Disclaimer: once again, I do not own any of the original Lion King characters

A/N: Special thanks 2 sulkenwolfpup and SunRise19 for spelling of names  I'm rlly bad at spelling . Katani and Vitani are the same lion! Her real name is Vitani not Katani SRRY!  Hope You Enjoy!

Aza: Scar's Daughter; Searching for Aza

A roar echoed through the Pride Lands. Simba sat at the edge of Pride Rock. Memories came flooding back to him. His father teaching him how to be king, Kiara's presentation when she was a small cub…

"Simba?" came an uncertain female voice from behind him. "Simba, what's wrong?" Nala looked at her mate with her beautiful blue-green eyes round with worry.

"Everything," Simba breathed.

"Surely not everything?" she asked hopefully. Simba sighed.

"You wouldn't understand."

"What wouldn't I understand?" she was yelling now. "You've said that to me before. I would if you'd just tell me." She looked at Simba with a hard stare. She was right, he realized, as usual.

"Aza's run of with Homa and some of the others…and-" Nala smiled mischeviously.

"You told us that Aza was planning something. So we convinced Phenyo to – shall we say – spy for us. She was one of the ones Taja asked…"

"There's another problem!" exclaimed Simba, "Taja's dead. I could have saved her, but…"

"But you were smart and came to us first. You know Aza, she would have torn you to pieces with Taja at her side!"

"Taja wasn't on her side!"

"You don't know that." Simba shook his head in frustration, his amber mane whipping from side to side. "We can't change that she's dead," Nala said gently, "Haven't you heard this before? You can't change the past." Simba looked out over his kingdom.

"Kiara…"

"Is growing up," Nala finished. "She has to sometime." Nala smiled. "I know how you feel though. No parent wants their cub to grow up so quickly." Simba sighed again.

Nala sensed something more was bothering her mate, but she didn't press the matter. Instead, she commented:

"Kiara and Vitani are taking patrols to find Aza."

"Is everyone gone?" Nala nodded.

"Everyone except for Yejide and Chalondra, who hasn't left Pride Rock since she was accused."

"Let's go then – where are they looking?"

"The Outlands." Simba growled nervously.

"We shall waste no time." With that, Simba and Nala bounded off.

"SIRE!" Simba looked up to see his majordomo Zazu flying overhead. "Sire, the patrols have searched every nook and cranny in that disgusting place! The only thing they found was – was a cub!" Zazu had to yell over the flapping of his wings and the pounding of the king and queen's feet.

Once the trio had reached the Outlands, they sat down to rest as they listened to a report from Zazu. Apparently, the cub was only just born.

"But why would they abandond a cub?" Simba pondered aloud. "and whose is it?" Nala's expression was as confused as his.

"Simba!" Simba turned to see Kovu coming out from the undergrowth. "You are needed!" Simba, Nala and Zazu followed Kovu to the Outlands camp. At one of the lionesses feet lay a week old cub.

The lioness that seemed to be caring for it – Marali – looked at the cub tenderly. It was a very small and female. Her fur was a deep shade of gold. She had glowing green eyes that looked around curiously. She had awkwardly big paws that toyed with the dirt in front of them. She purred happily.

"What should we do with it?" asked a lioness named Syori. When Simba didn't answer, she stalked off with the lioness Lisha to search the Outsiders' former camp.

Vitani announced her arrival with a roar. Simba turned to see she had come with a young male about Kovu's age. Kovu and Simba leapt to their feet. The male's deep brown fur bristled. He had raven black mane that reflected the sun. Vitani, seeming not to notice the tension between the males, introduced the newcomer as Chisulo.

"He says he saw Aza and the others leave in the direction of the Pride Lands, with the hyenas." Simba growled at this.

"Where is Chisulo from? And will he speak for himself?" inquired the lioness Lorado. Chisulo showed his teeth at her.

"Of course I can talk," he growled.

"Are you a loner?" asked Kiara sweetly.

"Yes!" he snapped. Kovu pricked his ears and stalked over to sit by Kiara.

"Do you know of anything else?" questioned the lioness Zakiya.

"Yes. There are two males traveling with them." A gasp rippled through the assembled lions.

"Do you know them?" asked Marali, still sitting with the cub, who was now asleep. He nodded.

"They are loners like myself," he began in a more friendly tone, "their names are Jahari and Tupac. They are strong and fierce, beware of them." Simba nodded his thanks.

"After such assistance, I can only offer our hospitality," he said regretfully.

"Won't you join us?" asked Vitani hopefully. Chisulo frowned. Some of the others, including Marali nodded encouraginly. After much coaxing, the loner consented.

"Welcome," said Simba. Chisulo smiled.

"We found something!" Kiara heard Syori's roar. She and Vitani, who was followed closely by Chisulo, bounded towards the noise.

"What is it?" asked Kiara. Lisha stepped aside to reveal another young cub, crying loudly for its mother. It resembled the other cub they had found.

"They must be siblings," remarked Vitani, noticing the same deep gold pelt that the other cub had. Chisulo stared at the cub for a long while.

"Do you know whose cub that is?" he asked curiously. The other lionesses shook their heads.

"Why?" asked Kiara, "do you?" Chisulo shook his head. Vitani shrugged and scooped up the cub. This one was male. She trotted into the clearing followed by Lisha, Syori, Chisulo, and Kiara. Dropping the cub at Marali's feet she said:

"I think this is her brother." The cub, who had been sleeping, woke when the other cub was dropped on top of her. They sniffed each other carefully, and then settled down for a nap.

"What will we name them?" asked Syori.
"What about Kanoni for the female," suggested Nala. The others agreed.

"I think Bikila for the male," Malari said quietly. Again, the others nodded their agreement.

"Will you raise them Marali?"

"Of course."

With that, at Simba's signal, the lions began the slow return to Pride Rock. Marali held Kanoni by the scruff and carried him home. Kiara scooped up Bikila and followed her friend. They were met by no trouble on their journey home. Once they were within a few yards of Pride Rock, Simba roared to Chalondra and Yejide. A roar replied, but not that of their friends.

"Greetings, Simba," a growl startled them. Looking up, they saw before them, Aza. "Welcome to my new kingdom." She sneered. "I will continue what my father started!" she roared. Homa, Efia, Phenyo, and Qwara lined up behind her. The two lions Chisulo had mentioned weaved their way behind Aza. One of them, ("That's Tupac," Chisulo whispered.) went to stand beside Aza. Below them, hyenas trotted out into the open, laughing evilly.

"Step down, Aza!" roared Simba.

"Do you challenge me?" she asked slyly.

"No, I asked you to step down!"

"And what if I said no?"

Srry, kinda weak, but hey, I try. PLEASE REVIEW!!!! Hope u liked it!