A/N: Italics represent Simba's unspoken thoughts.

He'd lost his mind. This couldn't be happening; how many years had he hoped and prayed that it would?

The lion moved closer. "Son," he said and he looked quite worried.

That's probably due to the fact that you look as if you're going to faint. Say something!

The room was now spinning slightly and Simba closed his eyes for a moment or two. When he opened them again- the lion in front of him had not changed. Mufasa- the King Mufasa, his father, his role model, his life was standing there. Right there!

"Father," Simba croaked and his voice came out all wobbly and strange.

Pathetic!

"Simba, I-" There was a pause and he noticed that he'd never seen Mufasa lost for words before.

But I'm imagining him, aren't I? One day I need to wake up and realise that he's gone. For good.

The young lion managed to splutter out," Please... I know it's all in my head. Stop taunting me..."

Mufasa walked forward with so much power- just as he had done when he was alive- that Simba had to look away as it seemed as if his Dad had, actually, returned.

His father reached out a paw and placed it on his own. And...he could really feel it. Mufasa was not just a vision.

His body tightened in disbelief. "It's alright, Simba," his father said calmly.

This is too much.

"It's alright," he repeated.

Simba looked up, eyes burning with memories. "No. No, it's not," he whispered.

"I know it's a shock-"

"Shock," he said flatly, limping up and down the cave. "It's much, much more than that."

He turned to face Mufasa, breathing turning rapidly shallow. "The last time I saw you... like this...you were just lying there and-"

"But I'm with you now-"

"No!" Simba didn't mean to shout at his father but pure frustration drove him to do so. "No, I don't think you understand!"

Mufasa stared at him intently- as if he were pleading desperately. He glanced at the young lion's injured leg then back to his face. "Then, make me understand," he replied. "Please."

But-

Simba faltered. He did not want the memories of the Gorge to resurface but Mufasa had asked. His deceased father had asked and this was a once in a lifetime chance to speak with him.

"When I saw you fall- it was awful. I can't explain how it felt watching you. I wanted to jump off the cliff and help you but I couldn't. I'm not nearly as bave as you."

The former King opened his mouth to disagree but Simba ploughed on. "I almost flew to the bottom of the gorge."

He paused because he could see that moment now; searching...seeing the last wildebeast disappear...and then the dust clearing to reveal-

"There was dust," he stated. "So much dust. But when it cleared I saw the tree- broken. And I saw you."

Mufasa was silent and still- rooted to the spot.

"I ran to you. At first I thought you were pretending- eventually I was trying to convince myself it was a joke."

"Dad, you've got to get up. Dad, we've got to go home. That's what I was begging to you."

His Dad looked ready to interrupt but he kept on going: "It was only when...I tugged on your ear and nothing happened. Then I knew...because that always got you up." His voice broke on the last word: "Always."

He was shaking almost controllably. Mufasa's eyes were wide. "Come here," he said in a hushed tone.

Simba obeyed. And his father was embracing him and that was when it all poured out- the grief that he'd bottled up for so many years- sobs issued from his mouth, his chest heaved with emotion.

"I'm so sorry, Simba...so sorry. I've deserted you."

The two stayed like that for a few moments, Simba tried to subside his sobs with increasing awkwardness.

When he was able to speak he said, "Sorry, Dad. Kings don't cry."

There was a pause and then a quiet voice replied: "Oh, yes they do."

Simba looked up and in sheer astonishment saw his father's eyes filled with moisture, trickling down his powerful mane.

Mufasa was crying, too.

What did you think of the latest installment? Please review and tell me your thoughts!

And sorry this chapter was quite short- I felt it needed to be to make it more dramatic. Hopefully the next chapter should be longer.

Once again, review, review, review! :)