~ Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall ~

I.

"Well, we don't. Simba is the rightful king..."

"Simba, what is he talking about?"

"Simba!"

"Nala," His voice rang vividly, "It's over." he nuzzled her before going to take his place.

The lioness turned her eyes to the scampering hyneas and met the lead female's. She gave the lioness a good stare, blood smeared across her face, and ran off with all of the other hyneas giving chase after her. The lionesses watched as one as they now headed off into the stormy night. Nala turned her eyes then to see Sarabi and Simba looking out at one another as he approached. She stifled a breath before going up to embrace him.

"You thought it was your fault all this time..."

He met Nala's eyes trustingly from beneath his mother.

"Simba?" Sarabi spoke again.

"No," His eyes stayed on the young queen's, "not anymore."

– One month.

Across the savannah, grasslands were beginning to flourish and animals were now returning in droves to graze and drink rationed shares of water that the rain clouds had produced in heavy sheets. Outside of Pride Rock's mouth, delightedly hushed murmurs filled the morning air. Curious spectators were now gathered around the stone home's base, wondering what to expect. Inside, however, things were quiet.

"She's looking at you…" The creamed lioness spoke in a laughing breath.

"Her eyes are closed," Her male spouse reminded her.

"But still… her head's turned your way."

They looked at the new baby girl cub, then at each other and smiled.

"I still like the name Kopa."

"I do too…if it was a boy."

"You thought it was at first."

"He's a she."

"At least she won't have a mane." The king challenged, making sure she remembered.

The queen chuckled as he prodded her neck lovingly.

"How about Kiara then?"

"Kiara..." She nuzzled deep down into his shoulder bone and along his neck line.

"Yes." He ascertained.

"Kiara…" Nala spoke again, peering up at him lazily but happily. "Sounds perfect."

Simba smiled at her, but when his burgundy eyes turned back to the small bundle of dark blonde fur resting at his paw, a light seemed to fill them. He moved her carefully over towards his pink nose, she was so tiny; Kiara, no bigger then the size of a mouse. But the way Simba gazed upon her let Nala know that he would truly be all right now. The lioness looked up and saw Sarabi walking in to see her brand new granddaughter.

She smiled.

And Sarabi smiled back.

The End.