A/N Alrighty then folks I'm back with a new story. This a sequel to my original story. I hope you all like it. Enjoy

A Different Path 3: New Beginnings

Ch 1 Troubled Thoughts

A lioness with a dark brown coat and light green eye woke with a start. This lioness was the newly crowned Princess Kiara and she had just awoke from a terrible nightmare. "No!" she cried out, the sweat pouring down her coat as she panted for breath.

"Kiara what's wrong?" Kiara's mate, Nuka asked, the concern and alarm clear in his voice.

"N...nothing," Kiara panted, closing her eyes. "Just a bad dream."

"Wanna talk about it?" Nuka asked, looking at his mate with concern.

"Not really," Kiara said. "At least not right now. I'd just really like to get back to sleep."

"Well if you're sure," Nuka said.

"I'm sure," Kiara said, nuzzling Nuka. "Good night. I love you."

"Love you too babe," Nuka said as he layed his head down and went back to sleep. Kiara layed her head down but she knew that sleep would be almost impossible to come by with the nightmare she just had.

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The next day Kiara was up early. Despite not sleeping well the night before Kiara was in a decent mood. Kiara decided to find her brother, Kopa. She was anxious to tell him about her nightmare since she knew that he has the same problems from time to time and would understand better than anyone. But before she could find Kopa someone else found her. And that someone was Vitani.

"Hey there," the tan coated Princess said with a smile. "You'd better get a move on. Mom said she has something really important to talk to us about.

"Oh ok sure," Kiara said, surprised by her sister-in-law's words. "Lets go then."

"Come with me," Vitani said with a slight laugh. Kiara couldn't help but smile at her sister-in-law as she followed her down to the watering hole where Zira was waiting for them.

TLKTLKTLK

A few minutes the two young lionesses had reached the watering hole and saw that Zira was already waiting for them. "Ah there you two are,' the Queen said with a smile. "I've been waiting for you."

"Sorry if I kept you waiting Queen Zira," Kiara said. "But I didn't realize I was supposed to meet you today."

"Its alright dear," Zira said with a smile. "And you don't have to be so formal with me. We're family now. You can call me Zira. Or Mom if you like."

"Really?" Kiara asked, sounding surprised.

"Of course," Zira said. "You're married to my son after all. Simba and I would love it if you and Chafu called us Mom and Dad. But only if you want to. I don't want you to feel like you have to."

"No I want to," Kiara said quickly. "And I know Chafu feels the same. But why did you want to meet with us again?"

"Simba and I have been talking," Zira said. "And we've decided that we're going to step down as King and Queen."

"What?!" Kiara and Vitani cried out, their eyes wide with surprise.

"B...but Mom," Vitani stammered. "That means me and Nuka will take the throne."

"That's right," Zira said with a smile.

"Do you really think we're ready for that?" Kiara piped up. "I mean me and Nuka just got married a couple of weeks ago."

"And you have been training for months," Zira said. "Trust me Simba and I wouldn't step down if we didn't think you were ready."

"If you say so Mom," Vitani said, her voice coming out very soft.

"Trust me darling," Zira said, nuzzling her daughter. "You'll be a wonderful Queen. Both of you will. I have no doubt on that." Zira gave Kiara a nuzzle as well.

"Thank you Qu...I mean Mom," Kiara said with a smile. "I'm honored that you have so much faith in me."

"Come my dears," Zira said. "Lets go for a walk and discuss this shall we?" Vitani and Kiara nodded and without another word the three lionesses headed off to have a much need discussion. They were unaware of a shadowy figure watching them from the bushes.

"So Vitani and Nuka will be ascending the throne will they?" the figure thought with a laugh. "Perfect. That means Kiara and Chafu will be totally unprepared. I can defiantly use this to my advantage." With that the figure slinked away, plotting their evil plan in their head.

TLKTLKTLK

A little while later Zira, Vitani and Kiara were back at Pride Rock where they were met by Simba, Nuka and Chafu, who had just returned from their outing. After giving their mates nuzzles the group began to discuss the upcoming crowning. But just then Kovu and Safara came in both of them smiling ear to ear. "Oh hey guys," Kovu said with a smile. "Have you seen my mother? There's something..." But just Asha came into the cave followed by Kopa and Jasiri. "Perfect timing," Kovu said. "Saf' and I have some really good news."

"Well do tell," Asha said with a slight laugh.

"I'm pregnant!" Safara cried out, unable to hide her excitement.

"Oh that's wonderful!" Asha cried out, embracing her son and Asha. "I'm so happy for you both!"

"Yeah congrats 'Vu," Nuka said with a smile.

"I know you guys are gonna be great parents," Kiara said, embracing her brother and sister-in-law.

"This is wonderful news indeed," Simba said with a smile.

"Kopa you've been unusually quiet," Kovu said, looking at his creamy coated brother.

"Better you than me," Kopa said before he could stop himself.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Kovu said, giving Kopa a look.

"Nothing," Kopa said, shaking his head. "I just meant that I'm happy for you. And Kiara's right: you and Safara are going to make great parents."

"You know Kopa," Kovu said after a minute. "You'd make a good father one day too."

"Psh yeah right," Kopa said, rolling his blue eyes. "Don't hold your breath on that Kovu. I defiantly don't see cubs in my future. Now or ever."

"Kopa," Kovu began.

"Look Kovu we're not talking about me right now," Kopa interrupted. "This day is about you, Safara and your cub on the way. Its defiantly not a day for arguing."

"Kopa's right honey," Safara said, nuzzling Kovu. "This is a happy day. Please don't ruin it by starting an argument."

"You're right Saf'," Kovu said with a smile. "I'm sorry. This is about our cub on the way." With that the group went about their day, talking about and celebrating Kovu and Safara's cub.

TLKTLKTLK

Later that night Kopa was talking with Kiara about Kiara's recent nightmare. The two siblings were by the watering hole so they could get some privacy. "I haven't had these nightmare in a long time," Kiara was saying. "And this one really freaked me out."

"Well of course it did," Kopa said. "I mean who wouldn't be freaked out by a dream in which you become our murderous mother and kill you mate and his family. But you know that dreams aren't real. You'd never do something like that."

"Still doesn't make me any less freaked out," Kiara said with a slight shudder.

"I know how you feel," Kopa said, nuzzling his sister. "Believe me I do. But..." Just then the siblings heard a noise from behind them. Whipping their heads around the duo heard eerie cackling. "Whose there?!" Kopa shouted. "Show yourself right now!" Silence. "Alright fine I'm coming for you right now!" Kopa cried out as he made his way towards the cackling. Suddenly Kopa heard Kiara cry out in both pain and surprise. Kopa turned and saw that something had lept out of the shadows and had Kiara pinned to the ground. "Kiara!" Kopa cried out as he went to help his sister. But before he could make a move another figure hit Kopa hard in his face, catching him by surprise and sending him sprawling across the ground. Before Kopa could react the same figure jumped on top of his and put their paws on Kopa's throat, making it really hard from him to breathe.

"What the Hell are you doing?!" Kopa managed to get out.

"Heh surprised to see me eh Kopa?" the figure snarled. "Well to bad you and your sister won't be able to tell anyone. 'Cause you'll be dead!" With that the figure let out another snarl and raised their paw to slash Kopa's throat.

A/N well folks how'd you like the first chapter? Let me know in a review please.