A/N: Kate, Nala won't be mentioned for a while. But she will regret how she treated her son. CSIMentalistTLK lover, Yeah Zuri is the adventruess of the Mountain Pride.

I want to put out that the next bunch of chapters will be about Mheetu's life in Malka's pride.

Disgraceful Prince

Mheetu swished his tail slowly, his gaze wandering placidly away from the training. He felt his eyelids droop, and quickly shook his head to clear the tiredness. It was the middle of the day, the heat making it even harder to stay awake. He was sitting in the shadow of an acacia tree, supposedly watching as Jeshi, a light brown teen lion and Kishindo battled in the sandy ditch under the watchful eye of Malka. Male-training. Mheetu was waiting for his turn, but he was doubtful of ever being able to land a single blow on either cub. Jeshi, already a large teenager, was nearly triple Mheetu's weight and Kishindo, though still called a cub, was much larger than Mheetu.

"Tuck in your head, Kishindo!" Malka corrected sternly, motioning with his paw. "Jeshi, don't underestimate your opponent-that was a good example of it."

The growls and grunts continued on, and Mheetu was not paying attention at all. Another cub was watching-Nzuri. Mheetu's gaze kept flicking to her, almost subconsciously. She was lounging lazily on the edge of the ditch, eyes following the movements of Jeshi. All the cubs had been sent out of the cave, ordered by Nabii. Luna a light beige lioness was giving birth to her second cub. All the lionesses were there, but the males and cubs had been sent out. Nile a light brown lion who was Luna's mate and Jeshi's father was also here, watching from across the ditch. Mheetu sighed softly, his paws scuffling softly on the dusty ground. He hated boredom. It was so...exhausting. It crept slowly through his limbs, making him limp and utterly brain-dead at times. What a bother.

"Hiya."

Mheetu glanced around, jolted from his thoughts by the soft voice. Nzuri was padding slowly closer, even the day's heat affecting her. Her usual bouncy pawsteps and bright expression were gone.

"Oh...hello." Mheetu replied in a dull tone. He blinked his green-blue eyes at her, seeing his boredom reflected in her green-grey ones. "You ok?" He added, somewhat concerned about her less-than-happy expression.

Nzuri jumped slightly, quite unlike her usual self. "Yeah, I'm fine." She muttered, plopping her hindquarters down beside Mheetu.

He tilted his head and blinked at her. "You don't look fine."

"I am."

"Are you sure? I'm always here to talk."

"Mhmm...just a bit worried about Luna." She admitted softly.

"I am too." Mheetu flicked her with his tail. "She w-"

He was cut off, as a sharp call came from the ditch.

"Mheetu! It's your turn!" Malka was calling.

Mheetu stood up immediately, turning away from Nzuri and approaching the edge of the sandy ditch. The young cub felt Nzuri's tail flick his shoulder, and he glanced back just before she loped away to watch from her original spot. He slid down the dirt to land in the sand, shaking the grit from his light-hued pelt.

"I'm ready." His determined voice was louder than usual as he gazed up at his father, feeling the eyes of Nzuri on his pelt. It gave him a strange tingle, and he straightened.

"I see." The King replied, the corners of his mouth lifting faintly. "I want you to work with Kishindo, as he is only slightly larger than you." He informed the cub.

Mheetu thought that was an understatement, as Kishindo was more than "slightly" larger than him. Still, he turned to face his brother without a complaint. Kishindo glared playfully at him, a smirk painted across his muzzle and his tail twitching eagerly. Mheetu sighed to himself.

"Alright Mheetu, I want you to try and find the best way to knock over Kishindo. Do it any way, as long as you refrain from using your claws. I am just going to study your strengths, we'll work on actual moves later." Malka directed, stepping back a bit and dipping his head for the two to begin.

Mheetu's eyes flicked back to Kishindo as his opponent stood waiting patiently. He readied himself, making sure his claws were in and keeping his gaze fixed now on his brother.

"Come on, Mheetu." Kishindo muttered, his eyes glinting.

Mheetu huffed softly, feeling so very small. His brother could be quite full of himself at times, but he always was backed with goodness. With a quick movement, Mheetu bolted forwards. Kishindo was ready, and dodged even faster. But Mheetu expected this, having seen his brother do this many times with Jeshi. The smaller cub turned easily and let his paws thump against Kishindo. Kishindo stumbled sideways, looking around at Mheetu. He reared up, and before Mheetu could move he felt himself brought down under his brother's paws. He struggled away, Kishindo didn't have a good grip, and rolled quickly to his paws before charging back towards the older cub. He grappled with him for a bit, swiping and pawing at his opponent. Kishindo retaliated with harder and more effective blows, but they were fewer. Mheetu's smallness and agility helped him to wiggle free when trapped. After a few more minutes of combat, their father stepped forwards.

"That's enough." He told his cubs as they broke contact and panted up at him.

Mheetu let out a long breath and sat down, sides heaving visibly. Kishindo did the same, a bit less exhausted, but still looking beat. It was not a moment too soon. The thumps of numerous pawsteps was growing louder, heading for the sandy ditch. Malka looked around, his ears pricking. Nzuri let out a squeak and disappeared from view, over the top of the ditch. Nile rose to his paws slowly and followed the she-cub. Malka shook his black mane and then hurried to the side, climbing up the step-like piles of dirt and sand to leave the ditch, and also disappearing. Mheetu blinked and followed, hearing Jeshi and Kishindo right on his tail. Mheetu hauled himself out, grunting slightly, and then tumbled forwards as his momentum became too much for him to withstand. He stood up, shaking his head and blinking. Malka had just halted, touching noses with Nabii. Both looked excited and were purring.

"You must come now, Luna is ready for you!"

Shinda burst out, while the Nile's expression changed from worry to delight. The two lionesses beamed happily, and they quickly turned around and began to follow Malka and Nile. The light brown pelted lion had already charged forwards, in eagerness to see his mate. Jeshi, Kishindo, Nzuri, and Mheetu trotted after, each of them bubbling with excitement. The group reached the cave, Jeshi followed his father, Nzuri scampered to Shinda, while Kishindo and Mheetu followed Nabii.

"Did she have the cub?" Kishindo asked, poking his mother with a paw.

Nabii smiled, giving her cub a lick. "Yes, my dear." She purred.

Mheetu tilted his head. "What is its name?" He mewed curiously.

"Nile and Luna have yet to decide. But it is a female." His mother replied softly.

Only a few minutes later, Nile emerged from the den. His son Jeshi slipped out beside him. A delighted expression brightened Nile's face, he appeared overjoyed. He glanced back, as Luna padded slowly behind him. A tiny bundle hung from her rest of the pride began to gather, congratulating the mother and asking questions. Kishindo and Mheetu were made to stay back, but Nabii and the rest of the adults brushed against Luna and gave her rumbled purrs of comfort. Mheetu watched with mild curiosity, his tail flicking softly. Nabii returned quickly, her eyes glowing. Before her cubs could ask, she spoke.

"The cub's name is Skye." She smiled, sitting down beside her sons.

Mheetu's gaze flicked back to Luna, who had lay down next to Nile and was conversing with Shinda. The little cub was tucked between her front paws. Mheetu felt a glimmer of pride-he was no longer the littlest. He couldn't wait to play with this new companion.