Sorry I didn't update yesterday, I was working, and then straight after that I had a party and this morning…lol do I really need to explain that? Anyways reviews first:

Review replies:

Silver chocobo15: Yep the Lion King is the best Disney film. I used to watch it all the time too. Well, actually I watched it recently so that I could write this.

Angelicxox: I love the film too and Cloud/Aeris is the best pairing. Good taste my friend. Good taste.

Ghost in the Mirror: Hell yeah I am but I gotta cause there's no way I'm gonna let CloTi keep sneaking up the way they are!

PrincessHermioneNekoAyamani: Hey no problem about reviewing your story! And that would be great if you worked on the challenge! It'll be interesting!

Ok, now that's done, on with the story!

(P.S: Slightly different from movie but still based on it!)

Chapter One: Family Bonds

Nanaki sat in his cave, a contented look on his face as he looked at the drawing of Cloud that he had carved with his claws five years ago.

"Everyday he grows stronger and wiser into a King that will no doubt make us proud." He turned to see the sun rising and stretched, ready to face another day.

Cloud ran out of his room onto the balcony, eyes widening with excitement. He raced back in and ran through the corridors dodging as many servants as possible before he got to his parent's room. He threw open the door, leaping onto their bed earning a tired groan from his father. He crawled towards him and sat on his back shaking his shoulders.

"Dad!" He cried, shaking harder. His mother sighed.

"Your son is awake dear." She mumbled without opening her eyes. Zack responded by placing a pillow over his head, knocking Cloud off the bed in the process.

"When he's annoying, he's your son." He muttered.

Cloud scowled and leapt back onto the bed jumping up and down and still trying to get his dad up.

"Dad! Dad! Dad! Dad! Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad!" He whined. Zack groaned and took the pillow off his head and sat up. He yawned and stretched looking at Cloud through groggy eyes. Cloud frowned.

"You promised." He said.

"All right I'm up. I'm up." He responded reaching for his clothes. Cloud did a little victory dance before crawling to his mother.

"Bye mummy." He giggled throwing his arms around her.

"Have fun." She replied sleepily. Zack smiled as he finished putting his clothes on and sheathed his buster sword. Just in case.

"You gonna be ok?" He asked Tifa, eyeing her stomach carefully. She turned to him and smiled back.

"Yeah, the baby's not due for another week anyway."

"But still…"

"If anything happens, there are plenty of people here to help." She cut off his protests. Zack shrugged before taking his son's hand and walked out of the room.

Cloud bolted for the stairs opposite running up them all four flights to the very top of the palace. Zack reached the top eventually, slow because he was still half-asleep. Cloud stared at the Kingdom in awe as the rising sun illuminated everything in a heavenly, golden light. Zack smiled at the Prince's reaction and wrapped a hand around his shoulder.

"As far as the eye can see, is our Kingdom." He explained, pointing to the very outskirts of Midgar. Cloud looked up at him.

"All of it?" He repeated. Zack nodded. Cloud looked again, frowning when he saw a tall cliff at the edge of the city. He turned to his father.

"What about that cliff?" he asked. Zack hid his grim expression and kneeled beside him.

"What's at the top of that is beyond our borders," He said taking Cloud's hand and leading him back down the stairs. "You must never go there Cloud." He warned. Cloud had a look of puzzlement on his face as they walked past his parent's room and down another flight of stairs.

"But…I thought a King could do whatever he wants." He replied.

"There's more to being King than getting your way all the time." Zack answered with a grin. Cloud's eyes shone as he looked up.

"There's more?" He repeated voice full of enthusiasm. Zack laughed.

"Cloud." He warned as the palace gates opened and they walked into the city. Zack looked around, smiling as he saw Ilfana and Aeris busy watering the flowers that lined the street edges. Cloud spotted them too and waved to Aeris. Zack chuckled and picked Cloud up, placing him on his shoulders. Cloud giggled.

"Cloud, everything exists together in a delicate balance made by the Planet and you need to understand that balance and respect everything from plants to animals." Cloud frowned.

"But I thought we ate plants and animals." He replied.

"Yes, but we when die, the life stream only takes our spirits, our bodies are eaten by the grass, and some animals eat grass and then other animals eat them. The Planet wants us to be connected and a King is the best role-model to show people this."

"Ah Sire there you are!" Came a shout. Cloud groaned inwardly at the sound of his father's advisor, Vincent. Vincent stopped him from doing anything. Zack put the Prince down and turned to Vincent, meeting his crimson eyes.

"What is it?"

"Just the morning reports." Vincent replied, adjusting his cape. Cloud sat on a rock nearby, head in his hands. His eyes caught a stick and he picked it up, swinging it like a sword.

Vincent had a habit of closing his eyes when reciting the reports to the King and Zack would grow quite bored by the end. The King spotted Cloud and smiled creeping over.

"What are you doing son?" He asked.

"Practicing." Came the simple reply. Zack leaned in closer.

"Let an old pro show you how it's done." He whispered taking the Prince's hand.

"Hold it with both hands, feet apart." He instructed. Cloud did as he was told, tongue stuck out in concentration. Zack had to hold back his laughter.

"Right, now swing." He ordered. Cloud did so, hitting Vincent behind the knee. The older man went flying forward and Zack couldn't contain his laughter anymore. Vincent growled as he wiped muck off. A young woman run out to him and whispered something in his ear as Zack turned to his son.

"Ok Cloud this time you need to…"

"Sire! Kadaj and his gang have attacked the Western side."

"What!" Zack cried. "Right, Vincent, take Cloud home."

"I want togo!" Cloud protested.

"I said go home!" Zack yelled unsheathing his buster sword and racing down the street. Cloud watched him leave with a scowl.

"I never get to go anywhere." He complained.

"Young Master, when you are King you can chase those stupid no good savages from dawn until dusk." Vincent reassured him.

Cloud's eyes widened as the Palace doors opened and he was greeted by screaming. Then it stopped. One of the servants ran from his parent's room and spotted them.

"Where is the King?" She asked.

"Kadaj again." Vincent replied.

"Well, we have a Princess now." She explained before disappearing back into the room. Cloud frowned and turned to Vincent in confusion.

"Go to your mother." He said. Cloud ran up the stairs and peered into the room. His mother was leaning back on the headboard of the bed, a bundle in her arms. She smiled at Cloud when she saw him.

"Cloud, come here." She cooed. Cloud walked slowly over and she lowered the bundle abit. Cloud stared at the content, which, in his opinion was an overgrown peanut. Tifa smiled.

"This is your baby sister, Yuffie." She whispered.