As the sun began to rise over the horizon a painful roar echoed through the air. All the prey and predator animals alike lifted their heads at the source.

In a small cave by the water hole laid Sabra on her side breathing heavy. Next to her sat a young creamy lioness, her dark green eyes filled with concern as she tried to couch the older lioness through her labor.

"I'm tying Tiifu!" Sabra groaned through gritted teeth as she shut her eyes close.

Desta and Sariel ran into the cave, concerned and fear is showned over their faces.

"Is it really happening?" Desta asked with fear clearly in his voice.

This is Sabra's third pregnancy. Her second pregnancy ended from miscarriage after being attacked by a pack of hyenas.

Later that night Sabra woke letting out a painful roar. Everyone thought the light beige lioness was in labor. But in the end, Sabra had a miscarriage due to the attack earlier. Now after trying again, she went full term without any problem. Mainly from the overprotective father and grandfather.

Tiifu looked from Sabra to the brownish lion. She was going to say something but another ear splitting roar echoed through the cave. Tiifu looked at Sabra as the light beige lioness pushed.

The two stood there watching until the sound of cub cries knocked the two out of their trans.

Sabra smiled at the two. "Meet our newest members."

"Members?" Desta gulped before walking closer and peered over his mate's paws.

There was two little bundles of fur in her paws. The oldest was light beige and the other was dark brown with a little mix of auburn in the fur.

Sabra nuzzled and licked the cubs' heads. The cubs opened their eyes to reveal bright dark purple eyes.

"They have your eyes." purred Sabra.

Tiifu smiled at the cubs before looking at the new mother. "What are you going to name them?"

Sabra looked at the oldest girl and smiled. "Asteria after my mother."

Desta was looking at the other cub with interest. This caught his mate's attention.

"What?"

"The other is Sherise."

Sabra looked at the dark brown cub. "Sherise?"

Desta nodded. "I see she will rise to do great things."

Sabra and Tiifu smiled. "It's perfect."

~O~

The months passed and the twins grew into healthy and adventurous cubs. At this time Asteria and Sherise was out with Luis and Jashua. With the ever watchful eye of their father and grandfather.

Desta and Sariel vowed that with everything in their power they won't let anything happen to the twins.

After six months it got frustrated with all the overprotectiveness. But they made it sane through their teen stages. In a few months they will be young adults ready to take on anything. Even princes that lost their way.

~O~

A adult Kopa stood little ways from Pride Rock, his dark brown mane blew lightly in the afternoon wind. He inhaled and exhaled as he waited his signal.

A young adult Jesús turned a corner with a smile. Over the months of growing up Jesús had matured nicely. His black mane had grown where it was pushed aside but there was a few peices that fell from into his eyes.

Kopa had his father's mane but his maternal grandfather's body.

"Nervous brother?"

Kopa laughed. "Me nervous? When have you known me to be nervous?"

Jesús laughed. "Well that time we were in the Waste Land.."

The tawny lion shook his head. "That was the rage of battle. How else could I have fought my way through a hundred warriors and pulled us out alive?"

Jesús chuckled. "As I recall, I was the one who helped sneak our escape."

Kopa smirked. "Some do battle, others just do tricks."

A young dark yellow lioness stifles a laugh. Jesús notices, doesn't like it. He growls which made the lioness jump and scream. Jesús chuckles.

"Jesús..."

Jesús snickered. "Just a bit of fun" to the young lioness. "Right, my friend?"

The lioness isn't so sure. Another young lioness with dark orange fur walked over and put a vine necklace around Kopa with a few eagle feathers as charms. Kopa dons his necklace.

"Nice feathers." Jesús smirked.

"You don't really want to start this again, do you, antelope?" Kopa growled referring to the horns on the red-brown lion's head.

Jesús chuckled. "I was being sincere!"

Kopa looked at his brother with a raised eyebrow. "You're incapable of sincerity."

"Am I?" Jesús laughed before taking a deep breath and looks his brother in the eye, all pretense lost. "I've looked forward to this day as long as you have. You're my brother and my friend. Sometimes I'm envious, but never doubt that I love you."

Kopa searches his brother's face, sees no trace of irony. He's either speaking from his heart or he's a very, very good liar. Maybe both. Kopa puts an appreciative paw on his brother's shoulder.

Kopa smiles. "Thank you."

The two brothers take in the moment a beat, then: Jesús looks at his brother and smirks. "Give us a kiss."

Kopa glares. "Stop!"

Kopa makes the final adjustments to his fur and mane before looking at his brother. "How do I look?"

Jesús smiled warmly. "Like a king."

They hear the blast of a elephant trumpet.

Jesús sighed. "It's time."

Kopa took a deep breath. "You go ahead."

Jesús casts him a wary look.

Kopa smiles. "I'll be along. Go on."

Jesús shook his head before starting towards Pride Rock without his brother.