It had been a year since the queen had had her second son. Her father had just succeeded the throne to her husband the month before. She had insisted on her father staying. Her husband agreed saying he still would like the counsel. But the former king reasoned that with his wife passed on, that he didn't have a reason to stay. He argued that one couldn't change tradition. The queen lovingly told her father that he had family here, and that they could change tradition. The king agreed and the fight between the males was put aside and forgotten.

The queen woke early that morning just a few months later and noticed that two of her children were missing. The pride slept on, staying in the warm den rather than sprinting outside like a bunch of cubs. She had a pretty good idea as to where her son might be, so the queen pulled herself up, and walked outside. The rising sun would come soon but for now the air was cool and crisp. The meeting was to start at sun rise, so she hurried to the top of her home.

The view from Pride Rock was magnificent. One could see for miles around. But her eyes were not for the beautiful kingdom right now. She searched the top with her eyes. She could just make out two lone figures looking off into the north. With a sigh and sad smile, Kiara started the asent to the top of Pride Rock. When she arrived the lioness sat down next to her daughter who cocked her head at the younger male.

"I don't get it, Mom," she shook her head at her brother, "What is he looking for?"

Kiara shrugged, "I don't know. He's been like that for the past week." she sighed a little worried.

"It's been going on more than a week," Cira mumbled, "He's been upset at night. Really bad nightmares generally. But then he's always been a little runt."

"Cira," her mother scolded, "He's a miracle. Nuku should have died but he lived."

"At your mother's expense," the young lioness retorted quietly.

"You know that's not his fault!" Kiara frowned angrily, "And he was a wonderful comfort to my father." she smiled sadly.

Cira was quiet for a moment, "Why does he have to do that?" she asked her stubborn streak shining through.

"Maybe he's waiting for something," her mother shrugged and turned back down to the cave.

Cira sighed, "I don't know why I try to understand him."

Kiara giggled, "We need to try though." They truned to leave the darker lion alone. Cira looked back at him once more. She shook her head and left the summit.

The young male sighed. He felt he'd wasted enough time waiting for something he knew wouldn't come. As a cub he'd often doubted himself. Being the smallest of his siblings he didn't really have reason to have confidence. His mane didn't even reach his back. When he was born, Simba had been weary around the cub because he was nearly the spitting image of Kovu. The exception was his eyes. Nuku had been blessed with hazel eyes as opposed to bright green like his father's. Simba didn't want history to repeat itself so he bonded with the cub. They spent a lot of time together and became fast friends.

However, a few months later, a tragedy hit the pride. Nala died in her sleep. Simba was with her that night. He begged her to hang on until Rafiki came. But finally she told him to let her go. He was so torn. For days he would neither eat nor sleep. Many had given the old king a wide berth so as not to upset him. But Nuku wanted to be with him and help him. The cub visited every day at dusk to tell Simba about his day and what mischief he had reaked. At first the lion would just listen and stare into space. But as time passed, the shine in his fur came back and he started smiling again.

Nuku was able to get the old king back on his feet. During thisd time, the cub grew stronger and healthier. In some of the pride's eyes this was a blessing in disguise. In others, the cub was going to bring trouble to the Pridelands. But no one dared mention either one of the theories for a while. It was too soon to see this light heartedly.

Nuku was almost as big as his brother, Kazac, but what he lacked in bronze he made up for in intellect. He was hard headed, much like his father and grandfather in their younger years. Nuku defiantly had Simba and Kovu's knack at getting into trouble.

Finally looking away from the North, the young lion began his decent to the cave. Looking down at his paws, he noticed that his fur was darkening. He was brown as a small cub and hopped to get lighter so he was more like Simba, but this hope was dashed. It's not like he wasn't proud to be like his father, he truly was. It was just that Kazac and Kovu were really close and Cira had Kiara. So naturally, he felt he needed someone, too.

He shuddered involuntarily. The nightmare had flashed in his mind again. About a month ago, he started having the same dream over and over again. It started off in a red haze. The cave was silent and everyone was asleep. Then the strangest creature would come into the cave from the night. More and more creatures came and took his mother and grandfather away. He would chase after them, but a very large creature had carried them off traveling too fast for him to meet. He awoke in a panic every time. As the weeks passed, more and more was added to the dream. The creatures remained faceless to him, but then he saw one face very clearly. A face like a monkey but smoother appeared. The face was smiling gently, her dark face contrasted delicatly with green eyes.

He felt peace when that image appeared. Not like the faceless monsters that took his family from him. He felt that this was the one he should be looking for. The dreams continued but then he wished they'd stop all together. The lastest was the most horrifying. There was a loud bang like thunder and Simba fell. A horrible wound that never ceased to bleed was what scared the living daylights out of him. He never wanted it to happen. He would do anything and everything he could to keep his ngihtmares from coming to pass.

Shaking his head he thought, how could I stop it? I have no authority in the pride. His brother and sister were first in line before him. Kazac and Cira were special twins after which Nuku followed shortly after. Cira was born first but named last. Kovu had wanted to name the cubs so that he could somehow bring honor to his family. He suggested a variation of his mother's name. Zira was a good mother before she was so filled with hate and Nuka was just following with what he had been taught.

Nala had been worried during this and looking to her mate. The lion had a look of deep consideration before he smiled warmly and nodded. Simba would still be sore with the late assassine, but with the cubs as their future they could finally forget the past and learn from it.

Stumbling Nuku was pulled from his thoughts. Laughing at his clumsiness he hurried to the water hole for a drink before the meeting. Finding a spot free of hippos nad other unfriendlies from the depths, he lapped up the water. Soft padding of small feet crept through the grasses toward the lion. The big pointed black ears were flat against the it's spotted gold and black head. The lion stretched and yawned before a small cat jumped at him. The serval didn't claw at his bigger cousin but jumped to his back and tapped on his friend's head.

Before the serval could speak, Nuku rolled his eyes with a smile, "Hi Toko."

"Hey your highness," the serval smirked messing up the pathetic excuse of a mane.

"Would you please stop it with the highness thing?" he sighed, "I don't want it and you know it."

"But your tone of voice says contrary to popular belief." Toko said an eyebrow raised.

"Nope," Nuku grinned archering his back so that the smaller cat slid off of him, "I don't want the throne. I'm perfectly fine being the court jester," he joked.

The serval chuckled, "Okay. I'm sure that's exactly what you want to be."

Nuku rolled his eyes and brushed off the subject, "I gotta go. I'll talk to you later."

"I know. I know," Toko shrugged then saluted to his friend, "Duty calls!"

The young lion laughed, "See you later." Hurrying to the cave, Nuku found they were about to begin. The meetings were rather simple and the group met in a half circle. Kovu, Simba, Kiara, Kazac, Cira and then Nuku. The rest of the pride sitting where they could hear them. Taking his place in the circle Nuku lowered his head as his father began.

"After a week of consideration, we've agreed to train Kazac for his future duties in the kingdom." Cira and Nuku nodded to their brother and the brown maned lion nodded modestly. "While we're away Simba has agreed to step in. I know some rumors had been floating around lately concering the traditions,"

Nuku tensed. Oh no. This wasn't about him was it? He thought he'd already cleared that up with Simba! Just two two days ago they were just talking and Simba asked if Nuku wanted to be king. The young male had laughed, "You're kididng right? I thought I was the one being driven out?" he had only had a slight hint of sarcasm but Simba caught it all the same.

"Nuku," the old king said guardedly, "Who told you that?"

He clamed up, "No one. It's tradition."

Simba scrutinized the cub, "Do you know why I'm still here?" he asked an eyebrow raised.

Nuku looked away and down. When he didn't respond, the lion asked more warmly, "Do you know?"

The young adult breathing in deeply, then said, "Because Mom and Dad asked you to. For Nala. And now she'd not even here." he said feeling the sting of the theories he'd heard from the lionesses.

Simba silently wondered if maybe he should change the cub's mind in becoming king. "Don't ever blame that on yourself. Please. It's not your fault."

Nuku sighed, "It still feels like it."

Simba grinned. "Did I ever tell you that I tried to fire Zazu?"

Nuku blinked, "No way? Really?" he laughed.

The older lion smiled, "Tradition and instinct are different. Tradition can be changed. Instinct can't."

"But what if this is instinct?" Nuku frowned.

"I would've left a long time ago if it had." Simba reassured.

Nuku had nodded still with a look of confusion. But now the confusion had escalated to fear. He may not have been a thorn in Simba's side but now the scurge was to be removed. He would have to say goodbye and somehow find a place to stay. But his father was interrupting his thoughts.

"These rumors are not true," Kovu said continuing, "No one is leaving any time soon. As all of you know we asked Simba and Nala at the beginning of our reign to stay. Since Nala's passing some speculations were made. We'd all like you to know, Simba," he smiled, "The offer still stands."

Nuku blinked. What happened? Young lions were supposed to be driven off. Simba was...no. Older lions were driven off...as well. Who would want Simba to leave? He was never a problem, Nuku thought. Some of the lionesses caught on to what he was thinking and suprised murmuring floated about. Looking at his grandfather he saw the old king smile breifly, "I will stay until I'm no longer needed."

"You will stay though," Kiara asked catching the sad look, "Won't you Dad?"

Simba smiled warmly the sad look gone, "Yes. I will."

The dream Nuku had had last night flashed in his mind again. He shook those nasty cowebs away focusing on the meeting at hand. Still, the one image he couldn't shake from his mind was the freshly shed blood of the great lion king himself.

how's taht for a better version?!! haha! no seriously. please let me know!!!