It has been two years since the Eclipse. And the new generation of Lions has all grown up. Sadly while the two years had passed Zazu and Rafiki had both completed their journey in the circle of life. Ono moved back to the pride lands to become the royal majordomo for the pride lands. While the pride lands were without a Royal Majousy. Makini served the role in both the pride lands and at the Tree of Life. This particular morning Kitu looked just like his Uncle Kion did when he left for the tree of life. He stretched and let out a little roar on top of pride rock.
"You know some lions are trying to sleep Kitu," Njia said walking up and hugging her big brother.
"Sorry, hey have you seen grandpa this morning?" Kitu asked.
"No mom says grandpa and grandma aren't doing too well," Njia said.
"Yeah, I know. I'm not ready to lose Grandpa or Grandma." Kitu said with his head down in sadness.
"Morning Kitu, morning Njia," Malkia said running up to them excitedly.
"Malkia good morning. What's going on?" Kitu asked.
"Mom says that Uncle Kion and Aunt Rani are coming. It's been forever since I saw Muhasi and the others." Malkia said.
"Yeah. That will be great." Kitu replied realizing why his Uncle and aunt were coming.
"Morning you three," Simba said hugging and coughing a bit Malkia as he walked passed.
"Hey Grandpa, how are you feeling?" Kitu asked.
"I'm alright, you kids shouldn't worry about me. I'll be okay, and so will your grandmother. " Simba said coughing.
"Dad, your cough sounds like it's getting worse?" Kopa said walking up.
"I'm fine Kopa. All of you. Your old man is just that Old. I'm not as young as Kitu, that's for sure. And he reminds me so much of Kion when he was his age." Simba said looking at Kitu glowing with pride in his eyes.
"Thanks, Grandpa," Kitu said.
"Now you kids go, I promised I'd talk with Kopa," Simba said with a cough.
"Alright. Race you to Rutger and the Hyenas." Njia said dashing off.
"Hey, no fair," Kitu said chasing after his sister and Malkia.
"So what's been going on with you and Vitani?" Simba asked.
"I don't know Dad. We've just been fighting a lot. She's really wanted to get pregnant and for whatever reason, it just hasn't happened yet." Kopa said.
"And you both think it's each other's fault?" Simba said.
"Well, I don't think it's Vitani's fault. I think it's me. I just wish I could give her a cub." Kopa said with his ears dropping down.
"Son, after me and your mother had your brother. We tried to have another cub. We wanted three, one to in a way replace the one we lost. And while no one could replace you, we still wanted a third cub. For three years it didn't happen. But thankfully your mother got pregnant at the right time, and it saved our relationship. After your old man was a fool." Simba said.
"I didn't know you guys tried all that time," Kopa said.
"Kopa you need to ask yourself this. If you never have a cub. Is Vitani enough for you? And she should ask the same thing in regards to you." Simba said.
"That's really wise Dad. Thanks." Kopa said.
As they were getting done talking Kovu and Kiara walked out of the den laughing.
"Speaking of lovebirds. Morning you two." Simba said with an eyebrow up.
"Morning Dad, morning Kopa. Where are the kids?" Kiara asked.
"They went to see Rutger," Simba said.
"Thanks for keeping them out of the den," Kovu said.
"I'm no fool. I just wish there would've been someone that gracious when I was your age. Too many times your mother and I had to pause on things." Simba said chuckling.
"Morning your majesties," Ono said swooping down.
"Good Morning Ono. So the morning report?" Kovu said.
"Nothing to report really. Matodo does need to speak to you whenever you get the chance. And I saw Kion and Rani close to the pride lands." Ono said.
"Well let's go meet them then," Kiara said.
After the lions exchanged their greetings. They all were in the Lion Guard lair. The Guard along with Vitani and Kopa wasn't there. Kopa had become an honorable member of the Guard, he and Vitani both led the guard together. But Vitani was the only one who had the Roar.
"So Muhasi, cubs how have you all been?" Nala asked.
"Been busy mostly, we've been patrolling the land for a while now," Muhasi said.
"That's really cool. We're sorry we haven't visited in a while." Simba said.
"That's alright, I understand," Maisha replied.
But Kion kind of rolled his eyes at this. Catching the attention of Nala.
"Look, we're sorry. Simba and I aren't as young as we once were. And with Malkia growing up and Kiara and Kopa needing us, it's been hard to get away." Nala said.
"Yeah, but we were told when you were stepping down it was because of us. And I'm grateful you both patched things up and all. But it still doesn't change the fact that my cubs have missed out on having their grandparents." Kion said.
"Kion. Can I speak to you outside please?" Simba asked standing up.
"Okay," Kion said.
The two left and Rani looked depressed.
"Hey cubs, why don't you come with me? Get some Uncle Kovu time?" Kovu asked.
"Sure but we're not cubs anymore Uncle Kovu," Kishindo said.
"Excuse me," Kovu said laughing.
Which just left Rani, Nala, and Kiara.
"Rani are you okay?" Nala asked.
"Not really. Kion has just been different ever since the Eclipse. He isn't as happy or excited about the little things like he was. And I'm starting to think the romance is dead between us." Rani said.
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that Rani. What do you mean the romance is dead?" Kiara asked.
"He doesn't want to cuddle anymore. Even when I lick him, he doesn't melt me like he used to." Rani said.
"Rani, sometimes guys can go through times where they just are down. And when their king and the pressure of being a father along with that comes. It's hard, and all we want to do is make it better. But we can't. All we can do is love them." Nala said.
"I just wish he would snuggle with me again. And love on me. I'm not even talking about mating. I just want him." Rani said.
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Meanwhile outside the lair.
"What is going on Son? Your acting not like yourself." Simba said.
"I'm just wondering why we're here. You both don't seem like you are dying." Kion said.
"I wanted to see my son and his family. Ono never told you that we were dying. I have a cough big deal. But Kion if you're angry with me and your mother. Don't take it out on her. Let me have it." Simba said sternly defending Nala.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to sound snippy. I am frustrated that you guys haven't made the trip. No one has for a while. I mean the last time I saw any of you was when Rafiki died." Kion said.
"I know. And you know why that is." Simba said.
"Do I? Because I don't see Kopa, or Kiara making the effort either. It's like I moved away and was forgotten." Kion said.
"There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about you, Rani, and the cubs. And seeing all of them here. Muhasi looks just like you, and Jala and Maisha are beautiful just like their mother. And Kishindo he has the same fire in his eyes that you do." Simba said.
"Thanks. The pressures of being a King and a Father is hard." Kion said.
"What about a mate?" Simba asked.
"Well you know, we talk off and on. We sleep next to each other, but our day is mostly separated." Kion said.
"No, that won't do. Kion listen to me Rani misses you! You have to make her your number one priority. No matter what she is your focus." Simba said.
"It's easy to be romantic when it's new and fresh and all about mating. But what about when it's a bit boring." Kion said.
"Now you are starting to sound like I did about two years ago. Sounding like a fool. Rani went to hell and back to give you four cubs at once. Sure you may think it is the same old thing. But remember the love you had for her. Remember that Kion who was willing to leave his home just to be with her. Let me ask you if you had to choose between your cubs and kingdom, or Rani. Which would you choose." Simba said and then walked away leaving Kion to think. As Kion looked over the pride lands having all the memories of when he was young. But realized his father was right. That he had been a jerk to Rani.
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In the outlands, Kovu took the kids to his old home.
"So this is where you and Aunt Tani grew up?" Jala asked.
"Yep. Definitely not Pride Rock or the Tree of Life." Kovu said.
"Wow, and you were trained here, to kill grandpa?" Kishindo asked looking at the claw marks on the walls.
"Yes, Kishindo. I wasn't always the lovable Uncle, King, or plain old Kovu. Your aunt Kiara changed that in me. I owe her everything." Kovu said.
"Uncle Kovu, have you and Kiara ever fought?" Maisha asked.
"What do you mean argued? Well yeah, we've argued. Not that we want to, mainly it's over something stupid that isn't even about us. But we've learned how to separate kingdom and home when we're together. Why do you ask?" Kovu asked.
"It seems that all mom and dad do anymore is fight. I miss seeing them in love." Jala said.
"Oh, well you four listen to me. Your dad and mom both love you very much. And they love each other. Heck, that's why you are here. Just because someone argues or might be mad at someone doesn't mean they don't love them. Have you ever fought between each other?" Kovu asked.
"Yeah of course. It's hard not to when Muhasi constantly is annoying me." Kishindo said.
"Constantly I don't do it constantly. More like every now and then." Muhasi said smiling.
"Right, and your brothers. But deep down if someone came against either of you, you would put that aside. And fight side by side to defend your brother. One thing I've learned in this life is that no matter what happens, it's the ones that you love and those who love you. No matter what they will always be by your side when you need them." Kovu said.
"Oh hey, dad," Kitu said surprised to see him.
"Hey Kitu,
Rutger, where's Njia?" Kovu asked.
"Oh she stopped by Beshte's and we haven't seen her since," Rutger replied.
"Ah, her and Esther. Reminds me of Kion and Beshte. Hey Kitu why don't you take your cousins to Hakuna Matata Falls? I'll go get Njia." Kovu said.
"Can Rutger come too?" Kitu asked.
"I ain't going this time. The last time I went there with you, you almost drowned me." Rutger said laughing.
"Not on purpose," Kitu said chuckling.
Later that night everyone went to bed. But Rani was tossing and turning in the den, wondering where Kion was.
"Psst. Rani. Come here." Kion said standing at the entrance.
"Kion what are you doing?" Rani asked.
"Come on, I have something to show you," Kion said.
Kion went to the waterhole next to Pride Rock.
"What is it?" Rani said looking down at his and her reflection.
"Rani. I need you to forgive me. I haven't been the mate that I promised you I would be. You deserve so much more than I have been giving you. We're one Rani, of the same pride. And I hope you can forgive this fool for being so stupid." Kion said.
"Kion I forgive you. But baby I miss you snuggling with me. I miss you kissing me just because you want to. I miss us having fun together. And I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss the good mating times." Rani said hugging him.
"I know. I've taken my anger and frustration out on you. And that is stupid of me. My dad finally got through to me, and when I overheard before we went to bed the cubs talking about us fighting. That made me realize how foolish I've been." Kion said licking her cheek.
"That's what I miss," Rani said melting from his kiss.
"Now what do you say we go cuddle for a while, and see where that leads," Kion said licking her again.
"I like that idea," Rani said.
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Meanwhile back at the Tree of Life
Shuri had got up to get a drink. When she saw something moving around in the bushes.
"Whose there?" Shuri yelled out.
As she said it, two big purple eyes opened and got taller and taller. Revealing a massive Tiger.
"Who are you?" Shuri said a little afraid but also a little attracted.
"My name is Stari," Stari replied.
Coming Up
We will find out who this mysterious Tiger is. Plus how will Kion and Rani's makeup effect the cubs?
