Hello everyone. Welcome to my first Lion King fanfiction. Seeing the new movie (who is awesome by the way) made me want to plunge in this universe again. I love the Lion King movies and the Lion guard so I decided to write a fanfiction about it.

This story takes place during the first movie (1994), right after Scar announced the terrible new of Mufasa and Simba to the pride. It is supposed to be a one-shot but I have a few ideas that would make good new chapters. We'll see.

Also, the cover I use isn't from me but from DeviantArt. It was made by Teparda. The character of Ivory is created by me for this one-shot.

I would love to know your opinions about this story so don't hesitate to review. Have fun.

Edit: I corrected several mistakes and also added a few sentences at one or two places but nothing changing the plot or characters.

Above the Pridelands, the moon has risen, clouds covering most of the sky, matching the somber ambiance that has fallen on the land. Inside the den of Pride Rock, a little lion cub walks alongside her mother and the other lionesses and their cubs. Her eyes are all wet from crying. Just a moment ago, Scar has announced them a terrible new. The king Mufasa and his son, the prince Simba, are dead, killed by a stampede earlier today.

Their death caused sorrow and pain to everyone into the pride, a deep silence having settled. For Nala, what hurt the most is the loss of Simba, her best friend. How can it be possible? It felt as if it was just a moment ago that they went to the Elephant Graveyard together, that they were scolded by their parents, that Simba took her to the top of Pride Rock. Now, he's gone and never coming back? She stops at the entry of the den and sits. Her chest hurt like something is constantly trying to crush it.

-Nala, you shouldn't stay there, a cub named Chumvi says.

-Leave her be. We have someone else to think about, another cub named Ivory interrupts harshly.

Nala and the other cubs look at Ivory, not understanding why she said that.

-What? The king and prince are gone and she thinks she must be the center of attention, Ivory continues. Show some respect Nala.

The other cubs gasps, shocked, but they don't have the time to say anything that Nala jumps on Ivory. Her anger offering a brief break from the inside pain she was feeling. They briefly fight before Nala pins Ivory on the ground. These two never liked each other but this is the first time things go this far between them.

-How dare you? How dare you say this, Nala shout angrily as she tries to claw at Ivory's face.

-NALA.

The cubs stop, looking up to see Sarafina, Nala's mother, coming toward them.

-That's enough, she orders growling to which Nala obey walking off Ivory. Everyone, go back to your mothers.

The other cubs obey silently while Nala looks sheepishly at her paws. Sarafina wants to scold her daughter but when she sees her crying eyes, she can't force herself to do it. She lies on the ground and take her daughter between her front paws.

-Nala look at me, she asks with a soft voice. We are all deeply affected by Mufasa and Simba death…

-It shouldn't have happened. They shouldn't have died. It's so unfair.

-Sadly, sometimes life can be cruel, even to those who don't deserve it. And there is nothing we can do except accept it…and move on. We all must be strong.

-I don't want to be strong, Nala retorts as new tears threaten to fall. I want Simba to come back. I would even agree to marry him if it means I can see him again.

This statement surprise Sarafina. Ever since she learned she was betrothed to Simba, Nala made it clear to her mother that she didn't want to marry him so hearing her say this now show his death is affecting her, more than Sarafina have thought.

-Oh Nala…, Sarafina starts searching for a way to comfort her daughter.

Nala then starts crying again, hiding her head inside her mother's fur.

-I miss him so much mom.

-I know my dear, I know, Sarafina says gently liking Nala's fur while she continues to cry.

…

Nala's eyes slowly open, taking the time to adjust to the darkness surrounding her. She is curled up between her mother's front paws. They are farther inside the den among the rest of the pride. Her mother must have brought her here, but she doesn't remember falling asleep. Did she cried herself to sleep? Everyone is sleeping, including her mother. Everything seems peaceful but something isn't right. Nala feels she need fresh air.

She slowly leaves her mother's paws and navigates silently between the sleeping lionesses, not wanting to wake up anyone. She finally reaches the exit of the den. It's still nighttime but the clouds that covered the sky are now gone, letting the cold light of the moon and the stars illuminate the Pride lands.

Nala follow a path at her right, leading to a very small plateau with a single tree. She sits here, her head low. This is the first place Simba and she came when their mothers allowed them to leave the den alone for the first time. This memory revives Nala's pain when a mysterious voice suddenly calls out for her.

-Hey little cub.

Looking up, Nala sees a monkey, an old mandrill with a long staff perched on a branch of the tree. However, she doesn't have the time to respond that he jumps just in front of her, scaring her. He rapidly takes her in his arms and starts climbing back onto the tree.

-Wha….MOM…

The mandrill covers her mouth with his hand, preventing her from making any sound. She tries to free herself, but he is too strong for her. What's happening? Is he kidnapping her?

-Shhh, he murmurs. They are just under us.

Nala stops struggling, not understanding. Looking to where the baboon point with his head, she sees three hyenas coming toward them. She hadn't heard them coming. They murmur something between them that makes them laugh as they pass just under the tree and continue their way and leave. Once the mandrill is certain they are far enough, he puts Nala down on the branch. She instinctively takes a few steps back.

-Don't worry, you have nothing to fear from me, the mandrill says taking back his staff he had left on the branch. Sorry if I scared you but the danger was imminent. My name is Rafiki, and you are?

The mandrill doesn't make any sudden moves and acts nicely so Nala decides to relax. After all, he just saved her from the hyenas.

-I'm Nala.

-Well, Nala, it is not safe for a cub to be out in the open without his mother, especially now that the Pridelands are full of hyenas. What are you doing here anyway?

-I know but…I needed to get out. To…think, Nala responds not sure if she can completely trust this stranger.

-Hmm, I see. I too came here to ease my mind and heart, after learning what happened to Mufasa and his son.

Nala look at him, surprised.

-Wait! You knew King Mufasa and Simba?

The mandrill then starts laughing loudly, taking Nala off guard.

-You can say that. I only saw the prince once but Mufasa and I met each other a long time ago. It is hard when someone so close to us leave forever.

-Yeah. I feel the same way about Simba, Nala confesses feeling and her pain and sorrow come back.

-Oh! You and the prince were close?

-He is…was…my best friend, Nala answers her eyes filled with water while her voice crack, and I just can't accept that he's gone. Everywhere I see, I have the impression he's here. I can't even think of a time when we didn't know each other. I don't…I never even got the chance to tell him goodbye.

Another sob escapes her throat. Rafiki nods knowingly, understanding her difficulties.

-Indeed, with death come grief.

Looking at the cub, Rafiki have an idea that might help her.

-Follow me.

Rafiki walk toward the end of the branch. Nala looks at him, confused, before following him. From the extremity of the branch, they are almost hanging over the void. This isn't reassuring for Nala but the view of the Pridelands is pretty.

-Excuse me but where are you going?

-Listen little cub and look around you, Rafiki begins. Everyone, everything you see is connected. Thus, no one is ever completely gone.

-I don't understand, Nala asks completely lost by the mandrill's words.

-Then let me explain. We are all part of a circle, the Circle of life. As you know, a circle never stops and so does life.

-No it doesn't. It didn't…for Simba.

-That's where you are wrong. He is still alive because he lives in you. He always will as long as you keep him here and here.

As he says this, Rafiki put his finger on Nala's head and then her heart. Nala looks at where he pointed, then slowly back at Rafiki, starting to understand what he meant. But… moving on would mean she is abandoning her friend? The only thought of this scare her.

-Remember but let go of your pain and dark thoughts, Rafiki instructs like he knew what she was thinking. Let go so that he never go.

That…doesn't make any sense, but in a way, it does. Nala thinks about what the mandrill is saying. It is similar to what her mother said earlier. Can she really do this? Move on without forgetting? She let out a long sight before looking at the savannah. A new gust of wind starts to blow and she closes her eyes.

-Come on Nala, you can't catch me, Simba calls running.

-Wait until I do, Nala counters angrily running after him.

She suddenly trips over a branch and Simba uses this opportunity to turn around and jumps on her. They both roll into the grass when Nala use her personal technic to pin Simba on the ground with her on top.

-Wh…what, Simba says confused about how she beat him.

-Can't catch ya but you can't pin ma, Nala responds smugly.

Nala smiles at the memory while the gust of wind continues to blow.

Under a tree on a plateau, two tiny cubs are watching the vast land that spread in every direction in front of them.

-Wow, I can't wait for our moms to take us out Pride Rock again, Simba says. Or better, to let us go around by ourselves.

-Yeah. I can't imagine all the things we could do, Nala adds. Exploring, hunting, playing. Although, it kinda seems scary alone.

-Then we'll do it together like always. It will be so much fun.

-I totally agree. Best friends forever?

-Best friends forever, Simba responds as they put the palm of their paw against each other.

As those memories and others fly through Nala's mind, from her eye fall a tear, one single tear. It feels as is all her pain, all her sorrow is put into that single tear. During this time, the wind has only got stronger, taking with it leaves and dust.

Simba

The wind takes away her tear, sending it flying with the rest. For her, it's like a weight is being removed from her. Rafiki has a bis smile on his face, surprised. Nala still misses Simba, and wishes he wasn't dead, but now, she accepted it. Or at least most of it.

-I need to be strong, she proclaims opening her eyes, for my mom and the pride. Simba wouldn't have wanted me to cry, so I won't. Not anymore.

-I wouldn't know, Rafiki says, but I can only support such resolution.

Nala smiles before hugging the mandrill.

-Thank you, she murmurs. And if you ever need help, don't hesitate. I'll be happy to help you.

-It is generous of you. I'll be happy to see you again. Right now, you should go back to your mother and try to sleep.

Nala nods. She says goodbye and get down from the tree before running toward the den, this time being careful that there isn't any hyenas or other danger around. Rafiki watch her all the way, making sure she is safe. Once she is in front of the den, she takes one last look at the sky, where the wind is still strong.

-I miss you, she murmurs before walking in.

…

The wind continues to blow strongly all night, traveling across the savannah, then the desert, then a jungle where, between the luxurious vegetation, it reaches a group of sleeping animals.

Simba

A lion cub wakes up abruptly, having heard the word carried by the wind.

-Nala?

The lion cub leaves his improvised bed looking all around him, but all he sees are trees and plants. Behind him, a meerkat and a warthog stand up, having been woken up by the cub sudden outburst.

-Simba? What's happening, the warthog named Pumbaa asks.

-If you the bad sleeper type, better tell us now, the meerkat named Timon says grumpily.

-Sorry but I thought…I thought I heard her call me. You heard it, right?

Timon and Pumbaa look at each other. Neither of them heard anything but they are not sure what to respond without hurting their new friend. The little lion seems sufficiently troubled already.

-We…didn't hear anything, Pumbaa finally answers preferring to be honest.

-Oh. I guess I dreamed then, Simba murmurs sadly.

He was certain it was the voice of Nala but it's impossible. He is too far away from the Pridelands. He wished all this was just a nightmare. He misses his home, his mother, his friends, even Zazu. But he knows he can't go back, ever. Worse, he deserves to be exiled, after what he has done.

Seeing Simba's sadness, Timon and Pumbaa decides to comfort him.

-Hey kid, Timon says. Hakuna Matata. Everything is alright. Whatever happened, you are safe here.

Pumbaa gently pats the lion back, careful not to do it too hardly since he is twice bigger. Simba smiles weakly.

-I know, thank you guys.

So, I can't wait for your opinion about it (I will respond to all of them) and if I should continue.

Until then, take care.