A/n A special shout out to jtgil, kate, AquitarStar, and Dinoman193 thank you all for the wonderful reviews. Keep 'em coming and as usual see ch 1 for disclaimer. Enjoy ch 10

Ch 10 More Disappointment and a Little Joy

Meanwhile in another part of the Pridelands Simba and Nala were enjoying spending some much need time alone. "Nala I have to admit this was a very good idea," Simba said as he and Nala went to sit beside the river side.

"I told you this was exactly what we needed," Nala said sitting beside her mate and laying her head on his red mane.

"I know something else we both need," Simba said with a wink causing Nala to giggle. "Come on I know the perfect place." With that the King and Queen walked towards a secluded area that was well covered. Once they were there Nala gave a Simba a "come and get me" look and that was all it took. Simba circled around Nala giving her a smoldering look. Then he pounced and he and Nala fell gently to the ground both of them laughing. Simba got up after a couple of minutes and was about to begin the mating process when suddenly Nala's paw came out of nowhere and swipped Simba's face catching him by surprise. "Hey!" he cried as he fell to the ground. "Nala!? What the heck was that for?"

"I'm sorry Simba," Nala said panting. "I just had a really bad flashback when you began the process. I'm so sorry."

"Hey it's ok," Simba said as he got up and walked in front of Nala giving her a nuzzle. "You know I would never hurt you right?" Nala nodded and Simba continued, "But if you're not ready for this then I understand."

"No!" Nala cried startling Simba. "No I'm ready for this. I really am."

"Are you sure?" Simba asked studying his mate to see if she was lying or not.

"Yes I'm sure," Nala said giving Simba's cheek a lick. Then suddenly she pounced on Simba and the pair were once again rolling on the ground laughing. Then Simba got to his feet and walked behind Nala cautiously. Nala looked behind her and nodded. Then Simba began the mating process which went off without a hitch.

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The next morning Simba and Nala awoke after a very pleasant evening. "Good morning," Simba said smiling at his mate. "Sleep well?"

"Good morning yourself handsome," Nala said giving Simba a nuzzle. "Yes I did sleep very well." Then the creamy lioness looked up at the sky. "We'd better be getting home. Kovu will be wanting his morning feed." With that the King and Queen got up and headed back to Priderock to see their son.

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Once Simba and Nala arrived back at Priderock Kovu came running out of the cave excited to see them. "Did you guys have fun?" Kovu asked snuggling into his mother's front leg.

"We did have fun honey," Nala said giving her son's head a lick. "How about you? Did you have fun with your grandmas?"

"I sure did!" Kovu exclaimed with a smile. "Grandma Sarabi is really smart. She told me not to listen to Zira 'cause she's crazy."

"Why were you talking to Zira?" Simba asked alarmed that Kovu was alone with the crazed lioness.

"She said she wanted to talk to me," Kovu explained. "I tried to get away from her but she wouldn't let me. She's really kind of scary."

"What did she say to you son?" Simba asked gently.

"She said that you and Mom were lying to me," Kovu said softly.

"About what?" Nala asked.

"About who my father is," Kovu said looking at his mother.

"Kovu," Simba said slowly. "What exactly did Zira tell you?"

"Not much Dad," Kovu said. "She's really creepy anyways. All she really did was confuse me."

"Well you just make sure you keep your distance from her," Nala said sternly. "Understand?"

"Yes Mom," Kovu said.

"There's a good boy," Nala said with a smile. "Now come on inside. You must be hungry." With that Kovu and Nala went inside so Kovu could nurse. Simba stayed behind and went in search of Zira. Luckily he didn't have to look very far for the tan lioness. The golden King found her by the watering hole getting a drink. "Zira we need to talk," Simba said walking up to the pregnant lioness.

"Well good morning to you too Simba," Zira said rolling her eyes. "And what exactly to we need to talk about?"

"I want you to stay away from my son," Simba said deciding to get right to the point. "I won't have you filling his head with your lies."

"Oh Simba I think you're mistaken," Zira said. "You know very well that what I told Kovu was the truth."

"Zira I'm really growing tired of this," Simba said irritated at Zira's attitude. "If you are going to insist upon defying me and telling these lies then I will have now choice but to banish you and your son. And I really don't want to have to do that especailly when you are with cub. But if you continue to defy me then I will have no other choice. Do I make myself perfectly clear?"

"Crystal clear," Zira said doing her best not to lose her temper. "It won't happen again. You have my word on that."

"Good," Simba said. "Now if you'll excuse me I have rounds to make." With that Simba took his leave leaving a seething Zira behind.

"How dare he threaten me with exile!" Zira growled. "I'd like to see him try to exile me!" Suddenly Zira's unborn cub gave her a kick. "Don't you worry my son," Zira said gently rubbing her belly. "Mother won't lose her temper. Not just yet anyways. Once you are born and are strong enough then I will make my move. Until then I'll just have to suck it up and lat least pretend I'm going along with that tyrant." With that Zira began to walk back to Priderock thinking hateful thoughts about Simba the whole time.

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A month passed and soon the time came for Zira to have her cub. As was custom Zira went off to a secluded area with her good friend, Cala to have her cub. After some time Zira's cub was born. But to her great dissappointment Cala told the tan lioness that she had just given birth to a daughter. "Check again," Zira growled. "There must be another cub in there."

"Zira I've checked twice," Cala told her. "There is only one cub and she's a girl."

"This is unexceptable!" Zira growled. "Now I'll have to wait even longer to take down Simba. Not to mention finding another mate."

"Well why don't you focus on your daughter right now?" Cala suggested gently pushing the tiny tan cub towards Zira. "Have you thought of a name for her?"

"Yes," Zira said as she began cleaning her daughter. "Her name is Vitani."

"Well welcome to the world little Vitani," Cala said with a smile.

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Meanwhile Nala had just returned form visting Rafiki and she had a big smile on her face. "Well there's a sight I love seeing," Simba said as he gave his mate a nuzzle. "And may I ask what brought on that beauiful smile?"

"I just got back from visiting Rafiki," Nala said. "I'm pregnant Simba! Isn't that great?! We're finally going to have a cub of our own."

"Nala that's great!" Simba exclaimed giving his mate a nuzzle. "Kovu will be so excited to hear that he's going to be a big brother."

"Let's tell him tomarrow," Nala declared. "That will be the perfect way to celebrate his first time out of the cave."

"That's a wonderful idea," Simba said. "Come on let's go tell our mothers the wonderful news." With that the King and Queen headed back to Priderock eagar to share their joy with Sarabi and Sarafina.

A/N well there you go everyone ch 10 complete. Hope you are enjoying the story so far. Keep those reviews coming.