"No Daddy! I don't want you to leave!", a 2 month old Nala begged her father as she wrapped her arms around his bicep tightly, not wanting to let him go.

Sarafina was also watching them with tears falling on her cheeks, her mate was leaving her and their daughter once again to be a rogue once more. One he always wanted to be, to explore the world beyond the Pridelands and he did start when they were teenagers, he would often leave for months and come back to her and his friends for only weeks. He and Sarafina grew very close even for the limited time they had together and as years went by, they became mates. Mufasa and Sarabi at times would often joke about her dating the wind since Khairi was always gone but she didn't mind the banter and understood her mate's personal desires because somewhere deep in her memory…she experienced it with him when he came home one time and talked about taking her with him and she didn't hesitate to accept his offer to come. She had to admit that it was indeed fun to be free, to do whatever they wanted without rules or responsibilities…but she had to give that up when she found out that she was pregnant with their daughter.

Khairi understood that they were going to be parents but- he wasn't ready to give up his dream just yet…perhaps Sarafina realized that being a rogue was his whole life and so she tolerated it as he ran free out there while she was carrying their cub. She also realized that she needed to secure their unborn cub's future if he was going to stay like that and when Sarabi's offer came about once Simba and Nala were born- she didn't hesitate. Khairi returned after months to meet Nala and surprisingly she bonded with him immediately, and at the same time Sarabi took Simba for a week on an enriching journey so Nala's full attention was none other than on her father. Sarafina thought that it was finally it…that her husband would stay for good…it turns out that she was wrong when he left them again and again.

"La, you shouldn't be running like that- you know.", Simba turned to Nala briefly, touching heads with her as Khairi saw his daughter for the first time in years.

"Nala?", he called her, and she turned to the familiar voice, Nala narrowed her eyes confused as to who the familiar lion was before realizing that it was her dad.

"D-Daddy? Is- is it really you?", she questioned and he nodded. Nala then quickly ran to her father to hug him, she didn't let go of him as she took his presence in, she embraced him dearly that she didn't even realize she had shed a tear, "I missed you so much.", she buried herself into her daddy's brown mane.

"I missed you too, princess.", Khairi had always referred to her like that, she didn't mind it, it only brought back her good memories of him…and some bad ones to mention. It took a while for Nala to let go, "I think you might want to reunite with someone else too."

"Who?", she playfully asked her father before he stepped aside.

"Yeah- me too.", a male voice said, it was unfamiliar to her but once she saw, "Hey sis, it's Mheetu.", he outstretched his left paw to welcome his sister in for a hug. And Nala immediately pinned her brother while he was caught off guard, but she used to do it when they were cubs…she's always been good at it.

"I missed you baby brother.", she nuzzled her still pinned younger brother.

"I missed you too, big sister…although I got to say- I'm not so little anymore.", Mheetu said as Nala let him up and as he bumped heads with her.

"Nala! No strenuous activities for the kings' sake, and for the sake of your unborn cub- oh.", Tama stopped when she realized that Nala's father was right there and as Simba and the others who knew glared at her. But it was too late when Hairi raised an eyebrow and looked at his only daughter.

"You're- pregnant? Nala?", Khairi questioned with a soft voice.

Nala then straightened her stance as she nervously faced her father, "Y-yes daddy…", before he could react, he then heard another familiar voice, the tone of his love had always been like music to his ears.

"Khairi?", Sarafina asked as she approached the commotion, she couldn't believe it, but she did when he turned to her, she just ran to him, he felt wind got knocked out of him when the lioness collided with him, but he didn't mind it…it's been years since he last saw his wife. She should be mad when he left her with their kids and he's guilty, still for leaving his family- he could've done something, but he didn't. Maybe that's why Mheetu resented him for some time ever since he found him, "I've missed you so much."

"I missed you too…", Khairi replied as he nuzzled his mate.

Simba and Nala looked at each other lovingly, like they saw themselves in Khairi and Sarafina when they were reunited in the jungle…exactly the same actions. Mheetu on the other hand then soon approached his parents, "Mom?"

Sarafina opened her eyes to see her son, all grown up, he was banished by Scar when he was old enough, she did beg him to let Mheetu stay but the dark maned lion didn't give him a chance and so her son had no choice but to leave and become a rogue. Now, after 4 years of separation he's back, surprisingly with his father- who he never met before, they have a lot of story to tell. Sarafina approached her son to nuzzle him as Khairi let her, he looked exactly like his father.

"My boy.", Sarafina whispered as she hugged her son before letting go after to ruffle his mane like she did when he was young with only a small tuft.

Mheetu soon after fixed his hair, "I missed that, mom.", he grinned, "Even though- I used to really hate it.", he admitted as most of the lions laughed.

The pride took a lot of time catching up near the border before ultimately deciding to go back to Pride Rock. Mostly, Nala joined the rest of her family, Simba distanced himself a bit from his mate, he wanted to give her the space to be with the family she never had before. It was nice to see her happy. Once they reached Pride Rock, they catered a fresh zebra carcass from today's hunt to serve to the newcomers as they catch up. The king and the other lions listened happily before he excused himself from the rest…as much as he's joyful for the return of Nala's father…there's this bit of jealousy that resonates within him, he wished his own father was still here.

"Simba?", his mother came to his side as he rested below Pride Rock, "Something bothering you, son?", the former queen asked her son, seeing his demeanor.

Simba was silent for a bit before opening up, "I- I miss dad.", he said, looking up at the single star that shone in the dusky sky.

Sarabi also followed with her eyes to where the king was gazing at, "I think we both do, Simba.", she admitted, especially after seeing her best friend get reunited with the love of her life, it heavily affected her in a way, "I always go to the highest peak to talk to him, and even though he doesn't speak back…I feel his presence.", Simba listened to his mother's words, "For me, that's enough to know that- he never really left us, that- he always watches over us, to guide us…to guide you."

Simba nodded slowly, "He…does.", he remarked, recalling the time he got to talk to his father's ghost. It was an unreal experience, he wanted to tell his mother about it- but he decided to keep it to himself.

"I wonder how he feels to see you be king…and you're about to become a father yourself too.", she proudly added.

Instead, Simba's ears lowered and his mother noticed it, he's still worried on whether he could juggle between being king and being a father…as well as the dream he couldn't quite let go of yet, "I'm anxious on whether I can handle both, I barely even became king, now, Nala and I are bringing about a new life…I'm not so confident that- I could be like my father."

Sarabi smiled at him, "You don't have to be Mufasa to be a great king…and father.", she advised, and he glanced at her, "You just have to be yourself…be who Simba is and what Simba is capable of."

Simba smirked, "Thanks mom, I'll try.", there was a long pause.

"Also, did Nala mention that Zira attacked her?", she asked about the event this morning.

Simba was taken aback, "Nala was attacked?! Why didn't you guys tell me this earlier?", he angrily started to get up and face Zira himself but his mother stopped him.

"Simba, Zira's pregnant too, you'll stress her out.", Sarabi informed.

Simba then paced before her, growling, "Well she shouldn't be doing that to another pregnant lioness…unless she wants a taste of her own medicine…is Nala and the cub okay?", he questioned, worried even though he saw how active she was today.

"She's fine, Zuberi was there and was able to break off the fight, and we called Rafiki to check on her briefly. Thankfully, she managed to avoid getting hit in the abdomen…Nala said Zira was targeting her stomach.", she explained, "But regardless, Nala and Fluffy are both fine."

Simba growled at this, "I should've banished that lioness ever since I returned, I knew she was trouble when she said she's Scar's follower- and former mate."

"I guess- she holds a grudge against Nala since…Scar was- interested in her.", Sarabi carefully brought up the subject, it was a sensitive topic, "I'm sorry."

Simba knew of this as Nala had told him before, that she left the Pridelands during Scar's reign due to his advances towards her, that's when she found him at the oasis, his anger burns whenever he's reminded of how sick his uncle was, "It could also be that- or she justs hates us as a whole pride…well she can leave, I'm not stopping her, I'll be delighted even.", he paced faster, "If only there's a way to exile that bitch-"

"Simba-", she reminded him to control his temper.

He sighed, sitting down, "I know, I'm not being rational…but to think that she fought Nala and possibly is trying to cause a miscarriage, I can't think straight with that.", he admitted.

"I understand, I would be devastated too if something happened to my grandcub…but we cannot do anything about it yet…perhaps a mistake made by the past kings to not create a law against attempted crimes.", Sarabi replied.

Simba sighed, "I'll make a law about that- and if she ever tries to do it again…I'll banish her and her followers.", he stated, certain of his decision but was interrupted and when he saw who came, he cleared his throat and fixed himself.

"King Simba, right?", Nala's father came out of nowhere, in front of the mother and son.

"You can just call me Simba, sir, you're Nala's dad, you're family.", Simba smiled at the lion.

"Just- Khairi, Simba, I told you.", he grinned at him, "Sarabi- mind if I borrow your son for a bit?"

"Not at all friend, he's all yours.", Sarabi said getting up, Khairi had been her childhood friend, along with Sarafina and Mufasa, it was nice to have him back, and so she left her son to him.

Simba stood up to show respect to the older lion, "Mind if we walk, son?", the brown maned lion said.

Son?, Simba questioned in his head, no other male lion had ever called him that but his dad, he had to admit that it was nice to hear it again and so he nodded. The two males walked for a bit in the starry night, before Khairi eyed him once more.

"So- Simba, I don't mean to intervene but- I'm assuming since you seem to be Nala's mate, I want to get to know you.", he smiled, he didn't want to be the strict type when it comes to being a father-in-law, but he still had to know what type of lion his daughter's- boyfriend is. Sure he is Mufasa's son, but he is still his own person. Simba then started to tell everything that happened, from his childhood friendship with Nala, his father's death, him growing up at the oasis, then his return to dethrone Scar and be king, up to now.

"I know what happened to your father was- tragic, and- I'm very sorry about that…he was a great king and friend to us all.", he looked at the stars.

"He was- a great father too.", the younger lion added.

"A far greater father than me.", Khairi remarked, he wasn't a great father to both Nala and Mheetu…he was a coward, it was surprising that both of his kids have a good bond with him. He observed Simba for a minute, "You seem to be a great lion- Simba, from your story…I'm glad that Nala chose you as her other half…And I know it's not proper that you got her pregnant before marriage- but I shouldn't be judging you with that- I just hope you'll treat my daughter right...she's my little girl. I think you'll understand once you have a daughter of your own."

Simba got an awkward feeling, but he understood his point, "I'm sure I'll do understand…if ever we do have a little girl in the future.", he could see Khairi approve of his answer, "I also promise to treat Nala right…she's- everything to me and- I wouldn't trade her for the world."

After some time bonding and talking with Nala's father, he excused himself somewhere else, only told Khairi to tell Nala that he had some business with Rafiki and he nodded as he went up to join the rest of the pride to rest for the night. It was near midnight and Simba traveled to the shaman's tree, he needed counseling and he couldn't think of anyone else to talk to than the wise mandrill who influenced him to change his mind.

"And so, the young king arrived at my tree for advice about a bad dream…", Rafiki scratched his chin, "Involving Scar and how your unborn son will go against you and how you think it is going to come true?"

"Do you think- it has any meaning? I suppose you out of all the animals may have some knowledge about this…unless I'm only overthinking it.", Simba asked, "I'm just- worried is all Rafiki, especially now that…Nala's pregnant."

Rafiki thought for a minute before nodding at the king, "You're not overthinking it, dreams do mean more than what they seem to be, no matter if it already happened or will happen. In your case, this will happen in de future right? When your son is a young adult?"

Simba nodded, "I think so- yeah, he looked like he- was on Scar's side in that…nightmare.", he confirmed.

"Whilst, I should advise you to acknowledge this as this may come true in the future…I should also tell you to focus on the present and maybe- you can avoid this- nightmare from ever happening.", Rafiki stuttered, he had never heard of something so accurate from what Mufasa's ghost had warned him about. He was not allowed to reveal this to the king or anyone in the Pridelands.

Simba noticed the mandrill's sudden anxious energy, he used to be confident, so wise- but tonight, he looked unsure, "Is- there something else I should know?", he asked.

"No, not at all, perhaps you should rest now your majesty, but- like I said, you should think before you act.", Rafiki remarked before letting the lion go, he watched Simba walk away before going to the highest peak of his tree to look at Mufasa's star shining bright as he also felt the late king's presence, "I hope he handles things fine, Mufasa. I have faith that he will be a good father…otherwise, the Pridelands will fail once more."

"Princess? Or should I say- Queen.", Khairi greeted his daughter who sat at Pride Rock's highest peak, Nala gazed at her father and smirked at his statement while she rested.

"Hey dad, you should be resting now.", Nala said, after the story her father and brother told while they had dinner earlier, they've come a long way.

"You too, princess, especially now that you're carrying your mine and your mom's first grandcub.", Khairi added, and Nala lowered her head, smirking, she was mostly embarrassed as this is her dad that she last saw as a cub. Of course she was her daddy's girl then…but she grew up, unfortunately, without him, they've grown apart along with it, "Was that too much?", he asked and his daughter quickly shook her head no. They stayed quiet for a minute, "But yeah- I walked up here because I wanted to spend some time with my little girl- although I would say that…she's not so little anymore.", he smiled, "I'm just glad that you have a good life now, Nala…I'm sorry I wasn't there for most of it. Even the times when you needed me the most.", he looked down, he knew of the time that Scar almost took- advantage of his daughter. He found out from his wife earlier and he couldn't get more angry with the former king…as well as himself for not being there to protect her like a father would.

Nala saw how disappointed her dad was at himself and so, she nuzzled him affectionately to reassure that she wasn't feeling the same way as him, "I'm just happy that you're finally here now, daddy…the past is done and now- I wish that you can be here for the rest of it.", she stated and Khairi sighed of relief.

He nuzzled her back, "I promise to be here from now on.", he whispered, as he closed his eyes whilst in his not so little girl's embrace, "Also, Simba told me he's going to Rafiki's for tonight, although he won't be long.", he looked at her as she nodded and smirked a bit.

"Simba…he knows I don't need to know everything he does.", she remarked, and Khairi smiled at her.
"You're just like your mother.", he shared, Sarafina wasn't the strict type of mate, she always gave him the freedom to explore as she knows he's the adventurous kind, she never limited him…today just goes to show how much she trusts and loves him after all these years, he's glad his daughter inherited that trait, "Although I must say, I like that boyfriend of yours, he informs you even if you don't ask. It just goes to show that he's serious and loyal."

"He's been like that ever since we were cubs, he was my best friend and he can't do anything for the day without asking me to join first…and no matter how dangerous and dumb his adventures were, he always wanted me to be there.", she said.

"I got to talk with him earlier…", he informed as his daughter looked at him with interest.

"You didn't interrogate or threaten him didn't you?", she questioned as her father shook his head.
"No, we just talked, I wanted to know what he's like- his story, personality…before I completely give you to him.", he didn't know if he worded it out right but hopefully Nala got the point, it got silent for a second before she leaned once again on her dad's shoulder.

Sarafina gently cleaned the ball of fur in between her paws, she had given birth to her first cub, a girl. She's isolated herself from the rest of the pride in one of the caves that Pride Rock is built up with. She looked down at her daughter, she was a perfect combination of her and Khairi, "Hello there, baby.", she greeted as the little newborn mewed.

"Sarafina?", a male voice called out to her, walking towards her inside the den, it was her husband.

"Khairi.", she replied as he came to nuzzle her, he then looked down between Sarafina's front paws, "It's a girl.", she revealed.

"Nala.", he whispered, it was the name they agreed on to name their daughter, Khairi gazed at the small cub, she had a cream toned fur and eyes still shut, but he knows she will have the most beautiful sapphire blue eyes, "She's beautiful, Sarafina."

"Of course she is, she's our daughter.", Sarafina replied, with this, Khairi couldn't help but smile.

"Our little gift.", he stated with confidence, he's proud to call Nala his and right then and there, he promised to himself that he would keep their baby girl safe.