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...

You Never Know.

Chapter One.

Scar soon realized his confession was a mistake. From there, everything happened too quickly. I felt a surge of adrenaline and in a flash, I was in war with Scar and his minions. I was the first lioness to attack and initiate the war after the hyenas had loured themselves onto Simba, then Sarabi followed me. While I had taken the lead in battling the hyenas, I could see that Simba had chased Scar up over the ledge towards the other side, which was being engulfed by a large wall of fire.

Even Timon and Pumbaa were fighting. Of course they would, they were Simba's buddies who'd help him get through anything. But if Simba was going to be king, this 'hanging out' was going to end. Simba would have far too many duties as king in reconstructing his kingdom than to go and bathe in the waterhole all day with a warthog and meerkat.

It was a relief, but after several hours the battle was over. Due to the thunder and lightning from earlier, the clouds lobbed down their heavy precipitation at us from the heavens, extinguishing all the fire that was wildly spreading. Everything was veiled with a thick layer of black smoke- which didn't permit me to see anything. I saw several silhouettes (thankfully not any hyenas) of lionesses. My mother and Sarabi emerged from behind the thick smoke some moments later, and they nuzzled each other in a friendly manner to assure they were alright.

I ambled over towards them, respectfully bumping heads with Sarabi before becoming astray in my mother's wet fur. Segments from my fur poured with droplets, exposing how cold I was feeling. We were all cold. But that was the least of our concerns now. Simba had successfully defeated Scar and his hyenas, along with our help. Sooner or later, the Pridelands would be as it was again, with luxuriant shrubs and saplings that would begin to prosper in what would be months.

Presently, all of the lionesses stood, embracing and nestling up to each other. They were just as glad as I was that Scar's reign of terror had finally ended. He'd fled. Away from everyone, from his minions, from the pride and lionesses. The coward had turned on his own team, and found that he could no longer find a life here in the Pridelands. He must've gone somewhere even more further than the Outlands- where the hyenas would probably reside. They were exiled too, and I was glad. I couldn't stand them for a second. Though Scar was just as bad.

I glanced at Kula, who stepped out with Tama behind her as always. Reluctantly, my brother Mheetu stepped out as well, sauntering close behind Tama's heels as they made their way over to us. Obviously, my mother was the first one to greet Mheetu- taking him into her paws and squeezing him tightly. I had never felt such relief in my entire life. Not to mention, I was elated that my brother had survived; I thought Scar would kill him because he wasn't "good enough" to be king. He was better than Nuka, though, by a mile.

Slowly, I made my way over to Tama and Kula, embracing them full of emotion. They both sniffed, but Tama found herself strong enough to break the silence.

"We did it, guys," she declared, so solaced that she couldn't hold back her tears or laughter. We pulled away, and she looked up on the promontory, expecting to find Simba there waiting to initiate his reign. But he wasn't. "Where's Simba? Is he alright? He survived-"

"Yes, Tama," I interjected, too excited to let her finish her own sentence. "Simba's alive. I haven't seen him yet but I know he is- I saw Scar leave."

"Serves him right." Kula grunted, heavily rubbing her paw on her cheek in order to clean some blood that had been loosely running due to a cut Ed had given her. She had fought quite fiercely, even if she had only involved herself half way through the battle; her sorrel coat was littered with cuts and scars. "I'll never forgive him for what he did to my mother. Or Chumvi's mother."

Tama looked dejected at her messy, moisturized headtuft. "I know, I wouldn't forgive him for that too," she said. "So what happens now? Are you going to stay in the Pridelands? I know some lionesses who are planning on leaving."

"Oh, really?" my mother asked from behind us, furrowing one brow in disappointment. "I wonder which lionesses could be so ungrateful about the situation. What could be better than having the true king back and Scar gone?"

I frowned. "I'm not sure, but I'm definitely not leaving." I told them. "I'm going to stay and help the Pridelands flourish. Simba needs my help."

Tama nodded. "Yes, I agree." For a second, the tanned lioness looked rather skeptical, as if she had a bad confession to make. Suddenly, she looked at Kula with an anxious smile. "But... Me and Kula had other plans in mind."

"Which plans?" I inquired innocently, sitting on my haunches just as they did. "You're not leaving, are you?"

"Sort of." the headtufted lioness said, but I was still confused. She was being quite unclear.

"Nala, Tama and I have decided we're going to go ahead and look for Chumvi, Tojo and Malka," Kula explained. She looked beyond the horizon with a look of exhaustion. "Scar exiled them all, and didn't permit Malka to enter the Pridelands. We have no idea where they are, but we want to find them again."

I crinkled my nose. A little shocked. They were going to leave to find some others that were, by adults now, instead of helping us rebuild our homeland first? Finding Chumvi, Tojo and Malka wasn't essential for the kingdom, and as much as I wanted to look for them now, I couldn't. I couldn't abandon my family and Simba, because this would be the part where they'd need me the most. Kula and Tama would also be of major help.

"But..." I started, visibly offended by what they'd just told me. "Chumvi, Tojo and Malka are long gone... They left as adolescents who knew how to fight and protect themselves- they probably have an established pride already! But we don't! Why do you need to go and look for them?"

Kula glowered. "Well, nobody said you have to come with us," she pointed out hastily. "We just want the good of our... of our friends!"

I noted her hesitation of the word friends. "And what about the good of your pride? Your birth pride?"

Tama stepped in to defend her. "You'll have the help of plenty other lionesses, and we'll be back soon!" she smiled at me. "But you have to understand that we want to find them, they mean a lot to us."

I was about to retaliate over the fact that I cared about finding them too, since they were also my childhood friends, but I lost the chance because once again, an aggravated Kula interrupted me.

"Didn't you leave to go and find Simba? It was for the kingdom, but... We all know it was also for you," she tried to reason. "You were in love with Simba, and you had the chance to go and bring him back. And now you're planning on settling because he's here."

"But I didn't even know he was alive when I left!" I shouted, becoming nauseous of where our argument was headed. "And what does that mean? Are you trying to say that you're in love with Chumvi, Tojo or Malka?"

"Actually," began Tama. "Malka and I did start something before he left. And now I miss him. And I want to go look for my brother, Tojo."

"Same with me," Kula mentioned. "I need to make sure Chumvi's okay."

There was one thing I couldn't understand. What they said was true, but it wasn't as if Simba was miles away from us. Chumvi, Tojo and Malka had left a year ago, they could've been half way across Africa right now. But both Kula and Tama were too stubborn to see this. It wasn't as if they'd find their "mates" in a month or so. They were males, and by now, full-grown males with boastful manes. What made them think that they wouldn't find a pride, mates and cubs? They probably had their own families by now; they'd moved on to begin to build their lives. And that was what we should've been doing at Pride Rock- our kingdom was falling far behind. We would've fought for nothing if we all died due to hunger/starvation.

"Oh, don't be ridiculous!" I accidentally allowed my vexation to leek out a little, and Tama and Kula reeled back in shock. "They've been gone for about a year! They're probably miles away by now, with a pride, mates and cubs! What makes you think they'd wait around for you to come and search for them, expect Simba to be alive and overthrow Scar and the kingdom to flourish in three days? Why, instead of helping your family, do you want to go and look for males that don't even properly remember you?"

"You don't understand," Tama muttered bitterly, "You have Simba, you have someone to rely on. Don't you remember how depressed you were when you found out he was dead? Two lionesses gone is not going to make a difference to the reconstructing of an entire kingdom. And what are we even going to do? Wait around till everyone comes back?"

"And not to mention, Nala, you're the queen. You have to stay- Tama and I don't."

I rolled my eyes in disgust. "It's not as if they're the only lions in the world. And what could be better than having the support of your pride... your king? Kula, don't you want to fix the kingdom your mother grew up in? She'd be pleased to know you still think about her, even if she's..."

"Don't say it!" Kula yelled, on the verge of tears. I could see them threatening to bound down her cheeks. That was when I realized my mistake, but it was already too late. "Don't you dare bring my mother into this! She would've wanted what's best for me, and don't you ever bring her into an argument in order to convince me to do something."

She didn't even wait for me to answer, she simply ambled away from us. I expected Tama to follow her, since she was closer to Kula than to me, even if I was her cousin. But instead, she gaped at an irked Kula, then at me and sat on her haunches out of exhaustion. She heaved as she did so.

I had been far too impudent to them both, though at this moment I couldn't think of what to say.

"Tama, I'm sorry." I apologized, wanting to sob too. "I didn't mean to-"

"You're okay," she simply told me. Her smile had evaporated. "Kula's just really sensitive about that topic... But then again, who wouldn't be? We've all just been through a lot- Scar's corrupted us. We're all just tired."

Then she walked off to find Kula.

Right now, I wanted to rip my heart out as if I was some insane lioness. I was so cold towards my friends, and that was so unacceptable. Simba's return had me a little stressed, but elated overall. Kula and Tama wouldn't leave on good terms with me, though I couldn't blame them. I swore to never mention Kula's deceased mother in such a way again.

Leisurely, I ambled towards my mother- who was beside Sarabi, currently patting a sobbing Mheetu. Both of them had just seen our disputed, heated and stupid argument. I was bracing myself for another lecture; it was all I'd heard from them ever since.

Instead of yelling at me, Sarabi just shook her head, pursing her lips. "That wasn't very wise from either of you, to let your anger control the situation."

"I know," I said, as if I had told her for the hundredth time. My mother shot me a death stare- to which I immediately responded to by toning my voice down slightly. "I know... It was a stupid argument. I'm just a little stressed."

"I understand that." the old lioness replied. "But you shouldn't be. Simba will make a great king- he's learned from Mufasa, one of the best."

" And if your friends, Tama and Kula, have decided that life has outwitted them here, then you should just let them go," my mother, Sarafina, told me gently. She reached her paw out to embrace me, to which I kindly repaid. "I have a feeling they won't be the only ones leaving."

"Yes," Sarabi agreed, twitching one rimmed ear and turning towards another group of lionesses- who seemed far more devastated about Simba's return. By Sarabi's gesture to them, I could easily understand to what she was getting at. "Zira and some of the other younger lionesses don't look too pleased."

I didn't know what to say to that. I had never really spoken to Zira or any of the others, even during Pride Rock's hell times. They didn't seem friendly at all, or reassuring. And they seemed to loathe the idea of Scar gone. But I just ignored them- they hadn't done anything, so there was no justification as to why I should hate them yet.

I didn't really want to seem like I was ignoring Sarabi right then, but I couldn't gather any words for any sort of comment. The only thing that weighed my mind was Simba- and there he was. Stepping down from the promontory, he approached us. Of course, I allowed Sarabi to nuzzle and greet him first. He was her son, and she hadn't seen him for a huge part of her life and his. Then he approached me, pushing his head against mine. I could feel the wetness of his mane, and his soaked fur. It felt quite glacial, but that didn't stop the moment.

After quite a long nuzzle, he turned to Rafiki- the mandrill who'd also perceived Simba's desire to return. Simba solely relied on him after his father in the heavens, since he was a very wise, old and experienced monkey. Rafiki shook the little stick he had, the small fruits causing a rattle sound to leak out. He motioned to the promontory, where all the ancient kings stood to initiate their reign. I was slightly worried for Simba- I wasn't sure if he could do it or not.

But, as if she had read my mind, Sarabi stood next to me. "Don't you worry, Nala," she assured me in a strong voice. I struggled to actually crane my head to see her, since all of the rain seemed to be getting into our sights, and where we stood was congested with lionesses. "My son will take good care of the kingdom."

I nodded, devoting my full attention to Simba again. He was already on the promontory, and I could see that he seemed to be speaking with someone in the clouds. It was his father of course, Simba would never forget him. And like Simba was visibly affected by Mufasa's faint presence, so was I. And no doubt Sarabi was too. I looked down to my soaked paws and simpered. Mufasa would guide Simba and I as the rulers of the Pridelands.

That night, I couldn't sleep.

I aroused from where Simba and I slumbered, tip-toeing to the entrance of the den and past all the snoring lionesses, caught deep in their sleep. Tama and Kula hadn't left yet, but I knew that once they had awoken, they'd dismiss everybody but me and leave. They wouldn't want to wait; they'd want to find their mates after all. This time I didn't blame them, Simba's return made me realize how dejected I had been at his 'loss'.

I wasn't exhausted at all, but my body language appeared to be. I dazily ambled towards the edge of the promontory, taking a long glance at the kingdom. It was still very much destroyed, especially now. The fires had consumed everything, it seemed a little more dangerous. It wasn't as if we could do anything about that- and we'd have to find some way of bringing the herds back. Perhaps we could hunt in one of the neighbouring prides' territories, but I highly doubted their leaders would let us steal a single antelope.

Simba and I would have a lot of work to do as the new king and queen of the kingdom.

I blinked, lifting my head to the exuberant skies and exiled all rheum from my orbs. Although the sun's powerful light had completely conquered my sight, I could tell it would rain sooner or later. When I was a cub, rain was always bad news- me and Simba would be condemned to the den until it was over; especially in the wet season. But who knew that I'd be so desperate for rain in these times? Sarabi told me that lots of things changed very quickly, it was impossible to believe. Now, though, I understand what she had meant.

I released a breath I hadn't even realized I had been holding. It was already daytime, but none of the pride were awake. I imaged they'd wake up some time later- perhaps now I could have some time to myself and go and visit Rafiki. It had been a while since I had properly spoken to him, so speaking to him now would be sort of...awkward? Then again, I did need to relieve some stuff off of my chest and Rafiki was a good peer for that.

So I slowly trekked towards the mandrill's immense baobab tree; a brief journey that only lasted me less than five minutes. I imagined he'd be there- he would've wanted to be available in the Pridelands now that Simba had arrived. But at the same time, he could have been busy helping the Pridelands flourish, gathering some more herds or perhaps perceiving some medication for some of the wounded lionesses in my pride.

Although both possibilities were likely, I decided to check if he was in anyway. There were so many things that I was perplexed about, and I couldn't afford another full day with extra stress on my shoulder blades. Stress was absolutely excess in this period, even if Scar's reign had ended.

"Rafiki!" I called, my voice slightly strained. I hadn't quenched my thirst for almost three days, so it wasn't really a surprise. To my dismay, I had strained my voice for nothing, because Rafiki hadn't answered. "Rafiki! Are you there? It's Nala, and I really need to talk to you!"

A limb popped out. Obviously Rafiki's. Nobody's arms were as long and bony as his. A smile suddenly emerged on my face as he popped out with a smirk. He addressed me with a formal bow and a warm introduction with a motion of his arm.

"Well, I wonda' what brings de queen here todeh!" he greeted with a forced whisper. "Come on in, and tell ol' Rafiki what had been going on in dat head of yours!"

As I lumbered up the bark of the sapling, I began to wonder what I really did want to talk about. I was confused, so lost and afraid...but I didn't know why. Perhaps Rafiki's wisdom would figure that out for me.

I finally sat on my haunches as I reached the top, and since Rafiki had instructed me to. It wasn't really a case of obedience, but out of fatigue even I wasn't tired at all. I stared at him, allowing him to readjust as he crossed his legs and allowed the tip of his long toes to touch each other. He'd always sit like this; sometimes he'd do some sort of meditating in the process. It reminded me of how long we hadn't properly spoken- I felt sort of guilty, even if I couldn't really make any time to see how he was doing as much as I tried.

"How are you, Rafiki?" I inquired kindly in a nervous tone, smiling some.

Rafiki flailed his arms around. "No, no, no," he scolded, shaking his head and his finger at me as if I was some sort of cub. "Rafiki is fine. I am just glad everyting will be back to normal again. I wonda'... How's my queen? Mufasa tol' me I might expecting you."

My eyes widened. "Really? Well, in that case..." I also readjusted myself. "I-I'd like to ask you... Do you believe that the Pridelands can...thrive again? With all this emptiness, I'm beginning to lose hope. And I'm even more stressed now, because Sarabi has noted something about Zira and her crew. Not to mention, Kula and Tama are mad at me because I snapped at them for wanting to leave. I'm so lost, I don't know what to do... What do you recommend?"

The mandrill only smiled. "Nala," he cooed warmly. "One of de qualities of a queen, is dat she must to be able to trust herself. Just follow your heart, and remember dat you have de support of Simba, Mufasa, Sarabi and de pride. You are not alone in dis."

"But what if my heart is wrong? What if I do something wrong?"

"Don't you remember de story of de Great Drought? During King Mohatu's time?" he asked me, seeming a little surprised. From there, his story would initiate. "Mohatu's mate, Araceli, perished in de Great Drought. Mohatu was taking his pride, to another home- somewhere where there was water. They could not last any longer out in de heat without water."

"Yes, I remember," I said, memorizing the story. My mother had told me the story many times when I was a cub. "Araceli couldn't go on because she had been diagonsed with feline infectious peritonitis."

Rafiki nodded. "She had to stay, she couldn't go on any furder. Although Mohatu's mind told him to stay wid her, he knew dat his pride had to be taken to a safe place, before they all perished. He had to leave her, and so he did. He didn't do it because he didn't want to, but because he followed his heart. As a king, der were many tings Mohatu would have to sacrifice, including his mate," he informed me. "So, Araceli died, and Mohatu and his pride left. Dat was when dey found de Pridelands."

"...I see." I concluded, gathering my thoughts. Everything seemed to be making sense now. "Even if you believe your heart is wrong... Sometimes trusting it may lead you to better opportunities, instead of suffering whatever you're suffering. And that sometimes you have to take risks in order to learn..."

The baboon applauded me, causing me to simper at him. "Exactly! Mohatu made a perfect leader even witdout his mate's support, because he had his pride. Simba will need a lot of your support as his queen, so you must trust yourself, him and your pride. Remember you have all support."

"How can you even be so sure I'll be queen? I don't feel so ready yet," I maffled.

Rafiki arched one of his eyebrows. "Whaaaat? Simba has not yet conquered your heart?"

"It's not that," I panicked, not wanting him to believe the wrong idea. "I just don't feel ready. I love Simba, I just don't want the kingdom to put all of their faith in me and trust me when I can't even trust myself. I can't discuss that with Simba- he never understands."

"Ohh, my queen," Rafiki stared at me. "I feel that something will change your future."