A/N: Ok I know it's Christmas break and I haven't updated! I'M SO SORRY! There's no excuse for this one, I've been really lazy and I've just been procrastinating for way too long! Sorry to all my loyal reviewers who've been waiting so patiently, I hope this makes up for it! I am indebted to all of you who have followed this story and I hope that you are enjoying it! Ok enough blabbering here we go!

XI
The Advent of Glory

Kiara lay peacefully on a small mound east of Pride Rock, taking in the fresh scent of the acacia leaves. The past few days had proved remarkably well for the pride, with all being peaceful and orderly. Her father, though usually hesitant and unsure as a younger ruler, had become quite decisive and firm, proving that he was no pushover to be taken lightly. Since her uncle's arrival, she noticed how warm and radiant Sarabi's aurora began to show, and admired the liveliness and gaiety of a lioness as old as she was.

All seemed well, but the exterior of this peacefulness could not be believed in full. Beneath the shell, Kiara and her family knew of the impending war Zira and the Outsiders had begun to plot. Kovu's behavior often times seemed unsure and nervous, showing to her and her family that there was much left to fear. Zira's hatred for the pride had begun to grow and flourish in such a way that war was inevitable. Kovu's betrayal had assured that.

Kiara was startled when she heard light steps trod up behind her. She turned her head to see Kovu coming towards her pensively, his radiant green eyes flashing with such gentleness. She smiled as he approached and bid him to lay next to her. He did so and they sat quietly watching the skies. They said nothing for a few moments.

"Umm," Kovu began uneasily. "You know…you've grown very beautiful."

She smiled softly. "Thank you Kovu. Your mane is coming in well. It'll be lovely and thick," she said as she brushed the big tuft out of his eyes. She sighed as it only flopped back into place.

Again an awkward silence prevailed over the two. Kiara finally decided to break the silence.

"You never came back after that day," she said plainly.

Kovu was taken aback at this statement, but quickly hid his shock. "I…I didn't know if I could see you again."

Kiara shook her head. Kovu noticed her eyes beginning to fill with tears, and he quickly began to worry. The entire time that he had been there, Kiara had looked at him almost fearfully, not with the same love and carefree vivacity that had once attracted him to her. She had been so sure that she wanted to do it…she had told him it would be ok, that everything would be all right. And he had wanted to do it…they were both so sure. But how can two adolescents be so sure about something like that? Then the young lion began to wonder.

"Kiara?" he asked urgently.

She didn't look at him, but he began to see the waving trails of tears slide down her cheeks. She swallowed hard and closed her eyes.

"Kiara…" he said softly as he gently scooted closer. "Kiara…was there a cub?"

She didn't say anything. She could barely speak. She looked into his eyes pleadingly almost, and within her eyes he saw shame of an immeasurable size.

"Yes…" she whimpered after a moment.

He turned his head away and pressed his eyelids shut. He took a deep breath and wrapped his paw around her, resting his head against the ground next to hers. He waited. He knew she would speak when the time was right, and until that moment and rubbed her back softly.

"She was beautiful…" Kiara whispered softly. "The most beautiful cub in the world. Nobody knew about her except me. I started getting these cramps and I didn't know what they were….then my stomach started getting bigger. I was so scared…I wasn't even a lioness yet. My time came too soon…I was too scared to tell anyone, so I ran off into the fields to a place I was sure no one would find me. I gave birth after a few hours. Oh Kovu…she looked just like you. She had your pelt and my eyes. But it was too soon for her, and the Kings took her from me after only a few minutes…only long enough to name her."

Kovu's eyes had begun to swell with tears at this realization. He swallowed hard. "And…what did you name her?"

She smiled. "I called her Ashiki…because I'd always love her. Just as I loved you…."

Kovu smiled and nuzzled her gently. "She must've been beautiful. Just like you. And you know what? I think Ashiki came to us for a reason. To remind us that there will always be love, and that it wasn't our time yet."

She nodded and put a paw on his. "You would have loved her…I know it."

Sarabi trudged quietly along the gravel path, and sighed deeply as the sun began its descent. She smiled warmly as the last rays of warmth greeted her aging body in a gentle embrace.

"Oh Mufasa…" she said with a smile.

She walked along quietly, wincing slightly at the pain in her joints. She shook her head lightly.

"It looks like these old bones are more feeble than they look," she said with a sigh.

It was true, Sarabi was certainly not the lioness she once was. She retained her regal build and emotion, but her strength was in rapid decline and her energy began to wean more and more. She felt the days begin to grow shorter, and the nights grow longer and longer. A full nights rest didn't sustain her any longer. She awoke with aching pains in her joints, and sore muscles would throb continually. The pride constantly suggested that she retire from her duties within the hunting party, but she continually refused. Though Nala was the leader of the hunting party, Sarabi had never left. She was still one of the top huntresses and was not willing to surrender her title to easily. But more and more her hunts began to fail, and she became less and less likely to take down a potential meal.

As Sarabi carefully observed the cloud linings, she heard the leaves brush behind her. She pricked up her ears and searched the sound. It wasn't familiar. She pinned her ears and whirled her head to face her adversary. Springing from the brush was a tan young lioness. She had crystal blue eyes and a tuft of fur hanging over her eyes. Her bones showed conspicuously through her pelt, and her claws were extended. Sarabi recognized that it was Vitani, Kala's firstborn.

"Vitani!" she cried.

The lioness said nothing, only continued stalking towards her with same angry glare. Sarabi stepped gingerly backwards to avoid her, but was startled by several loud roars that came up behind her. She had no time to react as she felt a series of claws dig into her shoulder blades and pull her down. She cried out in agony and struggled against her attackers but it failed. She looked up to see two outlanders pinning her to the ground and glaring down at her menacingly. She glared and bared her teeth, but they only laughed.

"So," Vitani said. "Here before me is the ever regal former Queen herself. The Great Sarabi lying here at my mercy. Who would've thought?"

Sarabi looked fearfully up at her. "Vitani why are you doing this!? You don't have to! You aren't obligated to!"

"Yes I am," Vitani replied darkly. "I have a higher authority to serve."

"No you don't!" Sarabi cried. "Zira isn't your mother, Vitani! You aren't obligated to do anything!"

"She took me in," Vitani said with a hiss. "She raised me. Gave me a home. Gave me a purpose. My parents never did that. They were fools who failed in raising my brother and I! They were nothing!"

"NO!" Sarabi pleaded. "Zira has told you lies Vitani! It isn't true!"

Vitani said nothing as she motioned for them to slit her throat.

"I knew your parents!" Sarabi cried at last.

Vitani stopped and looked Sarabi in the eyes. She nodded to the lionesses to stop and just hold her down. Vitani slunk close to her and sat next to her, bending her head towards the old lioness.

"What do you know about my parents?" Vitani asked darkly.

"They weren't what Zira said they were!" Sarabi said urgently. "Your mother was a beautiful lioness named Kala, and one of my best friends. Your father was a wonderful lion, a rogue named Sekou. They loved you very much Vitani…."

Vitani stared down at her emotionless. "How did they die?"

Sarabi glared. "They were killed by the very same lion you swore to avenge! Your father tried to retake this pride for us when Scar had thrown it into ruin. He had him slaughtered at the paws of a mountain of hyenas. Then he killed your mother after you were born! He ordered that you be separated and raised by Zira, to become the heirs of his line!"

Vitani glared and stared at the ground.

"Kala had another cub before you!" Sarabi continued. "Back in Mufasa's time! When Scar took over he slaughtered all the cubs born under my mate. Your half brother before you was among the dead!"

Vitani shot a violent stare at Sarabi and gritted her teeth before roaring "LIAR!"

She struck the lioness in the face and watched her wince in shock at the pain. Sarabi gasped for breath and coughed abruptly, shaking her head to clear the dizziness.

"You lie Sarabi! You're trying to poison me against my mother!"

"What proof do you need Vitani!?" Sarabi cried as she held back tears. "I saw your father die! I was there when you were taken from your mother, and I tried to save you! You can't believe Zira!"

"Who do I believe then!?" Vitani yelled back. "You!? The mother of the one I've been trained to kill? It doesn't work that easy old one. My life has been training for this day, the day we would reclaim this land and be able to return home. I can't, I won't let that go to waste."

Sarabi said nothing and just looked away from her. "Then I won't keep you from your goal Vitani," she said in a defeated tone. "Do what you came here to do."

Vitani looked at her coldly, but never raised a paw against her. "No," she replied. "I have other plans for you."

She looked up at the lionesses holding Sarabi down and grunted. "Take her to my mother! Tell her Vitani sends a grand gift."

The nodded curtly to her and each grabbed her by a scruff of her on her shoulders and dragged her off. Vitani smiled smugly and turned out into the Pride Lands.

Over at the waterhole, Kamau sat curiously looking at his reflection, with Tanabi cleaning himself not far off. He sighed deeply as he heard the slightest rustle in the brush, and ducked his head just in time as Kovu sprang forward. The young lion flew over his head and splashed into the waterhole, soaking Kamau.

"Damn!" he yelled. "So much for trying not to get wet!"

Tanabi laughed heartily and shook his head.

The three turned their heads as they saw Simba run towards them briskly, his flowing mane brushing over his face. He skidded to a halt and looked at them urgently.

"Have any of you seen Sarabi?" he asked. "I can't find her anywhere! She's been gone all day!"

"No," Kamau said uneasily. "I thought she was with you!"

"I thought she was with you!" Simba replied.

"Well you all suck at babysitting an old lioness if that's how you're solving it," came a sly response.

Everyone turned their heads to see Vitani emerge from the brush with a smug smile set on her lips. Kovu growled a warning but Simba extended a paw, urging that he be silent.

"Where is she Vitani?" Simba asked coldly.

Vitani smirked. "She's currently under our hospitality," she replied sarcastically. "And it will be staying that way for a while."

"Vitani leave Sarabi out of this!" Kovu cried. "It's not her you want! It's me, I betrayed the Outlanders!"

"No it isn't you we want!" Vitani growled angrily. She whirled her head towards Simba and Kamau, standing side by side. "It's them."

Simba and Kamau glared angrily at the smug young lioness, and Kamau twitched his tail in an agitated way.

"Come to the western gorge before the sun reaches the tip of the western mountain," Vitani said darkly. "If you want to see Sarabi alive, you will renounce your title as King before the Outlanders and surrender your lands freely. If not, Sarabi will be dealt with accordingly."

Simba glared at her and bared his teeth, bearing a greater hate in his heart than he'd ever known.

"See you there," Vitani replied with a smirk.

With that she disappeared behind the brush, leaving the four males speechless and cold with fear. Simba's blood ran cold, and he felt his paws begin to tremble as it hit him that his beloved mother was at the mercy of these ruthless killers. His heart began to pound as he saw her face in his head, her eyes wide with fear and her bloodcurdling scream rupture his eardrums.

Mother…

Well there's a weak cliffie.....ANYWAY I have some plans now for this, so you can expect that I shouldn't take as long to update, though don't be surprised if it doesn't come up too quick! I'll try and have it up as soon as I can though! Bye now!