Chapter One: Miru

DISCLAIMER: Oh, yeah, forgot to mention that. I don't own any of the characters of the Lion King, just this storyline, which I'm quite proud of, and a few characters I throw in myself. Anyway, here it goes . . .

He hated that name. Miru. It sounded so bland, forgettable, boring. Not like his brother's, Mufasa. That name was meant to hold power and promise. Of course, their father expected it from the cub.

Miru sat alone beside a glistening pond, staring off into the Pridelands. His father had taken Mufasa out hunting for the day and he was left to wait for them. He looked down at the water and grimaced.

His fur was a dark brown and matted-looking. His eyes were black in the center with a yellow-ish green around it. He looked weak and insignificant. He hated that reflection. Miru swatted the water angrily and destroyed the image into churning ripples.

"Oh, little one," a gentle voice said behind him. "What's the matter?"

Miru sniffed and turned away from the water. "I'm the worst-looking cub ever."

"I think you're beautiful, Miru."

"You have to. You're my mom."

"Come here, little one. What's the matter?"

He nuzzled his nose against his mother's fur on her leg, trying to fight his tears. "Papa took Mufasa off to hunt again today."

"And you're upset because they left you behind."

He nodded, not looking at her. A gentle paw lifted his chin to meet her eyes. No matter what happened, Miru knew that his mother would always be the most beautiful lioness he would ever see. Her fur was the palest yellow and it seemed to glow in the sunshine. Her nose was a soft pink and her eyes were a perfect blend of blue and green.

She smiled and licked his fur lovingly.

"Miru, why do you think you're the worst-looking cub ever?"

He sniffed again. "I just am."

"Miru . . ."

"Mufasa looks like Papa. That's why Mufasa's his favorite."

"Oh, Mufasa isn't your father's favorite."

"You don't have to lie, Mom. I'm not blind. He takes Mufasa everywhere with him and always leaves me here. I know he could care less what happens to me."

Her voice became stern. "Now, you know that's not true, Miru. Your father loves you both more than anything. He cares so much about you."

"Then why does he always leave me behind?"

His mother sighed heavily. "Miru, look in the water again."

The cub looked away stubbornly. "No."

"Not even for me?"

He looked to her pleading eyes and stood to join her near the water's edge. She smiled at him reassuringly.

"Now, look again," she said. "And tell me what you see."

He peered in the water, meeting his own eyes. His mother's reflection was beside him. It glowed brilliantly, but he saw no change in his own.

"I see an ugly lion cub," he said miserably.

"Well, I'll tell you what I see, then," his mother said softly. "I see a mother sitting beside a son that she couldn't be more proud of. I see an adorable little one with the sharpest eyes and the darkest fur. I see a cub that will one day be known through the Pridelands as the greatest leader in history. Do you see it now?"

Miru shook his head. "No."

His mother purred softly as she rubbed against his cheek. "You will someday, little one, I promise. Let's go back to Pride Rock, okay?"

She walked away slowly and Miru stumbled after her, laughing. Suddenly, a small, dark body crashed atop his mother. Then another, and another, until she was hidden beneath them.

Miru began to call for her, but a taut body struck him heavily. His world went black.