Here's chapter sixteen and please review.
I'd like to thank thatcoyotegirlwolf, Asaf, Teddi 8347, Maua, RhisaMari, Fluffy Hug, CSIMentalistTLK lover for reviewing. I really appreciate it.
The journey through the Outlands took three and a half days. Nala was worried that Kiara and Kopa would tire out but they went on find. As Nala began to recognize some landmarks that told her that they were near the jungle, her stomach began to clench with nervousness.
"Mom, how much longer?" Kopa asked. "We only a saw a lone zebra."
"We're going to reach the jungle any minute now." Nala said. "It's teeming with prey that you two can hunt."
Sure enough after another few minutes, Nala saw the jungle ahead.
"Simba," Nala thought. She so badly wanted to see her one true love again. To let him hold and comfort her just like he had all those years ago.
"Come on," Nala said, quickening her pace. When they stepped inside the jungle she heard Kiara and Kopa gasp.
"Wow!" Kiara breathed. "I've never seen so much green before."
"Let's go hunting!" Kopa called and ran ahead leaving Kiara to follow him.
Nala stopped at a pond to take a drink before going to look for Simba. She wanted to find him before the twins did so she could talk to him first. Just as she was going to start searching, she heard Kopa's shout.
"Kiara! Meerkat! Let's get him!"
"No!" Nala thought. "Not the meerkat!" She remembered her hunting Timon and Pumbaa when she had come here all those years ago.
Nala sprinted towards the sound of Kopa's voice. Suddenly, she heard a high pitched scream. The scream obviously didn't belong to either of her children and she figured it was Timon.
"Kiara! Kopa!" Nala tried to pinpoint their location.
Suddenly, there was a mighty roar as Nala neared them and she knew who it was.
She burst into the clearing to see Simba towering over Kiara and Kopa about to pounce on Simba to help Kiara. Timon and Pumbaa were gawking at the scene.
"Kopa no!" Nala said, jumping in front of her son.
Simba looked up and his eyes got wide when he saw her.
"Nala!?" Simba exclaimed. He let Kiara go and she ran towards Nala and Nala bent down and gave her a quick nuzzle.
"Simba," Nala nodded. She wanted to run and bury her face into his mane but she forced herself to wait.
"Wait, Simba as in Mufasa's son?" Kopa asked. "Our cousin?"
"Hey is that the lioness Simba used to hang out with?" Timon asked. "We never thought that we'd see you again."
"Mom, you know him?" Kiara demanded and Nala nodded.
"Timon, Pumbaa." Simba said. "Leave! Now!" Grumbling, the two headed off.
"That dumb rogue attacked Kiara, Mom!" Kopa growled, looking like he wanted to lunge at Simba again.
"If you ever touch my mother or sister again I will-" Kopa growled but Simba cut him off.
"Relax little one." Simba said. "I would never hurt your mother." He looked at Nala longingly. He had never expected to see her again and much less with two children of her own. He sighed silently; she had probably found a mate that wasn't a coward and would actually stay with her for life.
"Don't call me little!" Kopa snapped. "I'm King Scar's son! You-"
"Wait, they're Scar's children?" Simba demanded, whirling over to Nala. "How could you? You told me that you hated him and that he was a no good filthy bastard of a King!"
Kopa narrowed his eyes, "Don't talk about my father like that!"
"So you had Scar's cubs?" Simba said to Nala quietly. "Even after you told me that-"
"They aren't Scar's." Nala interrupted.
"What?" Simba asked.
"Mom?" Kiara demanded. "What are you talking about?"
"Are you saying that Dad isn't actually our dad?" Kopa asked.
"Yes." Nala said. "Scar isn't your father."
Kiara looked at her with wide eyes. "No...no...you're lying."
"Then who's our real father if Scar isn't?" Kopa asked.
Nala looked at Simba who was looking at her with wide eyes. "He is. Simba is your true father."
"WHAT?" Simba nearly shouted.
"No!" Kopa cried. "That's not true! Simba isn't my father! Scar is!"
"Mom..." Kiara looked like she was close to tears.
"Kopa, Kiara." Nala said gently. "It's true. I tricked Scar into believing that you two were his cubs in hopes that maybe you two would get your rightful throne. After all, Simba is the rightful heir. I found him hiding here years ago."
"No!" Kopa shouted. "You lied to us! All these years you've been lying to us! I thought I could trust you!"
"Kopa," Nala stepped forward and tried to embrace him but he turned and ran off, and Kiara followed him. Nala let them go, knowing that both of them needed some time to collect their thoughts.
"Nala," Simba said. "Are they...are they really mine?"
"Yes," Nala said. "They are."
"But how...how did you..." Simba's voice trailed off.
"After I left and I reached the Pridelands, I found out that I was pregnant with your cubs. I talked to Rafiki and it turns out that he knew that you were alive all this time. He told me that I couldn't tell anyone until the time was right. I didn't really get what that meant but all I knew was that I couldn't tell anyone about you or me carrying your cubs. Since Scar wanted me to be his Queen, I agreed and I managed to trick him into believing that Kiara and Kopa were his. I thought that was maybe the only way that Kopa would get his rightful throne."
Simba was silent for a few minutes. He had a son and a daughter? He was a father?
"I can't believe this..." Simba said shaking his head. "I am such an idiot! I should have known that I got you pregnant that night! I was so stupid!"
"That wasn't your fault." Nala said.
"You raised them all alone this whole time." Simba said. "I should have been there with you! To protect you and the twins!"
Nala nodded. "The rebel Pride didn't know about you. They all thought that I betrayed them. Everyone except our friends from the rebel Pride hates me more than anything. Including my parents."
"I'm so sorry." Simba said, pulling her in closer to him. Nala buried her face into his neck, taking in his comfort and scent.
"I missed you," Nala whispered.
"I missed you too." Simba said, licking the top of her head.
"I didn't think that I'd be able to hide who Kopa and Kiara's true father was all these years." Nala admitted as they pulled back. "I can believe I did it."
"I'm still trying to take in the fact that I'm their father." Simba said, shaking his head.
"I have to go find them." Nala said.
"I'm coming with you." Simba said and they began searching for the twins.
"Try talking to them." Nala suggested. "It would be a good start."
"I'm not even sure I can do that. They don't see me as their father." Simba sighed.
"Both of them are just like you. When they were cubs, all I could see in them was you. Kiara's still like that but Kopa changed." Nala said.
"What happened?" Simba asked.
Nala explained about Scar's other sons and how Kopa had to compete to get the throne. She told him about how Scar had taken all their innocence except Tanabi's and how in the end, he chose Nuka as the King, leaving her as Zira's target.
"That bastard!" Simba growled, clawing at the grass.
"Mom?" Kiara stepped out of the bushes. She had tear marks streaked on her face.
"Kiara," Nala pulled her in closer and Kiara buried her face into Nala's fur. "I'm so sorry for lying to you all these years. But it was to protect you. If Scar had found out that you were Simba's daughter, he would have killed you."
"I know," Kiara murmured. "I'm not mad. I'm just..." She knew that her mother had been brave and sacrificed everything she had to protect her and her brother. She had no right be angry at Nala.
"I know you're confused." Simba said, nuzzling her. "But let's find your brother and talk this out as a family. It'll be alright. I promise."
Kiara nodded. She still saw Scar as her father but as she looked at Simba, she could slowly see him as her father. She looked a lot like him and Kopa did as well. Her heart warmed slightly at the thought. Perhaps she could live having two fathers. Her true father and her other father back home. But she wanted to get to know more about her true father.
After a few minutes they tracked Kopa down. He was lying on the ground, clawing at the grass angrily.
"Kopa?" Nala asked, gently making her way towards Kopa.
"You lied to us." Kopa murmured. "All these years."
"I lied to protect you." Nala said. "Scar was forcing me to become his Queen when I was pregnant with you. If I had someone else's cubs, he would have killed you. I tricked him into believing that you and Kiara were his so he wouldn't kill you and maybe you would get your rightful throne. The throne belongs to Simba and since you are his son, it also rightfully belongs to you."
"So that's why you always said that the throne would be mines." Kola said quietly. "And that I would get what's rightfully mind. Because I'm Simba's son."
"Yes." Nala said. "I'm so sorry for lying to you but it was for your best."
Kopa squeezed his eyes shut. "I don't want to believe this."
I know you don't," Nala said. "But it is the truth and there's no use in hiding from the truth."
"Kopa," Simba said, stepping forward and nuzzling him. Kopa pulled back from him. "It's going to be alright. Maybe not now, but soon."
"But am I just supposed to forget about Scar?" Kiara asked. "And forget and ignore the fact that he was my father all three years?"
"Of course not." Nala said and Simba nodded.
"Let's just go to sleep now." Nala said. "The moons nearly up."
"Come on," Simba said. "I know a good place for all of us." He led them to a clearing with tall soft grass.
Nala settled down next to Simba and the twins curled up next to her. Kiara immediately fell asleep but Kopa stayed up.
He silently growled at the figure of his mother sleeping with Simba. That should be Nala and Scar, not Simba and Nala!
"I can't accept this." Kopa thought. "I won't accept this."
A while after both the twins were asleep, Simba leaned into Nala and gave her a nudge.
"You awake? "Simba asked.
Nala opened her eyes and raised her head. "No, why?"
"Come on," Simba said, licking her cheek. "Let's go spend some quality time together." Nala smiled and rubbed her muzzle against his before going and finding a secluded place together.
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The next morning, Kiara woke up to see that the rest of her family was still asleep. Careful not to wake anyone up, she got up and headed to the waterfall to take a drink.
After stepping out of the clearing, she heard a voice. "You shouldn't have left without telling us."
Kiara turned around to see Simba. "Did you follow me?"
Simba chuckled. "I guess I did. Don't you want to sleep in?"
"No," Kiara said. "Kopa always sleeps in but I don't."
Simba nuzzled her and to his surprise, Kiara returned his affection. "I'm a morning person too. Sleeping in just doesn't work for me. Half the time I stay trying to convince myself that I'm enjoying it!" Both he and Kiara chuckled.
Simba led his daughter to the waterfall and both of them took a drink. He wanted to spend some time with her. After all, this as HIS daughter. Kiara belonged to him.
"Kiara," Simba said when they were done. "How about a little swimming. Have you learned?"
"No," Kiara said, shaking her head. "There barely any water in the Pridelands for us to drink."
Simba nodded. "Then let me show you."
"I don't know..." Kiara said.
"Come on now! Please don't turn into the lioness your mother is and hate water!" Simba chuckled, giving her a friendly bump.
"Really?" Kiara asked. "Mom hates swimming?"
Simba nodded. "Last time, I had to push your mother in!" He and Kiara both laughed.
"Now come on," Simba said. "Let's go in. I won't let you drown, I promise."
Kiara nodded and stepped into the water with Simba close beside her. After about half an hour, Kiara could swim.
"See?" Simba said grinning. "Wasn't that easy?"
"Yeah," Kiara admitted. "It was."
"Now come on. Now that you know how to swim, let's have some fun!" Simba laughed, sending a wave of water at Kiara. Kiara yelped and ducked before sending another wave at Simba.
As Kiara played with her father, she realized that Scar had never really done this with her. The time that they had spent together was mostly spent by talking. The few times that they had played together hadn't been as fun as spending time with her true father.
A while later, Simba and Kiara were still splashing around when Kopa and Nala arrived at the waterfall.
Kiara noticed her mother and swam out with Simba behind her. After shaking the water off her fur, she nuzzled Nala.
"Good morning," Kiara said, rubbing her head against her mother's and Nala returned her affection before turning to Simba and giving him a nuzzle that he returned.
"I learned how to swim!" Kiara said, nudging Nala. Nala smiled before turning to Kopa. "It's about time you learned how to swim Kopa. Want me to teach you?"
"You teach him how to swim?" Simba grinned. "You can barely get yourself into the water!" Nala rolled her eyes at him before she and Kopa took a drink of water.
"Mom," Kopa said. "You promised to take us hunting."
"I know I did." Nala said. "We can go now if you want."
"Alright, let's go." Kopa said.
"Coming?" Nala asked, turning to Simba and Kiara.
Simba shook his head. "I'll pass. I'm full anyways."
"Can I stay with you?" Kiara asked and Simba nodded. She saw Kopa gawking at her but she ignored it.
Nala smiled and nodded before heading off with Kopa. As they left the waterfall, she could hear the sounds of Simba and Kiara playing and laughing.
A little over an hour passed as Simba and Kiara continued to enjoy their time together. Soon Kiara found herself actually calling Simba 'Dad'.
"As I was saying," Simba said, leading Kiara to a new place. "Once you get to know Timon and Pumbaa, you'll learn to love them."
"Wait Daddy." Kiara said, and Simba stopped and looked at her with a smile.
"What is it sweetheart?" Simba asked.
"How come you didn't come back to the Pridelands? Mom told me that you were Mufasa's son so doesn't that make you the rightful King?"
Simba's face grew more serious. "That's a long story and someday I'll tell you. For now, all I can tell you is that I can't."
Kiara nodded. "Alright, tell me more about Timon and Pumbaa." She had been quite confused to see why her father had defended a meerkat so violently.
"They-" Simba began but he was cut off by a shout.
"That Kopa!" Kiara exclaimed and the two of them bounded to where the shout came from. They burst through the clearing to see Kopa in the pond while Nala was laughing. Beside them, there was a carcass.
"Mom!" Kopa cried. "You got me all wet!"
"You're going to learn how to swim anyways!" Nala chuckled. "This was just a start."
"I don't like the water!" Kopa hissed storming out and shaking the water off him.
"He definitely got that from you." Simba grinned, giving Nala a friendly bump.
The new found family spent the rest of the day together. Kopa was reluctant to join and didn't really bother talking unless he was asked.
That night after the twins were asleep, Simba dragged Nala off again for some quality time together. But this time, as they were heading to where they had been last night, Nala decided to bring up the topic of Simba coming back.
"Simba," Nala said. "We have to talk about you coming back."
"I know." Simba sighed. "I know I have to go back but I can't."
"Why not?" Nala asked.
Simba sighed and closed his eyes as his father's death replayed in his head. He was responsible for his death. He had killed his own father.
Another thought hit his head. Mufasa had died to save him. He had died for his son. Simba realized that he would willingly do the same thing for Kopa and Kiara. Those were his children and he would die for them.
He now realized why Mufasa had died to save him. He could feel the same bond that Mufasa had felt towards him to the twins.
"He died to protect me." Simba thought. "Any parent would. I would do it for Kiara and Kopa."
"Simba?" Nala nudged him.
"I'll go back." Simba sighed. "For the sake of Kiara and Kopa."
Nala smiled and he saw tears of relief in her eyes. He suddenly realized what she had endured all these years because of him.
"But there's something else." Nala said. "Over throwing Scar. If you kill him, Kiara and Kopa would never forgive you."
"I won't kill him." Simba assured. "He's a bastard but I still won't kill him. I'll give him the choice to flee the Pridelands. But will he know the truth about Kiara and Kopa's identity?"
"Zira found out and I know somehow she'll find a way to convince him." Nala said. "One way or another, she will."
"What if he tries killing the twins then?" Simba asked.
"I won't let him." Nala said her voice firm.
"I know," Simba murmured. "I won't either."
"Now come on." Nala said after a few minutes. "Let's go have some proper time together. I've waited long enough." Simba grinned and led her away.
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Meanwhile, back in the Pridelands, Nuka was talking to Scar.
"Dad doesn't it make you suspicious?" Nuka asked. "Nala was part of the rebel Pride and Kiara and Kopa look nothing like you. And I don't think it's a coincidence that Nala took them on a so called hunting trip just when Mother found out about the truth. Nala probably led them off away from you because she as scared."
Scar thought for a moment. Nuka did have a good point and he knew that Zira feared him. She wouldn't dare to lie to him for if she was caught, Scar knew that she knew he would kill him.
"Doesn't it make sense?" Nuka asked.
"Yes," Scar murmured. "It does. But if they aren't my cubs, whose cubs are they? I sent for Rafiki but he isn't around."
"Maybe a rogue." Nuka suggested.
"Daddy!" Eisha and Vitani ran into the den followed by Akila and Tanabi. "Is it true that Kiara and Kopa aren't yours?"
"I don't know." Scar sighed. "I still haven't made my decision yet. How else knows?"
"Everyone," Tanabi answered.
"That means the rebel Pride knows. But have they known this whole time? Are Kiara and Kopa mine? Or are they fathered by some other male?" Scar wondered.
Hope you enjoyed and please review. Well now you got to see Kopa and Kiara's reactions to their true father. Kiara is taking it well but we all know Kopa is going to have some serious issues. Nala and Simba are finally reunited! After all these years, I think we can agree that Nala deserves this. It would be terrible if something bad was to take away their happiness again, wouldn't it? Scar is beginning to believe that Kiara and Kopa aren't his and if he fully believes it, we all know what Scar is going to do. Now the rebel Pride knows as well. More on the rebel Pride and Scar's reaction will be revealed in the next chapter along with the twins' reaction to Simba overthrowing Scar. Stay tuned to find out!