Climbing to the top of a tree was extremely easy for a baboon. Some effort cost Dan and Shany, who climbed with their claws: even though Dan had already learned to climb trees, Rafiki's baobab was exceptionally large and on more than one occasion, he almost fell over.

"Almost" he said when he was about to arrive, "Damn, I should have practiced this more"

"Come on, Dan" motivated Shany who was already up and along with Rahisi, "You can"

Dan went up a paw, but just when he thought he had succeeded, he slipped and almost fell, if not for the hand of Rafiki, who saved him.

"Thank you, Rafiki" he said once he was already at the top.

"It's nothing, Dan" replied the Mjuzi. And then he turned to his apprentice, "Rahisi, could you bring me a couple of oranges for the guests? I have them up "

"All right, Mr. Rafiki" Rahisi replied and climbed to an even higher place.

Once Rahisi was gone, Rafiki turned to the cubs.

"And now, tell me young prince..." he said, "What is your problem?"

"This…" Dan started, but he couldn't get the words out.

"Dan is insecure" explained Shany, "He says it should not be the heir, but Koda"

"I see..." Rafiki said, listening carefully, "And why did you come to see me without first consulting your parents?"

"Because ... well, you are the real Mjuzi..."

"So, for an heir who does not want to be king, it is ironic that he goes to ask his future royal Mjuzi for help, don't you think?"

Rafiki had caught Dan: it was true, the royal Mjuzi was the royal family's advisor. Both cubs fell silent, knowing they couldn't contradict it.

"Heh I'm sorry ..." Dan finally said, "I should have thought better of it before..."

"Your doubts prevent you from seeing those around you, young lion" said Rafiki, "But, since that's my role, I'm going to teach you something... come with me"

"I'll stay out here, if it doesn't matter" Shany told them.

"We won't be long, Shany"

Rafiki took Dan to the deepest part of his tree, it was surprising that there was so much space there… a couple of elephants might as well live (obviously, if they could climb, first).

"Shany is a good friend, isn't she?" Rafiki asked him as they passed through some lianas that blocked an area of the tree.

"Well ... besides being my first friend, she's the best I have" answered Dan sincerely.

"Ha, I would say that you already have your queen"

Dan was ashamed of that: Zazu was a thing to endure, but Rafiki?

"We're just friends..." he tried to excuse himself.

"Well, if you've heard Zazú" Rafiki explained, "It's not the first time that such close friends are together even as adults"

"Excuse me ... but I think I have come to ask for some kind of advice, not to bring me more problems… Can you help me, Rafiki?"

"Well, at least you don't call me crazy monkey like others have told me"

"I see why..." Dan thought.

Rafiki stopped and pointed around. Dan looked amazed: there were various drawings on the trunks and branches. Some were old because you could distinguish the antiquity of some. However, he paid attention to one in particular: the one depicting a lion cub drawing.

"That's right" Rafiki said, "You are still here. But you are also accompanied by someone"

Dan looked again and realized that there was also another cub: Koda.

"It looks... very good" he congratulated him.

"Thank you, but the most important thing is not how it looks, but how it will change" said Rafiki.

"How will we change...?"

Then, Rafiki pointed to another drawing. This one was older and a bit fuzzy. It represented two adult lions: a golden one with a red mane and another with darker skin and a darker mane.

"Who are they?" I ask.

"That is your great-grandfather, Mufasa" Rafiki explained, "And next to him is his brother, Scar"

Dan looked at the painting again: except for the painting depicting the manes of both lions, Mufasa and Scar's drawings were similar to those of Koda and his.

"Simba told you what happened between them, didn't he?" Rafiki ask.

Dan nodded but said nothing.

"Dan, listen carefully" Rafiki said making him sit down, "Scar let resentment and jealousy take hold of him, but the cause was the mark of evil"

"What is the mark of evil?" Dan asked.

"The scar. Both Scar and Kion received one after being bitten by a snake. Kion managed to find the cure, but Scar... well, you know what happened "

Dan thought about it for a bit. Then, he went back to comparing the two drawings.

"Wait a minute, aren't you saying that history will repeat itself with us?" I ask.

"No, no, no one knows what can happen" Rafiki said, "And even if something like that happened ... nothing happens in the same way twice, we can only change the future through our actions and decisions"

"So… I think I should let Koda be first in line. That way, nothing bad will happen "

"Like I said, no one can know what can happen. Koda was just born today and is arguably better as the leader of the lion's guard than as heir to the throne. We must not anticipate what will happen"

"But..." he started, but the baboon cut him off.

"Dan, your story so far is amazing," Rafiki told him, "But it's not the end yet. No one can take away your destiny or your place here on Pridelands. Do not waste what you have been given and, if you still have doubts, remember that you can trust the family and the friends you now have"

Dan listened carefully. It was true, now he had friends and family to trust ... but he still didn't have his answer.

"Because…" continued Rafiki, "You have now something more than your lion's heart…"

"Rafiki" Rahisi's voice shouted, "I didn't find an orange"

"Hahaha" he laughed, "Wow, it seems that age is getting to me… I must have forgotten that I ate the last one yesterday. Well Dan, it's time to go home: the afternoon is falling and they will worry that you have escaped again"

They both returned to the entrance of the tree, where Shany was eating some berries with Rahisi.

"I hope you saved some for me" joked Dan, "Anyway, let's go, it's getting late"

Coming down from the baobab was as difficult as going up. However, this time there were no more falls and both cubs stepped onto solid ground. Then, they said goodbye to Rafiki and Rahisi and headed back to the Pride Rock.

"And did he give you an answer?" Shany asked on the way.

"He didn't give me a clear answer, he just told me to trust my friends and family," Dan replied. But then, he remembered something: "Oh ... no"

"What's going on?"

"Tomorrow Aunt Vitani and her guard have a day off ..."

"There is nothing wrong, does it?"

"Well, assuming she's the one teaching me to fight, then it can be bad. The last time he tried to get me to move a rock three times the size of me. I don't know what she thinks, but I'm not Imara to do such a thing"

"He just wants to make you strong; your parents now have a lot to do with being kings. I guess that's why Vitani trains you"

"Yes, I think you are right. But sometimes she is very hard…"

A shout made them turn: Zazu was flying, just landed, he collapsed from exhaustion.

"At last, I found you..." he managed to say.

"Actually Zazu, we were already on our way back" Dan told him, "Come, get on my back so I can take you home"

"Oh no, young prince. It would be a lack of consideration if... "

"Hey Zazu, I still have doubts about my future. But I know that now, you need help "

Without leaving Zazu, Dan took he in his mouth and placed it on his back.

"Thank you..." said the bird before laying down on the cub's back.

Author's Notes: What do you think of the introductory chapters to this new story? It's my second lion king fanfic. I know that Koda's name is widely used by many, but the important thing is not it but how the plot progresses.

One question: I see that some fanfics put song lyrics to them. Should I do the same on this one? Tell me in your reviews.