Chapter 12

The news of the Queen's latest unexpected pregnancy came as a surprise to the Pride but it soon turned to elation at the thought that the Pride would once again be gaining another new cub or perhaps cubs, in the coming months.

No one seemed more surprised and shocked than Simba himself, the King had returned late in the evening after handling the Hyenas that Zazu had reported to him. Having rushed back to Pride Rock in hopes that any news from Rafiki on Zuri's condition was anything he shouldn't be worrying about.

Only to find the lionesses and Kopa gathered around Zuri who was lying in the entrance of their den. Kopa's paws resting on his mother's stomach, and before the King could ask how everything went the first words out of his son's mouth that he heard was; "Do you think it's a boy or a girl…I want a brother!"

The King and Queen spent some time discussing the matter of having another cub. The thought of another royal cub for some reason was an irksome feeling for Simba when he remembered one of the reasons that his Uncle had killed his Father and had tried to kill him.

Zuri only gave her mate a stern look and said calmly; "Simba, I don't think our cubs are going to be rivals. This is different. Now you should be happy, instead of worrying like a fool…" although Zuri called herself a hypocrite for it. For she too was worried, but for a different reason all together. She had, had Nala swear on the Kings of the past to not tell anyone what she had told her and although she had seen the other lioness was reluctant, she had agreed in the end.

That and agreed that should anything happen to Zuri, Nala would step up and raise her cubs. If there was one thing she wouldn't let about the dreams come true, would be her son's death and possibly her soon to be son or daughter.

But despite her fears, the Queen couldn't help but feel the joy at the thought of having another cub. Back home this would be considered a blessing for it would mean more life for the Rasheda's. But here in the Pridelands, Zuri wasn't blessing her old pride but her new one with life instead.

And secretly she was hoping that her second born would be a girl. This way she could keep both her cubs with her.

There was however, one lioness that wasn't the least bit ecstatic about queen's pregnancy. When the news had reached Zira from the mouths of her spies, her fury had been taken out on the messenger. Striking out, her paw connected with the lioness' face sending her sprawling back onto the cave floor.

The other's present quickly stepped back, Dotty pushing the cubs that were present behind her and Spotty. All three cubs were crouched together behind the two lionesses staring through their legs at their mother with wide frightened eyes.

"What do you mean the Outsider is pregnant again?" Zira roared approaching the lioness she had just struck. Hawa lowered herself closer to the ground, her ears pressed back against her head as she stared at her opposed Queen who towered over her, though she tried not to appear as frightened as she really was.

"I mean exactly what I say Zira, the news spreading around the pride is that the Outsider is indeed with cub again. A few weeks to be exact," she explained again. She like many of the other lionesses was spies for Zira, keeping an eye on the others in the Pride, those who followed Simba. "But…this is good news…more cubs mean's life…" though many saw Zira as their Queen rather than Zuri for she had been the one who had spoken up for them when their Pride had stumbled upon the Pridelands and had convinced Scar to allow them to live.

None could deny how fair life had been since Simba became King. There was more game and even the new Queen was fair to all, even those who opposed her. The new King had even allowed the cubs to live where others may not have. But none could deny Zira either.

A sneer spread across Zira's face, pulling her mouth back over her teeth as she growled at this.

No! She thought.

No, this was not good news. This wasn't good news at all. Her plans had been in motions, to rid the pride of that Outsider Queen and the young Prince. Her plan of revenge against Simba, to let him feel the pain that he had made he endure when he had murdered Scar. Though he wouldn't just loose a mate like she had, he would loose a mate and his heir and then there would be nothing to deny Kovu from his rightful place as the hand chosen heir that Scar had picked upon the day of his birth.

But now the Outsider was with cub again…this would ruin her plans.

She could still take out the Queen and the Prince and possibly the next cub while it still grew inside the womb.

But with the Queen expecting it could mean the pride would be watching her more carefully. To assure that nothing happened to her and the unborn cub. She had to find a way to separate them from the Pride…

No, this was not good at all. She could not afford for this to ruin her plans.

She would avenge her mate. Her Scar.

Snarling, she stepped back from Hawa and began to pace the length of the cave growling low under her breath. Hawa, herself, quickly climbed to her paws the moment Zira had stepped away from her and backed toward the rest of their small pride.

"She's at it again…" Kumai muttered to her left.

"She hasn't been quite right since Scar's death…" Asma shook her head.

"The King did not deserve that sort of death…" Baya scowled, her head moving inches left and right while she watched Zira pace the cave. This was nothing new to them; she did it pretty much every day when she was thinking or impatient. This seemed to grow more and more each day.

Every one of them knew of the Zira's plans, but none were sure of what they should think on the matter. None of them wanted to be responsible for the death of a cub. Simba had spared Nuka, Vitani and Kovu when he had come into the pride when he could have killed them like any other lion would have done. But he had spared them, saying he nor was his mate a cub killer.

Dotty cast a glance back over her shoulder at the three cubs, they were ignorant to their mother's planning.

As it should be, Dotty thought. The young Prince was their friend, and though Zira was their mother. They had no doubt one of the cubs would go running to Simba to save the life of their friend…and the Queen. Each cub had expressed on many occasions how much they loved Queen Zuri. She was nice to them, she took them out into the Pridelands to explore…she even taught them.

As Vitani had showed them when Zuri had taught her a few hunting techniques.

That had not pleased Zira at all. She almost taken her anger out on the young cub like she had with Hawa till Spotty intervened reminding Zira that Vitani was her cub and only daughter and was only as curious as cubs were. And had suggested perhaps Zira ought to teach Vitani and the other two cubs how to hunt herself, to make sure they didn't go to Zuri for teachings.

It had worked for Zira had started dragging her cubs out into the grasslands with the lionesses following close behind to teach the cubs how to hunt, "Properly" Zira claimed stating that Zuri had taught Vitani incorrectly but when the cub started to protest by saying what Zuri had taught her had allowed her to successfully sneak up and pounce on her brother, Dotty had been quick to hush the cub.

Warning her not to speak of a word of that in front of her mother, for fear of punishment. Which had made the young golden cub quickly shut her mouth and said no more on the matter.

"What's wrong with Mom?" Nuka asked, looking up at the lionesses that all turned their heads toward the cubs upon hearing his voice.

Eyes softening, Spotty nudged the cub with her head. "Nothing is wrong with her Nuka…she's just very….very stressed at the moment!" was the only excuse she could think of to explain Zira's mood.

"Is it true Queen Zuri is going to have another cub?" Vitani asked raising her head, but kept her voice low so that her mother didn't hear her.

The lionesses share a look as they circled the three cubs; Kumai gave a nod of the head. "Yes Vitani, its true Hawa heard from the mouths of the other lionesses herself about it." Hawa nodded her head from where she sat beside Kumai.

"Cool, we get another friend!" Kovu exclaimed, excited at the news that there would soon be another cub for them to play with. The lionesses couldn't help but grin at the cub's excitement at the thought of having another cub in the pride, although they all knew Zira would soon do something to take away the three cub's friend to begin with.

It was another reason they were hesitant to kill the young prince. Knowing the cubs here would be devastated at the death of their only friend. "Can we go see Kopa?" Vitani asked.

Looking over her shoulder, Spotty watched Zira, luckily this time she wasn't pacing in the front of the cave. The lioness nodded her head and then quickly hushed the cubs before they could say anything and led them to the mouth of the den. "Alright, but be back when the Great Circle starts to descend," she whispered nudging the cubs with her head.

Nodding, the three scampered out of the cave as quickly as they could knowing why Spotty had slipped them out. They moved quietly until they were around the bend then took off running shouting at one another about racing each other to the top of Pride Rock laughing as they went.

Reaching the top, Vitani jumped around in a circle laughing "I won! I won!"

"You cheated!" Kovu breathed heavily. Slumping his body to the ground while glaring at his older sister.

"I did not!"

"Did too!"

"Did not!"

"Did too!" this time Nuka joined in with Kovu.

"Hey now, what's all this about?" the cubs jumped at the sound of Simba's voice as he approached them. He had been returning from his morning patrol when he had heard the chorus of voices ahead of him and had hurried on, only to find his late Uncle's cubs bickering at the top.

Approaching them, he stared downwards watching as they froze under his stare and fell quiet. He wondered for a second why they seemed afraid of him then remembered that he never really spent that much time around them like his mate was. And suddenly he felt guilty for treating them so poorly for the way their parents were.

They were his son's best friends. They hadn't done anything to harm him and he knew as soon as his new cub was born they would be his or her friends too.

Grinning, he bent his head to look down at them "So are you three going to explain what was going on?"

At the sight of his grin, the three seemed to relax and then began pointing paws at one another. Vitani at her two brothers and the boys pointing toward her. They shouted at the same time;

"They said I cheated!"

"She cheated!"

"Whoa, now slow down. Now one at a time?" Simba sat back and cocked his head to the side a grin still on his face. Despite them being Zira's cubs they seemed nothing like their mother and had more of innocence to them from what he was seeing.

"They said I cheated in our race because I beat them here, but I didn't. I can't help that I'm faster than them!" Vitani huffed casting a glare in her brother's direction.

"I'm older you then you…" Nuka started.

"What does that have to do with being the fastest?" Vitani snapped.

"I have longer legs," Nuka stuck his tongue out at her.

"That's the dumbest reason ever," Vitani rolled her eyes making Nuka huff and glare at his little sister.

Clearing his throat, Simba caught their attention. He nudged Nuka with his paw, "Being the oldest doesn't always make you the fastest. Trust me, my friend Jaali was older then both myself and Zuri. And she was always the fastest of us!" he chuckled at his cub hood memories. How he wished he could often return to those days, just running and playing through the Jungle without a care in the world.

No responsibilities of being a King to weigh heavy on him and his duty as a father. He hardly saw his son because of that and he feared it would be the same with his new cub. At least Mansa was always around despite his duties but then again the Rasheda territory wasn't quite as large as the Pridelands were.

Sometimes he found himself thinking of how it might have been if Nala had never found him in the Jungle. How he could have lived out his days as Jaali's right hand lion, protecting the pride together while helping his mate raise their cubs. That's how he always thought it would be as time went on.

Not that he regretted coming home and freeing the land and the pride from his tyrant of an Uncle. He loved being around his mother again. But he couldn't help but feel that he might have left a new life behind in the Jungle. A life where maybe family life would have been easier and would be around the very Pride he grew up in. Sure he was born into the Pridelanders but he grew up in the Rasheda's. He was as much as one of them as he was a Pridelander.

"Was she really faster then you?" Kovu's voice brought him back from his memories.

Chuckling, Simba nodded his head, "Faster…"

"And smarter too!" a lighter voice giggled from to their side. Turning their heads they saw Zuri approaching with Kopa at her paws. The Prince's smile broadened at the sight of his friends and bounded over to them.

Simba pouted and cocked his head to the side as Zuri giggled and rubbed her head against his which he quickly returned the gesture licking the top of her head and nipped playfully at her ear until they heard four different gagging noises come from the four cubs that were watching them.

"Hey now, soon enough in the future you four will be nuzzling your own mates!" Simba grinned as the three boys of the group scrunched up their noses at the thought of mates.

"Ew, that's gross dad!" Kopa stuck out his tongue.

Simba grinned and chuckled while Zuri just shook her head. Ah, the things that cub's said. He suddenly remembered saying something similar when Zazu had told him and Nala for the first time that they had been betrothed since birth. But that really didn't matter in the end. It wasn't Nala he had fallen in love with. It was the lioness beside him, the one he grew right up along side of. Slept beside of for years as the two of them enjoyed the stories that Zakia told them when the two of them couldn't sleep.

From the corner of his eyes, he could see said lioness poking each cub in the nose with her paw telling them how silly they were and that they wouldn't need to worry about such things till they were older.

Rubbing his nose with his paws, Kovu looked up "Is it true that you're going to have another cub Queen Zuri?"

A soft look came over Zuri's face and she inclined her head in a nod, "Yes, it is true Kovu. In a few short months you four will have another new playmate…." she laid her paw against her stomach with a tender look on her face that Simba hadn't seen since she was carrying Kopa. Sarabi explained it was a lioness thing, and the look changed when it came to carrying to holding the cub in your paws.

"Oh, I hope it's another girl!" Vitani giggled as she stepped up toward Zuri and laid her paw against the queen's stomach.

The boys quickly made face's at that, "Ick, no, I hope it's a boy!" Kopa huffed, "Who want's a silly girl for a sister!" from beside him Kovu and Nuka started to scoff with laughter as Vitani shot a glare at them which only made them laugh harder.

"Sister's are not silly…and it would be nice not to be the only girl anymore and be stuck with these three!" Vitani inclined her head toward the laughing three then looked up at the King and Queen.

Chuckling, Zuri licked the top of the she-cubs head, "Don't worry Vitani, I'm sure you will get your wish!" she reassured the cub, making the golden cub smile from ear to ear as the boys groaned at the thought of having another girl tag along. And beat them at racing and pouncing. It just wasn't right they thought, males were suppose to be stronger then females, but they didn't say a thing knowing the Queen would tell them otherwise.

Kopa's excuse always was "My mother said a boy shouldn't pick on a girl, so I let you win!" but that only caused Vitani to want to practice some more to show him what their mother had been teaching them. Remembering that, Kopa jumped to his paws and made his way toward his mother, "Are we still going?"

Quirking his eyebrow, Simba looked from his son to Zuri wondering what the two of them had been planning. "Oh, I agreed to let Kopa here follow the hunting party so that he can learn…you three are welcome to come as well," Zuri smiled at the three cubs who shifted their paws wondering what their mother would think. But they did come play with Kopa so if he was going they ought to go too.

"Don't worry, it will be fun!" Zuri promised turning her head she saw her mate was watching her with a questionable look. Something along the lines that he didn't think she should go out hunting while pregnant but one look from Zuri had Simba closing his mouth before the question could come from his mouth.

"How bout you join us as well Simba?" She asked.

Kopa's ears perked at this. It wasn't often that he got to spend time with both his parents together and he looked toward his father, "Please dad?" he asked eagerly.

Simba had to think for a moment, but one pleading look from his son made him give in, he nodded his head "Alright, I'll come along. Some ones got to protect you lot!" he laughed as Zuri shoved him in the shoulder while muttering that she could likely take care of herself and the cubs.

"Now, you four are to not intervene with the hunt. You are to watch and be mindful of what they do. And try not startling the prey!" Zuri instructed the cubs as she and Simba lead the cubs into the grasslands. Zuri had talked to Sarabi the day before about it when the Hunting party had discussed that they would go out hunting the next day. The former queen had agreed saying it was about time the young prince started taking lessons.

The cubs followed with large grins on their faces. Though Nuka, Vitani and Kovu had seen their mother and her lionesses' hunt they had never seen how the actual Hunting party was.

And the Queen always seemed gentler toward her teachings then their mother was. The fact that she smiled and congratulated them whenever they accomplished something was different…their mother always seemed to sneer and tell them to do it again only better.

The group ascended a hill that overlooked the grasslands, at the top they could see the Hunting party down below on the other side awaiting the Queen. "What will you be hunting Mom?" Kopa asked as they began to climb down the hill once more to reach the others that looked up the moment they heard them approach.

"Antelope dear," it was the safest she thought with the cubs around. Though she was sure Simba would keep near them and make sure nothing happened to the cubs if one from the herd strayed too close.

Nala, Sarafina and Sarabi separated themselves from the Hunting party and approached the newcomers. Sarabi smiled as Kopa bounded past his parents toward his grandmother, rubbing himself around her legs as Sarabi gave the tuft on his head a lick and then nuzzled him.

"There you are, we were wondering when you would be showing up," Sarabi smiled lifting her head from her grandson to her son and daughter-in-law who returned it.

"We had to stop and pick up some tagalongs," Zuri chuckled nudging her mate with her paw then side-stepped to reveal Nuka, Kovu and Vitani. "I hope you don't mind Sarabi, this could be beneficial for all of them!" Zuri looked up over at the former Queen. She knew Sarabi would have no problem, but she could see it in the face's of the other lionesses.

Those who didn't want anything to do with Scar or his breed. The cubs seem to sense all the eyes that now landed on them and lowered themselves to the ground their ears pinned back against their heads, tails tucked low.

Nala eyed the three cubs and looked from Zuri to Simba and back at them. Simba didn't seem to be saying anything in fact he was grinning and nudging the three cubs back onto their paws. "I think it would be a great idea!" he stated drawing the eyes of the pride.

Chuckling, Sarabi smiled "Yes, it would be beneficial. And the more the merrier!" she looked over her shoulder at the other lionesses who only nodded their heads in agreement. Sarafina didn't look pleased but she nodded her head nonetheless, Nala grinned though as time went on she saw nothing wrong with the cubs.

Though she looked at Zuri with a look of mild concern, like she always did since she and the Queen had that little chat on the way to see Rafiki. The young lioness had kept her word and had not told anyone of what the two of them had talked about but she was still keeping an eye on her friend and Queen.

Catching the lioness' eyes, Zuri looked back at her before looking away knowing exactly what was on Nala's mind. It was no more then two days after they had found out about Zuri's pregnancy that Nala had approached the queen on concern of Zira's cubs. Nala had become aware that the biggest threat to the Queen and royal cubs was the mate of Scar.

She had approached her on the concern that the three cubs should be separated from their mother. Saying, Zira couldn't possibly do anything to Zuri if they had her cubs.

But Zuri had shaken her head saying; "No, I won't hold cub's hostage for this situation. I have no doubt that Zira is a threat, but it will only anger her more if we make it look like we're holding her cubs against their will. Cub's belong with their mother…even ones as twisted as Zira," like Nala Zuri had suspected Zira for some time.

Ever since she arrived in the Pride and how Jaali had said to look out for Zira to make sure she never did anything to her.

Nala since then had felt guilty for suggesting such a thing but she just wanted to keep her friend safe. Not wanting more pain and anger to fill the pride than there already was. But Zuri was right; cub's belonged with their mother. She approached them, lowering her head and grinned, "You three up for some fun?"

They jumped at the sound of Nala's voice and looked up at the lioness nodding their heads. Nuka stood tall on his paws, head held high "I want to learn to be the best hunter in the pride!" though his shoulder's slumped when Vitani laughed to his right.

"Yeah right, I'm going to be the best hunter!" she proclaimed holding her nose in the air.

"Oh, I'm sure you both will be great hunters. But first you need to learn," Nala stepped back and focused her attention on Simba and wondered why he had tagged along and looked at Zuri again. The brown lioness rolled her eyes making them both chuckle figuring out why Simba had come along. Though Zuri had a pretty good feeling Simba had come along to be with his son as well, she could almost see the playful gleam in his eyes. How she loved that look, though Simba was a concerning mate and father, he still held that playful side of him that she loved about him that side of him that he held onto ever since he was a cub.

"Simba, are you going to be joining us?" Nala suddenly asked. This perked Zuri's interest and a large grin spread across her face.

The King who been speaking to some of the other lionesses, turned looking suddenly surprised to at being asked whether or not he would be joining in the hunt. "Uh, no, I was planning to stay with the cubs and watch you all…you know, make sure the four of them didn't get into trouble…or hurt. Wouldn't want to ruin the hunt now would we?" he asked his cocky grin spreading across his face.

Zuri stepped forth and looked to be thinking about something for a moment then said "I think Simba should join us today!" the words seemed to flabbergast her mate who stared at her with wide eyes, jaw dropping just a little.

For a moment he seemed a loss for words, then finding his voice he stammered. "But…"

"I think that's a wonderful idea! Come on Simba, you can show the boys here how a lion does the hunting!" Nala joined in.

"But…I…"

Sarabi seemed to get what the younger two lionesses were trying and smiled stepping toward her son. "I too think it's a wonderful idea," she agreed along with the two younger lionesses, smiling as Simba's head snapped around to face her with disbelief on his face. "You wouldn't want to teach your son that hunting is only a lioness's job do you? I mean, what sort of example are you setting for him?" she continued, her head slightly tilted to the side as her son stared at her.

One thought was running through Simba's head. 'They're all working together against me!' he looked from his mother, to his friend, to his mate and back a few times. Opening his mouth to argue about it again he was stumped by the next words that came out of his son's mouth…

"Yeah! Dad that would be so cool! Please! Mom said you and Uncle Jaali learned to hunt! I want to see your cool moves!" Kopa bounded over placing his paws on his fathers leg standing back on his hind legs looking up at his father with a large grin on his face that made Zuri think of her mate when he was a cub.

The King sighed, closing his eyes. He now knew there was no backing out of this. "Oh very well," opening his eyes he looked into the smiling face's of the three lionesses that had put him into this mess and then down at his son who cheered and jumped back to stand along side his friends.

"But someone should watch the cubs…"

"I will!" a lioness stepped up from the back and around the others.

"Thank you Binti," Zuri smiled at the older tanned lioness who nodded her head.

"I am getting too old for this anyways, plus I get to watch our young King on his first hunt with his pride!" Binti chuckled as Simba groaned, the others joined in with their laughter. They too were looking forward to seeing their King hunt for the first time with them.

"Alright you four now behave yourselves and be good for Binti. And pay very close attention!" Zuri told the cubs, making the four cubs nodded their heads to show they understood and they would do as they were told.

"Yes mom."

"Yes Queen Zuri."

"Now come cubs, we should find a good and safe spot for you to watch the hunt," Binti nudged the cubs with her nose then stepped ahead of them and began leading them toward a small gathering of rocks that were high enough for the cubs to watch the hunt and would keep them safe.

Once the cubs were gone, they joined the other lionesses where they stood. "Do we know where the herd is?" Zuri asked.

"Just around the next hill, we were careful enough not to get spotted. And there are no other herds for miles in either direction so we are in the clear, there are no young for this season," Sarafina explained.

Zuri gave it a moment of thought, it would seem this herd had its young early or was still carrying. That would make many females slow but still on the safe side it was best to corner the weak and break them from the herd, they were also there to teach the cubs just not get food.

But they needed enough food to last them the next few months now that the dry season was upon them. The grass may seem green now but it would soon be brown and dry as the storms moved further away and she needed enough food before many of the herds moved on to find fresher food. Without enough food she would not be able to produce the milk she would need when her cub was born.

Turning her head toward her mate she grinned, "Ready to show us what you got my love? You haven't hunted much since the Jungle and even then you lazy boys replied on us lionesses!" she teased him nudging his leg with her paw.

Focusing his attention on his mate, Simba just grinned and nudged her back "I bet I'll take down the target!" he jested.

Scoffing, the Queen rolled her eyes and shook her head 'Keep dreaming" she moved to the head of the hunting party with Simba making his way up beside her. Sarabi and Sarafina flanked Simba's right while Nala kept close to Zuri on her right. Following the scent of prey they moved around the hillside rather then climb over.

Having a lesser chance at being spotted should they move around the hills rather then over where the Antelope could spot them coming from above. Stopping just as the herd came into view the party lowered themselves low to the ground; the grass was so tall this time of year that they were able to hide themselves.

In the distance, Zuri could see where Binti had brought the cubs to watch safely out of range of the herd. If she squinted her eyes she could see the lioness resting upon the rocks with the four cubs sitting on them with their heads held high to see if they could get a good view of the hunt.

She chuckled inwardly to herself because she could see them twitch a bit in excitement and impatience wanting the hunt to begin.

Looking around, she saw the rest of the pride started to spread out, making sure to keep silent in hopes that the antelope would not see or hear them. She saw that Nala and Simba had stuck close to her but Sarabi and Sarafina like the others had spread out in hopes to flush out worthy prey.

From the rocks where the cubs were they could see the movement through the grass.

"Look! Look, they're starting!" Vitani bounced on the spot.

Binti lifted her head to see that the she-cub was right, and quickly hushed the cubs. "Shush, you don't want to spook the prey cubs, it would make the hunt much harder, now watch as they stalk the prey…searching out for the weak…"

"Why the weak?" Nuka asked, "Wouldn't the strongest be more filling?"

"Possibly. But the strongest will be the fastest and have more strength to fight off those who come after them. Believe me cubs, being kicked in the face, or side by your prey hurts…" Binti chuckled remembering her first hunt years ago before Scar or even Mufasa was king, it had been during Ahadi's reign that when she was young she had gotten foolish and had gone after a herd of Zebra and had ended up getting kicked in the side cracking a few ribs that took some time to heal but she was lucky they didn't puncture anything to cause her death.

"So, they weed out the old, or the sick or the young. But there are no calves in this herd just yet so they will go for the first two if they can spot them…"

"But that take's too long. Why can't they just jump the prey and get them. I'm hungry!" Kopa complained making Binti grin and chuckle once more at her young Prince's impatience.

"Patience young Prince…"

"But…"

"Patience is a virtue and you must learn it. Like I said, if things are rushed or if they choose wrongly, a member of the hunting party could get seriously hurt. Hunting is a skill. A very important one. And you need patience if you want to catch your prey." Binti explained grinning as she motioned with her head for the cubs to face forward again.

Creeping through the grass, keeping low, Zuri shifted the dirt beneath her paws. She could hear Simba and Nala on either side of her, catching a glimpse of their fur, and her mates red mane. She lifted her body enough to peer through the grass enough to see the other lionesses and then the herd.

With keen eyes she could see four reliable prey. Three were elderly, while the fourth was limping from a twisted hoof. Looking around she caught the eyes of her pride seeing that they too spotted the four eligible targets. Sarabi to her far left nodded her head and the hunt began.

Creeping closer and closer, waiting for Zuri to the signal. The lionesses that had spread out on the far side of the herd would take the charge and lure the targeted four to where she, Nala, Simba and three others laid in waiting to ambush them once they got closer.

It wasn't long before they heard it. Sarabi's roar as she and the others had leapt from their hiding spots and charged the herd which quickly scattered the moment they made themselves known.

The cubs jumped to their paws the moment they noticed the hunt had began. "Yeah go Grandma!" Kopa shouted cheering for his grandmother as they watched Sarabi and the others flush out the targets leading them toward the others that were hidden.

They watched as those hidden came into view, led by both Zuri and Simba as they went to take down their prey which quickly veered around them in hopes of escape but the wounded one was quickly taken down by Nala and Sarafina who had been chasing it to begin with. While Simba and Zuri went for another working together to bring it down, Simba leaping to bound on it's back and crush it down to the ground with his weight digging his claws into it's hide while Zuri clamped her jaws around the neck of it letting it suffocate before finally snapping its neck.

"See that cubs, they are all working together, luring and ambushing in order to catch the right prey…"

"Look! One's getting away!" Kovu pointed and the others saw that he was right. One of the three elderly ones had broke away from the others and was coming closer to them than there the others were hidden.

"Don't worry cubs the others will…"

"I will get it! My mother showed me how!" Nuka stated holding his head high he bounded from the rocks.

"Hey! That's no fair mother taught us too!" Vitani shouted as she and Kovu jumped after their brother.

"That's not fair! I'm the prince I should take it down!" Kopa hollered jumping down and bounded off after the three of them into the grass where the antelope was heading.

"Cubs! Get back here! Cubs!" Binti had hurriedly jumped to her paws, panic written on her face. If anything happened to the cubs she knew the Queen and King would surely be upset with her, they had entrusted them in her care, especially their son.

"Cubs! Kopa! Kovu! Nuka! Vitani!" she shouted jumping down from the rocks and ran into the grass. "It's too dangerous!"

Zuri let the antelopes neck drop from her jaws, climbing to her paws she grinned looking down at her kill then around her to see the other three that had been brought down. She furrowed her brow, that wasn't right there should have been four…

"Sarabi? Where is the fourth?" she addressed the older lioness.

Sarabi looked up from where she was helping divide the kills and looked around, "The fourth broke away from the group and had headed back to join the herd where it had scattered."

Looking toward the running herd Zuri nodded, three would be enough to fill the Pride for some days before they would need to hunt again and would give Zuri enough to feed both her and her unborn cub to keep it healthy. "Three will do, we've done a good hunt now lets get the cubs…"

Before she could finish the sentence she heard Binti in the distance calling out for the cubs. The cry alerted the entire hunting party who stopped what they were doing and stared off into the distant watching as Binti leapt into the grass from the rocks calling for the cubs to come back and that it was dangerous…

And from their excited cries they could hear over the frantic ones of Binti's they were heading toward the herd…

"No!" she breathed taking off at a run with Simba shortly bounding beside her. "KOPA!" the two of them shouted for their son as they raced forward in hopes of catching him before the herd became aware. Herds would attack even lion cubs in order to keep themselves safe, whatever was a threat to them they would try and fend off. And with the pride being nearby already hunting it made it worse.

Keeping two lionesses to watch over their kills, the others bolted after their king and queen fearing for the cubs. And they had a right too for the herd had become aware that the hunting party was heading their way again and had started to scatter, amongst them they could hear the panicked cry of the cubs…

The cubs had raced through the grass, laughing in hopes to be able to put their training to use and even though Kopa had never had much training like the other three had from their mother, wasn't about to be left behind and proven that he wasn't the prince that he was. And to him a Prince never fails, so he was bound to catch something and show his mother and father that he too was a great hunter…

Slowing their pace, the cubs stood on the other side of the grass their noses telling them the herd was on the other side. Sticking their heads through the grass they stared upward at the antelope and gulped seeing how tall they were compared to their smallish cub bodies. Even Nuka who was taller then other three was still smaller than the antelope that loomed over them.

"They're big…" Kovu gulped.

"We can take them…after all mother taught us!" Nuka squared his shoulders. If he could take down an Antelope for his mother he would finally show her that he was a son that she could be proud of instead of Kovu.

Behind them they could hear Binti still calling for them but they couldn't back down now. "Look it's the one they were chasing!" Vitani nodded her head toward the antelope that had gotten away from the hunting party. It was looming near the edge of the herd but was slowly making its way to the center in hopes that it wouldn't be targeted again.

But the herd seemed to have calmed again now that the hunters had caught the other three. Although they still seemed to be somewhat alert. But it was enough for the cubs to know they might not be in danger. "I go first!" Nuka stepped forward but Vitani grabbed his tail.

"Why do you get to go first?"

"Because I'm the oldest!"

"That's not fair!" Kovu argued glaring at his brother.

"Well life's not fair, now is it?" Nuka glared back at his younger brother. In truth life wasn't fair. He was first born, he was the son of a King but still Kopa who was younger then he was to be King and not him. He was the oldest of his siblings but still their mother dotted more time and effort on Kovu then her first born.

"I say I go. I'm the Prince!" Kopa spoke up.

Vitani stomped on her brother's paw before he could say anything in return. She then spoke up, "I say we all go together!" she gave each of them a glare then looking over her shoulder when they heard Binti again and thought they heard someone else calling in the distance.

The boys all groaned but they nodded their heads in reluctance. Lowering their bodies like they seen the adults so they crept through the grass behind the herd trying not to get spotted. None of them wanting to find out what would happen should they get stomped on or kicked like Binti told them to watch out for.

Kovu and Kopa paired together while Vitani and Nuka did the same. Each creeping toward the one they had seen get away from the hunting party. Nuka though lifted his nose and smelt a familiar scent on the air…

Mother, he thought. And she was close by somewhere. Looking at his sibling's and friends he thought for a moment. Spotting Kovu getting awfully closer to the prey than he was…he couldn't let that happen…if he did…than it would be him getting all the credit again…

Squaring his shoulders. Nuka raised his head and before Vitani realized what her brother was going to do, he let out a roar of his own causing the other three cubs to freeze as the herd suddenly became alert of what was amongst them.

"Nuka stop!" Vitani cried out trying to grab her brother's tail but he darted away from her too quickly.

Running as fast as his paws could carry him, Nuka ran for the elderly antelope only as soon as he had roared and made himself seen panic broke out amongst the herd. Legs suddenly appeared everywhere as he tried his best to dodge around him, but the herd was jumping and running in circles.

"Nuka!" Cried the other cubs as they watched from the side lines their eyes wide with fright as they watched Nuka zig and zag to avoid getting stomped on. Vitani and Kovu were finding it hard to breathe, afraid of seeing anything happen to their brother much less knowing what their mother would do to them if he got hurt.

Heart pounding in his chest, Nuka was no longer making a dash for the antelope he was running for. He couldn't even tell it apart from all the others now. Eyes wide, Nuka lowered himself to the ground trying not to get trampled. "M…M…Mommy!" he cried as he placed his paws over his head whimpering as the ground shook and the thunderous sound of the herd pounded around him echoing in his ears.

The three cubs watched terrified from the side, Kovu and Kopa trying to figure something out, both thinking they should run and help but none of them could see the opportunity without getting themselves hurt in the process. Their breath caught in their throat as they saw the antelope turn course and now were sure to hit the grey cub…they all thought he was gone…when…

ROAR!

From the tall grass leapt a golden brown and red blur that darted into the middle of the herd that scattered in separate directions this time. Simba managed to grab the grey cub by the neck and dodge out of the way to avoid getting hit before he jumped away from the herd where the rest of the pride was now gathering.

"Kopa! Cubs!" Zuri pushed herself forward grabbing her son she checked him over while Simba made his way over and set Nuka down. Vitani let out a cry and wrapped her arms around her brother nuzzling him and licking his cheek.

"Ew, Vitani…stop!" Nuka tried to pry her off but his heart was still pounding in his chest.

"What were you cubs thinking? We told you to stay out of harms way. Nuka you could have been killed!" Simba scowled down at the cubs that lowered their heads their ears pressed against their heads as the Pride surrounded them each with a relieved look of seeing the cubs were all safe.

Sarabi bent and nuzzled her grandson giving his head a quick lick.

"We're sorry dad…"

"We just wanted to try and help…"

"We saw the last one get away…"

"That is no excuse. You could have been seriously hurt. You're all the future of this pride and more…you got to be careful…" Simba sighed looking at his mate. He couldn't really be mad, and he knew his mate wasn't either she had been more scared then mad and now more relieved that the cubs were safe.

All cubs make mistakes, he thought. And mistakes like this were good for them to learn from.

Nuka looked up at Simba. Someone he was told he should hate, but here this lion had saved his life… "King Simba…"

Simba quickly looked down at the cub and raised his eyebrow, "Yes Nuka?" he asked bending his head down till he was level with the cub.

"Thank you for saving my life," Nuka thanked him, stepping toward the king laying his paw on his.

Blinking his eyes, Simba looked at his mate who was smiling then down at the cub. Maybe his Uncle's offspring weren't so bad after all, he thought.

Smiling, he bent his head and nudged Nuka with his head. "No problem Nuka, you're very welcome. Now let's get these kills back home!" he said as the pride surrounded the cubs and began making their way make to where they had left their kills and grabbing them began dragging them back toward Pride Rock.

From the grass, a lioness watched sitting down, she had scowled when she had seen the whole thing. She had heard the cries of her cubs and had come running only to find her son nearly killed by the antelope. Prepared to grab him, she had been stopped when the pride had arrived and Simba had rescued her son.

Her eyes had widened when she had watched Nuka thank the very King that had killed his father. Traitor! She thought with a growl.

"My dear Scar…how you would be so ashamed of your son…this simply cannot be…I won't let Simba and that damn outsider get to them anymore…soon…soon they will be gone and Simba will know the pain of what he had done to me by taking you away…" she spoke to no one in particular as she jumped down and followed the pride home keeping her distance…

…Listening to the sound of her three cubs laughing in the distance which made the scowl on her face deepen.