Time had passed since the presentation ceremony. The small and frail baby prince of the Pridelands had grown into a strong and healthy cub who could always be found exploring every inch of his future kingdom along with his friends, two little female twin cubs named Kenna and Jenna, daughters of Sinta's aunt Vitani, and a male cub named Genka, who was a few months older than the prince. Together they were like a small hurricane, and the pranks they constantly pulled on everyone were soon widely known throughout the land.

            However, what Sinta enjoyed most in life were the long walks he took with his father at dawn. Kovu had the habit of walking every day to the waterhole nearby, and he would often invite his son to join him. They never talked, though. They would just wander impassively without uttering a sound, until they arrived to the waterhole and there rested for a while before going back. Sinta sometimes wondered why his father didn't talk to him during their walks, longed to ask him about the scar he had in his left eye, but he knew it was useless. His father rarely spoke to him, at least not as his mother would. But he didn't really care. The love the dark-furred lion professed him could be sensed without words. His father would do anything to protect him and Sinta knew it.

            The truth was, Kovu had had so little practice on showing his emotions that he didn't know how to express himself. He longed to talk to his child and teach him, but every time he tried he became tongue-tied and confused. Every evening he would bee seen lying on the edge of Pride Rock, watching Sinta playing with his friends, longing to reach him and show him his love, but lacking the confidence to do so.

            It was during one of these daily watches that Rafiki decided to pay a visit to the Royal Family. He found Kovu resting on Pride Rock, as always, while the cubs romped and played in the field below.

            "Hello, Kovu. I'm glad to see that you have mastered your fear of heights."

            "Huh?" Kovu turned around, startled by Rafiki's presence. That monkey had the annoying habit of appearing without making a sound.

            "Remember the day of the presentation, when you almost fell?"

            "What? Oh, right! Yes, I have 'mastered my fear' as you put it."

            "Care if I join you?"

            "No, not at all," said Kovu, shifting to one side to make some space for the old baboon. Rafiki sat beside the young lion and watched as the sun slowly sank in the horizon. Somewhere near, they heard one of the lionesses' voice calling the children to get inside. They stayed there, motionless, until the sun had fully disappeared and the night had fallen. Then Rafiki stood up.

            "That was a beautiful sunset, wasn't it?"

            "Yes, it was."

            "You know, I can't help feeling that something is troubling you."

            For a moment, Kovu looked up straight into Rafiki's eyes, as if longing to tell him something. But the spell soon passed and Kovu lowered his gaze.

            "It's nothing."

            "You sure?

            "Yes," said Kovu, looking to the other side, something which, for someone so wise as Rafiki, meant totally the opposite.

            "Then I must be going," said the baboon, picking up his staff. "If you do ever feel something troubling you, you know where to find my tree."

            "Thanks" answered Kovu with a hint of sadness in his voice. No sooner had he said this when a small, furry ball ran into him, knocking the wind out of him.

            "Aouhhh, Sinta!"

            "Dad! Dad! I have something to tell you!"

            "Why hello, Sinta, you have grown much since last time I saw you."

            "Hi, Rafiki," said the little cub, barely turning around to see him. "Dad, Genka said he found a bird's nest in a tree near the gorge and the babies have just hatched! I know I'm not allowed to go that far, but can I go tomorrow with him and see them? Please? Please?"

            Rafiki laughed as Kovu raised himself and massaged the spot where his son had hit him. Sinta sat waiting for his answer with a pleading look in those orange-red eyes he had inherited from his mother. Kovu smiled.

            "Ok, you can go. But stay close to Genka and don't run off."

            "Cool! Thanks, Dad, wait till I tell Mum!"

            Kovu watched his son run into the cave shouting joyously for his mother. Rafiki watched him too, perceiving a small stirring in the lion's emotions. Rafiki knew what was worrying Kovu, he understood his fears and the pain he carried in his soul. But he also knew he wouldn't be able to help him until he was willing to let himself be helped. So the wise baboon left, hoping that day would come soon, for the good of Kovu.