Chapter 18

Pride Rock seemed abuzz with the news of the new royal cubs by the time Nala and the cubs arrived back. She stopped just before she began to make her ascent toward the den and looked toward the cubs. The entire way home all the cubs could talk about was the new cubs and how excited they were to finally have more playmates.

"I really hope it's a girl!" Vitani had exclaimed her voice full of hope and excitement. She would love another female cub to play with, not that she didn't like playing with Kopa and her brothers, but they were all male, sometime's she'd like another female to talk too one her age rather then the older lionesses. This had caused the three cubs to bicker the rest of the way back to Pride Rock.

"You three should run along back to your mother," Nala insisted.

"But Nala, can't we come and see the new cubs?" Kovu asked looking at the lioness. The other two looked at Nala with large smiles on their faces, each wanting to go and see the Queen. Each was not afraid to admit it, not even Nuka, but they missed the Queen, they loved playing with her, she was a loving Aunt to them. That and by chance of seeing Zuri and the new cubs they could see Kopa as well.

The smiles disappeared from their faces and their ears fell against their heads when Nala shook hers. "No, I am sorry, but do not worry I will tell Zuri that you're excited for her…and I'm sure in a few days you can see them!" Nala said a slight grin on her face when this seemed to bring the cubs spirits back up.

"Now go, run along, I'm sure your mother has dinner for you!" she watched as the cubs ran over to her and stiffened a bit surprised when they each rubbed up along her legs and nuzzled her. "Night, Nala, thank you!" they called over their shoulders as they ran back toward the back dens where they stayed with their mother and the other part of the pride.

Standing there for a moment more, Nala watched them run off then looked down at herself where the cubs had nuzzled her. This was the first time the cubs had ever showed affection toward her like they did toward Zuri. She felt something swell up inside her, a kind of warmth, something she saw she was missing something she once heard the other lionesses talking about. How it was like to want cubs of your own.

She sighed inwardly and shook her head, now was not the time to think about that she told herself. Turning on the spot, Nala ascended up the rocks towards the den where she saw the other lionesses were all gathered around Zazu who had just finished telling the pride about Zuri giving birth.

"One of us should go and see how the labour is progressing…she must have given birth by now!" Durra suggested as Nala joined their ranks. She sat down along side her mother, and looked around, "Perhaps we should wait, Binti is already where with them, I'm sure she will return shortly to tell of us the news…Zira by now would more then likely know that the cubs were born and we can't risk leading her to them in out excitement!" she sighed catching their attention.

"How, the word has only spread to us and we're all here?" Asali asked looking toward Nala.

"I had Vitani, Kovu and Nuka with me at the time that Zazu arrived to tell Simba of Zuri and the cubs. They had overheard, and at the moment they may be relaying the news to their mother. They are very excited and wish to see Zuri…"

"What did you tell them?" asked Sarafina turning toward her daughter.

"That right now is not the right time, but they are getting insistent. They really miss Kopa and Zuri. Vitani is hoping for a female cub to be born so that she can have a new female playmate other then the boys," it was something Nala knew all too well, for it was something she often wanted as a cub, then again after Simba's death, she would have settled for any cub to play with. When Nuka had been born, she was already coming of age but it would not have matter for Zira never allowed Nuka outside the cave much, nor anywhere near the other Pridelanders.

But she got her wish granted when her brother Mheetu was born but when he was brought down, she had lost her last remaining cub hood friend leaving her last remaining friends to be the lionesses that helped raise her in the pride and teach her to become a huntress. So she could understand the young she-cubs plea for another female cub to play with, and she hoped things would turn out well soon enough.

The pride would not always be able to keep their queen away from pride rock or the royal cubs. As much as it was Nala's idea to hide them, she thought by now they would have handle the problem but Zuri was reluctant to let Simba know who the true threat to her and the cubs were. Deep down, she knew Zuri's reasoning for them to keep it a secret for now was for the safety of Zira's cubs as well as her own.

But the feelings that Nala herself harboured for Simba, made her not want to keep it a secret anymore then it already was. It wasn't right, she thought. Simba had the right to know who was threatening his mate and cubs, if she was Zuri, she would have told Simba the truth. Yes, after spending time with them, Vitani, Nuka and Kovu were nothing like their mother, but what were three cubs, cubs of a tyrant lion and lioness, to the life of her own cubs?

Too Nala, she would value the life of her own cubs over that of Zira's. And the cubs were getting old enough that they would be able to handle their own if Zira were to be cast out of the pride or perhaps they could keep the cubs in the pride and only cast Zira out. Therefore the cubs would still be safe and sound within the pride until Nuka and Kovu were ready to head out on their own, however Kopa seemed content to keep his two friends around for the future.

Ajia spoke up from where she was lounging along side Aufa, "Perhaps we shouldn't allow those cubs along side the Queen and prince any longer, it is because of them we have yet to tell Simba about the threats Zira has been making."

"We should never have allowed them to interact to begin with," stated Kana, climbing to her paws she made her way over toward the rest of them from where she been resting in the shade of the den.

"They should never have been allowed to live…" Sarafina said catching their attentions, many of the lionesses looked at her with sympathy. The tragedy of Mheetu's death still hung over the lioness, and the loss of him was buried deep within her. When they had discovered Nala missing that time, Sarafina had been in a complete panic at the thought that she had lost yet another cub of hers. If they didn't already have not much to eat, they feared she would have starved herself, for the days and weeks passed and Nala had yet to be found they all began to fear that the hyenas had taken her down and would not tell them.

They had even demanded Scar to speak to them, but still they kept denying that they had done anything to the young lioness. It had been a relief in more ways then one when Nala had returned, not only had she brought help and the rightful King back, but her return alone had filled their hearts with joy at seeing her alive and Sarafina's happiness at the presence of her daughter.

"Are you suggesting my son to be a cub-killer?" Sarabi demanded, "Mufasa was never that and neither is Simba!"

"Who say's it has to be Simba who does it?" A greyish tanned lioness, Merah asked.

"We are not cub-killers either! It is not the way of a Pridelands. An innocent cub should not be held responsible for their parents behaviour and those three have showed nothing but love and respect for the pride, especially Zuri and Kopa!" Sarabi spoke firmly, looking at them all with a look of disappointment that caused them to look away in shame. She was right, they knew it, and they would never be able to bring themselves to kill cubs, even if those cubs were those of a tyrant.

"Then how else are you we going to handle this Sarabi?" asked Kali, "Unless Zira is handled we can't afford to bring Zuri back here with the cubs…and we can't keep them out there for long…hiding them was a good idea," she looked at Nala for a second then returned her attention back to Sarabi. "But it won't be long before they catch on to this and find them…they keep spying on us for that matter!" she looked off over her shoulder. At the moment there was no one there but the Pridelanders were no fools they knew Zira had her lionesses spying on them each and every day. It made their visits to Zuri all that much harder.

"We figure out a plan; if we do anything that hurts those cubs, Zuri and especially Kopa will be deeply saddened. If we can separate them from Zira, and then confront Simba we might find a way to keep the cubs here within the safety of the pride…our problem besides that is whether the cubs will stay or leave with their mother," Sarabi as she climbed to her paws and looked off toward the direction of the East. "We keep Zazu here, if he flies off it may be suspicious. Binti will return shortly…she can deliver the news of the cubs and Zuri!" Though Sarabi wanted nothing better to do then rush off and she her newborn grand-cubs she knew it would be too risky, so for now she would wait like the rest of them.

"Mom! Mom! Guess what!?"

The excited cries of the cubs calling for Zira, made the lionesses who been lounging in the cave look up from their afternoon nap. Hawa and Baya had gotten off their watch duty of the main den just shortly before Zazu had arrived at pride rock with the news of Zuri. The former at the moment had her head resting on her elder sisters back; Hawa knew that Kumai was still filled with guilt from what she had relayed to Zira the day before. She remembered their conversation earlier that morning…

'Why don't we just run away Kumai? Just the two of us?'

'And go where Hawa? There is nowhere else we can go that we may be welcomed…' Kumai stated.

'Then lets go to the other Pridelanders…lets go to Sarabi, tell her of Zira's plans…they already suspected her. I'm sure Sarabi can vouch for us to Simba and we will be spared if we tell them the truth…all of us but Zira can stay here…'

'And what of the cubs Hawa? Do you think they will stay here without their mother? We can't risk having the cubs leave here with only Zira, she is only one lioness she wouldn't have the strength to hunt anything large enough for all four of them to eat….and we owe our loyalty to Zira and her cubs…'

'But…'

'There will be no more talk of this Hawa…now go for your watch duty before Zira gets angry…'

Closing her eyes, Hawa sighed she could not understand how they could still owe their loyalty to Zira…before she could understand. She was once a caring lioness, she welcomed them like they were her natural pride-sisters…but Zira had changed over time, and not for the better. But she could not go against Kumai; she was the only living blood she had left. Opening her eyes to the sound of the cubs, she like the others turned in their direction as they came bounding up to them.

"Your mother isn't here cubs," Baya spoke up from where she was lounging in the last bit of sun that hung in the sky.

"Where is she?" asked Nuka bounding into the cave to see that they were right, his mother was nowhere in sight.

"A walk!" Spotty quickly answered as she padded over to Vitani and Kovu and grinned down upon the cubs. She reached out and wrapped her paw round the she-cub and drew her close even though they weren't sure of the source of the cub's excitement but it as always great to see them with smiles on their faces. She shot a glare in Kumai's direction when she heard the lioness scuff at the mention of Zira having gone for a walk, sure, the lioness had indeed gone for a walk but it was to stake out the eastern caves.

"What has gotten you all so worked up cubs?" Asma grinned toward the cubs as Nuka made his way over and laid beside her, she draped her arm over the cub and drew him against her side. Often she wondered what it would be like to have a cub of her own; she grinned down at the young lion and licked the top of his head making the cub squirm a little.

"Queen Zuri is giving birth!" Kovu announced jumping on the spot.

The cubs didn't seem to notice the adults stiffen at the news, quickly climbing to her paws making Hawa off to the floor with an 'oaf' Kumai made her way over and looked down at Kovu. "How do you know this?" she inquired for as far as they knew, the cubs still thought the Queen was on cave rest and Kopa was sick and the cubs were turned away each time they went to the caves.

"We were with Nala today, she showed us this really hunting game…Simba joined us even, but Zazu arrived and said that the Queen was going into labour and he hurried home ahead of us. He must have been looking for Simba a long time because he looked so out of breath…"

"Like he had been flying for hours!" Vitani cut him off looking up at Spotty she wrapped her paws around the lioness' leg. "We tried asking Nala if we could go and see Zuri and the cubs but she said we couldn't…" she sighed her shoulder's slumping a bit her ears drooping.

"But she said in a few days we could…" Nuka piped up, with a grin.

The lionesses weren't sure how they felt about Nala giving the cubs false hope of seeing Zuri in a few days, for now that it seemed the Queen had given birth it only meant that it would soon be time to put Zira's plan into motion. To kill the Queen and the royal cubs. With that the three would never see their friend again…

This only caused Spotty and Asma to tighten their holds on Nuka and Vitani, they knew the news would destroy them but none of them were daring to go against Zira. Kumai forced a smile and laid her paw upon Kovu's head, "Come, we have some left over's for you cubs!" she said making her way into the cave. She shot a glance over at Hawa who met her gaze and looked away when she caught Kumai looking toward her. She sighed, and shook her head while she got the cubs their dinner from the impala they had caught earlier that morning left some for the cubs for their evening meal.

The Queen was giving birth…the words echoed inside of Hawa's mind; she crossed her paws in front of her as she looked off in the direction of the East with a worried expression. She had been hoping the Queen wouldn't give birth so soon to them finding out where the royal's had been hiding out. She didn't want anything to do with the killing of cubs or with Zuri, the Queen was nice…she was one that was worth following…

Zira wasn't worth following anymore, the Queen that vouched for them, was Queen no longer and no longer the kind lioness she once was. She knew killing Zuri and the cubs was not going to go over well…not when the other lionesses knew who the culprit would be. There was no way they may survive this…they knew Sarafina alone wanted blood for her son's death that had happened at the paws of Zira…too kill both the Queen and royal cubs was sure to have them banished…or worst killed…if she was Simba or Sarabi and Zira had killed her loved ones she would surely want the culprits killed.

She was torn between running to Simba with the news of Zira's plans, or sticking by her sister and going through with it. Looking over her shoulder, she watched Kumai with Kovu, she laid her head down on her paws as she sighed inwardly in defeat. She could not go back on her sister, even if it would save them both from Simba's and the other lionesses' wrath….

It would not save them from Zira's.

Darkness, for as far as the eye could see. The only light, were the quick bursts of lightning that lit up the sky. Thunder echoed across the savannah, but it was drowned out by the thunderous beat of a racing heart, pounding deep within her chest. Her heart pounding from undying agony…agony for her fallen cubs…

She had been too late again. She had woken to find the cave empty, her beloved cubs nowhere in sight. She could smell blood in the air, and prayed to the ancestors that the blood was not that of her young ones…a false hope and prayer…but a desperate one she knew she had to make nonetheless.

This time it was not the body of her little Kopa she had come across it was the body of her newborn son. His little brown body sprawled on the ground in a pool of his own blood, he looked so tiny…his eyes were still closed shut meaning the cub had not even reached a full five days of his birth…

Hot tears rolled down her cheeks, she had searched the entire area but she could not find the bodies of Kopa nor her two other little cubs. Did they get away? She hoped silently, or where they butchered like their brother…?

With a sob, she lowered herself to the ground curling her body protectively around her fallen cub and drew his cut up body into her own, she sobbed burying her nose in his fur, what a horrible mother she was to let this happen to her cubs…how could she not protect them? A good mother was able to protect her cubs…like how her mother had saved her from the hyenas…it was a mother's duty to die for her cubs to protect them not the other way around…no parent should out live their cubs…she thought with a heart wrenching sob.

"I failed you….I failed you my cubs…I am sorry…I am sorry…"

"Mommy?"

Head snapping up, she looked around, eyes full of tears and hope that her other beloved cubs had survived. But she was still alone, there was nothing around her…was it her imagination? She pondered, was her brain playing tricks on her?

"Mama?"

There it was again. Her head snapped to the right, but she saw nothing. It was so dark, but what little light she had from the lightning showed her nothing…there was no one there…new tears coursed down her face…her cubs were gone…and all she could hear was their voices calling her…their ghosts beckoning her to join them…

"Mommy?"

Clenching her eyes shut, she drew the body of her little cub to her chest and buried her nose back in his fur. 'I'll join you my cubs,' she thought to herself, 'I'll join you and we'll all be together again, she cannot tear us apart, we will be together my little cubs.'

"Mommy!"

A sob escaped her. I'm coming! She yelled out mentally. I'm coming to join you…

"MOM!"

Sapphire eyes snapped open and stared into the familiar set amber eyes of young brownish-gold cub that stared back at her with both worry and curiosity shinning in his eyes. "You're awake! Finally, you have been sleeping along time mom!" Kopa was beginning to worry that maybe his mom was never going to wake up, he knew it worried his father as well since the King looked like he would gladly pace his worry away if he wasn't concerned with keeping close to Zuri.

It took only a few seconds for Zuri to realize that she had once again been dreaming, only this dream had been different. She had her newborn son rather then the others and could not hear the enemy anywhere…nor had she been visited by the two legged creature that had come to her any other night. She did not have time to ponder what that could mean, when realized her head wasn't resting upon her own paws but the familiar set of golden-brown and white paws of her mate. And low and behold then she turned her head upward she saw his face staring down upon her with concern. "Simba…what…what happened?"

"You had passed out just as the third cub was delivered your majesty," Zuri turned her head toward Binti's voice when the lioness had gotten up and moved over to the royal family from where she been laying off to the side. They had been patiently waiting for the young Queen to awaken, the sun had finally set and there had still been so sign of the Queen awakening.

This worried the young king who had insisted that they fetch Rafiki when the Queen started to show signs of movement. Familiar twitching Binti had come to recognize as the Queen dreaming, she had witnessed it before, it was a good sign, and the Queen was only just sleeping now to gain the strength she had lost during her hard delivery.

"The third cub?" it took a moment for it to dawn on Zuri what had happened during her delivery. Upon delivering her first two cubs, she had been surprised to find that she was pregnant with a third, one that she had trouble delivering…eyes widening, Zuri frantically asked. "The cub…what happens is it…"

"She's just fine!" Simba grinned and turned his attention to three cubs that at the moment were now asleep piled atop of one another for warmth and comfort. The boy was beneath both his sisters at the moment that had crawled atop of him at some point during their sleep. The cubs lay between both him and Zuri, he had manoeuvred his body while his mate had slept so that her head would still be on his paws but the cubs would now be lying between the both of them.

"She…?" Zuri breathed.

A daughter? She…no they, had a second daughter. Rolling carefully onto her stomach so not to squish her cubs, she turned enough to lay her eyes on her sleeping cubs, and smiled at the sight of them. She didn't need to ask which one was the third, she could tell by her colour fur that stood out against the dark brown of the other two cubs. Her fur was a brownish-gold tanned much like Simba and Kopa's only a tad bit darker, her tiny body was pinned beneath her sisters in the middle of the pile the cubs had crawled themselves into.

"They're all beautiful…" she whispered, reaching out with her paw she ran it gently over her daughters back her eyes softening and her smile broadening when she watched the cub squirm at the touch. The cub mewed as it was woken from her nap, and squirmed more as Zuri slipped her paw beneath her tiny body and brought the cub over to her laying her down between her paws she cradled the little brown she-cub carefully. She looked up as Simba carefully picked up the other cubs and transported them into her paws beside their sister, both now mewing like the other at being woken up. After placing the cubs in their mothers arms, Simba sat himself beside his mate gazing down upon her and his cubs.

Zuri used her paws to adjust all three and then ran her tongue along each of them, from tail to their heads cleaning them thoroughly as well as getting them use to her scent and allowing them to bond. She took some time to give more to the third cub for she hadn't had time when she was delivered from having passed out.

"Mom?"

The Queen lifted her head to look at her first born, who had laid himself down and used his paws to crawl closer to look closely at his new brother and sisters, "Yes Kopa?" she asked watching the awe and happy look that came over her sons face and smiled knowing how happy Kopa was to finally be a big brother and not to just one but three new cubs.

"What are their names?" Kopa asked taking his eyes off the cubs to look up at his oarents. From beside his mother, his Father chuckled; the young prince had asked many times when his mother would wake up so that he could know the names of his brother and sisters.

Blinking her eyes, Zuri looked at Simba questioningly wondering why he hadn't named them yet and she watched as her mate rubbed the back of his head with his paw pushing his mane out of his face giving his mate his usual cheeky grin. "Well…I sort of…well I did tell him that we should wait for you to wake up to decide on the names…" his grin only widened at shake of the head his mate was now giving him. "I'm horrible at names…"

And so was she, Zuri thought to herself. If it hadn't been for Kopa being a boy, they may have had a harder time naming him if he been born a girl, least they could take her father's name and give it to the cub. And by naming him after her father, it least gave her something of him for having never known the lion. "Well…"

"See you're no good at this either…oaf!"

Kopa, and Binti who been watching from where she stood chuckled as Simba tumbled to the ground from where Zuri had shoved him with her paw and as the King was climbing to his paws again turned her loving attention toward the cubs in her paws like nothing had happened. Grinning at his parents antics, Kopa crawled even closer to his mother and laid his paws on her arm to peer down at the cubs that mewed and yawned curling up as their mother continued to tongue bath them.

"So?" he asked.

Looking at her son, then to her mate and to the cubs she couldn't quite think of what to name them. Chuckling, Binti made her way over, "I will need names Zuri, and to tell the other lionesses I'm sure Zazu has long since delivered the news of their birth to Sarabi and the others. They'll want names or you can guarantee that Sarabi will run here herself in the morning and demand the names of her new grand-cubs herself!" she stated smiling at the young mother, so young and already graced with four cubs, she prayed to the Great kings that they lived longer then the other multiple births that occurred in the Pride.

She knew Binti was right, if she did not return to Pride Rock with the names of the cubs Sarabi would come to find them out herself, even though that really didn't matter the former Queen was bound to come and see the cubs anyways. But she knew the rest of the Pride would be awaiting the new royal cubs names as well, looking down at her cubs she thought for a moment and smiled as she pushed her nose against the brown she-cub, who let out again tiny yawn the queen watched the little pink tongue flicker before the cubs mouth closed again and she curled up to sleep.

"Eshe…" was the name came to mind, Eshe had once been a lioness she and Simba had known as cubs. Sadly during the first rainy season Simba had been with them, she had died of starvation and old age. She looked up at Simba and she could see by the look on his face that he remembered who Eshe was and smiled nudging his mate with his nose, "That's a wonderful name…it suits her!" he smiled down at his daughter and repeated her name, "Eshe…little Eshe…"

"Eshe…that's a pretty name mom!" Kopa grinned, "Now what about the other two?"

"Patience, young Prince, give your parents some time…" Binti smiled and nodded her head; Eshe was a lovely name for the young princess.

Zuri bit her tongue a little as she tried to think of two other names of her cubs, looking upon her new son she smiled and licked the top of his head watching him squirm a little at the feel but never woke. "Musa…Musa shall be your name my young prince," she whispered looking up at her mate for approval of the name, the King grinned and nodded thinking it was a suitable name for a Prince. "What about you my son, what do you think of naming your brother Musa?" she resisted laughing at the 'serious' face that came over her son's face as he seemed to be really pondering the name then gave a nod of approval. "Yeah I guess that's alright," he grinned at his parents while Simba laid his paw on the cubs head and rubbed his tuft.

"Now what to call the last one…" Simba looked thoughtful as he wondered what they should name their second daughter. He laid his eyes down on her, and thought for a moment before a thought struck him and he looked at his son and nudged him with his paw.

Looking up at him, Kopa looked confused as to what his father wanted; Simba nodded his head toward the third cub. "Go ahead…" he said giving his son another nudge with his paw.

"Who…me?" Kopa looked at his father then at his mother who first looked at Simba and then at her son when she finally got what her mate was trying to do and smiled nodding and looked at Kopa. "Yes Kopa, go on, pick a name, she's your sister after all…you should have a chance," she smiled leaning forward she nuzzled her first born.

Kopa wasn't sure what to think about his parents giving him permission to name his little sister. He, much like them, wasn't completely sure, but then again he was just a cub, so of course he wouldn't be good at names. But he looked at the smiles they were giving him, encouraging him, and he felt a moment of pride shoot through him that his parents were taking this chance to let him choose the name of his new sister.

Scooting forward a bit he looked down at the golden-brown tan cub and gave it a moments thought, names passing through his mind, he played around with some in his mind, mixing names together to see if he could find the perfect name to give the she-cub and then it came to him.

"Kiara!"

The royal couple looked at their son when he spoke; Kopa grinned and looked up at the two of them. "Kiara…I want to name her Kiara!" he told them holding his head high and grinning proudly.

"Kiara?" Simba repeated giving it a moment's thought and nodded, grinning at his mate who returned it with a smile. Zuri gazed down at Kopa, she reached out and wrapped her paw around him drawing him into her embrace next to the other cubs licking his cheek she nuzzled him, "That's a wonderful name Kopa," she stated smiling she protectively held all her cubs in her paws.

"Eshe, Musa and Kiara," Binti repeated each cubs name out loud and nodded padding over toward the Queen she gazed down at the three new cubs with a look of happiness that these three had come into the lives of the pride. They had a wonderful new prince, that who despite not becoming King would one day work along side his brother to help protect the pride along with Nuka and Kovu…depending upon if the two other male cubs would be around in the future, she thought silently to herself. She let her eyes land on Eshe and Kiara, Eshe at the moment had squirmed close to Kopa in their mothers arms and had her tiny body curled up beneath his chin, Kiara herself had curled her body into the warm fur of her mother's chest.

And two new wonderful princesses, beside's Vitani, it had been along time since the Pridelanders have had a princess, much less two at once. "They're all beautiful your majesties, they are indeed beautiful cubs and I pray they survive their first year!" she looked at Zuri as she said this watching the sadness and worry come over the Queen's face for a moment before it disappeared. Simba however, his face suddenly became serious and he nodded remembering why he had his mate and cubs hiding out in the Eastern caves to begin with.

"Will you be staying here?" Binti asked, turning her attention to Simba although she already knew his answer but asked nonetheless. The King didn't even have to give a moments thought of it before answering "Yes, tell my mother if she wishes she can come after the morning hunt, Zuri will need food to gain her strength back completely and produce enough milk!" ignoring the look his mate was giving him, he knew Zuri had enough milk for the cubs at the moment but he wasn't going to let her go hungry. She needed her strength after giving birth, and Kopa would need to eat soon as well so there would be no point in arguing about it.

The older lioness nodded, they would make sure Sarabi got the food she needed to bring before they would bring the kill back to Pride Rock. It would be best to have the former Queen head to the caves rather then returning, safer and easier, they would also make sure to hunt closer to the eastern borders as well now that she thought of it.

"Thank you Binti!" the lioness turned to face the Queen, who bowed her head to her in thanks. "Thank you for your support…I really needed it!" Having the older lionesses with her, almost reminded her as if she had her own mother there beside her which she often wished she had. She wished her mother could have been apart of both her births, she wished more then anything her cubs could know their other grandmother so dearly. But she was more then happy to share with them stories and this time she wouldn't wait so long to tell them about her and the Rasheda's like she had with Kopa.

Smiling, Binti bowed her head in return "It was my pleasure to help you your highness. And to watch the new Prince and Princesses come into the world." She turned and began to leave but stopped and looked back at Simba, "Simba, I have something to discuss with you about the Eastern Pride…I brought Kopa there earlier so he could play safely with them, there is a secret entrance far into the caves that I took…we met with the pride and the King would be glad to build the old alliance with the Pridelands once again!"

The King looked confused for a moment, catching this Binti explained, "The Pridelanders and the mashariki Pride have had alliances for some time but they were severed during Scar's reign. When the Pridelands were dying, and the herds left, they moved further into their land. The pride had split into two separate prides that live in the Eastern territory but King Jozi is willing to strengthen the alliance again. The pride is blessed with six cubs of their own, and Kopa here seems to enjoy their company," she smiled too Kopa who nodded and looked up at his father.

"They're my new friends Dad, and King Jozi and his brother Khal are cool, we played this game…" Kopa didn't finish his sentence for Zuri cleared her throat and nudged him as a hint that it was time for him to sleep along with his siblings. "But mom…"

"Now no buts young prince!" Zuri moved the smaller cubs around to allow Kopa to lay down more comfortable in her paws with them. The Prince laid his head on his mothers arm, turning his head enough to nuzzle it in her upper chest. She looked at Simba as she listened to Binti explain more about the Easter Pride and thought for a moment and smiled, "Simba and I will talk about it Binti, need not worry!"

Chuckling, Binti nodded and smiled bowing her head to the royals before she finally disappeared out of the cave. She stopped when she was outside, it was already dark but her eyes let her see through the darkness. She scanned the area to see if there were any of Zira's spies roaming about than she jumped down and began making her way toward Pride Rock making sure to take the long way to confuse her scent in the area. Unaware of the pair of menacing amber eyes that watched her from where they were hidden in the tall grass just downwind from the cave.

Zira had been outside the Eastern caves for some time, she been there just before Rafiki had arrived. When she noticed the shaman she had hidden herself in the grass, she could tell the Queen and Prince was nearby for she could smell there scent like Kumai said their scent was strong in the entire area and seemed to come from the rocks. When she smelt blood, and the change in the Queens scents she knew she had gone into labour, she thought this was perfect.

She could attack now; all that was with her should be Binti for Kumai had said the lioness was staying with the Queen and the prince. Binti was much older then she, she could handle her and with the Queen giving birth, she could not defend herself and the prince was too young to fight her off. Yes, now would be the perfect time, and she could avenge her Scar. She was about to move in, when the mandrill arrived causing her to hide once more and she scowled, not sure if she was able to fight off both Binti and Rafiki, but she knew it would be worth a few wounds. What could a Shaman do to her? Other then hit her with his stick.

The scent of blood from the Queen grew stronger, now was the time to attack! She told herself. While they were all busy taking care of the Outsider. She lowered her body to the ground and began creeping her way toward the cave when she heard the sound of someone approaching and scowled as she stopped her advance and lowered herself to hide even more. She stopped when she saw it was Binti, and she had Kopa with her.

Where did those two come from…? Scowling to herself that she may have had her chance to kill the prince if she had known he was out of the cave. She watched silently as the two made their way into the cave. She knew it would only be a matter of time now before others arrived.

Do it, kill them now before others come…let them arrive to see them all dead rather then newborn cubs…let them feel grief rather then joy…the thought of finally avenging her mate and getting her revenge on Simba was distracting enough that she didn't notice Simba arriving until it was almost too late to hide again. Although Kumai had reassured them that the King seemed to have no clue about what was going on like the other lionesses she knew she now stood no chance in killing the outsider and her cubs with the King there.

It seemed hours that she was out there, the sun had set, Rafiki had been the first to leave but since then no one stepped out of the cave. She could not get any closer for the wind had shifted and she had to find a new hiding place so that her scent would not be detected by them. She alone could not fight off Simba, if Binti decided to tell the King about her threat against the Queen. A low growl built up in her throat, she knew she stood no chance against Simba alone, much less with Binti there to help him. The lioness may be old but the two of them was enough to take her down…

The former Queen lay crouched in the grass for hours till she noticed movement come from the caves and she watched Binti slip out the confined entrance looking around. This made Zira lower herself completely to the ground, she had changed her positions many times each time the wind seemed to chance to keep her scent downwind from those present. When the lioness finally jumped and began heading on toward home, was when Zira pushed herself up from the ground and stared after her then focused her attention on the cave where she could smell the entire royal family.

Another day wasted, she thought angrily. She should have attacked the moment she smelt the blood and knew the Queen was going into labour. And her problems would be solved, her revenge would be over and Kovu would once again be heir to the throne just as Scar had hoped he would be. She knew now it would have to be soon, and this time she would return with the others for if the outsider regained her strength or another was with her, she had backup. It didn't matter how many fell, she would get her revenge.

Taking one last look at the cave, Zira began making her way back toward Pride Rock, many different plans going through her head of how she would accomplish her goal.

It was as she had expected, the pride was awaiting her when she arrived. Many were inside the den but Ita and Kana were sitting up front, when they spotted Binti coming over the ridge Ita called into the cave and sure enough Sarabi was the first to come running out. "What happened!? Is everything alright? How many cubs are there!? Are they male or female? What are their names!?"

"Whoa! Sarabi dear, calm down, all the cubs are fine and healthy; Rafiki was there to be sure of that. Zuri passed out, but she's now awake and healthy as well!" she waited until the other lionesses were all gathered when she started to announce the rest. "There are three cubs…" she smiled at their excited gasps at the mention of how many cubs Zuri had given birth too this time.

She cut Sarabi off when she was about to ask the sex of the cubs, "There is one male, and two females. The new prince and one princess both have their mother's colour fur, and the third cub is a darkish creamy brownish-gold tan. The boy they named Musa, the brown she-cub they named Eshe, and the third…they let the young Prince name her, Kopa gave his little sister the name of Kiara!" she finished with a smile as she watched her fellow pride-sisters each share looks before they started to nuzzle Sarabi giving her, their congratulations.

Even Nala, though after she nuzzled the lioness that helped raise her along side her mother, she took a step back. Her mind going over what Binti had just announced to them, three cubs…Zuri had given birth to three…she was happy for her friend, for despite how Nala felt toward Simba, Zuri was still her friend. Turning her head toward the East, she had a heavy heart about this entire situation. Perhaps it would not be best to confront Simba about her affections for him…perhaps she should continue to keep them to herself…maybe, just maybe they would pass.

"When may we see the new little ones?" Ajia asked.

"Simba, has suggested Sarabi be the first. He wants you to head to the caves as soon as you finish the morning hunt so that food can be delivered to Zuri and Kopa. The Queen is fine, but she will need the food to regain her strength, she had passed out just as Kiara was delivered with Rafiki's help, she had trouble delivering the cub…but don't worry!" Binti said laying her paw on Sarabi's when she noticed her worried look. "Kiara is just fine, Rafiki made it clear that she was healthy despite the trouble getting her out so don't worry Sarabi, and I'm sure you'll love them when you see them…they are so beautiful."

Stepping around Sarabi, Binti began making her way inside the cave where she could smell some left over's, she hadn't given much thought before at how hungry she was but now that she smelt it, she had to eat. Her Pride-sisters followed her on into the caves, some asking for more information on the cubs, each was equally excited to have three new cubs in there pride.

None more excited and happy then Sarabi, she had three new grand cubs. A new grandson and two granddaughters…she felt the tears come to her eyes and closed them as her mouth spread into a smile. "Musa…Eshe…Kiara…" she whispered each cubs name letting each one roll off her tongue, "Kopa…Musa…Eshe…Kiara…" this time she spoke the name of all four of her grand-cubs.

Opening her eyes, the former Queen lifted her eyes to the starry sky above, smiling as she watched the stars twinkle. "Oh great kings…you have blessed me again…and this pride…you continue to watch over us…I pray to you that nothing happens to these cubs…or anything to my family…Oh Mufasa!" she spoke her deceased mates name with sadness.

"How I wish you were here…how proud you would be of our son…how I wish you could see your grand-cubs!" she whispered to the Great kings above.

Unknowns to her, back in the Eastern caves where the royal family had all fallen asleep, Simba resting with his arm wrapped around his mate, and his head curled around her front paws where all four of their cubs rested protected by the both of them. Eshe had in her blind-state climbed over her brothers and sister and mothers arm where she curled up on it nuzzling herself against the side of her fathers head right into his mane. Once she was comfortable and close to her father breathing in his scent, Eshe fell right on back to sleep.

At the back of the cave, just a foot from the royals, sat two ghostly lions who watched their cubs and grand-cubs sleep. Zakia smiled as she watched a smile come across Zuri's face for the first time in a while since she slept, for once in a long time the Pridelander Queen had a peaceful dreamless sleep as she curled sleeping along side her entire family that night. She had been in the cave the entire time Zuri had given birth, just like she had been there when she had given birth to Kopa. Although Zuri and those she was with at the time had no clue she was there. She could not help but want to be there beside her daughter while she had her cubs no matter what form she was in.

"They're all beautiful…aren't they Mufasa?" she turned her head to the large red mane lion beside her. When she died, that horrible night she had rescued her daughter from the hyenas it had been Mufasa who had greeted her, at first she thought she been looking into the face of Simba, it was shocking how similar the two looked alike but it didn't take long to see the differences. Mufasa was more stockier then his son and his mane were much larger. But his smile was similar to that of Simba's.

Mufasa had come to her to thank her for what she had done, in helping raise and take care of his son. He had introduced her to the other Great King's as well as their mates…as well as reintroducing her too…

"Of course they are, they have the genes of both our lines!" Zakia turned her head as beside her another lion stepped out of nowhere. His fur was dark like the earth, his mane though was a healthy golden colour and his eyes were a sky blue, he grinned at her and bumped his head against hers. "You're late Kopa!" she greeted her mate. She had been shocked and happy when they had been reunited.

He told her, that he never abandoned her even in death, that he been there the entire time watching over her and Zuri. He been there to look over her and Jaali and Simba when they had ventured outside the territory and got lost, that he been there through everything…and more importantly he apologized for how he failed her in dying but she knew he had died to protect her and their daughter. She had known for years and so for that she never truly hated her mate for it.

"Sorry," he grinned, "I was checking on the Rasheda's!"

"How is my sister?"

"Well, growing old every day, but well…" Kopa turned his head to Mufasa, "You sure this is the right plan Mufasa? This is my daughter and OUR grand-cubs this is happening too…" he been furious when he been told of the plan, after going through so much, after dying to make sure his cub survived he could not believe he was going to stand by and allow her to die at the paws of a tyrant lioness at that.

Mufasa took his eyes off his sleeping son and grand-cubs and looked at his friend with a saddened expression. "I do not like this plan anymore then you do my friend, but no matter what we do…Zira will never stop…"

"Then talk to your brother!" Kopa walked over to the larger lion. "Surely he can talk some sense into his former mate!"

Closing his eyes, Mufasa sighed; "Would you rather the Rasheda's died out?" he asked looking at the golden mane lion.

Kopa stopped and shared a look with Zakia then sighed in defeat, there was no doubt the Rasheda's were in trouble, the only young lions they had were his nephew and young nieces the rest were growing in age. In fact in the last few months a few lionesses had died from old age cutting the pride's numbers low. He looked torn, "But this…is my daughter…" he whispered while Zakia made her way over and nuzzled her head into his neck and mane.

"I understand…and I am sorry…but there is nothing we can do to stop Zira…but there are things we can do to keep the cubs safe…if we can we may be able to save all the cubs…" Mufasa prayed that be the case. But Kopa's fate was no longer to be the king of the Pridelands he had a new destiny back in his mother's pride. He did not like this any more then they did he knew the loss of his mate and maybe his cubs was going to tear his son apart he had lost so much growing up and the happiness his gained was going to be taken from him. It filled Mufasa with guilt and sadness knowing what this would do to his only son.

Zakia focused her attention on her daughter and grand-cubs before looking at Mufasa, "Those two friends of yours…they will suffice for this?"

The former Pridelander King nodded, "Yes. They will do their parts in this well."

"You better hope so Mufasa!" Kopa growled giving his friend a hardened look, "This is my daughter you're talking about with this…"

"And my son as well…I fear what this will do to him as well…but he will have his pride…his mother…and his cubs!" Mufasa walked over and looked down at the young cubs sleeping in the protective care of their parents. He looked at Simba's sleeping form and sighed, "Forgive me my son…if I could protect her…I would…" he whispered before he turned and disappeared from sight leaving only Kopa and Zakia alone in the cave with the sleeping royals.

The golden dark lion made his way over and gazed down at his daughter with soft eyes, when he laid dying, his last thoughts of been of his mate and more importantly his daughter. His beautiful little Zuri had only been a week old, but had yet to open her eyes when news of a strange rogue lion had ventured into their territory.

He and Mansa had split up to cover all sides of the territory, they weren't going to let that lion get anywhere near their pride and cubs. He and Zakia had tried many times to have cubs, their cub before Zuri had been stillborn and it had devastated his mate to the point that she almost didn't want to even try and attempt at having another fearing they would get the same result. When Zuri had been born, and they saw that she was healthy, they had both rejoiced that they had a healthy cub. And he was proud to be the father of a daughter. She was his little Zuri…he had been the one to name her, after begging his mate for the opportunity to do so.

And he wasn't going to let this rogue kill her if he got anywhere close to the caves. It had been he who found the lion…or more like the lion had found him. The rogue had attacked him from behind after circling him through the underbrush, he had roared out to signal Mansa of his situation and he knew he had been heard for Mansa had responded with a roar of his own to alert that he was on his way. But it did not matter…for by the time Mansa had arrived, the rogue had overpowered Kopa with sheer size and strength. He had been taken down when the rogue had managed to get his jaws around Kopa's neck cutting off his air supply.

It had been then when Mansa had arrived and tore the rogue off his friend, Kopa had watched the entire fight from half lidded eyes from where he had collapsed in a pool of his own blood. The fight between Mansa and the rogue lasted for a good few minutes but the blood lose from the wounds that Kopa himself had managed to inflict on the rogue caused him to slow down. With a good swipe of his much larger paw, Mansa struck the rogue hard in the head making him into a rock where they knew he died from the resounding crack of his skull hitting the rock.

Mansa had then rushed to his side. But it was too late for Kopa, unable to speak from the wound in his throat and the blood in his mouth he begged his cub hood friend with his eyes to watch over his mate and daughter. 'Don't worry…I'll protect them…nothing will happen to them my friend…I promise…' Mansa had stayed by his friend's side the entire time while he took his final breathes. Both males had tears running down their faces. Mansa from knowing he been too late to save his friend, and Kopa from knowing he never got the chance to say goodbye to his mate. Zakia been sleeping when he left and he been in too much of a hurry to wake her, and he cried for the fact that he would not be there for his daughter and see her grow up…to be there…to be the one who protected her…and taught her alone side his mate…he hadn't even had the chance to see what colour eyes she would have…

Those had been his dying thoughts. But he had not left them entirely…in death he watched over them…he was there in spirit when Mansa had returned home to the pride carrying his dead body with him on his back…the heart breaking cry from his mate had broken his heart…it had taken some time and two lionesses, Leta and Aida to drag Zakia away from his body so that Mansa could take it to where all their dead were laid to rest.

He watched how Zakia hardly ate, if it hadn't been for Leta reminding her that she needed to eat to produce milk for Zuri she would have starved herself to death. He was there in spirit when Zuri opened her eyes for the first time, her beautiful sapphire eyes…his eyes. He had also been there when Simba had been brought to the pride…that had been the day he had met Mufasa. He promised the red mane lion he watch over his son for Mufasa had two responsibilities to look over his son and his Kingdom that was falling to ruin under his brother.

With his paw he reached out and laid it upon his daughter's head. He watched as she stirred a little but didn't wake. He then looked at his grand-cubs more importantly he looked at his eldest grandson, the one he been so proud of to know his daughter had named her first son after him. At first he was surprised, but then proud and honoured that his daughter and son-in-law would honour him by naming their first born after him. Zakia had joked that she thought his pride would go to his head when they found that out.

Making her way over, Zakia nuzzled her mate and stared down upon the two she had raised. She had hoped Simba and Zuri would become mates, she knew from watching them grow up that the two had a special bond and saw how they often looked upon one another. She been shocked when she had found out the truth about Simba after her death, but it did not phase her she still loved him like a son, and now here he was her son-in-law.

She looked upon her sleeping grand-cubs with a loving smile, "They are truly beautiful…"

"Yes they are…" Kopa breathed bending his head down so he could take a closer look at them. Little Eshe reminded him so much of what his daughter looked like when she was just born, he nuzzled her watching her mew and turn more into her fathers mane till it almost swallowed her tiny body up. He chuckled and bent back up licking his mate's cheek. Then he looked at Kopa, and for a moment he was silently before he said "He will make a fine King…a fine Rasheda!"

"Like his grandfather was!" Zakia whispered to him, she bent her head and nuzzled her sleeping daughter and then each cub, tears in her eyes as she looked upon them her heart ached for what was to come. Stepping back, she gave her mate a look then together they both turned and disappeared into the darkness to go join the others leaving the royal family together in their last few happy moments they may ever have together.