The Start of Malakai and Razi

Malakai's dream had finally came true; he was living in the Pridelands. When everyone had returned to the Pridelands, Malakai watched Simba sit at the tip of Pride Rock. He thought it would be nice to meet Simba and went over and sat down right next to him. Malakai looked at Simba but Simba didn't notice he was there. Malakai looked out at the Pridelands and was astonished by the beauty. "These lands are much nicer than the Outlands. The tranquility is exquisite,"said Malakai. Simba looked up at Malakai and acknowledged his presence. "I'm glad you feel that way,"said Simba.

"Was the land always this peaceful?"

"No. It only became this peaceful today. All of the negative forces have left the Pridelands."

"Zira was a negative force and so was Scar."

"That's right. Did you ever feel like you were a negative force."

"I felt like I was forced to be something I'm not. I could never meet Mother's expectations because we never were able to see eye to eye. She always wanted what she thought was best for me but I never thought that was right."

"I understand. A parent always wants what's best for their loved ones but sometimes their judgement is not the best."

"Mother always hated it when I would stare out at the Pridelands. It has always been my dream to live out here."

"It looks like your dream has finally come true."

"It has but something is missing. There's still a part of my dream that has not been made reality."

"If there is anything I can do for you I would be more than happy to help Malakai."

"I have always wanted to start my own pride. I want other to believe in what I believe in. I don't want controversies among families; just happiness."

"That's a strong ambition Malakai but you can't force others to believe in your beliefs."

"I am not trying to force others but I am trying to find others or convince others about my beliefs. I don't want any other animals going through what I had to go through. It is too painful to even think about it."

"You have very strong hopes and I believe you will go far one of these days but you must move slowly. You can't achieve greatness overnight."

"I appreciate the help Simba but I think these answers are things I will have to discover for myself."

"I realize that but I want to point you into the right direction so your dream can be fulfilled."

"There is one thing I would like to ask you."

"What's that?"

"I will first tell you that I love Razi. She has defended me and taken very good care of me and I have grown to admire her bold spirit. Both of your daughters have it. Razi is a wonderful lioness and I wish she would be able to accompany me on my journey."

"Malakai, I would love you to have Razi go with you but I need some time to think about this."

"I understand."

"I think we need to give Razi some time to think about this as well. There is something very important I have to tell her later on tonight."

"That she's your daughter?"

"How do you know that?"

"By the way Mother always treated her. Mother never referred to her as her daughter; she always said that Razi was just a cub that joined the family."

"Has anyone told Razi yet?"

"No."

"Good, I will tell her tonight."

"When will you tell her about my ambition?"

"I believe you should tell her."

"Do I tell her tonight?"

"Only tell her when you feel the time is right."

"How will I know?"

"You just will." Simba got up and went into the den where he found Kiara sleeping with Kovu beside her. Razi was snuggled up in a corner with Vitani and some other lionesses. Simba looked at Razi and sighed. Malakai came in and laid down next to Razi. Simba looked at Malakai and Razi together and smiled. Simba went back outside of the den and looked out over the Pridelands.

When the sun began to set, Simba pulled Razi aside. "Razi,"said Simba. "Yes,"she replied.

"There is something very important I must talk to you about."

"What did I do wrong sire?"

"You didn't do anything wrong and you don't have to call me sire."

"Alright." Simba took Razi into the Pridelands and found a nice quiet spot where the sun could be seen clearly. "Razi, I don't know how to tell you this,"said Simba.

"Look, if it's about my family-"

"No, it's not about your family. Actually, it's about you."

"Okay."

"Did Zira ever say anything to you about not being a part of the family."

"What do you mean?"

"Like you didn't belong to her and you weren't one of Scar's children."

"Oh no. She never said anything like that to me."

"I'm surprised she didn't."

"Should she have said anything to me?"

"You would have found out sooner or later."

"Simba, what are you talking about?"

"Razi, you are my daughter."

"What?"

"You were taken away from us by Zira when you were just a cub. She threatened to kill you if you didn't mate with Nuka or Malakai. I didn't want you to die so I gave you to Zira in order to keep you alive."

"I can't believe it. You're my Father. I actually have a Father and a family that will care for me. It feels so strange knowing that I will never be abused by my Mother again any yet, it hurts."

"What hurts?"

"The scars."

"She scarred you?"

"No, these scars can't be seen because they are on the inside. The bad memories of my Mother and her tormenting ways. I always felt like there was a part of me that was missing and I think I have found it. It was my real family. Although I still feel pain."

"What kind of pain?"

"I don't know. I feel like there are more scars growing."

"You'll find out what they are from eventually."

"Yes I will but I think I know what they are from."

"What's that?"

"From not knowing who I really was for so many years. If you knew Zira had me, why didn't anyone ever try to rescue me?"

"Razi, it wasn't that we didn't want to."

"What was the reason then?"

"I in particular wasn't sure if you were even still alive."

"But you said Zira would never kill me if I mated Nuka or Malakai."

"That's true. She said that the day she took you but knowing Zira, I knew she wasn't going to keep to her word."

"It doesn't matter. Why didn't you fight to keep me in the first place?"

"I was more worried for you stay alive. Do you know how hard it was for me and your Mother to give you up?"

"It must have been really hard."

"It was."

"And now is it harder to accept me now that I have come back home. Are you going to keep me around or give me to another lioness?"

"No, Razi. We never meant-"

"Save it! I don't want to hear anymore. This is just too much!" Razi ran off, following the incoming stars into the night. When the sun had completely disappeared, Simba wasn't able to see Razi. He walked back to Pride Rock alone and into the den. Malakai was waiting for his arrival back but was edgy when he saw Simba was alone. "Simba, where's Razi?"he asked. Simba looked at Malakai and sighed. "She ran off Malakai,"said Simba.

"What?"

"She was mad at me and took off."

"What happened? Why was she mad?"

"She is more hurt about me having to give her up to Zira more than ever."

"That's why she's mad?"

"Yes. I wish I could take back everything I said just to make Razi happy."

"No, you shouldn't have to take back what you have said to her. She needs to know these things no matter what. Even if it hurts her, she is going to have to cope with what has happened in her past."

"I feel bad. I didn't want this to happen. I didn't want to disappoint her or make her upset."

"There's nothing you can do now but there is something I can do."

"What can you do?"

"I can go find Razi and set things straight."

"Malakai, don't be hasty. You can't leave now; it's the middle of the night. Besides, you don't even know where Razi is."

"She won't be that hard to find."

"Are you sure this is what you want to do?"

"Yes. I'll leave first thing in the morning and have your daughter back by nightfall." "What are we doing first thing in the morning?"asked Kiara. "I couldn't help over hearing." "How much of that did you hear Kiara?"asked Simba.

"Some...most...all of it."

"So you heard that your sister is missing."

"What?"

"Razi is missing."

"I know that but you said she was my sister."

"Yes, she ran off after I finished talking to her. I told her that she was my daughter and she became mad."

"How can she be mad if she found out that she's your daughter?"

"She was more hurt because we never did anything to save her. Malakai was going to go find her in the morning and bring her back by nightfall."

"I can help to Daddy."

"Kiara I don't want you going on this journey. It could be dangerous."

"I can do it. Kovu can come with me."

"Kiara."

"Father please, I can do this and it will be safer if I have Malakai and Kovu with me."

"Alright you can go."

"Thank You Father." "Don't worry Simba. We'll find Razi and bring her back,"said Malakai.

When the sun came up the next morning, Kiara, Kovu, and Malakai were ready to leave. Simba and Nala sat out at the tip of Pride Rock. Nala nuzzled Kiara. "Be careful Kiara,"she said. "I'll be fine Mother,"said Kiara. "All of you have to be careful when going on this kind of journey. I don't want anybody getting hurt on this type of journey. Please take caution and watch over each other,"said Simba. "Everything will be fine Simba,"said Kovu. "We'll be back by nightfall,"said Malakai. "Alright,"said Simba. Kovu, Kiara and Malakai were soon off on their journey to find Razi with Malakai leading the way. They traveled into the farthest distance of the Pridelands but had no luck finding Razi. They traveled farther and farther but still no sign of Razi and the night was rolling in. "Malakai, we've had no luck finding Razi and it's almost nightfall. My Father will be worried if were not back,"said Kiara. "Don't worry. We're getting close,"said Malakai. "How do you know?"asked Kovu.

"I know because I know."

"I don't trust that answer."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you could be taking us around in circles and not even know it. I think we should go back!"

"We're not going back! I know where we're going."

"No you don't. Malakai, you have never been anywhere outside of the Outlands. How do you know where we are headed?"

"I know from my instincts and they are telling me that Razi is still out there and we are going to find her. I will not rest until I have her with me! Now let's go!" Malakai started to run off into the Pridelands again with Kiara and Kovu following behind. Soon, it was nightfall and there was still no luck finding Razi. Kiara was getting really tired. "Malakai, can we rest? I am exhausted,"said Kiara. "No, we have to keep going,"said Malakai.

"Malakai, my Father is probably wondering where we are. We have to go back."

"We are not going to go back until we have found Razi."

"What if we never find her?" "You don't have to find me,"said a voice from the bushes. The bushes began to shake and rustle and out of them came Razi limping on her front foot. "Because I'm here." "Razi! Your alright!"cried Malakai. Malakai went over to Razi and nuzzled her. Malakai was nuzzling Razi so hard that she feel to the ground and whimpered. "Razi are you okay?" "Yeah but my paw is sore. I think I have something stuck in it,"she said.

"Let me see."

"You can't why. Does it hurt too much?"

"It hurts enough to where I can't walk on it."

"Let me see your paw Razi." Razi laid her body on the ground and lifted her paw up to show Malakai. "I see something,"he said. Malakai saw what it was. It was a large thorn from a thorn bush caught in between two of her pads. It was too deep for Malakai to get a grip on and pull out. "Razi, I don't think I can get it,"said Malakai. Kovu came over and tried to pull it out but it was too deep for him too. Kiara wanted to give it a try. "Could I try?"she asked. "I don't know Kiara,"said Malakai.

"Why not?"

"If I couldn't get it and Kovu couldn't get it, what makes you think you can get it?"

"Maybe because I don't have a bushy mane in my face that prevents me from seeing what I need to see."

"I suppose you could try but don't count on success." "Oh please Malakai! Let her try. After all, she is my sister and I trust her,"said Razi. Kiara smiled at her and stepped over to her paw. Razi lifted her paw up for Kiara to see. "I see it. Okay, I'm gonna try and pull it out,"she said. Kiara bent her head down and gently wrapped her teeth around the small piece of the thorn. Kiara began to pull the piece of thorn out. Razi whimpered in pain but stayed still. Kiara got half of the thorn out and had to let go so she could quickly breath. Kiara sighed and then grabbed the thorn again. Kiara had to pull harder and harder every time just to get the thorn farther out. Every pull became more painful for Razi to handle but she still laid still With a final tug, Kiara got the whole thorn out. Razi felt a lot better. She stood up and tried to put pressure on her paw and she did. "Thank You so much Kiara! You got the thorn out,"said Razi. Razi was so happy the thorn was out and went and nuzzled Kiara. "What are you guys doing out here anyway?"asked Razi. "We're looking for you,"said Malakai.

"What for? I have come out here to start my own life. I am putting every part of my past behind me and am trying to relive my life to the fullest."

"Razi, what about the family you have with Simba. He just got you back and he isn't willing to let you go again."

"He is going to have to let me go because I am not going back. The memories are too painful."

"What part of your Prideland past is so painful?"

"Being taken away from my family."

"You weren't even able to comprehend what was going on at that age."

"That's true but it still hurts to think about it. Who would be so dumb as to give away their cub?"

"Your Father did that so he could protect you Razi."

"He could have rescued me after I was captured."

"Look, I understand you were hurt but can't you learn to forgive and forget?"

"I know I have to put the past behind me and move on but that's what I thought I was doing."

"No Razi. All your doing is hurting your family who loves you very much."

"I don't mean to hurt. I only want-"

"You want do much out of life and it is hard to get what you would like to achieve."

"I have had so many things in life that I wished to achieve and never did and I thought-"

"By going to start your life over, you could achieve everything that you have wished to achieve."

"Exactly." "Razi you don't have to run away just to get what you want,"said Kovu.

"How would you know? Mother babied you and gave you all of the attention."

"She may have walked me through life but it was down the wrong path. I finally figured out that te path I took was wrong and walked back. You can still turn around and walk back too."

"I already have."

"But you've taken another wrong path. Running away isn't going to solve anything. You problems will keep haunting you until you face them."

"I don't want to face them."

"Then how are you going to get anywhere in life if you don't?"

"I don't know." There was silence for a moment. Razi bent her head down and sighed. "I guess I was too stubborn to admit that I was scared of my fears. I know that this isn't the best option and it isn't my only one. I think I will walk a new path; the path with you guys." Kiara smiled at Kovu and nuzzled his neck. "Razi can you believe it? We're sisters!" "I know, it's a cool thought,"said Razi. "While we're on the subject of family, there is something I would like to say,"said Malakai. "Razi, I would be honored if you would start a pride with me." Razi looked up at Malakai and smiled. "That is a very generous offer Malakai but why me?"asked Razi.

"You are the only one you really loved me in our family. Mother always abused me, and Nuka always blamed me for his foolishness. I was constantly alone and hoping that my dreams would come true but they never did until you showed me compassion."

"Oh Malakai."

"Razi please. I think we could create a wonderful pride. We have the world to explore and all the time we need."

"It sounds fantastic Malakai."

"Excellent! We shall leave right now."

"Malakai, it's the middle of the night. Let's sleep and then leave in the morning."

"Alright. Kiara and Kovu nestled down onto the soft grass below them and so did Malakai and Razi. Kiara felt more at ease knowing that Razi was found. The night was so tranquil and the sky was shining bright with stars.

When Kiara and Kovu awoke the next morning, they found themselves on Pride Rock with Rafiki above them. "What are we doing here?"asked Kiara. "Rafiki found you all alone in the vast savannah with no one around,"said Rafiki.

"What do you mean? Razi and Malakai-"

"They had already left when you slept soundly."

"They didn't even say goodbye."

"They said it would hurt too much to have to come all the way back and said goodbye to everyone." Kiara was heartbroken. Her new sister didn't even want to say goodbye to her family which she had just gotten reunited with. "I still don't understand how we got back,"said Kovu. "It's a good thing you have family looking after you,"said Vitani. "Rafiki came back and told us where you were and the whole pride came out to get you. Everyone took turns lugging you guys on their backs on the way back home."

"Was Simba worried when we didn't return by nightfall?" "I was worried but felt better when Rafiki came back and got us,"said Simba as he entered the den. "Daddy I am really sorry,"said Kiara.

"Everything is fine now that I know everyone is safe."

"We tried to get Razi to come back but-"

"She already explained to us what was going on."

"How?"

"She was pretty close by when Rafiki had come to get us. I was able to catch up to her and Malakai before they left."

"I can't believe she didn't want to say goodbye."

"She said it would be too hard but she also said that this isn't goodbye."

"Huh?"

"She said that this is only the beginning. This was the start of a life she has always dreamed of. Malakai is going to be able to have his own pride and they will live together. She said she will return someday to the Pridelands with her own family."

"I understand but it still hurts knowing she won't be here with me."

"Just because you can't see her doesn't mean she isn't here. She is still here in spirit." Kiara smiled at Simba and nuzzled him with tears of joy. Vitani and Kovu smiled at each other and then nuzzled Kiara to make her happier. Kiara went out to the tip of pride rock and looked out at the vast savannah. "Don't worry Razi. I'll be okay,"she whispered into the wind. As Razi and Malakai walked farther and farther into the savannah, Razi heard Kiara's whisper. She stopped and sat down quietly. "It's okay Kiara. Everything will be fine. You'll see, I'll return,"she whispered.