loss of her beloved Kopa. As she tried sparring again in her emotionally unstable state, Spotty noticed her lack of concentration and took advantage of it, pinning Vitani to the ground. The glazed look in Vitani's eyes vanished, and she looked as if someone had thrown hot water at her. "Hey!" she exclaimed scrabbling to get out of that position. Spotty let her up, but not before asking, "Vitani, are you awake? You lost."
 

Vitani looked up at her in confusion. "Um… yeah, I guess. I was just thinking about someone..." Zira's ears perked up when she heard that; she knew who Vitani was thinking about. As usual, the little gears in her mind where spinning yet another insidious plot. Oh yes; she was thinking about how to twist this situation to her advantage, how to make sweet, and innocent little Vitani turn against her own pride and slaughter them with icy and ruthless precision... just the way Zira liked it. She knew how to turn that cub brain into a pitiless, brutal minion who would do anything for Zira... by turning her love for the deceased Kopa to hate for her pride. Zira grinned demoniacal satisfaction as she padded over to Vitani.

"You still Miss Kopa? Oh, you poor dear; having your love taken away from you must of been horrible." Zira said, voice dripping false sympathy. Vitani looked up at Zira, suspicion and sadness in her eyes.

"Excuse me? You kidnapped me and my brother, threatened to kill me in front of my parents, and treated me like I was the scum of the Outlands; now you want me to talk to me about my feelings?"

Zira just smiled. "Vitani, I care about how you miss Kopa; I know how it feels to have lost your little paramour. So Vitani... I don't mind. Please, tell me all about it." Zira said in her most persuasive voice, her words golden nectar to Vitani's ears; in reality, they were ingredients for penetrating, bitter venom... hatred. Vitani looked at her, defenses dropping, and began to speak, "Really? Well, if you want me too..."

___________________________________________________________________
 

Things were a lot less hectic back in the Pridelands; Kiara had just turned three months old today, and Simba was finally going to let her explore outside the cave.

"Okay, Kiara; today, you get leave our cave for the first time." Simba said to his daughter, smiling. Kiara looked up at him, tail twitching with excitement. "But, today you are only allowed to walk and play around the perimeters of Pride Rock." Simba said sternly, trying to make sure she didn't wander off.

"What else, Daddy?" Kiara asked curiously.

"Well, first of all; I want you stay close to Pride Rock. If you see any strangers, don't talk to them... and come straight home when the day is over. Later today, I will send Dotty over to play with you." Simba explained, closing up all the loose ends.

"Ok Daddy." Simba hugged his daughter, and left to attend to his duties. Kiara thought she was alone when Timon and Pumba showed up.

"Good morning, Princess." Timon said.

Kiara looked at the meerkat curiously. "Who are you?"

"My name is Timon, and this is Pumba."

Good morning Princess Kiara. Pumba said, bowing.

"Oh... well, hello."

"So princess, what do you want to do today?" Timon asked.

"I don’t know; what you two do for fun?"

Pumbaa stepped forward to answer her question. "Well, Timon and I do many things; but the best things we like to do is eat, sleep, and have bug contests." Pumbaa said. "I already woke up, and ate already, so... what about a bug game?"
Timon's eyes lit up "Well I got just the one it called Snail Slurping and you have to beat me. The champion." Timon said thinking about his loss from the past.

Pumbaa sighed. "Timon, Kiara isn't old enough for that game; and if Simba found out, you and I would get it."

Ok thank you Mr. concerned. Timon face palms in frustration. Timon then Snaps his fingers. I got it what about snail tennis."

"That sounds interesting; how do you play?" Kiara asked.

"Ah you see the rules are very simple."

Timon was about to explain the rules of the game, when a nine-month-old Dotty approached the group. "Hi Princess Kiara! Hi Timon! Hi Pumbaa!" she said enthusiastically, beaming with undisguised cheeriness

"Hi Dotty. This is Timon and Pumbaa; we were about to play Snail tennis."

 Dotty looked at Kiara, frowning a little. "Oh, I thought we would play something more fun, like Tag or hide and seek."

"Well, I'll show you." Dotty said. "First of all, it's all about running; I tag you and you try to tag me back." Dotty batted Kiara's shoulder with a paw before running off. "Tag, you're it, Kiara!"

________________________________________________________________________

At Tojo's cave, Tojo and Kula were practicing new battle moves on each other to see if they would work in a real battle. Tojo was failing miserably. "Honey, this is not working! My mane is in the way." Tojo complained."

"Darling, most of the fighters is lionesses, so they wouldn't have a mane in
the way." Kula said, rolling her eyes.

"I see your point; but we will still have to come up with something to
compensate for us males."  Tojo said, slightly petulant.

Kula shook her head. "Or... you order the males to do a standard thrust, while I order the lionesses to do this move."

Tojo smiled. "Excellent idea, my dear. For up close and personal fighting, that will work fine. Tojo moved his head upwards, his mane waving from side to side.

Kula couldn't help being a little allured; she had always loved Tojo's mane. "Oh Tojo; you always know how to turn me on." Kula moved closer him, nuzzling him softly. Tojo purred slightly as he felt her rough tongue caress his cheek...

I'm sorry, General!" said a sudden voice. The two broke apart, and turned to see Snowey flying into the cave.

Tojo looked back at his mate and sighed, before looking back at the bird. "What is it, Snowey?" he said, a little annoyed the bird had ruined their moment.

"I'm afraid that Simba needs your help; apparently the giraffes and elephants are not listening to reason, nor willing to negotiate. Simba needs your help before things get... nasty."

Tojo sighed. "Alright, I'm on my way." he looked back at his mate before heading out, "Sorry, my love; another time."

"It's ok, Snookums; we can play another time." Kula said seductively, winking at him before he left.

Snowey rode on Tojo's shoulder until they reached where Simba was; a small grove of acacia trees, with a good number charred or re growing. Bluey was squawking his heart out at the assembled elephants and giraffes, who were complaining to Simba and arguing amongst themselves as loud as possible. "I told you! King Simba says you are ordered to share the tree lines here until the new trees grow in!" Bluey shouted, trying to be heard over the din. It was no use; Simba was too busy trying to block the lead giraffe and the lead elephant from attacking each other. "King Simba, your father would never do this!" A disgruntled elephant said angrily. Tojo and Snowey quickly moved to Simba's side.

"Thanks buddy. You couldn't have come at a better time; they won't listen to me! Simba said, standing between the two lines of animals.

"Don't mention it. Now, I suggest we both roar to get their attention."

Simba nodded. "Good idea." Both Simba and Tojo roared to both sides as loud as they could. All the animals froze; even the two leaders stopped trying to fight each other, and turned towards Simba. "Enough already" Simba shouted. He turned to the elephant leader, "Poi, I am not my father; you and your herd must go to another spot to graze, away from the giraffes... until you learn to cooperate."

"But, your Majesty! We have been coming to this spot for years when your father was in charge."

"That's enough, elephant!" Tojo interjected angrily. "The King has spoken... or do I have to get the bark beetles to cut these trees down?"

"You wouldn't dare!" a giraffe said arrogantly.

Tojo scoffed in disdain. "Oh, yes I would; right, Simba?"

Simba nodded. "Yes; I could have Tojo arrange to cut these trees down, so that no one eats from this spot..."

The animals very visibly defeated. "Fine, you win, King Simba; we will cooperate." The elephant said resignedly.

"Ok then; but for time being, you elephants are restricted to these trees for a month." Simba said sternly.

"Yes, your Majesty." The elephants curtsied and left, leaving Tojo and Simba alone. Simba turned to his friend, sighing in relief. "Thanks Tojo."

Hey, your welcome, buddy; anything I can do to help." Tojo said. Simba looked away glumly. "Hey, you alright, Simba?"

Simba sighed. "It's... nothing; its just... I wish my father was here. He could of fixed this problem by himself, without having to call in his best friend and his majordomo to help." he said, looking a little ashamed.

"It's okay, Simba; as long as you still remember him, he will always be there to guide you." Tojo said gently.

"You're right, Tojo; thanks." The two lions walked back to Pride Rock as the sun made its visceral descent, a fading