A/N:Teddi 8347-I have to be honest, that was the plan and I'll redo the last chapter soon. Sorry and you're good.

CSIMentalistTLK lover-I hate Nala myself. I can't wait to write Mheetu's triumph return.

Disgraceful Prince

A soft pelt pressed gently into Mheetu's side, making him shift and lift his head. The scent of Nabii washed over him, and he found himself looking into her lovely purple blue eyes. Her expression was comforting, a mix of sadness and love. He knew she still loved him, as he did to her. She had treated him as her own, given him the same care and love that she had given Kishindo, her true son. She, and the rest of the Mountain pride, knew that he now knew the truth of his birth. Malka had told them the day after. A few of them, specifically Luna and Shinda, had opted to comfort him. He appreciated their care; it made him feel a true part of the pride. Mheetu pressed his forehead against the very light cream lioness' shoulder. He felt Nabii rest her head oh his for a moment, her warm breath stirring his mane-tuft.

His paws rustled on the grass as he tucked them close to his chest. Both lions lay just outside the cave, resting in the tall vegetation. Mheetu had been there for the whole mourning, moping about. He knew it wasn't good for him, but he just needed time to sit and think and wonder.

"Thanks."

Nabii licked his ear. "I'm worried, Mheetu." she began, any traces of happiness now vanishing in her expression. "You've been so down lately."

Her motherly concern was something that made him wonder if his real mother would have been as caring. Though, from what he had heard, he seriously doubt it. Mheetu pulled his head away from her side so he could look up into her face. He didn't know the right words to say, as she had spoken the complete truth and he couldn't deny it.

"Well..." he broke off, unsure. "I guess I'm just thinking." he sighed.

That was true, and it was the only thing he could really say to her.

"Just tell me if you ever want to talk. I'll be here for you." Nabii's voice had a slight shudder to it, but it was so faint Mheetu couldn't be sure.

He recognized the words as a conclusion. Nabii knew she wouldn't be able to glean anything more from her son, and was leaving him in peace. Mheetu pushed his nose into her leg as she slowly stood up, hoping she didn't feel disappointed. He watched her pad away to greet Luna, feeling as if he should have said something more. The young lion let his head slowly drop back to his paws, alone once more. He lay still for a few moments, his thoughts wandering unchecked like the butterfly that fluttered around nearby. Then it struck him.

There was one lion, or rather, lioness, that he wanted to be with now. Skye could comfort him; at least, he hoped she could. It would at least cheer him up to be with her. Mheetu lifted himself off the ground, stretching out his stiff muscles. His green blue gaze scanned the waving field of lush grass. He had no idea where Skye-or any of the others, either-would be. Mheetu took a step forward, flexing out his claws. The mountain pride looked lush and peaceful, with the soft waving grass and scattered shady trees.

The weather was bright and calm, sunshine and white puffy clouds drifting lazily past. It was a marvelous day, really, but Mheetu's sour mood hid all the delightful things about his young lion's nose twitched as he brought in the scents on the breeze. He detected the odors of many of his Pridemates; Sora, Eve, Shinda, Nile—some were strong, others were fainter. The pride wasn't busy today. The lionesses, minus Nabii, were on a hunt in the northern parts of their land. The rest of the younger generation, well, he wasn't entirely sure where they had gone. They had left after dawn. Probably to lounge by the pond or play on Scatter-Stones. Mheetu flicked his tongue over his muzzle, then burst into a steady trot. He followed the wind's claim of scents, weaving through the grass. Gradually the scents of his friends were noticeable, distant but still reasonably fresh. Tanabi, Kopa, Khairi, Jeshi, Kito, Kishindo, Skye, and Nzuri. He broke into a gentle lope.

A few moments later, he spotted their shapes lounging in the grass near the small stream. Their heads lifted as they saw him. Skye's face was hopeful, her eyes sparkling as she noticed him. He felt warmed by her look. She rose to her paws and ambled out to meet him.

"You alright?" she asked, and he felt her eyes search his face.

Mheetu started to nod, but then faltered, suddenly wanting her to know the truth."I've…been dwelling on my heritage." He admitted, shaking his tail tip.

Skye didn't seem surprised. She touched her nose to his in greeting as they halted before each other. Mheetu gazed at her, waiting for a reply. The pale light brown lioness opened her jaws, but the sound of pawsteps made her close it again. Kishindo and Kito skipped up, both looking pleased to see Mheetu.

"Hey, brother." Kishindo said loudly, pushing past Skye and grinning at his adopted littermate.

Mheetu winced slightly as Skye ducked her head and turned away. Kishindo had always been a bit nearsighted. He never meant harm, but tended to not realize what he said or did might unintentionally hurt another. Mheetu tried to catch Skye's eye, but she was already backing away. He turned back to his sibling.

"Hi." He stated.

Kishindo frowned slightly, but there was concern in his gaze. Kito hovered nearby, her expression the usual faint smirk. He'd never been to close to her, like Kishindo was, but he knew that her affection for his brother made her at least a bit worried for Mheetu. He nodded to her, and she returned with a roguish smile that made him feel better—recalling memories of playful cub-fights, running and not concerned with anything. He looked aside, searching for Skye. He was surprised to see she had melted back towards the stream, where Tanabi, Kopa, Khairi, Jeshi and Nzuri sat, five watching the others greet Mheetu. He saw Nzuri scowl at Skye and wondered if they had been quarreling again. Nzuri didn't approve of the younger lioness's affection to Mheetu.

"See you." Mheetu said brusquely and brushed past Kishindo and Kito.

The fiery young lioness had a knowing glint in her gaze, but Kishindo looked almost hurt. Kito whispered something to him, and he shrugged, then both turned and began to trot away in the direction Mheetu had come from. Mheetu approached the stream, where the five other lions were. Jeshi and his brothers gave him an abrupt nod. Nzuri watched him with a mixture of pity and curiosity, while Skye kept her head down where she sat next to the brook. Was she deliberately not looking at him, or was she just upset by Kishindo's rudeness? Mheetu padded over to her and tried to pretend that Jeshi, his brothers and Nzuri were not watching him closely, as he guessed they would be.

"Sorry about that." He murmured quietly.

Skye shifted and did not look up, but he saw her relax a bit. Relieved, he pricked up his ears. "Wanna go someplace private?" he added, feeling heat creep over his muzzle.

She lifted her head and he looked into her wide eyes. "Yes." She said in a near-silent tone.

He gave her a little smile, which seemed to brighten her, and then stood up. He glanced at the other five, who quickly acted like they were watching the clouds. He wrinkled his nose, but couldn't help feeling sorry for Nzuri, who expressed in every aspect of her body that she did not like the connection between Skye and young lion exhaled slowly, then paced away through the grass with Skye next to him. He lifted his face into the gentle breeze, tousling his mane and cooling his nose.

The beautiful weather was beginning to cheer him up, now that he had a friend at his side. He glanced at the lioness, and marveled at her slim form, sleek fur, and striking eyes. She twitched her ears and turned her head to look questioningly at him. Blushing slightly, Mheetu turned away and continued walking. A few more moments passed in silence.

"How are you feeling?" Skye asked calmly, blinking back at him.

She seemed much more comfortable once out of earshot of the others.

"Better." He told her, muzzle quirking in a faint smile.

She returned it. He found himself watching her again, and she let out a light marrow of laughter. Embarrassed, he turned away again, but suddenly her tail twined with his and his head jerked back to stare at her. Her smile faded at his expression, and her tail loosened, but then he tightened the connection with his own tail and relaxed himself. He smiled warmly at her, and Skye grinned. Mheetu concluded that today was not such a bad day.