She looked at the cubs nestled in her arms. There were two: a boy and a girl. The girl looked like her mother and the boy looked like his grandfather. Then she remembered someone she certainly didn't want to remember: Zira. Zira was determined to make sure everyone knew that she and she alone was Scar's queen. It didn't matter if the cubs weren't Scar's. They were all killed. You could never be too sure. The only cub surviving besides the two in the lioness's arms was Nuka, Zira's son. 

She quickly hid her cubs behind her as Zira came in. "Hello, Digger."  "The name's Chekua."  "Whatever! So," she said, in a sweeter tone, "I hear you've been given some gifts. May I see them?"  "What gifts?" "I've been told that you currently have some gifts. Quite small ones, you know. Ones you would do anyhting for, you know the sort." Zira's voice was hardening with exasperation. "I'm sorry, I have no idea what you are talking about." "Oh, don't play dumb. Give me the cubs."  "Cubs? What cubs?" Zira growled, and pushed Chekua aside. There was nothing behind her.  "Where are they?" asked Zira through clenched teeth. Suddenly she spotted a ball of brown fur. She dragged it toward herself and raised her paw lazily. This would be a quick kill. Then the cub's eyes opened, and Zira stopped. If, at a faraway glance, you couldn't see Scar's likeness in this cub, you could look at the bright green eyes, and all would be revealed.  "Who gave you this little gift?" asked Zira, not taking her eyes off the cub.  "No one you would know."  "So, it's not Scar's cub?"  "No..."  Something bit Zira's tail and she whirled around, ready to strike. A little blond cub with a bit too much hair on her forehead had her teeth in Zira's tail. Zira picked her up by the tail and raised her to eye level. The cub was wriggling to get out of Zira's grasp, her blue-purple eyes filled with rage.  "Alright, your cubs may live." Chekua's heart was pounding. Yes, her cubs would live, but Zira would twist it. "But," continued Zira, "I get to keep them. And no one will know about this, okay?" Her tone was stern.  Chekua nodded. Anything to keep her cubs alive.  Zira exited the cave and lay down in Pride Rock's cave.  "Scar, darling!"  Scar moaned, and lazily picked himself up to see whatever Zira had to show him. He stopped at the sight of the male cub. Could it be his?  "Zira, you gave birth to these?" He thought of Zira's last cub. Zira just smiled. "Zira, do not lie to me." He was raising his voice. "No. A lioness by the name of... of... well, I don't know, she looks like this." She held up the female cub.  "Oh, her." said Scar thoughtfully.  "Are they yours?" Zira ventured. "No..." he replied. The boy turned over and opened his eyes. "The boy will be the next king. Rafiki!" The mandrill took his time climbing down the tree and walking toward Scar. "This cub will be presented as the future king. We will have the ceremony soon. I will say when."  "Yes." replied Rafiki. He made a mental note not to say 'Your majesty.' He walked back to his tree, mad at Scar.   "Is Scar my dad?" asked Kovu, on his way to bed. A long day of training was finally over, and he was tired.  "Your father? I'm afraid not, son. But he wished he was. You are the best cub to ever live."  "Is Vitani really my sister?" "Yes, Kovu, you are blood-related." "Is Nuka really my brother?" "He's your half-brother, dear." "And, is Nala Scar's daughter? Or Mufasa's?" "No one knows, dear." "Are you my real mother?" At this, Zira hit Kovu, sending him sprawling.  "Go to bed." But Kovu couldn't sleep. He couldn't stop wondering about mothers.   The four were roaring. Simba, Nala, Kiara, and Kovu were celebrating the one true fact that we are one. As the ceremony concluded, Simba looked to the heavens, wind rushing through his mane. He nodded to the other three, and they stepped off of the tip of Pride Rock. The ceremony was over.  Kovu was genuinely tired. He had stayed up all night and needed some rest. He began to lay down inside the cave.  Suddenly Vitani ran up. "Oh, Kovu, my son." Son? This wasn't Vitani. Upon closer inspection, Kovu saw that she had no bangs. "Excuse me?"  "Kovu, I am your mother. Zira took you away from me, because of your likeness to Scar. Please believe me. I haven't had any cubs since, and at the moment, I need some love." Kovu was still shaky on the idea of this random lioness being his mother. "If Vitani believes it, then I do." "How could you not believe it? Do you see the likeness here?" Kovu chuckled as Vitani walked up, overhearing the conversation. "Well, I guess you're my mother." Without warning, Chekua shot forward and nuzzled Kovu fiercely.  "Son..."

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