After Zira's three months pregnancy, she finally gave birth to a male.

He was named Nuka. He was born weak and thin and was tiny. His fur was the same as his mother. According to what I had been told, Scar had taken one look at him and had disowned him. He had wanted a son that was strong and handsome. Honestly, I thought that for him and Zira, that was a bit too much for him to ask for.

Scar and Zira basically neglected him. Zira just about fed him and slept not too far from him, but that was it. Scar didn't even look in his direction.

As soon as Nuka learnt to walk, he had spent most of his time away from the den in which his parents were. Most cubs that age were always constantly under supervision, but Scar and Zira didn't bother requesting someone to look after him.

This saddened me a lot. Since I was the only lioness who didn't hunt, Nuka would often hang out with me. From the moment I saw him, I had a deep rush of affection for him, seeing as he was so small. I just wanted to protect him and never allow anything to hurt him.

But I knew I couldn't.

He felt constantly hurt by his parents, often trying to get their attention, but failing. He never voiced it. Perhaps he thought it was normal or something, but I saw it in his eyes, which had turned into blood red eyes like Zira's.

Often, I would wish he was my child instead of their's. Sometimes I would consider asking them if I could adopt him as my own. But I was too much of a coward to ask them. I had been terrified of them. I knew that I also couldn't nurse him and I doubted that I had the strength to raise him.

Oh, how I regretted that years later.

For the time being, I looked after him while his parents weren't present. I groomed his fur, told him cub stories and played games that didn't require too much energy on my part.

He seemed to enjoy spending time together, and I definitely loved it. He wasn't necessarily bright or strong, but he was absolutely adorable.

The pride would be searching for food from dawn until dusk, usually only bringing me back a small bone since they had to eat as quickly as possible before the hyenas would come.

Water was also becoming difficult to come by, which was a problem since a lion can't survive without water for three days.

So, as you could probably predict (oh, my life was depressing), things got worse.

While I did foresee trouble on the horizon, I still came slightly unaware of what was to come. But I kept in mind my mother's words.

Things will become worse before they can become better.

And that is what I soon found out.

Now, enough foreshadowing and on to the rest of my story.

So, it was another dull day that I spent feeling hungry and blah blah blah and playing with my so-cute-it's-sad cousin who was enjoying my company, as always.

We were playing a game of hide-and-seek. I was the one hiding since it would require less energy than seeking. I was laying behind a rock outside of the cave, not doing too well at being out of sight. But Nuka had decided that I was at the other side of Priderock, so he had gone to look for me there while I waited for him to return.

Whilst I waited, Nala came storming out of the cave and sat down in front of the rock on the other side, her back towards me. It wasn't unusual for Nala to be moody and irritated. That's what a lack of food does to you. And being surrounded by your number one enemy specie.

I sat up and rested my paws and head on the top of the rock, gazing softly at her pale back.

"Hi, Nala," I said.

"Hi, Shani," she grunted without turning around.

"You're in a grumpy mood," I commented.

"You don't say," she grumbled, sarcastically.

She glared at the entrance to the den in which Scar slept. I didn't bother asking her what's on her mind since I already knew.

"Cheer up, Nal'" I said. "Life ain't so bad."

"How would you know?" she snapped. "You don't know what it feels like to have a good life."

"Maybe," I replied. "But surely you could still see the good and beauty in life and the miracles you have seen. A good example is me, of course."

Nala allowed herself a small smile. "Nah," she teased.

"Excuse me!" I exclaimed, pretending to be insulted. "I am wounded, Nala. Oh, I have never felt more betrayed, beaten down, heartbroken-"

"Shut up, Shani," she chuckled before I could rave on.

I put on a mock-offended expression.

"Well," she snapped back to her pout. "We need to get serious, Shani. Our pride is in mortal danger and we are just sitting around saying stupid things."

"We are going to die anyway," I replied, nonchalantly. "We may as well enjoy the rest of our time."

"That isn't funny, Shani," she retorted.

"Wasn't meant to be."

We sat in silence for a few moments.

"This is stupid," Nala snorted.

"What, you?" I said before I could stop myself.

Nala ignored that. "I mean the fact that we are running around that stupid lion. It's like we're just brainlessly following him, bending towards his every order and I'm sick of it."

She started making her way up to the den.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"To talk to Scar," she called over her shoulder. "Something must be done."

"Not a good idea," I called after her, placing my paws on the ground and walking around the rock. Nala didn't reply and just disappeared into the den.

I stood there with an uneasy feeling, that had nothing to do with malnourishment, in my stomach. Then, Nuka came bounding up to me.

"Found you!" He cried, triumphantly.

"You did!" I cheered as enthusiastically as I could.

"Again!" He exclaimed.

"Sorry, Nuka. I'm... uh... feeling a little tired now," I said, distractedly. "But you can play with my tail, if you want."

He grinned energetically as I lay down. He started chasing and pouncing on my tail with the cutest little cub growls. I watched him happily for a while, trying to push Nala out of my mind.

After a few minutes, I eventually saw Nala. She darted out of the den as though a monster was after her (which there probably was) and ran as fast as she could away from Priderock. I immediately stood up.

"Shani?"

I looked down at my cousin who was staring back at me with a look of concern. I turned around and I saw mother racing after Nala.

"Wait here until your mummy comes back from her hunt, okay Nuka?"

"Okay," he replied.

I took off after mother. They had already gotten a head start and I was too weak to run fast, so I couldn't see them. But there was only one path they could have taken.

Eventually, I saw them at the border of the Pridelands. Immediately, I walked up to them. Nala's head was resting on mother's shoulder while she said something I couldn't hear.

Hearing me approach, they looked up.

"Mother? Nala? What's going on?" I asked, concerned.

"Shani," mother sighed. "Nala has to leave our home."

I nodded slowly. I knew it had something to do with Scar, but I knew better than to ask. I went up to Nala and nuzzled her.

"I'm going to miss you," I cried.

Mother gave Nala one last nudge to her cheek before saying, "I have to go now. Stay safe."

And with that, mother went back to Priderock, leaving Nala and I alone.

"Will you be okay?" I asked her.

"Of course I will," she replied. "And I'll be back with help before you know it."

I smiled. I knew she would, even though circumstances showed the opposite.

"You remind me a lot of your brother," she sighed.

"Oh?" I replied. "That's because he was good-looking, right?"

Nala snorted, insulting me once again.

"No," she replied. "He was every bit as cocky and arrogant as you are."

I rolled my eyes.

"He was brave, too," she whispered.

Then I guess I am not like him, I thought to myself. I didn't consider myself very brave. But I didn't want to dampen the mood more, so I didn't say that.

Instead, I asked, "Where you in love with him?"

"What? No! We were best friends, that's all," she answered a little too quickly.

I scoffed.

"Actually," she sighed. "The day before he died, Zazu told us we were betrothed."

My eyes widened. Half of me wanted to burst out laughing and embarrass Nala more, yet the other half just wanted to curl up into a ball and cry. That was probably one of the saddest things I've ever heard. The only thing I could think to say was, "How did you both react?"

"We were both disgusted by it," she answered. "But if things could've worked out differently..." her eyes drifted off into a distant memory.

I shifted my paws, unsure of how to react.

We were interrupted out of our musings by the cackle of distant hyenas.

"I'd better go now," said Nala. "Goodbye, Shani."

"Goodbye."

We gave each other one last nuzzle before Nala turned around and bounded off into the unknown. I watched her go until I could no longer see her, then I turned around and headed back to Priderock.

So, I hope you all enjoyed that. I was going to add on something else, but I feel that should wait until the next chapter.

So, in case you were wondering what happened inside the den, then refer to the Madness of King Scar. If you don't know what that is, I would suggest you look it up.

So, Simba should be arriving in a few chapters time! Sorry, it's not going to be the next chapter.

I know some of you are excited for SimbaxNala moments. Those are coming very soon, so keep on reading!

Just don't forget that this is Shani's point of view, so all these moments would be caught by a very sneaky girl. (Don't worry, people, I am a huge SimbaxNala fan!)

With that aside, as I'm sure you all noticed, my writing has become a little... how do I put this... (where's a thesaurus when you need one) happy? Honestly, that wasn't the best way to put it, but hopefully you get the picture. Reason being, because, fortunately for me, I've had a pretty good life so far, with little-to-no real hardships. So I often write happy stuff because I don't have much experience with the other side. I certainly hope it stays that way. So, whatever. I don't even know what I'm saying anymore XD.

(Oh, those rabbits are doing my head in.)

Okay, I literally forgot what I wanted to write. (Help!) so now I am writing rubbish. Oh, now I remember.

Yeah, we're welcoming little Nuka into the world. I'm trying to keep this story as canon as possible, so Nuka's story in this shall remain sad ,(. Honestly, he's the character I feel most pity for.

So , with that being said, until next time. ;)