A/N: I've forgotten to write an author's note in the first chapter about this story, but I had received an accusation against me that I'm trying too hard about writing in a similar manner to Xhibit B, saying that my style is trying too hard to come off as hers, but in truth, it really isn't. All it is that she is editing my story and she let me use her profile example since I asked for permission. In a way, don't come to me for something like this. I'm really sensitive when it comes to those types of accusations.

lion king is owned by Disney

Chapter Two

It has been a week since Mchanga had caused disruption among the Pridelands and Simba and his friends were doing everything that they could to keep the animals calm until her time of judgment was upon them. The moon shone brightly in the night sky, giving off a soft glow as stars twinkled around it. A young cub sat on top of a small rock, with his tawny fur and bright blue eyes glowing in the dark. Nkosi's tail twitched while he looked at the stars, alone in his thoughts. However, he was soon interrupted when he heard the sound of his mother's voice calling to him.

"Nkosi? What are you doing? You should be asleep," Nitza said gently as she walked towards him. The young cub whirled around when he noticed his mother, giving her a sheepish smile and sauntered over to her.

"Sorry, mama. I just couldn't sleep. Does daddy really have to go? Maybe I can go, too!" Nkosi beamed happily, hoping that his mother would at least let him go with his father.

"Nkosi. We've been through this. You're too young to go and besides. You're just a cub. You don't need to worry about anything," Nitza said as she nuzzled him affectionately.

Nkosi was about to say something when he heard the sound of another male voice joining them and he soon noticed that his uncle Simba came out of the den. "Your mother's right, Nkosi. You shouldn't have to worry. The world is very dangerous and there are strange creatures kidnapping animals. Go back inside and get your rest," Simba said gently as he walked towards Nitza.

"Yes, uncle Simba. Goodnight," Nkosi obediently said as he walked towards the den, leaving his mother and uncle alone. He yawned tiredly and curled up next to his father, closing his eyes and going to sleep.

"Goodness. He's growing up so fast," Simba complimented, sitting next to Nitza with a small smile appearing on his face. He wasn't sure if their conversation would become awkward, but Simba knew that Nitza is very comfortable around him. Nitza only hummed in agreement, shifting in an uncomfortable position, knowing that they haven't talked to each other in a while.

"What's wrong?" Nitza finally asked, breaking the silence when she noticed that Simba was looking up at the sky, lost in thought. She never thought that Simba would start talking to her again, ever since he had rejected her before he was married to Nala. Sure, they both agreed to stay friends, but Nitza felt like she was going to be in the way of their marriage, so, she decided to avoid him.

In truth, Nitza believed that they were rushed into their marriage to fulfill their family's wishes, especially Nitza since she remembered that Tabita had once said it's been a long time that their family was married into the royal family. The young lioness also believed that her grandparents wanted to keep their bloodline strong and fertile. According to her grandmother, some of her family members did travel to other distant lands to keep their family line afloat.

"It's just that Nala has become very distant with me lately and I don't know why," Simba said with a sigh. Although he was overjoyed to have Nala come back and found him in the jungle and they both had rekindled their relationship, Simba believed that everything went too fast for them.

"Maybe... both of you have different views on how the Pridelands shall rule?" Nitza theorized, looking up at him. Simba shook his head, nodding in disagreement.

"I don't think so. Perhaps the spark isn't there anymore?" Simba asked, feeling conflicted as he grunted. "Relationships change over time."

"That could be the case," Nitza concluded as she and Simba both sat in silence once more. At times, Nitza wished that she was the one who had discovered Simba in the jungle, not Nala, but she was doing all that she can to protect her pride sisters during Scar's reign and she hated the fact that her grandparents still made her get married to Tojo.

"I hope that you don't mind that I have to talk to Nitza, do you Simba?" a familiar voice asked, prompting the lions to whirl around at the sight of Nala.

"I don't mind at all," Simba said as he got up and walked towards the den, offering a smile. "Goodnight, Nitza." With that, the young King walked inside the den, leaving the two sisters alone. Nitza watched as the older lioness took a seat next to her. She can tell that she wasn't happy with her marriage with her best friend.

"I understand that Simba is King and all, but he is getting busier and busier every day," Nala said suddenly, as Nitza blinked her eyes surprisingly. "However, there have been more arguments between us lately. Our love is lacking, and I believe that it's putting a strain on our relationship."

She noticed the sudden change of attitude towards Nala recently, and it started to worry her. Not wanting to let her own mate think that there is something suspicious going on, Nitza would always bring up a lie as to why she was constantly stressed. Her grandparents are always so blind to see what was going on with Nala's relationship with Simba, that they tend to forget about Nitza's own problems.

"I believe that we also have different views on how should the Pridelands work, and our marriage is political," Nala admitted, looking away from her.

"I think so too. I mean, I did had a crush on Simba when we were cubs. However, he was much more interested in you than me. He believed that I was too plain," Nitza said, remembering when she had met Simba only once when her grandparents had taken her to the Pridelands and Nitza wanted to play with the other cubs, but Simba had rejected and as well teased her.

"That was his loss back then. Simba's ego was the size of a rhino and only Tama and I can stand up to him," Nala said, remembering that she had defended Nitza from Simba's teasing.

"I really don't understand why our grandparents would even arrange you and Simba together," Nitza said, feeling that her grandparents had arranged Nala and Simba just so her older sister can marry into the royal family and become Queen. "Do you think that our grandparents arranged you just so they can have a shot in the royal family?"

Nala was instantly surprised by the question that she was asked from her own sister, and she did have to admit it was the truth. Their grandparents were obsessed with power, that's what their mother had said since Mahdi was once a prince from a distant kingdom, but was exiled for a crime that he had committed.

She swallowed thickly as she looked away from her sister, biting her lip before once again gazing at her direction. "We-I...I don't know," Nala stammered, taking a deep breath. "We would never know it seems like."

Nitza nodded in agreement as she didn't say another word, getting up from her seat and walking towards the mouth of the den, with Nala at her side. As soon as they were settled, Nitza looked at her already sleeping mate and her young son, Nkosi, and curled up beside the young sleeping cub, with Nala's statement still in her mind.

They'll never know.

…

"Alright, son. You be a good boy and promise me that you'll take care of your mother for me?" Tojo said as he licked his son affectionately. "Be an obedient young cub."

Nkosi chuckled as he nuzzled his father. "Aw, dad. Don't I always?" He sarcastically asked with a chuckle, earning a smirk from his father and a wink from him as well. Tojo then glanced up at Nitza, giving her an awkward look. He bit his lip as he nuzzled her.

"I know that we always don't see each other from eye to eye, but I'm willing to do my part as a father," Tojo admitted with a small smile.

"Don't you always? Stay safe, Tojo," Nitza said, nuzzling him back with a smirk on her face. What they didn't know was that Simba watched them, looking down brokenhearted, but he soon regained his composure as he glanced up at his cousin, with a forced smile.

"Stay safe, cousin," Simba said, walking over towards him and nuzzling him. Tojo responded with a light chuckle as he too nuzzled him back.

"Always," was Tojo all could say before he stepped back and started to walk down the slope of Priderock, to which he heard a chorus of goodbyes calling out for him. Originally, he planned for the rest of the Lion Guard to come to him, but Tojo insisted that he can go alone.

Nkosi, who was out of his mother's arms, watched as his father disappears in the distance, getting smaller and smaller by the minute. He soon felt a shadow over him, and he sighed in relief as his mother stood next to him. He turned directly at her.

"Is he really going to be okay, mom? What if he gets into trouble?" Nkosi asked worryingly, earning a chuckle from his mother.

"Don't worry, son. Your father is a strong lion. He can handle anything," Nitza responded. "Come on. You need a bath."

"Yes, mother."

…

"The Pridelands shouldn't be too far. I'm nearly there. All I have to do is talk to King Simba and Queen Nala into helping me out to get my pride back and win this war," the brown maned lion said, lifting his head up to make sure that he was in the mystical lands that he had heard so much about from his grandmother.

His name was Hasani, a former knight of the Mountain Pride and one of the very few that managed to escape while the rest of the pride was held captive by its enemies, the Sukuma pride, which is known for its militaristic lifestyle. A lion who was quite charming with his blue eyes, the females are easily captivated by him and his personality, but he had shown no interest in them.

There was one lioness he had taken an interest in him, however. And the name had stuck to him like glue. Her name is Nala. Her fierce determination to protect her pride from the rumored Dark King Scar had made him want to overthrow him, but after his run-in with the hyenas at that time, it was too much for him because he had been through a lot.

And although he had told Nala what happened, she was understanding and promised that they'll meet again one day. He watched her took off running, into the unknown. Ever since then, he wondered what happened to the blue-eyed lioness, until he learned from the birds who were spreading the news about Simba's return, had made him glad that she had finally done it.

Suddenly, something came on top of him with so much force that literally knocked him over, and the air punched out of his lungs. He winced suddenly, shutting his eyes tight as he can. Whatever it was that knocked him over was strong, and he soon opened both of his eyes, instantly locking with another set, but this time, they showed protectiveness and authority.

"Who are you?! What do you think you're doing here in the Pridelands?"

That voice...it sounded so familiar to him. "Ugh...could you at least let me up first before I can give you any answers?" He asked, groaning. The lioness who had pinned him down immediately got off him, sitting on her haunches. Hasani got up, lifting up his paw to his head and rubbing it. "That hurts."

"Who are you? Wait...Hasani? Is that really you?" She questioned, jumping up in surprise and quickly nuzzling him underneath his chin. "I thought I'd never see you again!"

Hasani was too stunned to nuzzle her back, but he was glad that she had recognized him afterward. "Yes, well. It's a good thing that I'm alive," Hasani said with a smile. "But how are you able to recognize me? You nearly killed me!"

Nala laughed merrily at his reaction. "I didn't quite recognize you at first, until what you said had jogged my memory," Nala admitted. "How are things back at home?"

Hasani soon remembered that he had said the same exact thing before when Nala had pinned him down when he had entered in the Pridelands, or what was called, Shadowlands. When Nala had asked him the question, Hasani's eyes darted away from hers, unable to lie to her.

"Well, everything went fine for the most part...except they came," Hasani said bitterly, memories of the wicked King Adofo and his army stormed in his pride unannounced, and the young lion barely made it out alive, earning a few scratches.

Nala turned her head and noticed that he had barely survived the unexpected attack. She turned to look at him, sympathy graced on her features. "Goodness. We have to get those scars healed before they become infected," Nala said with worry.

Hasani groaned in pain, as he knew that she was right and there was no use in fighting it anymore. He had been traveling for days, and the next thing to add was Nala worrying about him. "You're right. Are you able to take me?" He asked, looking at her.

"I most certainly will. As Queen, I'm supposed to help out all my subjects," Nala smirked as she gave him a wink and walked alongside him. She felt her cheeks turning pink but looked away before he could even notice.

…

Nitza sat alone, near the tanning rocks, lost in her thoughts as usual. Just a few hours ago, her mate had left to go to some foreign kingdom to bring back their trust. She couldn't believe that her heart is slowly betraying her in such a way that she can't describe it. She could never think about loving Tojo, despite he was trying to be affectionate too hard for her sake.

"Nitza? What are you doing here?" a voice asked, prompting Nitza to snap out of her thoughts. She whirled around, blinking in surprise to see Simba, of all creatures, giving her a worried expression on his face, not that she needed.

"I was only thinking. And besides, I should be asking you the same thing," Nitza said with a smirk. She didn't expect to see him come and visit her, this is really sudden for her, but they both agreed to be friends.

Simba rolled his eyes, also smirking when he noticed that she was all alone. "Is it alright if I join you?" Simba asked shyly.

"Sure. You don't have any Kingly schedules do you?" She asked, raising her eyebrow. Nitza watched as Simba shook his head, and a sigh escaping his grasp.

"Yes. But I glad that I can rest for an hour or so until lunch. Where's Nkosi? I planned on showing him the Kilio Valley to see the elephants," Simba said with a frown since he had known that Nkosi had been begging him to take him to the Valley where the elephants lived.

Nitza's ears perked up when she heard the sound of laughter coming from the cubs, eyeing Simba with the same smirk plastered on her face, causing Simba to flush in embarrassment.

"Does this answer your question?" She asked, when she noticed Nkosi and his friends close to them, judging by Nkosi's expression, something happened to one of his friends. "Is everything alright, Nkosi?"

"Everything's fine, mom. But, Malika has something to tell you, uncle Simba," Nkosi said, allowing his friend, Malika to speak up, albeit shyly.

Malika was a young lion cub, who had beige fur and silver eyes. She was quite petite for a cub, and many animals had complimented her beauty, even some had said that she might be related to royalty, for as long as she could remember, she was found all alone and was adopted by two lions who gladly took her in and gave her a new home.

"You see, your majesty. Everywhere I go, people always say that I may have royal blood...including the elephants. I may have to be the long-lost princess of the Jioni pride!" She excited said, prompting Simba and Nitza to look at one another.

"Does Jabali and Penda know about the compliments you have been received?" Simba asked while looking at her.

"They have, and I guess that they're not ready to talk about it," Malika admitted. Before Simba could say anything, Zazu swooped down and landed firmly on the ground.

"Good afternoon, sir!" Zazu chirped happily. "Afternoon to the rest of you." He bowed respectfully at Nitza and the cubs.

"Good afternoon, Zazu!" the cubs and Nitza all chorused, and Nitza chuckled.

"What's the status update?" Simba asked, sitting on his haunches, once again preparing himself for the afternoon report. "Has the Lion Guard ease the tensions about the unrest in the Pridelands?"

Nitza turned around to the cubs, knowing that they shouldn't be worried about such things going on, especially her young son Nkosi. She didn't want him to feel overwhelmed with everything.

"Run along, children. I'll check up with all of you later," she said gently, but Nkosi wasn't having it. He felt like his uncle had broken his promise.

"But, mom! Uncle Simba promised that he'll take us to Kilio Valley," Nkosi argued, not liking this at all. Feeling guilty, Simba looked at his nephew with a small smile.

"I promise once everything is finished, I'll take you and your friends to see the elephants, okay?" Simba said gently. Nkosi sighed, defeated while looking away from him. He didn't say a word as he and the cubs all left them alone.

"As I was saying, sire. Mchanga refuses to follow orders. Her cheetah henchman has been keeping the Lion Guard at bay, refusing to even bring Mchanga to justice," Zazu explained.

Nitza looked at her friend with worry. Sure, she herself had made a few interactions with the lioness, but Nitza never liked her. "Shall I bring her?" She asked, looking at him.

"No. It's my duty as King to protect my people. I don't want to bring any harm to anyone else, especially you, Nitza," Simba said, mostly to himself. "Zazu. Go ahead and order the Lion Guard to go and visit Mchanga. I would like to have a word with her."

"Yes, at once sire!" Zazu soon started to fly away, and Simba looked directly at Nitza, who was worried about her son.

"Go and keep an eye on the cubs. Make sure that Mchanga won't harm them," Simba ordered firmly as he took off running, and soon, Nitza did the same, unaware that Zira was watching her the entire time.

"Don't worry, Nitza. Soon, your cub will no longer exist in this world," a sinister grin plastered on her face, along with an evil chuckle.