A swift gentle breeze swept over the Pridelands, as the recently new mother and Queen , Nala walked. The grass swayed lightly around her, framing her body as she padded along. Her nose gave a sudden twitch and she jerked her head to the right. Her pace quickened, and she soon had broken into a run.

Suddenly she stopped and gazed down in wonder at the small body before her. "Oh my!" She exclaimed, bending down to look at the dozing cub. Its eyes snapped open and it began to wail, her little blue eyes swimming with tears. Nala hushed the young cub."Shhh, its alright." Gingerly she bent down and picked up the cub in her mouth, then with a determination she bounded back to Priderock, the bundle swinging from her  careful jaws.

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The lioness crouched low in the grass, her pale fur shining brightly in the sunshine. Her gleaming eyes were as blue as the sky above her. Her hair tuft blew slightly in the summer breeze. Without warning, her muscles tensed and she pounced, she went soaring through through the air and landed on the male, who gave a sound of surprise. She giggled at him.

"Strike! I gotcha!" She laughed in his ear. Strike blushed.

"Hey! No fair Sandstorm!" He muttered, then he rolled over and she was flung onto her back. He pinned her down."Now this I like." He laughed. Her face flushed.

"Get off me!" She yelped.

He grinned at her and wriggled off, then he sat up. She did the same, and leant on his side. He gazed at her, eye filled with emotion.

"I love you Sandstorm"

Sandstorm rolled her eyes but smiled."Love you too." She whispered.

Strike yawned "We really should be getting back to Priderock, the others are probably wondering where we are...We dont want them getting ideas."

Sandstorm snorted "Dont be gross..But yeah we should head back."

The two lions got up, and began walking up a slope headed to a giant rock formation. A light summer breeze was sweeping through the Pridelands, the sun was high in the sky, shining down on everything.

As they reached Priderock, a small blue blur streaked by them in the air.

"Zazu!?" Strike said as the bird landed beside them. "Something wrong?"

Zazu sqauwked impatiently at them"Yes there is! King Simba has called a meeting, all the pride need to be there."

Sandstorm cocked her head to the side "Why is there a meeting?"

But Zazu flew off again, not answering. "Jeez, how rude." Sandstorm muttered,

"C'mon." Strike said."Lets go see what this is all a bout."

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As they reached the inside of the rock, Kiara, Sandstorms adopted sister waved them over with her tail. "Daddy said this is urgent." Kiara said to them, a puzzled expression on her face. Her mate, Kovu was sitting beside Simba. they were talking animatedly.

Then with a mighty roar, Simba called the meeting into order.

Everyone was silent, they were all wondering what was going on.

Simba looked all around at the gathered lions and lionesses, he began. "Earlier today, while me and Kovu were patroling the Pridelands. We discovered a pride hiding not to far from here. There were many of them in number, almost as big as our pride. We dont yet know what they want, but I advise you all to stay away from them."

The pride muttered amosnt themselves in hushed whisperes. Sandstorm turned to Strike.

"If he tells me not to go near them, then I'm obviosuly not gonna listen." She rolled her eyes.

Strike sighed "For once mabye you should listen-" But when he caught sight of her face he shut up and looked away. Nala apeared by the twos side. "Sandstorm, you must'nt go near them! Please, we dont know if they are dangerous or not."

Sandstorm scowled, her sky blue eyes shining in defeat. If Nala told her not to do something..She would listen. Strike sighed in relief..But for how long would his mate obey orders?

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"Shes beautiful! Just so beautiful!" A familar voice purred, Sandstorm couldnt see clearly, but she felt warm thick fur and a resurring tongue washing her head. She opened her eyes but stil couldnt see clearly, the familiar voice was filled with joy. "She has you eyes...So stuning, a vibrant sky blue.."

Anougher voice, much deeper. Male."Yes..She has.. The pride sisters will love her."

She felt a small breath near her side, she tried to see who it was. Sandstorms vision suddenly came to her, she blinked. She looked around, she was surrouded by quite a few trees, a lioness had her by her paws, smiling at her. The male was smiling too, his blue eyes, identical to hers. But the one who was stading over her, didnt look happy. She looked the very oppisite. Her eyes were narrowed, but she looked sad.

The lioness purred again. "Dont you love her?" Expecting to get a yes.

But the young cub turned her nose in the air."No, I hate her!"

The lioness glared at the cub."Sunbeam!" She hissed."How dare you about her like that!" Sunbeam shrugged, not caring.The male whispered something in the lionesses ear. She rolled her eyes, but stop glaring at her. She looked at the small cub in her arms. "Oh Sandstorm...Welcome to the world."

Sandstorms eyes  flared open, she panted, gasping for air.  A bead of sweat rolled down her forehead and she shook her head, removing the moisture rom her hairtuft. She vaguely remember a dream...The details were fuzzy..Except for the face of a young lioness cub. Whose green eyes were etched into her brain. She sighed in frustration, she felt liek she should know who the cub was. But she didnt. Closing her eyes she lay back down beside Strike, luckly she didnt wake him. Who was that cub? Why do I suddenly remember her from somewhere? I wonder...If she is even real.