Thanks for the reviews. Here's the second chapter of Innocence II. Enjoy.

It was a gorgeous, sunny afternoon in the Pridelands. Graceful animals such as gazelles and giraffes pranced through the beautiful savannah without a care in the world. The sun shined across the land, illuminating the crystal, clear waterhole. Birds sang and butterflies floated around. Despite the beauty the Pridelands' atmosphere had to offer, this day was all but cheerful. In fact, this was a sad occasion.

"Blessed we were to have known this magnificent hornbill," Rafiki spoke. "We'll never see him here again in body, flying about with those dependable wings. But he remains with us all in spirit. He has served the royal lion family with honor, integrity and loyalty. May his spirit spread its wings and fly upon a land where he can rest in eternal peace. Zazu, we say goodbye to you. Gone but never forgotten."

Kiara and the pride were overwhelmed with tears as Rafiki led this mournful ceremony. Zazu, the hornbill and major domo for the late King Simba and briefly the current queen died of old age. His death was a peaceful one. Zazu was truly an important part of Kiara's life, having served her since the day she left the womb. Once the burial service for Zazu was over, everyone departed from the site.

Later on that day, Kiara stood at the peak of Pride Rock and stared out at the setting sun. Kiara was hardly feeling any better. The death of Zazu was just another weight on her.

"Auntie Kiara?" a voice interrupted her thoughts.

Kiara looked and seen her nephew, Kion and Fuli's son. "Hey Faraji."

Little Faraji, now a month and a half, climbed onto his aunt's back. He was an adorable little rascal. He had Kion's big, light brown eyes. He was slim like Fuli and had her light golden fur, and few spots on his head that was the exact same formation of a heart like Fuli's. A dark red brown tuff laid on the lion-cheetah cub's head.

"I'm sorry about Zazu," Faraji said.

"Yes, so am I," Kiara sighed." However, it's only a short matter of time before my grief passes. You remember what your mom and dad taught you about death and how it applies to the great circle of life?"

"Yes," Faraji nodded."Death is inevitable. There is always more life after death. It is what we do while we're alive that makes all the difference."

Kiara smiled before bending down and nuzzled her nephew. A clearing of a throat caused Kiara to look and see her mother walking over.

"Faraji, your parents are looking for you."

Faraji nodded and ran towards the cave. Nala chuckled before turning her green eyes on her daughter with a sigh.

"Kiara, what's wrong?"

Kiara raised a eye brow. "What makes you think something is wrong?"

Nala sighed heavily before shaking her head. "Kiara, you're my daughter. I know when something is bothering you." the peachy cream lioness took a deep breath. "Does it have to do with anything what Akan told you?"

Kiara looked at her mother with wide eyes. "How did you know?"

Nala looked at her daughter and sighed deeply, "You haven't been the same since you defeated your uncle."

Kiara scoffed. "He's no family of mine. Not only did he kill my father and blame me but he lied and said father killed grandpa."

Nala looked away before looking at her daughter again. "Akan wasn't lying."

Kiara looked at her mother with wide eyes. "You can't be serious!"

Nala slowly nodded. "Simba killed his father to protect your grandmother Sarabi. It was a accident."

Kiara shook her head before looking at her mother. "Why didn't you tell me? Kion and Brandt?"

Nala felt bad but there wasn't much she could do. "Kiara, your father and I was going to tell you three but..."

"...the stampede happened." Kiara finshed. The golden orange lioness looked over her kingdom and sighed. "Now that is one less thing I have to worry about. Now I have to worry about finding a new majordomo."

Nala smiled lightly. "Ono is pretty good candidate."

Kiara thought about it. "I'll speak to Kion. But now I have to check on Alyssa. I don't know why but she left to give birth a few days before Almasi was born. She came back earlier today, so I'm going to see her than go check on the herds with Tiffu."

Nala nodded before turning to head towards the cave. "I'll watch Almasi with Edina."

Kiara nodded her head before heading towards Alyssa's private cave.

Akan's Old Cave

A eight month old whitish-beige cub rolled her brown eyes as she watched the lionesses that was loyal to her father fawn over her new baby sister.

"She's adorable. What's her name?" asked a pale gray lioness.

Alyssa looked from the pale gray lioness to the tawny beige cub at her side. "Akan wanted to name her Elena. His heir."

"Mama! Mama!"

Alyssa looked up towards the cave entrance to see a cold beige furred cub run in with wide greenish-blue eyes. "Barton, what is it?"

The cub stopped by the whitish-beige cub's side. His small chest was heaving as he tried to catch his breath. "Queen Kiara is on her way."

Alyssa groaned before growling when Kiara appeared with a creamy lioness. "Kiara...What pleasure do I owe of this visit?"

Kiara nodded before looking at the tawny beige cub that was looking around with bright green eyes, brighter than her mother's but exactly like...Akan's...Kiara cleared her throat and gave a small smile before turning and walked out of the cave with Tiffu following.

Alyssa smiled evilly before moving her brown eyes to her new daughter. "You will be the key to take back your father's throne."

TLKTLKTLKTLK

"So...?"

Kiara looked from the path ahead to the creamy lioness. "What?"

Tiffu giggled and went to say something when she saw Echo apporching. When the dark brown lioness reached the queen and Tiffu, she seemed to be glowing.

Tiffu raised a eye brow, "What got you all happy?" the creamy lioness gasped with a playful smile. "You're not pregnant, are you?"

Echo shook her head and gave a small laugh. "Not yet anyway. I just got finished talking with Brandt and he wants to start a family."

Kiara and Tiffu smiled before looking out and noticed the light tanned teen lioness hunting with a few other lionesses that hang around Alyssa like flies to poo.

"What's the story with her?"

Tiffu and Echo followed Kiara's gaze. Tiffu shook her head as Echo sighed before moving her pale green eyes to the golden orange queen.

"That's Vitani. She's Zira and Akan's daughter. She was born a few weeks before.."

Kiara looked at her sister in law. "Before what?"

Tiffu sighed, "Alyssa killed Zira in a fight. Sina raised her."

Kiara groaned before turning to walk away. "Great. Another child of my evil uncle in my kingdom."

"Kiara!" Echo and Tiffu gasped.

Kiara ignored them and kept walking. After all she has been away from her daughter long enough.

Mountain Kingdom

A three year old russet furred lion glared as he watched his uncle meet with the new queen of the Pridelands. A large dull brown lion walked over with menacing growl.

"Pathetic."

The russet lion growled. "Jaali is...I could be a better king. One that won't rely on the mate of the enemy."

The dull brown lion nodded before looking at his friend. "Well, Jamali I have a girl. She's helping a lioness in her plan for a revenge. You should talk to her."

Jamali nodded as he continued to watch the Pridelands queen and his uncle. "Maybe I will, Jareb. Maybe I will..."