Chapter 7 - A surprise.
Shani had taken the cubs back to Pride Rock whilst Kiara was still at her hunting lessons.
"Hey grandma!" said Nieera as she pranced around Nala's legs joyfully. "Where's grandpa? He promised me a story!"
Nala chuckled and picked Nieera by the scruff of her neck and walked over to where Shani was sitting. She lay down and began bathing Nieera playfully.
"Grandpa's out right now. But he'll return. He just went to see Zazu." she replied.
"Zazu?" Niobe gasped.
"Yes. He's my best friend and daddy's ... uh.. what was the word?" Nieera turned her head to Nala.
"Majordomo." she replied. After slipping out of her grandmother's arms, Nieera ran to Niobe and the two began play fighting.
"Hey Nala." said Shani, smiling at her aunt.
"Hey, Shani. What's going on today?"
"The most exciting thing ever! Me and Kiara have bethrolled Nieera and Niobe!" Shani squealed. She was very excited about it.
"That's great! I'm so happy for them." Nala beamed. "So, is Kiara going to tell Nieera about Danira?" The cubs ran back in, squeezing themselves into the conversation.
"Who's Danira?" asked Niobe, Nieera agreed with him. The two cubs tilted their heads and put on a confused face.
"Nobody, hun. Just... just a distant friend." replied Shani. Just then Simba returned and the two cubs ran to him.
"Hey grandpa!" cried Nieera as she ran.
"Grandpa! Will you tell us the story?" asked Niobe. He was also Simba's grandson in a way. Since Simba was Shani's uncle. Nala and Simba weren't Shani's straight aunt and uncle, but they were kind of. They were so close so they just considered it.
"Yes, Niobe. Let's go and sit over there." Simba said, leading the cubs to the back to the back of the cave; the darkest place.
After a while, the cubs fell asleep and Kiara and Kovu returned.
"Hey everyone. What'd we miss?" asked Kovu, stepping into the conversation.
"Nothing much. But the cubs are asleep." Simba grinned. Kiara walked in and gave her daughter a lick. It was night and the rest of the Pride were beginning to enter the cave.
The lionesses were all scattered around the cave floor; in the their usual places. Everyone was sleeping soundly but Kiara couldn't sleep.
"I have to tell Nieera." she muttered as she stepped out of the cave. Something came tumbling, it looked like a cub. It was covered in dust. The dust disguised her beautiful coat, but that could soon be taken care of with a bath.
'No way.' thought Kiara as she stared at the cub. The cub looked exactly the same as Nieera, though it looked a bit older; maybe six weeks older. The cub shivered and sneezed.
"Mother?" the cub shivered. Kiara's heart thumped. She couldn't abandon this cub - not in this state. She picked up the young cub and walked inside, laying it between her and Kovu - next to Nieera. The cub fell asleep, snoring quietly and wriggling. It was warm.
"Goodnight, young cub. I'll bath you and give you food tomorrow." Kiara said, laying her head so she could sleep.
Okay, so this is Chapter 7. Please review! Hope you liked it! *Think - this has something to do with Nieera's sister.* - What could it be? Thanks for reading!