"Simba….We need to talk." Nala sighed.
"What is it?" Simba asked, worry filling his voice.
"I think it's time we go back to The Pride Lands."
"But...what if everything's still dead and...and what if the herds haven't returned?"
"Simba, it's been two months." Nala said. "Things have probably gotten a lot better already….It's most likely livable again!"
"And what if it's not?" Simba challenged. "What if we go back and everything is just dead!?"
"Simba….."
"I can't bring us back to a death sentence!"
"Simba! It's not going to-"
"I can't risk it, Nala!" Simba sighed.
"Simba…"
"I don't want them to think I'm a bad king!"
"They won't!" Nala frowned, nuzzling into his neck.
"Why do you wanna go back so badly?"
Nala sighed. "I don't want to have my cub here…I want to have them at home…"
"I...I can't…"
Nala went over and put her paw on Simba's back. "...This is about something else isn't it?"
"What!? No!? I mean...yes...no...maybe…" Simba groaned and pulled away. "I….I just need some time alone…"
"Simba…."
Simba headed off, leaving Nala alone.
She sighed, heading back to the oasis and laying by a small body of water. What's gotten into him….;
Simba approached the pond where he'd talked to his father's spirit. He sat down and looked at his reflection.
"Father…" Simba sighed. "I don't think I can do this…They're all counting on me and I...I can't handle that pressure!"
Angrily, Simba slashed his paw through the water. His reflection wavered before become still again, and in its place was his father's face.
"Father….please...I need help…" Simba pleaded.
Above the clouds swished around and morphed into the figure of a majestic lion.
"Simba…" His voice echoed.
"Father!" Simba approached the clouds. "I need your guidance."
"My son, you are doing perfectly fine as king so far."
"It doesn't feel like it…" Simba put his head down.
"The lionesses trust you, you've given them a refuge until it's safe to return home." Mufasa continued. "And have shown them nothing but kindness unlike their former king."
"Then why do I feel like I'm not doing good?"
Mufasa let out a small chuckle. "I had the same anxieties you did when I first became king. It takes time before you feel truly like a leader…"
"Father….Nala wants to return to The Pride Lands, but I...I can't…"
"Why not?" Mufasa asked, gently.
"It….it brings back too many painful memories…."
"You cannot let your pain get in the way of your duties as king, my son." Mufasa explained. "Your Pride is depending on you."
"But, everytime I see Pride Rock, the hunting grounds, the….the gorge….I'll think of you...and...and.." Tears flowed down Simba's cheeks.
"We had many good memories in those places as well." Mufas said. "Try to remember."
Simba exhaled through his nose, thinking back to his cubhood.
Simba followed his father through the grasslands as the sun rose, and animals of the Pride Lands woke up.
"Dad." Simba yawned. "Why are we up so early?"
"I want you to see what the land is like early in the morning."
"But why? I'm not gonna get up this early anyway…"
Mufasa chuckled. "Sometimes a king must rise early to check on his kingdom."
"That doesn't sound so great…." Simba grumbled.
"A king has many duties. He can't just have fun all the time."
Simba rolled his eyes slightly and followed his dad.
Mufasa sat on top of a small hill, with a full view of the grazing lands. Zebras gathered to have their breakfast, and babies fed from their mothers.
"Whoa…" Simba said. "This is so cool!"
"The life in the Pride Lands is beautiful." Mufasa said. "And we must respect it."
"Because of The Circle of Life?" Simba asked.
"Yes my son."
"Hey dad?"
"Hm?"
"Do you think we can get Zazu to help us with more pouncing practice today?"
Simba sighed.
"You must not let the past hold you back, my son." Mufasa said. He paused for a moment. "Simba...if you ever feel alone or doubt your place in The Circle of Life, there's something I want you to remember….We Are One."
