Chapter 7
When the three of them reached the baby cub, they found Kovu trying to scare it away, and Kiara running to the scene along with Vitani, Simba, and Nala close behind. The rest of the pride lingered back with their cubs, to watch and for back up.
Niru gasped and dove in front of the baby to protect her and Suvo and Siva sprung to each side of him.
Kiara ran over to her mate and son. "Kovu! Niru! What's going on?" she panted.
"Dad wait don't hurt her. She's our friend!" Niru leaned closer to the cub.
"Yeah, it's true, we found her today," Siva quivered out of breath while looking up at the strong, now upset king.
"Siva, Suvo! Is that what you three were up to in the grass?" Vitani glared at them.
"Niru, what's going on?" Kiara walked over to the baby cub and realized that she looked a lot like Kovu. "Who is this little cub, Kovu? She looks like you." Kiara cocked her head at the baby cub, wondering who she could be.
Kovu scoffed at the obvious statement, and growled lowly. "Why don't you ask your son, since he and his friends seem to be so well acquainted with her."
The other lioness' stared at the three cubs curiously and whispered nervously. Simba noticed something in the grass, and whispered to Nala to get Kiara and Kovu's attention. Just then another pride of lions jumped into the clearing.
"Yes, who is this little cub, Kovu?" A low voice called out.
Just then Kovu and the rest of his pride got in defense mode, and growled at the strange, unwelcome pride. Kiara and Vitani got in front of their cubs and pulled them aside from the stray, infant.
"Who are you? How dare you invade our lands like this!" Kovu snarled.
"My, my, Kovu I thought I'd never see you again. Yet we finally reunite, and you've got your own pride to control now, the least you could do is welcome your father," the strange lion smiled slyly at him.
Everyone, especially Kovu, gasped at this remark and Kiara turned to Kovu.
"Kovu, is this your real father?" she asked looking back and forth at the two lions.
Kovu stammered, shocked and unsure of what to say. "I...I never had a real father. I don't know if I ever met him, since the only family I remember is Zira," he looked to Vitani.
"Making us only half siblings," Vitani reminded everyone.
"Yes, very true," the stranger scanned the pride and sought out Simba and Nala. "Well if it isn't the great ex- King Simba, and his lovely mate Nala. I see your time as rulers have set just like the sun," he sighed sarcastically.
Simba snarled. "Who are you, and how did you get here?"
"Just as I thought. Nala, my dear, I'm afraid your mate is going a little senile with his senses," the lion said in a sarcastic, loud whisper.
Nala took a step forward and roared at him.
"Ooh, temper, temper. Maybe you both are going senile!" he snarled at her.
Just then Kiara leaped in front of her father and mother and faced the unwelcome visitor. "Look, we don't want to fight you. We just want to know why you're here," she looked him straight in the eye.
The lion blinked, looked from Simba to Nala, and back to Kiara, and smiled slyly again. "Do my eyes deceive me? You look just like your father, with your mother's beauty. I take it you're the current queen." he glanced over at Niru, who's eyes widened and tried to look unafraid, while getting in a defense position. ". And proud mother of the next heir to the throne," he kept his eye on Niru, as the young cub extended his claws into the ground and growled meekly.
Kovu put his arm in front of Niru, to "guard" him from the lion's eyes, but the unwelcome lion directed his attention toward Niru even more.
Niru peeked out at the strange, big lion and gasped as he looked down at him.
"And you must be the brave, young prince who found my new daughter, am I right?" he chuckled sarcastically, eyelids narrowed.
Niru gulped and growled, still in defense position. He took a breath and said, " Y-yeah, I did, I am." He stood tall, his muscles tensed, and still glaring up at the lion, he feeling more confident now.
The stranger looked over at the baby cub, which was now sitting next to Siva, quivering.
"Aww, and did you two help find her?" he plodded towards Siva and Suvo.
They both nodded, afraid to speak.
He suddenly reached out and swiftly pulled the baby cub against him. "She's been a naughty little girl today, haven't you?" He faked.
"But she didn't do-
Kovu looked down at his son and growled for him to be quiet. Then he jumped up to face the lion, furious. " If this is why you're here, then I suggest you take you cub and go back to where you came from, now!"
"Kovu, didn't what's her face-Zira teach you to respect your elders, especially your father?" he snapped at Kovu.
"I told you I never had a father, and Zira was not my real mother, so stop telling lies and leave," he dug his claws into the dry earth.
Kiara ran over beside Kovu and tried to help him out.
"Why are you really here? I mean, how a baby cub like that wander all the way into our lands without getting hurt along the way or without your pride knowing it?" she glared at him.
Everyone else realized the truth in what Kiara had asked, and all eyes were on the unwelcome lion, glaring at him and his pride.
He sighed. "This is why I was hoping for a more welcoming arrival from you, Kovu. You see I've been searching for you ever since word of Zira's death got out. I knew this was my chance to finally revisit my son after not seeing him since he was only a week old, when that traitor Scar came and stole you away from us. Then I could bring him back home where he belongs, with his real family," he confessed.
Kovu's pride all looked at him and his acclaimed father with their mouths gaping, waiting for something to happen.
Kovu wasn't sure what to do or say. What if this really was his father that he never knew? After all, Zira had lied to him throughout his entire past. "But, if you really are my real father, how come you're just showing up now out of nowhere? You've also been disrespectful to Simba and Nala, and the rest of my pride and invaded my kingdom with your pride," he argued.
" But son, your majesty, my pride and I were out looking for you when your new sister here wandered off from our rest stop along the way. We happened to be not far off from here and we looked for you and her at the same time. We waited until now because we thought we'd give you some time to settle down with your new bride, and wait till you've had your little cub to go out looking for you once again," he explained thoroughly. Then he turned to Simba and Nala. "Your majesties, I'm so very sorry about the little uh comment before, you see I think we got off on the wrong paw," he laughed.
Simba and Nala exchanged looks.
Kovu sighed, mentally exhausted from the sudden events. "Well, I can't question you anymore at the moment, but Kiara and I will reserve our judgements for now. If you really are who you say you are, then I'll allow you three days in my kingdom, then we'll decide what to do next," he finished.
The lion gasped. "Oh son, you'd do that for me? How can I ever thank you enough, and make it up to you for staying away all these years?" he stammered through tears, groveling at his son's feet (paws).
Kovu sympathized with the lion. "Well, you can start by telling us your name. I mean I think I should know my father's name if you really are my father," Kovu said.
"Oh please forgive for not properly introducing myself before. I am Uvok, which just happens to be your name backwards, which is why I named you after me. I couldn't think of anything at first, but then your mother thought of "Kovu" and we both agreed on it. That's how you got your name as Kovu, the new prince of our pride," he smiled warmly.
At this time, Niru decided to speak up again. "What about dad's new sister?" he pointed at the baby cub.
"Say, that's right. I forgot to introduce you to your new sister," he picked up the little cub who was lying down behind him, trying to sneak away to see Niru, Suvo, and Siva. He set her down in front of Kovu. "Kovu, I'd like you to meet your new sister, Nahara," he smiled as Kovu stared down at the tiny, innocent cub.
Kovu studied the infant's face and coloring, which was almost identical to his. The small cub stared up at him, still frightened at how he had jumped out at her before. Just then, Kovu froze, realizing that the little cub was himself years ago. When Simba had jumped out of the grass to separate Kiara and him from playing, he remembered how terrified he'd been of the great lion, knowing that he was hated just because of whom he was born to. Now it was his turn to be in Simba's place, and decide how he should react to this new little cub. He thought of the way he wanted to be treated then. Then Simba's wise words from a year ago rekindled in his mind. "Sometimes what's left behind can grow better than the generation before.if given the chance." He was going to give Nahara that chance. Smiling, he crouched down to the shaky infant and whispered "You're just like me when I was a cub, Nahara."
Nahara blinked at him, confused for a moment, and then slowly began to trust him. She wobbled up to his face, and touched her nose to his.
Kovu gently licked her face, surprising her. She fell backwards onto her bottom and shyly ran over to Niru for comfort.
Niru licked Nahara's head affectionately and then looked back to his father (and supposedly grandfather.)
The whole pride watched them and began to "aww" and whisper to each other.
"Aww, looks like someone's a little shy," Uvok smiled at the entire pride, trying to be open and friendly.
"Well why don't we all go to the back of Pride Rock, to show you and Nahara where your pride will be sleeping," he said, eyeing his son.
"Yes, why don't we all go chat some more and catch up the weather?" Kiara proposed, standing up.
Everyone nodded in agreement and got up to follow Kiara, Simba, Nala, and Kovu. As Kiara walked passed Kovu, she nodded to acknowledge him of the time he needed to talk with their son. Kovu quickly nuzzled her and whispered "You're a lifesaver." Kovu made his way toward his son and Nahara as Uvok joined him. Niru had just gotten up when Kovu put a paw in front of him and looked down at him sternly.
" Uh Dad, why don't you introduce Nahara to the other members of the pride, and I'll be there in a minute," Kovu smiled politely to his father. "Ok, if you insist son. Come on Nahara," Uvok swooped her up by her tiny neck nape, and followed the rest of the pride.
She looked back sadly at Niru, who could only exchange the look.
When the three of them reached the baby cub, they found Kovu trying to scare it away, and Kiara running to the scene along with Vitani, Simba, and Nala close behind. The rest of the pride lingered back with their cubs, to watch and for back up.
Niru gasped and dove in front of the baby to protect her and Suvo and Siva sprung to each side of him.
Kiara ran over to her mate and son. "Kovu! Niru! What's going on?" she panted.
"Dad wait don't hurt her. She's our friend!" Niru leaned closer to the cub.
"Yeah, it's true, we found her today," Siva quivered out of breath while looking up at the strong, now upset king.
"Siva, Suvo! Is that what you three were up to in the grass?" Vitani glared at them.
"Niru, what's going on?" Kiara walked over to the baby cub and realized that she looked a lot like Kovu. "Who is this little cub, Kovu? She looks like you." Kiara cocked her head at the baby cub, wondering who she could be.
Kovu scoffed at the obvious statement, and growled lowly. "Why don't you ask your son, since he and his friends seem to be so well acquainted with her."
The other lioness' stared at the three cubs curiously and whispered nervously. Simba noticed something in the grass, and whispered to Nala to get Kiara and Kovu's attention. Just then another pride of lions jumped into the clearing.
"Yes, who is this little cub, Kovu?" A low voice called out.
Just then Kovu and the rest of his pride got in defense mode, and growled at the strange, unwelcome pride. Kiara and Vitani got in front of their cubs and pulled them aside from the stray, infant.
"Who are you? How dare you invade our lands like this!" Kovu snarled.
"My, my, Kovu I thought I'd never see you again. Yet we finally reunite, and you've got your own pride to control now, the least you could do is welcome your father," the strange lion smiled slyly at him.
Everyone, especially Kovu, gasped at this remark and Kiara turned to Kovu.
"Kovu, is this your real father?" she asked looking back and forth at the two lions.
Kovu stammered, shocked and unsure of what to say. "I...I never had a real father. I don't know if I ever met him, since the only family I remember is Zira," he looked to Vitani.
"Making us only half siblings," Vitani reminded everyone.
"Yes, very true," the stranger scanned the pride and sought out Simba and Nala. "Well if it isn't the great ex- King Simba, and his lovely mate Nala. I see your time as rulers have set just like the sun," he sighed sarcastically.
Simba snarled. "Who are you, and how did you get here?"
"Just as I thought. Nala, my dear, I'm afraid your mate is going a little senile with his senses," the lion said in a sarcastic, loud whisper.
Nala took a step forward and roared at him.
"Ooh, temper, temper. Maybe you both are going senile!" he snarled at her.
Just then Kiara leaped in front of her father and mother and faced the unwelcome visitor. "Look, we don't want to fight you. We just want to know why you're here," she looked him straight in the eye.
The lion blinked, looked from Simba to Nala, and back to Kiara, and smiled slyly again. "Do my eyes deceive me? You look just like your father, with your mother's beauty. I take it you're the current queen." he glanced over at Niru, who's eyes widened and tried to look unafraid, while getting in a defense position. ". And proud mother of the next heir to the throne," he kept his eye on Niru, as the young cub extended his claws into the ground and growled meekly.
Kovu put his arm in front of Niru, to "guard" him from the lion's eyes, but the unwelcome lion directed his attention toward Niru even more.
Niru peeked out at the strange, big lion and gasped as he looked down at him.
"And you must be the brave, young prince who found my new daughter, am I right?" he chuckled sarcastically, eyelids narrowed.
Niru gulped and growled, still in defense position. He took a breath and said, " Y-yeah, I did, I am." He stood tall, his muscles tensed, and still glaring up at the lion, he feeling more confident now.
The stranger looked over at the baby cub, which was now sitting next to Siva, quivering.
"Aww, and did you two help find her?" he plodded towards Siva and Suvo.
They both nodded, afraid to speak.
He suddenly reached out and swiftly pulled the baby cub against him. "She's been a naughty little girl today, haven't you?" He faked.
"But she didn't do-
Kovu looked down at his son and growled for him to be quiet. Then he jumped up to face the lion, furious. " If this is why you're here, then I suggest you take you cub and go back to where you came from, now!"
"Kovu, didn't what's her face-Zira teach you to respect your elders, especially your father?" he snapped at Kovu.
"I told you I never had a father, and Zira was not my real mother, so stop telling lies and leave," he dug his claws into the dry earth.
Kiara ran over beside Kovu and tried to help him out.
"Why are you really here? I mean, how a baby cub like that wander all the way into our lands without getting hurt along the way or without your pride knowing it?" she glared at him.
Everyone else realized the truth in what Kiara had asked, and all eyes were on the unwelcome lion, glaring at him and his pride.
He sighed. "This is why I was hoping for a more welcoming arrival from you, Kovu. You see I've been searching for you ever since word of Zira's death got out. I knew this was my chance to finally revisit my son after not seeing him since he was only a week old, when that traitor Scar came and stole you away from us. Then I could bring him back home where he belongs, with his real family," he confessed.
Kovu's pride all looked at him and his acclaimed father with their mouths gaping, waiting for something to happen.
Kovu wasn't sure what to do or say. What if this really was his father that he never knew? After all, Zira had lied to him throughout his entire past. "But, if you really are my real father, how come you're just showing up now out of nowhere? You've also been disrespectful to Simba and Nala, and the rest of my pride and invaded my kingdom with your pride," he argued.
" But son, your majesty, my pride and I were out looking for you when your new sister here wandered off from our rest stop along the way. We happened to be not far off from here and we looked for you and her at the same time. We waited until now because we thought we'd give you some time to settle down with your new bride, and wait till you've had your little cub to go out looking for you once again," he explained thoroughly. Then he turned to Simba and Nala. "Your majesties, I'm so very sorry about the little uh comment before, you see I think we got off on the wrong paw," he laughed.
Simba and Nala exchanged looks.
Kovu sighed, mentally exhausted from the sudden events. "Well, I can't question you anymore at the moment, but Kiara and I will reserve our judgements for now. If you really are who you say you are, then I'll allow you three days in my kingdom, then we'll decide what to do next," he finished.
The lion gasped. "Oh son, you'd do that for me? How can I ever thank you enough, and make it up to you for staying away all these years?" he stammered through tears, groveling at his son's feet (paws).
Kovu sympathized with the lion. "Well, you can start by telling us your name. I mean I think I should know my father's name if you really are my father," Kovu said.
"Oh please forgive for not properly introducing myself before. I am Uvok, which just happens to be your name backwards, which is why I named you after me. I couldn't think of anything at first, but then your mother thought of "Kovu" and we both agreed on it. That's how you got your name as Kovu, the new prince of our pride," he smiled warmly.
At this time, Niru decided to speak up again. "What about dad's new sister?" he pointed at the baby cub.
"Say, that's right. I forgot to introduce you to your new sister," he picked up the little cub who was lying down behind him, trying to sneak away to see Niru, Suvo, and Siva. He set her down in front of Kovu. "Kovu, I'd like you to meet your new sister, Nahara," he smiled as Kovu stared down at the tiny, innocent cub.
Kovu studied the infant's face and coloring, which was almost identical to his. The small cub stared up at him, still frightened at how he had jumped out at her before. Just then, Kovu froze, realizing that the little cub was himself years ago. When Simba had jumped out of the grass to separate Kiara and him from playing, he remembered how terrified he'd been of the great lion, knowing that he was hated just because of whom he was born to. Now it was his turn to be in Simba's place, and decide how he should react to this new little cub. He thought of the way he wanted to be treated then. Then Simba's wise words from a year ago rekindled in his mind. "Sometimes what's left behind can grow better than the generation before.if given the chance." He was going to give Nahara that chance. Smiling, he crouched down to the shaky infant and whispered "You're just like me when I was a cub, Nahara."
Nahara blinked at him, confused for a moment, and then slowly began to trust him. She wobbled up to his face, and touched her nose to his.
Kovu gently licked her face, surprising her. She fell backwards onto her bottom and shyly ran over to Niru for comfort.
Niru licked Nahara's head affectionately and then looked back to his father (and supposedly grandfather.)
The whole pride watched them and began to "aww" and whisper to each other.
"Aww, looks like someone's a little shy," Uvok smiled at the entire pride, trying to be open and friendly.
"Well why don't we all go to the back of Pride Rock, to show you and Nahara where your pride will be sleeping," he said, eyeing his son.
"Yes, why don't we all go chat some more and catch up the weather?" Kiara proposed, standing up.
Everyone nodded in agreement and got up to follow Kiara, Simba, Nala, and Kovu. As Kiara walked passed Kovu, she nodded to acknowledge him of the time he needed to talk with their son. Kovu quickly nuzzled her and whispered "You're a lifesaver." Kovu made his way toward his son and Nahara as Uvok joined him. Niru had just gotten up when Kovu put a paw in front of him and looked down at him sternly.
" Uh Dad, why don't you introduce Nahara to the other members of the pride, and I'll be there in a minute," Kovu smiled politely to his father. "Ok, if you insist son. Come on Nahara," Uvok swooped her up by her tiny neck nape, and followed the rest of the pride.
She looked back sadly at Niru, who could only exchange the look.
