Nieera galloped back to Pride Rock, ashamed of what she'd done Niobe. Tears began sprinting from her eyes as she ran. Dark streaks of tears rolled down her cheeks. The teen-aged lioness closed her eyes as she approached home. Quickly, Nieera wiped a paw down her muzzle to get rid of the tears. Niobe and her sister would be in even more trouble if her parents found out she was crying.

She entered the warm den, finding the rest of her family. "Mom.." she muttered. "C..can I speak to you?" she looked around. "Alone?"

Simba spoke. "I think I'd better stay." but Nala tugged him.

"No, dear. They need time alone. Mom, you too." she dragged Sarafina with her as well and only Kovu, Kiara and Nieera remained in the cave.

"Mom." she began. "I did something wrong," she looked to her paws. "Don't be mad..."

Kovu looked to Kiara with concern. "What did you do?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.

"I..I kissed Niobe and.. and he lo..loves Namiya. Sorry." tears continued to roll down her cheeks until Kiara nuzzled her with a chuckle.

"Oh, hun. You're suppose to be marrying Niobe. Remember you asked what 'betrothed' meant?" she chuckled. "Me and Shani were arranging your marriage."

"Really?"

"Wait... Namiya kissed your husband?!" yelled Kovu, angry that things went terribly wrong.

"Yes.. but father, let them be. They love each other." stated Nieera. Though it would hurt her, it had to happen.

"Yes, dear." Kiara nuzzled Kovu. "We weren't allowed to meet each other when we were young."

"Why not?"

"Because the Pridelanders and Outsiders were enemies." said Shani, walking in. She shook her fur and took a seat next to Nieera. "They were banished because they sided with Scar and so we couldn't trust them anymore."

"But, then who will Shani marry?"

"I'm sure she'll find a love of her own and that brings me to something.." said Kiara. Just then, Namiya and Niobe walked in.

"Father, I have something to tell you.." stated Namiya, prepared to begin.

"It's alright, Namiya. We know." said Kovu which made Namiya sigh in relief. It hurt Nieera to see them nuzzle and lick each other so much but it brought happiness to her that she'd find someone she truly loved.

"Now, the pride knows, but not you guys.." began Kiara. "But, I'm expecting a cub!" she nuzzled Kovu happily.

"But who will be the heir to the throne?" asked Shani.

"Our true cub will." said Kovu.

"True? We are your true cubs!" roared Nieera and Namiya in unison.

"Not exactly." said Simba, stepping in with Nala, Sarafina and Vitani. "Your mother died years ago. She died giving birth to Nieera and we assumed Namiya was her cub that was born still."

"WHAT?!" gasped Niobe, Nieera and Namiya.

"So.. you're not our true parents? And Nieera's my TRUE sister?" gasped Namiya.

"Yes." said Sarafina, butting in.

"Remember that flowerbed you found?" asked Kovu. Nieera and Niobe nodded. "That was your mother's resting place."

"What about our father?" asked Nieera, getting pulled deeper into the conversation. "Did he survive?"

"The truth is, we don't know. But he came here on the count of Nieera's birth but once he found out about your mother's death, he didn't want to know about you." explained Nala.

"May I ask, what was her name?" asked Niobe, becoming curious.

"Danira." Shani told her son. Vitani sulked, remembering the past about how rude she was to Danira.

Zazu was still trying to get Nzuri's attention. He got a bird and began kissing her to make Nzuri jealous - just as Timon said.

Nzuri came forward and slapped Zazu with her wing. "Jerk!" she yelled. "I love you, now just date me already! There, I said it." she said stubbornly. The other bird flew and Zazu's eye balls turned into love hearts.

"Thank you, Timon, wherever you are!" he yelled before embracing Nzuri and giving her thousands of kisses.

"Never thought my plan would actually work." stated Timon, clapping his hands.

Down in Anara's den, Sukari was getting ready to give birth. Giza was kept outside, waiting for his sibling to appear. Anara licked his head.

"She'll be fine." he said and walked inside.

The birth lasted for hours and Giza was bored. He stared at his reflection. "I'm going to be a big brother." he chanted. He began to grow a bit of mane. It was black like Scar's and curly.

After a few hours, Anara emerged from the den, a smile on his face. "Come in, Giza." he invited.

Happily, the cub pranced inside and found his mother asleep with two cubs. There were two cubs - male and female.

"Meet Ayo," Sukari licked the female. "and Mapenzi." she licked the male.

Ayo was a light brown with amber orbs and a few freckles. Mapenzi was a light grey like Anara with blue orbs.

Chapter 18! Yes, I know - Nieera and Namiya have discovered the truth. This is the most exciting part of this chapter :D Sukari has given birth and Zazu earned his mate. Never thought Timon's plan actually worked :3 He usually fails lol

Shani's back and Muta will return in the next chapter with a surprise! I might have Nieera and Namiya have cubs in the end of the story since there is still so much drama that's going to occur. Thanks! :3 Please review!

Characters

Ayo - "Joy" - Ayo is Anara and Sukari's only daughter. She is the half sister of Namiya and Nieera, sister to Mapenzi and Giza. She is light brown like Sukari, she has amber eyes and is often joyful and playful. She is the second oldest cub. She seems to love baths and always sticks around with her mother.

Mapenzi - "Funny" - Mapenzi is the youngest. He has a way of making other's laugh. His main pelt is a light grey like Anara's and is always trying to tackle Giza. He likes to venture out with his siblings and he likes meeting new friends. It's hard for him to say goodbye to someone.