"Dad!"

Kopa opened one eye.

"Daddy!"

Pop goes the second eye.The Golden king rolled over on his back and put a paw to his left eye.

Just once, he though, just once it'd be nice to just sleep in.

But those days were long past. Now he was getting used to being roused awake by his two rambunctious cubs.

Vitani chuckled beside him, sensing his annoyance as she pulled herself closer to him.

"Tired, dear?"

"Can't Malka take them out for awhile?"

"You promised you'd show them the Kingdom." Vitani reminded him.

"Yes, when the sun rose. Has the sun risen yet? No, it's still dark out."

"Take your paw from your eye." Vitani mused.

Kopa did as ordered and groaned when the sun light poured into his eyes. "Fine, fine." He said, as he stretched his muscles, attempting to awaken them.

As he sat up, two beings forced him back down. Kopa coughed at the sudden strike and looked back to see his two cubs smiling at him.

Mufasa, affectionately called Muffy, leapt off his father first. His colors were gold like his father with a hint of orange whilst the tuft of fur apon his head was turning to a hazel brown.

Kuona leapt down next. Her pelt was a chocolate brown with a black tuft of fur open her head that turned into a stripe that went down her back. Her eyes were a piercing green, opposite to her brother's which more resembled his father's turquoise.

"Time for you to show us the kingdom, dad!" Muffy said.

"You promised!" Kuona moaned.

Kopa nodded. "Alright, alright. I did. I'm coming. Kopa then followed his children outside and breathed in the early morning air. The den connected to his and Vitani's was vacant, meaning Malka, Tojo, Tama, Chumvi and Kula were already out and about, hunting and patroling most likely.

He led the cubs to the water-hole for a quick drink before they set off to view the kingdom.

The land had flourished since Kopa's reign began. Animals of all species lived together in peace, following the laws Kopa had lay down. The land had since been given a new title deemd the North Lands, given that the North Star always seemed to burn bright, right in front of Kopa's den.

Their first stop was the high grass plain which ran along the south border of the North Lands, and was home to the cheetah, Nzuri and her little family. Her mate, Paka, was resting in the shade and nodded a greeting before he was pounced by his son, Kuishi, the only surviving cub after their other was stolen from a hyena of Shenzi's old clan.

"Hello, your majesty!" Kuishi greeted, happily.

Kopa smiled. "You're not giving your father any trouble, are you, son?"

Paka scoffed. "That's all he gives me."

"Now, now, if I remember correctly YOU were

the one who wanted cubs." Nzuri said as she approached, dropping a rabbit to her paws.

"Good morning, Nzuri." Kopa greeted with a smile.

Nzuri smiled back as she greeted him with an affectionate head butt to his chin before turning to the cubs. "Hello, you two. Your father showing you the kingdom?"

"Yes, ma'am!" The cubs said.

"Good, I know one day you two are going to make us very proud." She winked and then turned back to Kopa. "If you'll excuse us, we're going to have breakfast. I would ask you to join but... a rabbit is a little small for our little gathering."

Kopa nodded. "We didn't want your puny rabbit anyway." He sneered.

Nzuri hissed but both knew neither of them meant any real malice. After their adventure together in the jungle, their bond had turned into a friendship with respect and a bit of teasing on both sides.

Bidding farewell to the cheetah family, Kopa and his cubs continued their tour.

As they walked, Kopa explained their laws.

"At the water hole, there is a truce. Any animal can approach to drink and no one will hunt them."

"So... a lion and antelope can drink together?" Muffy asked.

"Yes. As predators, we only take what we need to survive. We do not kill simply for sport. And when we die, our bodies will turn to grass and the antelope will eat the grass, thus in turn we eat the antelope, creating the Great Circle of Life. Do you understand?"

"I think so." Kuona said.

Kopa chuckled. "You'll understand it when you're older."

"So where do the hyenas fit in all this?" Muffy asked as they neared Kweli's clan home.

"The hyenas are scavengers. They eat what is left over, so nothing is wasted, same goes for buzzards and other scavengers. And when they die, they too become the grass."

Kweli noticed them first and made an attempt to greet them before she was stopped by her mate, Maji.

"Maji, I am still in the early stages. I can walk on my own." Kweli said, but she could not hide the amused smile that crept onto her face.

Maji smiled back before greeting the approaching king with bow. "Your majesty."

The cubs were less respectful and greeted Kweli with a gentle bite on her ear. "Hi, miss Kweli!"

Kopa bowed back. "Kopa is fine. How are you feeling?"

Kweli smiled as she looked to Maji. She and her new mate had just discovered they were with cubs.

"I'm great, but Maji is a worried wreck."

Maji glared at her before sighing in defeat.

"She's right. I am a tad nervous."

"Only a tad?! Listen, this morning he wouldn't let me walk to water hole and INSISTED he bring the water to me."

Kopa laughed as she continued.

"He got a big leaf and attempted to drag it, ended up spilling it all over himself."

Maji blushed as his mate and king laughed

together.

Kopa then turned to him. "Maji, if you're as half a good a father to your cub as you are an uncle to my cubs, I'm certain you'll make an amazing dad."

Maji looked up. "You think so?"

Kopa raised a paw and placed it on the hyena's shoulder. "I know so."

"Kweli, when the cubs are born, will we be be able to play with them?" Muffy asked.

"Of course! But it won't be for some weeks after they're born because they'll be very tiny."

"How many do you think there will be?" Kuona asked.

"I don't know, love." Kweli smiled.

"Your majesty!"

Kopa looked up to see his majordomo, Kidogo, the blue bird flying swiftly over head. "Yes?"

Kidogo landed on a rock nearby. "I bring news. Your mother and father have entered the North Lands. Malka and Tama have gone to greet them."

"Yay! Grandma and Grandpa!" The cubs cheered.

Kopa smiled. "Lead the way Kidogo."

Yep, I'm back and hopefully will be updating more often. Sorry this chapter is short, longer ones will come soon! Hope you enoyed this one!