Ok just to clear up ANY confusion about who is what here's a guide. Hope it helps

Kruger = first born, son of Kiara and Kovu.

Kaya = second born, daughter of Kiara and Kovu

Tunza = leader of the Savannah pride

Dalila = first mate of Tunza, mother of Anika

Zarina =second mate of Tunza, taking the place of Dalila who died in a hunting accident.

Anika = first born, daughter of Tunza and his first mate Dalila

Manu = second born, son of Tunza and his second mate Zarina

Hope that clears it up!

So now here we go….

Normal disclaimers apply here….

Pride Rock….

Kovu glared at his son and daughter as they came to stand in front of him.

"Your late." He scolded them keeping his voice stern. In truth he didn't really care that they were late, but Kruger had left him an extremely uncomfortable position with his absence.

"Sorry daddy but Kruger was visiting with grandpa and ….well you know how grandpa can be." Kaya said smiling up at him.

"You went to see Simba?" Kovu asked addressing his son.

"Yes." Kruger stated flatly.

"Well I guess I can let it slide this time but I have to tell you. You knew that Temba and Cyrah were coming here today and you still took off. That did not look good Kruger." Kovu scolded.

"Don't be so hard on him." Kiara said coming up behind him. "You know perfectly well that our son did not need to be here today. Just because you got stuck dealing with that daughter of Tamba's." She said playfully rubbing against him.

"Uhem… that is not the point." Kovu said trying to sound stern.

Unfortunately it came out a bit to forced causing them all to laugh.

"Sorry dad but I'm not exactly fond of either of them. Temba is …well I'm not quite sure but I just don't trust her. And as for Cyrah….well she is her mother's daughter." Kruger said as he walked past his parents and headed back toward the den.

"Kruger…" Kovu started to say

"Just let him be." Kiara said cutting him off. Using her front paws to push against his shoulders. Her action caused him to lose his balance and stumble sideways. Causing Kaya to laugh again.

Kruger watched from above them, as his parents play fought with each other. He smiled as a familiar longing filled his chest. This was what he wanted. To be mated to one he could look to as a mate for his soul. Just as his parents were.

Meanwhile out in the Savannah…

"Where have you been?" Zarina growled as she watched them approach. "You were not to take him out there today." She continued.

Anika glared at her and said, "He needed to get the training in order to hunt. I was only doing as Tunza commanded."

"He will not need to hunt! He will be the next King of this pride! The lionesses will do the hunting for him. It is far past time that he needs you to train him. My son no longer has any need of you." Zarina growled.

"I disagree." Manu growled at her.

"WHAT?" Zarina said outraged. She then got vary angry and focused back on Anika. "HOW DARE YOU TURN MY SON AGAINST ME!" She roared as she launched herself at the younger lioness.

Zarina grabbed hold of Anika by the back of her neck and threw her to the ground then bit down on the younger lioness' muzzle.

Anika whimpered in submission and did not bother to fight back. She had been in enough of these fights to know that if she did fight back the beating would be far worse.

So she just lay there while Zarina bit and clawed at her face and upper back.

"Mother stop! It was my fault. I went out on my own! I left her no choice." Manu yelled from behind them.

Zarina released her hold on Anika's muzzle and spun back to face him. "You are restricted to the den!" She yelled at him. "Now move!" She said pushing him toward the den.

Anika pulled her front legs up underneath her and gave her brother a halfhearted smile. The cuts and bite marks were minor thanks to his intervention. Zarina would never hurt him; he was her connection to Tunza's kingdom.

She got to her feet and moved off to her normal sleeping area. She circled the spot and laid down. Tunza would return from his scouting tomorrow. Things were always better when he was around; Zarina never attacked her when he was there. Whenever he asked about the bites and scratches that she was covered in, Anika had always told him that they were hunting injuries. If he doubted what she told him, he never said anything.

So she went to sleep knowing things would be better in the morning.

He crept past the sleeping lionesses and snuck to the den's entrance. Today's attack had been the last straw. He had had enough. If he was not here, then her life would be a hundred times better.

He moved silently just as Anika had taught him during his hunting lessons. He paused for a moment to glance back at where Anika was sleeping. He would miss her more then any other, but he had to leave.

Without another thought he began to walk away from his home and family. Once he was far enough away he began to run as the tears began to stream down his face unchecked.

"Where is he?" The sound of Zarina's scream shattered her from her sleep. She turned back to look at the entrance to the den.

"We don't know. He was not here when we awoke this morning." One of the others said sheepishly.

The roaring coming out of the den was infuriated. She got to her feet as the others came running out of the den. What was going on?

Her question was soon answered when Zarina came running out of the den. "WHERE IS HE!" She roared.

Anika began to look around; panic seized her as she realized he was gone. Her eyes locked on Zarina who was glaring at her, panting hard with her fangs bared.

"THIS IS YOUR FAULT!" Zarina growled.

"My fault?" Anika asked.

Zarina lowered her front and made ready to attack her growling her intent.

Just as she was about to launch her self forward a loud roar from behind her made her stop.

"What is going on here." He asked

"Tunza." Anika said watching as the massive golden manned lion stepped between them.