Here's chapter six and please review. So sorry for the three month wait tie but life gets busy and it's hard to make updates fast.
After the zebra incident, all was peaceful in the Pridelands again. By now, Kopa and Kion were over four years old and Kiara was almost three. For Nala, time had gone in the blink of an eye. Every day for her was full of love and joy as she and Simba watched their cubs grow. Kopa and Kion were fully capable of talking now and Kiara was beginning to say her first few words each that brought smiles onto Simba and Nala's faces.
One particular day, Simba had promised Kion and Kopa that he would take them on a proper tour around the kingdom and tell those more about being King. It was only recently that they had fully understood that they were next in line for the throne.
Kopa was the first one up on that day, and he shook Kion open. "Kion! Kion! Come on its time!" Kion was snuggled beside Simba's mane with Nala on his other side and Kiara nestled in her paws.
"I know." Kion rolled over and opened his eyes. "I'm gonna check if the suns up yet." He trotted outside followed by Kopa. He grinned when he saw the sun just beginning to peak over the horizon.
"It's time!" Kopa exclaimed. "Let's go get Dad!"
"Dad!" Kion called running back into the den. "Dad! It's time!"
"Dad!" Kopa ran up to Simba. "Dad! Let's go!" Simba sighed in his sleep before rolling over.
"Dad!" Kion pounced on his head. "Come on! You promised!" He jumped up and down on Simba's head.
"Simba…" Nala's voice was barely audible. "If you promised them, keep your promise." She slowly raised her head blinking the sleepiness out of her eyes. She had made sure to sleep early last night knowing that her sons would be up at the crack of dawn.
"Dad! Dad! Dad!" Kopa pulled at Simba's ear with his teeth before he backed up and charged at Simba with his head.
Simba sighed and cracked his eyes open to see Kion and Kopa eagerly waiting for him. "You promised!"
"I know, I know." Simba said, raising his head and yawning loudly. "I'm up!" Kion and Kopa grinned before racing each other outside. Simba got onto his paws and was about to follow when he heard Kiara mewing at him. He turned to see Kiara slowly trotting towards him calling out for him.
"Daddy!" Kiara squeaked trotting over to Simba. Simba bent down and nuzzled her lovingly and Kiara rubbed her cheek against his. "Me too!"
"Not now my little Princess." Simba licked the top of her head before scooping her up with his paw and placing her back next to Nala. "You're a bit too young." Kiara pouted but Simba gently tickled her side with his nose causing the little cub to laugh.
"Go ahead." Nala licked Simba's cheek. "I'll watch her." Simba nuzzled his mate before going outside to join Kopa and Kion.
Nala watched Kiara's face. It was the same face she had often seen with her brothers when they couldn't follow Nala around somewhere when they had been young.
"It's alright Kiara." Nala cradled her daughter in her paws, rocking her back and forth. "Daddy will take you when you're a bit bigger." Kiara mewed before burying her face into Nala's neck.
"Mommy's not hunting today." Nala said getting up. "I'll play with you." She walked out of the den and Kiara followed behind her and Nala slowed down so Kiara would be able to keep up. She led Kiara down to the Waterhole and after lapping at the water she turned around to see her daughter running after a butterfly. She watched her cub's antics amused for a while until Kiara began to move further from her and she hurried after Kiara.
"Kiara!" Nala stamped her foot down on Kiara's tail. "Where do you think you're going?" Kiara mewed and motioned to the butterfly.
"No my little hunter." Nala laughed. "Not now." She was about to usher Kiara back to Priderock when she caught a faint sight of the river in the far distance. Her thoughts suddenly went to the River Pride that she hadn't visited in quite a while and her father hadn't sent a messenger into the Pridelands for a few weeks. A visit was long overdue.
"Kiara." Nala looked at her daughter. "Come on, let's go visit Grandpa and Grandma!" She ushered Kiara towards the northern border and they were off. The sun was already up and it beginning to get hot when they neared the northern border and spotted Shinda and Kudeka heading south from the northern border towards her.
"Auntie!" Kiara ran to both of them and clung onto Shinda's neck with her paws.
"Hello my little one. And what are you doing out here today?" Shinda nuzzled Kiara's neck with her nose.
Nala approached them and she and Shinda pressed heads together in greeting before she turned to her aunt who nuzzled her lovingly.
"Nala?" Kudeka asked. "Are you and Kiara going to the River Pride?"
"We are." Nala said. "I haven't visited in too long and Simba took Kion and Kopa out for the day so I don't want Kiara looking for them either."
"Mom," Shinda looked at Kudeka. "We should go to. You've been meaning to visit too so we may as well go with Nala and Kiara."
"Why not." Kudeka nodded with a smile. "I told Malaika that I would be back at Priderock by sun high but she'll understand." Kiara squeaked at them and pulled Kudeka towards the border and the lionesses chuckled.
"It looks like I don't have a choice do I?" Kudeka smiled lovingly at Kiara before licking the top of her head and the lionesses went on.
Nala picked Kiara up by the scruff of her neck as they approached the border. Kiara mewed and wiggled around a bit but Nala didn't let her go. She wouldn't risk Kiara falling into the river. The crocodiles that had once lurked in the waters were gone after the border had been released for free passage and it was safe to cross on the stones but the current itself would instantly drown her. Nala shuddered at the thought of it.
Once they were a safe distance away from the border, Nala set Kiara down and let her run ahead of them. She noted that they were heading down a path that she knew she must have walked on a countless number of times.
She remembered how she and her mother had always taken a walk around the Pridelands nearly every morning and they would talk about whatever they had wanted to talk about. Nala hadn't realized how much she had longed to walk among the paths that her mother had taken on and she was grateful that she could bring her cubs here whenever she wanted. Nala wanted to take her daughter on the paths that her own mother had taken her on and talk to her just like she and Sarafina had.
When they neared Riverside they saw the River pride resting underneath the shade of the trees by the River. Nala didn't see her parents but she spotted her brothers playing by the river. Nevertheless, the River pride was happy to see them and they were warmly welcomed and Nala was informed that Sarafina and Runju had left for some time for themselves about an hour ago. Nala let Hofu and Mheetu play with Kiara while she, Kudeka and Shinda settled down with her former Pride mates and enjoyed their in chatting and catching up with one another. A few hours later, Nala looked up to see her parents coming their way and she got up to go and greet them.
Runju and Sarafina spotted their daughter and smiled when Nala approached them. Sarafina pulled Nala closer and licked the top of her head and Runju rubbed his cheek against hers.
"I thought you were forgetting about us." Sarafina smiled at Nala as they began making their way back towards the trees.
"I wasn't forgetting." Nala laughed. "Just busy."
"Grandma! Grandpa!" Kiara noticed her grandparents and ran over to them. Runju picked her up with his paw and gave her side a lick and Sarafina rubbed her cheek against her little face.
"Hello my little Princess. And what are you doing here today?" Sarafina asked, nuzzling her.
"Hofu!" Kiara squeaked. "Mheetu!"
"You're having fun playing with them aren't you?" Runju nuzzled her before they headed back and Nala settled down underneath a tree with her parents so they could have some family time.
"Where are Kion and Kopa?" Sarafina asked.
"Simba took them out for the day." Nala said pulling Kiara back into her paws. "Kiara wanted to go but I knew she would tire out easily so I took her."
"Mom!" Kiara swatted Nala with her paws whining. "Let go!" She squeezed out of Nala's paws and ran towards Mheetu and Hofu.
"Nala, I've been meaning to talk to you about something." Runju said. "You remember that rogue, Moto?" Nala nodded.
"I saw him again and this time I know that there's something up." Runju said. "I don't see any reason as to why he would be so close to our borders many times. I sent Ruka out to find his whereabouts for a few days and he reported that their Pride lives about two days away from here. Why would he come so far?"
Nala nodded thoughtfully. "I get why you're worried…but Simba doesn't know anything about him. And even if he is so close to our borders, he hasn't done anything."
"He hasn't done anything yet." Runju said firmly. "That's not to say that he won't do anything."
"I told him that he was worrying too much." Sarafina said to Nala, ignoring the look that Runju gave her. "But he won't listen."
"Daddy, Mom's probably right." Nala said. "You are worrying too much."
"No," Runju said. "I have a bad feeling every time I think about him and I won't let it go. Now, if you excuse me I have to go."
"Where you going?" Sarafina called after him.
"To the Pridelands," Runju said over his shoulder. "I'm going to find Simba and see what we can do about him."
Nala sighed at her father. She knew Runju always put the safety of the Pride first but she didn't think he had to worry that much.
"Mom," Nala said. "Can you watch Kiara so I can go with Dad? I already fed her so she won't get hungry. The most she's going to need is a nap after she's playing but I doubt it."
"Of course." Sarafina said. "I'll bring her back to Priderock by evening." Sarafina wanted to spend the day with her granddaughter. She didn't get a lot of time with her grand cubs and she didn't want to miss the opportunity. Nala nodded and she nuzzled her mother before hurrying after Runju. She quickly caught up with him. Runju had stopped to talk with Kudeka and then leave Aran in charge of the Pride while he was gone.
"Dad," Nala fell into step beside him. "Is this really necessary? He's just one rogue!"
"A rogue that has a Pride." Runju reminded.
"Okay and look at the size of our Prides." Nala said. "We can take him down easily."
"What happened to your love of avoiding war?" Runju gave her a fond smile and Nala smiled sheepishly at her father.
"When are you going to start visiting more?" Runju asked as they started making their way towards the border. "Your mother and I miss you a lot you know."
"I know." Nala said. "I want to but it's hard with leading the hunting party and taking care of the cubs and doing my part as Queen. It's a lot more than I imagined."
Runju nuzzled her. "It'll be easer as the years go by. Trust me on this."
"It's been almost five years." Nala murmured.
"At least drop Kion, Kopa and Kiara here then." Runju said. "So we can spend some more time with them. Afiya, Rohan and the others were talking about it too. Jasiri, Danyssa and the other cubs don't really come often either."
"I will." Nala said. "I'm just a little worried about leaving them here without me. Kion and Kopa would be fine but I'm a little worried about Kiara."
When they reached the river, they crossed it before heading back to Priderock to see if Simba and the twins had finished yet. Luckily, they spotted them just as they reached Priderock.
"Mom! Grandpa!" Kopa ran to them and nuzzled both of them before turning his attention to Nala. "We had so much fun today! Dad showed us around everywhere!"
Nala smiled and licked the top of his head just as Kion reached them and he nuzzled Runju who lovingly returned his affection. "How about we go back to Priderock and talk about it?" The twins nodded and Nala led them away leaving Simba and Runju to talk.
"Anything wrong?" Simba asked.
"Somewhat." Runju said. "Do you remember that rogue, Moto?" Simba nodded.
"I've seen him near our borders multiple times now." Runju said. "And I can't shake off the feeling that something bad is going to happen with him. I told Nala and she thinks its fine. But I'm not going to leave it."
"I know." Simba nodded. "I don't know anything about him…but I think my father does. Let's go talk to him now." Simba remembered how his father had acted strange when he had mentioned Moto.
The two of them headed off to find Mufasa and spotted him heading back to Priderock.
"Dad!" Simba called.
Mufasa turned around and smiled at them. He and Runju chatted for a few minutes before turning his attention back to Simba. "What's wrong?"
"Who's Moto and what do you know about him?" Simba asked straight. He didn't want to waste time. He saw something flash in Mufasa's eyes.
Mufasa sighed and was silent for a minute before speaking. "He was my younger brother."
"What?!" Simba demanded while Runju nodded. Simba noticed and turned to Runju. "You knew he had a younger brother!"
"I heard news that he left the Pridelands just as I was beginning my rule as King. But I had no idea that his name was Moto. From what I knew, his name was Scar." Runju said.
"Why did he leave?" Simba asked. "And how come no one told me this before?"
"After he left, it was forbidden to talk about him." Mufasa said. "And Runju knew that too."
"Simba, I didn't see any harm in not saying anything about him." Runju said looking at his son-in-law. "But that's why I thought he looked familiar when I first saw him. I just couldn't remember exactly why."
"He left because I heard he was planning an attack on me to take the throne and after trying to negotiate with him he wouldn't listen. So I had no choice but to exile him. And although I was never able to prove this, I think he was responsible for our father's death as well."
"Well this is probably why he was so close to our borders! He could still be planning something!" Simba said. "I trusted you and I thought you would never do anything to harm my reign. I guess I was wrong!" By now he was growling dangerously. He turned towards Runju. "You didn't tell me either!" He saw guilt come onto his father in law's face.
"Simba!" Mufasa said. "No, nothing will happen because of him. I will promise you that."
"It better not!" Simba growled before he stormed back to Priderock. He wanted to find Nala and tell her but he knew she was with their cubs right now. On his way, he was so lost in angry thoughts that he slammed right into Akila causing Akila to stumble back.
"Alright Simba, if you're mad at me for not doing the patrol yet I'll do it now!" Akila exclaimed but then he noticed his older brother's face. "Hey what's wrong?" Simba took a deep breath and explained what had happened. Akila's jaw dropped in shock.
"Wow." Akila muttered. "That was the last thing I was expecting."
"And here I was thinking he would never do anything that would let my reign suffer." Simba rolled his eyes.
"Look," Akila said. "He's not done anything so far and that's good. We'll keep as eye out on that Pride and we'll be more cautious of any rogues that want to join our Pride. If he does try anything, we would outnumber him." Simba looked like he was about to protest but Akila stopped him.
"Simba there's nothing else that you can really do." Akila said. "He hasn't done anything yet so let's just leave it at that."
"You're right." Simba said. "I'll set up a guard duty with Runju though and make sure we monitor his Pride for a bit and see what he does."
Akila nodded and the brothers chatted for a few minutes before Akila went to do the patrol. Simba watched Akila go. It was times like these that he was more than grateful that he had a brother like Akila. He didn't know where he would be without Akila at his side. He hoped that his own cubs would grow up and support each other like he and Akila did, especially his sons.
"As long as stays by my side." Simba thought. "Everything will be okay."
With his mind still whirling in thoughts, Simba walked away.
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Later that day in the den, Nala had finished feeding and cleaning Kopa and Kion as they told her about their time with Simba. Kion was in the den with Nala while Kopa had gone off to play with Haru.
"Mom, where's Kiara?" Kion asked, climbing onto Nala's back.
"I left her with Grandma at Riverside. She'll be back soon." Nala said.
"Is Dad coming back before we sleep?" Kion asked. "He promised to tell Kopa and I stories about being King." He rolled off Nala's back.
Nala licked the top of his head. "He might be busy sweetie. He and Grandpa have to deal with some issues so he might not be back until it's late."
"Mom!" Kopa ran in. "Grandma and Kiara are back!" Sarafina came in behind him with Kiara in her mouth. Sarafina set her down and Kiara ran to Nala.
"Mom!" Kiara wrapped her paws around Nala's neck and Nala nuzzled her face with her owns before Kiara went to her side to nurse.
Sarafina settled next to Nala. "So what happened with your father and Simba?"
"I have no idea." Nala said. "Simba hasn't come back to Priderock since and Dad and Mufasa have been walking around the Pridelands and talking." Kion came by their side and nuzzled Sarafina before settling down next to her.
"Stay for the night Mom." Nala urged. "Dad and Mufasa are probably going to come back pretty late so you may as well stay."
"Well…Mheetu and Hofu are still at Riverside but I can get Kudeka and Shinda to bring them when they return." Sarafina said.
Nala smiled and rested her head against her mother's shoulder. She missed being able to see her every day and even after five years, sometimes the ache still didn't die down.
"Are Mheetu and Hofu gonna come Grandma?" Kopa asked trotting up to her. Sarafina nodded as Kopa climbed into her paws. "Can you finish telling me that story you told us the last time we came to Riverside?"
"Of course." Sarafina said. Kiara stopped nursing from Nala and trotted over to Sarafina. "Me too!"
"Of course my little Princess." Sarafina said as Kiara gently squeezed next to her brother. She wrapped her paws around Kopa and snuggled down.
"Kion?" Sarafina turned to other grandson. "Joining us?" Kion nodded but he was yawning. "I'm kind of tired though." He settled down with his head on top of Sarafina's paw.
"I'm going to go find Simba." Nala said. "I'll be back." She hurried out of the den and scoured Priderock looking for her mate. After nearly an hour, she found Simba settled down at the very peak of Priderock.
"Simba?" Nala asked. "What're you doing here?"
"Avoiding my father." Simba said gritting his teeth. "He knew about Moto this whole time. I thought he would never do anything to harm to reign!"
"What're you talking about?" Nala asked and Simba told her the story.
Nala shook her head in shock. "I can't believe this. And I'm even more surprised that my father didn't tell me."
"Scar's definitely planning something. Why else would be so close to our borders a lot?" Simba said. "He probably still wants to be King."
"I can only tell you what Akila told you." Nala licked his cheek. "Be patient. When something happens we'll deal with it." Simba nodded and nuzzled his face against hers. Closing her eyes, Nala gently licked his cheek before rubbing her muzzle against his. Simba purred happily against her mouth.
"Come on." Nala pulled him towards the den. "The cubs want to see you." Simba nodded and followed Nala back to the den. As reached the den, Sarafina walked out. "Kiara's falling asleep. I have to go find your father. I'll be back."
Nala nodded. "I sent Zazu to tell Shinda and Aunt Kudeka to bring Hofu and Mheetu as well." Sarafina nodded and nuzzled her daughter before heading off. Sarabi and Penda walked out of the den and went down to join Sarafina.
Simba and Nala walked in to find Kion and Kopa circling playfully around Kiara who was squealing and giggling and trying to escape. When she saw Simba, Kiara hurled herself towards him.
"Daddy!" Kiara latched onto Simba's paw. "Kopa! Kion!"
Simba grinned and used his paw to place Kiara on top of his head. "It's alright my little Princess. You're safe up here." He settled down next to Nala.
"You're such a baby Kiara!" Kion scoffed. He climbed up Simba's back and gently pushed her off. With a grin, he settled himself down on top of their father's head.
"Kion!" Kiara's eyes filled with tears. She stomped her foot on the ground whining.
"Kion." Nala gave him look and Kion sighed. "Alright." He jumped down and nuzzled Kiara and she wiped her eyes with her paw.
"Hey you three." Simba pulled all three of them close to him. "Kiara, tell me what you did with Grandma today at Riverside." He nudged Kiara with his nose.
"Play fun!" Kiara babbled.
"Mom, Hofu and Mheetu are coming right?" Kopa turned to Nala who nodded. "They'll be here in the evening when Aunt Shinda and Kudeka come back."
"Yes!" Kion grinned. "I'm gonna wrestle with them so hard!"
"Kion…"Simba raised his eyebrow. "Remember what happened last time?" Tojo, Malaika and Akila had gone to visit the River Pride and Kion had tagged along with them. When they had returned later, Kion had been on Tojo's back. According to Akila, he had wrestled with Hofu so hard that he had sprained his ankle.
"Yeah, I'll be careful this time!" Kion gave him a wide toothy grin.
"Sure you will." Kopa snickered. Kion glared at him before tackling Kopa down. Kopa pushed him off and within seconds they were wrestling around on the ground.
Simba looked at Nala with a grin. "Good luck cleaning them tonight." Nala only rolled her eyes at her mate.
Simba nudged Kiara who was watching her older brothers with a wide infant grin.
"How about you and I wrestle Kiara?" Simba gave her a playful bump and Kiara rolled out of his paws with a giggle. "Daddy!"
"No!" Kiara squealed when Simba began to tickle her and she jumped to her paws and ran away from him. At the same moment, Akila walked into the den and Kiara ran right into him.
"Uncle!" Kiara giggled and wrapped herself around Akila's paw. "Daddy wrestle!"
"Sorry darling." Akila grinned and rubbed the top of her head affectionately. "I would fight your dad but I don't fight amateurs. But hey, do you want to come to the Waterhole and play with Vijay?" He grinned at the look that Simba was giving him.
Kiara mewed and squeaked and Akila looked at Nala.
"Go ahead." Nala smiled. She got up and nuzzled Kiara. "Listen to Uncle Akila!" With that, Kiara and Akila were off.
"I honestly don't know what to do with Akila." Simba said shaking his head but he was smiling.
Nala looked at her mate. "Don't act like you don't do the same with Vijay. Remember what you did last month?" Simba cracked up. He had been taking Vijay back up to the dens when they had seen Akila coming their way. Both Vijay and Simba had hidden in the shadows of a cave and Simba had told Vijay to jump out and scare Akila. The little cub did what his uncle had told him to do. Upon scaring his father, Akila had let out a roar of surprise and had sent his paw flying only to hit a large rock. It had resulted in Akila having a sore paw for a week.
"He deserved it." Simba grinned and settled his head down on his paws. He must have fallen asleep for when Simba opened his eyes again it was morning. He shifted to see Kiara buried into his mane with Kion and Kopa on her other side with Nala. Careful not to wake Kiara up, he gently got up and placed Kiara on the other side of Nala. The cub mewed softly in her sleep but didn't wake up. He was surprised to see that the sun hadn't even begun to rise yet.
Simba remembered what his father had told him last night and he clenched his teeth angrily. Despite what Nala and Akila had advised him to do, he couldn't just sit back and do nothing. He had to find out by himself.
Simba wanted to go find Scar himself. The only news he knew of him was from the reports Zazu gave him. He hadn't bothered to investigate himself.
He glanced back at the den. He knew Nala would have his head if she knew what he was doing. It was better not to tell her. Most of the Pride was asleep since it was so early and Akila would be too. Simba didn't want his brother coming. This was something he had to do alone.
With another glance at Priderock, Simba hurried down Priderock and made his way to the Outlands.
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Nala woke up a couple hours later. Kopa was on her back snoring but Kion and Kiara were chasing each other around the den.
"Mom, where's Dad?" Kion asked trotting up to her. Nala nuzzled him.
"I don't know." Nala said. "Did you see Zazu?"
"Yeah I asked him." Kion said. "Zazu said that he and Dad are free for the next few days."
"That's strange." Nala said. "He might be with some of his friends. Come on, let's check." She gently placed Kopa on the ground before trotting out of the den with Kiara and Kion behind her. She led the two of them down Priderock to find Tama and Moraan coming up to them with Ari and Tanabi. Nala greeted her two friends while the cubs wasted no time in wrestling with each other.
"Nala, have you seen Simba?" Moraan asked. "Apparently he's free today so we were going to relax a little but I haven't seen him anywhere."
"I haven't seen him either." Nala said. She had a strange feeling her in stomach wondering where Simba went.
But then again, he might just be monitoring the kingdom for a bit.
"Mom, can we go play?" Tanabi came over to Tama with Kion and Ari behind him.
Tama nodded. "It's fine with me. Nala?"
"Alright," Nala nodded. "But only as long as you stay near Priderock. Nowhere past the Waterhole. Okay?"
"Alright!" The three male cubs bounded away.
"Mom!" Kiara whined, stamping her foot down angrily. She wanted to play with her brother and friends but they always seemed to leave without her. She looked up glaring at Nala who gave her daughter an amused smile while Moraan and Tama chuckled at her.
"Kiara, why don't you come play with Danyssa?" Moraan suggested. "Come on, let's go!" After getting a nod from Nala, Moraan led Kiara away leaving Tama and Nala alone.
"I'm getting worried." Nala muttered. "Simba rarely leaves without telling me where and if he does, it almost never goes on days that he doesn't have anything to do."
"Want me to come help search?" Tama asked.
"No, its fine." Nala said. "If you and Moraan could just watch Kiara that would be great. But if Simba does come back to Priderock while I'm gone, can you tell him that I'm looking for him?"
"Of course." Tama said. Nala nodded and pressed her head against Tama before she trotted off.
So I decided to end it here just because the idea I have of what happens next seems to better to be put in one chapters. Also, I know that I haven't done responses to reviews for a few chapters but I promise that it'll be in the next chapter. Anyways, I hoped you enjoyed it and as usual sorry for the long delays in the updates. As for the story, I was wondering what you guys think of the family time I add for Nala, Simba and their cubs? Should I add anything else? And are there any other families that you are interested in knowing more about?
Anyways, hope you enjoyed and please do review.