PART TWO

VITANI

It's only been one week since the merging of the two prides. and I have to say, it hasn't been easy. I can't shake this uneasy feeling that I have. I'm pretty sure I am overthinking it- everything. I guess what I got was something I wasn't expecting. I haven't spoken to anyone in my family really, besides the passive welcome to our home introduction. My mother looked rather unimpressed with me. She had more or less all the time in the world to speak with my mate. Roho and Shitani hit it off well. which is good, now he has someone else to torment nad my lionesses can get a break. Shia...kings, she has grown so much since I last saw her. I honestly didn't recognize her.

I haven't spoken with her much, so it's hard to say whos she reminds me of. She obviously didn't remember me. She just knew of me and that feeling did hurt. I was the only one who cared for her when I was back at the pride lands. she'll never know how much I'd worry about her while I was here. Then it was me... and finally saying hello to my brother Nuka.

I still can't believe whats happened to him. But honestly, what was more shocking to me was how he reacted to meeting Roho. he was okay with it, happy even. if you would have asked me months ago that my brother would be welcoming my son in with open paws I would have said you were crazy! I can't tell you how many panic attacks I had while pregnant with Roho over worrying about ruining my fathers' plan...stupid Nukas' plan. They put so much pressure on my shoulders to do everything right, I almost succumbed to that pressure so many times.

Hell, I even remembered a time when Nuka use to send his stupid scouts or whatever he wanted to call them to check up on me. To see how everything was going. it didn't help that Kijivu was so clueless to it all. He's so trusting and understanding and ugh, he made it sick! was he too blinded by peace to see that treachery was right around the corner? my mates lived a good life, but dam, life is not that good... it pissed me off that he couldn't understand that!

yet still...I had to go along with it, I could let father died in vain...I thought of ending it all honestly. all I had to do was have one misfortune step off of one of the many cliffsides the mountain pride territory has. All my troubles would be over and if it wasn't for Jelani I probably would have.

"Hey, Mom."

"Yes, Roho." I turned to see my son coming my way. He's been bouncing off the den walls all morning waiting for his father to take him on his frost patrol. Could Kijivu be any slower? Don't get my wrong, I clearly love my son. I just know I have my mother's patience. Which doesn't make things any? My son is very persistent, which is something I know he doesn't get from me. he got that from his father...

"How come you never told me uncle Nuka has one eye and no tail. it's so cool!" I felt a weight climb it's way up my back.

"because the last time I saw him he had both eyes and a tail. he looks nothing like the brother I knew before I came here."

"Oh...how do you think he got that way." I shrugged my shoulders as I felt cold paws play with my eyelids. "Maybe he got in a battle with a hippo and won, that be neat right!"

"I doubt that."

"or maybe-"

" Roho" I stated, stopping the rambling train before it got started. it's too early for this "why don't you show me that new tackling technique I taught you huh?"

"Oh, yea! I've been getting really good at it too. Let me show you and dad too he'll be so surprised."

"I bet." As I watched my son I didn't notice Kijivu approaching.

"Dad! just in time I have something cool to show you!" my mate came and sat next to me, I could immediately feel something was off with him. Very off.

"Roho, go outside for a second."

"ugh, but I was just about to-"

"I said go." he knew not to argue and I watched his small paws take him outside of our den. I turned to read my mates face. "How is he?" I asked.

"...Not good." Kijivu voice was low. Two weeks ago Kijivu father fell ill. We thought it was nothing it started off with him having small body aches. That soon changed to him being extremely tried and not eating. I don't think he's eaten anything I've given him in the past few days. Kijivu thinks his father will get better but, I know that's not the case. it's only a matter of time... I know this is killing Kijjivu. He's so close to his father. and little Roho.

"What did the shaman say?"

"Nothing really, he's been the exact same."

"Kijivu I'm sorry."

"No, it's only a matter of time now. He's too sick now, and the kingdom been given to us completely. We'll have to officially announce it to the pride soon Kabala says it's only a matter of time now." I could hear the pain in his voice, and I didn't know how I could truly comfort him. I can't take away the pain he's going through. I could only be there for him while it happened. For this to happen now, and at a time like this.

"Hey can I come in now, I'm done practicing!" kijivu and I parted, I wiped the tear from his face as he cleared his throat. He was wanted to be strong in front of our son.

" Sure, come in Roho."

"hey dad, I want to show you something. I've been practicing this very difficult tackling technique that mom has showed me."

"Well, I can't wait to see it, little guy. But first how about we visit Babu. it's been a few days since you've seen him. and I heard he's missing his partner in crime."

"Yea! I can show him too, come on let's go!" Roho went bouncing out the den. Kijivu got up to leave but I stayed and lingered.

"what's wrong?"

"Are you sure it's a good idea to have Roho see him... the way he is?" I voiced with concern. compared to me growing up my baby has had a very sheltered life. he doesn't know what hardship is, sickness, hunger, death...especially death.

" Now's the only time he'll be able to see him before he gets worse. Dad can still fake smile for him." King Kijani would do that. Any good father would. "Don't worry he'll be alright." my mate reassured.

"actually... I don't think I'm talking about Roho." uncontrollable tears started to flood from my eyes. these were the tears I was supposed to sherd for my father. The only problem was when he died I didn't care. I should have been devasted, overwhelmed with emotion... that was so far from the truth. A part of me was relieved when I got the news. As sad as it sounds.

"Vitani?"

"i-i'm sorry. I guess I didn't know how much your father meant to me too..." Kijivu came to my side, I felt terrible I should be the one comforting him. he's the one losing a parent, not me.

"You were the daughter he never got to have."

"...He sure made me feel that way hehe spoiled me rotten when I got here."

"Yea I was jealous I was going to lose you to my old lion ha."

"...I'm going to miss him, a lot Kijivu."

"I'm going to miss him too."

Hey, guys I'm finally back! few things, thank you for the reviews and follows while I was on a slight break. I've officially returned to this story. I've changed the rest of the story to first POV so you guys can tell me what you think of that. So now that Vitani and Kijivu will officially be given the title of king and queen how do you think that will change the storyline and do you think Nuka really is happy to meet his new nephew Roho? After all he wasn't apart of the whole plan.