her cheeks bloomed. Hakan looked back at her, surprised. They stood in silence until he laughed, "You'd better get some food. See you later." With that, he turned to go back on his way.

The small lioness smiled shyly before racing in the opposite direction.


"Akida!"

The golden prince sighed, "Yeah, mom?"

"Follow me, would you?"

Kiara walked away from the entrance of the pride's den and up the hidden path to Pride Rock summit. Akida stared after her before glancing at his Aunt. Vitani motioned with her paw for him to follow with a smile. The teen lion frowned and flicked his tail at her before following his mother.

Once at the top, he shuffled over to where his mother sat. He plopped down and glared into the Pride Lands.

Kiara sighed, "So you're still mad."

"Not entirely."

"I only want what's best for you, " She blurted. "I don't want you to get hurt."

Akida looked at his mother, "I know, and thank you, really. But I'm not a cub anymore, you don't have to always protect me."

Kiara smiled sadly, "I know, sweetie. I wanted to tell you that I approve."

The lion blinked, "You what?"

"I approve," the Queen said slowly. "The Outlander, I mean."

Akida stared at her before frowning, "You're lying."

She shrugged, "Yeah, the very idea of you with her infuriates me. But," she sighed, "she does seem to make you happy. So as my father once did for Kovu, I will wait before forming my opinion."

The young lion's face brightened before falling again, "What about, dad?"

"Tani should be filling him in when he gets back from patrols. I wouldn't worry though, your father is more trusting than I. The lioness will be welcomed."

Akida grinned and nuzzled his mother, "Thanks, mom!"

"Don't thank me yet, I could just as easily kick her out. I have the final say here."

He pulled back, grinning, "You won't! You'll see mom, you'll love her."

"How do you know? You haven't even known her a day!"

He grinned wider, "I feel it."

Kiara forced a grin and licked his forehead," Go on now, best go see what your father has decided."

She watched him with clouded eyes as he trotted his way down before turning to look into the sky. She closed her eyes and sighed, "Daddy," she whispered, "what should I do?"

The only answer she received was the wind picking up to blow around her.


Akida looked for his father as he descended. The brown lion could not normally be found until midday when he came for his meal. Akida looked up to see the sun was directly above his head, he should be here somewhere. He peered over the ledge to see if he could spot him. Then, he saw his father with his Aunt, heading towards the steps. The young prince darted away from the ledge and towards the steps. He dashed down them, calling out to his father.

Kovu looked up at the sound of Akida's voice, he stopped and motioned for Vitani to go on ahead. The tawny lioness started her climb silently, keeping her gaze on the rocks. Akida shot her a unsure glance, nervousness flittering up in him at her avoidance.

"Akida," Kovu called as the teen got close, "something you would like to share?"

"I know Aunt Tani talked to you 'bout Nia, "Akida huffed as he came to a stop in front of the King. "What do you think?"

"I think I'm glad your mother and I decided against finding a lioness cub to betroth you to."

"What does that mean?" the prince asked eagerly.

"It means," Kovu paused, he grinned at the nervous expression on his sons face, "that she may come here. We will protect her if Musa decides to take her back."

The golden young one broke into a toothy grin, "Thanks, dad! You'll love her, I know it!"

Kovu chuckled and grabbed his cub, lifting one paw to administer a noogie. Akida mock growled and squirmed out of his grasp. The King laughed, "Remember Akida, just because I'm letting Nia in, doesn't mean I'm giving you the go ahead to have cubs."

Akida balked, his golden cheeks flooded scarlet, "Dad!"

He lunged for him. Kovu dodged and gave a big booming laugh as his son landed on the ground. The hier glared up at him and gave an embarrassed frown. Kovu stuck his tongue out at him before taking off up Pride Rock.

"Scaredy cat!" Akida yelled as he scrambled up and bounded after him.


Nia walked into the pride's dwelling, her belly now filled. She smiled as she neared some of the lionesses, their constant gossip would block out her problems for now.

"Nia!"

She winced and looked over her shoulder.

"There you are, dear." Paka called cheerfully as she came up behind her.

Nia gave an audible sigh before turning, "Yes, mother?"

"Since you're done talking to your brother, why don't you and Nuru go for a walk?"

"Nuru's still here?" She asked with disbelief.

"Why yes," Paka smiled, "he wanted to spend more time with you."

"Do I have to mother?" Nia frowned and lowered her ears.

Paka raised her brow to her before glancing around, "Let's go somewhere and talk. Privately."

Nia blinked before looking back to see some of her pride mates looking at them curiously. They walked away from the lionesses and out of earshot. Once Paka had observed that no one was around, she confronted her daughter, "What's wrong?"

Nia flattened her ears against her head, "I don't like Nuru."

Paka was silent for a moment. She regarded her daughter thoughtfully. "I've never told you anything about my cubhood, have I?"

At Nia's head shake, she continued, "I was still only a cub when I learned of my betrothal. I was outraged. I told my mother that I would never marry him, I would sooner die than marry someone I didn't love." She paused before continuing on, "As I grew older I could not help but have a fondness for him. He was so unsure of himself, and lacked any bravery. He quickly fell into the role of my best friend."

"So you ended up falling inlove with him after all. Very different with Nuru and I," Nia snorted.

"You're not listening. I only said your father and I were friends, I said nothing of love."

"You implied it though."

"No, you're only hearing what you want to hear. " Paka shook her head, "Listen, daughter. There was another cub in our pride that we grew up with. His name was Bin." The old lioness's eyes glazed over as she spoke the name with tenderness.

"When I grew into adolescence, I took more notice to Bin, and he I. It wasn't long until I was sneaking out at night to meet him, eventually falling inlove."

Nia's eyes widened and she blinked, "You loved him?"

"Yes," Paka smiled gently, "very much so."

"Then why are you with father?"

The Leadress sighed, "Bin and I got caught one night by Idi. He banished Bin the next day and set up guards to make sure I stayed. Musa comforted me and stayed by my side, protecting me from the snarky comments the lionesses made. I felt that I owed him, and threw myself into the role of his intended."

"Oh mother," The dark lioness moved to put her paw over Paka's, "you married father out of pity."

"At first, but over time I grew to truly love him. He was so kind and innocent, I couldn't help but to. It was only after your father stepped up and felt the weight of a ruler that he became so strict."

Nia looked into her mother's eyes, she saw so many emotions in their depths. Sorrow. Regret. Love.

"Why didn't you go after Bin later on? He was your first love afterall, and I'm sure life with father grew tiresome."

"Because Nia," Her mother started, her voice carrying a distant tone, "sometimes we must do things, not because we want to, but because others need us to."

Nia looked at the ground, Damnit, "I understand."

Paka smiled and nuzzled her daughter, "Getting to know Nuru before hand will help make things easier. You never know, you could love him."

Nia only snorted.

Paka chuckled and started to walk away, "Let's get going, the delay will have surely made your father restless."

Nia followed silently as her mother lead her to her 'mate'. When they finally neared Musa and their guests, she pinned her ears against her head. She bowed along with her mother who gave Musa a loving nuzzle before sitting at his side. Nia remained in front.

"Did she finally decide to spare us some time?" Ganan mocked lightly.

"Hello, sir." She addressed formally.

"Daughter, " Musa spoke, "why don't you take Nuru for a walk? Show him around a little."

Nia shot a glance at her mother only to be met with a pleading stare. She sighed, "Yes, father."

The young lioness then turned and walked away, hoping her intended would stay behind. Her hopes fell flat as she heard heavy paws hit the ground behind her.

"So," Nuru began, "where does this tour start?"

"By my brother." She growled coldly.

"Do we really need a babysitter?" He teased, still slightly behind her.

"You do, and I'm no good with cubs."

"Not to worry mate, your female instincts will kick in after you give birth to ours."

Nia stopped and turned to snarl at him, "Isn't it a bit early to be talking about cubs? And do not call me 'mate'."

"But Nia," Nuru cooed as he stepped up closer, "you are my mate. Also, I like the name Kondo for our boy, I thought I'd let you name the girl."

"I'd like to hear you say that around my brother," Nia snarled.

"I'd love to. Only, you father sent him away on an errand for the day," Nuru smirked.

Nia blinked, "And Merah?"

"Her too."

Nia growled lowly.

Nuru smirked and leaned in to nuzzle her. Nia only snarled in return and jumped back. She bared her teeth at him but quickly stopped when she saw his puzzled expression. "What? You look like you've smelled something bad."

Nuru didn't reply. He stepped toward her and tried to sniff but Nia backed up. The sandy manned lion growled and pounced on her, catching Nia by surprise. He used his forelegs to hold her down. He then lowered his muzzle to sniff at her neck. Nia scrounged up her face in a mixture of disgust and confusion.

Nuru aburtly raised his head and snarled in Nia's face.

"What's your problem?!" She growled.

"You reek of Pridelander." He spoke in a deep throaty growl.

Uh oh, "I have a friend who lives over there. Is that against the rules now?"

Nuru narrowed his eyes, "A friend, huh?"

Nia narrowed hers in return, "Are you deaf?"

Nuru gave a humorless chuckle, "So what's your friends name?"

"That's none of your business!" She shot, still under him.

"I thought it was no big deal. They're only your friend, right?"

Nia lowered her ears, "His name's Akida."

"It's a 'he'," Nuru rolled his eyes. "How shocking."

Nia growled fiercely and brought her back leg up to burrow it in Nuru's stomach. The lion balked, giving the lioness a chance to move out from under him. Nuru coughed and glared at her before standing wobbly. "Come on, " He mumbled, taking shaky steps, "show me around already." He walked on towards the huge termite mounds.

Nia followed, smirking.

They had been walking along the Northern Outlands, Nia pointing out various things of interest, when Nuru suddenly stopped. Nia turned to look at him, "Something wrong?"

"You do know that we are to be mated."

"So I've been told, "She rolled her eyes, "all my life."

"Have they also told you what will happen if we do not?"

The small lioness narrowed her eyes, "It has never been assumed. Why? Thinking of backing out, momma's boy?"

Nuru scoffed, "In your dreams, tomboy. I just thought you would like to know, out of…curiosity."

Nia sat, "Alright. Enlighten me."

Nuru sat as well, "As you know, the only reason your pride resides here is because--"

You need a mate blah blah blah. I thought this was supposed to be something no ones ever told me before."

"I was offering a back-up story!" He growled. "But what happens if you, for any reason, back out, is that my father will kill Musa and Hakan and take the lionesses into our pride to serve us as slaves."

At his last words Nia stood, "Ganan would never! Your father is to nice a lion!"

"How little you know him," Nuru replied sardonically.

"B..B-But," She stuttered, "it wouldn't be their fault! How can they stop me from running away?!"

He lifted a brow, "It wouldn't matter to my father. They will take on your punishment in your absence."

Nia's eyes widened and she opened her mouth to say something but shut it quickly. Whatever she said would only make things worse. She blinked rapidly, holding back confused, frustrated, sad tears. She hung her head.

Nuru chuckled, "So don't get any ideas about your pridelander 'friend'. That is, unless, you don't care about what happens to your pride."

Nia glared at the ground. She remained silent.

The lion gave a triumphant smirk, "Thanks for the tour, tomboy, but I think my father and I will be leaving soon." He stood and walked over to Nia. Her eyes remained locked onto the ground, blinking every now and then. Nuru's smirk deepened when she didn't move as he licked her cheek.

"Until next time, mate."


Victory

Is

Mine