I don't own any of the characters apart from Amili (Swahili for 'guide'), Najiri (Swahili for 'emigrate') and Hakimu (Swahili for 'judge'). Urembo (Swahili for 'ornamental markings') and Jeraha (Swahili for 'markings') are not my characters (known commonly as Dotty and Spotty), but the names are mine.


"Well, they're here," Simba said, looking out at the savannah. He couldn't see most of the group yet, what with the distance and tall grass, but tall as the grass was, it wasn't tall enough to obscure the three giraffes.

"Yeah," Kiara said, "but which one's this Melman, d'you know?"

"None of us have much idea," Nala replied, "but no doubt we'll find out soon enough."

Soon enough, the group reached the base of Pride Rock and the welcoming committee Simba had arranged. The lionesses were arranged in a rough arc with the royal couple and their daughter in the middle. Vitani and the new arrivals stopped just short of the centre, whereas Kovu and his escorts carried on, "Well the former king asked when the younger darker lion was near, how does it look?"

"Hakimu thinks the hippo might be some trouble, and the older giraffe, but other than that, not bad," Kovu replied, "although, Maybe just you and Nala to start off with."

"Why not me," Kiara asked, slightly put out by Kovu's suggestion.

"Sorry, Ki'" Kovu said, "the lion's real nervous, and you can be a bit, well, boisterous, at times."

"Well, I can still get a bit excitable I suppose," Kiara said, smiling embarrassedly, "maybe later." Simba glanced over at Nala, wondering whether to say anything, but she shook her head unobtrusively. They both knew that Kovu had other, more personal reasons for ensuring that their daughter didn't get too heavily involved with the new arrivals, but it wouldn't do any good to mention it.

"Yeah," Kovu said, "just as soon as they've calmed down a bit."

"Tell me," Simba said quietly to Nala as they approached the group, "did you have anything to do with Vitani being with them now?"

"Who, me," Nala asked, "what made you think that?" Simba glanced over at his mate, and wasn't surprised to see that while her voice had sounded sincere, there was a glint in her eyes that said otherwise.

"Vitani," Simba said, reaching the group.

"Simba," Vitani replied, "Nala."

"So this is your friend Alex is it," Nala asked, "and your other friends, sorry, I've forgotten their names."

"Well it's Marty, Gloria, Melman, Amili, Melman and Najiri," Vitani replied.

"Pleased to meet you," Nala said, then turned to Vitani, "and if I may?"

"Be my guest," Vitani replied, taking one step back so that Nala could get past easily.

"Well there is one problem I can see right off," Simba said.

"And that is," Vitani asked.

"You friend Alex' self-confidence," Simba replied, "or rather total lack thereof."

"Oh, that," Vitani said, "yeah, I'll work on that, don't you worry."

"Good," Simba said, and continued his examination. Vitani was pleased to note that this examination seemed to be mostly for temperament, rather than, as Hakimu's had been, for threat assessment, and was over quite quickly as well. As the former royals considered their verdict, the younger lioness thought about asking them for their opinions, but decided against it, and instead waited impatiently.

After a few more moments, and a short whispered conversation between the former royal couple, Simba said, "well for some reason Kovu seems to have become very conservative since he took over, I however try to be a bit more open."

"So we're okay then," Vitani asked, "not a deadly threat or anything?"

"Not as far as I'm concerned," Simba said, and Nala nodded her agreement, then the former king smiled, "and we'll just have to see how long Kovu can hold out on that view once Kiara gets involved as well."

"There's that," Vitani replied with a chuckle, knowing how disarming Kiara could be. A thought struck her, and she asked, "just me and Alex or all of us?"

"Your choice," Simba said, "but if this lot can't stand you friends I don't know how we've managed till now."

Vitani chuffed at that, then turned to the others, and asked, "ready to meet the pride?"

"Provided I'm not on the menu," Marty said. Vitani barely suppressed her smile at this, even in a situation as potentially dangerous as he was in now, the zebra still managed to be adventurous, enthusiastic, Alex on the other hand...

"I'm not so sure," Alex said, nervously surveying the unsmiling, watchful lionesses, "I mean, they don't exactly look friendly do they?"

"Alex," Vitani said exasperatedly, "you're pathetic sometimes, you come all this way after me, and now you refuse to meet my family and friends."

"Don't go too hard on him Vitani," Simba said, "after all, you didn't deal too well with his home, so you shouldn't expect him to fit in here right away."

"What makes you say that?" Vitani asked staring angrily at Simba.

"Experience," Simba replied, but refused to elaborate.

Vitani continued to stare for a few moments, then turned back to Alex, "come on." This time, Alex didn't hesitate to follow her, though he was obviously still cautious. Following Simba and Nala, she was pleased to see Kiara was nearby, and that Urembo had stayed as well, it'd probably be good to introduce those two first.

"So this is Alex is it," Kiara asked, smiling, when Vitani and the lion approached. The lioness nodded, unable to keep a satisfied smile from her face. "Well, as queen of pride rock, I welcome you."

"Uh, thanks," Alex said, surprised at the apparently instant acceptance, but unsure of how to act.

"Oh, not at all," Kiara said, then her smile changed as she looked at Vitani, but kept talking to Alex, "it's about time she found someone she can talk to privately."

"Hey, not all of us have boyfriends pr-queen," Urembo said.

"No not everyone," Kiara replied, turning to the former outlander, "but at least you've got Jeraha, and up till now Vitani's not really had anyone."

"Well that's true," Urembo said, "although I have to say, I'm surprised at her choice." Approaching Alex, she said, "so you're the one who managed to pacify Vitani then are you?"

"Hey, I was pretty passive before," Vitani broke in, sounding serious, but unable to keep a smile from her face.

"Sure you were Vit'," Urembo said, "sure you were."

"And so were you as I recall," Vitani replied, "took you a couple of moons to actually start talking to the pridelanders." At this Urembo looked embarrassed and stopped teasing."

"So who's Jeraha," Alex asked, looking around.

"That's her there," Vitani replied, pointing at another lioness with what seemed to be a row of spots under her left eye, "she and Urembo are sisters."

"Yep, and she's a real spoil-sport," Urembo said, raising her voice slightly."

"I'll get for that later Ure'," Jeraha called, knowing full-well her sister was baiting her.

"Sure you will Jer'," Urembo said, "sure you will."

Alex glanced questioningly at Vitani, who only smiled and rolled her eyes.