Hello everyone! I'm back whether you like it or not! :)

Before I start I just would like to give personal thankyou to all my reviewers (takes deep breath), this may take awhile.

Sulkenwolfpup: Thankyou for all your kind reviews. Luv ya! I have come to think of you as my editor as you find all my mistakes (glares). Don't worry I'm joking! Actually I think it's quite helpful, and I do look for them afterwards to fix them :). I guess ever since I graduated two months ago I haven't felt the need to use my brain lol.

Nala5: Glad you enjoyed the first chapter and hope you keep reading.

Ralli Kula : I love reading your reviews (I also like reading your fics good luck with them!). Glad you like the concept thankyou for all you support. I am very relieved that Zazu doesn't mean stupid (what crap have I been reading?).

Sunrise19 and Total-Jewel: I can't believe you guys are reading my stories!! To me you guys are like legends around here, love the fics from both of you. Thankyou for your support and happy you like the concept. Oh, and Sunrise I would also like to see how I make this romance thing work lol.

Jila2snoopy, Maran Zelde and Staticrhubarb: Thanks for reading and hope you continue. Glad you all like the concept. Jila, I always did think Kiara should have a sibling before a cub of her own because if she's a mother it just makes all the other characters and herself seem too old, very happy you like the subplot.

Chapter 3

Ma's home was very well, homely. It was much lighter than Zazu had expected, as the ceiling of the stump had a small hole cut into it, which almost reminded one of a skylight. The floor was not damp at all as it was covered in a carpet of soft dried grass. There were two nests inside, one in which Zazu was resting and another next to it. Ma had sat herself down on a rock on the other side of the room and seemed to be trying to attach some twigs, small vines and leaves together in a particular order.

"I must commend you on your home," said Zazu in an attempt to break the silence.

"Oh, aren't you sweet," replied Ma looking up from her work. "It's really nothing, the skylight was actually Timmy's idea. It is a nice change from living underground though."

"Will your mate be returning soon?" inquired Zazu " I suspect he will be wanting his nest back."

" My mate won't be coming back…unfortunately," replied Ma.

Zazu was a little confused about this at first, but then her saw the sadness in her eyes and immediately understood.

" I'm so terribly sorry," he said quietly, wishing that the floor would just open up and swallow him whole. "It's just that I saw the two nests and I well I presumed..."

"It's ok…really… it's ok," Ma interrupted. "It happened a long….a long time ago," she said with her eyes looking at the ground. " The extra bed is for Timmy or my Uncle Max, they do come and visit me from time to time ya know," thankfully she went back to her usual perky self while saying her last sentence.

Once again there was a moment of silence, while Ma went back to making, whatever it was she was making. Zazu just sat in the nest feeling a bit like he had just opened Pandora's box.

"Ahhh, all done," sighed Ma, suddenly jumping off her rock with her new creation.

" That's very well… artistic," Zazu said trying to sound convincing while looking at the thing Ma was holding up between her paws.

Ma just looked at him them looked at her creation then put a paw to her mouth to conceal her laughter, before giving up, and having a complete giggle fit. Zazu had not the slightest idea of what was so amusing.

" You really try to please don't you honey," she giggled. " This is just the sling I made for you wing," she continued wiping away a tear.

Zazu was pleased that at least someone was amused, he did not like to be laughed at, although he had tried a bit too hard to please her. Now that he thought about it, why did he want to please her so much? False flattery was usually only reserved for the King and Queen. He had no reason to wish for her approval and in this circumstance usually he would have just not said anything at all. As he pondered this he came to the conclusion that he just wanted to be nice to show gratitude for her kind hospitality. 'Yes that must be it,' he thought

"Anyway," said Ma walking towards him with the sling. " Put your good wing up so I can wrap this around you," she continued.

Ma then tenderly seated the injured wing into the sling, and wrapped her arms around him in order to tie the supporting vines around his neck. Zazu felt himself blush under his feathers, as she struggled to tie the ends together her arms still wrapped around him.

"There we go, now how does that feel?" Ma inquired while standing in front of him to admire her work.

"Much better thankyou," Zazu replied thanking his lucky stars that she could not see him blushing under his feathers.

"Umm this is quite embarrassing," he continued, "but I'm afraid that we have not been properly introduced yet. I never did catch your name?"

"Hmmm nice to know my son talks about me when I'm not around," she said sarcastically.

" Well, I wouldn't say he doesn't talk about you," at this Ma glared wondering if Zazu meant he talks about her in an unfavourable manner, Zazu caught this and quickly added, "In a good way! He just mostly refers to you as his Ma."

"Well, that is my name," Ma replied.

"What!" Zazu said in surprise, than changed back into his usual dignified tone, "I mean... really? That is quite an unusual name."

" It's not really my name just sort of," Ma explained. "My real name is actually Maha, but most of the meerkats around here find it easier to just call me Ma, especially the younger ones. Of course Timon calls me Ma because I am well, his Ma".

"Maha," Zazu repeated slowly, " Why, That's a lovely name.".

"Thankyou," said a very flattered Ma with a smile. Ma was more use to giving compliments than receiving them, suddenly she also felt herself blushing. Quickly she thought she would change the subject.

" Well Timmy will be back soon, I expect he and Pumbaa may stop by for a late afternoon snack, I best go collect some grubs," and with that she set off outside. Then she turned around and asked, "What would you like? You must be hungry?"

"Insect's will be fine, would you like me to accompany you?" said Zazu.

"Don't be silly honey!! Not in your condition, I'll be back soon, you just stay here and rest up. C'ya later Zazu!"

Before Zazu could argue she was already outside. Zazu was left alone in the tree stump and all was quiet. Zazu was sorry to see her leave even though he knew she would return soon, it had been along time since anyone had fussed over him with genuine concern, it was also nice to have a real conversation with another on his eyelevel, a change with no (or at least fewer) orders involved.

"C'ya later Maha," he said to himself before settling down to a nap.

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There you have it another instalment!! Hope Zazu didn't seem too OOC I know he doesn't normally show these kinds of emotions but I think there might be more to him than we may think. I thought Ma needed a name hope you guys like it I was looking for one in the baby names program under African and thought this one really suited her.

Maha: means Beautiful eyes