(A/N: Sorry for the delay. But I'm back with a chapter! Unfortunately, it is just a short filler chapter, but I intend to make Chapter 12 one worth waiting for. You may notice that Sarabi and Nala now have their half of each chapter before Sarafina and Simba. There's a reason for that, but I'm not going to go into that. It may or may not be a permanent change. We'll see. Also, I would like to add that you can read more Lion King fanfiction at w w w . l i o n k i n g . o r g / t e x t. I have a few stories there that are not on my fanfiction page. The main reason you can't see them here is because they are absolutely terrible, except for the "I don't/might/shouldn't Love You" trilogy which can be found on Kovukono's fanfiction page, since I co-authored it with him. There are currently stories being posted on that aforementioned site - I know Tearthgrrl has one titled "Impossible" which she is currently writing and can only be found on that aforementioned site. But now, back to this story...)

It had just gone noon in the Pridelands, and as a result the shadows from the trees and the other objects that stood within the savannah plains began to grow. The availability of shade was not at all taken for granted by the lions. Sarabi and Nala were proof of that. Once Sarabi had caught the thirsty impala, both she and Nala had agreed that in the shade, under the tree, was the best place to eat it, and so that's where Sarabi had dragged it.

Sarabi gave her mandatory roar, just so that Mufasa knew. Nala wasn't bothered by Sarabi's call at all, since it was something her mom did too. Nala took a small bite out of the carcass and lifted her head back up as she chewed, to help it go down her throat when she was ready. As she looked up, she noticed that Sarabi wasn't looking as happy as she usually was. When they both made eye contact however, Sarabi forced a smile.

"Mom, are you okay?" asked Nala.

"Of course I am, Nala," came Sarabi's reply, but Nala still wasn't convinced. "What do you want to do next?" asked Sarabi before Nala could question any further.

"Hmm…" came Nala's reply, as she tried to think of something fun to do.

"What do you usually do this time of day?" asked Sarabi, trying to help Nala decide.

"Well it's kinda hot in the middle of the day, so Aunt Sarafina usually likes to sleep in the shade, and then that means I have to play with Simba."

"It is hot," Sarabi admitted, but then she caught sight of the waterhole. "Are you a good swimmer?" she asked.

"Mom doesn't let me swim," replied Nala solemnly.

"Why not?"

"She says she doesn't like it, and that I probably wouldn't either. She also says that even if I would like it, I can't go in the water on my own, and she just refuses to go in so I have to stay out."

Sarabi smiled. "I know what we're doing next, then."

"Simba, I can understand how drinking water and having a second lunch may help your health. I can even understand that maybe walking isn't a great idea, and that's why I agreed to carry you on my back. However, is this giant leaf thing really necessary?" asked a rather irritated Sarafina, as her arms were now beginning to tire out from waving the giant leaf next to Simba, something Simba had earlier justified by saying that he needed to cool off to get better.

"Lionesses don't ask questions, Aunt Sarafina, they just carry out demands."

Sarafina threw the leaf down on the ground. "That's it! No dinner for you."

"Puh! I don't need dinner. I just had seconds for lunch."

"Mm hmm. Try telling me that just before nightfall."

"I will." Just then, Simba jumped up from the spot where he had been lying in and began to walk away.

"Where are we going now?" asked Sarafina, beginning to follow him.

"I want to see Uncle Scar."

Sarafina ran her way around the cub and stood in front of him, blocking his path. "Oh no you're not, mister."

"Why not? My punishment for telling that lioness joke was no dinner. Big whoop. You can't just throw another punishment at me for nothing though."

"For nothing! Oh, I have reasons for punishing you Simba. You've disobeyed me, disrespected me, and put me through more pain than I have ever experienced, and I was really trying to be nice to you, Simba. I fed you, I took you to your mom when you were ill, I even cooled you off with a giant leaf! And this is how you repay me?"

"Yup!" replied Simba, smugly. Sarafina was at a loss for words. She hadn't expected him to have reacted like that. She had expected him to cringe, apologize, or at least feel sorry for her. "And what have you learnt today?" asked Simba.

"Excuse me?" replied Sarafina, rather offended that Simba seemed to be taking a role of someone superior to her.

"I misbehaved and you didn't punish me, and now look where you've ended up. Don't you see, Sarafina? We were right!"

"It's not about that anymore, Simba!"

"It's what it's always been about."

"No it's not! You need to learn some respect! And you know what, thanks for making me realize my mistake. Come on, let's go back to Pride Rock."

Simba frowned. "Why?"

"Because you're grounded!"

(A/N: Well, I know it was short, but I hope you enjoyed it. If not, then let me know in your reviews. I do pay attention to them. This story wouldn't have shaped itself into what it is now if I never had gotten any reviews. Now time for a fun fact. While I was on my three week vacation, I stayed underwater in the pool for too long and I popped back out and took a deep breath and then swam over to the edge of the pool and grabbed hold of it while I got my breath back, and then I thought to myself: who do I remind myself of right now? And then the idea of giving Nala a swimming lesson suddenly dawned on me. Isn't it amazing what time off can do?)