Chapter 15

For both the young Queen and Prince, the days spent within the eastern border caves seem to pass more slowly as each day went by. On their first night within the cave, a stroke of luck seemed to head there way when it had started to rain, washing away any remaining scent of their's that could lead anyone toward their location.

Sarabi had left shortly after dawn, staying long enough for her grandson to wake and see her and despite the option to stay where it was warm and dry, she disappeared out into the rain to head on home. Using the rain to her advantage to cover the trail of her returning.

However, the royals were never completely alone. As promised, every second day, a lioness or Simba would come and check on them, bring them food from the days hunt and keep them company before they would head on home to Pride Rock. Simba, each time leaving reluctantly, not wanting to leave his family's side. But each time, Zuri reminded him that his place was at pride rock to look over the rest of the Pride and Kingdom and that she and Kopa would be just fine.

Though, Zazu seemed to be the one the two royals saw the most of. For the major-domo could come and go more easily given he had to scour the Kingdom for reports to give to Simba anyhow. The major-domo also often bringing news from the pride to Zuri and delivering word back to pride rock from her.

During the visits from the other lionesses, Zuri could not tell if any of them had suspected who and what the threat to the royals was. But she had her suspicious. She could often see it in their eyes, but none of them said a word, none but Sarafina when she had visited them on their fourth day in the cave.

"She had killed my son, while he was just an innocent cub. Claiming she did it to make hers become stronger…it would not surprise me that she would attempt at killing another, especially newborn's when they stand barely half a chance. How a mother, can kill another's cub is beyond me…it is not how a pride sister should be. But there is something twisted about her…don't worry, we'll keep you safe…"

And though Zuri wanted to be reassured by her words just like she wanted to be reassured by Sarabi's words on her first night in the caves, her nightmares were not allowing her to be.

They only seem to get worst, with each passing night, to the point that she'd start to cry in her sleep, loud enough to wake Kopa who would always ask his mother if she was okay. In which she would reply "I'm fine, go back to sleep my little prince."

Like always, her dreams would start off pretty much the same, running from the threat that chased her from the shadows. Hearing Kopa calling out for her, but now it was mixed with the cries of newborn cubs. But then the dreams would change, she would be alone, her cubs nowhere in sight. The scent of blood in the air, making her fear for the life of her cubs and then from behind she would be jumped and viciously attacked. And as she lay dying, the same two-legged creature would come and comfort her, saying that she should not worry for her cubs…for they would be taken care of…

And that was when she would wake.

If she hadn't been concerned for how her health would affect her unborn cubs, she would have surely tried avoiding falling back asleep. But for the sake of her cubs, she managed to allow herself to fall back asleep, but not before checking to make sure they were still safe. Calming, only when she noticed only hers and Kopa's scents and those who visited them were the only scents in the area. And then pulling her son, closer to her, she would will herself back to sleep.

The young Prince though, seemed the more restless of the two. As his mother got closer to her due date, she spent most of her time resting and keeping an eye on the front of the cave. Like, he was not too happy that she would not let him outside of to run around and play, all he wanted to do was go find his friends and often found himself wondering what they were doing to have fun without him.

But he did eventually find something to pass the time, while his mother napped during the day he would explore their cave. He had attempted to sneak out once, but that had failed for even though Zuri was napping, she was still keeping a close watch on her son and if she caught his scent heading for the cave entrance she would stop him. But she had no problem with him exploring the cave, as long as he didn't wonder off too far, get stuck where she couldn't reach him or get hurt.

Though the young prince, however, started to find he was missing his friends. Exploring the caves was fun, but not as much fun if they were there to explore them with him. It was one of the few places in the Pridelands they had yet to explore together.

"I can't wait until we go home, then I can bring Nuka, Vitani and Kovu here to explore with me…it would be so cool!" he exclaimed to his mother as he bounded toward her, he had just finished exploring a new area of the cave. Although he wasn't all that sure if Nuka would be able too fit there, even he himself had to squirm his way through the small rock opening.

Lifting her head from where she had been laying them on her paws, Zuri smiled tiredly at her son. "You shouldn't go too far into the caves Kopa, you could get lost and I'm not in much shape to come and find you." Yawning the young Queen pushed herself up with her paws and beckoned her son to come toward her. Wrapping her paw around him, she licked the top of his head chuckling softly as he pulled away and started to smooth the tuft of hair on his head.

"Mom…"

"Yes, yes I know. You're such a grown up lion and you don't need kisses from your mommy," Zuri smiled and sat back giving another yawn.

Kopa eyed his mother warily; the fact that she always seemed so tired lately was worrying him. He knew she tried to hide it, but he could always feel her when she jerked awake in the middle of the night. He figured long ago, she was having nightmares; he patted her on the paw and grinned, "Get some sleep mom…and I'll…"

Shaking her head, Zuri smirked "No, I shall be fine young one, and I told you a million times you cannot leave this cave…"

"But mom…"

"No, buts!"

"But, it's so boring. I want to run around outside. I want to go home to Pride rock…I miss Grandma and dad…"

"As do I…and we'll go home…soon, I promise you." Bending her head, Zuri gave her son a lick on the cheek and a nuzzle.

Sulking his shoulders, Kopa sighed, "Fine…but can I at least…"

"No, Kopa!" Zuri said sternly. She didn't often like being stern with her cub, but Kopa was so much like his Father sometimes and her cousin Jaali…and even herself as a cub. She knew what it was like when she had to stay in the cave and not go out and play, but the safety of her cubs came first.

"Listen to your mother Kopa!" Zuri lifted her head on high alert, although settled when she recognized the voice of her mate and the familiar red mane that pushed through the cave opening.

"Dad!" Jumping away from his mother, Kopa went to greet his father jumping in place. "Guess what, mom let me explore the caves, it's so cool…but I miss outside…I miss pride rock…can we come home yet? Please?" staring up at his father, Kopa opened his eyes wide putting on his best pleading face.

Grinning outwardly, but sighing inwardly, Simba shook his head "Not yet son, though I wish you were there. You'd get your friends off my back!" the other cubs had been at the den every day seeking Kopa. The excuse for the Queen and Prince not being seen around pride rock was the Queen being so closed to being due and the young prince falling ill. At the moment the cubs accepted the excuse without debate, but how long they would be able to keep it going was the question.

"Why can't they come here and play with me dad? It's so boring, with just me and mom….No offence, mom!" Kopa looked over his shoulder at his mother giving her a sheepish grin which she just returned with a soft smile of her own. She loved that smile of his; it reminded her so much of Simba and how the two looked alike. She often wondered what her other cubs would look like, maybe one would resemble her this time she chuckled inwardly.

Simba looked over at his mate; he was not completely sure why the other cubs couldn't visit. He knew Zuri loved their company as much as Kopa did. And they were cubs after all, what harm could they do. But Zuri, much reluctantly, had told him no. She could not risk the cubs saying something to Zira or any of the lionesses in her company. She would not risk her safety or that of her cubs, even to just see the smile and hear the laughter of the cubs again. She was sure she would see them again…

"Kopa, please sweetie, we been over this before. You will see your friends in time you just need to be patient for now. Now go play and perhaps your father will play with you for a while. After we have some grown u…"

"Ew, Mom, no more…" Kopa cut off his mom. Ducking before his father could ruffle his tuft, he turned and walked back into the cave, heading for the water that been collected from the rain days before.

Zuri watched him until he was out of sight, but still within hearing distance, but turned her head when she heard Simba approach her and wrapped his paw around pulling her closer while she nuzzled her muzzle in his mane. Taking in a deep breath, she sighed in content at the familiar scent of her mate, "I miss you…"

"We see each other, every other day…" Simba tried to joke, but at the same time he tightened his hold around his mate and nuzzled her. "I miss you too, we'll get you home as soon as we can…I really would like if you gave birth back at pride rock…" he would love to have her home, and see the birth of his new cubs. But he had zazu on full alert, if he caught ear of the Queens labour he was to report to him straight away and Simba would do all within his power to get to his mates side as quickly as he possibly could.

Speaking of cubs, Simba placed his paw on his mate's swollen stomach and grinned when he felt movement. "You know…I think the others are right in thinking there is more then one cub in there…" he chuckled. Grinning, when he felt movement again, pulling back his grin vanished as he took in his mate's appearance for the first time.

"Are you not sleeping well again?" he asked. "Nightmares…?"

Sighing, Zuri nodded, "Yes…plus the cubs have been moving a lot…I think they're impatient to come out and meet the world…don't worry. I sleep as much as I can and nap when I can. But keeping an eye on Kopa to make sure he doesn't get out is a full time job."

"Ah, motherhood, not how you imagined it now is it?" Simba grinned.

"Oh, it's how I pictured it…though I pictured it with me lounging back and letting you do all the work," Zuri chuckled, closing her eyes as she felt the cubs move within her. She too was beginning to think there were more then one, she sighed in discomfort. After having Kopa, she knew the more movement she felt the closer she would be getting to giving birth. Though carrying more then one, she felt that she would be giving birth sooner then if she were carrying one.

"You okay?" Simba asked.

"Oh, they're just impatient…"

"Like their mother," Simba grinned innocently when she shot him a look. "Speaking of mothers, mine and the others are on the hunt for dinner. Binti should be dropping by tonight with the portion for you and Kopa…" eyeing his mate's appearance again and how tired she was he then suggested.

"Perhaps one of the lionesses should stay here with you…just for a day or so," he added when he noticed Zuri had opened her mouth to protest. "When Binti arrives with dinner, she can stay with you, keep you company and help you watch Kopa." Plus it gave him the advantage to know what was going on with his mate when he wasn't around.

Sighing, the brown lioness gave it some thought; she knew there was no arguing with her mate. Binti would stay whether she disagreed to it or not, Zuri just had that nagging feeling. "Alright, but just for a day or two…" with her and Kopa already not being seen around pride rock she didn't want Zira to get suspicious if another member of the pride just suddenly up and vanished. Whether the former Queen believed the lie of her being on cave rest or Kopa being ill she couldn't be sure. And she wasn't going to take her chances.

"Thank you…" Simba whispered as the two of them lay down together, he would stay until Binti arrived before heading back out onto his patrol. He watched as his mate laid her head down on his paws as she pressed her body against his side for warmth. Licking her top of her head, he soon laid his atop of hers and closed his eyes, enjoying the moment while he could before he would have to return to pride rock where he would spend another night alone without his mate and son, and left to worry about them.

Soon, he thought. Soon, they'll be home.

Back at Pride Rock, in the shade of an acacia tree, two shadowy figures lay, their eyes focused on the main den.

Kumai and Asma had been there all morning. Since Zira had found out the Queen and Prince were supposedly on cave rest, she had sent her lionesses to keep watch.

"I have a feeling they're hiding something…I want you to find out what!"

Each morning, they had first attempted to get close to the cave when they noticed the King and other lionesses leaving. But had quickly found out, one lioness was always left behind and would block them from entering or even peering inside the cave. Kumai was beginning to have her suspicions about this as well, "I don't remember them being this protective when she bore the prince!" she yawned boredom was starting to kick in.

The day was hot, and the shade only provided as much coolness as it could allow.

"This is ridiculous…Why does Zira continue with these foul plans…I agree King Scar should not have died in such a way…but it was the Hyenas that did him off. We all saw it happen. Simba and Zuri have been fair to us…" Asma didn't bother to look up from her grooming, licking her paw as much as she could she rubbed it over her face, using her saliva to help keep her cool and clean. She hated watch duty, and she saw no point in it. She hated it as much as she disliked the plan of killing cubs…it just wasn't right.

"Fair or not…it was Zira who vouched for us when we came to the Pridelands…we owe her," Kumai closed her eyes and sighed, she too hated the plan. But to go against Zira…she did not think she could…she remembered what it had been like when she and the others had arrived in the Pridelands.

Their own pride had been attacked and those who survived were few and had to run for their lives in fear they would be hunted down and killed as well. When they had arrived on the border of the Pridelands, the lands still had vegetation although very brown as it was dying from the lack of rain they would later find out. There was only so very little prey, but there had been enough for them.

They hadn't hunted since they had run for their lives, her sister Hawa was still very young only 10 months old when they came here. They had lost their mother and Kumai felt responsible for her sister. It had been her, who had decided to go and find food for them, while the others kept look out.

They could smell other lions in the area, and they did not know how these strangers would take to a few desperate lionesses hunting on their land. But what confused them was that they too could smell hyenas' within the area. Baya had suggested that perhaps they should move on elsewhere before they were discovered but Dotty, and Kumai agreed, that they probably wouldn't make it if they didn't get any food and soon.

She had managed to bring down a small Impala and was just bringing it back to the others when she had been cornered by a pack of Hyenas' her roar when she had tried to defend her kill from them was what alerted the others that had come to her aide. But even that wasn't enough for soon there were more hyenas' upon them.

The hyenas had managed to wound one of them, the oldest of them that had survived, and to their grief she had died from those wounds before Sarabi and her hunting party had arrived and had demanded to know why they were attacking them. It wasn't long before one hyena had run off to fetch the King, that was when they had found out the pride and pack were sharing the same land and living amongst each other.

This confused them, for they seemed to despise each other. There was no hiding it on the Pridelanders faces.

When the King arrived, he had his Queen by his side. Zira looked no older, then Kumai herself. But it was obvious she was the King's mate for how she stood beside him, and how round her figure was which told the newcomers that she was pregnant. She had been pregnant with Nuka at the time. Their first cub.

The King had inspected the dead lioness with little sympathy stating that it had been within the rights of the hyenas to have killed her. For they had trespassed on his land and had hunted his herds. He claimed that they too should be killed and that their bodies would feed the rest of his followers just like their dead pride sister would.

When they had gone to defend themselves, they had managed to kill five hyenas before Zira had spoken up…

"My love, look, they are strong lionesses, and surely they should be allowed to live. We can use a few stronger, young lionesses to keep our Pride strong…and protect your future heir…"

At first it did not appear that the King would listen. But in the end, he gave in to the will of his mate. They had been allowed to live and welcomed into the pride; it had been hence forth that day that they had sworn their loyalty to Zira and Zira alone. They would hunt and abide Scar's law. But it was Zira who had their loyalty for it had been her who allowed them to live.

And it had been there loyalty and "friendship" toward the Queen that had allowed them privilege of the den. Whereas the others they had come to find had been condemned to sleep in the back caves, that they now occupied, they had no quarrel with Sarabi and the others. For they had first saved them from the hyenas giving them time to see the King and Queen and have their lives spared.

But for their socialization with Zira and such that got them hated by the others.

Kumai sighed, closing her eyes. A split pride was something that should never be she thought. But like she said, they couldn't go against Zira. But the Zira they knew seemed to be gone, the loving mother, the lioness who had spoken up for them had seemed to die the day Scar died and Simba had become King.

They had suspected the new King, with his Queen, would kill off Scar's brood. Something Kumai and the others would not allowed, they loved those cubs, even though they were not their own. They loved them and would defend them with their lives much like they had when Simba had arrived with his mate and those lionesses and lion from the pride they had later found out he had been living with the last two years when the Pridelanders has suspected him dead.

Sighing, she opened her eyes and stared toward the cave when she heard the sound of the hunting party returning dragging their kill into the den out of sight. Simba had spared Nuka, Vitani and Kovu…and allowed them to remain in the Pridelands the place they had come to call their new home…and here they were…plotting with Zira to kill the King's only heir and mate.

The circle of life, as Zira called it.

Kumai knew full well of the Circle of life…she didn't know what lion wasn't taught it by their parents when they were cubs. But this…

"Well…"

Asma's voice drew her away from her mind; turning her head she eyed the lioness beside her. "We could always go and join them…they always seem to catch the larger meals…I could use some zebra meat!" Asma licked her teeth as she eyed the kill before it was in the cave.

"Yes, tempting, but…"

"I know, I know…we owe Zira…" Asma sighed, lowering her head down to rest on her paws. A bored expressing etching across her face, "But why owe her when she has done nothing but mistreat us as of late…" she looked at Kumai from the corner of her eyes. "After what she did to Hawa I'm surprised you're still supporting her…"

Eyes darkening, Kumai scowled, "Where else would we go dear Asma, the others here despise us…"

"They'll despise us even more when…wait…" Asma fell silent when she noticed movement from the cave and watched as a lioness came out, carrying a large chunk of their meal in her mouth. Asma recognized her as Binti, one of the many lionesses she was surprised survive the long drought during Scar's reign. "Where do you think she's off to?"

"She's probably going off somewhere else to eat…" Kumai yawned, closing her eyes she got ready to take a nap when Asma poked her in the side. "What?" she tiredly opened her eyes again, it was a hot day, they been watching the cave for hours, she figured a nap would do her some good right about then. She followed where Asma was pointing and watched as Binti started moving away from Pride rock as she carried the meat, from where they lay they could see the old lioness glancing over her shoulder from time to time as if making sure she wasn't followed.

Now this was suspicious, she thought.

Climbing to her paws, she stared off after her trying to see whether or not it was worth following the lioness and reporting to Zira about it. "Stay here…and if Zira comes asking where I am…tell her I went to the watering hole…" stepping around her fellow Pride sister, she looked around before leaving their perch and started to follow the older lioness keeping just out of eye sight and down wind of her.

Kumai became more suspicious when she noticed the lioness wasn't keeping an exact course, first she headed west and then south, then south east until finally heading toward the Eastern bordered of the lands. Why was she going so far from Pride rock, Kumai questioned herself quietly. There was nothing but rock formations in that direction, that Kumai knew of.

The lioness quickened her pace to keep up, but always out of sight and down wind so not to be directed. There had to be a reason as to why the old lioness was heading out there, slinking her body low to the ground Kumai blended in with the grass and slowly began moving closer and closer.

Lifting her eyes she stopped moving when she noticed Binti had as well. The lioness looked left then right and only when she thought the coast seemed clear did she climb the rocks and with another look back causing Kumai to lower herself further so she wasn't spotted when Binti looked in her direction, with that Kumai watched as the lioness slipped out of view when she was sure she hadn't been followed.

Lifting her head, Kumai stared at the rock formations, more importantly the little opening she could now see as she moved forward.

What was the old lioness doi…

Kumai stopped her line of thought when a new scent…or rather scents reached her nose. The whole area was littered with scents from the entire pride, but the scents that lingered the most were scents that confused her…the scents of the Queen and young prince. And the scents were fresh, very fresh…and they were coming from that direction of that cave…

Sniffing the air, to make sure she was right, she noticed the King's scent was lingering there as well. Moving through the grass, still remaining downwind, Kumai disappeared behind the rock formations and began to climb, lowering herself down so that she was hidden she saw an opening in the top of the cave and stopped when she heard voices within…

"We managed to catch a zebra today…we had aimed for two but the second had gotten away when the herd had doubled back. If this is not enough, more can be brought your majesty!"

'No, Binti, this should be enough to feed Kopa and me for the time being. I've eaten enough already to satisfy myself and the cubs in me as well as be able to produce the right about of milk for them when they're born."

When she heard Zuri's voice, Kumai slipped closer the whole place smelled like the Queen and prince. There scents were the ones that lingered the most, she could smell the other pride members still now that she was closer but their scents were not as strong as that of Zuri and Kopa's.

What exactly were the Queen and Prince doing…all the way out from Pride Rock…?

"Binti…" Simba's voice jarred Kumai back from her thoughts and she started listening closely again, "would it be too much to ask, if you were to stay here with Zuri and Kopa for a day or two. As she gets closer to her due date, Zuri is getting more tired and…"

"The young Prince is a little rambunctious?" Binti chuckled, "Don't worry your majesty I will be honoured to stay here and watch over them. I'm sure Zuri here would love some female company as well!" inside the cave Binti smiled at Zuri who returned it. In fact the young Queen was missing some company from the lionesses. Of course she missed her mates company even more, but of course Simba wasn't a female and didn't exactly do girl talk as he and Jaali called it whenever they saw a group of lionesses crowded together.

"I'll send Zazu to check on you later tonight…alright fine tomorrow!" Simba stated when he noticed the look his mate had given him. He knew that look all too well, it was the look she gave him when she thought he was being too protective, "Now eat," Simba grabbed a large half from the food that Binti had bought and pushed it toward Zuri leaving the other half for Kopa who was already digging into it.

"Whoa, slow down son chew!" he chuckled as Kopa looked up at him with a mouth full of food and a large grin on his face as he chewed. "You're going to make yourself sick if you eat so fast…then your mother will bicker," Simba grinned sheepishly at Zuri when she cast him a glare. "She's like your grandmother."

"She is?" Kopa asked when he swallowed what was in his mouth and licked his chops. Only to dig back into the rest of his meal. "She doesn't seem like Grandma."

"He means, my mother dear," Zuri stated while she ate, cringing a little when she felt the cubs inside her move too much. Binti caught this and furrowed her brow, she knew those signs all too much, but didn't say a word as she settled down in the cave. "Though, I don't see how…"

"Protective, caring…she bickered if any of us got too dirty, or if we ate too fast…like you!" Simba smirked at his mate as she scowled.

"Well, someone has to be that parent, or else you'd just let him get all dirty and roll around in the mud all day."

"That be cool!"

Chuckling, Simba grinned at his son then nuzzled his mate, "I should be continuing my patrol. I'll send Zazu tomorrow, Binti I'll tell the others where you are so they don't worry." Turning, Simba nuzzled his son and grinned ruefully, leaving was the hardest part of every visit. He hated returning to Pride rock without them, but he knew they would be home soon and even then there would be more cubs.

And he had a feeling; the new cubs would be born before they returned…he only hoped he could make it in time to be there for the birth. And he hoped by keeping a lioness by his mate's side, it would mean she wouldn't be alone with Kopa when she gave birth.

Giving his mate, one last lick, he slipped his way through the opening. Stopping outside when he could have sworn he smelt something on the air. Sniffing the air, he recognized that scent as one of Zira's lionesses, looking around he could see no one and judging by the wind it was being carried. Taking a few more sniffs of the air, he figured the lioness must be out hunting for Zira.

Jumping down from the rocks, he slipped off toward the west to continue on his patrol and see if he could run into zazu, he had no doubt the hornbill might be looking for him to give his latest report.

From atop the caves, Kumai watched as Simba disappeared further into the distance. Why were they keeping the Queen and prince away from pride rock, she wondered and lowered herself down to listen. She was clearly interested, but confusing, the queen seemed close to her due date, it wasn't unusual for a lioness to saunter off to give birth alone, but the Queen had given birth at pride rock before. The formation was a secure place to give birth and be alone if need be.

Out here, there wasn't much protection other than hiding in these caves and that only lasted as long as no one found you.

"My Queen, are you feeling well?"

Kumai lowered herself back down onto the rocks and listened closely to what was inside.

"The cubs are getting impatient Binti, I told Simba this."

Inside the cave, Binti eyed the young Queen and then her stomach. The Queen was beginning to show signs that the cubs would be due soon, but Binti would give it another day she thought to herself. She smiled, she wondered how many cubs the Queen would bear this time, it would truly be wonderful for more cubs, and it had been so long since the Pride had so many cubs. And the more cubs meant more survival for the Pridelanders.

Even though Zuri wasn't a Pridelander, her blood was now mixed with the cubs she was carrying and along with Kopa. That new blood would mean stronger bloodlines in the future. She was saddened that someone like Zira could not see that, it was terrible the way they treated Zuri, it wasn't unusual for prides to take in new members.

Zira's lionesses were a clear example of that, which is why Binti could not understand why she cursed and called Zuri an outsider. She shook her head, that lioness had changed so much…so sad, she thought.

"Binti?"

Looking down, Binti watched Kopa approach her, "Yes young Prince?"

"Have you seen my friends lately?" the young prince asked.

Furrowing her brow, Binti looked at Zuri, who gave a nod of the head before Binti answered the cub "Yes, I saw them running about Pride rock, they come asking for you every day, don't worry young Price they shall be there when you return home and hopefully with your brothers and sisters and as well…whatever your mother bares!" she laughed at the look Kopa got at the idea of having sisters.

"I hope they're all boys!" Kopa said bounding around Binti toward his mother he carefully laid a paw on her swollen stomach. Leaning close when he felt his siblings move inside his mom, he still thought it was weird and yet cool at the same time.

"Oh, well I hope they're girls, so they don't get as messy as you!" Zuri licked her son on the nose making him jump back and rub it with the back of his paw with a disgruntled look on his face. "Now go play before it gets dark…and inside the cave!" she added when she saw the grin come over his face.

The lionesses waited until Kopa had scampered off before speaking again, "Thank you for staying with me Binti, it's getting tiring watching him…and not sleeping well…"

"Yes, Nala shared with the lionesses that you been having nightmares…" Zuri looked up at Binti in surprise she thought only Simba and Nala knew that, not the entire pride. "She hasn't told us much about them, other then you feel like they're warning you of some sort of threat…which I don't know…but it's hard to…no, actually it isn't…but you shouldn't have to fear her…and yes…the whole pride…well besides Simba knows…we were all there the day she threatened you Zuri, the day you explained to the cubs about how males when they get older venture off on their own. You shouldn't think of her as a threat Zuri…Zira stands no chance of going up against the entire pride…you shouldn't feel like you have to hide…"

"I didn't…it was…Nala's idea, she told Simba to send me here…I agree I thought I would be safest with the pride, but Simba had insisted…and here I am…I much rather be back at Pride rock," Zuri grimaced when she felt a sharp pain but ignored it, after being pregnant with Kopa she knew she wouldn't give birth right away at the first sign of pain.

"And I do not fear her…I fear for my cubs. They cannot be watched every minute and I do not want anything to happen to them…" she added.

Above them, Kumai stood on the rocks; she had gotten what she had wanted. She furrowed her brow, could they possibly know Zira's plan…But obvious Zira had threatened the young Queen too much that she had become suspicious…

Moving to the back of the formation, Kumai climbed down and waited, then bounded off through the grass, taking the long way back to Pride rock. Looking upward she could see the sun was beginning to set, by the time she reached Pride rock again the sun was just slipping off into the horizon.

It seemed the Queen and Pride who suspected Zira had not told the king. Which confused her, why would they not and have the King get rid of them? Wouldn't that be easier then hiding? It's what Kumai would have done…then she thought of the cubs, she could see where Zuri had a difficult time. When the Queen first arrived, she had supported the opinion that the Pride was a much safer place for the cubs to be reared.

When Pride Rock came into view, Kumai stopped and stared at the large structure she had called home for some time now. Sitting, she contemplated on whether she should tell Zira about what she knew.

Looking back over her shoulder, she sighed and hung her head, she didn't want to be responsible for the death of cubs…but she owed her life to Zira, she thought to herself and climbed back to her paws and continued on her way to Pride Rock with a heavy heart.