Vitani's labor was very hard on her. Rafiki was having a hard time getting the cubs out. All the pushing was tiring Vitani out pretty fast. The labor has been going on for six hours. Kovu was pacing back and forth worrying that Vitani's life may be at stake. Kiara was telling Kovu to settle down but he was unable to.

"I'm going out for a walk," Kovu said.

Kiara tried to follow him but he said that he wanted to walk by himself. Kiara was upset but understood that Kovu wanted time to himself. A few minutes later, Vitani managed to get her cubs out into the world. They were both female. Rafiki noticed that neither of them were moving. Vitani looked over to her daughters and wondered what was happening.

"I don't know how this happened Vitani, but your daughters are stillborn," Rafiki said sadly.

A roar of anguish from Vitani was heard all the way down at the waterhole. Kovu ran back to Pride Rock only to be met by Rafiki. Kovu noticed that Rafiki was really upset and he wanted to know what was going on.

"There is good news and bad news," Rafiki said.

"Whats the bad news?" Kovu asked.

"Vitani had her cubs but they died in childbirth," Rafiki said.

"The good news?" Kovu asked trying not to cry.

"Vitani will be fine, she just needs to take it easy for a few weeks but overall, she'll be emotionally scarred for life especially after giving birth to dead cubs,"Rafiki said.

Kovu, Kiara and Kopa all had tears running down their faces. Rafiki bid them farewell after telling them they could go into the cave. As they walked into the cave, they went over to see Vitani cradling her dead daughters. She was still very tired from a hard labor but still acknowledged Kovu, Kiara and Kopa.

"What were you going to name them Vitani?" Kiara asked.

"I was going to name them Nuru and Pili," Vitani said.

"You could still give them those names," Kiara said.

"Thats a good idea so they won't join The Great Kings of the Past without names," Vitani said.

Kovu, Kiara and Kopa looked down sadly at their dead nieces and layed down right where they were. Those cubs would've brought them joy but it seems they weren't meant to be. Vitani was wondering if she'll ever be able to experience Motherhood. There had been too much sadness already. Kiara and Kopa had lost their parents Simba and Nala and their Aunt Shani to a rare disease that was said to have no cure. Just a month ago, Kiara suffered a miscarriage and she too wondered if she'll become a parent.

"I am so sick of bad things happening to us," Kovu said.

"I agree with you Kovu," Vitani said.

"I just wish that these cubs had survived, I really would've loved to see them grow up, not die as they were born," Kovu said.

"We all feel that way Kovu," Vitani replied.

A few days later, the funeral of Vitani's daughters Nuru and Pili was now going on.

"We are gathered here to bid farewell to Nuru and Pili. Although they are gone, the Great Kings will watch over them in the afterlife," Rafiki said.

It was very hard for the pride to be a another funeral especially after losing three pride members. Vitani was the saddest since it was her cubs who were getting buried. Kiara sat between Kovu and Vitani as she let them rest their heads on her shoulders. She sensed that they were starting to cry. As tears filled each of their eyes, they wiped them off with their paws. Kopa was sitting beside Vitani and stroked her shoulder trying to comfort her. She appreciated it but was inconsolable. The funeral ended with the whole pride in tears. Kovu decided to go for a walk by himself. A few hours had gone by and Kovu still hasn't returned. Kopa decided it was time to go find him. He wandered out by the Outlands and saw Kovu sitting inside his old home.

"There you are," Kopa said.

Kopa walked over to Kovu and Kovu turned his back to him. He really wanted to be alone but Kopa didn't want to leave him alone.

"What are you doing here?" Kovu asked growling.

"The pride is worried about you, Vitani, Kiara and I especially," Kopa said.

"They're better off without me Kopa, you should be King, not me," Kovu said.

"Me be King? I never listened to what my father ever said to me while he was teaching Kiara and I about the Kingdom when we were cubs, besides, its Kiara's birthright, not mine," Kopa said.

"I thought the position was to go to the first born male, not female," Kovu said.

"True, but Dad knew that even if Kiara denied the throne, I am an unfit King so Kiara would have no choice but to be Queen," Kopa said.

"I never really wanted to be King, but to be a father and an uncle, but the Great Kings had something else in mind," Kovu said.

"I feel the same way but I have not found the right lioness to mate with yet," Kopa said.

After a while of talking, Kovu and Kopa walked back to Pride Rock. Kiara walked up to Kovu and tried to nuzzle him but he pushed her away.

"What is it?" Kiara asked.

"I'm going to take a nap," Kovu said sadly.

Kovu walked into the cave for sleep while a confused Kiara stood wondering why Kovu didn't want to be nuzzled.

"He'll be fine, just give him some time, all of this sadness is getting to everyone," Kopa said.

"I hope you're right Kopa, I just hate to see Kovu this upset," Kiara said.

Kiara decided to pay a visit to Rafiki. She really wanted to know if she'll ever get pregnant again. Rafiki told her to meet him in his tree. She climbed up and sat in his home.

"I was wondering if you could examine me and tell me if I'll be able to get pregnant again," Kiara said.

Rafiki started to examine Kiara and had some good news. Kiara wondered what he was smiling about.

"You will be able to get pregnant," Rafiki said.

"What about my miscarriage last month?" Kiara asked.

"Its because your parents and Shani have died and that put a lot of stress on you and your cubs," Rafiki said.

"What about Vitani?" Kiara asked.

"She'll be able to have cubs again, it was just stress that prevented a successful pregnancy," Rafiki said.

"Thanks for your time Rafiki," Kiara said as she climbed down.

"No problem Kiara," Rafiki said.

Kiara walked back to Pride Rock with a smile on her face. Kopa was wondering why Kiara was so happy considering the circumstances.

"I am able to get pregnant again and so is Vitani," Kiara said.

"That is the best news I've heard in a while," Kopa said.

"I know," Kiara said.

A few hours later, Kovu awoke from his nap and went out to greet Kiaraand Kopa. He saw a smile on both Kiara and Kopa's faces and wondered why they were so happy.

"Rafiki told me that Vitani and I are able to get pregnant again," Kiara said.

"That is great news," Kovu said.

"Why did you push me away when I nuzzled you?" Kiara asked.

"Yeah, you hurt her feelings," Kopa said.

"Oh Kopa, I can speak for myself you know," Kiara said.

Kopa rolled his eyes.

"The reason I pushed you away was because I wasn't in the mood for being nuzzled," Kovu said.

"I understand," Kiara said.

"I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings," Kovu said ashamed.

"I forgive you," Kiara said.

The next few weeks have gone by without any more death. Vitani was fully recovered from her labor. Kiara and Kovu have mated again and were awaiting the birth of their next litter. Vitani also recently met this nice rogue while she was at the waterhole. He's a beige lion with a light brown mane, a pink Pridelander nose and violet eyes. Vitani knew that he was right for her. His name is Azizi. Over the next few months, Vitani and Azizi fell for each other and soon enough, Vitani was pregnant again. A few days later, Azizi was nowhere to be seen. Vitani wandered over to the waterhole and saw him laying face first in the water. Confirming that he was dead, Vitani brought his body over to a river and pushed him in. She watched as he floated down the river and then left for Pride Rock. At Pride Rock, Kiara had given birth to twins. They were both girls. Vitani walked into the cave and over to Kiara and Kovu. She looked down at the newborns and smiled sadly.

"What is it Vitani?" Kovu asked.

"I met a rogue named Azizi and we've fallen for each other over the last while but I found him dead in the waterhole today," Vitani said.

"And?" Kovu asked.

"I'm pregnant with his cubs," Vitani replied.

"Thats wonderful news," Kovu said.

"I only wish Azizi would've been able to be around to see them when they are born," Vitani said sadly.

"I know, but he's with the Great Kings and your other daughters Nuru and Pili, and I'm sure they are proud of you," Kovu said.

"Thank you," Vitani said.

"What are brothers for?" Kovu asked.

"By the way, what did you name your cubs?" Kopa asked.

"Kovu and I decided to name our cubs Kotani and Vitara," Kiara said.

"Those are lovely names Kiara," Vitani said.

The newborns were identical, brown fur, pink Outlander nose and blue eyes. Kiara and Kovu were really happy with their daughters and would protect them from the dangers in the Pridelands. Vitani was looking forward to giving birth to her second litter. A few months later, Vitani was in the birthing