Here's chapter 21. Reminder, I don't own lion king, Disney does. Please review. And here's some things you might not know.

Simba means lion.

Nala means gift.

Shani means curiosity

Kudeka: Deka means some type of combination. I thought Deka doesn't sound right, so I made it Kudeka. I remember it from reading a story about two years ago.

"Simba," Nala said, "I'm pregnant."

Simba's head shot up, and he stared at Nala. "Say that again." he said, his voice hardly more than a whisper.

"I'm pregnant, with your cub." Nala said, a smile on her face. "Simba, you're scaring me. Please say something. You are happy, aren't you?"

"Of course I'm happy! I've never been happier." Simba exclaimed, "You're pregnant, with my cub!" He pulled Nala's face closer to his, and licked her cheek. "I love you." he whispered in her ear.

"I love you too." Nala said, her voice muffled by his mane.

"When did you find out?" Simba asked, pulling back.

"Yesterday." Nala said. "I just wish we had a healer like Rafiki to make sure everything's okay."

"Don't worry, it'll be okay, as long as we have each other." Simba said softly.

"I know." Nala said, lifting her muzzle to his.

"You should get some rest." Simba said softly. "We're going to have a tiring day tomorrow."

Nala nodded, and rested her head in her paws. She heard some strange sounds from around her. She looked around, a bit alert.

"Go to sleep." Simba said, his voice gentle. " I won't let anything happen to you." Simba leaned over and nuzzled her stomach. "Both of you."

Feeling more safe than she had in a long time, Nala closed her eyes, and in less than a minute she was asleep.

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Scar was pacing back and forth at Priderock. He had sent Gurile to tell his companions back in the Elephant Graveyard, to tell them that tomorrow night, they would put the rest of their plan in motion, and to get fire sticks ready. At first he hadn't wanted to set the Pridelands on fire. What good was putting a very good Prideland on fire? But he had realized, after the death of the Royal Family, and some other lions he planned on killing, Runju included, the Pride would need some time to heal, and would heal with the Pridelands. Suddenly Gurile came up the stepping rocks of Priderock.

"Did you tell them?" Scar asked.

"Yes, I did." Gurile answered. "Everything is will go as planned."

"Good," Scar said. "Now let's go rest. Tomorrow night will be tiring."

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Simba and his companions were by the Prideland borders by late afternoon.

"We can't go in." Simba said. "They'll murder us if we went in." He gave Nala a look that said "I won't let you go in there."

Nala sighed, silently. She knew that he would be more determined than ever to protect her.

Chumvi had walked away a few minutes later and came back with a bird on his shoulder.

"Chumvi, why are you carrying a bird?" Simba asked, narrowing his eyes.

"He's a relative of Takita. He can help us. His name's Ron." Chumvi said.

"I stayed behind so I can tell my relatives what happened. I know what land they travelled to. I can help you." Ron said

"He can tell us what Scar's doing and tell us." Chumvi said. Nala and Kula nodded in agreement.

"Alright," Simba said. "We should split up and go in different directions, so we can get there faster if it's on one side of the Pridelands."

"Alright, I'll tell you if there's any suspicious activity." Ron said, flying away.

"Me and Kula can go north." Chumvi said. Simba nodded and he and Nala walked away to the south.

Nala felt like she couldn't open her mouth to speak. In less than a day, they could all be dead. She and Simba settled down, side by side, pressed together. For a while they were silent. Nala sighed and rested her head against Simba's shoulder.

"Nala," Simba said softly. "I know you know what I'm going do and I know you have plans of your own."

Nala did have plans for herself. She wanted to protect Simba.

"Then what's the point of telling me?" Nala asked.

"I don't want you to forget how different our circumstances. If you die and I live, I would never be happy again. I would lose you and my cub. It's different for you. I'm not saying that it wouldn't be hard. But there are lions who would help you and make life worth living."

Nala tried to speak, but all the came out was a choked sob.

" There are lions that need you. And that would love you just as much as I love you." Simba said, softly.

"Who?" Nala managed to choke out.

Simba looked at her for a minute. "Thresh." he said, softly.

Nala looked at him in shock. "Nala, he loves you a lot. He told me and I know it. I know he'll take care of you, if you get back into the Pridelands."

Nala shook her head. "No. I need you." she said, her tone almost begging.

Simba took a deep breath. " No one really needs me Nala. There are lions who need you, most importantly our cub." There was no self sorrow or pity in his voice.

Nala looked at him. She realized he was right. Simba's family didn't need him. They would mourn him, as Alex and their friends in the Pridelands would, but they would get on. Even Kula and Chumvi, with a lot of help and support would get on. She realized only she would be permanently damaged if Simba died.

"I need you. I won't let you die. Even if I have to risk my life." Nala said, her voice more firm.

Simba leaned in and rested his forehead against hers. "Nala, your life doesn't just belong to you anymore. It belongs to our cub too."

Nala knew that Simba was right. She had to think of her cub. The tears she had been holding back escaped her eyes, and she knew Simba had won the argument. She had to let Simba protect her, for the sake of their cub.

"Promise me that you'll let me protect you." Simba said.

Nala looked at him tearfully. "I promise." Simba studied her face and he knew she wasn't lying.

"You and I can never really leave each other. One way or another we'll always be together. My love will protect both of you." Simba said. He voice had a hint of sorrow in it. Nala knew it wasn't because that he knew he might die. It was because he may never see his own child or watch it grow up.

Simba pulled Nala close to him, and she buried her face into his mane. After a few minutes she stopped crying, but neither of them said anything, both of them too nervous to ruin the precious time they had together.

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Scar and Gurile were standing at the top of Priderock. Most of the Pride was not at Priderock. Almost all the cubs, including Ajjali, and Hofu, Sahil and Zawadi were out playing. Most of the lionesses were hunting, and the males were just resting. Any minute now, the plan would be put in motion.

"Scar," Gurile breathed. Scar looked in the direction she was looking and saw flames.

"The plan is in motion. Let's go." Scar said, and he and Gurile hurried off Priderock.

Scar was going to make sure Mufasa died, but only after he made sure he knew that Simba wasn't responsible for those murders. One of his male companions would take care of Runju, and they would kill Kula and Chumvi's fathers if they could.

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"Simba!" came Ron's voice. "The Pridelands were set on fire!"

"Were set on fire?" Nala thought, but there was no time for questions. She and Simba jumped up and ran toward the border. She could see that the flames had now nearly consumed half of the lands.

"Spirits above, don't let anything happen to my friends or Hofu." Nala silently begged. She continued running in, avoiding the flames and fallen trees, when she heard a roar.

Two male lions jumped in front of them.

"Not so fast." one of them snarled.

Nala stopped and growled at them.

"It's Runju's daughter." one of them snarled.

Can you guys guess where I got Simba's little speech from?