A/N Thank you to my awesome reviewers. I really appreciate your reviews. Hopefully there will be more to follow in this chapter. Here it is ch 16. Enjoy

Ch 16 Time Passes Slowly

"Kopa I know you didn't have it easy growing up," Jasiri said. "But there comes a time when you've gotta get over it. No one has it easy in life. I didn't have it easy. It was really hard sometimes not having my father around. He came around a couple times when I was kid but it was never for very long then he was gone again. And that's what really hurt. He'd get my hopes up that he was actually going to stick around this time and then without so mush as a goodbye he up and leave again. And every time he left I'd wonder what I had done that was so terrible that he didn't want me, It wasn't until I was grown that I realized it wasn't me that was the problem. It was him. And I don't want that for my child. So let me be crystal clear here Kopa. If you leave you better not ever come back. I mean it. I won't have my child be hurt by having a part time father. So either you're going to be a full time parent or you better not show your face around here. The choice is yours."

"You'd really let me be a part of the cub's life?" Kopa asked, clearly surprised by Jasiri statement.

"Only because I think its best for my child," Jasiri said. "But like I said Kopa: either you're in 100 percent or you're out 100 percent."

"So you forgive me?" Kopa asked.

"I didn't say that," Jasiri said, a slight edge to her voice. "I'm not sure if I can ever forgive you for what you said. But just because we're not together as a couple doesn't mean we can't co parent our child."

"I understand," Kopa said softly. "I'm going to leave. But I'll be back to check on you and the cub."

"Fine," Jasiri said flatly. "Oh and I'll be asking Rafiki about doing an un-mating ceremony for us."

"If that's what you want," Kopa said, trying not to show how hurt he was. "Keep me posted. I'll be living in the Grasslands if you want to find me." Jasiri nodded silently and Kopa let out a sigh and walked out of the cave. On his way out he passed the rest of the group.

"I don't like the look on your face," Kiara said softly.

"Jasiri and I are splitting up," Kopa informed the ground. "Its for the best. But she's still going to allow me to be a part of the cub's life so at least there's that."

"Where will you go?" Kovu asked.

"The Grasslands," Kopa said. "If that's alright with you King Simba?" Kopa looked at Simba when he said this part.

"Its fine with me," Simba said. "And I wish you good luck Kopa. And please don't be a stranger."

"I won't," Kopa said with a small smile. Then he gave Kiara a nuzzle. "I love you sis," Kopa whispered.

"I love you too," Kiara said, trying not to cry. Kopa gave Mflame, who was nestled on Kiara's back, a gentle nuzzle. "I love you Mflame," he whispered to the sleeping cub. "I'll be back to see you soon."

"Take care of yourself bro," Kovu said, embracing his brother.

"You too Kovu," Kopa said with a small smile. Then he head bumped Chafu and Nuka and embraced Safara and Vitani.

"You're leaving Uncle Kopa?" Kinte asked, sounding really sad.

"Yeah I am buddy," Kopa said, getting down on Kinte's level. "But don't worry buddy I'll be back to visit."

"I'm really going to miss you," Kinte said, hugging Kopa's front leg. "I love you Uncle Kopa."

"Aww I love you too pal," Kopa said, rubbing Kinte's back. "And I'm going to miss all of you." With that Kopa pulled away from Kinte and walked down the side of Pride Rock and headed to the Grasslands.

TLKTLKTLK

Two months past and things were getting worse in the Pride Lands. Dogo and his Pack had been reeking havoc in the Pride Lands. Dogo had amped up his plan ever since his daughters, Mirithi or heir and Urithi or inherent had been born seven weeks ago. There was also new life in the Pride Lands. Vitani and Chafu has welcomed twins four weeks ago. A son and a daughter were born. Their son had his mother's tan coat and his grandmother Zira's rub red eyes. They had held to their word and named him Mkuu. Their daughter had her father's grey coat and the traditional Royal amber eyes. They had named her Imani, or hope. But this was a special day because it was Mflame's first time out of the cave. Kinte, who was now four months old was going with his cousin as was Mwali and Changa, who were now six months old. Moto and Maweha had welcomed twin sons, who they named Kiume and Mtu, two months ago and they was accompanying their cousins as was Zira, Moto and Maweha.

"Have fun darling," Kiara said, nuzzling her girl.

"I will Mom," Mflame said, nuzzling Kiara.

"Be good for Grandma and Uncle Moto and Aunt Maweha," Nuka said.

"I will Daddy," Mflame said, giving Nuka a nuzzle. "I love you guys."

"We love you too baby girl," Nuka said, licking the top of Mflame's head. Just then Zira came onto the scene along with Simba.

"Are you ready darling?" Zira asked.

"I sure am Grandma!" Mflame cried out, unable to contain her excitement. Just then Kinte came bounding up to the group along with Mwali and Changa. Kijana and Mpenzi were right behind their children.

"C'mon Mflame lets go!" the tan coated four month old cried out, running circles around his dark tan cousin.

"Calm down Kin'," Mflame said with a laugh. "You're more excited than I am."

"Kinte no rough housing," Safara said, walking up to her son.

"I wasn't rough housing Mom," Kinte said, sounding annoyed.

"Don't you take that tone with me young lion," Safara snapped.

"Safara don't be so hard on him," Kovu said, approaching his mate and son.

"I'm sorry Kinte," Safara said, nuzzling her son. "Its these stupid pregnancy hormones." Safara had found out she was pregnant again the day before.

"Its alright Mom," Kinte said with a smile. Just then Imani and Mkuu came toddling up to the group with Vitani right behind them.

"Flame go bye bye?" Mkuu asked, looking at his slightly older cousin with wide ruby eyes.

"Yeah I go bye bye," Mflame said, gently head bumping her cousin. "But don't worry I'll be back soon."

"Go to Mama?" Imani asked, looking at Vitani with pleading amber eyes.

"Sorry sweetie you're to little to go," Vitani said, nuzzling her daughter.

"No fair," Imani said, her eyes filling up with tears.

"We're going to have fun here don't you worry sweetie," Vitani said. "And we can keep Auntie Jasiri company too." Jasiri was nearing the end of her pregnancy and wasn't allowed to leave the cave until the cub was born.

"C'mon lets go already!" Kinte cried out, the impatience clear in his voice.

"Alright lets go shall we?" Zira said with a smile. After giving her parents one last nuzzle Mflame bounded down the side of Pride Rock with the adults right behind her."

"I hope she'll be alright," Kiara said with a sigh.

"She'll be fine Ki'," Nuka said, nuzzling his mate.

"Things tend to happen when a cub goes out for the first time Nuka," Kiara said. "Remember when Kinte went out and Dogo and his Pack attacked?"

"There hasn't been any sign of Dogo or his Pack lately," Nuka pointed out. "And besides she has my mother. Moto and Maweha with her. She'll be just fine." Just then Simba cleared his throat, causing Nuka to turn around.

"I'm sorry to break this up son," the golden King said. "But you, Chafu and I have rounds to make."

"Sure thing Dad," Nuka said with a smile. Then he nuzzled Kiara. "I love you."

"I love you too," Kiara said with a smile. With that Nuka and Chafu left with Simba. Just then Kiara heard the sounds of giggling coming from the cave. "Maybe watching the little ones play will take my mind off things," the dark tan lioness thought as she walked into the cave, trying her best not to worry about her daughter.

A/N this looks like a good place to stop guys. Hope you all enjoyed ch 16. Review please and thank you