All the Days

Chapter 1
 
Kiara awoke on what seemed like a regular day. But in the first five minutes she knew that it was not. She saw her parents at the base of Pride Rock, and slowly climbed down to investigate. As soon as she heard their voices, she paused.

"It's okay, Nala. I know it's not something that happens a lot, and I know that it is forever. You know what happened." she heard her father say, very softly and delicately. Kiara then noticed something else, even stranger. She could hear sobbing, and realised that it was her own mother. Never in her life had Kiara heard Nala cry, and it was so unusual that Kiara couldn't even imagine what could've happened. She scampered back up the rock, in case they noticed her.

When she reached the top, she saw something that was also strange. Kovu was talking to a cheetah.
"And your name is?" Kovu asked hurriedly.
"Sheva. Would you like me to go ahead?"
"Yes, hurry. Stop them if you reach them." Kovu replied. The cheetah set of immediately, and Kovu was about to when he noticed Kiara behind him.
"What was that!? I mean, who was that!? I mean...What's going on?" Kiara asked.
"I'll explain on the way. Hurry!" Kovu called as he set off down the rocks. Kiara set off after him. After about ten minutes, they spotted Sheva and four lionesses.

Now that they were older, Kiara was only slightly smaller than Nala, Kovu still slightly smaller than Simba, but with a larger mane, similar size to Mufasa's, so he looked larger than Simba, but he wasn't.

As they got closer, Kovu was amazed to find that one of the lionesses was his sister, Vitani. The other lionesses werew smaller and slightly younger, so it was likely that Vitani was the leader.
"What are you doing!?" Kovu shouted, more worriedly than angrily.
"We're leaving." said Vitani, and she let out a sad sigh. Although it was obvious, Kovu was shocked all the same.
"Kovu, I want my own pride. We won't live that far from here, and my pride will always be here if you have a war." Vitani said, and Kovu understood.
"But you're the only family I've got. And why didn't you tell me?" Kovu said, out of curiosity rather than a way to stop her.
"I know Kovu, and I didn't tell you because you were asleep. And I didn't think you'd understand." Vitani said, and Sheva, Kiara and Kovu stepped back to let them go on.

As they continued back to Pride Rock, Kiara again wondered about her mother. Something else also struck her. "Sheva! Thank you." She called, and Kovu smiled. As they reached the rock, Nala was standing there, and
Kovu was about to tel her what happened but Kiara stopped him.

"Kiara... early this morning... my mother... your grandmother, Sarafina. She... the sun had set for her." Nala held back the tears. Kiara had known it had to be something terrible to bring tears to her brave, fearless mother's eyes. They sat in silence for a few minutes, before Kiara spoke.
"How did she..?" Kiara asked.
"It was only the route of the Circle of Life."

Hours later was when they spoke of the leave of Vitani and the three other lionesses. Finally Kiara realised the days events.
"What a happy day." she said sarcastically and retreated into the den.

Chapter 2
A few weks later, Vitani and the three other lionesses (Ada, Lozi and Chiro) had established a territory, about  60 kilometres away from the Pridelands. It was not as large and not quite as lush as the pridelands, but it had two large waterholes and herds of antelope, gazelle and zebra. Now all Vitani needed was a mate.

In the Pridelands, they were starting to get used to having five less lionesses. Still, ask anyone and it wasn't quite the same. Kiara had slowly become less energetic, against her own will, and was feeling sick.
"Simba... I think she's pregnant." whispered Nala. Simba's eyes widened in horror. Nala couldn't resist laughing at his expression.
"No she is not... of course she isn't!" Simba said, but there was definite doubt in his voice.
"You know there has to be an heir to the throne some time or another. Speaking of heirs... Rafiki can't live forever... can he?" Nala said worriedly.
"I know... but he'll live for many more years yet. I think he is training an heir, too. I wish I could speak to my father like he can." Simba said sadly. Nala rested her head on his.

About a month later, 60 kilometres away...
"Lozi! Chiro! Ada! Over there! Come!" Shouted Vitani, for she had spied a strange male lion heading inot their territory. This was not such a bad thing as it would be if this lion was entering the Pridelands. In fact, for Vitani, this was good news indeed. They neared the outsider. He was about average size, with a dark brown, almost black mane, and dusty, red-gold fur.

As they approached the stranger, Vitani signalled for them to halt, and approached the male alone. He looked at her, and she made an effort to smile.
"Your name?" Vitani asked.
"They know me as Irren." he replied. "And how about you?"
"I am Vitani. This is Ada, Chiron and Lozi." as she said that, the other females crept out.
"We would be happy for you to join our pride."
Irren looked suspicious, but considered the worst that could happen. The worst that could happen would be that these females where lying, they had a king and were leading him to his death.
"Why don't you tell me your story?" he said curiously.
"Very well then." said Vitani, and so she begun.

"Believe me know?" Nala asked, gesturing towards Kiara's swollen stomach. Simba just sighed. Ever since the war with the outlanders, and the uniting of the prides, Simba had gradually become less protective of Kiara. Not to say he wasn't still a little overprotective, just not as much as before.

"Kiara!" called Kovu. Kiara made to get up, but Nala stopped her.
"What?" she called.
"I'm going to visit my sister. I should only be a few days." Kovu said. "If that." he added. "And no, you can't come. You're pregnant. I'll bring you back a souvenir." Kiara was about to object when Simba stopped her.
"You stay right where you are." he said with a smirk.

The male lion, Irren, had been in residence for a day and a half, and was becoming good friends with Vitani. So when he saw, smelt and heard a male lion approaching, it was no surprise that he immediately got defensive.

He leaped  up from the den and ran towards Kovu. He and Kovu were similar size, but Kovu's mane was bigger, making Kovu look much larger than he. Irren roared, and Kovu, fearing the worst, unleashed a mighty roar that make the grass quiver. The stared at each other, ready to strike, when Vitani appeared.

"Kovu?" she said, and leaped towards him and purred. Irren looked puzzled for moment, but then, recalling the story Vitani had told him earlier remembered. "Kovu... your brother?" Vitani nodded.
"Kovu, this is Irren."


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