waiting for them Simba smiled as she took in the sight of a half asleep Kopa. Gently Nala took the sleepy cub from his father back into the cave. With a nod to Zazu, Simba walked inside and yawned.

“Did everything work out well?” Nala whispered.

“The wild dogs agreed to everything we asked, they just want to live in peace. Kopa made friends with the pack leaders son. The pair of them when off exploring, I'm not sure what they were doing but they managed to land in a long tunnel,” Simba replied softly.

“I'm glad everything went well,” Nala replied sleepily.

Seeing past perceptions

A few days after his adventure in the Elephant's Graveyard Kopa was out playing with Akil, Sudi and Dumisa. They were given Dumisa a tour of all the best places to play as it was the wild dogs first time in the Pride Land's alone. Their parents had all driven the same things into their heads; stay away from the Outlands, be careful when walking through herds, avoid snakes,do not get into trouble, remember that falling can break bones and that crocodiles swim in the river.

Playing on the riverbank they chased each other through the water much to the announce of the animals who were drinking and the vultures who were not amused their lunch was being so rudely interrupted.

Skidding to a halt in front of some sunbathing crocodiles Kopa looked down across the bank, to his amazement he saw a dark tan cub with a tuft of black fur on his head and tail tip drinking from the river. Instantly a shiver of half anger and half curiosity ran down his spine as his friends joined him. Seeing the cub Dumisa, Akil and Sudi exchanged worried looks, though it might be Dumisa's first time exploring, that did mean he was unaware of past events. Seeing his friend's nervous Kopa gathered his courage, in the corner of his eye he could just see scaly form of Buzubi just visible in the water. Seeing Kopa walking over the cub instantly started to run into the river only to have escape blocked by Buzubi while Kopa and Dumisa corned him behind.

“My name is Kopa son of the king, who are Outsider and why do you trespass in my kingdom?” Kopa asked, trying to imitate his father's stance.

“I am Imoo son of Scar and Zira, so what are you going to do now prince? Run and tell Daddy you have caught the nasty Outsider?” asked the cub smirking.

“Not yet. I want to know what you are doing here.”

“Like I would tell you that.”

“You know the law, what will happen if you are caught here.”

“The law of a usurper,” Imoo spat flashing his claws.

“Look who is talking your father nearly destroyed this kingdom,” Kopa snarled, his eyes filled with anger.

“Yours took what did not belong to him, my father was the rightful king.”

“If you think that Imoo then your Dad hasn't told you the truth about what happened.”

“My father...... ”Imoo began.

“Enough,” Buzubi snapped in annoyance. “Arguing will not solve anything. Look Imoo you need to hear a few facts about the your dear old Dad and what happened during his reign. Listen then we will let you go.”

“Fine I'll listen,” Imoo snarled, seeing he was outnumbered.

Sitting down on the bank Imoo listened as Buzubi told him the truth about how Scar came to the throne, the events of his reign and how Simba reclaimed the throne. As the tale progressed Imoo felt anger course through him at how his father was portrayed, yet try as he might, the tale filled in certain gaps in his knowledge of the events. Also Imoo remembered the times when he had seen both his parents utterly filled with rage that supported their tyrannical actions. Imoo was not blind to his parents personalities, despite their care for him, he seen their cruelty first paw. A feeling of unease ran through his body. Imoo was still a cub, filled with a cub's belief that his parents could do no wrong.

“So even if what your saying is true why do you care what I think?” Imoo asked flicking his tail back and forth.

“I care because I don't we should have to hate each other, we are cousins, we could be friends.”

“Yeh right like that is possible,” Imoo replied sarcastically.

“Kopa is right,” Akil said flapping up to Imoo. “Our parents started this not us we could be friends.”

“I'll chew this over..........if I believe you and I want to be our friend?”

“Meet us here in four days,” Akil replied taking charge.

Walking off Imoo headed home, what he had been told swirling around in his head. Arriving home he found his twin brother Nuka fighting some female cubs, daughters of other Outsiders while Scar and Zira looked out. There was a look of disappointment in their eyes as Nuka was beaten by one of the girls. Seeing Imoo, Scar's eyes lit up, concern etched on his face when he saw the concern on the cub's face.

“Imoo did something happen in the Pridelands?” Scar asked placing a paw around his son.

“Dad can I ask you something?”

“Of course you can, why? If you have.....”

“I was out today and I heard some talk about your reign, things you never told me.....I just wanted to know if what I heard was true.”

“Walk with me, tell me everything,” Scar replied leading Imoo deeper into their home.

Walking next to his father Imoo told him everything that he had been told. Listening to the information Scar felt himself shift uncomfortably in his fur, he had been praying his son would not have discovered the truth so young. Scar cared deeply for his son, looking at him with regret he sighed.

“Imoo what you have to understand,” Scar began, explaining the events of his cub hood, why he chosen to kill Mufasa and the events of his reign.

Hearing his father's words Imoo listened in utter shock, he had never imagined his father could do such things. Anger and confusion entered his heart, it was all too much for such a young cub to understand.

“Imoo I am sorry you had to discover this so young, those Pridelander's saw things from one perspective.”

“Dad you said, you told me it was an accident with Mufasa and that Simba was angry at you for not saving him. You said he was a murderer.”

“Oh Imoo this may seem confusing now but soon you will fully understand when you are a little older,” Sacr replied nuzzling his son.

“Dad......if you say so,” Imoo replied softly.

Three days later Kopa and Akil waited on the banks of the river nervously waiting and praying for Imoo to show. Over the past three days they had both thought a lot about the meeting discussed deeply. Sudi and Dumisa had listened to the talk but they did not feel the legacy of the past as deeply as Kopa and Akil. Though young Kopa and Akil were well aware they were the heirs of Mufasa and Zazu and the importance of this legacy in dealing with Imoo. As the time passed and Imoo did not appear disappointment entered their hearts. Just when they were about the leave the slim form of Imoo crept out of the bushed.

“You came!” Akil cried flying to him.

“About time, we thought you weren't going to.”

“I nearly didn't.....My Dad admitted to everything you told me...... I never thought he could,” Imoo stammered uncertainly.

“Imoo........we are only cubs but...........we can be friends if we like, we don't have to tell our parents,” Kopa said hesitantly, smiling slightly.

“I've never really had a friend before, only the cubs of my parent's supporters and my brother Nuka,” Imoo replied smiling for the first time.

“Well you just got four,” Akil said as Dumisa arrived with Sudi on his back.

“About time you got here, looks like everyone is late today,” Kopa said rolling his eyes.

“Yeh well our parents are talking to yours..........something about hyenas poaching,” Dumisa replied.

“So we agree about being friends?” Imoo asked looking at the others.

A this everyone answered with an unanimous yes that surprised the dark cub, he had been expecting them to pull out. Seeing the looks of genuine respect and acceptance on their faces Imoo let himself trust them. Never in his short like had been seen as someone other than Scar's son, yet the cubs in front of him knew that and still wanted to be his friend. Imoo had never told anyone but he had always wanted a friend who would like him for who he was.

“Lets swear to be friends,” Kopa said putting his paws on a rock.

One by one Imoo, Dumisa and Sud put their paws down while Akil placed one wing down. Looking at each other their eyes lit up.

“FRIENDS!” they called, a shaft of sunlight cast a gold glow around the group.

Unbeknown to the golden group they were being watched. Carefully concealed in the branches of a tree Rafiki had been watching the scene unfold. Pride, amusement and a hint of surprise marked his face

“The past would say they should never be friends yet I witness them making vows of just that. Imoo is as his father was long ago.....very like little Zola in many ways, will he even be aware of her existence? We will have to watch this group Mufasa, they might just be the hope for a bright future.”

Friend from the past

Time had passed since the birth of Kopa and the inclusion of Imoo in his group of friends. Since that day the cubs had spent countless hours playing together, far from the sight of their parents. There had been a few close calls when they had nearly been seen by members of