SOOOOOOOOOOO SORRRY about the long wait.

Oh, and special thanks to Kula. I'm glad you understand that sometimes life gets in the way or writing. And I think differently than other Fanfiction writers, so I write a lot of what-ifs? and people always say that my stories have interesting plots.

And happy super-duper late 20th TLK anniversary everyone!

Chapter 4

Stiriki sat straight towards the wind. The morning breeze felt good against his course golden fur.

"Can I go outside now?" He flicked his tail impatiently.

His grandfather groaned heavily and slowly opened his large red eyes. "Not yet. They sky isn't even pink yet." Stiriki growled. Simba was such a drag sometimes. He started pacing restlessly. He was bored. He was hungry. He was thirsty. Yet they wouldn't even let him go out to take a drink or play or anything.

"Quit pacing! You know your grandfather is right- which he rarely is- and that you have to wait until sunset to go out,' said a creaky voice from behind. Stiriki rolled his eyes. "That rule was stupid anyway, thank you very much, Tama," he growled under his breath. All the lions were just so stupid and fussy today. Tama turned back to Stiriki's grandfather. "Simba, you'd better learn to control your son's arrogance," she said in an annoying tone. Stiriki can tell she did that on purpose. Tama was never one of Simba's favorite kitties growing up. Stiriki laughed to himself. Calling Tama a kitten was an understatement. She was an alligator intent on chomping down hard on Simba's nerves.

"He's not arrogant! You know he's just cranky from tiredness."

"Oh, yeah, Taka was just 'a little upset' until he took over Pride Rock!"

Simba paused for a second. "He is nothing like Scar, nothing," he said shakily.

Stiriki turned back towards the opening in the den. He figured he'd better stop listening. He slowly walked out of the den. The young prince's head was spinning even as he stalked through the long blades of grass. Stiriki sighed and settled in among the stalks. Am I truly to much like Scar? The question buzzed through his head.

"Stiriki!"

Stiriki turned his head. Kina was standing on a tall rock jutting out of the grass. "Kina!" He leapt to his feet. "Have you seen Melka?"

Stiriki groaned inwardly. He knew if she got into trouble he'd be the one to be blamed. Other than that he couldn't care less if Melka returned. "Well?" pestered Kina. Stiriki blushed. "Um, sorry. We'll just have to start without her." He scrambled up the rock besides Kina.

"Hey whats that!?"
He looked up. A brown tail was up in the air. Stiriki sniffed the air. His eyes widened. It was a rogue lion! He realized Kina scented him too, due to the tension he saw in her shoulders. "Maybe we can take him?" he asked. Kina nodded.

The two cubs slowly stalked down the intruder. Stiriki inched a little closer. He flicked his tail, signaling to Kina. The brown rogue still was unaware of their presence, which surprised Stiriki considering an adult lion should have way-better senses than him and Kina.

Stiriki grinned, pleased with himself. The male lion was almost just a arm's length ahead of him. "Now," he whispered to Kina. She seemed to hesitate, opening her mouth to speak, but he didn't have to wait. The small cub threw himself at the larger creature, sinking his small sharp teeth into the lions thick red mane. Stiriki was surprised. Then he realized his mane must be getting in the way. He dug his hind legs on his shoulders. The older male screeched in pain. He batted Stiriki off, brutally throwing him into the grass. As he looked up he saw Kina's vain attempt to stay tight on his leg. "Kina!" he gasped. Stiriki rushed towards the older lion and charged into his leg.

"STOP!"

The single word echoed over the flat plains, and the fighting ceased.

Stiriki looked up to see his mother pacing towards them. She stared at the lion for a second, circling him to see every aspect of his body, a baffled look on her face. Stiriki stared at the two lions. Did they know each other? "Kopa?" she gasped. He looked at them. I guess they do. "Kiara. Long time no see, sis." "You know him?" The young prince looked deeper in the grass. Melka! How could he not notice her there? "Stiriki, Kina, Melka, go back to the den. I'll deal with this." Kina nodded. The three cubs ambled back to camp, Stiriki looking back one last time.

Kopa.

"Kopa?"

"...No time, no see sis..."

"...Go back to the den..."

The young cub tossed and turned in his bed of grass. He couldn't stop thinking about the encounter earlier. Who was this mysterious 'Kopa' figure? He knew already he must be Kiara's older brother- or something like that. But who was he really?

He sighed. Never in his life before had he thought so hard, been so curious.

Stiriki glanced outside. It was getting lighter. Stiriki finally decided to get up and visit Kina and Melka in the nursery. "Stiriki? Where are you going?" He glanced back at his mother. "Just to play." "Okay, but stay safe. There is word of hyenas around PrideLands." "I'll be fine, Mom!"

Just as he replied to Kiara he heard a booming roar. A gathering this early? "Come," the older lioness said.

As Stiriki ran outside he saw his grandfather rushing towards the so-called "Kopa". The elderly lion muzzled him happily. "My son has returned!" Suddenly the joy was drained from his face. "But-but your dead! S-she... We thought she killed you, Kopa." She? Who the heck is 'she'?

"I barely survived. I didn't return because she wanted me dead..." Kopa trailed off, pain sparkling in his eyes. "Is Vitani still here?" Melka's mother hesitantly stepped out from behind Kovu. "Kopa," she said flatly.

Ooooh, looks like Vitani doesn't want to see him.You can guess why in the reviews!

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