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The three royal siblings walked through the Pridelands, completely unsure about anything. Their parents announcement really shook them.

Askari looked at his older brother and sister before smiling. "What do you think the new cub would be like?"

Nala laughed while playfully glaring at her older brother. "Can't be as bad as Jashua was. He disobeyed mother and went to the Outlands."

Jashua went to say something snarky back to his sister when the expression on his brother's face concerned him. Hey Askari, is everything alright?"

The young tawny, red-brown mane lion smiled lightly at his siblings. "Just was thinking... that if Jashua never went to the Outlands and met Sherise this wouldn't have been able to happen. I mean, just think! Our brother or sister will grow up in peace. That's something to look forward to, isn't it not?"

Nala couldn't find the words to respond. She never thought about it like that but Askari was right. They were in peace, but that also means there's no need for the lion guard. What importance will she have now?

"I'm going to go lead a patrol," Askari stated before turning to head to the lion guard lair.

"I'll come with you," the light beige princess smiled.

"I got it, Nala." Askari shook his head with a small grin. "Besides you're already a lousy hunter. Hate to see what you be like leading the guard while distracted."

"Why you-" Nala went to pounce on her brother but the second in command of the lion guard ran off laughing.

Jashua laughed before his expression changed as though was more thoughtful as he was still processing the news. "It's a bit of a shock, if I'm honest, but I'll get used to it. I just didn't think mom and dad would have another cub after us three."

"You have a point," Nala sat by her brother with a smile. "Still, I think it'll be nice. Like our brother said, he or she will be the first cub born in an era of peace." The light beige lioness teal eyes twinkled mischievously as she added, "Especially since neither of us will be having cubs any time soon. Well... anymore cubs anytime soon in your case."

Jashua flushed slightly, but remained quiet. He wondered how his son was doing, especially since they haven't heard from Avaloria in a while since Olisa and Zaidi left taking Alejandro to visit their family in the other kingdom.

The pale cream lion's thoughts were interrupted as he noticed a lion approaching the waterhole from the other side for a drink. It was Sherise's brother, Simba. He returned his attention to Nala and changed the subject to something that didn't involve cubs.

"Yes, well… speaking of siblings, have you met Sherise's brother yet?"

Nala bit her lower lip, unsure of how to respond. "I've seen him around," she finally answered. "We've never spoken, though."

"Would you like to meet him? He doesn't seem too bad, from what I've seen."

Nala thought about it. She wasn't sure how she felt about him, but then she'd badly misjudged Sherise, and look where that had led. Maybe Simba really wasn't that bad either. "I guess it couldn't hurt."

"You don't sound too certain." Jashua's orange eyes narrowed as he suspected Nala was hiding something from him.

Nala looked back at him. "Huh? No, no. It's fine." She stood up as she added, "I'm up for it."

Jashua gave her one last suspicious look before standing and calling to the dark gold, dark red mane lion. "Hey, Simba! Could you come over here, please?"

Simba had been drinking some water as well when he was startled by the sound of Jashua's voice calling him. He quickly raised his head and looked over to see the prince and princess standing nearby. He was a little hesitant, but he made his way over to them.

Nala dipped her head as he did, revealing her shyness.

"Do you need something, Your Highness?" Simba asked Jashua.

"Have you met my sister, Nala?"

Simba paused for a moment before responding awkwardly, "Our...paths may have crossed, yeah." His recollection of that fight was hazy, but he remembered taunting Mheetu, attacking him, and then being defeated by Askari. He also remembered catching a fleeting glimpse of Nala helping her father before he'd re-entered the fray.

But that was well after he had a part of attacking the queen during the war to get her even more worned out her out for Chumvi.

Not that he was about to mention any of that to Jashua or the Queen Mother who absolutely scares him more than Chumvi and his own mother put together.

"Yeah, they did." Nala finally replied after an awkward silence. Her memories of that day were fresh as well, but she wasn't prepared to mention anything to Jashua or their grandmother who still has a chip about the former Outsiders, mainly Simba.

Jashua was still suspicious, but chalked up their reactions to nerves. "Perhaps I should leave the two of you alone. I need to find Sherise anyway." He looked at Simba. "Do you know where your sister might be?"

Simba shrugged. "Most likely near Pride Rock or in the den where our pridemates are staying."

"Alright. Thanks. I'll see you two later," the pale cream prince said as he walked off in the direction of Pride Rock.

Nala waited until her brother was out of earshot before she sighed. "You're lucky no one's told him or our grandmother what happened yet."

"And I'd rather them not find out." Simba shuddered as he considered the potential consequences. "Besides, that's in the past, and it's not me anymore. I was brainwashed by...Chumvi and Avana," he muttered, unable to bring himself to refer to either as his mother or brother. "Not to mention Chumvi's plot to take over the Pride Lands."

Nala wasn't sure what to say to that. Another silence stretched between them before she broke it. "Well, I know Sherise mentioned you've been in the Pride Lands before because you were spying on her, but would you like an actual tour?"

Simba snorted. "Sure. It's not like I have anything better to do."

Nala smiled and motioned to him with her head. "Come on, then."

~TLK~

Nala and Simba wandered through the Pride Lands, though Nala was careful to keep them out of sight of the herds. Despite her mother's recent announcement that the former Outsiders would be welcomed into the pride, she and the lion guard were very aware that some animals weren't pleased.

"...and this is Mizimu Grove. My brothers and I used to enjoy coming here to play with our friends. It was one of the few places where we could be unsupervised," Nala explained as the two came to a halt in front of a grove of baobab trees.

Simba took a look around. The trees were evenly spaced, with a wide path between them. A large, sloping rock stood at the far end of the grove.

"Each of the trees was planted by a royal mjuzi while they were in training. We hold a few celebrations here," Nala said as she walked toward the rock. "This is also where my mother meets with all of the herd leaders when it is time for a summit." the light beige lioness looked up at the rock as she added, "It's strange to think that one day it'll be my brother meeting with them."

"A…summit?" Simba repeated, confusion on his face.

"It is when my mother meets with all of the herd leaders in preparation for the dry season. They negotiate and talk about issues that'll affect their herds during the dry season. I'm not too sure what exactly goes on during one of them. I've never been, but my brother has, as part of his training."

"Huh...sounds like there's a lot that goes into being king," Simba mused thoughtfully. He wondered what Avana and Chumvi's plan would've been if they'd won. He or Chumvi and Mbamba didn't know half the things Nala had spoken about. Who would have ruled if none of them knew how?

Unaware of his thoughts, Nala admitted, "There is. It makes me glad I'm not the future queen, honestly." She thought of the times she'd seen her mother exhausted after dealing with disputes and other responsibilities.

Silence fell between them once more, though this time it was less awkward as they were both lost in their own thoughts.

But before they could say anything a loud roar echoed through the Pridelands, scattering a few nearby birds.

Simba looked at Nala in confusion. "What was that?"

Nala's ears flickered before she frowned. "It sounded like someone requesting entry to the Pridelands."

...

When Simba and Nala reached the border the roar came from the Pridelands princess wasn't surprised to see Askari along with Shaju and Ahadi. What the light beige lioness was surprised about was the light cream cub sitting next to a light tan, light brown mane lion.

"Alejandro?" Nala gasped before scanning the area with searching teal eyes. Confused, she looked back at the cub. "Where's your mother and grandmother?"

The lion cleared his throat before speaking with a sly smile on his face as his hazel eyes were on the younger lioness. "You must be Princess Nala. Words do not do you justice,"

Askari stepped forward and snarled as his green eyes narrowed. "Watch who you're talking to! Who the hell are you anyway!"

The light tan lion bowed with a smug smile. "Where are my manners? Forgive me, I am King Wituri of Avaloria. Grand Princess Zaidi's eldest brother and uncle to Princess- I mean Queen Olisa of Vadronia."

"What!" Ahadi cried out in surprise before lowering his head. "I apologize, my prince and princess for interrupting."

Nala dipped her head with a smile before turning her attention back to Wituri. "That doesn't explain why my nephew is here and his mother is not!"

The princess noticed the mortified expression on the former Outsider's face but ignored him for the moment.

"Simple," Wituri squared his shoulders before continuing. "My niece disowned him as a condition to marry the king of Vadronia."

Shaju snarled his bluish eyes glaring at the light tan lion. "Who exactly is this king that would have such a condition?!"

"King Kumu." Wituri responded quickly before yawning as though the whole thing was boring him. "Now that your... problem is returned to his birth land. I'm returning back to my kingdom."

The group was forced to watch the Avaloria king run off, leaving a cloud of dust behind.

Askari sighed before turning to his sister. "You and Simba should head back and hear the announcement."

Nala glanced up at the sky, only now realizing how late it was getting. "Oh, oops. I hadn't realized it was getting so late."

"The guard and I will take care of our nephew until you can talk to Jashua afterwards." Askari informed his sister and leader.

Nala wanted to protest but knew it was for the best. As not to alarm anyone. "Fine," she lowered herself and smiled at the sad cub. "I'm sorry you had to go through what happened but everything is going to be fine now."

Alejandro wanted to smile, wanted to believe his aunt more than anything but he was just too hurt.

Nala and Simba watched as Askari picked up the light cream cub before heading towards the lion guard lair with Shaju and Ahadi close behind.

"Your brother has a son already?" Nala groaned, she almost forgot about Sherise's brother. "Does my sister know?"

Nala sighed before looking at the dark gold lion. "Yes. Now we need to get back to Pride Rock. After my parents announcement, you can ask all your questions."

Simba went to ask something but instead shook his head before following Nala who had already ran off into the Pridelands. When they returned to Pride Rock, Nala went to sit with her parents and brother, while Simba joined his sister and the other former Outsiders, who were gathered toward the back.

"Do you know what this is about?" the dark gold lion muttered.

Sherise nodded. "Shh, Eshe is about to speak," the brownish lioness replied as the queen stood.

"Good evening. As I am sure you are all aware, there have been a lot of changes recently," the light brown said, her green gaze darting around the crowd. Murmurs sounded as she continued, "Well, it seems another change is on the horizon."

Confusion appeared on several faces as Mheetu stood and walked to Eshe's side. He gave a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. This is a good thing. In a few months, there'll be a new prince or princess," the tawny Prince-Consort said, his teal gaze softening as he cast a glance at Eshe before looking back at the crowd. "Your queen is expecting a cub!"

Silence fell for a few moments before excited chatter broke out. A new cub!

Several of the older lionesses headed toward Eshe and began to fuss over her. Those who knew her best could tell she didn't appreciate it. However, she allowed it. After all, this cub would be the first one since Jashua, Nala, Askari and their peers.

Mheetu watched in amusement, with Jashua and Nala flanking him. Most of the lions thought they'd never seen him this happy before.

Simba remained where he was, unsure of what to do, as Sherise stood and moved to join Jashua. He watched as a few of the former Outsiders hesitantly mingled with the Pride Landers. The prides were slowly but steadily becoming one.

The prides were coming together, and a new royal cub was on the way... but that didn't mean everything was perfect now.