1I know I said this one was going to have a song, but I forgot what song I was going to redo LOL so there's not now . . . yeah . . .

Schools been hectic . . .

Chapter 5: Plan of Action.

Simba stood solidly in front of his fellow lionesses. "So, how do we find her?"

"Do you think the trails still good?" questioned Sarafina. Sarabi shook her head, facing east, raising a paw to point.

"No, but they went this way. We all watched them."

"This is a bad idea," Sarafina said softly, "Nala's in love. With Kali. She's not going to want to come back to some betrothed lion that she thought was dead for two years now. I know her, and her heart is with Kali."

"We'll see," said Simba, but he felt his own heart failing, sinking. Who was this Kali? Was he stronger then himself? Did he really love Nala, as not only a mate but a friend as he did? What about him? 'Of course she doesn't in you,' his mind argued, 'You've been gone for two years! You're nothing but a childhood playmate that died, that she happened to be betrothed to.'

Simba sighed. "Let's vote. All for just traveling east, stand to my right, and all wishing to follow what we think is her trail, to my left please." Lionesses scattered, but it was clear that just going east had won. "So it is," he bellowed, "We will be traveling east, starting at sunrise tomorrow. Dismissed, my lionesses, and get a good night sleep, for tomorrow will be a tiring day." Lionesses scattered, talking amongst themselves about the decision, and what tomorrow might hold in store for the future of the pride from Pride Rock.

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"Oh, it's too early!" cried out one lioness as the roar from Simba awoke the sleeping pride. Yawning, tired voices soon filled the cave along with the playing of children and the bickering between the two age groups.

"All chosen to go with me on my quest, please leave your cubs with other lionesses. If you can't find a lioness to babysit, please come up to the front with your cubs to be situated." Simba dealt with all the little things that must be done, but impatiently, because he wanted to go and now. He looked over at his mother, who would be staying behind as well as Sarafina, who were both taking in any cubs that they could.

Soon the things were in order, and they were ready to find their future.

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"Kali, I thought you were going to do it before the next full moon. This is the second!" she exclaimed, raising her head to look at the full moon. "Are you just stringing me along? I really thought you wanted to do this!"

"I do, I do!" he reassured her, going to give her a lick on the cheek but Nala backed away from him, ears pinned.

"Do it. Now."

"Nala, I just can't go up and prance up there now, in the middle of the night!" he argued, standing up.

Nala stood up also. "Yes you can, and you will! That is, if you love me," she challenged, frowning.

"Of course I do! At least wait one more night, for me to get rested. Tomorrow night will be the night, if not you may slit my throat." Nala's frown became a smile.

"I'll hold you to that, too," she laughed, pinning him to the ground flirtatiously. Kali smiled up at her.

"Do you want cubs?" Nala released him quickly, backing away and sitting.

"That was unexpected."

"Do you?"

"Yes, of course." Kali stepped toward her smiling, but she tucked her tail between her hind legs, now knowing what he meant. "Not at this moment though! Wait until you are King, then I will have as many cubs as you see fit." Kali smiled broader.

"Whatever you say, my Queen," he bowed stiffly. Nala felt strangely distant. Kali hadn't visited much, and sometimes Nala's mind wondered as to if he had another mate chosen all along. But she tried to erase the thoughts out of her head, because Kali loved her. He told her so often, and he would never do that. Never.

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Sarabi paced worriedly, away from the pride, who were currently taking a five minute break, and not thinking of Simba anymore, but for herself.

FLASHBACK

Sarabi sat down by a nervous Sarafina curiously. "So, you wanted to talk?" she said plainly.

Sarafina cleared her throat, her eyes darting, but finally resting on the ex Queen's eyes. "Yes, well you've been so depressed, I have an idea to make you come out of it, but," she cleared her throat again, cautiously continuing with the conversation, "I don't know how you'll react. I think you should, um, how do I say this? I think you should spend the night with a rouge lion." Sarabi opened her mouth to speak but her friend covered it with her paw. "Let me finish. I think you need something to love, something to cuddle, something to feel next to your body. A cub would do that. Now you can speak."

"Scar. He'll kill it, he want's none of us to have cubs other then his. He will, Sarafina, you've seen him do it before."

"He can't. It's against the laws of the lands. 'A Queen's cub, no matter whose or when, shall never be killed, or face the consequences of death.' "

"He can CHANGE THAT!"

"Calm down! No, he can't, for it's a rule set in stone. All the prides have this law, and it won't happen Sarabi. I promise."

Sarabi cast her eyes downward. "I still can't. I have morals, and I must stay true to Mufasa."

"This isn't out of love, or lust. This is just for the purpose of impregnation. I'm sure he would understand. I truly do."

She considered this for a moment. "I would love another cub. Do you, ah, know where any rouge lions may be?"

Sarafina smiled, "There was one reported to be on the southeast boundary, and one directly to the south." The ex Queen gave her best friend one last glance before bounding off in the savannah grasses.

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XOXO - Alyssa