As Sarafina predicted, the Pride believed Shinda's story, mainly because it was supported by Kudeka. They shunned Sarafina, believing her to be a liar and a thief. The only lions who defended her were Sarabi, Vunja, Kuuma, Fahari, and to Sarafina's surprise, Penda, Shinda's sister. Scar didn't have anything bad to say about her, and he defended her quietly if the need arose, but he was even more removed from the everyday life of the Pride than Sarafina, and his opinion mattered little to others. Runju himself had been ignored or glared at until he decided to leave a few days later. He didn't say a word to Sarafina before leaving.

Sarafina stayed under her tree with Nala most of the time. Sometimes Penda, Vunja, or Kuuma came to see her, but mostly she was left alone. Sarabi's visits had become few and far between; her duties as Queen had increased since the death of Uru some weeks ago. Raising Simba also took a good chunk out of her spare time. The Prince was mischievous, playful, and seemed to have a certain knack for trouble.

Luckily for his parents, Simba had become close friends with Nala, who was much more level-headed than the Prince, although she sometimes allowed herself to be talked into his schemes. Most of the Pride disapproved of their friendship, believing Nala to be as bad as her mother. "It's in the blood." They whispered.

One day during the wet season, Sarafina was relaxing with Vunja and Kuuma under her tree. Nala and Simba were being watched by Mufasa. The usually passive King had taken an unexpected interest in his son. In the presence of Simba, Mufasa seemed more alive, more joyful, more proud. Even when his son was not there, he was far happier and prouder than he had ever been before. He seemed like a real King.

Sarafina was lying in the shade of the tree, Vunja and Kuuma lying beside her. The former rouge's stomach was plump as it had been before Nala was born; the day her new cubs were born could not be far off.

Vunja broke the comatible silence by remarking, "Did you hear that Simba and that other cub Malka nearly got eaten by hyenas earlier?"

Sarafina knew it wasn't a laughing matter, but the Prince got into scrapes like this so often that she couldn't surpress an amused snort. "Sarabi's got her paws full with that one." She replied.

Kuuma chuckled. "He certainly does seem to have a knack for getting into trouble." Her smile faded, and she continued with a hint of sadness, "He kind of reminds me of Zira at that age."

Sarafina felt her amusement fade away at the mention of her absent friend. Zira had been gone for several months now, and she missed her more than she cared to admit, especially now when so few lions supported her. "I wonder where she is right now." She said quietly.

Vunja replied with forced cheerfulness, "I'm sure she's with Khali in his homeland by now, Queen of the Tall Grass Pride."

Sarafina murmered, "Queen Zira." under her breath, partly to hear how it sounded, but mostly to reassure herself. She worried about her friend, even though she was probably living the high life with her mate.

Suddenly, her stomach clenched in intense pain. She let out a snarl, her teeth gritted against the pain. Kuuma and Vunja looked alarmed. "What's wrong, Sara?" Vunja asked with concern.

Sarafina realized what was happening at once. "The cubs." She growled through clenched teeth. "The cubs are coming."

The princesses looked at each other in surprise, then stood in order to help Sarafina. They spoke to her through the pain, which was a welcome distraction. The pain seemed to last for ages, but at last, a small male cub lay by Sarafina's side.

He was a pale gold, a paler version of his father. His tail tuft was a dark reddish-cream color. He had his mother's short muzzle, and his father's low-set eyes. He had paler gold fur surrounding his eyes, which would be the exact same blue as his father and his half-brother when they opened.

Sarafina looked down at her son with love swelling in her heart. No matter who his father was; he was her son, and she loved him regardless of any father. "Hello, my little Mheetu." She said softly.

From a distance, two figures watched this happy family with narrowed eyes. Shinda glared at the new mother with undisguised hatred. By her paws, Tojo watched his mother's expression, unsure of what had caused her to look so angry. Shinda growled to her son, "You see that lioness over there?" Her son nodded. She explained with disgust in her tone, "She lied to me and to the entire Pride, and she's still the Queen's favorite. She shouldn't be allowed to stay in the Pride."

Tojo felt a shudder at the loathing in his mother's tone. Shinda sensed her son's discomfort, licked him soothingly on the head, and told him, "Don't worry about it. I'll make sure Sarafina doesn't bother you. Just make sure you stay away from her, okay? You're safer here with me."

His eyes still watching the small family, Tojo nodded with complete trust in his mother's words.

Another short-ish one, but at least it's two in one day. Anyway, yes, I decided to put Mheetu in the story. And we are introduced to the POV of Tojo, which I will be using more in the future.

Sarafina, Sarabi, Mufasa, Simba, Nala, Tojo, Scar, Mheetu (c) Disney

Vunja, Kuuma, Shinda, Runju, Khali, Kudeka (c) Me