Chapter 3

As weeks past, the cub in Nala's womb got bigger, and so did it's mother's lie to Simba. She had yet to tell her mate about the night she had with Ni, fearing she would lose his trust, and possibly be abandoned by the pride, left to care for the cub on her own. Instead, she kept feeding Simba lies, pretending that this was really his cub she was carrying, and how happy she was that he was the father.

One morning, while Simba was walking the kingdom, and no one was around to guard his mate, Nala decided to pay a visit to her mother-in-law Sarabi. Even with the return of her son, the aging lioness chose to stay away from the pride, and to live in a small, quiet cave at the foot of Pride Rock.

"Sarabi?" Nala called into the cave as she entered. "Is it all right if we talked?"

"Nala?" a voice croaked from the darkness. "Come in, dear. You know you're always welcome to visit."

Nala walked into the cave, and lay down beside Sarabi. The effects of Scar's reign had taken a toll on the lioness' body, making her look weak and old compared to Nala.

"Now…what would you like to discuss with me?" Sarabi asked.

"Well…" Nala said slowly, not sure how to break the news that she had lied to her companion's son. "I think I've made…a mistake."

"Really?"

"Yes…and I think Simba deserves a better queen than me."

"A better queen?" Sarabi repeated, and gave a small laugh. "Now, don't be ridiculous, Nala! You're young, beautiful…you and my son were made for each other. What seems to be the problem?"

"I…think I've been unfaithful to my mate." Nala admitted.

"Oh…I see…" Sarabi said, but not sounding very disappointed.

"Sarabi, what am I going to do?" Nala whimpered. "I love Simba, but…I can't go on living like this! He has to know the truth!"

"Then tell him," Sarabi simply said.

"It's not that easy…" Nala sighed. "I don't think he would understand…"

Both lionesses were silent for a moment. Then, Sarabi asked, "Do you remember your brother, Mheetu?"

"How could I forget?" Nala said quietly, looking down at her paws. Mheetu was her baby brother, born just days after Mufasa's death. Her mother, Sarafina, had killed by Scar trying to protect him. It was no use, though…Mheetu, too frail and tiny, died just days after his mother. "What does he have to do with this?"

"A lot more than you think," Sarabi told her. "Do you know who his father was?"

"No," Nala replied. "Although I guessed it wasn't my father."

"No, your mother mated a different lion," Sarabi said. "Another lion in the pride."

Nala looked at her. "Who?"

Sarabi smiled, and replied, "Mufasa."

"What?" her companion gasped. "But…he was your mate…"

"And also your mother's," Sarabi pointed out. "Don't you see, Nala? You shouldn't be ashamed by being unfaithful; almost everyone in this pride has had a relationship with more than one lion. It's practically it's own part of the Circle of Life."

Nala sighed, and got up. "I guess I should just hope for the best, huh?" she asked.

"Don't worry, my dear." Sarabi assured her. "Simba has become a mature, understanding adult. You'll be fine." She gave Nala a smile, and the young lioness returned it.

As Nala left the cave, Sarabi called to her. "Oh…and if my son does give you any trouble, then just ask him who is the father of his friend Tojo. Then he will understand!"

While walking back to Pride Rock, Nala heard strange, loud noises. It sounded like growling, possibly coming from a lion.

Suddenly, something flew over her head, and Nala had to duck so she wouldn't get hit. She looked down, and saw a hurt animal, tumbling down the rocks. She was about to go help the creature, but…

"Nala!" Simba ran and jumped in front of her. "Where have you been?" he growled, looking angry.

"I was talking to your mother," Nala replied, deciding that she didn't have to lie.

"You can't risk going out in your condition! Especially with him hanging around here!" Simba jerked his head towards the creature, which was limping away from the rocks.

"Why did you have to hurt him?" Nala snapped. "Who is he, anyway?"

Simba sighed, and replied, "Some lion, who says he knows you. Personally, I think he's trying to take over the kingdom."

"He probably just needs a place to spend the night!" Nala protested.

"Maybe…but not while I'm king." Simba turned to head towards the cave, but turned back to his mate. "Come. You and the cub need your rest."

Nala sighed, and obeyed. She followed the king into their home, but not before giving one last glace to the outsider. Simba may have thought he was a stranger, but Nala knew he was really a friend…maybe more.

In case you didn't know, Mheetu was a character taken out of the original movie. Tojo is one of Simba's friends in a German comic book (very popular in TLK fan works!)