Hi guys! Well this is the very first Chapter of my story. I decided to make a majority of the story a sort of flashback to show how it all started, if you know what I mean? And to nick aiouto: I wish I could tell you who it was, but I want to make the reader's suspenseful about what would happen next. And telling you who it is will pretty much spoil the story, in my opinion. Sorry :[. But I hope you can still enjoy my story!

~1~

Two months after the Outlanders made peace with the Pridelanders, Zira's suicide, and the marriage of Princess Kiara and Prince Kovu, the Pridelands were at its normal state. Though they had to cope with the demise of their former ruler, and fitting into Simba's pride, the Outlanders had become accustomed to the change. Many of them had gotten stronger and thicker due to the abundance of herbivores that lingered in the Pridelands. The pride was strong enough to take down any invaders and any threats that came their way. However, the pride wasn't prepared for the surprise that was in store.

The whole pride, especially Simba and Nala were taken aback when Kiara announced her pregnancy. What even shocked them more was when Rafiki suspected that Kiara could have a multiple birth. Though the two young parents were elated, they knew it would take a lot of work to feed and provide for the cubs. However, Kiara's motherly instincts kicked in almost instantaneously. Kovu however, didn't feel like he was ready to be a father.

Months had passed and Kiara's stomach enlarged as it provided a warm home for her unborn cubs. Kovu, who was constantly by her side throughout her pregnancy, nudged her stomach. Then he sighed.

"What's the matter, Kovu?" Kiara whispered, nuzzling his cheek. She knew that he was nervous about being a father. But she never thought that he would be so down because of something that is so joyous to others. "You'll be a great father." she added, with a smile.

"You think so?" the brown lion replied, pressing his nose against his mate's stomach.

"I know so," responded Kiara with a warm chuckle.

Kovu licked her nose but instantly backed away when she grit her teeth in pain.

"Is it time?" he panicked.

"No, no, no." Kiara insisted, licking her stomach. "It was just a kick."

"I'm sorry Kiara," he said. "I've just been so nervous ever since you told me that we were going to have a cub."

Kiara chuckled once again, nuzzling Kovu.

"You should probably get some sleep." she suggested. "You've probably been up for days."

"I guess you're right." her mate complied.

He tried to calm down, but Kiara was due any day and he had countless fears keeping him from resting.

After several hours, Kovu woke up to a painful shriek that stunned the other Pridelanders. As he turned to his left, he realized that the scream came from Kiara.

"Kovu," she panted. "It's time!"

She cried out again. He panicked. The lioness gathered around her, giving her different commands and speaking all at once. Kovu couldn't push his way through the busy crowd and didn't plan on trying. Instead, he walked outside, looking at the glistening twilight sky that blanketed the Pridelands with such beauty. He heard Kiara's shrill cries and then silence, along with soft mewling. He decided to walk in. There, he saw his mate, exhausted, lying on the floor and breathing heavily. By her side was a tiny brown cub, attempting to find a milk duct. When he succeeded, he preceded to suckle from his mother. Kovu was in awe. But he realized something was terribly wrong.

"Kiara, are you okay?" he questioned, nudging the golden lion with his nose.

"I'm dying, Kovu." Kiara replied. She had little energy.

"No, KIARA." Kovu begged. "You can't do this."

Kiara's head fell with a thud as she took labored breaths. After one long gasp, the princess took her final breath. Her cub kept consuming her milk from his lifeless mother.

"Kovu," multiple Pridelanders crooned, feeling pity for the new father.

They gathered around him, giving him their condolences.

"Just leave me alone," he warned, snarling at them.

"Kovu..." Kiara repeated, her shoulder slung over his back. "You were talking in your sleep. Are you okay?"

It took him a while to realize that he was just having a bad dream. He was releived to see that Kiara was still alive and well, along with the cubs. It was all a dream…

"I'm fine," Kovu replied.

"Just relax." Kiara suggested. "I'll be fine."

She went back to sleep. Kovu looked at her once more. The sight of the lioness carrying his cubs warmed his heart. He licked her on her cheek and told her good night before he too went back to sleep.

Another week or so had passed since Kovu's nightmare. Though he tried his best to think positively about being a new father, he still worried about the fate of his mate and his cubs. Kiara lost her appetite during that period. She was heavily pregnant and getting around was virtually impossible.

Then on one dark, rainy night in the Pridelands, Kiara had gone into labor. Beads of rain dropped from the green leaves onto the wet terrain. Though a dead silence took place outside, anxiety and worry took place at Pride Rock. Since she needed to concentrate to make the process flow easier, Kiara had to give birth in the birthing cave. Nala was by her side in case something went wrong. She had been in excruciating pain for almost an hour.

"When is he going to come?" the princess said between clenched teeth.

Of course, she was referring to Rafiki. Though many females gave birth alone without complications, Rafiki's presence was needed to ensure mother and cub were happy and healthy.

Kovu's POV

I decided to linger outside while Kiara gave birth to the cubs. I couldn't stand to see her in so much pain. Then again, there was nothing I could do about it. As I heard her blood-curdling cries, I got more nervous at the fact that soon, I would have a son or a daughter I would have to take under my wing, and raise to become the next ruler of the Pridelands. What if they don't like me?

"Kovu," Simba called from the mouth of the den. "What's the matter?"
He soon padded towards me, with a warm smile.
"She'll be fine," he said. "Nala and Zira turned out fine, didn't they?"
"I guess you're right," I replied with a sigh.
Our conversation was temporarily interrupted when we saw the shaman limp towards us. He'd gotten older and his back hunched slightly as he supported himself on the shaft that was nearly as tall as him. He looked towards Simba and I, and gave a brief nod before heading into the den, which was dim and shady. As the birthing continued, the anxiety intensified.
"What if it doesn't like me?" I asked Simba.

"Of course he'll like you," Simba replied. "You're his father."

"I guess you're right," I replied with an unsure smile.

I decided to look off into the horizon. Hopefully, the calmness that took place outside would help cure my cold feet. I sighed.

"Kovu!" someone called out.

I looked back and saw Nala. I walked over, trying not to let my anxiety get the best of me. She smiled. I knew this was it. I crept into the den, and was awed by the sight of Kiara and three tiny cubs in her grip.

Kiara's POV

I could tell that he was nervous. He had no fatherly figure besides my father. And even so, he had no idea how to take care of them.

"Hey Daddy," I teased.

"They're perfect," he replied, nuzzling me. "What do we name them?"

I took one more glance at the cubs. One was a deep chocolate brown, like his father. But had royal red eyes like me. He was the oldest. The middle cub had a fallow colored pelt. He inherited my father's auburn mane and my mother's blue eyes. The last born was just like me. Light golden fur. Yet, she had green eyes like her father.

"My sons," Kovu said in awe as the two of them were in his arms.

We named the oldest Diallo. His valiant like personality seemed to kick in just moments after his birth. The middle cub, we decided to name Iman. He playfully swiped at his big brother as he burrowed himself into his father's chest and fell asleep. Last but definitely not least was the girl. We named her Ashanti, which means "thank-you".

"Kiara, you've made me the happiest lion ever," Kovu replied, nuzzling me. "Three beautiful cubs."

Just as we were about to rest, Rafiki entered the birthing den. The old mandrill supported himself on his stick to keep from falling.

"You're cubs are perfectly healthy. And so are you…" Rafiki said. "Tomorrow, they shall be presented."

He nodded and went on his way. Tomorrow was the big day.

3rd Person Narrative

Sunrise was just around the corner. The warm atmosphere draped over the Pridelands. The sky was a dusty orange. The herds were just waking up and headed to go to Pride Rock where the ceremony would take place. There, the other Pridelanders were finally allowed to see the newborn cubs.

"He has your eyes, Nala," Simba pointed out.

He was still dumfounded that he was finally a grandfather. As much ado took place inside the den, Rafiki entered, with a series of fruit, sands and powders. Each cub got an assortment of juices and spices applied to their fur. Afterward, they were presented to the Great Kings of the Past and the other animals that resided in the Pridelands. Soon enough, it was time. Kovu and Kiara were inaugurated and the Pridelands were theirs.

All the animals bowed to their new rulers and so did the other Pridelanders. The couple went back down, where they nuzzled their young cubs, who were being supervised by Vitani. It was a day of rejoice, recreation, and most importantly—rebirth.

Later on that night, Kiara lulled the last of the cubs to sleep. Kovu was right by her. It was then that Kiara grew worried about all the other conflicts that occurred when there were multiple births. The assassination of her grandfather, Mufasa and the gruesome murder of her older brother, Kopa. What if Ashanti tried to kill her older brothers? What if a feud develops between the three cubs? She could see it already. Simba had told her the story of Mufasa's death countless times.

Diallo was hanging on the gorge for dear life. Iman and Ashanti were looking down on him, an evil smile widening across their muzzles.

"Iman," Diallo roared. "Brother. Help me."

Iman looked down at him, and then at Ashanti.

"Ashanti," Diallo plead. "My dear sister, please..."

Iman narrowed his eyes at his sister, Ashanti nodded back at him, and walked towards Diallo. She held onto his paws, digging into her brother's flesh with her sharp claws. He roared in pain. Ashanti looked into his eyes.

"Long live the king..." she said in a menacing voice as her brother's eyes widened in fear.

She let go, watching her brother plunge to his death. His horrified scream as the others witnessed the terrible event.

"Ashanti!" Kiara exclaimed.

The cubs were resting in a snug space between Mom and Dad. Ashanti was fast asleep, along with her older brothers.

"Kiara," Kovu muttered. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing," she replied, uneasily.

Kovu went back to sleep shortly after. Kiara took one last glance at her sleeping cubs.

"They'd never hurt each other." Kiara told herself. "They're siblings. Siblings love each other!"

She sighed deeply as she closed her eyes.

What am I going to do?

Well, I hope you liked the first chapter. Be prepared for much more drama to come. Review please! :)