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

You really should be ashamed of yourself.

Tears. Tears dripping from his mane. And he couldn't stop them- not this time.

Mufasa swallowed and it hurt; a dry lump had formed in his throat.

For pity's sake, stop it. Be strong for him.

"Dad," Simba said quietly, eyes dry now. "You've not deserted me- honestly."

Ha. Worst lie of all time.

"Yes, I have," he replied shortly, leaning his head against the cool smoothness of the cave's stone walls. He shut his eyes, hoping that perhaps an excuse for departing this life would find him, but the truth couldn't be avoided.

You promised. And you failed.

Mufasa raised his head and looked at his son with guilt, regret... the emotions were almost painful. "I promised," the old King spoke clearly, "that I'd always be there for you. And I broke that promise."

"Dad, listen to me." Simba said this earnestly. "You were always there for me, I just-" he stopped, as if trying to find the right words. "I wasn't looking hard enough."

A burden was lifted from Mufasa's shoulder's- maybe it wasn't entirely his fault.

Perhaps things in life happen for a reason.

A golden light suddenly bathed the two pure lions. It was filled with warmth and hope. They both looked outside simultaneously. The rain had stopped. Dawn had come to the Pridelands.

Mufasa sighed deeply in contentment, drinking in the mere pleasure the sun contained. Simba chuckled slightly at his father's happiness.

He glanced sideways and smiled at his son. "Laugh now but you never really enjoy the simple things in life until you they're taken away from you." The impossibility of the situation became known to Mufasa. "I never dreamed," he thought aloud slowly, "that I'd be able to witness another sunrise... especially one with you."

Simba took this in, then replied with: "Let's go outside and get a better view."

Mufasa nodded and let Simba lead him up the rocky path, until they were at the very pinnacle of Pride Rock.

The two Kings sat side by side silently, until Mufasa laughed.

"What?" Simba asked in puzzlement.

He shrugged, "Oh, nothing important."

"It is to me."

"It's just that the last time we did this, you were a lot smaller. And, now-"

His son caught on and proudly drew himself up to his fullest hieght.

Wow.

It almost frightened Mufasa when he saw that Simba was nearly the same height as his him. "You've changed considerably since you were a cub, I can tell you that," he grinned.

Something dawned in Simba's eyes, it looked as if he had remembered something urgent. "Can I ask you a question, Dad?"

"You just did."

"Bad joke," he chortled. "But, back when you were ali- I mean, when I was a cub... This is going to sound stupid."

It's the last chance you'll get to ask me anything.

He didn't reveal this to his son- not yet, anyway. "It won't sound stupid," he reassured him. "Ask away."

The young lion appeared hesitant. "Was there a- a song that was well known in the Pridelands?"

What? Unless...

"Not one in the Pridelands, no," Mufasa said carefully.

It didn't fool Simba, though. "Just tell me," he said.

"It was when you were tiny- you barely knew how to talk."

He paused, his son waiting in expectation. "You used to have trouble falling asleep. You pretended that you were having nightmares- I think you were only scared about being left alone."

Simba looked slightly embarrassed about this. Mufasa continued. "So I- erm- sang to you. Apparently out of tune singing helped you drift off."

He was trying to cover up the awkwardness he was experiencing. Surprisingly, Simba seemed very pleased at the news. "Really?" he questioned.

"Really."

"That's nice...," Simba said, his voice trailing off. "Can I hear it?"

Mufasa smiled. "Why would you want to hear me sing?" he joked.

"Because... if I remember it, it'll remind me of you. It'll be like a part of you." Simba revealed the emotions in a reluctant manner. Mufasa knew how hard it was for him to do that.

Well, you can't say no to that, can you?

Mufasa took a deep breath and stared into the wonderful sun.

What do you think then, everyone? Reviewing is the only way to let me know- I depend on reviews! lol. ;)

Thanks to all the members who have given reviews so far- they've been so helpful! And we'll catch up with Nala, Sarabi etc soon, don't worry.