A/N: I DONT OWN ZE LION KING GOT IT? This disclaimer will last for all chapters of this, for I am quite forgetful. mm'kay?

"Mother… were you really going to kill Redasa? I mean, it was only a fight. I have to learn how to hold my own, don't I?" She looked at him in surprise. "Takari, I would never kill a cub. I did that… in anger and disappointment. Atsu was my best friend when I was your age. We fought for you father, even. To know her cub would harm you is something I don't understand. And play fights usually don't involve somebody getting hurt. As for holding your own, you are going to be a king- your word will be command, with no one to question your authority. With your rank, my sweet little baby boy, you don't need to worry about keeping your place." She paused, considering something. "Unless you feel you need to hold your own. Do you feel that way, honey?"

Taka was silent, seeming deep in thought. "Yeah, I do. I am weaker than everyone here! And how can I make my way in the world, make a mark, and please the great kings if you and the pride fight my battles for me?" His voice has grown until he was shouting at the top of his lungs. Before she could say anything- before she could even close her jaw, he ran into the den.

That evening, Ahadi and Uhru watched the sun go down, discussing their son's actions. "Do you think I was wrong? Do I really make him feel like a failure? Ahadi, stop playing with my tail and answer me!" Ahadi grinned from behind, then sighed and sat down. "Dear one, all boys go through this. After all, he's always been weaker than the others- but what he doesn't see is how much smarter he is. Our boy has a level of understanding that most don't. We just need to show him that. The way you handled Redasa today was harsh. And if Takari was right- if this was just a simple fight- well, maybe you overdid it. Remember, he and Redasa both love Zila. Err… Zira. If I had my guess, Red insulted Taka to make himself look 'big' in her eyes. She said something to shrink his ego, and he got mad. Taka probably was protecting her." Uhru put her head in his paws and rolled over, licking his chin. "Oh, Audshy… I just feel so horrible. I'm just trying to protect him. What if he never forgives me?"

Taka had been watching them for a few minutes. Seeing how he had hurt his mother near drove him to tears. "Mom… I'm sorry! Can you forgive me?" They turned their heads. "Were you spying on us, young man?" Ahadi said sternly. "No, I had a nightmare. Then I saw you talking…" He trailed off, racing to his mother, who rolled over just in time for him to jump into her paws. The trio laughed and talked for a while, then slept together.

Two days later, he joined his parents on the summit. "What is it, Dad?" He yawned as he sat down. They looked at each other, smiling from ear-to-ear. "What would you say if we told you a cub might be joining the pride?" "Really? When?" They chuckled. "Well, your mother tells me that you are going to be a big brother in a few months. How is that?" Takari's eyes had become large. "Yay, oh I'm going to be the best big brother ever! I'll take care of my brother.. or sister. Thank you so much!" The news was widely rejoiced, and when Zira's mother announced the day after the Queen that she, too was expectant, they were filled with joy that a betrothal could happen.

Three months passed by quickly, and soon Zira's mother bore a beautiful lion. "Nuhka… the second." She whispered, proudly licking her babe over. It wasn't but an hour later that Amara-Esala felt her time had come as well, and she brought a daughter to the world, calling her Shenzia, meaning "Salvaged from darkness." As Taka and Zira returned that evening, Zira became intrigued by the child, never had something been so tiny, so… helpless. Pride filled her eyes with every mew the cub made, every lick it's small, delicate tongue slurped.

But that next week, something dreadful happened. While Takari and his father were out checking the borders, they came across two little female cubs- not even weaned. The rank smell of death hung in the air, and as the two royals turned their heads to the left, their eyes caught sight of a female, obviously murdered, and also visibly the mother of the cubs. A thin-frame lion stood as the king and prince looked upon the sight. "What do you want? Be gone!" He roared, anger lacing his voice. When neither moved, the rogue launched himself onto Ahadi, causing Taka to be shoved to the side, thorns deeply gashing his sides. He made a cry of pain and fury, for how DARE anybody go for his father? He shot up, slamming his full body weight onto the lion mercilessly. But the lion was a fighter, not an ordinary animal who would have given up. Grey feet tossed the High Prince into the air, and for a moment, Taka was flying! His black mane suspended in the air as he went up- and crashed down in a belly-flop. The air was knocked out of him, and when Ahadi saw his boy fall, saw him lie so still, dread set in and he turned to the assailant, so sure his little one was dead. With fire in his eyes, Ahadi fought with all he had- but it wasn't enough.

A/N: Enjoy.