Kovu roared, calling his Pride to his side. Kirembo, who had been hunting with her mother Nala and half-brother, Eusi, lifted her head. Her legs began to shake.

As of late, Kovu had been paying more and more attention to her, almost like he wanted her as a mate. The thing was, Kirembo was gay. She didn’t want to be his mate. Nala did everything in her power to protect her daughter from Kovu’s advances, like Sarafina had done with Scar and Nala so long ago.

Kirembo walked alongside Eusi as Nala lead them to Kovu. Kovu’s other lionesses, both Outlander and Pridelander-like, were whispering, wondering what Kovu wanted. Kirembo sat, her throat filling with her last stomach contents when Kovu looked at her and winked. Eusi got up and sat in front of his half-sister, glaring at his father. Kovu looked away from her, much to Kirembo’s relief.

“As you all know, I have been looking for a new mate since my previous one…chose my weaker son,” Kovu looked Nala right in the eye and Nala snarled, “over me and my stronger son. I think I have chosen my next mate.” One lioness, the daughter of Scar and Sarabi by force, her name being Uwezo, smiled. She knew she was a prime candidate for Kovu’s mate, not only because she looked powerful, but because she was war-hardened and she had followed Zira after her father’s death, and she was unrelated to Kovu.

“She’s strong, beautiful, talented, she’ll produce well cubs unlike my former mate, she’s related to Scar,” So far so good, that all described Uwezo, Kirembo took a breath in for a sigh, “she’s also golden in color, has a hairtuft, has bi-colored eyes and is my former stepdaughter, Kirembo.” Kovu said. Kirembo sobbed and started crying. The other lionesses saw how distraught this made the young lioness, and glared at Kovu, even Uwezo glared at him, and she adored him. Nala nuzzled her daughter, comforting her.

“Look at that. She’s crying she’s so happy.” Myota said heartlessly. Kovu smiled at his son’s comment. Eusi roared.

“Who do you think you are? Don’t you see that Kovu scares Bo? She’s scared, not happy!” Eusi snapped.

“Oh, so he’s no longer ‘Dad’ in your eyes?” Myota shouted.

“Enough! I will not have my sons fight,” Nala snapped, “nor will I let my daughter marry you, Kovu. Isn’t it enough that you broke Kiara’s heart and my own? Why can’t you leave Kirembo out of this?!”

“Because, Nala,” Kovu said in a singsong voice, “I need heirs to the throne. Myota is a perfect specimen, I must say, but what if I end up with the Pridelands? I will have to have more heirs than just Myota.”

“You monster!” Kirembo snapped, tears running down her cheeks.

“And you are definitely Kiara’s sister. She looked exactly like that when I told her that I was cheating on her with your mother.” Kovu said. Kirembo’s bi-colored eyes filled with fury. She roared.

“That won’t help you prove a point!” Myota said. Kirembo lunged at Myota, but Kovu backhanded her out of midair. Kirembo landed on her side, hard. She sobbed in pain before falling unconscious. Nala ran to her daughter’s side. Nala nudged Kirembo, desperate to wake her. This was all déjà vu for Nala.

Scar had backhanded Sarabi so long ago, and Kovu had just backhanded Kirembo. Nala looked at Kovu. She no longer saw a lion that was handsome, but he was exactly like Scar. She looked back to Kirembo.

“Bo, wake up sweetie. C’mon Bo, it’s okay. Mom’s here right now, Bo. Wake up.” Nala encouraged. Eusi walked over to his fallen sister. He nudged Kirembo.

“Bo?” Eusi asked.

“When she wakes, let her know she is to come to the cave to see me.” Kovu walked away. Eusi’s muscles tensed. Nala held a paw in front of her son.

“Breath, Eusi. We need to wake Bo.” Nala insisted.

“Are you crazy, Mom? Someone needs to…” Nala shushed her son with a glare.

“Don’t finish that sentence. You know what Scar will do.” Nala said.

“‘Scar?’” Eusi asked. Nala mentally slapped herself.

“I’m sorry, I meant Kovu. I mean, there’s just so many similarities now...” Nala said.

“It’s okay Mom.” Eusi said. Kirembo stirred a little, lifting her head. She groaned.

“Bo!” Eusi and Nala said in unison. One of the lionesses, Tenka, walked over to the scene.

“Oh, Kirembo, I’m so sorry you have to go through with this.” Tenka said. Kirembo smiled sadly at her best friend. She bumped heads with Tenka.

“I am, too, Tenka. I am too.” Kirembo said.

Kirembo regained her strength and stood. Her fur was stained with her own tears. She looked at her mother.

“Mom? Please tell me I don’t have to marry that… horrible lion!” Kirembo begged. Nala grimaced, her blue eyes full of pain.

“Bo, there’s only one choice. You have to return to Pride Rock.” Nala said.

“Mom, no! I’ll be killed! I attacked Maji, the Prince for King’s sake!” Kirembo said.

“Kirembo, listen. Would you rather marry Kovu? Would you rather have his cubs when you know what you are?” Nala asked. Kirembo looked down, her bi-colored orbs filled with sadness.

“Mom, don’t exploit her.” Eusi said.

“What if I had no choice? Kovu wouldn’t force a gay lioness to marry him.” Nala said quietly. Kirembo looked up.

“I don’t have a choice, do I?” Kirembo asked.

“Sweetie, you must leave the Outlands. Talk to whoever the Queen or King is now. Tell them what is going on. You’ll be a prisoner of war. That’s what we offered a lioness a long time ago when Zira lead the Outsiders.” Nala said. Kirembo looked to Kovu’s cave.

“I have to see him, don’t I?” Kirembo asked, her bi-colored orbs full of regret.

“Yes. I’ll ask Tenka to be outside.” Nala said. Kirembo nodded and continued to Kovu’s cave. She entered so quietly that no one heard her.

“Kovu?” Kirembo asked. Kovu turned to Kirembo and smiled.

“If it isn’t my bride.” The Outsider King said.

“Kovu, I have to say something. Something important.” Kirembo said.

“Go ahead, my dear.” Kovu smiled. Kirembo shuddered.

“I’m… gay.” Kirembo said softly. Kovu turned and faced Kirembo.

“You can’t be serious.” Kovu demanded.

“I am. I’m attracted to lionesses, not lions. I always have. I suffered mental abuse at the hands of my half-brother, Maji because of it. I cannot marry you.” Kirembo said matter-of-factly. Kovu stuck his face inches away from Kirembo’s.

“You are my bride. You will marry me. You will bear my cubs. Or else your mother and pathetic brother will suffer.” Kovu said.

“Mom was right. You and Scar are one in the same.” Kirembo said, her voice deadly quiet.

“Why, thank you my dear. We shall be married in the morning.” Kovu said.

“WHAT?” Kirembo screamed. Kovu roared.

“You heard me. You will marry me. You will bear my cubs. You will have no choice.” Kovu said.

“What if I leave tonight?” Kirembo growled.

“I already knew that you might. You will be spending the night here.” Kovu said with a smile. Kirembo’s eyes widened.

She was welcomed to a nightmare.

o0o0o

Kirembo woke the next morning, unsure of what had happened the previous night. She saw she was lying next to Kovu, who was sleeping soundly. It was a known fact that Kovu could sleep through anything.

So Kirembo got up and left the cave. She found her mother and brother.

“What happened last night?” Nala asked.

“I don’t remember. But I have to leave. Now.” Kirembo said.

“Why? Did Kovu…” Eusi trailed off.

“No. I don’t think so... I just know I have to leave.” Kirembo said.

“All right. Good luck. Pride Rock is due east,” Nala nuzzled her daughter, “don’t stop. Just go.” Nala said.

“I will. I love you both. Maybe you two can join me one day.” Kirembo said.

“Maybe. Go!” Nala said. Kirembo ran from her mother and brother. She looked back once when she was beyond the pride. She heard someone clear their throat. She turned and saw Uwezo. She swallowed hard.

“Uwezo, please…” Kirembo began.

“I understand why you’re leaving. You must go now. I understand.” Uwezo said.

“Thank you.” Kirembo whispered. Uwezo smiled.

“Go on. Before Kovu wakes.” Uwezo said. Kirembo nodded and continued running. She ran until she saw the Pridelands. She sighed.

“I'm home now.” She thought aloud before she heard a growl. She looked up and saw Vitani.

“You!” Vitani growled.

“Vitani, please listen to me!” Kirembo begged.

“You tried killing my son!” Vitani roared.

“Please! Kovu's forced me to be his mate! I'd rather be executed here than be forced to be his mate! Please!” Kirembo said, tears in her eyes.

Vitani considered the lioness's situation, and sighed.

“Very well. I'm taking you in for your judgement by Queen Kiara. She will let you speak your peace.” Vitani lead Kirembo to the Pridelands. She got glares from various lions and lionesses, her father Simba included in this list.

“Stay here. Queen Kiara will be with you shortly.” Vitani said.

“All right.” Kirembo said. In a few minutes, Kiara appeared, her mate Radi at her side.

“You've come back. I'm told Kovu tried forcing you to be his mate against your will.” Kiara said.

“Yes, please Kiara. I was raised as your sister. Please, please let me stay. If not, execute me! Don't let me go back to Kovu's Pride!” Kirembo begged, her bi-colored orbs pleading.

“You'd rather die?” Kiara asked.

“Yes!” Kirembo said.

“Then die she will!” Simba roared, attacking Kirembo. Kirembo didn't fight back. She just closed her eyes and waited for it to be over.

“Why won't you fight me?” Simba asked.

“I won't fight my father.” Kirembo said.

“I am not your father.” Simba said.

“You are. Simba, I'm Nala's daughter! Who else could be my father? It's you!” Kirembo said. The lionesses in the area gasped. Simba backed away, looking into Kirembo's bi-colored orbs.

“It's not true!” Kiara said.

“There is no way! It's not possible!” Ferrea, the daughter of Vitani and Simba yelled.

Kirembo got to her feet, her hair tuft in her eyes as she said, “Look at me. I'm a creamy gold, I have one blue eye and one red eye. Who do I look like?” Kirembo demanded.

“You have to be... but you aren't. I mean, I don't think you are...” Simba said, his red eyes pleading.

“I am. I was born alongside Eusi and Myota, the sons of Kovu and Nala. I was their triplet, yet your daughter. I was conceived first, so I was born first...” Kirembo said softly. Simba's eyes filled with guilt.

“You are my daughter. I didn't know if it were possible, but it is.” Simba said. Kirembo looked up to her father. Kiara nodded.

“If Kirembo is a Princess, being terrorized by the King of the Outlands, we will give her the sanctuary she needs. Welcome home, Kirembo.” Kiara said. Kirembo smiled. Simba walked over to his daughter and hugged her.

“Welcome home.” Simba said.

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