Here is the long-awaited chapter 2! Sorry, I couldn't think of anything for
this story for awhile, but now I have ideas, so without further ado, here's
chapter 2! (Yes, I intended that to rhyme!) ;)
Chapter 2: Waiting for a Miracle or Two?
Siva and Niru continued nuzzling until suddenly Siva's stomach lurched inside. The pain wasn't that different than any of the other times she had pregnancy pains before, but each time they would seem to come when she was enjoying herself.
She gasped and sunk to the ground, and curled up.
"Siva! Are you OK?" he asked alarmed.
"I think so, just another cub pain," she forced a smile and winced.
"Aww Siva," Niru bent down and nuzzled his mate. "I wish I could do something to help," he kissed her forehead.
"There is something," she panted.
"What? I'll do anything for you," he listened attentively.
"Lay here with me until the pain goes away," she said digging her claws into the ground.
"Of course, Siva," he curled up behind her, protecting both his mate and their unborn cub.
"Shh, it's going to be alright. Remember, I'll stand by you forever," he whispered softly in her ear.
Her eyes teared with happiness. "Oh Niru, I know you will, and I'll stand by you forever, too," she purred as she lay her head on his shoulder.
They both lay together for about 10 minutes, the usual time it took for the pain to go away, and then Siva breathed a deep sigh of relief.
"I think it's over now," she smiled, and got to her feet.
"That's good, let's go back to Pride Rock," Niru smiled, helping his mate up.
They began walking back to Pride Rock, unaware that Simba, Nala, Kovu, and Kiara were laying atop Pride Rock, watching them.
"Daddy, isn't this spying?" Kiara asked frowning.
"Yes—I mean no, I'm just watching over them to see how they're progressing as their time grows closer to assuming the throne," Simba's wise face eased into a smile.
Kiara, although fully mature now, still had her same youthful laugh. "Oh Daddy," she giggled and nuzzled him.
He nuzzled her back, lovingly and then resumed his watch over his grandson and granddaughter-in-law.
Kiara sighed happily and curled up next to Kovu, who was smiling proudly at Niru and Siva.
"They're going to be great rulers, I can feel it," Kovu smiled.
"Yes they are. I know they'll make us all very proud," Kiara grinned and nuzzled under her mate's chin.
"Hey," Kovu whispered.
"Hmm?" Kiara looked into his eyes.
"Remember when we were their age?" he raised an eyebrow, reminiscing.
Kiara gave a small laugh. "How could I forget?"
"How could you forget? You mean how could your father and I forget?" Nala spoke up.
Kiara gasped, startled. "Mom!" Kiara scoffed, but still smiling.
"Just joking dear," Nala smiled playfully. While Nala's eyes were still blue ever since after Kiara was born, her face remained almost ageless. Her motherly love and protection for her mate, cub, and the rest of her pride showed on her exterior, keeping her just as beautiful and young as she had been when Kiara was born.
"Kiara, in all serious now dear, how is Siva doing? I haven't gotten to talk to her much lately, what with you and Kovu training them in how to be future king and queen," Nala said.
"Well, actually she's been doing really well so far, except—
Kiara's sentence was cut off by a sharp cry from below.
The four elders gasped and looked over the edge of Pride Rock. Siva was on the ground curled up, shaking and panting.
"Oh no," Kiara cried, and took off down Pride Rock, followed by Nala, Kovu, and Simba.
Niru was curled up, protectively around his mate, doing everything in his power to make her better.
"Niru, why is sky spinning, and why are there two of you?" she asked, delirious, looking up at him as a bead of sweat ran off her nose.
"Oh Siva, shh! Everything will be alright," he whispered and licked her nose.
"Siva, your nose is warm, but you're shaking from being cold," Niru began to panic.
Siva groaned and then closed her eyes.
Niru's eyes began to water. "No Siva," he mouthed as he ran his paw across her head and stomach.
A twig snapped a little ways off in the grass, and Niru's ears shot up.
The noise came closer and he gave a fierce defensive snarl.
He moved himself over Siva more, being careful not to harm her unborn cub. His fur stood on end and he arched his back, facing the direction of the grass rustling.
Just then Kiara burst into the clearing, panting. "Niru!" she cried, upon seeing her son so fierce.
"Mom?" he gasped and ceased growling. He carefully got off of Siva and ran over to her, just as Nala, Kovu, and Simba arrived.
"Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, something's wrong with Siva, she's never been like this before," he panted, as they hurried over to her.
"Siva," Kiara asked calmly upon reaching her, as not to alarm her. "What's wrong, sweetie?"
Siva's eyes remained tightly shut, as she now breathed in quickly through her nose.
"Mom, is it time?" Niru asked, wide-eyed.
Kiara and Nala examined Siva and looked at each other.
"Kovu, get Rafiki," Nala instructed.
With a quick nod, Kovu raced away.
"Niru, run back to Pride Rock and inform the lionesses of this," Kiara ordered. "No, I won't leave my mate and this time," Niru protested.
Kiara was taken aback at first, as Niru always obeyed and knew the right thing to do. "Niru, you have to, her life depends on you, now go!" Kiara said raising her voice.
Niru gasped slightly, and glanced at Siva, who was still trembling and panting. His eyebrows formed a look of determination on his face and he turned and raced towards Pride Rock.
Suddenly, Timon and Pumbaa arrived at the scene, as they had heard Siva's cry as well.
"Hey whoa, what's going on? Pumbaa and I were over at the smorgasbord and we heard Siva cry out. What's wrong?" Timon asked, worriedly as he jumped off Pumbaa's back.
"Something's wrong with Siva," Kiara shouted upset.
"What?" Timon and Pumbaa gasped simultaneously.
" Calm down, Kiara," Nala soothed.
"Pumbaa, we could use your help now. Can you help us carry Siva back to the den?" Kiara asked in a serious tone.
"Of course we will. Come on, Pumbaa," Timon answered for him.
Pumbaa obediently trotted over and gently scooped Siva's upper body onto his back, as Simba took hold of her paw and heaved her upper body onto his back.
"We've got to protect her unborn cub, so Pumbaa, you support her lower half. Be careful," Nala instructed.
"Yes ma'am," Pumbaa nodded solemnly and positioned Siva's lower body onto his back, while Timon cradled her tail.
"Let's move, quickly now, but carefully," Kiara commanded this time.
Niru raced up Pride Rock as he had done so many times as a young cub. He stopped short of den entrance, blocking the majority of the sunlight that flooded in. He roared to get everyone's attention.
All the lionesses' ears shot up at his roar, and looked over at the entrance, concerned.
"Listen up everyone! Something's wrong with Siva, and my mom, grandpa, grandma, and Timon and Pumbaa are bringing her back here right now. My dad went to get Rafiki and Reekyo. Make room for her, come on now!" the prince commanded.
The lionesses stood up, and whispered worriedly to one another and began to walk up to Niru.
"I said make room, not crowd around me!" he growled sternly.
Some of the lionesses gasped at their prince's harsh tone, but then obediently stepped back, realizing the severity of the situation.
Just then Vitani approached Niru, her face fear-stricken, followed by Suvo and Nahara.
"Vitani," Niru spoke softly.
"Niru? What's wrong with her? What's wrong with my daughter?" she breathed.
"I don't know, she had one of her pregnancy spells before today, but when we were walking back, she just collapsed and started shaking and panting. I stayed with her the whole time, and tried to make her better, but it didn't work, Vitani, it didn't work," Niru's voice broke off and he began to cry softly.
"Oh Niru, it's not your fault," Vitani embraced him tightly.
Suvo and Nahara exchanged shocked looks.
Just then Kiara, Simba, and Nala roared to announce their presence as they ascended up Pride Rock.
Vitani broke away from the comforting embrace, and gently led Niru in the cave to make way for the group.
Simba's large powerful figure appeared at the entrance first, followed by Pumbaa, Timon, Kiara, and Nala.
Once they were all in the cave, Kiara turned to her son.
"Niru, go check if your father is back with Rafiki and Reekyo yet, please," she pleaded with her soft, orange eyes.
"Yes mother," he replied obediently and slipped out of the cave. He trotted to the edge of the great rock that he had climbed just months ago with Siva, to announce their marriage and official titles as future king and queen. A smile poked at the corners of his mouth, wanted to curl his mouth up into a grin at the memory of that glorious day, but failed. Just then an auburn do caught his eye and brought him back to reality.
Kovu was racing toward him in the grass, carrying a grey figure on his back.
Niru cocked his head, wondering why there was only baboon on his father's back. Nevertheless, he trotted to the bottom of the rock to greet his father.
"Dad, I'm so glad you're back," Niru gave him a quick nuzzle. Then he noticed Reekyo climb off Kovu's back. "Reekyo, I'm so glad you're here, too!" he exclaimed.
"Likewise, Prince Niru," she nodded politely but seriously.
"Where's Rafiki?" he inquired.
She put her head down, and Niru felt a new pain stab at his heart.
"Never mind that now, we must tend to your mate, and your future cubs," she replied, and hurried up the steps to the den.
Niru watched her, frozen in place, as her words hung in the air. Then he felt a firm nudge against his shoulder.
"Come on, Niru, you must be strong now son. As future king, you need to learn how to deal with situations such as these," Kovu said seriously but in a soft tone.
Niru sighed deeply. "I know dad, I'm sorry. I'll do better."
Kovu's face softened. "I know. Come on, we must hurry. Go to her, son."
The two lions ran up the steps and into the cave where Reekyo had already begun tending to Siva.
Reekyo placed a hand gently on Siva's stomach and the lifted it. "Ahh," she muttered to herself.
"What is it?" Niru broke the silence.
"It is quite normal for dis kind of ting to happen when lionesses are pregnant. De queen has become dehydrated. Perhaps she was not eating enough for herself and your future cubs?" Reekyo said, her lips forming a smile.
"Well of course she's been eating enough for herself and our cu—did you say CUBS? As in more than one?" Niru's jaw dropped.
Reekyo gave a small chuckle. "Yes! Congratulations, you and de princess are going to have twins, I have just felt her stomach and what you taught was one cub, is actually two! I can feel dem both growing," she chuckled as a happy tear ran down her colorful face.
Niru gasped as tears streamed down his cheek.
Siva blinked and yawned. "What happened, where am I?"
The whole pride stared at her, and grinned, as tears streamed down all their cheeks.
"Why is everyone crying?" she asked, innocently.
Vitani came through and nuzzled her daughter. "Oh honey, were so scared you were sick," she nuzzled her daughter lovingly.
"Really?" Siva gasped as she looked at all the faces around her, until her eyes met her brother's and Nahara's.
"Suvo, Nahara," she called to them.
"Siva!" they both cried happily and rushed forward to embrace her.
"Don't you ever scare us like that again, ok?" Suvo said half-serious, half- joking.
"I'll try not to," she chuckled softly.
"Yeah, you really scared me too!" Nahara nuzzled her friend.
"Oh I'm sorry. Don't be scared, this stuff happens all the time when you're pregnant," she winked at Nahara, who gave a small, nervous smile.
"But what's going on? I mean, you've never all crowded around me every time I had a pregnancy spell before," she searched the pride's faces for answers, and saw that they were all looking at Niru.
"Honey, I think there's something you need to know," she grinned, trying to contain her excitement.
"What is it already?" she asked, getting impatient.
"Siva," Niru walked over to her, his bright green eyes glowing more than usual.
"Niru, what's going on?" she began to sit up, but was gently pushed back down by Niru's paw.
She smiled up at her mate, hopeful.
"Siva, we're going to have twins," he whispered lovingly to her.
Now it was her turn for her jaw to drop. "Oh Niru," was all she could say before he kissed her muzzle in front of the whole pride.
There came various gasps, and snickers from the rest of the pride, as they stepped back and gave their prince and princess more room to take in all that had just happened.
Chapter 2: Waiting for a Miracle or Two?
Siva and Niru continued nuzzling until suddenly Siva's stomach lurched inside. The pain wasn't that different than any of the other times she had pregnancy pains before, but each time they would seem to come when she was enjoying herself.
She gasped and sunk to the ground, and curled up.
"Siva! Are you OK?" he asked alarmed.
"I think so, just another cub pain," she forced a smile and winced.
"Aww Siva," Niru bent down and nuzzled his mate. "I wish I could do something to help," he kissed her forehead.
"There is something," she panted.
"What? I'll do anything for you," he listened attentively.
"Lay here with me until the pain goes away," she said digging her claws into the ground.
"Of course, Siva," he curled up behind her, protecting both his mate and their unborn cub.
"Shh, it's going to be alright. Remember, I'll stand by you forever," he whispered softly in her ear.
Her eyes teared with happiness. "Oh Niru, I know you will, and I'll stand by you forever, too," she purred as she lay her head on his shoulder.
They both lay together for about 10 minutes, the usual time it took for the pain to go away, and then Siva breathed a deep sigh of relief.
"I think it's over now," she smiled, and got to her feet.
"That's good, let's go back to Pride Rock," Niru smiled, helping his mate up.
They began walking back to Pride Rock, unaware that Simba, Nala, Kovu, and Kiara were laying atop Pride Rock, watching them.
"Daddy, isn't this spying?" Kiara asked frowning.
"Yes—I mean no, I'm just watching over them to see how they're progressing as their time grows closer to assuming the throne," Simba's wise face eased into a smile.
Kiara, although fully mature now, still had her same youthful laugh. "Oh Daddy," she giggled and nuzzled him.
He nuzzled her back, lovingly and then resumed his watch over his grandson and granddaughter-in-law.
Kiara sighed happily and curled up next to Kovu, who was smiling proudly at Niru and Siva.
"They're going to be great rulers, I can feel it," Kovu smiled.
"Yes they are. I know they'll make us all very proud," Kiara grinned and nuzzled under her mate's chin.
"Hey," Kovu whispered.
"Hmm?" Kiara looked into his eyes.
"Remember when we were their age?" he raised an eyebrow, reminiscing.
Kiara gave a small laugh. "How could I forget?"
"How could you forget? You mean how could your father and I forget?" Nala spoke up.
Kiara gasped, startled. "Mom!" Kiara scoffed, but still smiling.
"Just joking dear," Nala smiled playfully. While Nala's eyes were still blue ever since after Kiara was born, her face remained almost ageless. Her motherly love and protection for her mate, cub, and the rest of her pride showed on her exterior, keeping her just as beautiful and young as she had been when Kiara was born.
"Kiara, in all serious now dear, how is Siva doing? I haven't gotten to talk to her much lately, what with you and Kovu training them in how to be future king and queen," Nala said.
"Well, actually she's been doing really well so far, except—
Kiara's sentence was cut off by a sharp cry from below.
The four elders gasped and looked over the edge of Pride Rock. Siva was on the ground curled up, shaking and panting.
"Oh no," Kiara cried, and took off down Pride Rock, followed by Nala, Kovu, and Simba.
Niru was curled up, protectively around his mate, doing everything in his power to make her better.
"Niru, why is sky spinning, and why are there two of you?" she asked, delirious, looking up at him as a bead of sweat ran off her nose.
"Oh Siva, shh! Everything will be alright," he whispered and licked her nose.
"Siva, your nose is warm, but you're shaking from being cold," Niru began to panic.
Siva groaned and then closed her eyes.
Niru's eyes began to water. "No Siva," he mouthed as he ran his paw across her head and stomach.
A twig snapped a little ways off in the grass, and Niru's ears shot up.
The noise came closer and he gave a fierce defensive snarl.
He moved himself over Siva more, being careful not to harm her unborn cub. His fur stood on end and he arched his back, facing the direction of the grass rustling.
Just then Kiara burst into the clearing, panting. "Niru!" she cried, upon seeing her son so fierce.
"Mom?" he gasped and ceased growling. He carefully got off of Siva and ran over to her, just as Nala, Kovu, and Simba arrived.
"Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, something's wrong with Siva, she's never been like this before," he panted, as they hurried over to her.
"Siva," Kiara asked calmly upon reaching her, as not to alarm her. "What's wrong, sweetie?"
Siva's eyes remained tightly shut, as she now breathed in quickly through her nose.
"Mom, is it time?" Niru asked, wide-eyed.
Kiara and Nala examined Siva and looked at each other.
"Kovu, get Rafiki," Nala instructed.
With a quick nod, Kovu raced away.
"Niru, run back to Pride Rock and inform the lionesses of this," Kiara ordered. "No, I won't leave my mate and this time," Niru protested.
Kiara was taken aback at first, as Niru always obeyed and knew the right thing to do. "Niru, you have to, her life depends on you, now go!" Kiara said raising her voice.
Niru gasped slightly, and glanced at Siva, who was still trembling and panting. His eyebrows formed a look of determination on his face and he turned and raced towards Pride Rock.
Suddenly, Timon and Pumbaa arrived at the scene, as they had heard Siva's cry as well.
"Hey whoa, what's going on? Pumbaa and I were over at the smorgasbord and we heard Siva cry out. What's wrong?" Timon asked, worriedly as he jumped off Pumbaa's back.
"Something's wrong with Siva," Kiara shouted upset.
"What?" Timon and Pumbaa gasped simultaneously.
" Calm down, Kiara," Nala soothed.
"Pumbaa, we could use your help now. Can you help us carry Siva back to the den?" Kiara asked in a serious tone.
"Of course we will. Come on, Pumbaa," Timon answered for him.
Pumbaa obediently trotted over and gently scooped Siva's upper body onto his back, as Simba took hold of her paw and heaved her upper body onto his back.
"We've got to protect her unborn cub, so Pumbaa, you support her lower half. Be careful," Nala instructed.
"Yes ma'am," Pumbaa nodded solemnly and positioned Siva's lower body onto his back, while Timon cradled her tail.
"Let's move, quickly now, but carefully," Kiara commanded this time.
Niru raced up Pride Rock as he had done so many times as a young cub. He stopped short of den entrance, blocking the majority of the sunlight that flooded in. He roared to get everyone's attention.
All the lionesses' ears shot up at his roar, and looked over at the entrance, concerned.
"Listen up everyone! Something's wrong with Siva, and my mom, grandpa, grandma, and Timon and Pumbaa are bringing her back here right now. My dad went to get Rafiki and Reekyo. Make room for her, come on now!" the prince commanded.
The lionesses stood up, and whispered worriedly to one another and began to walk up to Niru.
"I said make room, not crowd around me!" he growled sternly.
Some of the lionesses gasped at their prince's harsh tone, but then obediently stepped back, realizing the severity of the situation.
Just then Vitani approached Niru, her face fear-stricken, followed by Suvo and Nahara.
"Vitani," Niru spoke softly.
"Niru? What's wrong with her? What's wrong with my daughter?" she breathed.
"I don't know, she had one of her pregnancy spells before today, but when we were walking back, she just collapsed and started shaking and panting. I stayed with her the whole time, and tried to make her better, but it didn't work, Vitani, it didn't work," Niru's voice broke off and he began to cry softly.
"Oh Niru, it's not your fault," Vitani embraced him tightly.
Suvo and Nahara exchanged shocked looks.
Just then Kiara, Simba, and Nala roared to announce their presence as they ascended up Pride Rock.
Vitani broke away from the comforting embrace, and gently led Niru in the cave to make way for the group.
Simba's large powerful figure appeared at the entrance first, followed by Pumbaa, Timon, Kiara, and Nala.
Once they were all in the cave, Kiara turned to her son.
"Niru, go check if your father is back with Rafiki and Reekyo yet, please," she pleaded with her soft, orange eyes.
"Yes mother," he replied obediently and slipped out of the cave. He trotted to the edge of the great rock that he had climbed just months ago with Siva, to announce their marriage and official titles as future king and queen. A smile poked at the corners of his mouth, wanted to curl his mouth up into a grin at the memory of that glorious day, but failed. Just then an auburn do caught his eye and brought him back to reality.
Kovu was racing toward him in the grass, carrying a grey figure on his back.
Niru cocked his head, wondering why there was only baboon on his father's back. Nevertheless, he trotted to the bottom of the rock to greet his father.
"Dad, I'm so glad you're back," Niru gave him a quick nuzzle. Then he noticed Reekyo climb off Kovu's back. "Reekyo, I'm so glad you're here, too!" he exclaimed.
"Likewise, Prince Niru," she nodded politely but seriously.
"Where's Rafiki?" he inquired.
She put her head down, and Niru felt a new pain stab at his heart.
"Never mind that now, we must tend to your mate, and your future cubs," she replied, and hurried up the steps to the den.
Niru watched her, frozen in place, as her words hung in the air. Then he felt a firm nudge against his shoulder.
"Come on, Niru, you must be strong now son. As future king, you need to learn how to deal with situations such as these," Kovu said seriously but in a soft tone.
Niru sighed deeply. "I know dad, I'm sorry. I'll do better."
Kovu's face softened. "I know. Come on, we must hurry. Go to her, son."
The two lions ran up the steps and into the cave where Reekyo had already begun tending to Siva.
Reekyo placed a hand gently on Siva's stomach and the lifted it. "Ahh," she muttered to herself.
"What is it?" Niru broke the silence.
"It is quite normal for dis kind of ting to happen when lionesses are pregnant. De queen has become dehydrated. Perhaps she was not eating enough for herself and your future cubs?" Reekyo said, her lips forming a smile.
"Well of course she's been eating enough for herself and our cu—did you say CUBS? As in more than one?" Niru's jaw dropped.
Reekyo gave a small chuckle. "Yes! Congratulations, you and de princess are going to have twins, I have just felt her stomach and what you taught was one cub, is actually two! I can feel dem both growing," she chuckled as a happy tear ran down her colorful face.
Niru gasped as tears streamed down his cheek.
Siva blinked and yawned. "What happened, where am I?"
The whole pride stared at her, and grinned, as tears streamed down all their cheeks.
"Why is everyone crying?" she asked, innocently.
Vitani came through and nuzzled her daughter. "Oh honey, were so scared you were sick," she nuzzled her daughter lovingly.
"Really?" Siva gasped as she looked at all the faces around her, until her eyes met her brother's and Nahara's.
"Suvo, Nahara," she called to them.
"Siva!" they both cried happily and rushed forward to embrace her.
"Don't you ever scare us like that again, ok?" Suvo said half-serious, half- joking.
"I'll try not to," she chuckled softly.
"Yeah, you really scared me too!" Nahara nuzzled her friend.
"Oh I'm sorry. Don't be scared, this stuff happens all the time when you're pregnant," she winked at Nahara, who gave a small, nervous smile.
"But what's going on? I mean, you've never all crowded around me every time I had a pregnancy spell before," she searched the pride's faces for answers, and saw that they were all looking at Niru.
"Honey, I think there's something you need to know," she grinned, trying to contain her excitement.
"What is it already?" she asked, getting impatient.
"Siva," Niru walked over to her, his bright green eyes glowing more than usual.
"Niru, what's going on?" she began to sit up, but was gently pushed back down by Niru's paw.
She smiled up at her mate, hopeful.
"Siva, we're going to have twins," he whispered lovingly to her.
Now it was her turn for her jaw to drop. "Oh Niru," was all she could say before he kissed her muzzle in front of the whole pride.
There came various gasps, and snickers from the rest of the pride, as they stepped back and gave their prince and princess more room to take in all that had just happened.