I don't own the Lion King

As Amar set himself down in the den, he couldn't make himself go back to sleep. What had just happened in the middle of dawn saddened him. He didn't want to upset his mother after what had happened with Ahadi and nor did he want to disappoint her, but he had done what he thought was right. He twisted and turned in any position that would help him sleep but it was impossible. He even thought of his mother's words when she said that she had called all of the African animals to see his coronation, but he wasn't going to be the one to walk up on that let out a sigh as a jumble of thoughts swarmed in his mind. He felt as if he had let his whole family down.

Mufasa let out a yawn and stretched himself as he shook his mane to ware off the sleep that lingered in his eyes. He looked around the den and saw that Amar was still napping in the corner with Sarafina. He softly chuckled and shook his head but his eyes bounced over to the rock that his mother and father shared, his smile faltered. He tried to get over the fact that his father was dead but while he was sleeping, he had felt Ahadi's presence by his side. He looked over to hiss right and saw Sarabi that was slowly breathing in the morning air. He bent his head towards her and gave her a soft nuzzle. He slowly removed his nose from her and proceeded to walk out of the den.

He was surprised to find his mother sitting at Pride Rock and looking over the horizon. He walked over to his mother and welcomed her with a nuzzle. "Good morning," he greeted her and she greeted him back with a nuzzle. "What are you doing up so early?" he asked her. Uru took a deep breath. From the way her voice shook, Mufasa noticed that she had been crying. "Are you alright?" he asked her.

Uru sniffled as she looked up at Mufasa with a glassy look in her eyes, "I am fine," she said with a half-reassuring smile.

"You don't look fine," Mufasa told her.

"I am just worried about Amar," Uru told him, "half an hour ago, he was up and I greeted him. Do you know what he said?"

Mufasa waited for her to answer.

"He said that he doesn't want to be king anymore," she said with a shake of her head.

Mufasa's eyes widened. Is he stupid? he mentally snapped. "What?" he asked. "Mom, he should know that the oldest king in line is the oldest one. I can't take his place."

"I told him," Uru spoke, "but he refused to heed my word." She looked up at her second oldest son and said, "he wants you to become the next king."

Mufasa rapidly blinked. "Me?" he asked her in a chocked voice. "Why me?"

"Because you are the second oldest and he thinks that you might have the potential of being a good king," Uru told him.

Mufasa slowly tore his eyes away from his mother and looked over the horizon. A million thoughts raced through his mind as he turned his head and looked back at the open mouth of the cave. Why did he pick me? Why couldn't he do it himself? He let out a sigh and looked back at his mother.

"Do you think you are able to rule your father's place?" Uru asked him.

"I-I-I don't know," Mufasa answered with a shake of his head. Sure he would be honored to become king but he knew the difference between fantasy and reality. Sure that the animals were going to respect him but respect had to be earned. If he wanted respect-and truth be told, he didn't expect every single animal to respect him-he had to earn it. Earning that, meant he had to work out and keep a healthy balance between the animals.

"Mufasa," Uru suddenly called his attention in a stern voice, "Amar's coronation is just hours away and if you are going to take his place, you have to be more than ready."

"I think so," he finally answered, "it just feels so sudden though. I wonder if Sarabi would feel ready to become queen of the Pride Lands."

"I'm sure that her mother gave her some insight on how to become a queen," Uru told him, "plus, she is very mature and I am sure that she will be the perfect queen."

Mufasa gave her a small smile. "I'm sure that she will be very happy to hear this news. Although, are you sure that Amar is alright with me becoming the next king?"

"Yes," Uru nodded, "although he asked for a favor."

"What would that be?"

"He wants Taka back."

When the lionesses woke up from their slumber, they immediately formed into a group and went to hunt for their breakfast. They returned to Pride Rock with a fresh zebra carcass and they heartily ate their meal. After their meal, it was finally afternoon and the African animals gradually began to gather around Pride Rock.

Mufasa waited in the cave with the lionesses gathered around him and Sarabi by his side. He had informed her earlier about his coronation and she had been surprised but willing to become the next queen. He had witnessed a look of disappointment lingering over Sarafina's face when he told her about Amar's step down. "You are a complete idiot," Mufasa snapped at him when Amar congratulated him.

Amar's smile faltered and he gave his brother a stern look. "I might be," he said, "but I'm doing the right thing." He turned around to walk away but stopped and looked back at him. "Just do me favor," he said, "bring Taka back." With that, he walked away from his brother and walked over to Sarafina.

Sarafina glared at him and turned her head to the right.

"Oh so you're mad at me too?" he asked her.

"Did it ever occur to you that I would have liked to become queen?" she asked through gritted teeth. When he didn't answer she said, "I guess not."

"Oh come on!" Amar almost yelled, "why does this matter so much? So what?"

"So what? So what?" Sarafina repeated his words, "I wanted to experience such a feeling but now I won't because you were too scared to even do it!" she snapped as she walked away from him.

Amar's ears dropped and he dropped his head to the ground. Great he said in his head, now she hates me too! He joined the group of lionesses but all they did was stare at him and turn their attention back to Mufasa. He let out a sad sigh and just stood there. Let them think what they want he thought. I did the right thing!

Suddenly, Uru walked into the cave and gave Mufasa a smile. "It's time," she said in a whisper as Mufasa and Sarabi walked over to the old queen. Uru gave her blessings to the new king and queen as she gave a kiss on Mufasa's forehead and a kiss on Sarabi's forehead. She pulled back and with a smile said, "your father would have been so proud of you. You're parents were blessed to have such a wonderful daughter to be the queen," she said to Sarabi with a smile.

Sarabi returned a smile as she bowed her head to the queen. Uru stepped away from them and let the two new royals pass. Mufasa held his head high as he and Sarabi walked on Pride Rock and stood over at the peak of the rock. He felt a slight cool breeze blowing into his mane. Blue and pink rose petals circled around his and Sarabi's neck. This has to be father Mufasa thought as he closed his eyes and felt his father's presence by his side. Once he opened his eyes, the wind died down and he saw all of the African animals bowing their heads to them.

In return, Mufasa and Sarabi bowed their heads to the animals as a sing that they respected them just as much as the animals respected them. Two lionesses walked up to Mufasa and Sarabi and in their mouths hung a necklace made out of flower petals. The lionesses placed the necklaces on their necks and after another bow of their heads, the African animals cheered for their new king and queen.