The next day it was Nala's day for patrol. Kion was relived, as his mom was usually much more fair than his father was.

"Alright!" Kion's excitement was clear in his voice. "Lets go!"

Nala smiled gently. She knew how much being a lion guard meant to Kion.

They started walking and patrolling the Pride Lands.

"Hey guys!"

"Matope!" Beshte greeted, his ears wiggling in excitement. Everyone (Sans Kion and Nala) happily greeted their friend.

Fuli noticed Kion didn't join them and looked over. "Kion, this is the giraffe we saved yesterday."

Kion gave a light smile. Deep inside he was slightly jealous his friends saved someone with him. It might have been because his father stopped him but not them, or that he felt if they could do a mission without him,...did they need him as a leader. Either way, he stayed by his mother's side.

"My mother is so grateful you saved me, and wants to invite you to the party she's having." Matope said. "Well it's more of a family reunion...and more of a fact she needs guys like you so our family doesn't't fight….like they usually do…."

"Sure. We can keep guard at your party." Kion said.

"Is there gonna be any grapes?" Beshte asked. "They're my favorite!"

Matope giggled as how cute his enthusiasm for grapes was. "Of course. I told mother how much you love them. Come on, I'll take you guys there."

Matope lead the team, and Nala, to an abundance of trees, full of fresh green leaves. A few giraffes were already gathered, chatting with one another; peaceful….for now.

"Matope, darling!" Her mother said, then nuzzled her.

"Hi mother." Matope greeted.

The giraffe looked at the Lion Guard, and smiled. "Thank you for coming, darlings. I'm afraid that this reunion might break out in a fight like last time." She closed her eyes and shook her head gently. "Kubwa's back leg hasn't been the same since."

"Of course." Kion said. "We love to help, Mrs…."

"Dhana. Ms. Dhana. That lowlife, Kudanganya, ran off with Adui, a giraffe from the Pride over. You know the...hmm what was that Pride called."

"The Nyasi Pride?" Nala suggested.

"Yes, exactly. Thank you, darling." Dhana said. "How on Earth could you remember the name of such a horrid pride, anyhow?"

Nala's eyebrows furrowed. "That 'Horrid Pride' happens to be one of our closest allies. When Scar was in power they gave us food and other aide."

"Your majesty, have you seen how filthy that Pride is. I fear for our lands if our queen holds it to such a high light."

"I'm friends with some of the cubs in the Nyasi Pride." Kion argued. "They're really nice."

"Mother, please stop." Matope interrupted.

"You! I'm not over the fact you were playing in filth yesterday, young lady!"

"Mud is fun though." Beshte said.

"A filthy creature like you would know, hippo!"

Beshte looked hurt.

"Dhana, he's just a child!" Nala roared.

"A filthy one! None of the other animals in this Pride match the majesty of the giraffe."

"I dunno. Hanging with those mangy lions might change you…"

"Hyenas." Dhana spat. "The filthiest of all."

"Hey, you don't know when we last bathed!" Banzai barked.

"And when was that?" Dhana challenged, an eyebrow raised.

"...You know...I don't even remember." Banzai replied.

Dhana scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Filthy."

"Filthy?" Shenzi laughed. "This is nothing compared to how messy it will be when we're done here."

"Yeah." Banzai eyed the prince. "Kion will be the worst."

Nala stepped in front of her son and roared at the hyenas. Her claws extended, ready to attack if necessary. "If you leave now, I won't hurt you. Simba won't even have to know you were here."

"Queen Nala." Shenzi said in false happiness. In mock, she and the others bowed before her. Nala did not look amused.

"Get out." She said.

"You remind me of your daughter." Shenzi said. "A pacifist at heart."

"I won't be a pacifist if you threaten my son's safety." Nala said, keeping her cool. Kion's body was tensed, ready to flee if needed.

Shenzi doubted Nala's words and leapt in Kion's direction. Nala roared loudly and tackled her down, pinning her. "Stay away from my son, you mutt!"

Shenzi shivered in fear. Nala's eyes shined a future...an un bright one. "If you hurt him, I won't hesitate to attack again! Now get out before I gather the rest of the Pride!"

Banzai and Ed tried to pounce Nala in an attempt to save their leader. Dhana swung her neck and pushed them both back.

Banzai got up and snarled, followed by Ed. Dhana raised her front legs, looking much taller and intimidating than before. She once again pushed them back. Nala was in shock and watched the fight, accidentally allowing Shenzi to escape.

"You idiots!" She barked at Ed and Banzai. She then rammed Dhana's legs causing her to fall into a mud puddle. Dhana quickly got up and lowered her head. She then proceeded the ram the three hyenas back.

"Get out of here!" Dhana spat. The hyenas whimpered and ran off.

"Dhana…" Nala started.

"Dhana?"

Dhana looked over quickly. "Kubwa! I…."

"You're a mess!" Kubwa said, walking towards her with some other giraffes. Kion had noticed he had a small limp as he walked.

"You're a disgrace to the graceful giraffe!" Called a female with a sharp, feminine voice.

Dhana felt her eyes fill with tears as all of her family insulted her.

"Mud! Uck! What is she, a swine?"

"Do you not care about your looks anymore, sweetie?"

"Absolutely revolting!"

"I would NOT be caught dead like that!"

Kion had enough. "Stop it!"

The giraffes, startled, stared at the lion cub, whose breathing increased in anger. "Why would you pick on her like that? She's your family! Besides she's a hero!"

"What hero has fur caked in mud?"

"What hero doesn't't!? Heroes go on adventures, and adventures aren't clean." Kion pointed out. "Besides, she head butted three hyenas!"

The Giraffes looked impressed. Dhana became bashful, and folded her ears, blushing slightly.

"I do say, the brown on your coat makes your eyes stand out." One said.

"Thank you my dear sister." Dhana replied.

"How did she fight off such vile creatures?" One asked.

"We'll show ya!" Bunga proclaimed.

"Show ya?" Kion asked. "How are we gonna show him?"

'Oooo! We could act it out!" Ono suggest. She put up her wing and place it similar to that of a fancy fan. "I live for the theater."

The team got a chuckle out of this: It sounded like an impression of Dhana and her relatives more than anything.

"I get to be Dhana!" Kion called.

"Why not me? I am a girl like she is after all." Ono said.

"Why not me then, I'm a mammal like her." Fuli said.

"I'm the leader." Kion challenged.

"Well I suggest it!" Bunga argued.

"I'll be a hyena." Beshte said, trying to stop the argument.

Kion stopped arguing for a moment while the others continued. He caught sight of his mother, sitting by, rolling her eyes slightly at the silly argument. If his father was here, he'd have none of this. Simba would've stopped them and vetoed the whole thing all together. Nala was more of a laid back and calm parent, which Kion favored.

Suddenly a light bulb went off in his head. "hey! What if mom plays Dhana?"

"Me?" Nala seemed flattered her son wanted to include her. "thank you, Kion, but...the others…"

"I think you're a good choice." Fuli said.

"And besides, we can't agree on who it should be." Bunga added.

Ono from upon Beshte's back, nodded once.

"I'll be Ed!' Beshte said.

"I can be Shenzi." Fuli said.

"And I'll be Banzai." Kion said.

"What about me?" Ono sniffled. "I wanna be in it."

"You can be the mud puddle!" Beshte suggested.

"A mud puddle for an acting debut, really?" Ono challenged.

"The mud puddle is important in the story." Beshte said. "It's like another villain."

"Well…" Ono put a wing under her break in thought. "Alright!"

The group got into positions, as the giraffes looked on, excited for this unexpected entertainment for their party.

They started the play and it went well. The giraffes cheered as Nala reenacted the braveness that Dhana had displayed before they arrived.

Ono got into her role when Nala pretend to fall into her. "I am Uchafu, and you, giraffe, have ruined my slumber! How shall I punish you….hmmm….I got it! I will stain your beautiful coat with my filth!"

Nala's head butting consisted of gently pushing Kion and Fuli to their stomach. Beshte on the the other hand sat down, fearing he might not be able to get up again if he fell on his back.

Afterwords the giraffes stomped their hooves, giving them all applause.

Dhana also got her fair share of compliments:

"You were so brave Dhana!"

"I'd never let my head touch such a filthy mongrel! I'm so proud of you!"

"My daughter, a hero!"

"The mud actually makes your lovely eyes stand out more!"

"Such beauty and strength!"

"I wanna be like her when I'm older, mama!"

Dhana looked to her daughter. "Maybe the mud isn't so bad darling."

Matope then proceeded to dip her snout in mud and rub it against her mother's neck. The giraffes' gasped in horror.

Dhana smirked and giggled lightly. "You are gonna pay for that, daughter."

SPLASH!

Matope was now covered in mud. She shook herself furiously to get the mud off, soaking everyone else.

Kion laughed as he shielded his eyes from the splatter. "Mom's gonna have to give me an extra long bath today!"

"Mud!" Beshte cheered, rolling around on the ground to soak up as much as possible.

"Yuck!" Bunga said as he looked in his covered arms. He shook his fur.

"Momma will think I got new spots for camouflage." Fuli teased.

Ono was vigorously shaking her wings. "This'll make my wings too heavy to fly!"

Matope folded her ears back bashfully. "Oops."

Everyone laughed and continued to enjoy the party.

…..

"That was fun, mom!" Kion said as they left.

"Yes, but you're all covered in mud." Nala said. "We'll have to stop at the water hole and wash off."

"But I like the mud, it feels good." Beshte explained.

"Then you're the only one." Bunga grumbled, still unable to get some of it off.

"Your mother won't be happy if you're dirty when I return you." Nala said, smirking slightly. "You can roll in mud puddles again later."

The group was lead to the water hole by Nala. She picked up her son by his scruff and placed him in the shallow water. She started wetting his fur and cleaning it.

Ono and Bunga stayed in the more shallow water, while Beshte and Fuli went into some deeper water.

"Hey, watch this!" Beshte said. He ducked under the water, only keeping his snout above the water. Ono flew over and perched on it. Her feathers caused Beshte to sneezed, causing a frenzy of bubbles.

Beshte emerged, coughing up water.

"Sorry, you okay?" Ono asked.

"I'm-" He coughed "fine."

Ono perched on his head. When she wasn't flying, she usually rode on Beshte's back, it was a nice way to travel. Also she'd be able to stay at pace with the others when patrolling. Ono kicked his feet and swam around as her personal boat.

"There." Nala said, giving Kion some finishing licks. "You can go play with your friends now if you want. I'm going to nap under the trees."

"Alright. I love you momma." Kion purred, nuzzling the side of her face gently. Nala returned the nuzzle, also purring slightly.

"I love you too Kion...so very much." She said gently, her mind trailing to the memory of her first son Kopa. She'd never let Kion have the same fate. If he grew up in a loving Pride, and those hyenas stayed away, she believed he'd be just fine.

Kion skipped into the water placed Bunga on his back.

"What are you doing?" Bunga asked.

Kion chuckled. "I'm taking you over to the others."

"Alright, but if I fall off.."

"You won't. But, if you're afraid you will, you can ride on Beshte with Ono." Kion suggested.

When they got over, Bunga leapt onto Beshte's back.

"Nice jump!" Ono cheered, flailing her feathers. "I thought you weren't gonna make it!"

"Gee thanks, Ono…" Bunga grumbled.

Ono tried to stifle a giggle. "I was just joking." She elbowed him with her wing, causing him to lose balance and fall into the water.

Luckily Kion caught him on his back. Bunga was panting in fear. He clung to Kion's neck and shook, teeth chattering.

"Hey, that's kinda tight." Kion coughed out.

"Sorry." Bunga apologized, loosening his grip.

"Hey remember what Rafiki said." Ono directed to Bunga. "The only way to face your fear is to face it head on!"

"I can't face my fear if I drown!" Bunga argued.

"True...Hey Rafiki told me that the Great Kings of the past guard the animals that die. Non royals aren't stars, but the moon."

"You sure do talk to Rafiki a lot." Bunga commented.

"Yeah, he's really wise." Ono swooned. "He said I'd be a great shaman one day."

"How would you hold up the royal cub?" Bunga challenged.

"Hmm...well our group has challenged tradition, right? So what's wrong with challenging it again?" Ono asked.

"Yeah. The Pride wasn't happy I chose you guys instead of other lions, but we proved them wrong. We make such a good team!" Kion said.

"Because we got a great leader like you, Kion!" Bunga said.

"And a great future king." Beshte added.

Kion blushed and folded his ears back. "Thanks guys..."

For a f few hours they splashed and played in the water.

Nala woke up and stretched. She noticed a lot of other animals had also taken a nap under the tree, maybe even planning on using it to sleep, as the sun has going down.

"Kion! Beshte! Bunga! Ono! Fuli!" Nala called. "Come on, it's time to go!"

The filed out of the water and headed back with Nala. The sun had set while they were walking and the sky sparkled brightly with stars.

"Mom, look! It's The Great Kings of the Past!" Kion exclaimed excitedly, looking to the sky.

"Hm?" Nala looked up and smiled. "Yes, it's them. Did you want to stop and look at them?"

"Yeah!" All the team called in unison.

Nala smiled. "Alright, we're close to the hills; we can lay on them and watch The Great Kings for a while."

The animals cheered and joined Nala on the small, grassy, hill.

Nala had taken to showing them whose star was whose. "The big,bright, one is Mohatu's star. Mohatu helped during a drought, and he was the father of princess Uru, Mufasa and Scar's mother. There are Uru and her mate Ahadi's stars, right next to each other. Mufasa and Sarabi's stars are next to each other too, look!"

"Hey...mom?" Kion asked.

"Yes?" She replied gently.

"Does...does Kopa have a star?"

Nala froze for a moment, pain filling her heart. For her cub's sake, she didn't let it show. "Hm, yes...I suppose he does."

She looked to the sky, and pointed her paw at a much smaller, but very bright star. "That's his star."

"Why is it so small?" Ono asked.

"Because, he was only a cub..." Nala sighed. Kion frowned and nuzzled his mother's cheek. Nala purred gently. "Thank you, Kion. Maybe it's fine to go."

They got up and headed towards Pride Rock.

"Kion!" Fuli called. He looked over to his friend. "Wanna lay by me and make constellations? My mama's not upset if I get home late."

Kion looked towards his mom "Pleeeeaaaase?"

Nala smirked. "Alright, but be back before the moon is fully in the sky." Nala said.

"Alright!" Kion cheered and went over to his friend. He laid next to her and looked up at the stars.

"A lot of kings, huh." Fuli commented.

"Yeah, and queens." Kion added. "One day, mom, dad,Kovu, and Kiara, will shine up there...but...do you think I will?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't you?" Fuli asked, noticing how nervous he seemed.

"Because...I wasn't born an heir."

"So? You're still royal." Fuli pointed out. "And you'll be a great king."

Kion smiled bashfully. "Thanks, Fuli..."

"No problem...you're my best friend."

"You're mine too Fuli. Ya' know, along with Ono, Beshte, and Bunga."

"Yeah, who could forget them." Fuli giggled.

"Fuli...I've broken tradition so many times, do you think I'll be breaking another tradition when I'm king?"

"In what way?" Fuli asked, curiously.

"As the first king without a queen."

"Why don't you want a queen? Would you rather have a king rule with you? I'm sure the Pride would be okay if you have feelings for a male."

"No, at least I don't think so. It's just that...There aren't any cubs beside me in this Pride...who would even be my queen?" Kion asked. "A lion from the Nyasi Pride?"

"Perhaps..." Fuli said, biting her lip and folding her ears back. She looked the sky. "Hey, the moon's getting pretty high up, you should go."

"Oh, right! See ya' Fuli!" Kion called as he ran off.

"See ya' Kion." Fuli called back, glad he couldn't see her broken smile.