Author's Note: Wow. No reviews for Chapter 11 yet? I thought that was the most interesting, juiciest chapter yet. Well, I hope you enjoy this one. Thanks. Be sure to review : )

PRESENT

Ever since Vitani and Askari made love for the first time, they have truly become one. They felt like a dream come true to each other. It was almost as if they have known each other forever. A friendship blossomed into a romance suddenly yet naturally. One night, Vitani and Askari were on the roof of the cave as usual. Vitani was feeling a bit nervous being that she decided to finally tell Askari about Nala. She loved him and she owed him the truth. Whether it will bring them closer or tear them apart was irrelevant, it simply had to be revealed.

"Askari?"

"Yes, Vitani?"

"Do you love me?" Vitani asked.

"Of course, babe," Askari assured her." Do you love me?"

"Yes, very much," Vitani replied.

"Good," Askari nodded.

"That's why I have to tell you something before we go any further," Vitani said.

"What is it?"

Vitani was normally not the type to beat around the bush but the secret she was planning to reveal to Askari was too deep to just 'spit right out'; she wanted to ease into it just a bit. So, she started by posing a question.

"Do you remember what I told you about King Simba?" she asked.

"Yeah, you said he was your father's nephew and he defeated your father to reclaim the kingdom that he killed his brother for," Askari said.

"That's correct," Vitani nodded." But did I mention exactly who Simba's wife is?"

"No, but you told me about Simba's daughter and how she married your brother," Askari told her.

"Yes, that's true," Vitani said.

"So, what about Simba's wife?" Askari asked.

"Her name is Nala," Vitani revealed, with a sigh.

Askari was shocked; he couldn't respond right away.

"I think she's your mother," Vitani added.

"I am so…..speechless," Askari said.

"So am I," Vitani admitted." Nala never told me she had a son. As a matter of fact, I don't think she told anyone."

"Well, maybe the Nala that you know isn't the same Nala that gave birth to me," Askari insisted.

"Well, I could be wrong but you and Nala have the same eyes," Vitani told him." That's what I can't stop keep focusing on."

Askari had to inhale and exhale very deeply. This revelation has caught him by major surprise.

"How old are you, Askari?" Vitani asked.

"I'll be twenty-six soon," Askari replied.

"Then if you are Nala's son then that means you're about a year older than her daughter Kiara," Vitani told him." You're the same age as my brother Kovu; he's two years younger than me."

Askari bowed his head, sadly.

"Babe, are you angry with me for not telling you this sooner?" Vitani asked.

"No, I just feel awful," Askari said.

"I understand," Vitani sympathized.

"I'd really love to meet Nala and talk to her, once and for all," Askari stated." But I'm sure it would cause friction between her, Simba and Kiara."

"It doesn't matter, Askari," Vitani insisted." If Nala had an affair with your father and then abandoned you at birth, she owes her husband and her daughter the truth. She never should have kept such a dark secret from them. So, don't worry about causing any friction. I'll be there to support you; I have to show you exactly how to get to Pride Rock anyway."

"Thanks babe, but that's not the only problem," Askari sighed.

"So, what is the other problem?" Vitani asked.

"My stepmother," Askari responded.

"Kutisha? What about her?" Vitani questioned.

"She vowed that if she ever again saw Nala or the other lioness that my father mated with, she and Tishio would kill them," Askari informed her.

"Kutisha is still that angry after so many years?" Vitani gasped.

"Unfortunately," Askari spoke." There is no way that you and I can leave this land without Kutisha and Tishio asking us where we're going. So, they would definitely question you if they find out that you know who Nala is. Now, I realize that Nala is someone important to you. So, if Kutisha and Tishio tried to kill her, they'd have to fight Simba, Kiara and your brother as well. I don't want that to happen; so maybe it's best if I forget about ever meeting Nala."

"I'm so sorry, Askari," Vitani said, emotionally.

"It's alright," Askari responded." At least I have you. If our families go to war, it'll put us both in the most awkward, horrible position you can imagine. It's not worth it. I love you, Vitani."

"I love you too."

"So, let's just forget about Nala," Askari stated." I never even want to hear her name again."

"Sure," Vitani agreed, softly." If that's what you want, I will never mention it again."

"Thank you."

Askari and Vitani remained silent for the rest of the night. They just cuddled closely and stared at the starry sky, lost in their thoughts. Although they agreed not to discuss it, they can almost read each other's minds. Askari spent his entire life wondering where his mother was, why she had an affair with his father and most of all, why she abandoned him. It made him both sad and furious. As far as Askari was concerned, Nala was extremely lucky to be alive right now. He's in love with Vitani; therefore, he could never let Kutisha and Tishio plot to murder Nala, because they'd also have to murder Simba, Kiara, Kovu, little Kibwe and everyone else Vitani loved so dearly. Askari loved her more than life itself, so he could never bear to see her in any pain.

Several days have passed and Vitani kept her promise never to bring up the subject of Nala again. One night, Askari and Tishio were walking around the land on patrol. Tishio was well aware of the new romance between Askari and Vitani. Honestly, he didn't like it one bit.

"Askari?" Tishio said.

"What?"

"You have to break if off with Vitani," Tishio told him, firmly.

"Excuse me?" Askari responded, in mere bewilderment.

"You have to break it off with Vitani."

"No," Askari said, sharply.

"What did you say?" Tishio growled.

"I said no."

"That was not a request, it was an order," Tishio stated, sternly.

"And I said no!" Askari shouted." What part of 'no' don't you understand?"

"Askari, you are crossing the line," Tishio warned him, threateningly." I am not going to repeat myself."

"Then don't," Askari snapped.

Tishio lost his temper and took a swing at Askari, landing a light yet sharp blow across the face. Askari quickly recovered and fiercely struck his brother back. Tishio roared furiously and then struck Askari so hard that he fell to the ground this time. Before he can get back up, Tishio pinned him to the ground. Askari was no match for his older brother's exceptional strength.

"Tishio, get off!" Askari yelled.

Tishio grabbed Askari by the throat and applied just enough pressure to silence him, not to strangle him.

"Askari, I can kill you so easily right now if I wanted to," Tishio snarled." I'm going to make one thing clear. This will be the last time you ever disrespect me. I let you get away with it one too many times. You will do what I said. Break it off with Vitani; she belongs to me from now on. Mother and I tried to reason with her, now look what it has come to. I have to threaten you into doing what I told you to do. Break it off with her! She'll get over it once she realizes that I have much more to offer than you ever will."

Tishio released his grip on Askari's throat and stepped away from him. Askari coughed and gasped for air.

"You're pathetic," Tishio scoffed, then walked away.

Askari felt as though he had no choice. He had to break the heart of the one he loved before something went terribly wrong.