Crestfallen the two lions returned to Pride Rock, as the sun fully set on The Pride Lands. Kiara's head hung low as she walked beside Kovu back to the den.
Simba, who had been anxiously pacing back and forth looked over, his face filling with relief when he saw them.
"There are you." He breathed out. "We were wondering where you were!"
"I told you they were fine." Nala said, a small gentle laugh in her voice.
Two more lionesses emerged from the den, Kiara's grandmothers Sarabi and Sarafina. Their fur had started to whiten in their elderly age, but they still both walked out with pure elegance and grace.
Kiara's faithful babysitters however were nowhere in sight.
"Where's Timon and Pumbaa?" Kiara asked, barely managing to get the words from her throat,
"They went on a vacation with Bunga to the oasis." Nala explained. "Timon said his Ma was telling him to visit more last time she visited." She let out a small laugh until she saw her daughter's expression and frowned. She took a step forward, nuzzling Kiara gently. "What's wrong sweetheart?"
"I'm …" Kiara muttered the last part into Nala's neck, not audible to anyone.
"What?" Nala asked gently. "What is it, sweetie?"
"I'm …. Infertile." Kiara sniffled, just barely loud enough for the surrounding lions to hear.
"Oh, sweetheart…" Nala nuzzled her reassuringly. "It's all right."
Kiara started crying into Nala's neck, small whimpers escaping her throat.
Simba, and Kiara's grandmothers stepped forward, joining in the nuzzles, Kovu not far behind.
"Kiara …" Simba said, softly.
"Daddy." Kiara sighed.
Simba nuzzled his daughter close, letting her cry into his mane.
Kovu cleared his throat. "If this isn't a bad time to bring this up …Rafiki suggested adoption …"
"That sounds like a wonderful idea." Sarabi said gently, putting her paw onto Kiara's back.
"I … I still need to think about it .." Kiara sighed, pulling away from the others. "But right now … I really need to lay down …"
She headed into the den, Kovu quickly following after her.
SImba let out a sigh as he headed to the tip of Pride Rock to sit down. Nala sat beside him. "Simba? Are you okay?"
"I … I don't know." Simba sighed. "It always seems like something goes wrong with cubs in our family."
Nala frowned. "What do you mean?"
"We almost lost Kiara so many times, Kion was paralyzed, and …" Simba stopped, choking up a little bit.
"Kopa?" Nala asked, softly.
Simba nodded as tears streamed down his face. Nala nuzzled into his mane and gave him a lick on the cheek. "It's all right Simba …"
Nala looked up as the sky began to darken and stars began to glitter across the sky.
"Simba, look…" She whispered. "The Great Kings of The Past are here."
Simba looked up, his vision still blurred by his tears.
"That one." Nala said, nodding towards one of the sparkling dots.
"What?" SImba asked, his brows furrowed in confusion.
"That one." Nala said. "It's Kopa's star, remember?"
"Oh … right …" Simba sighed. "We first saw it … the night we … lost him …"
Nala nuzzled Simba closer. "He'll always be with us Simba."
Simba sighed
"Everything will be okay, just like before." Nala reassured.
Simba nodded slightly. "Right…"
"Come on, let's head to bed." Nala pulled back and headed to the den of Pride Rock. Simba paused for a moment and looked to Kopa's star.
It shined beautifly in the sky, in harmony with all the others. A small smile managed to form on Simba's lips as he followed Nala inside.
