Sorry I haven't updated, been busy with school and I've had writers block again....Advice on Writer's Block: Go outside and take a walk, take a notepad and a pen and describe everything you see and hear. Watch what's going on around you and describe it. So yeah, that's my advice...hmm...On with the chapter

Chapter 14: Cubs

A week passed and Kitoko found everyone was falling madly in love with her cub. Especially Kiara. The young lioness loved playing with Amalie. There was a spark in her eyes that said she cared a lot about the little cub. Perhaps her own maternal instincts were beginning to kick in, seeing as she was only days away from birthing her own cub or cubs.

The day was bright and sunny, Kitoko noticed as she exited the den. She looked around, seeing a few lionesses lying around, basking in the sun. She smiled, nodding to a few she had gotten to know. She then descended down the steps and calmly walked over to the watering hole. Leaning down the lioness took long sips, quenching her thirst.

From behind her came the soft, almost soundless steps of Kovu. Kitoko lifted her head and turned to face him. He sat down before her and nodded his greeting. Kitoko returned the gesture. Kitoko could tell he had something to say, but he had never really gotten over his initial reaction to her. He avoided her whenever he could, and when forced to be near her, he attempted to ignore her.

"What is it?" Kitoko asked, hoping her quesiton would trigger him to say something. Kovu inhaled then exhaled.

"Kiara wants to see you," he said. Kitoko tipped her head to the side. He'd come to see her just for this? Something didn't seem right.

"What do you mean?" Kitoko asked. Kovu sighed and shook his head.

"I think it's happening, she's kicked everyone out of the den, and she said she wanted to see you." Kovu replied. Kitoko nodded, knowing immediately what he meant. She then tipped her head in a gesture of goodbye and took off. She bounded up the steps and then stopped, looking around. She saw Raimi carrying Amalie heading toward the other side of pride rock.

"Raimi wait!" she yelled, bounding over to him. Raimi turned, pausing. He smiled and then set Amalie down. "I'll take Amalie with me," she nuzzled her mate and then picked the cub up. Raimi nodded to her. Kitoko smiled and then disapeared in the darkness of the den.

"Kitoko?" came Kiara's questioning voice. Kitoko softly padded over to her friend and set Amalie down. She nuzzled Kiara's cheek.

"I'm here," she replied. Kiara smiled and then gasped and laid back, clenching and unclenching her paws. "Easy, deep breaths," Kitoko instructed. Kiara followed, taking long breaths and then letting them out slowly. Amalie looked up at her mother and mewed.

Kiara smiled. "Hey little one, you're going to have some friends soon." she said. She growled and raked her claws down the rock, her breath ragged. Kitoko sighed. She had no idea what to do. To her, the best thing was to be alone, but her friend wanted her to be there, so she would.

Hours passed, and Kiara was soon cloaked in sweat. The day had become hot, with little or no breeze. A few of the lionesses were complaining, wanting to be in the shade of the den. But most were content to stay under a tree or lay in the water hole to cool off.

Amalie had fallen asleep near her mother's backfeet. Kitoko sat, watching Kiara struggle. Tears had made a trail down the side of Kiara's cheeks and the rock around her was jagged and marked by her claws. Parts of her honey colored coat stood up, while other parts had darkened.

Kitoko leaned down and listened to Kiara's stomach. She smiled. "I think it's almost time," she said. Kiara offered a weak smile. She was exhausted. Kitoko turned and gazed out. She could see Simba pacing back and forth, looking in every few minutes. She sighed again. "Just a little longer," she murmured.

Suddenly Kiara gave a shout. Kitoko whipped her head around in time to see a small bundle come out. She backed up a bit, giving Kiara room. Instincts made Kiara twist to reach her cub. She then broke the sac and began to lick the young cub clean. After a few minutes she had the cub nestled up to her side.

She only lay still for a few moments before another cub came. Now she had two. She licked both and then peered up at Kitoko. "Thanks for staying with me," she said. Kitoko nodded.

"Anytime," she leaned down and nuzzled Kiara again. Kiara sighed and rested her head on her paws.

"Could you get Kovu and my parents for me?" She asked. Kitoko nodded. She then turned and scooped up Amalie as she left the den.

The minute she was out, lionesses swarmed around her. All were asking questions. "How many?"

"Is she alright?"

"Can we see her?"

"What do they look like?"

Finally Kitoko roared, silencing everyone. "You'll all see soon enough, but right now she wants to see Kovu , Simba and Nala, so back off." The lioness, now a bit downhearted, went back to their original spots. Simba and Nala entered first. Nala offered Kitoko a smile before she entered. Kitoko smiled back. Kovu bounded over and nodded to Kitoko before entering.

Amalie mewed from atop Kitoko's head. "I'll take her," came Raimi's familiar voice. Kitoko felt Amalie being lifted from her shoulders. She smiled and then nuzzled her mate. "Let's go for a walk," she said, leading him away from the den.

They descended the steps and walked on into the pride lands. Amalie was now buried in Raimi's mane. "So, tell me about them." Raimi said. Kitoko shook her head.

"You'll have to wait just like everyone else." She said. She then let out a long sigh. "Oh Raimi, I can feel it,"

"Feel what?"

"My time to rule is coming. I can just tell." she turned to look up at him. "Raimi, I'm scared..." She sat down under a tree. Raimi sighed and then sat also. Amalie slid down his back and then rolled over. She yawned and then curled up into a ball and feel back asleep. Raimi wrapped his tail around her.

"I think that's only natural," Raimi replied. "You'll do fine," Raimi said rubbing his head under Kitoko's chin.

"But what if they don't let me rule?" Kitoko said, shaking her head.

"Kitoko, they are bound by the great kings. They can't tell you no." Kitoko sighed.

"I guess you're right." she said, nuzzling him. She closed her eyes as the wind picked up. Dandelion petals swept past, ruffling their fur. Kitoko looked up at the sky as she heard a voice.

"It's almost time, your vision will come to you within the next few days, be ready..." Kitoko shook her head. Raimi nuzzled her again.

"Did you hear that?" She asked. Raimi nodded yes. Kitoko sighed. "I told you," she said, leaning against him as a few tears slid down her cheeks. Raimi lifted a paw and draped it over her shoulder.

"It'll be alright, you'll see..." He said, letting her lean against him. They slid down and Kitoko laid her head on her paws. Raimi let his head rest on her shoulders and pulled Amalie up to them. The family then slept there, knowing that things were about to change, and quickly over the next few days.