the pair's words echoing through their ears. Sarafina and Sarabi turned to face each, amazed smiles on their faces. Unexpected and out of the blue, given the recent events the pride had expected Simba and Nala to wait a while to start a family. Turning to face them Sarafina shot Simba a glare that caused the young king to blush, Timon and Pumba gigged softly at their friend's embarrassment. Happy though Sarafina may be it didn’t prevent her being slightly angry at what Simba had done to her daughter.

“Three cheers for SIMBA AND NALA!” Timon cried punching the air.

“Congratulations both of you,” Kula cried walking up to them both.

“Congratulations your majesties” Zazu said from his position on Tama's shoulder.

“Thank you all for you,” Nala replied a brilliant smile on her face.

“A cub is always a joyous occasion, thought I was not expecting one so soon,” Sarafina said nuzzling her daughter.

“Funny how these things happen,” Simba replied averting his gaze.

“Funny indeed,” Sarafina replied dryly as Sarabi nuzzled her son.

“Fina leave them alone, Simba has enough to worry about without you scaring him to death.”

“A little fear will not do him any harm,” Sarafina replied turning to her friend.

Together Nala and Sarafina walked out into the savannah leaving Simba with Sarabi and his friends. The guilty look remained on the young king's face. Shaking her head Sarabi smiled.

“Relax my son Fina will calm down. My mother was exactly the same with your father when I told her about you. For a week he was terrified of her, convinced she was going to skin him alive,” Sarabi said laughing at the memory.

“That I can imagine he was, Grandma did did have a quick temper,” Simba laughed remembering his grandmother fondly.

“She would have been very proud of you, as am I.”

_____________________________________________________________________

As the days passed since the announcement the news spread through the kingdom, the animals rejoicing at the prospect of a new prince or princess. The news even reached the ears of the Outsiders, Scar flying into a murderous rage, as the cub would threaten the claim of his own offspring. Sitting in the darkness the former king and his queen began to plot once more on how a solution may be found to the problem of Simba's impending cub. A few days after the announcement Zazu finally plucked up the courage to introduce his mate Mert to the pride. Mert quickly became close friends with Tabia, Nala, Kula and Tama, the five forming a close knit group. Tabia and Timon spent an increasing amount of time together, though they did not say it out loud, they did not dry to disguise their relationship either.

His impending fatherhood wrought a change in Simba as he became increasingly protective of Nala, never choosing her to undertake border patrols and trying, if somewhat unsuccessfully, to prevent her going out alone. Yet all noticed something else that was different about Simba, thought none could quite say what, they all knew there was something wrong, almost as if he regretted coming back. Timon and Pumba rallied around their friend, often talking with him late into the night as they alone understood the mixed emotions he was struggling with.

One afternoon a few weeks later Simba and Zazu had returned home from another meeting with the leaders of various herds. Under a tree Pumba, Timon, Tabia and Nala sat chatting. Seeing them Pumba smiled and walked over, greeting Simba before leaving with Zazu on more kingdom business.

“Hi Simba so how did the meeting go?” Timon called as Simba approached.

“Not very well, the impala leader was a nightmare,”Sima replied flopping down on the ground. “How did your meeting with the wilder beast leader go?”

“Could have been better, he's a stubborn old, couldn't see the dangers of gathering above the Gorge, despite what happen,” Timon replied raising an eyebrow.

“What is surprising is that he involved in the stamped,” Nala said, flicking her tail in annoyance.

“Oh great that means another meeting for someone, I swear we have hardly seen each other the past few suns,” Simba sighed rolling onto his back.

“No kidding. Pumba and Zazu had to go meet Tama to check the Graveyard the moment you get back. Say why don’t we all of down to the river together?”

“Great idea Timon we all need some time to relax,” Simba replied.

“We certainly need it,” Nala said stretching.

“Timon, Tabia, you'd better ride on mine and Nala's back.”

Laying still Simba and Nala allowed Timon and Tabia to climb onto their backs, the meerkat's soft paws gripping the lions' fur. Side by side Simba and Nala raced threw the lush grass, the soft breeze blowing through their fur while the sun shone above them. Nala's eyes shone with delight, an glow radiating from every fibre of her being. His spirit soaring Simba let out a might roar. Nala joined him with one of her own, their combined calls of power and freedom echoing through the savannah. Sitting on their friend's backs Timon and Tabia felt the raw power the lions possessed, exhilaration and adrenaline racing through their veins.

Reaching the river Simba and Nala crashed into the river sending water cascading into the air, soaking themselves and their passengers to the skin. The four grinned from ear to ear, enjoying the cool water.

“Did you both enjoy that?” Simba asked turning to Timon and Tabia.

“That was a fantastic ride,” Timon replied punching the air.

“It was lovely, you are both very quick runners,” Tabia said.

“Simba is faster then me at the moment, normally I can match his pace,” Nala swimming into deeper water.

Laughing Simba and Timon climbed onto a rock above the water, taking a running jump they dived in. Under the water the pair looked around at the strange word they had entered where shoals of fish swam around them. Surfacing they gasped for breath before swimming over to Nala and Tabia. Timon shot Simba a mischievous grin, in reply Simba looked his friend with eyes filled with glee. Swimming up the girls both males used their strength to send a cascade of water over them. The reaction was priceless. Both girls jumped a mile before yelling in annoyance at the boy's apparent immaturity. Instantly a water fight started, Simba and Timon against Nala and Tabia, the girls dodging this way and that. Laughter filled the air as the swimmers playfully fought water flying in every direction.

In the twilight the two couples made their way home, fireflies hovering in the cool air while the stars shone faintly, just visible above the horizon. Simba and Nala smiled lovingly at each while Timon and Tabia walked holding each others paws. A wonderful afternoon had turned into a beautiful evening.

_____________________________________________________________________

In the small hours of the following morning Nala woke in darkness to find Simba had left his place at her side. Looking around she found no trace of him in the cave just the sleeping forms of the pride. A ripple of uncertainty and confused raced through her body.

“Simba what is wrong? Why wont you tell me what is on your mind? Since I told you about our cub you have been worrying about something. Is everything to much for you to cope with? Do you wish to return to the carefree life you had, do you regret every coming home?”

Out under the night sky Simba stood alone on the exact spot where he had witnessed his father's death four years previously. Leaving the spot he walked to what remained of the fallen tree, tears streaming down his face as the memories of that horrific day surfaced.

“I was never to blame for what happened here,” Simba whispered. “It was Scar who caused your death. Scar used my innocence to betray you. Now I am going to become a father myself. Am I ready for this? I'm king but I don't know what I'm doing. Can I really handle both roles, what happens if I make a mess of things? Maybe it would be better if...” Simba whispered looking at the sky.

 

“The things my father said would make me a better king

hard work and love for friends,

a queen that understands

 

I hope my father knows the seeds we've sown will grow

at night I go to sleep and pray he's watching over me,” Simba sang, his voice filled with pain as tears ran freely down his cheeks.

 

“Somewhere there's a star that’s shinning

so bright that I can see you smile

and all I need is one last chance

just to hear you say goodbye.

 

Sometimes I remember

when you taught me to hunt

one thing I will never forget

is the day I lost you.”

In his mind Simba replayed that terrible day at the gorge in his mind, every single detail and the pain he had felt.

 

“I hope you always know

the stories you told I still remember

 

Somewhere there's a star that's shining

so bright that I can see you smile

and all I need is one last chance

just to hear you say goodbye.

 

And if you dream you better hang on for dear life

and when that cold wind blows just let it pass you by

 

The things my father said

 

somewhere there's a star that's shining

so bright I can see you smiling

and all that I need is one last chance

Just to hear you say goodbye.”3

Standing alone Simba ended his song, the agony he had felt coursing through him once more.

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