animals bowed to the pair. Delight was written across Aketch’s face, her heart almost bursting with joy. Looking at Aketch, Kopa knew there was not going back from this moment. The circle of life had begun once more.  

 

                    Shadows of the past

       A couple of weeks had passed since the wedding of Kopa and Aketch. The tensions within the pride had eased. Vitani was not quite right, she seemed distant and depressed. Nassor was increasingly answering back and showing a rebellious streak that annoyed all yet he was on good terms with Vitani. Given the tensions between Kovu and Nassor, Vitani and Nassor were often put together on patrols. Kopa and Aketch were unsettled as despite their marriage as Kopa continued to treat her as a friend. This upset Aketch a little but she believed he just needed time. Ni on the other paw was quietly furious with Kopa to such an extent that he had had words with Simba and Nala.

             In the late afternoon sun Nassor and Vitani walked in the cool water of the river. They had just finished a long patrol duty resulting in lots of aches and a desire to cool off. All around them birds bathed and chattered, their voices drifting through air. As they drank the pair become aware of the chatter of a group of buzzards, a mixture of locals who were chatting to some recent arrivals. The recent arrivals were telling the locals about the land they had come from and their friendship with two lioness called Zola and Majani. The birds said that Zola was queen.

    Casting sideways glance at one another Nassor and Vitani nodded. Throwing on a casual air they walked over to the buzzards. To their surprise the recent arrivals looked at them in something close to shock. The birds seemed to be eyeing the pair very closely. With a relaxed tone Nassor spoke up.

“We overheard you talking about the place you come from…….Zola and Majani,” Nassor began.

“I’m glad you come over, you both look quite like them both,” a male buzzard said.

“Uncannily alike in fact,” a female said eyeing the lions suspiciously.

“Well we’re not sure but we might be related to them,” Nassor replied. “That Majani might just be my missing sister.”

“Could you tell us more about them?” Vitani asked.

“We could,” the male replied smiling.

“But is that what you what you want to know?” asked the female. “No what you both want to know is the way to that kingdom.

“How did you?” Vitani asked in shock.

“I am a very hard buzzard to lie to. We can give you a detailed path.”

 “That would be great, we’d appreciate it,” Vitani replied, seeing little point in pretences.

       Flapping their wings the two buzzards told Nassor and Vitani the way to their home, describing every river and the different terrains. They spoke of the different kingdoms that had to be crossed. They told them how rouge lions were treated and most importantly how long it might take. Side by side Vitani and Nassor listened intently, lapping up each detail.

Coming to the end of their tail the buzzards said goodbye, taking off to hunt with the locals leaving the two lions alone. Watching the buzzards leave the pair looked at one another with uncertainty. Turning away Vitani jumped out of the river with Nassor hot on her heals.   

          Running through the kingdom Vitani only stopped when she reached the border of the Outlands. Standing on Border Rock Vitani looked out into her home. The land had started to recover a little, new trees and plants were sprouting. The long grass showed green mixed in with the brown. Jumping down Vitani walked across a log that acted as bridge over the river. Stopping in the centre she turned back, behind her stood Nassor, a look of deep concern on his face. She had been aware he had been following her from the start and had been touched by his concern. His silent presence had comforted her while his silence had allowed her space.

“Are you coming Nassor?”

“I might as well see it now I’m here,” Nassor replied nonchalantly.

    Jumping onto the log Nassor smirked causing Vitani to smile slightly. With Vitani leading the pair crossed into the Outlands. Walking through her old home Vitani was consumed by memories, seeing Zira and Nuka at every turn. Next to her Nassor looked around while all the time keeping his eyes on Vitani. Reaching the Outsider’s old basecamp Vitani felt her chest tighten and her eyes well up.

“We lived here. Every day we would train, even when Kovu and I played it was a form of training. Always to hate Pridelanders, loyalty to Scar, Simba is the enemy and never betray the pride. That’s what we were taught from being cubs,” Vitani whispered hanging her head.

“Zira used you for her own end,”Nassor said angrily.

“I was a replacement for Zola.”

“I know how that feels.”

“At times……….everything I was ever told seems a lie. Am I only the shadow of a daughter though dead? Just a mistake born out of Scar and Zira’s pain of believing Zola was dead? Does my life even matter? Should I even exist? Knowing Zola exists. What the buzzards told us…….it suddenly makes her real. I know she is still alive….I…”

    Tears streaked down her cheeks while Vitani’s eyes showed utter despair and confusion. In that moment Vitani truly didn’t care what happened to her. Her life seemed meaningless and based on a lie. Lost in a haze of despair that threatened to consume her. Taking a deep breath Nassor looked at her, his heart feeling her pain.

“Whether you have a reason to exist is up to you. Right now you have a darkness in your heart that threatens to take over. Don’t let it Vitani. Neither of us imagined Zola and Majani  could be in the same place. I’m going to that kingdom, join me,” Nassor replied.

“Join you? Do you mean that? I though you didn’t trust former Outsiders.”

“I meant it. I like you Vitani, for an Outsider you’re not half bad,” Nassor replied smirking.

“I could say the same thing about you Nassor the posh Pridelander who acts the rebel. We do make a good team,” Vitani replied smiling slightly.

“At least we are honest with each other about who we are.”

“What is it you have against my brother, is it over Kiara?”

“Partly. It’s hard for me to forgive Kovu for betraying Simba and Kiara. The fact he didn’t have the courage to tell them of your mother’s plot. If he truly loves Kiara then he should have betrayed you,” Nassor replied, unable to keep the anger from his voice.

“I never thought of it that way. For all her cruelty Zira loved us. I never found out much about her past, only that her family mistreated her. Sometimes I think all my Mother wanted was to be happy.”

“She could have been. After Scar died she was given a third chance, she didn’t have to fight.”

“She was never able to let go of the belief that Zola was alive. I will join you Nassor. I need to find out who Zola is.”

“I’m glad Vitani, really glad,” Nassor replied the ghost of a smile on his face.

“It seems we are still ruled by what happened before we were born. Do you think we will ever be free from the shadows of the past?” Vitani asked sadly.

       The question was left hanging in the air unanswered as the pair looked out across the savannah. The pair know knew their future path led back to the past.

   Epilogue

A couple of days had passed. The pride had begun to notice that Nassor and Vitani were spending increasing amounts of time together. This had set minds wondering and tongues wagging. To the annoyance of the pride Kopa and Aketch were still acting more like friends than a married couple. Both sets of parents were annoyed at his attitude as everyone could see that Aketch was trying hard to make things work.

          In the afternoon light Simba walked along the border of the Pridelands searching for his son. Having finally reached his limit on his attitude towards Aketch, Simba had decided to have it out with him. After a long walk Simba finally spotted Kopa who turned around at the sounds of Simba’s paws. For a moment father and son stood side by side.

“Kopa over recent weeks the pride has noticed that you are still treating Aketch as a friend and not in the way a lion is expected to treat his mate. I am aware a lot has happened recently, however you must try harder. The pride and the kingdom looks to you and Aketch as the future, I want grand cubs,” Simba began in an even tone.

“Dad it’s not that simple,” Kopa replied heavily.

“Is there something you are not telling me? Kopa you can tell me anything,” Simba replied, his concern evident in his voice.

“Promise you won’t get mad?” Kopa pleaded, his insides squirming.

“I promise.”

“I…..I…….I just don’t feel ready for cubs. Aketch is my friend. We’ve both changed in the time I was away.”

 “I wish you had told me sooner,” Simba said, placing a paw on his son’s

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