Author's note: I don't own the Lion King or any of the characters except my own.

Sorry, this took longer then I planned. Now without further ado I present you:

Chapter 3: Déjà vu

It all began with a single drop which fell from the sky into the river making a soft splashing sound. The ripples that it sent across the surface of the water didn't even die away when it was followed by another one, then two, then three. Within seconds, there were hundreds and thousands of raindrops showering the world. Malaika sat in the entrance of the cave, silently watching the rain. She tried to sleep but the events of the recent day and her wandering thoughts didn't let her rest. She glanced back only to see that no one was awake but her. No wonder, she thought, it was the middle of the night after all. She looked at Ahi curled up close to his mother, and the other members of her pride, lionesses and cubs of all ages. She smiled a little as she remembered how they surrounded Kimo the previous day saying 'thank you' or asking questions. Then a group of cubs came along led by Ahi. They circled Kimo, all of them wanting to hear the story of the fight. For the third time. She fought the urge to laugh when she remembered how he fled from the cave with the cubs behind him, calling out her name for help.

A sudden grunt disturbed her in her thoughts. It was coming form the left side of the cave. In the darkness Malaika could make out the familiar brown fur of a lion. She stood up and made a few steps towards the sleeping Kimo. As she got closer she could clearly see that he was having a dream, and as she guessed not a pleasant one. He was shifting uncomfortably in his sleep, his tail twitched left and right and he was murmuring something. She sat next to him and carefully, not to wake anyone, she whispered in his ear.

'Kimo'

'No…' he muttered.

'Ssh, Kimo, wake up.' She leant closer.

'Mum…hold on…' His whole body tensed as he rolled on his other side.

'Wake up, you're dreaming.' She gently rubbed him on his shoulder wit her paw.

'NOOO!' Kimo bolted straight up panting heavily. His eyes slowly focused as he realised he wasn't dreaming anymore. He noticed that Malaika was next to him with a stunned expression on her face.

'Sorry, bad dream.' he said when he finally calmed down.

'Yeah, I saw you and I wanted to wake you up but I didn't have the time.' She sat at his side, close to him so they wouldn't have to speak loud.

'Thanks. But why were up this late?'

'I couldn't sleep so I was just watching the rain.' A few moments passed in silence before she spoke again. 'Do you want to talk about it?'

'About what?' Kimo gave her a questioning look.

'About the dream. About anything. I'm a good listener.'

'Not really. I'm fine.'

'Sure? I didn't see it like that yesterday...'

'I'm fine!' Kimo put a little more force into his sentence than what he aimed for. 'Sorry, it's just…'

'It's alright if you don't want to talk about it. Maybe later.' Malaika made a reassuring smile when she saw Kimo brighten up a little.

'Thanks.'

'Now go back to sleep. You've got a big day tomorrow.'

'Oh, now that you said it, what is the king like?'

'You shouldn't worry, he's quite friendly. Don't be nervous about meeting him. After all, he just probably wants to thank you for saving Ahi.'

'Well, if he's half as friendly as the pride, everything should go fine.' Kimo let out a huge yawn. 'You're right, I should sleep. Good night Malaika.'

'Good night Kimo.' Malaika stood up and made her way to her usual sleeping spot not far from Kimo's. She laid down and watched the brown lion doze off before she closed her eyes too.

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The sunrise found Kimo still sleeping inside the cave while some members of the pride were already preparing for the new day. He could hear the sounds of the awakening lions and he knew perfectly what it meant – it was time to get up.

'Morning, sleepy head! Rise and shine!'

Kimo opened his eyes, slowly adjusting his view to accommodate himself to the bright light coming from outside of the cave. He wasn't surprised to find a cheerful and energetic Malaika looking down on him.

'Ahh, do I have to? I'm so comfortable here…'

'Now, now, don't make me wake you! You know you have to meet king Jadi today.'

'Oh, alright, just five more minutes…' Kimo yawned and closed his eyes. In the next moment he felt a long, cold, wet lick across his cheek. He jumped up in an instant, his sleepy look gone replaced by a surprised one. Malaika just sat there giggling at the sight.

'What…Why…How…' Kimo could only mumble a few words, he was utterly bewildered.

'You know that always works on Ahi. And now I see it works on you too. You know it's such a hard job to wake you lazy males.'

Kimo shot her a playfully angry glance. 'Awww, why I oughta…'

'…meet the king.'

With that Malaika strolled out of the cave. Kimo sat there for a moment and ran a paw across his cheek. He could still feel the sensation caused by the lick of the young lioness's tongue. So familiar to the ones he received from his mother yet so different. Just thinking of it caused strange feelings inside his mind that he couldn't exactly place anywhere yet. Soon he stood up and followed her outside.

After a drink at the river Kimo and Malaika made their way back to the hill where the pride's cave was. But this time they headed for a small, separate cave. As they entered they spotted two lions. One was definitely well built, he hadlight yellowishfur and a huge crimson mane. The other was almost the exact copy of this lion, except that he was slightly smaller then him, and by look somewhat older then Kimo. As soon as they spotted the approaching pair the bigger lion turned to them.

'Good morning Malaika!' His voice was strong yet gentle.

'Good morning your majesty.' She turned to the other lion. 'Morning Kiruu.'

Kiruu didn't answer her he just kept staring at Kimo.

'Well, I see you brought someone with you as I asked. You must be Kimo, right?'

'Yes, your majesty.' Kimo made a bow before the royal lion.

'Please, no formalities, it is really unnecessary. I owe you the life of a member of my pride. And I wish to repay you. Is there anything I could do?'

'No, thank you.'

'Well, I'm sure there is something you can think of.'

Kimo shook his head.

'Well then…' The king suddenly stopped in his talk, and looked at Kimo in a strange way that made him feel embarrassed.

'Your majesty?' Kimo asked shyly.

'You look so familiar. Did we ever meet before?'

'No, I don't think so.'

'Oh well, I must be mistaking you with someone. Anyway, Malaika, would you leave us alone, I would like to talk with Kimo for some time. I owe him an explanation too.'

'Of course.' She turned around to leave. 'Bye Kimo, see you later.' She left the three of them in the cave.

'Come Kimo, let me introduce you my son.' Upon hearing his father refer to him Kiruu stepped forward. 'And then we shall talk about … Sharin.'

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Later in the day Jadi and Kimo were having a walk in the plains.

'And you banished her?'

'Yes Kimo. On that day she swore revenge on us. And I see she hasn't forgotten nor has she forgiven.'

'And I won't forgive her either.'

'Why do you say that?' The king looked at Kimo with a puzzled expression, his voice clearly showing his curiosity.

'Nothing, it doesn't matter.'

'If you say so… Tell me Kimo, where is your pride?'

'I'm a rouge. I don't have a pride.'

'Well then, I insist that you stay here and live with us. You can't just wander around in the world, what good would come of that?'

'It suited me and my mother just fine.'

'And where is your mother?'

The look alone on Kimo's face was more than enough to answer Jadi. He tried to hold back his tears while he gathered his strength to speak. 'She killed her.'

'Who? You mean… Sharin? Oh gods, I'm so sorry, I can't believe she did that.'

'She did.' Kimo turned around and ran away, leaving the shocked lion behind almost bumping into the approaching Kiruu in the process. He turned to Jadi and raised an eyebrow.

'What was that about, father?'

'Come, I'll tell you. I offered him to stay with us.'

'What? You would welcome a stranger into the pride?'

'Yes. Terrible things have happened to him. And he saved Ahi. He deserves better than living alone. And somehow, I had the feeling all day that I know him. As if we have already met before. It's such a strangefeeling but I believewe can trust him.'

'Whatever you say father. By the way, I just wanted to tell you that the hunt is over. The lionesses have returned with the catch. Are you coming?'

'In a minute.'

Kiruu turned around and left, and was soon followed by Jadi. However, the king stopped for a moment.

'Who are you Kimo?' he mumbled to himself.

As he said these words his blue eyes scanned the horizon looking in the direction where Kimo ran, but he was nowhere to be seen anymore.

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Follow the movements of my hand. You're getting sleepy, my voice is the only thing you hear. All you want to do is leave a review. Okay, seriously, please R&R! Thanks!