As the next month passed, Queen Eshe drew closer to her time. She wasn't entirely happy about being confined to Pride Rock, but she did have to admit it was for the best. She couldn't help but feel a bit guilty, knowing Nala blamed herself when, truthfully, her mother and Maisie had been right. She shouldn't have been out with the hunting party at all.

At least her confinement allowed her to observe her daughter's blossoming friendship with Simba.

The light brown lioness had to admit that she wasn't sure how she felt about the young lion, but she also acknowledged that finding out about her unexpected pregnancy had thrown her off. And Simba appeared to be adjusting to life in the Pride Lands, helping her daughter with her hunting skills.

He had yet to gain an official role in the pride, but both Mheetu and Jashua had noticed the effort he was making. They had yet to say anything to her, but she suspected they might be on the verge of offering him some sort of position.

There was no need to make things harder for him, she'd decided in the end. And the pride had been through enough recently.

Unfortunately, not everyone shared her opinion.

~TLK~

Maisie sighed as she saw Nala and Simba head off on their own again. The light beige lioness didn't know why she couldn't shake the uneasy feeling she had whenever she saw the two of them together.

Well, no. She knew why. The memory of that night flashed through her mind again, and she shuddered. Simba was a formidable opponent. She saw that fight between Simba and Prince Askari. The fight had left Askari with some nasty wounds, and the prince had been lucky not to gain any scars.

At least he'd saved his mother and, apparently, her unborn cub.

Maisie watched as Simba showed Nala more hunting tips. He seemed to be trying to adjust, but Maisie was having a hard time reconciling this lion. Was it really possible for him to change this quickly?

Sherise had.

But she'd never actually attacked any of them.

Maisie bit his lip as he looked up at the cloud-filled sky. But did she have the right to bring it up if the queen hadn't?

She could never dare to tell Queen Mother Sarabi. If Eshe hadn't told her, that wasn't the queen's business. Besides, Sarabi would most likely lose her temper at the news, and Eshe didn't need any more stress, especially since she was so close to giving birth.

But Jashua? Should she at least tell her friend?

Truthfully, he was surprised Nala or Askari hadn't told him already. The siblings shared almost everything with each other. Jashua doesalso have a temper, though, and he is close to their mother.

There was no telling how reasonable his friend would be at the news, and that might have made Nala wary enough to not tell him.

And there were Tiifu, Kopa and Akua to consider as well. Princess Nala's three friends were well-meaning, but if they decided to tell Jashua or, ancestors help them all, the Queen Mother, well…Akua had a tendency to be blunt, while Tiifu and Kopa struggled to get to the point of things quickly.

Neither of which she wanted to see the fallout of. Besides, she had heard them whispering. They were frustrated and more than a little hurt that Nala seemed to be ignoring them for Simba lately.

Maisie nodded, her decision made. She would tell Jashua, at least, and leave it up to his friend to decide if his father and grandmother should know.

...

Simba and Nala were lounging beneath a tree, talking about the day's hunting lesson. It had gone fairly well, and Nala was getting better each time. They had just finished eating an impala that Nala had successfully caught.

Simba had noticed her growing confidence and smiled at her. "You know, I think we'll try hunting antelope next."

"Bigger prey? Do you really think I'm ready for that?" Nala tilted her head as she turned to face him, unsure if she was ready.

"Of course. You've been doing so well with the smaller prey; I think it's time to take things up a notch," Simba replied emphatically, winking at her.

Kiara gave him a warm smile. "Thanks Kovu."

"You're welcome."

With time, the princess had begun to feel much more at ease around the former outsider. She was beginning to regard him as a good friend rather than her mentor. His encouragement had not only helped her improve her hunting abilities, but it had also given her more self-confidence. She had felt like a failure before, but now she felt as if she had a purpose other than just being a princess and leader of the lion guard that Askari mostly leads now.

The sun began to shift its course, causing the shade they had been enjoying to fade and the temperatures to soar.

"Maybe we should head back for some shade."

Nala nodded. "Yeah, it's getting hot."

The two stood up and started walking back to Pride Rock for a break from the midday sun.

Little did they suspect the chilly reception Simba would get when they returned.