So shout out to everyone who's been favoriting and following this story, it means a lot! Also, sorry for the lack of updates on this one, you know how it is, moving to a new state, getting a new job, paying for DECENT WIFI, let me tell you these last few months have been stressful. But I'm managing lol. Anyways still moving and all the crap that comes with it, is not an excuse to not post right? So I apologies. And I have some excited new which is why I always wasn't posting much, while I finish up this story, which will still take some time lol it's only chapter 27 and I barely halfway there lol. I should have split this into two section….mmm maybe anyway. I'm prewriting my next lion king FanFiction My Mother's Daughter, which revolves around a much older vitani and Nala. As you can guess this is based on a what-if senario…which I honestly think is true….i mean both Nala and Vitani have the same color eyes? Vitani seemed a little bitter at Nala in Simba Pride soooo, ya know, I'm plotting something! Anyways sorry to keeping you and again thank you for all the favs and follows!

Chapter 27

As the day was coming to a close, and the sun was starting to take it's normal trek down to be replaced soon by the bright moon, Vitani and simba were walking back from a long conversation at the waterhole. She had bumped into him there or more over, she surprised the hell out of him at the waterhole while he wasn't paying attention. And as funny as it was for the young female lioness, feelings were different by the still soaked male who, due to her sudden appearance had him land in the water.

" I could have drowned, I hope you know that."

"Oh please, you were fine."

"Hardly, I think I twisted my ankle on a rock coming down!"

"Well…looks like you need some more sturdy ankles my friend."

"You have a come back for everything, don't you?"

"I'm a girl, it's a given." Simba rolled his red eyes, as they continued to walk back towards priderock. They shared a few laughs, and then there was a moment of stillness between them. Then after some time of thinking vitani decided she would address the stripped donkey in the room. " you know it doesn't look too bad."

"Huh?"

"Your lip, genius." Voiced Vitani in a matter-of-fact way. Like how could be forget, that was the reason why he was so distracted at the waterhole and didn't notice her standing behind him for like 5 minuets.

"Oh right, I didn't think so either."

"Yea right pretty boy, your face looked like a lioness in distressed ha." Again her cousin rolled he eyes.

"Whatever Vitani."

"Okay okay, I'm just kidding, but seriously. What happened you to?"

"What do you think?"

"…right." Knowing about he and her fathers, not so secret training together. She really wondered how long it would take her brother to notice this, after all he wasn't always the brightest lion in the area. "Well don't get yourself killed kid."

"Kid?" He scoffed amused.

"Let's not forget who's older here, okay simba."

"Okay, but what really is age when I'm way taller than you?"

"First of all, shut up, way taller please… a bigger head might be what you mean, and in that case, you're right. But I'd kick your ass any day Simba."

"Please vitani I'll let you win."

"You wanna bet?" A neat brow was raised.

"I'm male it's the law of nature my dearest cousin." Geeze if vitani hadn't heard that all her life from her oh so loveable older brother.

"Watch it, you're starting to sound like a certain someone I'm also related too."

"Yea, now that's big headed." Simba Voiced.

"Oh I couldn't agree with you more haha." The two continued their walk home, enjoying each other chilled company.

While the duo continued their walk, back at priderock, Scar had returned from his little meeting with Zazu. In the den was Zira as usual, her pride sisters had gone out to find their queen something to eat, since Scar's lionesses are doing a poor job. He was informing his mate about his future plan for priderock and their soon to be massive dynasty. This was a conversation she didn't have to pull out of her mate, for he loved talking about his bright ideas and future plans. Which no one could have comed up with, besides him, after all…he was the one that was given then brains in the family.

"And you think this will work?"

"It's fool proof Zara, and wasn't I the one who came up with Mufasa murder?"

"Yes you were."

"Then don't doubt me, everything will be perfect. The Mountain pride existence is hanging on by a thread really. That old king is still hanging on, and he's been there since my father was king."

"And he has cubs?" Voiced Zira in a curious fashion, because if the current king was Scar's father age, then how old are his cubs, if he had any, which she assumed he had. After all he was a king so it made since for him to have sons to follow in his paw prints.

"Yes he does, just one."

"One?" After hearing what her mate had to say about his new grande idea. In short, he knows the pridelands are entering a serious dry season this year for some reason, and not only that , the herds are moving out of the territory. He knew his hyenas were to blame, but they are loyal to him, and more importantly their numbers keep him safe on the throne. Those dumb dogs weren't going anywhere, even if they were the main problem. He would find a way to feed them and his family, now the lionesses on the other hand. When Scar thought about it, they were loyal members of his brother original pride. And the thought did cross his mind to start from scratch with all new members to insure their loyalty. But then again, as many times as it came up,it still seemed more work on his part. And he knew that damn bird would foil this plans. So this upcoming dry season would be a test for them, really, to see how strong they really are. If he loses some lionesses, he's could care more or less with that. After all he didn't like all of them anyway.

Yet this plan to take over the mountain pride, did seem a-little far fetched for one, Zira was sure his son must have had a mate by now, and if not what would make his son want vitani? The queens concern could be seen on her face. "What is it?"

"She won't go along with this."

"Why, I don't see the problem, she's helping the family and securing her own place on a throne. Hell she'll outlive him for sure and surely takeover the kingdom."

"You must not know your daughter then Scar, being a queen let along someone mate…and this is vitani you speak of ?" She did have a point and Scar knew this, but she'll grow out of it. After all she was still young and impressionable.

"Well unless you want go give them a cub they can raise from the ground up by all means." The brown lion looked to his new little girl, what would eventually be a piece in his master plan. " the more we can offer the better." Zira said nothing, there was really nothing she could say. "Has she been in season yet? Or has she started?" The question did take the mother off guard, especially when coming from her mate, who in generally never ask any personal question.

"No not yet."

"She's a year and a half, shouldn't she have started by now?"

"No Scar not yet, the average lioness goes into season when she around two years or older, she's still too young."

"Please, she's mature for her age, isn't that what you use to tell me."

"Yes, she may act it, but she isn't mature yet. You giving the mountain pride Vitani as any gift of marriage, she'll definitely far short if you plan on securing anything-"

"Hey I'm home, please hold the applause" voiced vitani as she came walking into the den, not paying attention to her parents who were still talking. "Hi Shia" she cooed from the distance at her sleeping sister. When she finally did look up both her mother and father eyes where on her. "What? did I walk into something….i can leave."

"No, actually princess you have the most perfect timing." Scar went over and nuzzled his little girl, which she in turn had to do a double take at the lion before her.

"What do you want?" She playfully, but in all seriousness asked.

"You know youre daddy's favorite right?"

"Really? I had no idea…" the young lioness knew from the start someone was about to ask her for a favor, as they always did. This time, oddly it's her father, normally it's her mother who tries-And not very hard she might add-tries to act nice in order to ask her something, they know she won't want to do.

"Why of course you are princess! you know that brother of yours is good for nothing." He then gave her another nuzzle, now this was starting to weird vitani out.

"Okay daddy what is it? I Know You Want Something?"

"Why a father can't show his princess love?" His daughter raised a neat brow. " fine, if you insist. Vitani you know I love you, right?"

"Yes, daddy I do."

"And I always want the best for you, right?"

"yes daddy I do."

"And you know, sometimes we have to do things, we may not like for the sake for the family."

"Yes…?" Him prolonging whatever he was going to say was starting to make Vitani stomach tick."daddy just tell me, what is it?"

"As regarding you, my princess, I've found a marvelous opportunity for you." His daughters ears were perked to attention. "As you know your brother will rule after me." The lies she has heard, but nonetheless she still nodded her head in agreement. "But don't think I have forgotten about you. I've found a kingdom for you to join, in order to from an alliance and secure our pridelands in the near future."

"Huh-"

"Scar I think you should just tell her, plainly." Vitani raised a brow to her mother comment, she wasn't dumb.

"Right, Vitani i've formed an alliance for you to marry into the mountain pride. With this alliance our prides territory will grow and-" she had to stop her father on his mad train ride.

"No way, are you kidding me! This is a joke right? This has got to be a joke…mom is he serious!"

"Clam down vitani it's hardly that serious."

"Of course this is THAT serious, you're practically giving me away or worse, trading me for a stupid deal- this isn't fair,I'm not doing this!"

"I'm sorry sweetie but you have no say."

"Then why would you even tell me this!"

"I thought it be best for you to know, I wouldn't want you embarrassing me in front of guest."

"so they're coming here? When!"

"In three days time, I've sent a message with one of my hyenas to let the king of the mountain pride know." This was ridiculous… insane... there was no way this was happening. Frustration, betrayal…. Everything could be seen on the lionesses face. As she tried to consume all the information given.

"No….no..I'm not doing this, you can't make me! And …and what about Nuka he doesn't have to be forced to marry anyone! That's not fair-"

"Enough Vitani!, I've already told you what would be happening, I know you don't like it, but that doesn't concern me, what concerns me is the wellbeing of my family." The lioness went over to her mother, surely somewhere deep down in her mothers heart she must love her enough to see this would be a terrible idea, this would kill her.

"…mom please…" Zira wasn't blind, and could see and understand her cubs pain as all lionesses. but as Scar said, it was for the best, family and all. So Zira did nothing but looked to little Shia. That was it, she had lost all her cool. "I can't believe you two, you both are some selfish liars! Saying this is for the family! Please this is cover up your screw up!" She then directed her anger towards her father, who was not liking his daughter rage all at. And he too was becoming his own ticking time bomb. " If the pridelands weren't falling apart into some wreck! I wouldn't be forced to leave and marry someone I don't even love let alone know! No one ever thinks about me or what I want! I hate you! This is all your fault dadd-AARGH!" Vitani clutched her cheek hard as she felt her body fall to the floor.

"Scar!" Roared Zira in disbelief as she went over to her fallen daughter. Vitani held her face tight, her crying was obvious. "Vitani?..vitani look at me?"

"Stop it Zira, she knew better, telling me what she will and won't do, I am her father I decide that !"

"You didn't have you hit her Scar!" Knowing all to well the feeling, it was fine when he struck her, but her daughter….no, this was a feeling Zira did not like, even if she did try to distance herself. This was still her little girl. "You hurt her…"

"Better she know the repercussion of her actions by me now, then with her mate when she's alone in another pride."

"But-" vitani slowly found her feet, not looking at either her mother or her father, but the blood on the floor that came from her hurting lip. It took everything within her to keep herself standing, the strike from her father literally took the wind out of her. Vitani felt her mother paw around her shoulder. "Vitani-"

"DON'T!" She swatted her mothers paw away before taking off into the night. Leaving her crying sister and stunned mother behind.

"Go find her Scar." The king had little time to deal with her nagging, along with his cub crying. The king had wanted to sit down and enjoy the rest of his night, but that wasn't going to be an option. "Scar…"

"Fine" He Voiced, in a none-caring way. He was just going to leave her and the cub anyway. She couldn't actually tell if he was going to go after her or not, but he knew in his heated state he needed to be away from his whaling cub. So he walked out.

"Are you going to go find?" But she got no response as he left into the coming night, leaving her again alone.

As the king walked down the steps trying to clear his mind from his annoyance. It seemed the lionesses in his life thrived on making his life difficult, first with Zira and her inability to give him a suitable heir. Then it was Vitani who he knew, with out a doubt would fail him in the marry alliance with the mountain pride but that was a risk he had to take. If anything she'll fall in love and live happily every after. But life is no fairytale. She'll probably feel like she's in hell, but you know, she won't be his responsibility anymore. As he came to the bottom of pridelands steps his mind stopped racing when he came face to face with the beauty that would surely ease his trouble just by her mere presence. Sarabi.

"We need to talk." Was the first thing she said, her demeanor as plain as day. Hmm, he hadn't seen her since there little time together before she got pregnant with his cub, and as he got closer and eyed her, it was no secret she had had his cub. And by the looks of if, she was going well.

"Why sarabi your body never creased to amazes me."her nose flared as he got closer. " your body can just bounce back to how it use to be,mmm you must be happy-"

"I said we need to talk." She soon walked passed him and he more than willingly followed after her. As they found a destination that was clear and vacant of any extra ears. It was then that the king asked.

"How is he, my son? You did have a boy, right?" Sarabi said nothing, not wanting to answer his question, she had more important things to discuss and not their cub. However, her mindset to not answer him, was the answer itself to Scar, and he smiled widely at her. "Yes, you never do disappoint me-"

"What do you plan on doing with the herds Scar?" Ugh. Getting start to the point, well that's no fun.

"Don't worry yourself about that, I assume you are already under a lot of stress with the cub now."

"Tell me." She more or less demanded, after hearing what Zazu had told her earlier, she had put her paw down. She couldn't live under the fear of Scar for her sake or the sake of her family. She was done.

"Why Sarabi, I'm saving you the stress of ruling a Kingdom, you should be thanking me." He then walked over to a nearby tree and laid down. He seemed so relaxed and carefree, Was he serious?

"Fine,if you don't tell me your plan I will tell you mine. We are leaving."

"What? What did you say?!" The sudden declaration took the king aback, I mean where was this coming from. He rose to all fours and walked over to the lioness, standing face to face with her, inches apart. He had to make sure he didn't miss out on any other information.

"You heard me, I said we are leaving. You are not looking out for the well being of this pride Scar and I refuse to sit back any longer and watch my sisters suffer."

"P-please, you're bluffing."

"I'm not." No no, she was toying with him, obviously where would they go? And she just had a cub no less, she nor the lionesses will be going anywhere.

"You're not going anywhere-"

"WE ARE SCAR. I have no choice but to leave priderock, look at the state it is in, look at the state in which it is going! You have failed in ruling his kingdom and I will not let you're failure hurt MY pride." Scar shook His head, he was fuming, tempted to strike her the same as he did his own daughter only a few moments ago. he gave her a 'warning' look to be wary of her next move.

"You're not going anywhere!" He inched closer to her, threatening. " If you think you're leaving me, it'll be the last thing you do! I'm warning to Sarabi, you AREN'T leaving ME." But the queen took the threat she knew would come, very well and in stride.

"I will do what needs to be done as a QUEEN and MOTHER." And with her retort she advanced the distance between them. "You don't scare me Scar." And with that she brushed passed him, not a care in the world of what he would do next. And she knew, he would do nothing. Just before the lioness disappeared into the brush she paused for a moment. "Oh and tell that boy of yours to behave himself, if I hear anything about him again, he'll be hearing from me." She then disappeared. Leaving a very confused and frustrated Scar.

After returning back to pride rock from relieving himself- that waterhole water can run though a lion, simba walked casually back to his resting spot at the far edge of priderock. Night had approached the pride-lands fully, and he could feel his body begging for sleep for he knew what the morning would bring him, and he needed all the rest he could get. As he came closer to the edge, an unfamiliar figure lay in the distance…in his spot? At first he thought it was one of his uncle stupid dogs, but even they don't come around his area. So who could it be, Nuka? Maybe….no the outline of the creature didn't have a mane so it couldn't be him. As he got closer, simba could barely make out the muffled sounds or crying. It was a female who was crying that was for sure. And the only female or lionesses he knew that could be here were Nala and Vitani . Simba knew very well Nala kept her distance from priderock. So that could only mean one thing.

"Vitani?" He Voiced walking over to the darkened figure. Upon hearing his voice. The lioness jolted up, quickly wiping her face with her paws.

"Oh…simba…sorry i-" but before she could finish, he nudge her paw away from her face, and eyed her, she looked away, avoiding the moonlight, knowing her secret would be spilled.

"What happened?! Who did this?!" Was all she heard booming in her ears.

"It's nothing, really. Please, it's just the same size cut as yours."

"Exactly! Vitani what happened?!" She paused for a moment. Feeling the heaviness again on her shoulders. She wanted to tell him, she had to tell him, she couldn't keep this to herself.

"Daddy…" She Voiced as if she was in the wrong and the bruise that was on her face was her fault. "I made him mad and he-"

"Hit you?!"

"..uh..no..i-"

"Vitani, I can see that bruise on your face plain as day! You're telling me your father hit you!"

"…yes…I deserved it" really was she going to lie and tell him this? Herself this for the matter.

"I don't care how mad you make him he has no right to touch you!"

"Shh! Keep your voice simba, he'll hear you…"

"I don't care!" He then got up, and reversed his direction, which made vitani heart almost stop.

"Wait- where are you going?"

"Where does it look like I'm going-"

"Are you crazy! You're not about to go confront him about this."

"yes I am."

"Stupid do you want to die!"

"Stupid?, why shouldn't I be mad that someone did this to you! You're my cousin, honestly shouldn't you be mad too!"

"I am..but I can't do anything about it."

"Yes you can-"

"No I can't! If I could do something about it, then I wouldn't have gotten this is the first place! Just-just calm down okay!" Frustrated simba slowly complied to her demand . "Thank you…"

"Vitani i…I don't understand…" he voiced baffled, looking to her for an explanation. She then took the time to explain everything that had been told to her to simba, he was just as much shock as she was. "You've got to be kidding me, they can't make you do that."

"Yes they can, I'm the daughter, a pawn to be used at her fathers will…I hate it." They said nothing for a moment, just taking in the situation again. Then her cousin finally asked.

"What are you going to do?"

"I have no idea….run away maybe, but I have nowhere to go. All I know is priderock and the pridelands…I'd be easy pickings for some other predators or worse…a rouge lion. I-I have to Go along with my fathers stupid plan but…I don't want to do that either…simba I'm just stuck..and I'm scared." Defeated in every since of the word vitani hung her head low. Tears falling.

"Look, we can think of something together, okay?"

"Okay…"

"You won't be forced into marrying anyone, okay." He sounded so sure, really what did he know? What could he promise?

"..okay." And again stillness went over the two adolescents. With a voice almost like a whimper vitani asked. "…c-can I stay with you tonight?...i don't want to go back there…."

"Of course you can."

"…thanks…" the two laid side by side, simba wanting nothing more than to comfort his cousin, in her time of need.