AN: Forgive me for taking so long. I've just had so much writers block.

But onward to the story.


Chapter 12


Pain.

There were many things that pain represented.

But for one young lioness cub, pain was all she ever felt as of late. It was no more then three weeks ago that Zira had come forth to Kumai and demanded that it was time that Zawadi learned to fight and gained her proper place in the pride…and fulfill her destiny which laid in the plans that Zira each and every day was putting into motion.

Zawadi for the first few months of her life wanted nothing more then to gain the opportunity to join her friends in their training. Even despite the things she saw them go through she wanted to be able to do things that they could do.

That all changed the first few days into her training. If Zira was relentless with her own cubs, she was even worst with Zawadi. Within the first week of her training, Zawadi had cut up the pads of her paws so much that she could barely stand to walk but much continue on with her training. But every time it appeared that she was slowing down, Zira would before even more relentless.

At times there were moments when Zawadi just wanted too lay herself down and cry. But she refused to do that in front of Zira. Her mother had warned her about showing weakness in front of Zira. So if Zawadi ever wanted to cry she would have to wait until she was once again in the safety of her mothers arms where Kumai would do everything she could to ease her daughters sore paws and aching muscles.

Kumai herself didn't know what to make of Zira forcing Zawadi into the training. She had thought two months was much too young and where she was now at three and a half soon going on fourth months. When she had brought it up, Zira only laughed in her face and said; "If you do not wish to keep her for revenge anymore Kumai…I can always dispose of her."

That had sent fright through her. For she knew Zira was always good on her word and Kumai didn't want anything to happen to her daughter. So she did her best to encourage her daughter who by the third week of her training seemed to be doing better then she was in the beginning. Not perfect but still better.

So here she was now. Shoulders squared a part, teeth bared and growling at her opponent. Across from her Vitani was planting her paws firmly apart from one another as the two stared each other down awaiting Zira's signal. Said lioness was pacing along the edge of the fight. "Now!"

The word was not even fully out of her mouth before the two she-cubs began circling one another, each eye the other closely. Then Vitani was the first to launch herself at Zawadi who used her small size to duck and dodge under the golden cub. Flipping onto her back, she used her paws to push at Vitani as she flew overhead and throw the older cub away from her. From the times she spent watching the other cubs train, Zawadi had picked up a few tricks and noticed a lot of the weaknesses of the others. This gave her the advantage when it came to sparing but that didn't mean she didn't get smacked around a lot. But sparing was something she preferred to Zira's other gruesome training.

Rolling back onto her paws, Zawadi ran for Vitani hoping to get the older cub before she had a chance to collect herself. But Vitani was on her paws the moment she saw Zawadi coming towards her and leapt to meet the younger cub half way. Colliding with each other, the two rolled upon the ground with each one trying to fight the other one off.

From the sidelines, Kovu and Nuka laid on some rocks. Nuka nursing some of his wounded paws all the while keeping a close eye on his sisters and Zawadi's mock fight. His eyes though were mainly focused on Zawadi; he'd been against the younger cub joining their training especially since the rest of them were so much bigger then Zawadi who seemed small for her age. But what the young cub lacked in size she made up for in agility. From beside him, his brother was calling out, "Come on Zawadi! Teach her she's not all that!"

Rolling his eyes, Nuka smacked his paw down on the reddish brown cubs head. "Quiet or you'll make her loose her concentration you termite!" he growled lowly baring some of his teeth at Kovu who eyed his brother carefully. Over the weeks their relationship had changed dramatically even more so.

Long gone was the older brother who seemed to look out for him, replaced by a lion who for some reason Kovu could never truly tell why Nuka hated him so much. He didn't seem to hate Vitani, in fact their relationship only grew more the longer they were out in the Outlands. Nuka was protective of Vitani where he was no longer concerned with Kovu. The two bonded more over the fact that they needed each other. Kovu and Vitani bonded as well, their relationship never changed much. Another that Nuka paid so much attention too was Zawadi.

No one could look even cross-eyed at the young brown she-cub without Nuka standing up for her. Something Kovu realized the day Nuka smacked him around for teasing Zawadi too much about her height.

Rubbing the top of his head, Kovu grumbled but said nothing while he focused his attention back on the fight. Both Vitani and Zawadi were apart now, both breathing heavily but Zawadi was using her best ability to stay out of Vitani's reach now like she was trying to wear down her opponent. The two were about to clash with one another again when Zira roared out.

"Enough!" Snarling, Zira approached the two she-cubs who looked up confused. Wondering what they both had done wrong in their fight. Zawadi though had lowered herself a bit to the ground. Her fear of Zira ever present. Every time she heard the angry lioness, Zawadi always had this nagging feeling in the back of her head that warned her to run and a voice she could barely hear that sounded a lot like Zira but Zawadi could never make out the words. It was almost like she was forgetting something but just could never remember it. Like something was blocking it.

"Pathetic…simply pathetic." Zira snarled circling the cubs but her eyes were solely focused on Zawadi. "You can't even fight like a killer…"

"But I'm not…" Zawadi opened her mouth to protest when she found Zira right in her face her teeth bared. "I mean…I'll try harder…It's just…I have trouble with my eye…" she whimpered looking up at the lioness. Zawadi had gotten better at being able to move around with only one eye to see with, which is why she got so good at dodging. Dodging she didn't get hurt and could just keep her opponent in front of her at all times. If someone got on her left side it was impossible to see. Her mother told her to trust her other senses, hearing and scent to help her with that but it was harder then it looked but Kumai told her she would get better at it with time.

"Worthless…absolutely worthless…" growling, Zira reared her head back. Three weeks she had to train this cub. She should have just allowed the cub to grow up weak and so that she could just kill her in front of Simba when the time came. But no, she wanted to turn the daughter of Simba into a killer she wanted to see the look on his face when he witnessed that the daughter he thought was dead was actually alive and to see what she had become. Then she would kill her but not until after she revealed to Zawadi who she really was after she watched Simba die.

Yes, her revenge would be sweet. But first this useless cub needed to learn how to fight. She was far too soft for Zira's liking. Softness was weakness and she had a feeling she was going to have to end up beating it out of the cub.

"Get back into formation!" Snarling, Zira moved back to the sidelines. "And this time Zawadi fight back or else…" you will be punished, she added silently to herself.

The two cubs looked at each other. Vitani giving Zawadi an encouraging smile and whispered so that her mother couldn't hear her; "Don't worry you can do this Zawadi. I know you can. Just pretend it's like we're just having fun. I mean you managed to flip me away before…just keep that up."

Looking at her friend, Zawadi gave it a moments thought. It wasn't uncommon for them to wrestle although being the smallest Zawadi rarely took part because her Mother always feared she'd get hurt. Not that it mattered now. No matter if she was sparing or just doing whatever else Zira had them do she still ended up getting hurt one way or another. With a look of determination, she nodded her head. "Okay." She whispered back.

"What are you two waiting for?" Zira shouted from the sidelines.

Taking one last look at each other, both cubs got into position once more. Zawadi taking a deep breathe and trying to think of this as playtime rather then training. Counting to three the two charged at one another, this one Zawadi used her hind legs to kicked off the ground, but Vitani beat her too it. Grabbing the young cub by the stomach, Vitani attempted to wrestle Zawadi to the ground.

Not wanting to loose, Zawadi did her best to squirm around, pushing with her paws into Vitani she attempted to keep Vitani's teeth from the back of her neck. That was how any of them determined victory with each other whenever they wrestled. Growling, both jumped apart from each other before darting at one another again, wrapping her teeth around Vitani's leg, Zawadi attempted to knock her to the ground.

But Vitani allowed her size to be her advantage, twisting her body she brought Zawadi down with her, swiping at the other cubs face giving Zawadi a chance to get hurt or let go, she pounced the moment she heard Zawadi gasp and she was free. Pinning the cub to the ground she grabbed Zawadi by the back of the neck holding there for three seconds before letting go.

Smiling, Vitani stepped back. "You did better." She commented nudging the younger cub with her nose.

"But not good enough!" Both jumped apart as Zira made her way over to them. Her eyes were narrowed; she saw how careful Vitani was trying to be with the younger cub and how just to avoid pain Zawadi let her enemy go. Pathetic, she thought, just like her parents. "How do you expect to be a fighter if you can't even stand a little pain?" With her paw swiped down at Zawadi's face much like Vitani had. Only this time Zawadi only had a few seconds to dodge before Zira's paw connected with her shoulder.

Yowling, the brown cub rolled around the cross stopping when she hit a rock. Shaking, Zawadi kept her eyes clamped closed as she heard someone approaching her. Expecting it to be Zira, she didn't want to face the lioness for she feared she would be hit again. Her body stiffened when she felt someone lower beside her then wrap their paw around her and that was when their scent reached her nose.

Nuka.

She knew his scent anywhere. Out of all her friends, she often spent the most time with Nuka. It was he who for some reason always slept beside her and her Mama. That was if Zira didn't force him to sleep somewhere else.

Slowly opening her eyes she found herself staring into a pair of red amber eyes that were full of concern. It made her smile to know her friend cared for her. "Are you alright?" Nuka asked his eyes going to Zawadi's shoulder but there wasn't any cut on it but by how hard his Mother had hit her he expected she would have a bruise under her fur.

Nodding her head slowly, Zawadi smiled at him. "Yes…I'll be just fine." That smack didn't hurt as much as any of her other wounds she received over the last three weeks.

From where she stood, Zira's face pulled back into a deep frown. She didn't like this bond that Nuka seemed to have formed with Zawadi. It was sickening to her. It was bad enough when her cubs fawned over the now dead Pridelander Queen and her weakling of a son. But here now was her oldest…the son of Scar…gushing over the well being of the daughter of Simba. She was tempted to confront Kumai in keeping the disgusting brat away from her son. Nuka may not be future King, but he had the blood of the true King Scar in him and the offspring of Scar should not be friends with the enemy.

But she stopped herself because of one reason…revenge.

If she wanted Zawadi to be apart of her plan, she had to do more then train her. Zawadi had to be close to her cubs…to think that Kovu really was the rightful King of the Pridelands and that Simba was the tyrant that cast them out. Even if it sickened her to see her eldest helping the brown cub back to her paws.

"Nuka!" she watched her son flinch at the tone in her voice. Raising his head he looked at her questioningly; "Ye…yes Mother?" he asked in the middle of helping Zawadi up he had his paw hooked under her stomach his head near hers.

"Back away from her. How is she to get stronger with you coddling her?" Zira sneered stepping toward the two.

Nuka was hesitant. He could see that his mother was angry but at the same time he could see the slight limp in Zawadi's leg from where it was likely bruised. But Zawadi hearing Zira's words and seeing the look on the lioness's face, she pulled herself away from Nuka who shot her a look of confusion. She gave him a smile. "I'm okay Nuka…" looking up at Zira, Zawadi pushed herself up fully onto her paws trying to ignore the aching in her shoulder.

"Have you learned anything Zawadi?" Zira leaned in toward the cub. It was so hard to fake that she had any interest in the cub. But she knew it wasn't just Kovu she had to get the cub to be loyal too but her as well. Smacking the cub around didn't matter for she did the same to hers when they disobeyed her. "Well have you?"

Zawadi tried wracking her mind for something that would keep Zira from hitting her again. All she wanted to do was cower from her but something deep within her told her not to show weakness in front of this lioness. Wobbling a little on her paws, Zawadi nodded her head. "Don't…don't be afraid of pain?" she stuttered chewing the inside of her cheek as she eyed Zira warily.

A sly smirk spread across Zira's face. "That's right Zawadi. Don't be afraid of pain…pain makes you stronger…pain makes you angry….pain will shape you." Into the killer I will make you become. Such innocence this cub held…not for much longer. Zira laughed silently to herself.

Stepping back from the cubs she growled. "Now…lets do this again…" she ordered moving around the cubs she made over to a rock which she bounded up onto in a single leap. Sitting with her paws planted firmly in front of her, she looked down at the cubs that looked about ready to complain that they had to do this all over again. "Oh…you all want to quit do you…" her voice was a deadly calm. Hunching her body forward a scowl crept its way back onto her face; "Do you think those over in the Pridelands, who so cruelly banished us, are not preparing to destroy us?" she growled down at them her claws digging into the rock beneath her paws.

"They want nothing more then to drive us further from our homeland! That land was ours and then those usurpers came and took everything! Now look where we are…living in filth and starving and for what…all because we tried to help their Queen! This is how King Simba repaid us…blamed us for their murders…banished us…they are the ones in the wrong. They took all that from us…they took your father from you!" Zira snapped at her cubs watching all of them flinch.

None of the cubs liked to be reminded of Scar. Nuka more then anyone, he was the only one old enough to have truly understood what had happened to his Father that night Simba returned. For some time the images of his Father's body had tortured his dreams but he knew all along the ones who had killed Scar had been the hyenas. It was no secret when he had overheard the other lionesses talking about it.

"And poor Zawadi…who will never know the freedom of the Pridelands…they took your home from you…tearing you from it just as you were born…leaving your poor Mother to scavenge for you day in and day out…even almost getting killed by Simba himself. He would have killed her if you had not gotten away…he would have killed her and then taken you away…or worst…he would have taken you away while leaving her alive so that you would never see her again either way." Kumai didn't know that Zira had found out the truth of what had happened when Kumai had gone hunting in the Pridelands. The foolish lioness should be more careful in thinking no one would be listening when she had told the whole thing to Spotty.

Zira took satisfaction in the horror that came over Zawadi's scarred face at the mention of what could have happened if that cheetah hadn't let them go. "And if we don't get stronger…death will become all of us." Zira concluded with a growl rearing her head back she turned it in the direction of the Pridelands.

"You cubs are the future of this Pride. We must be strong. You must be there to aid your future King the one true chosen one." Her eyes went to Kovu with a deepening smirk. "We will take the Pridelands back one day by force if we have too…we will show them what it is like to be cast from your home…and you will never have to scavenge for food like a filthy hyena…" From where they sat, the cubs sat straighter at Zira's words.

"But none of us will be free from that tyrant…unless you grow stronger! Do you understand?!" Zira growled down at the cubs. From where they sat the cubs all nodded their heads slowly to answer none finding any words to say. Zawadi was staring at the ground in front of her as she reflected what Zira had said…was the King in the Pridelands really that evil…would he really have killed her and her Mother? Would he have taken her hostage so that she would never see her Mommy again? No! She thought, that could never happen…she wouldn't let it happen…no one would take her Mother from her…

Looking up are Zira, she suddenly thought, that no matter what feeling she got from the lioness in front of her. No matter how painful her training would be. No matter how much she did not want to show weakness in front of Zira. She would get stronger. She would protect her Mother and make sure they took back what was rightfully their's from that tyrant King Simba.

"Now…back to your training!"

Yes, she would become stronger.


It was like the Outlands were a curse in more ways then one for the Outlanders. This was no place to live much less for cubs who had only known green lands and peace their entire lives. The only one who was an exception to that was Zawadi. But not even the lionesses thought it was best for her to grow up in such a condition for they had all noticed a dramatic change in the cubs since they arrived in the Outlands.

Kovu and Nuka's relationship had changed so much one would never believe there had once been brotherly affection between the two. However they noticed a majority of the discontent came from Nuka rather then Kovu.

Another change they notice was in Vitani who wasn't as playful as she used to be. The young she cub started to develop a more head-strong attitude and would often pick on her brothers more often than not.

But there was one lioness that was worried the most…but not for the three older cubs…but for the youngest of them all. Ever since Zawadi had come back from training one night, Kumai found her daughter to be less talkative then she normally was and whenever she tried to take care of the cubs wounds she would receive from training the cub would pull away and tell her that the pain would make her stronger.

Knowing she wouldn't get an answer out of her daughter, Kumai had gone to the next best option.

Nuka.

For some reason Zawadi always confided in Nuka what she thought she could never tell Kumai. She was shocked to find out the reason Zawadi was acting in such a way was because she feared that if she didn't get stronger that she wouldn't be able to protect Kumai in the future. That both worried and warmed Kumai.

It warmed her to know the cub she had taken and had eventually come to really see as her own loved her so much that she'd fight for her. But it worried her because she did not want Zawadi to sacrifice who she was for Zira's sake. She wanted her daughter to keep a good hold on her innocence. Yes become stronger but not to succumb to the same hatred that Zira harvested in her heart.

So here she was, sitting not far from where she was watching Zawadi go over her last laps of the course she had picked out to run. Her paws were scratched and bleeding which Kumai pretty much figured the bottom of all Zawadi's paws would be scarred up like her face was by the time the cub reached adulthood.

She watched while Zawadi attempted to make a jump but being unable to see on her left side had missed the ledge of the rock entirely and ended up tumbling to the ground. Kicking up sand and dirt everywhere.

Jumping to her paws she rushed to her daughter's side, taking a moment to check if the cub was still conscious before asking. "Are you alright squeaker?" No matter if the cub could now talk the first nickname that Kumai had ever called Zawadi had stuck. She reached out with a paw to pull her cub to her paws when Zawadi struggled to get away.

"I'm fine Mom…" the cub mumbled under her breath. Zawadi tried to push her Mother away but Kumai had grabbed the cub by the back of the neck before the cub could stop her. Lifting her head, Kumai carried the cub to a large patch of shade; Zawadi had been out in the sun for far too long that day. "Mom!" the cub whined.

Setting Zawadi down in the shade, Kumai sat down in front of her with a stern look. "That's it young lady why don't you tell me why you are being so stubborn as of late?" she asked eyeing the cub. She watched her daughter shuffle her paws nervously before Kumai sighed reaching out she lifted Zawadi's chin up to look at her. "Well?"

"I just…I want to be strong…Zira said that King Simba would have killed you…or taken me away from you…and I don't want too…I want to be strong so I can protect you." Zawadi explained looking up at her mother, fighting the tears in her eyes. She hated feeling weak and that's all she ever felt going up against the other cubs. Them being over and more experience and older then her shouldn't matter…she just hated feeling weak. Her mother was strong so why couldn't she be?

Kumai sighed and closed her eyes. How far from the truth Zawadi was, was frightening. Only she had already been taken away from her mother…her real mother…and Kumai right now was too selfish to give the cub back to her Father. The loss of her sister still heavy over her, she felt that the cub filled a part of that void. Shaking her head, she lowered herself to the ground so that she could be face to face with the cub. Crossing her paws in front of her, Kumai leaned her head forward a tad bit; "You're only going on four months Zawadi. Even if you were really strong right now you still would not be able to fight off a grown lion, much less a grown male lion. You needn't worry about being strong right now…because it's my job to protect you…worry about being stronger in the future when you're old enough to defend yourself in the right situation." Grinning she reached out flicking the cub on the nose her grin turning into a smile when Zawadi whined and covered her nose with both paws.

"But Mama…" Zawadi rubbed her nose where it stung a little from the flick it had received. She hated when anyone played with her nose. Looking up at the lioness she said; "But I'm half blind…that means I have to practice more then the others do. I need to know how to fight with this…stupid handicap!" Sitting down, the cubs shoulders slouched. She often wondered why she as a young cub had to be the one to get scars on her face and be blind. Her Mother said she'd been attacked when she was a week old…

Subconsciously she raised her paw to touch around her left eye. Why did this happen to her? She thought miserably to herself.

Watching the cub, Kumai leaned in closer nudging her this time with her snout. "Everyone must handle what life has dealt them. Don't let this be your weakness, instead let it be your strength." Getting to her paws she walked around her daughter and with her head nudged her back onto her paws. Zawadi cast her mother a doubtful look which Kumai rolled her eyes. "Never doubt your mother Zawadi."

Rolling her own eyes, Zawadi nodded her head with a taunting smile. "Yes Mama, I shall never doubt you."

Kumai had to keep the guilt from showing on her face. Yes…never doubt me…she thought bitterly about herself. But even as she thought that all she could say was, "Good…never do." Turning her head up to the sky she saw the sun was starting to go down, around this time she would be ushering Zawadi off to bed but she suddenly had an idea.

Stepping around the cub, Kumai looked back at Zawadi motioning with her tail for her daughter to follow her closely. "Come, let's go get your aunts and see if we can help you with something." She grinned at the confused look Zawadi gave her when the cub came to walk beside her.

"Help me?" asked the cub, "Help me with what?" she had to quicken her pace to keep up with her mother. Looking over her shoulder nervously at the settling sun. Zawadi wasn't a fan of the dark, with only one eye it made it harder for her to see it in the dark even more so than it was to see in the daylight with one eye. It made her fear the dark for that purpose because she couldn't always see anything coming at her.

It was around this time she tried to use what Kumai suggested she do. Use her other senses. But she wasn't quite use to it yet. Taking one last look at the setting sun, Zawadi moved closer to her mother.

The two walked in comfortable silence the rest of the way back to the termite mounds where they found the rest of the lionesses laid out on the ground outside. Enjoying the bit of sun that wasn't as hot as it was during the rest of the day. Asma was the first to lift her head when she spotted the two approaching, and smiled when Zawadi came bounding towards her with a cheer of "Auntie Asma!"

It was no secret that the pride had opened up to the cub despite who her true parentage was. But it was Asma who paid the most attention to the brown she-cub and had soon enough become the cubs 'favourite aunt' which Asma proudly accepted from the cub.

"Hello Za' where have you been all day?" she asked her eyebrow up. She knew today wasn't one of the cubs training day because the other three cubs rarely left the caverns all day. But Zawadi had disappeared out of their mound early that morning and into the dry land with Kumai following her daughter sometime after that.

"Training." Zawadi's answer made Asma look at Kumai who sighed and gave her a look that said don't push it. It wasn't like Kumai could stop her daughter.

Making her way over to the group, she sat herself down among her pride sisters. "I found her out near the desert outreach. Practicing still her paws went sore." she gave her daughter a stern look which Zawadi lowered her gaze to the ground.

The cub only looked up when Asma grabbed a paw of hers and turned it over to get a look at it. She gasped at the amount of cuts and bruises she saw on the cubs pads. "Some of these look like they can get infected." she shook her head with a tsk tsk.

Grumbling, Zawadi snatched her paw back. "I'll be just fine…gah!" Zawadi gave a sudden yelp; squirming when she suddenly found herself locked in Spotty's arms when the lioness reached out to grab the cub from behind. With the lioness turning her over and began to clean the cubs paws despite her displeasures and she let it known. "Auntie Spotty stop. There is no strength without pain that's what Zira always tells us."

Spotty just gave a snort. "Is there strength in getting sick?" she asked as she continued to hold the cub still while she bathed the paws of her pride sister's adoptive daughter. Her only response from the cub was a grumble. She could not understand this cub; she didn't know one female cub who didn't like baths. Well it seemed Zawadi was an exception to that rule.

"Zawadi, if you don't let her clean those cuts then I won't ask them to help me with a special training thing for you." Kumai pointed out, setting herself down on the ground resting a bit on her side. Let Spotty take care of Zawadi's wounds for once, out of all of them, Spotty and Dotty were the most knowledgeable in healing so she let Spotty do her work. But seeing the amount of cuts on her daughter's paws, she closed her eyes with a sigh knowing like she thought before the cubs paws would end up forever scarred and callused from all the training she did. This wasn't like the grassland plains of the Pridelands. There wasn't any comfortable grass to cushion the cubs paws here in the Outlands, here there was nothing but sharp rocks and hard ground that heated under the sun making it at times unbearable to walk upon.

The cub turned her head to look at her Mother. The rest of her body trapped under Spotty's hold. Her face was alight with curiosity at what special training her Mother was talking about. "What special training Mama?"

This caught the others attentions as well, wondering what it was that their pride sister had in mind that she thought of asking them for help.

Crossing her paws in front of her, Kumai thought for a moment on how too express her idea into words then explained; "I was thinking that Zawadi is in need of really figuring out on how to be able to overcome her handicap." She smiled toward her daughter who looked up surprised. For a moment Zawadi thought that perhaps her Mother didn't think she was capable of learning that on her own, but she knew deep down she needed help and she wouldn't get it from Zira.

Baya from where she laid on her side appeared thoughtful for a moment before she nodded her head. "I think it would be a good idea." Rolling onto her back, she stretched her body out. Though her fur had grown over some of her scars she still showed more then a few scars she had received from the deceased Pridelander Queen from the fight the two of them had. One would think it was strange she would become attached and agree to help the daughter of the one who had given them to her but she held nothing against the she-cub.

Zawadi was innocent.

As was the Queen and the other two male cubs that died that night, she thought silently to herself.

All of them from time to time could feel the effects of their guilt that night. The only thing that kept most of their hatred was not their banishment but the death of Hawa. Each of them every passing day missed the youngest of their pride sisters. Hawa had been so young when they escaped their old pride together, she deserved a happy life, and that's what Kumai had been striving for to give her sister.

Now all that seemed in vain.

Well, not entirely, Baya thought to her self. Her eyes going toward Zawadi who by this time was just lounging in Spotty's arms having given up on fighting the lioness who continued to clean her paws and inspect them for any infections. Though the cub really wasn't Kumai's, she did bring in a happiness that kept Kumai from succumbing to her grief. That and…hearing the cubs laughter from where Spotty had tickled the cubs toes, Baya couldn't help but think how all of them had come to accept the cub.

Some more then others had a tougher time. Dotty wanted to hate the cub for being the daughter of Simba. Besides Kumai, Dotty took Hawa's death the hardest. But it seemed not even Dotty was immune to the spirit that Zawadi held inside her. A spirit many of them were fearful Zira would break…much like they feared the other cub's young spirits breaking under their Mother's ruthless training. But none dared to say a word for fear of displeasing their 'Queen'.

Dotty herself looked up from where she was grooming her face with a thoughtful look in her eyes. "It would be in the cub's best interest to learn how to overcome that." She nodded her head in agreement. "I think we can help…when should we do this? After training tomorrow?" Her eyes darted around the group before landing solely on Kumai.

The lioness nodded her head. "Yes…but not until the Great Circle begins to set. I want her to attempt this in the dark…" a small squeak of fright told her that Zawadi did not agree with this. She knew her daughter had a fear of the dark but Kumai figured the cub had to overcome this foolish fear sooner or later. Should Zawadi need to learn how to hunt in the future, and that day would come in the future when the cub turned around a year and a half old. Hunting in the dark was one of the best times.

It wasn't so hot and they could slip into other territories much easier and get out they found. But they only risked that once every week or two.

Said cub was now curled up fight in Spotty's arms, her body nestled against the soft fur of the lioness's chest. The lioness chuckled wrapping her paw around the cub now that she was finished cleaning the cuts on Zawadi's paws. Nuzzling the cub she ran her tongue along the she-cubs head making her squirm and pout but otherwise didn't say a thing just focused on her Mother.

"But Mama…why the dark…why can't we do it during the day…?" the cub's voice trembled. She didn't want to be out past dark. She figured her mother would help her during the day, wouldn't that be more practical? She pondered silently to her self awaiting her Mother's answer.

Kumai just shook her head. "No Zawadi. By doing this in the dark, you will be able to get over your fear and learn how to move in the night and the day. It's no different. You're still bound to be blind on one night. This kills two birds with one stone my dear." The lioness was quick to point out, giving her daughter a sharp look that told her there really was no room for arguments on this.

Grumbling the she-cub slouched her body further in her aunt's arms with a mumbled. "Yes Mom." She pouted when her aunts laughed at her sulking behaviour.

"Well then I believe the young miss should have an early bedtime tonight." Asma spoke up matter-of-factly a wide grin on her face at the cub's loud whines of protest.

But Kumai agreed the cub needed her sleep and so got to her paws. Leaning over Spotty she grabbed the cub by the neck in a firm hold so that Zawadi could not squirm her way out of being put to bed. "But Mama!"

Kumai only shook her head, lightly so not to jostle the cub and began making her way toward the termite mounds with her pride-sisters saying their goodnights to the cub dangling from her mouth.

Wordlessly Kumai carried her daughter through the entrance of the mounds and made her way toward the small section of den that she long since claimed for herself and Zawadi. It was only once she was there that she placed the cub down on her own paws, then moving around her daughter she settled down on the ground motioning for the she-cub to come lay beside her.

Knowing there really would be no arguing with her Mother, Zawadi made her way over to her. But just to show how much she didn't like having to go to bed early, she stomped her paws the entire way to her mother's side. Her childish antics however were rewards with a simple roll of her mother's eyes. Kumai watched as her little squeaker laid herself down along side her stomach with a huff, her cheeks puffed out a tiny bit. "Being childish won't get you out of going to bed early."

Seeing that she wouldn't be getting anywhere with her mother, Zawadi curled herself into the fur that lined her mother's side. The dens were cool enough that it didn't matter if they cuddled there was no heat like there was out in the sun. Lifting her head, she looked around then up at her Mother. "Mama…where's Nuka?" she asked. It wasn't an unusual question given the male cub always tended to sleep near them.

Eyebrow raised, Kumai lifted her nose to the air. She could sniff out the older cub and by the way she scent was she could tell he was coming closer to them. "He should be here shortly." She didn't know whether it was a good thing or not to always allow the cubs to sleep near each other because she feared the two bonding so much and it being destroyed in the future by some event. But the wide smile that came over Zawadi's face was the answer to letting the two be close. Both cubs needed the friendship she thought.

The smile on the cubs face only seemed to grow wider when Nuka made himself known in their little personalized den. He grinned when he spotted Zawadi and quickly made his way over to the younger cub nudging his head against hers. The cub giggled, her tongue darting out to lick Nuka on the chin in a show of affection. "Where have you been all day Za'?" the two and a half year old lion asked lowering his much larger frame down on Zawadi's other side.

Kumai watched as Zawadi moved to rest her paws on Nuka's legs and stare up at the older male with shinning eyes. At times she thought the younger cub had a crush on the older one but she never said anything about it. Zawadi was just much too young for anything of that short, she told herself with a determined nod.

"I was training…" Zawadi answered Nuka's question. Confusion washing over her face when she watched the male raise his eyebrow at her in question and asked; "Why?" It was much too hot that day, Nuka thought; it was why he and the other two cubs didn't leave the den very much. But when he'd gone to find Zawadi she wasn't anywhere to be found it worried him for a moment before Baya had reassured him that she was with Kumai. Wherever that had been. Now to hear that she'd been training…that was a stupid thing in this heat he told himself.

But the sheepish look that came over her face and the quick glance at her Mother told him everything he needed to know. He thought it was foolish that she worried about something like that. She was still young and didn't need to fight older and bigger threats. That was Kumai's job…and his job, he told himself. And even if she was older, he would still fight to keep her safe…

Nudging her with his snout, he laid his head down near hers. His Mother was already asleep so it was safe to agree that it was fine for him to sleep along side his friends.

The older of those in the den watched as it didn't take long for both younger ones to fall asleep. After some few choice words and nudges the two drifts off to sleep the rest of the early evening and night through.

Staring at them through the dark, she watched the two of them closely. She watched while Nuka in his sleep draped his paw over Zawadi's back while her daughter moved her head to tuck her snout under Nuka's jaws. A small smile came over her muzzle. Whatever the connection those two had, she was grateful it made the cubs happy despite their current situation in life. With that she moved closer to the two curling her body up she let her smile last as sleep took her.


Dirt kicked up beneath paws that scrapped across the hardened ground. Paws squared apart, one eye trying to keep track of her opponent in front of her but that was more easily said then done. Today her opponent just happened to be Nuka. Zira found it useful that her older son is a good choice of attacker for those smaller then the older lion was. It taught them how to defend themselves against one that was bigger then them until they could finally grow themselves and learn from when they were young.

But where Nuka had no problem in fighting against Vitani and especially Kovu, Zawadi was another matter entirely. The oldest male could not bring himself to inflict pain on the youngest female. But to keep up with the training, he gave enough lunges and swipes of his paws to keep Zawadi dodging and egging her on to attack him in only to keep teaching her.

Thankfully his mother wasn't paying attention to their fight but rather his siblings. His ears flickered in their direction whenever he heard his Mother shout, snarl or growl orders at her two younger cubs.

But unknowns to him the cub in front of him began growing more impatient by the hour. Sure the two had a strong friendship in such a short amount of time since Zawadi's birth, but the lioness cub did not like that Nuka wasn't fighting her like he should have been. How else was she going to get stronger? She thought angrily to herself.

Growling, she eyed an opening. Well if he wasn't going to attack her, she might as well work on her attacking skills. Let's see if she could bring him down, she snickered inwardly. Seeing it when Nuka attempted yet another weak hit at her, she darted forward around his outstretched paw and latched onto his right hind leg. Clamping her jaws shut but not enough for it to be painful, just enough to surprise him as she twisted her body pulling his leg out from beneath him causing Nuka to tumble down onto his side.

Unfortunately the side he fell on just happened to be the side she was on. With a yelp, she felt his body fall on top of hers pinning her to the ground. Wiggling her body, she poked her head out from beneath Nuka with a disgruntled look on her face, "You couldn't just fall the other way?" she mumbled.

Getting over his shock of falling over onto the younger cub, he lifted his head but not his entire body keeping her trapped beneath him. A grin cracked his face. "Now where would all the fun be in that pipsqueak?" His grin broadened at the huff of irritation that came from the she-cub who continued to try and squirm her body out from beneath his before falling flat onto her stomach her front paws stretched out in front of her.

"Nuka you big oaf you weigh too much!" Zawadi managed to wheezes out.

"Hey I don't weigh that much." Nuka grumbled before allowing his body to go completely slack which added more weight on top of Zawadi who gasped for air in a dramatic fashion. "But I guess I can just lay here. I mean it's a good time for a nap."

That only caused the she-cub to squirm and wiggle, her claws digging into the ground in the attempt of dragging her body out from beneath her friends. Wheezing out gasps of air, she found herself finally managing to get her body out from beneath the grey lion's body. Slowly but surely getting there. Grunting annoyingly at Nuka's laughter at her situation.

But all struggling and laughter died when they heard a loud growl not far from them. Gulping the two stopped and turned their attention to where Zira was standing with a deep scowl. "What are you two doing?" the lioness snapped her jaws at them.

Quickly Nuka scrambled to his paws, pulling his weight off of Zawadi who like him was just as quickly getting to her own paws. Both sat back on their haunches as the angry lioness made her way over to them and paced in front of them, her glaring eyes looking them over. "Do you think this is time to be playing around?" she growled.

Zira, who had been too focused on training her youngest two, had been shocked and angered at the same time when she heard laughter behind her that caused her to look back at the two she had left to spar on their own. It appeared she would have to kill her eyes on all of them for it seemed Nuka and Zawadi had the idea that fun was more important then their training.

Zawadi shook her head vigorously. "No…No…Qu…Queen Zira…I…I grabbed Nuka's leg and he fell over…landed on me." she stammered to explain. It was times like this that Zawadi called Zira by the title she claimed in the Outlands. All but Zira were called 'Aunt' by her. She feared Zira too much to be seen as an Aunt in her mind so instead when she needed to please the lioness she would use her title.

"Then why did you not get up?" Zira sneered. "Surely that would have been the better option or did you think your training was over for the day just laying there?"

Zawadi huffed and puffed out her cheeks while pointed her paw at Nuka. "It was his fault. He wouldn't get off…and he's too heavy…stupid big oaf…" she mumbled the last part herself. But Nuka who was still sitting beside her managed to hear her and had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing at her grumpy attitude to what had happened least he want his Mother's anger to be directed at him next.

Rearing her head back, Zira sneered at the two of them. Insolent whelps she thought. At times she thought it would be better just to train Vitani and Kovu. Why bother training Nuka? She wondered to herself. It was not like he was going to become King and he wasn't needed in a hunt like Vitani would in the future. Zawadi…she could easily dispose of the cub and leave her somewhere in the Pridelands for the King to find.

But so many of her plans prevented her from doing just that.

Her eyes flickered to her eldest son. The only real reason she continued to train her son was because he told her he wanted too. He wouldn't tell her his reasons other then that he wanted to please and prove himself to his Mother. But Zira had her suspicions it was about something or better yet someone else as well and she knew exactly who that someone was. Narrowing her eyes she stepped back focusing her attention on the both of them. "Nuka when you trapped her down you should have gone for more hits on her. It was foolish of you to let someone so small take you down with a leg pull!" her voice dripped with disappointment.

Said lions shoulders slumped. Letting out a deep breath through his nose, the young lion nodded his head. "Yes…of course mother…"

From where she sat beside him, Zawadi watched Nuka from the corner of her eyes. Not wanting to anger Zira anymore then the lioness already was, she kept her mouth shut. She learned at times it was best not to say anything to Zira for fear of the consequence's it could lead too.

Zira scowled at how weak she thought her eldest to be. This was the son of Scar and yet he seemed so weak in her eyes. This was unacceptable! She told herself. No son of hers and Scar's would ever be weak. He may have been born sickly but he was that no more. He had gained his weight and strength and health during the times in the Pride Lands when more food returned to the land. His mane was growing in just fine. It was his fighting abilities that seemed weak and she would not accept that. Not one bit.

She needed a way to encourage him more and as much as it sickened her she knew only one real way to manipulate her son into being the lion she wanted him to be. Stepping toward her son, she walked around him nudging Zawadi out of the way making the she-cub stumble back a bit but she paid no heed to her. Instead she wrapped her body around her eldest and brought her mouth close to his ear; "You are weak my son…" she watched him stiffen at her words. "You have the blood of a King in you and yet you are weak. Kovu may be your Father's chosen heir but that doesn't give you an excuse to sit back and let yourself become weak for nothing. Don't you have someone you want to protect?"

Nuka bit back the growl building in his throat. Once again he was being compared to Kovu and how weak he had been at birth. When he had gotten better it still angered him that his Mother would continue to see Kovu as his father's chosen heir. The little runt wasn't even Scar's own son. He was. It just wasn't fair. He flinched inwardly at every word his mother whispered to him.

He didn't like that she saw him as weak.

She was his Mother. She wasn't supposed to see him as such.

He'd always tried to impress his Mother to show that he paid attention to everything she'd ever taught him.

But still that was never enough for the lioness.

Her last words left him confused for just a brief moment.

Did he have someone he wanted to protect?

He felt the skin under his fur heat up when his eyes looked toward Zawadi who by this time had gone to sit by Vitani and Kovu. She was watching him with a confused look, as if asking him silently if something was wrong.

Did he want to protect her?

Why would he want to do that?

Ever since Kumai brought her to the pride he'd wanted to be close to her. Like something was telling him that she was important. At first he thought it was a bond of family because he considered the lionesses his aunts though they weren't related by blood. But then he knew it really wasn't that but something else…but he couldn't tell what…maybe it was because she was the closest thing he had to a friend since Kopa's death?

Her fur also reminded him of the late Queen of the Pride Lands. A lioness that treated him a lot better then his Mother ever had and he missed her dearly. Maybe it was because Zawadi reminded him of the lioness that made him have this connection to her.

But whatever it was, when she was happy, he was happy.

It was like something inside him told him she was important for his future. But in what way he could not be sure. She was just a cub at the moment and there was no point in thinking past that.

But yes he wanted to be strong for her.

Squaring his shoulders and straightening his body. Nuka held his head high; "Yes there is." Was his simple answer.

Zira turned away from her son before he could see the look of disgust on her face. Foolish boy…if only his Father could see him now…she shuddered at the thought of what her beloved Scar would think of his son. She looked over at Zawadi. Damn cub was becoming a nuisance but she would prove her worth in the future. Zira would see to that, she would make the cub fear and hate the Pridelanders.

The cub was already semi-loyal to her and friends with her cubs. Yes, Zawadi would be loyal and when Simba saw that…

She shook her thoughts from her head. Now was not the time to think of her pending victory in the future.

"I want you to track whatever prey you can find and bring it to me! Do this and your training will be over for the day!" Zira called out moving to lounge on a flat rock. There was barely enough prey in the Outlands for the cubs to find but it would show her how much their tracking abilities really were like.

Groaning, the cubs got to their paws though delighted that they may get out of training early the cubs didn't like having to track in the heat. Much of the time it was hard to even catch field mice but they would have to do if they could manage to catch them.

Step by step the cubs began heading in different directions. It never pleased Zira if they worked together to find something. When Vitani argued that it was what a hunting party did, Zira was quick to remind her daughter that this was a test and it was important to learn on their own before the two young females were ever able to join the hunting party.

When they were out of Zira's sight, Zawadi hurried to Nuka's side. Brushing her body up against his leg to catch his attention she smiled up at him before scrunching her brow, "Nuka?"

"Yeah?"

"Why do you continue to go easy on me if it upsets your Mother?" the young lioness asked tilting her head up to look at her friends face as they walked along side one another. "And don't say that you don't." She quickly cut him off when she saw him open his mouth and had the nagging feeling that he was going to deny that she had just said.

She couldn't help the snicker that escaped her when she heard the older male grumble in defeat before he said; "I don't want to hurt you that's all." Nuka glanced downward with a lopsided grin.

Her snickering stopped and she looked up confused, her eyebrow up. "Isn't that the point of training…after all your mother said…?"

"It doesn't matter what my mother said. It's hard for me to hurt you."

"Why?"

Nuka chewed the inside of his cheek trying to find the right answer to tell her but truly he had none. It was no secrete to the two of them that they had a strong growing friendship but it really was hard to explain why he never wanted to hurt her. Gulping, Nuka rubbed the back of his neck mussing up his growing black mane and chuckled nervously. "I guess it's because you're so tiny." Lifting a paw he curled it up to make it look like she was a tiny insect. "Heck you're tinier then Vitani was at your age."

That was true, Nuka added to himself. Zawadi though smaller then them in general because she was born some time after all of them, still was rather short for a three and a half month old. He didn't remember Vitani or even Kovu being as small as she. When he asked this of Kumai, his aunt just told him that all cubs were different and that Zawadi still had some growing to do.

His once lopsided grin grew when he saw the irritation come over Zawadi's face. She never did like when her height was brought up. Especially when Kovu would tease her and wonder what she would look like fully grown, how small would she be compared to the rest of them. That day he had made Zawadi cry and Nuka had gotten in trouble for smacking his brother into one of the termite mounds of doing so.

Stomping her paw on the ground, the she-cub made her way ahead of him all the while muttering. "I am not that small."

Shaking his head, Nuka let her go off on her own knowing his mother would not approve of them helping each other. But sticking close within ear shot and scent didn't matter because he always stayed close just enough that she had her independence on her little 'hunts' while giving her protection as well.


Zira watched as all four returned carrying their 'kills' and laid them at the base of the rock she was laying on. Pushing herself up onto her paws she stared downwards at it and narrowed her eyes. It was pitiful but what else was there to catch. Even she had the decent knowledge of that when she sent each cub out, but it didn't make her feel any less disappointed that the cubs couldn't catch anything bigger.

How were they ever going to learn how to hunt in the future? She snarled to herself.

Laying there she took in the kills.

Kovu it seemed had managed to catch what appeared to be an old meerkat and that she was…proud of her son.

But it was Vitani's catch that caught her attention. Ah, her little huntress, of course she would have the biggest of them all. A vulture lay at the paws of the golden lioness cub.

With a solemn look she gazed at the six field mice that Nuka had caught. It wasn't anything special in her mind but her oldest seemed proud of himself nonetheless.

Her eyes then went to Zawadi's with a critical eye. She saw the cub was keeping her head up but her eyes down as if fearing Zira's reaction. But Zira knew that if she didn't praise the cub (Even if it disgusted herself to do so) now and again it wouldn't help her cause to get the cub on their side. She didn't want to raise a rebel on her midst. She forced a half smile on her face and complimented the younger cub on the lizard she had managed to catch.

This had caused Zawadi to raise her head in surprise but a large smile soon cracked across her face. It wasn't often Zira complimented her and though she often feared Zira, the lioness was still her Queen and leader and it made her proud of herself for having caught what she did.

Zira collected herself leaning back ignoring the smile the brown she-cub gave her. She nodded her head to them. "These shall be your meals for the night. As cubs you need your food. Eat and be strong. You are our future after all." She sweet talked them with a semi gentle look on her face. Jumping down from the rock she paced along front of them before she turned and began walking away wanting to go and hunt her own, she wouldn't eat something so pathetically small for her body.

"As I promised your training is over for the day." Nothing more was said as she left the cubs that were all now cracking grins at the fact they got off training early that day.

When their Mother was finally out of ear shot. Vitani grabbed her vulture and carried it over to Zawadi dropping it in front of her with a smile. "Here I'll share with you Zawadi. I know you really don't like lizards." She laughed at the look of disgust that came over the younger female's face.

"Yuck." Sticking out her tongue, Zawadi made more of a disgusted face before cracking a smile. Rubbing her cheek against Vitani's she purred; "Thank you 'Tani."

Wrapping her head around the younger female's Vitani smiled. "No problem Kiddo." She pulled away just before Zawadi could smack her with her paw for calling her 'Kiddo.'

"Hey Vitani!" Kovu called over to his sister, when he caught her attention he gruffly asked. "Why do you always share your meals with her and not the rest of us?"

"Are you complaining that your meerkat isn't big enough for your small stomach?" Zawadi asked for Vitani moving to stand along side the golden female. Both females soon turned to face the young male who tried to ignore the contemplating looks they were both giving him. He was beginning to miss it when it was only Vitani around. Having one female teasing him was one thing, but two…he didn't understand how grown males with large prides handled so many females with the looks that they gave that could make you want to slap yourself for saying something stupid.

Stomping his paw roughly on the ground the young male growled. "That's not what I meant!"

"That's sure what it sounds like it mean termite." Kovu's head snapped to look at his brother who at the moment was finishing off the field mice that he had caught.

"It is not!" Kovu shouted.

"Oh relax Kovu, we're just teasing you." Smiling, Zawadi jumped over to Kovu's side and rubbed her body along his purring then tucked her head under his chin. Gulping, Kovu blushed under his fur at the attention he was receiving from the female but his eyes grew large when he heard the low pitch growl that came from Nuka that was directed at him.

His green eyes looked toward the grey male who was glaring at him with a heated gaze that made Kovu feel that if he could he would have died from the look his brother was giving him. Kovu didn't know why Nuka was giving him that look…well he did and he didn't. He could never understand why Nuka was so close to Zawadi. But whatever the case was his brother was just too protective of her he thought.

Shaking his head, Kovu shoved Zawadi away from him. "Ew, don't be so clingy Za'!" Though Kovu would not admit outwardly with his brother around him, it did boost his ego to get the attention of a female that wasn't his sister or mother.

Laughing, Zawadi smacked him in the nose with her tail then padded her way back over to hers and Vitani's kills. The golden female was already finishing off the lizard Zawadi caught while Zawadi started to dig into the vulture. Swallowing a large chuck of meat, the brown cub looked at the young male. "I am not clingy…I am simply…of what's the word?" she looked at Vitani whose shoulders rolled in a shrug. "Oh never mind." Zawadi rolled her eyes then continued eating while Vitani joined her in sharing the large bird.

Grumbling, Kovu started to eat his own meal while saying; "You know you never did answer my question Vitani."

"It's because you're too whiny." Was the golden female's straight forward answer.

When they were finished eating, the two females began making their way back to the pride. As much as she wasn't one for liking baths, Zawadi knew her Mother was the best thing to being groomed after eating.

Nuka though stayed back with Kovu fixing the younger cub with a glare when both she-cubs were out of sight. Kovu though just looked smugly at his older brother and placed a paw over his own chest. "Hey don't glare at me just because she likes me better." He stepped back when Nuka snapped his jaws at him.

"She does not you little termite!" Nuka growled leaning back he glared down at the younger cub with just his eyes while he kept his nose up. "She finds you annoying most the time."

Kovu smirked and squared his shoulders. "You keep telling yourself that brother." He said with smugness in his voice. Smirking he made his way around Nuka and hurried on after his sister and friend leaving the older male glaring after him.

Scowling to himself, Nuka shook his head. "No…she doesn't like him more…" he spoke to himself as if he was trying to reassure himself with it. Nuka already lost so much thanks to Kovu. First he lost his throne and even now that his Father was dead and it was known that Kovu wasn't Scar's real son his own Mother was still calling Kovu "The Chosen One."

His own mother seemed to love Kovu more then him.

Zawadi was his. His friend. She brought him calm and made him happy. Kovu had already stolen so much. He couldn't have to her.

Shaking his head to try and clear his mind. The grey lion bounded on after the other cubs to head on back and join the rest of the pride.


Paw quivered as one green eye stared out into the pending darkness. She did not like this idea of her Mothers. Not one bit. She did not like the dark and yet her Mother and aunts were bringing her out into it for her 'special training' by them. Beside her Nuka stood staring down at her with a look of confidence, he knew she was afraid of the dark because of being partially blind but he had faith in her.

When he heard what the other lionesses had planned for Zawadi that night he wanted in on it but Kumai had denied him. Saying that if his mother caught him out helping them he just might end up in trouble with her.

Zawadi had agreed with her Mother. She didn't want Nuka to get in trouble for her sake. She leaned back against the side of her friend's leg, rubbing her head against his fur as he bent and licked the top of her head. "Hey runt don't worry you'll do just fine."

The brown cub looked up at the older male with a small scowl that Nuka thought was cute on her face. "How are you so sure?"

The grey male shrugged his shoulders. "Don't know. Maybe I just have more faith in you then you have in yourself." Nuka rubbed the top of her head grinning when she pulled away to fix the mussed fur atop her head.

Both of them fell silent when they heard someone approach and watched Kumai come out of the shadows. A smile on her face as she watched the two. "It's time Zawadi. Your aunts are out in their positions all around. The rule of this is you are to track them by sound and by smell while allowing your good eye to see as much as you can." Kumai explained reaching her daughters side.

The young cub looked up at her Mother with a nervous look but Kumai just bent and nuzzled her in reassurance. Nuka then nudged her with his nose. "Go on runt, I'll be here waiting when you return." To prove he would do as he said, the grey lion lowered himself to the ground and laid his head on his paws eyeing his friend closely.

Taking a deep breathe, Zawadi nodded her head and smiled at him. "Okay!" she chirped giving him a lick on the cheek before she started bounding off into the dark.

Kumai watched her go before looking at Nuka who was staring after her daughter. She smiled knowing the young male had a deep friendship with Zawadi she spoke. "She'll be safe." Her only answer from the protective male was a nod of his head and she smirked before turning and heading on into the dark after her daughter. She would stick close to her daughter throughout the night while the cub practiced her other skills.

Zawadi carefully made her way through the dark. Above her the moon was only quarter full so it didn't give her much light. She jumped when she heard her mother step on a twig behind her and she whipped around to face her. Kumai grinned down at the cub. "Your reflexes of possible danger do you good." She stated matter-of-factly.

"Now…you need to let all insecurities go. Pay close attention to the sounds around you, smell all the scents. You know them by scent my dear its how young blind cubs do it when they're born. Just trust your instincts. They are what will keep you alive."

Staring up at her Mother, Zawadi allowed herself to process what her mother was telling her. Trust her instincts. She saw her Mother's eyes shinning with the same confidence that Nuka had in her. Why wasn't it that she had confidence in herself? Was it merely because of her handicap? She touched her eye briefly until her mouth cleared her throat to catch her attention and she froze a little at the stern look the lioness was giving her.

Kumai stared down at her daughter and shook her head. "Do not let that render you. You are unique. Let that be your strength. Let yourself become stronger because of it." She smiled as she watched the awe come over the cubs face at her words.

Letting the words rummage around in her mind. Could this really be her strength and could she really become stronger because of it. By the way her mother was looking at her; Zawadi felt something swell inside her chest. Pride? She wasn't sure.

But suddenly she had more confidence than she had moments before. Paws firmly planted on the ground, Zawadi gave a determined nod. "I'll try my best Mommy." She grinned at her mother before she turned and began heading off to find where her aunts had hidden themselves. Smelling the air she could not catch one of their scents…well a fresh one at least. The whole area was saturated in their scents for living in the Outlands all these months.

All the scents were old that was until she caught the briefest fresh scent of one that beloved too Spotty. Kicking her paws on the ground she began running in the direction of it but when she arrived at where it last was she could find no one. Her ears then perked when she heard the shuffling of paws as something seemed to move behind her and a tail slapped against her side and then it was gone as Spotty's voice echoed off the rocks. "You move too loudly. If you want to catch your prey you have to not only see, hear and smell them but you must be silent as well."

When Zawadi turned on the spot she saw no one but a figure standing in the distance but what little light of the moon there was she saw it was only her Mother overlooking her training.

Turning around again she could tell that Spotty's scent was no longer in the area. Behind her Kumai spoke up; "Trust your instincts."

There it was again. Trust your instincts.

What did she mean by that?

But taking deep breathes, Zawadi remembered back to her first life lessons that Asma had told her about. That all animals were born with survival instincts and a predator had to trust there's as much as prey did. Squaring her shoulders, Zawadi began moving forward again this time clearing her mind she allowed herself to listen for any movement that could be.

Stopping once when she heard movement across the ground but seconds later it was shown to only be a mouse.

But while she was staring at the mouse she caught the scent of both Dotty and Asma. Remembering Spotty's warning, she began heading in that direction but tried to be as silent as possible. Keeping to the shadows allowing her nose and hearing to be the sight that she could not see on her left side.

Her body froze when her ear left caught movement. Lowering herself to the ground she could hear someone moving along the rocks above her. Keeping her claws in so they didn't scrap the ground she slid her body along the cool stone ground. A shiver ran through her. Where it was hot during the day, it could at times be very chilly at night in the Outlands.

Carefully she got to her paws and started to climb onto the rocks that she heard the sounds coming from. But the moment she reached the top someone bounded and jumped over her and started running along the way she had just come from. Whipping her head around she saw that it was Asma who laughed as she ran away.

Scrambling down the rocks again, Zawadi began giving chase to her. But the older lioness was much faster so was long out of sight but Zawadi kept her earring pinpointing the sound of paws hitting the ground ahead of her to keep her going in the right direction.

She realized too late that she was listening too much for Asma's movements that she hadn't heard the other sound of paws coming towards her until they were right on top of her. The she-cub let out a yelp as she was suddenly grabbed from the left and pinned down beneath a pair of paws.

Twisting her head she found herself looking into the grinning face of Dotty who stared down at her. "Gotcha cub." She bent down and licked the left side of Zawadi's face. Though in the beginning she wanted nothing to do with the cub, she could not deny that Zawadi had grown on her. She was the daughter of the Queen who had given them a second chance and they had repaid with betrayal. Well she could make it up to the cub even if she hated the other Pridelanders for Hawa's death. Neither Zuri nor Zawadi had anything to do with that.

"Ew! Auntie Dotty!" The cub squirmed beneath her paws until her aunt let her back up. The older lioness bent her head and nudged her. "You were doing okay but you need to learn to pay attention to everything around you especially since you can't see to your left. If in the future you are ever to hunt large prey you need to be mindful. You can't pay attention to the sound of only one thing or else you may not see if the herd has turned and headed your way until it's too late." Dotty explained stepping back from the cub she gave her a proud smile before she turned her head toward Kumai who made her way over once she finally caught up with them.

"Are you finished Zawadi?" Kumai asked eyeing her cub. Wondering if the cub had, had enough. She would not blame the cub for wanting to give up on her first try of all this but a smile spread across her muzzle when the cub shook her head. Jumping to her paws, Zawadi gazed up at her Mother and aunt. "Nope. I want to try again!"

"That's the spirit!" Dotty laughed. "I guess you're not so much afraid of the dark anymore are you cub?"

At the mention of the dark, Zawadi shuddered. In truth she had been trying to block it out when she was tracking her aunts. But now that she thought about it, some part of her wanted to go running back to the termite mounds where she could be safe and warm sleeping beside her Mother and Nuka. But another part of her wanted to continue to try and see how much more she could do and become stronger.

She knew deep down she wouldn't be able to accomplish this in one night but she wanted to try as much as she could before she got too tired and had to head on back home.

"I…I am only as afraid of the dark…as it is afraid of me…" Was her answer to Dotty's question. She wanted as both lionesses shared a look them turned back to face her. Dotty stood and began making her way off into the darkness, "Well then cub, and remember what I told you about keeping your ears and nose open to everything around you." Were her aunt's last words before she blended into the darkness around her prepared to tell the others the cub was going to have another go in finding them.

Kumai bent down so her face was close to Zawadi's and questioned her daughter. "Are you sure you are up for continuing? No one will have anything bad to say if you don't want too. This is only the beginning of this portion of your training."

The cub only nodded her head in a stubborn and determined fashion. "Yes Mama. I want to try again. I think I can catch one of them this time." Behind her, her tail swished in excitement at the idea of being able to successfully track down an experience lioness in the dark.

Unable to say no to her daughter's excitement, Kumai stood back and moved to the side holding out her paw. "Well then little squeaker go on and track your prey. Make sure to give a mighty roar too." She laughed as the cub jumped on the spotty then started to run off the way that Dotty had went.

Kumai sat back where she was while Zawadi took off into the distance. It wasn't long until a small echoing roar of a cub bounced off the rocks in every direction alerting her prey she was on the move for them again. Her head turned to the right when she caught movement and watched as Zira sat down on the rocks near her. It had been twenty minutes into Zawadi's training that she had found Zira had followed them.

The Outlander Queen stared blankly in the direction the cub had gone. Her eyes then went to Kumai who was watching her intently. "Oh fear not Kumai, I will not lay a paw on your daughter. I am simply interested in her training."

"Forgive me my Queen for not including you. I only figured you would not mind with having to put up with the cubs during the daylight hours." Kumai spoke coolly.

Zira smirked lifting her eyes into the distance where she saw movements of her lionesses as they evaded the cub giving chase to them. "She's a good asset Kumai. I only allow this exercise of yours to continue because I need the girl's loyalty in the future. If you are lucky I shall let her live." She allowed her smirk to broaden at the slight widening of Kumai's eyes and the small spark of hope in them at the prospect that Zira may allow her daughter to live in the end.

Kumai knew it was a false hope and she should not cling too it but she wanted too. She did not want Zawadi to die now. That had been the plan in the beginning but it was no longer what she wanted. She only wanted the cub to live. She wanted a reason for life and Zawadi gave her that reason now.

Zira's shoulders heaved with silent laughter. "After all she is the daughter of a King…my little Kovu would need a Queen in the future. And what perfect way of taking the throne no? After all she'll be loyal to Kovu and no one else." Turning she began walking away. Not that she would ever give her son to the daughter of that wretched King but she knew the blood of Kings ran in Zawadi. She was an important piece of the war.

Time would only tell how far Zira would go for it to end and to ensure her victory. And a victory she shall have.

Be it the blood of Simba's or his daughters.

A twisted smile appeared on her face.

Or the blood of all.


Forgive me once again for how long it took me to get this up. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

Please remember to review.