As young Nala was returing to the Outlands she ran into Tau and Zira who were also returning from their adventure.
"Zira, what are we gonna do?" Nala asked her sister, her green eyes wide. "King Mufasa wants to meet our mother tomorrow. If he meets her the whole plan will be blown and if he dosen't I'm screwed anyways because he'll know I was lying and won't let Simba and Selam play with us anymore. Either way the plan will be blown."
"I'm sorry Nala," Zira said her ears against her head. "I wish that..."
The dark tan cub stopped because at that moment Scar and Sarafina came up to the three cubs.
"So what's this I hear about the plan being blown?" Scar asked narrowing his green eyes at his daughters in particular.
"I'm really sorry father," Nala wailed burying her face into her father's front leg. "I didn't know what else to do."
Nala explained to her parents what had occured ealier in the day.
Scar and Sarafina exchanged concerned looks as Nala was talking, both of them thinking the same thing.
After Nala had finished speaking Scar pushed his daughter away from him and gave her a cold look.
After a minute of silence Scar finally spoke, "Well Nala you've certenly gotten yourself into a fine mess, haven't you?"
"It's not her fault sir," Tau piped up suddenly running to his tawny friend's defense before anyone could say anything. "I came up with the whole idea. If you're going to be mad at anyone it should be me."
"Tau! Don't interrupt," Kavela scolded as she was coming up to the group and sitting beside her son.
Tau opened his mouth to protest but was quickly silenced by Kavela who shot him an angry look.
"It's alright Kavela," Scar said. "In fact I'm glad he spoke up. That shows great courage. The reason I think he'll make a fine mate for one of my daughters one day."
Zira and Nala gave their father a confused look and was about to ask about it when Scar held up his paw to silence them.
"I think I may have a solution to our little problem," the reddish-brown lion said running a paw through his black mane.
"You do?" Nala asked, confused.
"What is it father?" Zira asked with curiosity in her green eyes.
"Yes Scar I'm curious as well," Sarafina said looking at her mate.
"Why the solution is simple my dears," Scar replied. "We simply have young Jadira go and meet my brother and pretend that's she's Zira and Nala's mother. It can be easily done since they have similar features anyways. That will be alright with you won't it young lady?" Scar looked at the young adult pale tawny lioness who was standing by when he said this.
Everyone turned to the pale tawny lioness who just reached adulthood. She was a daughter of one of the lionesses that left with Dwala and Kavela when Scar was exiled.
"I suppose it's okay," Jadira said with a sigh. "I think that I can spin a very convincing story. But we'll have to get Ms. Kavela and Ms. Dwala to agree to let Tau and Kula go along with it."
"Oh don't worry about Dwala," Scar said with annoyance. "She'll do what I tell her to do. Everything will work our perfectly." then he turned to the light gold lioness he known since cubhood. "Do you have anything to add?"
Kavela shook her head. "No, Scar. I'm fine with the events that will transpire tomorrow."
"Then it's settled," Sarafina declared. "Come on Scar let's talk with Dwala and Kula right now."
With that Scar and Sarafina were off to talk with their friend as well as Scar's cousin. As Jadira went to speak to her mother.
But before Scar and Sarafina left Nala asked, "Are you still mad at me Father?"
"Of course not my dear," Scar said simply as he left. "Now no more worrying Nala."
"Phew I'm glad he's not mad at me anymore," Nala said with relief.
"Me too," Tau said with a small smile before frowning. "But I wonder what he meant by I'd be a good mate for one of you one day?"
"He meant that one day you and one of the princesses are going to get married," Kavela said simply. "We arranged it when you three were born."
"But Mom I can't marry them! They're my friends," Tau protested.
"Yeah it'll be too wiered," Nala chimed in.
"Well you don't have to worry about that for a long time yet," Kavela said smiling at the three cubs.
Just then Scar and Sarafina reappeared looking happy.
"How did it go?" the light golden lioness asked.
"Just as I thought it would," Scar ansewered. "Dwala agreed to go along with it. It's all set. Tomarrow Jadira and the cubs shall go to the Pridelands and meet with my brother." the reddish-brown lion snapped his green eyes to the pale tawny lioness who was returning from speaking with her mother. "You had better not fail me Jadira."
"I won't my Lord," Jadira said with a slight bow. "You can count on me."
"Good," Scar said. Then the reddish-brown lion turned to his daughters, "Come Zira and Nala, time for bed. You two have a very busy day ahead of you tomorrow."
After saying that, Sarafina picked up her daughters and the family headed off to their cave to retire for the night.
"Come Tau, it's bed time for you as well," Kavela said picking up her son by his scruff and carrying him off.
While his mother was carrying him Tau was eagarly thinking of his day tomorrow as he watched Jadira head to her private den with her mother.
He just hoped Miss Jadira would be convincing enough. Otherwise the two month old cub knew they'd all be screwed.
...X...
The next day Nala and Zira was up bright and early eagarly awating the start of the day.
After they had their breakfeast Zira, Nala, Tau, Kula and Jadira set off for the Pridelands.
"Now remember Kula," Jadira was saying. "Today you are to to speak unless you are spoken to. That goes for you as well Tau. Understand?"
"Yes ma'am," Tau replied respectively.
"Yeah yeah," Kula huffed rolling her green eyes in annoyance. "My mother already lectured me about that all night. I still don't see why I have to be here at all."
"Because," Jadira said narrowing her pale blue eyes at the brownish cub. "King Mufasa thinks you are my daughter and what kind of mother would I be to leave her cub unattended? Now no more of your attitude. You are to mind your manners young lady. Understand?"
"Whatever," Kula muttered. She looked over at Nala who was glaring at her.
"If you screw this up you're dead," Nala hissed. "Got it?"
"Jeeze Nala lighten up will ya?" Kula said. "I'll behave. I promise."
"You had better," Nala growled. "Or else."
"Nala. Kula. Be quiet now," Jadira hissed. "We're near the watering hole."
Nala looked up and saw that Jadira was right. And the tawny cub saw that Mufasa was already waiting there along with Simba, Selam and another lioness who Nala assumed was Selam and Simba's mother.
"Ah Nala there you are," Mufasa greeted. The golden king looked at Jadira, "And this must be your mother. Hello I am Mufasa and this is my mate Hewa. Our sons Simba and Selam."
"Pleased to meet you your majesty's," Jadira said with a bow. "I am Jadira I believe you already know my daughters Zira and Nala. And my son Tau. And this is my other daughter, Kula."
"Hello Kula," Mufasa said with a smile.
"What's up," Kula said with a grin. Nala elbowed the brownish cub in the gut causing Kula to say quickly, "I mean very nice to meet you sir."
"Yes," Mufasa said arching an eyebrow. "Well Jadira I'm sure your daughter Nala has already told you why I wished to speak with you?"
"Yes she has," Jadira replied. "I would like to start off by saying that I'm sorry that I had not come to see you sooner Your highness. But you see I recently lost my mate and I wasn't even sure that we would be staying. But I love the Pridelands and with your permission I'd very much like for me and my children to be allowed to stay. We won't be a bother I promise."
"Just where exactly did you say you came from?" Hewa asked, not quite sure she trusted this lioness.
"Oh we came from a far away land called the Shorelands," Jadira said without a pause.
Nala sighed in relief. She was glad she had a chance to tell Jadira ealier what she had said to Mufasa. Jadira was continuing to talk as Nala was thinking this,
"My mate was killed along with the rest of my pride by a pack a vicious, heartless rogues. I was bearly able to escape with my cubs from the horriable attack. I took them as far away as I could in order to protect them. I only hope that you'll allow us to stay. But I understand if you do not." Jadira looked at Mufasa her pale blue eyes pleading silently hoping that the king had bought the act.
Mufasa studied the young pale tawny lioness' face and then his expression softened, "Of course you may stay Jadira," the golden lion said. "You and your cubs are welcome here."
"But Mufasa," Hewa started. But she was silenced by Mufasa who held up his large paw.
"Consider this place to be your new home."
"Oh thank you your highness," Jadira said pouring it on extra thick.
"It's Mufasa," the Lion King replied with a smile. "And you are more than welcome. Come Hewa we'd better be heading back. Goodbye Miss Jadira. Simba you make sure you and your brother are back before sunset. Understand?"
"Yes Dad," Simba said grinning. The golden prince then turned to Nala, "I knew my dad would let you stay."
"Yeah he's really nice," Nala replied. "Isn't he Ja-I mean mom?"
"Yes he certinely is," Jadira replied. "Well I'd better be on my way. You kids make sure you're back before dark. Understand?"
"Yes mom," the four Outlands cubs said together.
With that Jadira took her leave. Just then Zahra and Malka came over to the group.
"Hey Simba, hey Selam. There you both are," Malka said walking over to his friends. Then he noticed Kula who was glaring at him, "Oh it's you," Malka said wrinkling his nose. Then the dark gold cub noticed the glares Simba, Selam and Zahra were giving him.
"Sorry," Malka exhaled. "I'll be nice." then he turned to Kula, "Can we start over? You know pretend we never met before or somethin'?"
"I guess so," Kula said with a shrug before smiling brightly. "Hi I'm Kula. Nice to meet you."
"I'm Malka," Malka said with a smile of his own. "Come let's play!"
With an approving nod from Simba and Selam the group of cubs began to play a game of tag.
...
After playing tag for a while the cubs grew tired of that game.
So they decided to do some exploring. Nala and Simba walked together as did Kula and Malka and Zahra and Tau. As well as Zira and Selam.
Malka and Kula seemed to have gotten over their problems and were quickly becoming friends.
Just then Zazu came flying in from above, "Master Simba! Master Selam! Just what do you two think you're doing?" the hornbill asked in annoyance.
"Playing with our friends," Simba replied rolling his orange eyes.
"King Mufasa said it was okay so what's your problem?" said Malka glaring at the bird.
"Well your father and the king may have said it was alright but the queen sent me to fetch you two and your friends and bring you home at once," Zazu stated crosing his wings. "And no arguments."
"But Zazu we're having fun," Simba protested.
"Yeah don't make us go home," Malka put in not wanting to leave Kula.
"Yeah it's still light out," Selam complained.
"I have strict orders from her royal highness," Zazu said stubbornly. "Now no more complaining. Come along."
With that the blue hornbill flew off towards Priderock.
"Ah man," Simba huffed. "Come on guys we'd better go. Bye Nala. Bye guys."
"Bye Simba," Nala said really disappointed that they had to go.
After they watched their friends leave the four Outlander cubs began to walk back home all four of them discouraged by how the day had ended.