Sarafina had her new born son in her arms. Mufasa was standing over her, not protectively, but in anger.

"Who is the father?" He asked.

"Taka." Sarafina replied. "I had been in love with him ever since I was a cub. I knew he wanted to be a father a lot so we got together. I regret the decision now after how he treats you and how he rejected me."

Mufasa sighed. He wanted to feel angry at her but he knew Taka, or Scar as he liked to be called, had wanted to be a father. Now he had rejected Sarafina, Mufasa felt as if he was the father to the cub in the lioness's arms.

"What is his name Sarafina?"

"Mheetu."

Mheetu grew up fast. He understood his mother's delicate feelings so was a perfect child to her, however, whenever he was approached by Scar, Mheetu turned his charm off. He hated his father for the way he treated his mother. The only thing he did like about Scar was where he lived.

One day, whilst his mother was away, Mheetu visited the Shadowlands. He entered the unfamiliar Elephant Graveyard and felt excited as he thought of where he was. When he was quite a way inside, Mheetu heard the cries of a cub followed by harsh laughter. Mheetu went to investigate.

He saw a young cub surrounded by hyenas. The cub was bleeding from cuts n her legs. The hyenas were closing in. Mheetu ran between them.

"I command you to stop!" he shouted.

"Why should we stop for you?" snarled Banzai.

Mheetu gulped. He was very scared, but pulled himself together.

"I am the son of Scar. Under his name, I command you to stop!"

The three hyenas stopped in their tracks. 

They looked at each other in shock. Even Ed had stopped laughing! Eventually they backed away.

“We are sorry young prince. If you weren’t related to our master then we would’ve killed you and this pathetic cub down here.” Growled Shenzi

“Thank you. I will tell my father your loyalty to him and his family.” Said Mheetu.

The hyenas turned and ran. Mheetu went up to the cub.

“What is your name and how did you end up in this position?” he asked.

“My name is Afya and I was wandering in the area when the hyenas leapt at me. I ran away as fast as I could but they caught me in the end. I travel around a lot so I’m used to running. Who are you?”

Mheetu looked around. When he was sure they were alone he started speaking again.

“I’ll tell you later. First, let’s go to my home. I live in Pride Rock.”

“No thanks. I’d rather not. I like being alone; without other lions.” Replied Afya.

Mheetu nodded. He sort of understood how she felt.

“Okay. Then I’ll tell you now. My name is Mheetu. My mother is Sarafina and my father is Scar. We are in Scar’s lands now. I don’t call them home, but the Shadowlands, like everyone else. I can’t call it home. I hate my father. He broke my mothers heart and hates my uncle and aunt. They are King and Queen. I stopped the hyenas because they are in debt to Scar, so I used his fake command as my own.”

“Wow! Your highness!” cried Afya.

Mheetu was taken aback. Did she think that he was a prince? Or the heir to the throne. He was of royal blood after all…

“I am of royal blood, Afya, but I am not a prince. Or heir to the throne. That privilege goes to Sarabi and Mufasa’s child. They are my King and Queen.”

“Oh.” Said Afya. “Oh well… I think you’d make a great King.”

Mheetu blushed, feeling flattered.

“Will you stay for a while?” he asked.

“No. I’d better move on. I probably won’t return.” Afya replied.

Mheetu felt upset. He began to like Afya. As she turned and started walking away he called her back.

“Wait!” he cried.

“Let me at least help you heal your leg before you go. I could help wash it in the river!”

Afya smiled.

“I can heal myself pretty well, but thank you anyway.”

Then she walked over to Mheetu and licked his cheek.

“Goodbye Mheetu.”

“Bye Afya.”

A month later, Sarafina gave birth again. This time, to a cub called Aa Moja. Mheetu loved her dearly but felt upset whenever he saw his mother. Aa Moja’s father wasn’t Scar, but Sarafina had lied to Mufasa saying it was, so he wouldn’t kill the cub. Aa Moja’s father was in fact a rouge.

When Aa Moja was old enough, Mheetu played with her everyday. It didn’t matter to him that she was only his half sibling – only that she was his friend.

Although Aa Moja wasn’t one of the most prettiest lionesses, she always captured everyone’s attention. Whether she was speaking or just walking past, everyone would start whispering to one another. Mheetu thought it was because she helped everyone with his or her problems and because she was quite intelligent.

Gradually, Mheetu found this annoying. It was the fact Aa Moja was always the centre of attention and because she had started getting into trouble. She was always visiting places without permission and then tell wonderful stories about where she went.

One day, Aa Moja was walking in the grassland when a sudden disturbance made the grazing antelope stampede. She ran for her life but the antelope soon caught up. Panicking, she leapt for a branch of a tree.

Meanwhile, everyone was searching for her. They knew she liked going off alone but she always came back within an hour. Two hours had passed since she’d last been seen. Eventually, they gave up. She would turn up sooner or later.

Aa Moja was hanging on, but she felt her grip slipping. Suddenly, a lioness grabbed her. The antelope sped away and Aa Moja was left with her rescuer.

“Thank you very much!” she panted. “I would’ve died if you hadn’t of seen and caught me.”

“Your very welcome, young cub.” The lioness said. “Don’t go near this land again!”

“I promise.” Aa Moja replied. “Because you saved my life, I bet you could join Mufasa’s Pride!”

“Really…”

“Yes! Come on!”

Aa Moja led the lioness all the way back to Pride Rock. She told everyone what had happened and then showed her rescuer. The mood changed dramatically.

“Zira!” Mufasa roared. “Why did you follow the cub back here?”

“She told me I could come.” Zira snarled. “I wish to join your pride.”

This caused an outrage to every adult in the Pride. Mheetu looked confused as if he was trying to recall a distant memory. Aa Moja was shocked at the behaviour of everyone around her. Her mother was telling her that it wasn’t her fault; she didn’t know whilst glaring at Zira with malicious eyes. Aa Moja was scared. She didn’t know why people hated her so much or why Mufasa looked so disgusted at her request to join his pride. Finally, when everyone calmed down, Mufasa spoke again.

“Zira! You were exiled from this land because of the attacks on its members. Do you deny your exile?”

“I do not deny my exile.” Zira growled. “But I wish to join your pride. I would like a stable home and be a worthy member.”

“Where is the proof of your changed ways? You don’t look like the kind Zira I used to know!” snarled Sarabi.

“Life as a rouge has been hard. My thin, weak body is because of the lack of food and water.” Zira paused. “You, Sarabi, asked for proof of my changed ways. I rescued this cub from almost certain death and returned her without even a scratch on her. Is this proof not enough?”

“I cannot allow you back in. My ancestor’s laws tell me so. If any King breaks the law he will suffer. I do not want to be that King!” shouted Mufasa.

“I’m sure that won’t be true…”

Every head turned towards Scar, who had entered from the shadows. He eyed Zira and slightly bowed his head.

“If you let Zira back in I would make sure you don’t meet a horrible fate. I will look after her and make sure she doesn’t do any harm. I could help protect your children in case the “curse” passes to them. We could join forces and rule the Pride Lands together as brothers!”

Mufasa glared at Scar.

“Mother and father told me that you weren’t fit for ruling – not even with me! You were too power crazy. They were right!”

He turned towards Zira again.

“You must leave these lands immediately and never return. Just be glad that I didn’t kill you on the spot!”

Scar glared at his brother. Mheetu saw the pleased look on his mother’s face and actually decided to leave Pride Rock with Scar. Aa Moja ran crying to her mother’s side. Zira ran away, cursing. Everyone else looked relieved and pleased.

Aa Moja wanted to hate her pride. They had refused to let the law prevail to let a lioness into the pride! Yes, she had done some bad things before but people can change, can’t they? Zira had rescued her from death. Did Mufasa not care about her wellbeing? As much as she tried, she found herself doubting her thoughts. Zira had to leave for everyone’s safety! They were sacred. Mufasa, Sarabi, her mother, everyone – they were all too scared!

Aa Moja ran away again. This time far, far away from the Pridelands. There she met a young lion called