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Chapter 17: Morning Light

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As life returned to normal in the Pridelands, Suvo and Nahara spent time getting to know each other better. Nahara, not yet old enough to mate, and Suvo, not quite ready to become a parent yet, spent their days happily playing with Niru and Siva, hunting, and during the night, stargazing, and watching sunrises at dawn.

Niru and Siva, being the future king and queen, mated in the late spring for the first time and spent their summer and fall with Kiara and Kovu, learning more about becoming King and Queen.

One morning before dawn, Siva awoke and decided to see what the Pridelands looked like before the sunlight touched them. She tiptoed outside the cave and walked to the edge of Pride Rock. She sat there and scanned everything before her. A breeze blew and the lioness shivered as she sniffed the chilly air.

She continued to watch the Pridelands when Suvo came up behind her, concerned.

"Hey sis," he nudged her shoulder gently.

"Hey," she nuzzled him.

"Winter's coming soon."

"I know, I feel it," she said sniffing the chilly morning air again. Then she made a small noise.

"What's wrong?" Suvo asked, turning to her.

"I'm Ok, Suvo. I just felt the cub kick," she smiled at put a paw on her now large belly.

"Is it Ok?" Suvo asked worriedly as he gently put his paw on her belly.

Siva giggled. "Yes, it's perfectly healthy, Suvo. Don't worry, I'm fine, but thanks for your concern," she smiled warmly and licked his cheek.

Just then, Niru and Nahara walked out of the cave.

Suvo stood up and walked towards Nahara.

"Siva, Suvo, are you two alright?" Niru asked as he nuzzled his mate's back.

She purred. "I'm fine, I just wanted to see what the Pridelands looked like before dawn," she smiled.

"Oh? And you didn't invite me?" Niru smiled from Siva to Suvo.

"Suvo, what are you doing out here?" Nahara asked.

"I just wanted to check up on Siva, I saw her get up and wanted to make sure she was Ok," Suvo nodded from Nahara to Niru.

"Yep, and I'm Ok," Siva smiled and walked over and nuzzled her brother.

"Thanks Suvo," Niru smiled and nudged him in a brotherly way.

"No problem, that's what I'm here for," he smiled. They all chuckled.

"Hey look, the sun is rising!" Nahara pointed to the sky.

The four of them gasped at the sight and whispered "Oh wow," and "Look at that!"

"Let's all watch together, what do you think, guys?" Suvo proposed.

"Yeah, good idea!" Niru whispered.

The couples sat down next to each other and embraced each other while watching the bright yellow ball peek over the distant mountains and shoot across the Pridelands, its warm, golden rays flooding upon every living and non-living thing everywhere, even beyond the lions' range of vision. Slowly, the stars dissolved in the sky and a light blue layer was painted across the sky. Then they couples felt the warm rays touch their coats and bodies at the same time, letting it soak into their skin, warming them. When the sun had fully risen in the African sky, Niru and Siva stood up and decided to go down to the waterhole.

"You two coming?" Niru asked Suvo and Nahara.

"Yeah, we'll be there in a minute," Suvo replied.

"Ok," Niru smiled and walked down Pride Rock with Siva.

"Hey Suvo?" Nahara asked nuzzling him.

"Yes?" he nuzzled back.

"I was just thinking about Siva and Niru and," she paused.

"Yeah, what about them?" he smiled and licked her ear.

"Well, do you think we'll have cubs of our own someday?" she blushed.

Suvo blushed as his heart began to beat faster. "Well, if you want to when you're ready, then yeah I would like that," he gazed lovingly into her dark green eyes.

A smile spread across her face. "I'd love to raise cubs with you, Suvo," she grinned and licked him.

"Me too, Nahara," he licked her cheek.

"How about next Spring?" she giggled.

"Sounds perfect," he purred.

They smiled and got up and walked off Pride Rock to the waterhole, nuzzling.

The Circle of Life exists everywhere and can never end as long as there is love, faith, and acceptance. May the Circle continue for generations to come forever.

THE END

Disclaimer: Nothing (at all) is mine, check profile for full story.