Hello fellow readers and authors. I am truly sorry for the late update. By the way, the song used in the last chapter was Innocence by Avril Lavigne. So now without further delay here's the next chapter of Innocence II.

"Kiara, she's amazing," Kopa whispered as he gazed upon the sleeping cub snuggled comfortably in her mother's arms. Kiara smiled and nodded before she gently licked her daughter's head. Sherise whimpered before she leaned against Kiara's warm tongue and purred.

"Our little princess," Kopa said softly.

Kiara smiled, but it wavered and she let out a sigh. Kopa caught it and narrowed his eyes a bit down at her.

"Kiara, they're not going to turn out like how your father and uncle did," he reprimanded.

"I know," Kiara replied, but she regretted it when she realized that the volume of her voice was too loud and it caused Sherise to squirm and whimper in against her mother's fur. But quieted down until she was calm and was asleep again.

"Kiara, Sherise is not going to try to get rid of her brother one day you need to tell yourself that she'll be always there for Torrent and she won't end up like her great-uncle." His tone was determined yet soft not to disturb the infant.

"I-I know. It's just that what will happen to her when her brother starts to be taught how to king? She might feel jealous of all the attention he'll be getting and feel unwanted because of his position while she has nothing. What then," Kiara asked and sighed again.

Before Kopa could speak, both heard the clicking of gourds against one another and footsteps approaching and they turn their direction to the mouth of the den where Raja was coming in with her staff. Her expression grew wide as she saw the two rulers with their offspring right before her.

"Aah, Kiara, my friend. And Kopa! Congratulations again," she said. Both smiled and allowed her to look at the bundle in the queen's arms. Jaja remembered something Rafiki told her before he passed away. She moved her brown eyes from the princess to Kiara and Kopa. "She will make an excellent leader of the Lion Guard. No?"

Kiara looked shocked and she gaped at her. "L-Lion Guard?! Are you sure Jaja? You and I both know that the last Lion Guard..."

"-Was destroyed by the one who lead it, Mundu. He had left a dark impact on the Guard's name and legacy and had shamed it." Jaja's head had dipped solemnly, but then she perked it up again at the happy truth. "But your daughter has a chance to change all that. As the second born, she is chosen by the Great Kings of the Past to take up responsibility to form and lead the new Lion Guard when the time is right. Together, along with Kion they will protect the Pridelands and the balance of the Circle of Life. She will stand by her brother and aid him in his time of need."

Jaja then placed a hand on Kiara's shoulder. "But you need to believe that she can do it. She will not fail you if you give her a chance." With that she nodded at the king and queen and began walking out of the cave.

"Okay, now tell me that you still don't believe that our daughter will remain good and loyal to her brother, Kiara," Kopa said.

Kopa's voice jolted Kiara out of her thoughts and she turned back to the pale golden lion. Before she could speak though, she heard a whine from her arms and looked down to see Sherise squirming. Kiara gave a small smile and slowly bend down and nuzzled her daughter. Sherise's whines soon subsided into purrs and she snuggled back comfortably against her mother causing Kiara to smile.

"I think you have quite the bright future, little fierce princess," Kiara said softly.

In the desert

They were exhusted. They were already bruised now they were forced to walked through the scorching desert. But they had to get away. Their old home wasn't a home anymore. The lions that took over was unbearable, even when they killed her father and her mate. Now she was travelling with a her daughter to a safer pride. The dark tan lioness walking ahead looked over her shoulder with concern in her brown eyes.

"You okay, Ayana?"

A creamy tan cub nodded, but honestly she wasn't okay. How can she be okay? Ayana shook her head to clear her thoughts before continuing walking. It wasn't going to do none of them good, travelling through the desert longer than necessary. The dark tan lioness frowned before getting into step with her daughter. The journey through the desert was hot and horrible. The burning sand scorched their already worned paws. After awhile Ayana stopped with a heavy breath.

"Mama! My paws hurt!" the creamy tan cub voice her complaint for the hundredth time that day since it was a day and a half since her mother asked her was she okay.

It's been five days since they left; the morning after they made their way to a new pride. Ayana's mother hasn't given her much information on their new home yet though except for the fact that she guarantees she's going to love it. Ayana just hope her mother knows what she's getting them into after all, her mother is relying on a story she heard. Because the last pride they thought was home, was more to the description of a living nightmare than a blissful dream.

Just the cub didn't think that they would have to cross the desert. It's so hot! And dry! They have been walking through this wasteland for most of the day and every step they take feels like it's going to be the last one! Their paws ache from the brutal temperature of the scorching ground beneath them and the creamy tan cub could almost hear her saliva sizzle as soon as it escapes from her mouth and hits the sandy ground. Ayana sighed, she could hear her mother now saying, 'How unladylike!'

"I know dearie, but we need to get to a shelter before it gets dark. It's too dangerous to be out here another night." Ayana's mother calls as she falls back until they're side by side.

Ayana's mother looked at her daughter before sighing. She couldn't stop so she picked up her daughter and continued forward. After what felt like forever Ayana's mother relaxed a bit after feeling the cracked stones turn into soft grass. But before she could rest a loud roar caused the dark tan lioness' ears to perk before she place her cub on the ground just as three lions appeared with a white egret flying above.

"Rogue! Why are you trespassing!" the pale golden lion demanded.

Ayana's mother bowed her head in respect. "I am looking for a safe pride to raise my daughter."

The lions shared a look before the pale golden lion looked back at the dark tan lioness. "I can reserve judgement until the queen decides. But until then introductions are in order. I am King Kopa and these two are my brother in laws, Prince Kion and Prince Brandt. And welcome to the Pridelands."

TLKTLKTLKTLK

It's been six weeks since Kiara accepted Ayana and her mother, Ashaki. Kiara was heading down to spend time with her mother and brothers when she stopped and looked out into the Pridelands and seen Torrent and Ayana playing. A smile formed as she remembered playing with Kopa.

"After noon, your highness."

Kiara turned her head and nodded to Ashaki before returning her orange eyes on the playing cubs.

The dark tan lioness followed the golden orange queen's gaze and smiled when she saw her daughter playing with the prince. "I'm glad that our cubs are getting along well."

Kiara nodded in agreement. "I agree." as she continued to watch the cubs an idea popped up. "You know Ashaki almost every king or queen in the pridelands has had their mate chosen while they were cubs."

Ashaki looked at the queen and smiled lightly, "I haven't said anything but I was the queen in my old pride and when I was young my parents decided my mate."

Kiara nodded before continuing, "My parents chose my mate as well."

"I never had the chance to choose Ayana's mate. Since our pride was tooken."

Kiara thought about it and turned her head towards the plains, "When I choose Torrent's mate I want someone that will help him rule and someone that he likes."

Ashaki smiled as that was what her and her mate dreamed for their daughter, "That's all I wanted for Ayana."

As they continued to watch their cubs play Kiara turned back to the dark tan lioness, "I know I haven't known you or Ayana very long but I think that Torrent and Ayana would be a good king and queen."

Ashaki smiled, "I agree I have almost never seen my daughter this happy before in my life and she comes from a long royal bloodline."

Kiara smiled in return, "I still have to talk to Kopa and Torrent but I think that my decision is made."

Ashaki nodded as she stood. "I'll tell Ayana but once you and Kopa make a decision let me know."

While Ashaki went down Kopa was going up but he seen that they were together before he headed up the rocky slope. When Kopa reached the top he met Kiara who was heading down from the peak, "What were you and Ashaki talking about?

Kiara grinned, "You know how when you and I were cubs we were betrothed. I think that Torrent and Ayana should be betrothed."

Kopa frowned, "I don't know Kiara, Ayana and her mother just joined the pride. Besides I always thought he would choose his own mate."

Kiara nuzzled her mate with a reassuring smile, "Trust me Kopa, I can tell they'll be a good king and queen. Ayana was taught how to rule a pride by her mother. She was the future queen in her pride."

Kopa sighed before shaking his head, "I trust you Kiara. Ayana is a beautiful cub and will probably be a good queen especially if she was taught how to rule a pride. But are you doing what's good for the pridelands or what's good for Torrent?"

Kiara raised a eye brow, "What do you mean?"

Kopa sighed heavily, "Does he even like her?"

Kiara smiled at the memory, "Yes they at least were playing with each other."

Kopa sighed deeply, "If he likes her I agree with you Kiara."

Kiara embraced the pale golden lion. "I still have to talk to him; I needed your approval first."

"I want to be there when you talk to him."

Kiara nodded before she called for Timon and Pumbaa. Then they both walked towards her.

"Can you two go get Torrent?"

Timon said, "Sure Kiara." Then Timon and Pumbaa left to get the prince. A few minutes later Timon and Pumbaa returned with Torrent.

Kiara nuzzled her son before sitting by Kopa. "Torrent how do you feel about Ayana?"

Torrent looked between his parents before tilting his head. "She's okay I guess, why though?"

Kiara smiled brightly, "I think that when my time as queen has passed and you take the throne, Ayana should be your queen."

Shocked Torrent's orange eyes widen, "But I just met her."

"I know you two just met but I can tell you get along well."

Torrent frowned "But she is my friend."

Kopa decided to step in, "When your mother and I learned we were betrothed, we were cubs and just friends."

Torrent shook his head. "You don't get it. She's just a friend."

Kiara sighed. "Torrent try to understand I just want what's best for the future of the pridelands."

Torrent frowned before looking up, "But what if I meet someone else, can I change my mate?"

Kopa nodded and nuzzled his son, "We promise Torrent if you find a lioness that you love more before you become king she can be your mate, right Kiara?"

Kiara sighed and nodded reluctantly, "Yes of course."

Kopa turned to the goldish cub. "Thank you Torrent, you can go play some more."

Kiara waited until Torrent left before she turned to Kopa, "Why did you do that?"

Kopa shook his head. "As his king I want him to have a good mate for the next queen. But as his father I want him to be happy and follow his heart."

Kiara nodded, "I understand. I'll make the announcement but I don't think there will be another lioness."

Kopa raise a eye brow with a small smirk. "Don't be too sure Kiara."

Kiara thought of when Torrent met Alyssa's daughter. She shook her head before turning to Kopa. "I'm sure there won't be anyone else."

Kopa nodded not truly believing it, "You should tell Ashaki our decision to betroth them. Then you should announce it to the pride."

Kiara nodded before she went to find the dark tan lioness. The golden orange lioness found her new member by the lionesses relaxing area. "I talked to Torrent and Kopa they both agreed."

Ashaki smiled, "While you talked to them I talked to Ayana. She loved the idea. She really likes the prince."

Kiara nodded, "Then I'll make the announcement."

Kiara had gathered the pride and said, "I have an announcement to make. My son, the heir to the throne. I have decided when he does take the throne that former princess, Ayana will be his queen."

As the pride learned the news they celebrated. But Torrent ran off to the cave under priderock.

"What are you doing out here all by yourself? Everyone is celebrating for you."

Torrent turned to see his older cousin Faraji. The goldish cub turned back with his dark brown rimmed ears against his head, "I just feel like there is someone else out there for me - someone that I might like more."