A/N: Time to wrap up this story and start working on the next. Enjoy.

the-mysterious-other: The cubs actually met Kivuli a couple stories back, but he let them go. Anyway, hope you like the chapter.

snheetah: The Uvundo was definately their toughest challenge yet. Though, Kivuli is till pretty shrouded in mystery. We don't know what he can really do. Enjoy the chapter.

Chapter 8: Back Home

"Where could they have gone, Zazu?" Mufasa asked as he paced around the den. "They weren't in the jungle."

"Perhaps you should question that cub, Kulaani, again." Zazu said. "You know just as well as I do he wasn't telling the truth."

"You're right, Zazu." Mufasa said. "Can you bring him to me?"

"Right away, sire." Zazu said before flying out of the den.

"Wow," Simba said, "we're really making good time in getting back." They had walked all the previous night and through the whole day. "It looks like we'll make it before it gets dark." The sun was low in the sky, but they could now see Pride Rock ahead of them.

"Yep." Haiba said. "We'll be at Pride Rock soon... So, how many girls live in this pride, exactly?"

"Do you only think about girls?" Sora asked.

"No." Haiba replied. "I think about boys too... and trees, rocks, elephants, you get the idea."

After a short distance they came upon the water hole. There was still cubs hanging around, including Angani and Mkali.

"Hey, look." Angani said. "They're still alive. I didnt' thi-" she stopped when she saw Haiba. "You..." She suddenly ran at him and pinned him to the ground. "I told you that if I ever saw you again, I would tear your throat out!"

"Woah!" Nala exclaimed as she pulled Angani off him. "What's the problem?"

"That little weirdo used to be my boyfriend!: she exclaimed.

"I see you're with someone else now." Haiba said as he picked himself up off the ground.

"Yeah, I am." Angani said. "And she's a way better kisser than you were."

"I highly doubt that." Haiba said. "Anyway-"

"Thank the kings, you're back!" Kulaani interrupted as he ran towards them. "I don't think I could keep it up much longer."

"Keep what up much longer?" Zazu said as he joined the cubs. "The king and I suspected you were lying, Kulaani. Hide and seek, what a low effort attempt to cover up your activities."

"Hide and seek?" Simba said to Kulaani. "That's the best you could come up with!?"

"Your parents have been worried sick about you cubs." Zazu said. "You are sure to be punished. Now, come. They will all be relieved to see you cubs are alright."

"Aw, man..." Simba said as they followed Zazu toward Pride Rock.

"Sire, I've found the cubs." Zazu said as he led them inside.

Mufasa, Sarabi, Sarafina, Neema, and Adia all came to the den entrance.

"Simba." Mufasa said sternly as he looked down at his son.

"Where have you cubs been?" Sarafina asked.

Haiba looked at Nala. "Hey, is she your mom?" he asked, noticing the resemblance between the two.

"Yes." Nala answered.

"She's pretty." he said. Nala just rolled her eyes.

"And who's your charming friend?" Sarafina asked.

"I'm Haiba." he introduced himself. "Prince Haiba."

"Anyway... back to the original question." Sarabi said. "Where were you?"

"Uh... a desert." Simba answered.

"Simba, you know you are forbidden to leave the Pridelands." Mufasa said. "It's dangerous for cubs like you to go off on their own."

"We're alive aren't we?" Simba asked.

"Yes," Mufasa said, "but that doesn't mean you aren't in trouble. You're not allowed to leave the den for two weeks."

"Two weeks!?" Simba exclaimed.

"Simba, you constantly disobey me." Mufasa said. "You need to learn to listen."

"But I-"

"Simba, don't argue!" Sarabi told him.

Neema and Adia looked at Tora and her brothers.

"Would you say two weeks is acceptable, Adia?" Neema asked.

"Yes." Adia answered. "That seems fair."

"Whatever." Kora said. "I'll just sleep the whole time. I'm exausted."

"Nala-"

"Yeah, I know." Nala interrupted her mother. "Two weeks."

"Kulaani." Mufasa said. "You're grounded too."

"Okay..." Kulaani said as he walked to the back of the den.

"Well, I better be going." Haiba said. "I got to get home, my mother is probably worrying."

"Hope to see you again." Simba said. "You're kinda fun to hang out with."

"I'm sure we'll see each other again." Haiba said. "I may pop in once in a while to visit. My pride actually isn't far from here."

"Okay, see you around." Nala told him.

"Bye!" Haiba said before leaving the den.

"He's weird." Nala said, once Haiba was gone.

"Yeah," Simba said, "but it's a good weird."

"Alright." Sarabi said. "I think it's time for you cubs to go to sleep."

"But it's still light out." Simba said.

"Yes," Sarabi said, "but you're also grounded. Now, off to sleep."

"Fine..." Simba said. "Let's go, Nala."

Everyone was relieved the cubs were back and it wasn't long before they were all asleep.

As Haiba was walking home, he couldn't stop thinking about Simba and Nala.

"What is it about those two that seems so familiar?" he asked himself. "It just seems like that I might know them. Oh, well... I better get moving." He continued walking towards his home, happy to have made some new friends.

A/N: Well, there you go. This one is finally wrapped up. You can expect the next either tomarrow or the day after. I'm planning it as I type this. See you all then!