Chapter Five: It is Time
Hunter305414: I know, I did it spontaneously. Since I did that one-shot on Libya, I figured it would be time soon… :( It should get slightly better, but we might be plunged right back into the dark. And yes, Kibuluu deserves a horrible, fiery death. Or be pelted with legos. Maybe I'll throw my lovely bunch of coconuts at him. Whatever works. Enjoy the chapter
Whoa it's Fandoms: We'll check on Zuri and Fahamu soon, no worries :) And I have to kill characters sometimes, you know. Have to make one cast slightly smaller to add new additions? Anyway enjoy the chapter.
TRON0602: Yes, he did, a very cute scene turned violent. He luckily didn't see the violence. Your welcome, Maji. Enjoy the chapter
RusherWolf: Thank you, and I am now updating, so please enjoy the chapter.
CSIMentalistTLK Lover: Kali may be seeing the light, and Scar's the one who showed a preview? What is this witchcraft? Lol, enjoy the chapter.
It had been a week since Libya's death. Amalia still remained at Pride Rock, but found herself unable to mingle with Muujiza because of his grief made him stay near his family. The Princess of the River Pride actually begun to wonder if Muujiza was even interested.
That day, Amalia practiced her pouncing and hunting skills with another pridesister to be ready for her own Rite of Passage at the River Pride. Halfway through the lesson, the Golden Prince of the Pridelands appeared, his bi-colored orbs catching Amalia's dark blue eyes. The pridesister smiled.
"Go on! He's the reason you're here, Amalia." The pridesister said. Amalia smiled at the lioness and trotted up to Muujiza. Muujiza smiled courteously.
"Well… we haven't been properly introduced, have we?" Muujiza asked. Amalia shook her head.
"Well, of course not. I'm Amalia." Amalia said. Muujiza's smile became true.
"I'm Muujiza. Care to… go for a walk?" Muujiza asked. Amalia smiled and nodded. Muujiza sighed and started to walk, Amalia catching up with the older lion.
"I apologize for this taking so long, Amalia. It's just hard with my grandmother's passing." Muujiza said.
"It's okay. I understand. My dad lost his mom awhile back and… well she didn't like me so much but…" Amalia shrugged.
"We learned from my younger sister that she was protecting my niece. Proud and true to the end, my grandmother was." Muujiza sighed.
"She loved her family. I would have done the same for my grandchildren were I grandmother." Amalia said. Muujiza gave her a hard glance.
"You're far too young for that." Muujiza said.
"I may be a year old, but…" Amalia shook her head, "you know what? Nevermind, can we try to enjoy ourselves?" Amalia asked. Muujiza smiled.
"Please, let us try." Muujiza said.
*+-/_\-+*
Vitani was lying in Pride Rock with JJ and Nurisha lying beside her, keeping her daughters as close as possible the past week without smothering them. Vitani felt like if she let her girls go, she'd lose sight of them and lose them forever.
She wouldn't allow that. No one would touch her children. Not a soul.
"'Tani?" Rikala came to the entrance, Zuri and Fahamu at her side.
"Oh, hey Rikala. How are you?" Vitani asked.
"I was going to ask if maybe Nurisha or JJ wanted to go for a walk to the northern border." Rikala said. Vitani looked to her daughters. JJ curled closer to her mother, while Nurisha didn't move. Vitani smiled at her adoptive child.
"Nurisha, do you want to go?" Vitani asked.
"Please, Mom? I'm feeling cooped up." Nurisha said. Vitani nodded.
"Do as Rikala says. Stay in her sight." Vitani said. Nurisha smiled and nuzzled Vitani, running to Zuri, who was Nurisha's best friend. Zuri jabbed Nurisha in the shoulder.
"Ready to run?" Zuri asked.
"You know it!" Nurisha said. Fahamu laughed at his female counterparts.
"You know I'm the fastest of the fast!" Fahamu said.
"Are not!" Nurisha said.
"Are too!" Fahamu argued. Rikala laughed at the cubs.
"Calm now, we haven't left," Rikala's ruby eyes focused on Vitani, "you'll be okay alone?" Rikala asked. Vitani nodded.
"You know I'm due any second. I'm better if I stay here." Vitani smiled. Rikala gave her friend a nuzzle.
"I'm always here, Vitani. We're still friends." Rikala said as she left with Zuri, Nurisha, and Fahamu. JJ looked up, her eyes worn and worried.
"Jay? Sweetheart, what is it?" Vitani asked. JJ closed her eyes and leaned against her mother again.
"I feel like I caused Grammy's death." JJ said. Vitani nuzzled her daughter and held her closer.
"I know you do. I felt that way about when my mom died. But the fact is, JJ," Vitani paused, looking her daughter in the eye, "you did nothing wrong. Kweli told me you were looking out for a runaway cub. There is nothing wrong with that at all. It makes me proud of you." Vitani said. JJ's eyes filled with tears.
"Really?" JJ asked. Vitani nodded.
"Of course, I love you so much, Jolina." Vitani said. JJ smiled and nuzzled against her mother's side, then JJ got up sharply. Vitani laughed.
"Did the cub kick you?" Vitani asked. JJ glared at her mother's side.
"Feisty, isn't he?" JJ asked.
"Or she." Vitani said.
"I think it's a boy." JJ said. Vitani cocked her head.
"Why's that?" Vitani asked.
"Well… I'd like to have a baby brother. I love Nurisha, I do… but there's a little rivalry there so… I want a brother." JJ said. Vitani smiled.
"I understand that." Vitani felt the cub kick her sharply in the ribs and she whooshed out a breath. JJ had a look of concern on her face.
"What's wrong?" JJ asked.
"Just a kick to the ribs. Nothing too bad." Another sharp kick made Vitani hiss.
"Mom?" JJ asked. Vitani shook her head.
"It's nothing sweetheart." Then Vitani's water broke. The Queen's eyes widened and JJ stood up, making sure none of the amniotic fluid had gotten on her.
"You're in labor!" JJ said. Vitani grimaced as a contraction hit.
"Yes, is Zazu still around?" Vitani asked, an eye closed. JJ shook her head.
"He went home. Binti's been sick." JJ said. Vitani cursed under her breath.
"The lionesses went hunting, and everyone else is gone…. Sweetie, you're going to have to help me." Vitani said. JJ's eyes widened.
"Mom, I can't…" JJ began. Vitani looked into her daughter's eyes.
"You can. I know you can. Help me into the nursery cave." Vitani tried standing, but a sharp contraction told her she was staying right where she was.
"Mom?" JJ asked.
"Looks like it's a quick birth. JJ, do a me a favor, you're going to have to be back and tell me how I'm doing." Vitani said.
"What do I do?" JJ asked.
"Just catch the cub when it comes out, okay? And let me know how it's going, that's all I ask." Vitani said. JJ nodded, her blue eyes scared.
"I'm scared." JJ said. Vitani's electric blue eyes softened.
"You can do it. Turn that fear into strength." Vitani said. JJ sighed slowly and assumed her position.
*+-/_\-+*
Kovu was out on patrol with Myota when Kiara walked up to the males with Jua and Mwenzi in tow. Myota nuzzled his mate and Kiara smiled. Kovu saw the smile was faked, and his heart felt torn. The mahogany lion thought about his pregnant mate, his daughters, and forced Kiara's revealed affections out of his mind.
"Hey, Kiki." Myota said, a true smile on his face. Kovu felt bad. Myota was his brother, well adopted, but still his brother, and Kiara was in love with Kovu.
"Hey, 'Ota. How's patrolling?" Kiara asked.
"It's going fine." Kovu said, hiding his emotions, his fear. He forced a smile on his face. Kiara smiled back.
"I'm glad," Kiara turned back to her mate, "Myota, Zira was looking for you. She wanted to talk to you." Kiara said. Myota looked taken aback.
"Oh, um… I wonder what's going on with Mom?" Myota looked to Kovu. Kovu shrugged.
"She might just want to see you, bro." Kovu said. Myota laughed.
"Probably." Myota said. Kiara laughed herself.
"If you want, you can take the girls. They miss their father." Kiara said as Jua walked up to her father and nuzzled his leg. Mwenzi, however, did nothing. Myota smiled.
"I'll take the girls. Can you finish out the patrol with Kovu?" Myota asked. Kiara nodded.
"No problem! Go see your mom." Kiara nuzzled Myota. Myota smiled and nudged his daughters along ahead of him. Kovu waited until Myota was out of earshot then he glared at the dusky gold lioness.
"Mom really doesn't want to see him." Kovu growled.
"Kovu, relax. I wanted to talk to you. Is that a sin?" Kiara asked.
"You told me last week you loved me, Kiara. I have a pregnant mate and two daughters. I love my family, you need to back off." Kovu said.
"Kovu, I can't! I can't be away from you. Vitani stole you from me, I know she did. You stayed with her out of duty, you told me that if she hadn't shown her face you would have stayed with me." Kiara retorted. Kovu got into Kiara's face and growled.
"You gave me a scar. You decided to throw a river in my otherwise clear path. I am the King here, if I am caught with you…" Kovu growled. Kiara growled back.
"Fine then! If you don't want to be near me, then I guess we never were!" Kiara snapped. Kovu shook out his mane and rolled his eyes.
"You're acting like a selfish brat. Get over yourself, or I will be forced to report to Vitani." Kovu said evenly.
"Vitani this! Vitani that! Is that all you care about is her?!" Kiara hissed.
"Why shouldn't I? She's my mate. I love her." Kovu said.
"But you love me, too." Kiara pointed out. Kovu rolled his eyes again.
"Stop. Just stop it." Kovu said. Kiara lowered her eyes and sighed.
"I'm sorry. But Kovu… I do want you." Kiara whispered. Kovu closed his eyes.
"I want you too." Kovu whispered. Kiara looked at Kovu.
"Please. Just once." Kiara begged softly. Kovu's dark emerald eyes met Kiara's ruby orbs. The King sighed and swallowed hard. His stomach was pulsing. How could he do this?
But he had to keep Kiara quiet. He had to, for his wife, his brother, his nieces, his daughters…and his pride. Kovu licked Kiara's cheek. Kiara smiled.
"I knew you wouldn't deny it." Kiara said so softly that Kovu didn't hear her. Kovu found his instincts setting in as he placed himself atop Kiara, but his emotion was regret for what he was about to do.
*+-/_\-+*
Vitani moaned in pain as another contraction rolled through her body. JJ was still scared, but not near as much.
"How is it going back there?" Vitani asked JJ. JJ smiled.
"The baby's almost out! One more good push, Mom!" JJ said. Vitani smiled at her daughter before the smile turned to a grimace as Vitani used the contraction to push. JJ quickly caught the cub as it came out of Vitani's birth canal. The eleven month old quickly set the cub between her mother's legs. Vitani licked the cub clean, revealing a creamy brown pelt with underfur like Vitani's, dark brown eyeshades, and a dark pink sharp nose. Vitani smiled when the cub took its first breath in a loud, wanting cry. JJ smiled at her newborn sibling.
"Wow…" JJ said. Vitani nuzzled JJ.
"You did great, Jay," Vitani said, glancing to the child in her arms, finding it male, "as did you, little man."
"It's a boy?" JJ asked. Vitani nodded and smiled.
"You and Nurisha have a baby brother." Vitani said. JJ nearly bounced in happiness.
"Oh Mom! I can't believe it! It's a boy!" JJ said. Vitani licked her son's head.
"What should we name him?" Vitani asked. JJ lowered her nose to her little brother, and the boy opened his eyes, revealing thin electric blue rims. JJ gasped. Vitani glanced to her daughter in near panic, but JJ smiled.
"His eyes… they're like yours, Mom." JJ said. Vitani smiled.
"Beautiful little boy…" Vitani whispered. JJ let her little brother bat her nose gently.
"Chaka." JJ said. Vitani looked to JJ.
"Chaka?" Vitani asked. JJ nodded.
"His name. I think his name should be Chaka." JJ said. Vitani smiled and nuzzled her daughter.
"I love it." Vitani said. The Queen looked to her son. Chaka. It fit him well.
"Should we just wait until the others come back?" JJ asked. Vitani smiled and nodded.
"It will be a pleasant surprise, won't it?" Vitani asked. JJ smiled and glanced at her little brother. The eleven-month-old made a mental promise to her brother.
Nothing will happen to you, Chaka. I'll protect you. JJ thought.
*+-/_\-+*
Sarabi and Nala lead the hunting party back at sunset, the males returned from patrolling, and the babysitters returned with the cubs for the evening meal. No one saw JJ or Vitani and panic immediately set into Tojo's heart as the older male went deeper into the cave to find his daughter and granddaughter.
"Vitani? Jay?" Tojo called. JJ came out of the shadows, a smile on her face.
"We're fine, Papa." JJ said. Tojo looked to his granddaughter when Vitani came from the shadows, Chaka in her jowls. Tojo smiled.
"Oh…" Tojo said. Vitani smiled with Chaka still in her mouth. The Queen set her son down.
"It's a boy, Dad." Vitani said with a broad smile.
"You should rest now, Tani. I'll go get Kovu and bring him back here to see you." Tojo said. Vitani smiled, lying down and bringing Chaka to her side.
"Jay? Can you bring your mom some zebra?" Tojo asked. JJ nodded emphatically.
"Of course!" JJ ran to the cave opening. Vitani smiled at Tojo.
"She helped me give birth." Vitani said. Tojo smiled.
"She did well. What's his name?" Tojo asked. Vitani laughed.
"Chaka." Vitani said. Tojo nuzzled his daughter.
"I'm so proud of you. I'll go get Kovu. Anyone else you want back here?" Tojo asked.
"Well, the whole pride, of course." Vitani chuckled. JJ came back, a chunk of zebra in her mouth and she set it in front of her mother. Kweli, Damu, Giza, and Muujiza were quickly in the back of the cave. Kweli gasped at the creamy brown bundle at Vitani's side.
"Oh my Kings, Vitani!" Kweli said as she trotted up next to her sister, nuzzling Vitani.
"He's beautiful…" Damu glanced to Vitani, "It is a he isn't it?"
"He's a he. He has a name." Vitani said. Muujiza walked up to the creamy brown bundle, his bi-colored orbs bright.
"What is it?" Giza asked as he stepped next to Kweli.
"Chaka." JJ said proudly as she lied next to her mother.
"You did this all by yourself, sis?" Muujiza asked. Vitani shook her head.
"JJ helped me." Vitani said. Tojo backed from the happy scene and into the mouth of the cave, where Kovu just returned with Kiara. Kovu seemed to have shadows on his face. Tojo smiled at his son-in-law.
"Kovu?" Tojo asked. Kovu glanced to the dark golden male, eyes wide.
"You have a son. Come on in." Tojo said. Kovu charged through the pride and into the back of the cave, and Tojo noticed Kiara's scent on him. This troubled the older lion. Tojo gave Kiara a hard glance, then the wind blew towards him, and Tojo smelled Kovu on Kiara. Tojo changed his glare to a happy uncle look and walked up to Kiara.
"Kiara, can I talk to you a moment?" Tojo asked. Kiara looked taken aback.
"Uh, sure." Kiara said. Tojo and Kiara walked down Pride Rock's path, Kiara slightly behind Tojo. Once out of eyesight and earshot of the Pride, Tojo turned right to Kiara.
"You smell like Kovu, and Kovu smells like you. What were you doing with my son in law?" Tojo asked, his electric blue eyes icy. Kiara lowered her head and pinned her ears. She was busted.
"I… uh….um…." Kiara said.
"It's no matter, but I swear to the Kings themselves, if you even think about going after Kovu again while he's still married to my daughter, I can assure you, you will no longer be in the Pridelands. I may no longer be King, but I am still Vitani's father, and that holds some power around here." Tojo growled. Kiara's ruby eyes flashed fear and the dusky gold lioness ran away from Tojo. Tojo sighed.
Don't be stupid Kiara. Vitani would kill you if you continue this affair. Tojo thought.
*+-/_\-+*
Kiara ran away from Pride Rock and to the southern border. She looked around and dipped into the Moonlands. Kibuluu was waiting for her.
"How did you do today? Have you swayed Kovu?" Kibuluu asked. Kiara smiled evilly.
"I was able to convince him to mate with me once. I will see if I can continue this, at least, until I fall pregnant." Kiara said. Kibuluu smiled.
"I'm so proud of you, my daughter." Kibuluu said. Kiara walked up to her father and nuzzled him.
"Thank you, Father." Kiara said.
"The plan is in motion, it is time to let it go through." Kibuluu said.
"Um… I have a question Dad." Kiara said. Kibuluu smiled.
"Ask away." Kibuluu said.
"I… where will Kovu, my daughters, and I stand? You know, when you and Kali make it so Maji and Kivuli are to be the Kings of Pride Rock?" Kiara asked. Kibuluu laughed.
"Your daughters, if they wish, can be co-Queens with Hafsa of the Moonlands. You and Kovu will be allowed to live in either land." Kibuluu said, ruffling Kiara's head. Kiara smiled.
"I love you, Father." Kiara said.
"I love you too, my precious oldest daughter…" Kibuluu said.
A/N: KIARA YOU LITTLE TRAITOR BITCH WHORE! You're no better than fricken Kula if you keep this up! What the hell is wrong with you, you airhead?
Kiara: I'm not an airhead.
Me: Well, isn't that a load of crap?
Nala: Girls…
Me: Get her out of my sight, Nala, please?
Nala: Of course *takes Kiara*
Me: *yells after Kiara* SLUT!
Kiara: *turns* you little…
Nala: *grabs Kiara's scruff and drags her away*
Me: That little whore how dare she take Kovu away from Vitani? I… murp whatever I can handle it. Review and stay tuned.