Jason Chandler; Thanks for the feedback. And I agree with you about Simba making a choice.
I realized that last chapter was pretty short. Shorter than what I intended. So here's chapter eighteen, enjoy.
As the sun began to rise the small group had started their journey again. They are now walking through the Outlands, the barren cracks in the ground scratched at their paws.
Kula smiled, "If we're lucky. We'll run into Mufasa on his patrol."
Simba nodded, he didn't know what to say. There's a lot waiting for him in the Pridelands. But he ignored it and focused on the task.
Around noon the group came to the Pridelands' border. Like Kula had said Mufasa was patrolling with Zazu on his shoulder.
Sarabi took a deep breath before walking out into view.
"The elephants are having trouble with the leopards again..." The blue hornbill trailed off once his eyes landed on the dark beige lioness.
Mufasa followed his majordomo's gaze and gasped. His face paled as he looked like he seen a ghost. "Sarabi...you're dead.."
Sarabi chuckled, "I could say the same about you. But I'm alive and so is our son."
At that moment Simba walked out and Mufasa's amber eyes widen. No doubt about it, that the young lion infornt of him was his son.
"Simba.. my son. It's good to see you." Mufasa smiled where it reached his eyes.
Simba smiled as tears fell from his eyes. Before Mufasa knew it, Simba was hugging him. Mufasa smiled before wrapping a paw around his son and pulled him close. The two cried in each other's red manes.
Ammiel walked out and nuzzled a smiling Sarabi.
After pulling away, Mufasa smiled wide. "Let's go home!"
The walk to priderock was quicker than the group expected. Once the king and party reached the large mountain pride came to see who's the newcomers.
But once the tawny queen's light green eyes landed on Sarabi, she let a furious roar.
"What are you doing here? You're supposed to be dead!"
Everyone gasped at the words of their queen as Simba snarled.
"Now Sarafina. You may not speak to her like that." Mufasa then looked to his pride and roared proudly, "My son has returned!"
The pride cheered but the three youngest of Mufasa looked confused. Aasha the second oldest of the king walked up with a scrowl.
Aasha's body was not build like her mother and half sister. Her body is like her uncle's and paternal great-great grandfather. Slim and lanky, whitish fur covered her.
Aasha's light green eyes were locked on her father. "Who's to be the heir now?"
Mufasa looked at his eldest son and sighed before looking at his daughter. "Simba. He's the oldest and therefore has rights to the throne."
Aasha was outraged but the two younger princes was overjoyed. They were glad that their sister wasn't going to be queen. In their minds, she would of made an awful queen.
"Yes!" Mheetu and Mapenzi cheered.
Aasha sneered at them. Mufasa sighed before looking at Sarafina. Who nodded, Mufasa nuzzled her before turning towards the pride.
"You are dismissed!"
The pride dipped their heads before going their own way. Simba sighed deeply before his side was joined by none other than Nala.
The tawny peach lioness buried her head in his red mane. "I really missed you."
Simba smiled before nuzzling back, letting out an loving purr. "I missed you, too."
Kula stood back with a heartbreaking look. As Tama walked over chuckling darkly.
"You might as well get over it." Kula growled at Tama as the tannish-beige lioness chuckled. "You have no chance."
With a dark laugh Tama went in search of her mate, Tojo. Kula looked back at Simba and Nala nuzzling like mates. She turned and walked away as tears fell.
TLK TLK TLK TLK
A month past and Prince Simba had finished just about all of his lessons. Simba was taking a morning stroll with his brothers and Mufasa talking about none other than mates.
"Mates?" Simba asked.
Mapenzi nodded as Mheetu chuckled. Mufasa smiled on at the sight of his sons bonding.
"Well...what do you see?" Simba asked his brothers. Curiosity in his orange eyes.
Mheetu smirked, "You sure got a thing for Nala."
Simba blushed, he sure do got feelings for the beautiful tawny peach lioness. But he'll never forget the day he spent with Kula. As the future king was thinking this Zazu flew down out of breath.
"Zazu, what's the matter, friend?" Mufasa asked the blue hornbill.
"Miss Kula wish to speak with the future king."
Mufasa looked at Simba who was looking at his future majordomo.
"Where is she?"
"The clearing on the east."
Mufasa raised his eye brow, "That's Lover's Field. I want to know why to meet there?"
Simba shrugged before turning and leaving. "I'll see you all at home."
With that the golden lion set off at a trot.
...
Kula paced at a clearing full of different color of flowers. There was a stream that ran through. Kula was pacing under a large tree surrounded by lush green grass.
"Kula..."
The pale brown lioness stopped pacing and looked to see Simba. She let out a shaky breath before walking over. "Simba...we need to talk or rather...I have something to tell you."
Simba sat and smiled, "Okay, go ahead."
Kula sighed deeply, tears forming in her dark green eyes. Simba's smile faded as he stared at his best friend with concern.
"Kula...what is it?"
Kula sobbed, tears now falling freely and making puddles on the ground. "Simba...I'm pregnant."