A/N: Hey I hope I'm not updating this story too fast! I just have time to get on and update I guess even with homework and school almost over! Sweet! Well, after this chapter it might be a little while because I still need to write the next part. Just foretelling everyone so you all know. In the mean time, I've completed a "Lord of the Flies" parody fic. If you're interested (I love reviews! Who doesn't?) Also I have completed, but not posted all of it yet of a sci-fi/drama fic. Called "Small Worlds" over at fictionpress.com if any of you are interested. I'm just making you all aware that's all, no pressure, really =P Well without further ado, here's chapter 8 of Siy's: Lion King 3.

Chapter 8

Kovu waited until everyone had left, to talk alone with Niru. Although a warm breeze blew, Niru shivered in the tall grass. Wanting desperately to go with Siva & Suvo, Niru quickly yet stupidly tried to create a diversion.

"Uh, look the sun's setting, eheh better get back to the cave," he said trying to slink away, but was snatched up with an angry growl from his father.

Niru winced, knowing he shouldn't have tried to escape.

Surprisingly, Kovu lay down in the grass and plopped his son in front of him.

Niru looked confused for a moment, wondering why his father was being so calm. "Dad uh."

"First of all don't try that again, Niru. Second, what were you thinking hiding a stray cub from me, more importantly from your mother, and the entire pride? What kind of game were you playing? Picking up stray cubs from far away prides just waiting to ambush us! And worse, it could've been you getting ambushed, not to mention Suvo and Siva! Uvok and his pride could have killed all three of you-

"For rescuing an orphan cub?" Niru argued.

"That was no orphan, Niru, and you know it."

" Well I didn't know it before Uvok's pride came, because I didn't smell any scent of her parents on her! And besides, we thought we could take her home to surprise you and everyone else. Siva, Suvo, and me we all wanted to.raise her. Make her a part of our circle of friendship."

Kovu's mouth gaped upon hearing his son's words.

" I thought that's what a good king would do, Dad.I didn't mean for anything bad to happen. I'm really sorry. I was just trying to practice being a good future king," Niru's eyes teared from staring at the ground too long.

Kovu pulled his son close to him and nuzzled him. "And you were a very good future king today. You were kind and accepting of all the creatures, but as good as your intentions were Niru, you should have come to your mom and I when you found Nahara. Besides, she could only have become a member if she really was an orphan and if everyone in the pride agreed and then an induction ceremony would have to be performed... It's not that simple, Niru. I understand you were only trying to help her, but you've got to be careful who you trust, son. You never know who will become your friend, or turn around and betray you in the end. I want your life to be happier and better than mine was, and in that I just want to make sure you're safe. You know I'm always proud of you Niru, and I'll always love you no matter what you do," Kovu licked his son affectionately.

Niru nuzzled back. " I love you too, dad. Dad?"

"Yes Niru?"

"Can I still play with Nahara even though she is your new sister?" Niru looked longingly at his father.

"Well, why don't we both spend some time getting to know her and your grandfather together, hmm?" Kovu smiled to his son.

Niru jumped up happily. "Yeah alright!"

Kovu playfully pinned his son's tail down, and Niru fell forward gently. "Tag you're it!" he growled playfully.

Niru gasped and smiled, pouncing after his father playfully. "Hey! Grrr! Don't underestimate the powers of the future king!"

Niru leaped toward his father, as Kovu dodged to the side. Then, seeing his father's tail was in his reach, he sprang onto it, teeth first followed closely by front and hind paws.

"Whoa!" Kovu tumbled to the ground, surprised.

Niru let go and rolled off into the tall grass.

Kovu quickly spun around and slid to catch him. "Whoa, that was one quick attack, very smart. Are you ok, Niru?" he panted.

"Yeah, just got the wind knocked out of me for a second, I'm fine" Niru smiled and coughed. Kovu smiled and groomed his son's little mane. "Niru. Come on, want a ride back to Pride Rock?" Kovu motioned to his back.

"Yeah! But hurry, we're missing all the fun!" Niru jumped up and climbed into position on Kovu's back.

"All right but you better hold on. Here we go!" Kovu gave a happy roar and raced for Pride Rock. His mane swished up and down with his pace in the wind, as did Niru's small "mane puff."

Kiara's ears perked up and she ran around to greet her mate and son. Kovu slowed down and then skidded to a stop, laughing with his son.

"That was a great ride, dad!" Niru panted excitedly.

"I'll say. Yea-haw!" Kovu laughed.

"Yea-haw!" Niru mimicked, and jumped off his father's back.

Kiara watched them, smiling proudly and then grew serious. "Hey welcome back, guys."

Kovu kissed his mate on the cheek and nuzzled her.

Niru, not caring to watch, busied himself with chasing and trying to pounce on his own tail.

"Don't worry, let me explain it to him," Kiara whispered to Kovu.

"What would I do without you, Kiara?" Kovu purred seductively.

Kiara nipped his ear and nudged his shoulder. "All right, your majesty. I'll see you later back at the cave," she giggled quietly.

"All right, I'll be waiting," Kovu said, walking back to the cave, purring happily.

Kiara laughed to herself and shook her head, watching him leave. Then she turned her attention back to her son, who was practicing pouncing on his tail. She snuck up behind him, and caught him in mid-air with her strong paw as he sprung up to pounce on his tail. Niru grunted and sighed as he was lifted up to his mom's mouth to be dangled by the nape of his neck.

As Kiara brought her son behind Pride Rock, he spotted Siva and Suvo sitting by Vitani, who was talking with some lioness's from Uvok's pride. Niru gasped happily, causing Kiara let go of him, thinking something was wrong with him. No sooner had he hit the ground, than he was on his paws and took off towards his friends. Unfortunately, Kiara quickly flung her paw down on his tail. He hit the ground abruptly, much like she had done when Simba had done that to her years ago.

"Niru, I need to talk to you in the cave," Kiara said seriously.

"Mom, Dad already talked to me about bringing his sister home," he explained.

"Niru, this is something different, come on," she said turning around and walked back to the cave.

Niru's ears went back nervously as he followed his mom to their cave. Kiara sat on a high, flat boulder in the center of the back part of the cave. Niru pranced over to her, curious to know what else was going on.

"Niru, since Kovu's father and his pride are visiting here, until your father makes a decision to let them stay or not, I want you to stay close to home with our pride. Be careful, because we still don't know if they're trustworthy or not yet. Niru, my little prince, I love you so much and I trust you most of the time," Kiara said reaching down to embrace him. "It's just that, you don't ever want to get tricked by someone who you think you can trust, when in the end, they might turn around and betray you."

"Don't worry, Mom, as future king, I'll be on my guard at all times," he stood up tall and then jumped into fighting position.

Kiara gazed at her son, proudly, and giggled. "Niru, you're going to be a very good and wise king, I know. You get that from your grandfather, Simba," she smiled and put a paw on his head.

Niru smiled excitedly. "Hey Mom, tell me another story about when you were a cub and how grandpa wouldn't let you go out of the Pride Lands!"

"Well, actually I didn't have any other adventures to the Outlands as a cub, except that one, you know about the crocodile escape?"

Niru nodded, intrigued.

"Mostly I just played in the grass with the butterflies and in the water hole if I was lucky enough Timon and Pumbaa didn't think I was drowning," Kiara laughed.

"But Mom, why didn't Timon and Pumbaa or Grampa Simba teach you how to swim?" Niru wondered, constantly curious of his grandfather's parenting methods.

"Well I did learn when I was almost a year old, from your grandmother. But Grandpa Simba was always paranoid about me, remember?" Kiara rolled her eyes, and glanced over at her father and mother, lying off to the side under a tree with a curtain of leaves.

Simba would peek out every minute to observe his daughter and grandson. Then he would quickly look away, innocently.

Kiara sighed and rolled her eyes again, "He still is, especially since I'm Queen now and have a cub of my own," she said under her breath.

Niru's ears went up as he peeked out of the cave and caught sight of his grandpa looking at Kiara and him. He felt weird knowing he was being watched, and looked back at his mom. "Boy mom, I'm so glad you're not like that. You're the best!" he smiled and nuzzled his face on her forearm.

Kiara nuzzled back, forgetting her father's spying. "So are you, Niru, so are you."

"Come on, let's go join the others outside, huh?" Kiara said giving her son a nudge from behind.

Niru stumbled forward a few steps. "Yeah! Hey can you tell me and Siva and Suvo about the crocodile story?" he asked, fidgeting, anxious to take off running down the back end slope of Pride Rock.

"Well, ok just for tonight," she smiled, winking at him.

"Yes!" Niru jumped up, sprinted toward the top of the slope, and rolled to the bottom, bowling into Siva and Suvo.

"Hehe, hey guys, want to hear a story tonight?"

The twins grunted as they sat up, and glared at Niru.

"That was fun.uh let's do that again!" Niru chuckled nervously, seeing his friends weren't in the mood for humor as he was.

Siva and Suvo gasped at the suggestion, and immediately sprung on him, starting a game of "cub pile."

Vitani looked over at the squirming threesome and broke up the game with a growl of stress.

"Remember what I talked to you two about behaving and not letting your guard down," Vitani whispered to them, glancing around.

The twins nodded, and Niru thought he should apologize for earlier now. "Umm, Vitani?" Niru asked shyly and embarrassed.

"Yes, Niru?" she said in the same tone as before.

"I mean, I just wanted to say I'm sorry about earlier, you know Nahara, and I didn't mean to put Siva or Suvo or anyone in danger," Niru's eyes were now focused on the ground and his ears were down, realizing how much courage it took for him to apologize.

Vitani's tone softened, and she sighed. "It's ok, Niru. Cubs make mistakes, and I know, Siva and Suvo told me the whole story and I realize your intentions were good," Vitani whispered the next part. "But until this judgement is passed. or accepted, you know to stay close to home and near me, your parents, or anyone in our pride. I'm sure your mother's told you, right?" she smiled.

"Yes, ma'am," Niru nodded.

Vitani patted his head, and turned to Kiara, who was smiling at the two.

"So, how about that story?" Kiara asked, brightening the mood.

"Yeah!" the cubs said in unison and scrambled over to the platform where Sarabi used to lay when she groomed Simba as a cub.

A tall, droopy tree with blossoms all over it hung over them, protectively. Once they were all settled down, Kiara was just about to begin the story, when Simba called out from the top of the slope "Need some extra company?"

The group looked up at them and Kiara shrugged and smiled, "Sure, come on down," she said contently.

"OK," Simba smiled to Nala as they both descended to the bottom.

Niru looked up happily at his grandparents, forgetting about the spying. "Hey Grampa Simba, hey Grama Nala!" he said balancing on his hind paws like a dog.

Simba and Nala nuzzled their grandson and lied down next to him. Simba smiled proudly at his daughter and grandson, waiting to hear the story.

Kiara made sure everyone was settled down and began the crocodile story. They all listened eagerly for the climax.

"Then the giant, slimy crocodile flung its mouth of razor sharp teeth open and began to close in on young Kovu." Kiara impersonated the crocodile and pretended to advance on the three cubs.

The trio gasped and huddled together, stepping backwards toward the cave a few steps.

"Then just as it was about to close its huge jaws on the trembling Kovu, I sprang from the branch I clung to, and landed, claws extended on the beast's head, shutting its powerful jaws!" Kiara clamped her own teeth down together, emphasizing her point.

At that moment, the cubs fell backwards, screaming. Scrambling to their paws, they ran into the cave, without looking back.

"Hey wait, it's ok! That was the good part! Suvo, Siva, Niru!" Kiara called after them.

Simba and Nala chuckled, watching the whole scene and reminiscing on their cub-hood. Simba laughed, remembering the first time Kiara had told him that story. Then he stopped and thought for a moment.

"Hmm, wait a minute. Hey Nala." he began whispering to his mate.

Vitani laughed and got up. "They'll be fine, they're just playing around, knowing my two."

"Yeah, I hope so. Especially Niru, he's never reacted that way before. He knows that story by heart and loves it," Kiara sighed, worriedly.

"Maybe it's another game of theirs or an excuse to sneak off," Vitani lowered her eyelids and stared into the cave.

"Oh they're not going anywhere tonight. I gave Niru a talk about staying close to home and the Pride while, you know." Kiara lowered her voice.

"Yes, I agree. Until we can trust them, especially Uvok, I'm keeping an eye on the twins at all times. They know not to wander off, because I gave them a talk too about not being cocky. Especially Suvo," Vitani said, turning back to Kiara.

"He likes playing with Niru a lot and wants to b his 'right paw'," Vitani smiled, changing the subject. "I must say I am glad Niru also has a male friend to relate to. Also, Siva is such a sweet, loyal friend to both of them," Kiara smiled to her friend.

"I know they will all bring the pride great honor one day," Vitani stood tall, and a smile spread across her face as she gazed at the cave.

"They've already begun to," Kiara smiled warmly, looking from Vitani to the cave.

Then Simba snuck up behind his daughter and nudged her.

"Eek!" Kiara yelled as she jumped and whirled around, with a startled growl.

Simba laughed and then blinked startled when his daughter growled. Nala got up, concerned, and padded over to them.

"Daddy! What's the matter with you? Are you trying to get attacked?" Kiara panted, still startled.

"Kiara, I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you. It was just a joke, and besides I wanted to ask you something about that story," Simba apologized.

Kiara scoffed a bit nervous and annoyed thinking of what he was going to ask her, and for how long they'd talk. "Can it wait, Daddy? I have to go find my son, so-"

Nala smiled and chimed in. "Kiara, honey, I'll go find Niru and the others for you," she said, starting towards the cave.

"I better go get my two and I'll check on Niru, too," Vitani nodded reliably and trotted over to Nala.

Kiara looked helplessly after her mother and best friend. Alone with her father, once again, she sighed and turned to him.

Simba smiled and winked at her.

Relaxing more, she returned the smile. "Well, what do you wish to talk about with her majesty?" Kiara joked.

"Ah yes, you are queen now, Kiara. A most honorable, powerful position in a pride," Simba said bowing, playing along with the joke.

Kiara couldn't help but giggle. "OK, I know who am and you know who I am, so what it is it you want to talk about?"

"You never told me you jumped on the crocodile's head! Kiara, I can't believe you would keep that from me for all this time, especially when I asked you for the truth that day. You could've been killed," Simba asked feeling upset and betrayed.

"Daddy, I knew you would've killed me if I told you even if it was right to tell the truth," Kiara admitted childishly.

"But you know I would never hurt you, Kiara, right?" Simba asked in a shocked tone.

Kiara sighed. "OK fine, I knew that, but you never let me finish my sentences that day. Remember I said 'I didn't mean to disobey you, I just wanted to have a friend to play with,'" she said reminiscing on her and Simba's talk long ago. (A/N: My little opinion of what I thought Kiara would have said if Simba didn't interrupt her that day. Just an opinion though.)

Simba tried to think of something to say but Kiara answered his question before he asked it.

"I know Kovu was an outsider, but that was in the past. I want my son to have friends and he does-friends that he and I know and can trust. I'm protecting him, but I'm not taking his fun away," Kiara said in a bittersweet tone and then gave her father a quick nuzzle. "I have to go find Niru. I love you, daddy." She smiled sadly, and then walked back to the cave.

Simba watched her leave, and sat by himself for a minute before realizing he needed to watch over his daughter now more than ever. He wouldn't be overprotective anymore; she was an adult now after all. But he would help her by being there for her, Kovu, and especially his grandson. He would try to be a better father and grandfather to her and Niru. Determined, he stood up, feeling stronger than ever, and looked to the twinkling sky. "Thanks, Dad," he whispered smiling. Then he walked back into the cave the same way Kiara had, walking in her paw prints and shaping them slightly larger.