I blinked a few times before fully registering what it was that Vitani had suggested.

"What?!" I all but roared.

Vitani rolled her eyes and continued to gnaw on the zebra leg that was obviously more interesting than our conversation. I groaned whilst flicking back my ears in frustration.

"Let her be, Nabi. If she wants to go to the Kalahari Desert to have your cub it's her decision," Shanni butted in with a glare in my direction causing Vitani to chuckle softly. Shanni smiled and licked her cheek before resting her tawny body beside her younger sister.

"Besides, wherever she has it, she'll be safe. Jama and Rafiki promised they'd be there beside her the entire time." Shyra said a few feet away from me as she played with little Cecil and Aslan. Though, they weren't so little anymore. They were seven months old now and slowly reaching their full potential in the Circle of Life. They would be shaped into fine hunters when the time came, but for now, them chewing on each other's ears is hunting practice enough. Cecil and Aslan also discovered that their mouths are meant for more than just drinking milk. Once they learned that they could speak they haven't found a moment to stop.

"I know that," I said with an emotionless expression. "My concern is the birth itself. What if-"

"Don't go putting things into her head. You have to think positively." Shanni reprimanded me with a stern look. My tail flicked in anger.

"I seem to forget, am I the father or are you?" I asked feeling agitated with the verbal attacks I was receiving simply because I was worrying. Shanni opened her mouth to reply but quickly shut it when Vitani sighed and pushed aside the zebra leg that was now only bone. My mate then slowly rose to her feet but stumbled slightly causing me to jump up and catch her neck with my head. She hummed her thanks and lightly pressed her lips against mine for a sweet kiss as she found her footing and finally sat. My eyes darted down towards her extended pregnant belly as it was now exposed for all to see. I felt much pride as I looked at her and the family that was developing in her. Vitani's stomach was much bigger this time around compared to our last attempt of having a cub. I smiled to myself and acknowledged the fact that any day now our son or daughter would be born.

She was three months pregnant after all.

"Thank you for worrying for both me and our child," she paused momentarily and glanced down at her stomach before continuing. "Especially after the events of Matumaini. But, I feel...better with this pregnancy if that even makes sense. Jama and Rafiki have been by my side since the moment we found out I was pregnant again and they will be with me while I am in labor and a few hours after to make sure our cub is healthy and that I am as well. They are even willing to come all the way back here to tell all you of the cub and of me. So, really, there is nothing to worry about."

"And I am thankful for them but I still don't see why you can't just have our child here. You'd have the Pride to comfort you and the cub before and after you have it. Not to mention you'd have me by your side, you'd be more safely protected here as well."

"It's not that I don't want to be here," she said with her brows pulled together. "My whole life I was trained to hate and to kill. There was nothing more that I wanted than to escape that life. When I finally did I met you and everyone who came after that. The first time I ever made a decision for myself was when I went against Zira and since then all my decisions have been good ones. I want this to be my decision and mine alone, whether you care to accept it or not, is not my concern. I've made up my mind and in the morning Rafiki will guide me to a safe spot along with Jama and I will have our child." 

I stared at her blankly. It was hard to try and convince her otherwise now that her plan was explained. So, instead, I sighed and gave her a half smile before rubbing my cheek against hers.

"Alright, if this is what you want to do then I guess I will have to accept it,"

"Good," she chuckled and then gave my cheek a quick lick. I chuckled and rested my body beside her after I helped her get into a comfortable position.

"I hear little Kiongozi is growing into a fine lion cub," Shanni spoke starting small talk to keep us entertained.

Mheetu soon joined us and took over playing with the boys while Shyra started a very lively conversation about her lack of a mate with her sisters.

"Are you nervous?" My rimmed ears twitched at the sound of Mheetu's voice causing my eyes and head to follow after.

"For?"

"Well, you're going to be a dad soon," he reminded me as he placed each of his front paws onto his sons' tails to stop them from leaving.

"You don't say," I sarcastically remarked with an eye roll.

"I'm serious-"

"That's hard to believe," he gave me an expressionless glare before shaking his head with a soft laugh. He stayed quiet, for once, and began to play with his sons. Both of them giggled loudly as they swatted their small paws on Mheetu's nose and nibbled on his dark tawny ears. Mheetu would growl lowly as he played with them and open up his mouth to reveal his canines only for Cecil to place his paws on either side of his jaw causing Mheetu to laugh whole heartily. He then shook his head causing Cecil to fall on his bottom. He whimpered for a few seconds before Aslan nuzzled his older twin for comfort at the same time Mheetu did. Cecil sniffled a few times before giggling and giving both his younger twin and father a lick on the nose. Cecil and Aslan then both yawned and mumbled "tired Baba" before they curled up into Mheetu's paws and moments later were sleeping soundly.

"What's it like?" I found myself asking after a few moments of silence. Mheetu's head shot up with an eyebrow raised. "Being a dad I mean."

"It's hard to explain. It's like everything you once thought was important suddenly isn't. They're instantly the center of your world not even your mate seems as important anymore."

"Isn't it nerve-wracking though?" I asked scooting a bit closer to him in order to hear him better. The conversation Vitani was having with her sisters was starting to get louder with laughter by the minute. Not that it bothered me, I could hear my Vitani laugh all day if she would let me.

"At first," he paused to check on Aslan who had stirred a bit in his sleep. Mheetu gave his back a few licks, something that always seemed to calm his boys until Aslan smiled and flipped over hitting Cecil's face with his paw. But Cecil didn't seem to notice as he simply turned his head away from his brother's clumsy touch. "But then I remember that as long as they have the family and Pride to love and teach them I have nothing to worry about. I spent most of my teen years alone and I turned out just fine."

"For the most part," I joked causing him to extend his paw and shove my shoulder playfully. We laughed quietly.

"You'll be fine, Little Brah, don't stress it. You have an entire Pride to help you raise them."

"I guess," I replied and then felt his paw rub against my head. I laughed and shoved it off with my gigantic paw.

"Tanabi," I turned my head quickly at the sound of Shyra's voice. It was still odd to see how similar she was to Vitani in personality but like Shanni in appearance. Her hazel eyes looked away from me and went straight to Vitani sending a shiver of fear through my system.

"Is something wrong with Vitani, Shy?" I asked getting Mheetu's attention. Shyra giggled and nodded her head in the direction of Vitani.

"Why don't you come and find out for yourself," She giggled once more before turning her attention back towards her older sisters. I gulped and looked at Mheetu for support.

"I'm sure it's nothing, I'd join you but-"

"I know," I smiled and looked down at his tawny sons before getting up and padding softly over to Vitani who wasn't very far from where Mheetu and I was.

"Are you alright Vitani?" I asked with my eyes already scanning her body for any sign of blood or distress and thankfully came up blank. Though, my eyes couldn't help but stop once they found Vitani's large stomach.

"Oh, I'm fine. The little one just wants to make itself known to its family," she whispered before giving her stomach a few licks causing her stomach to move gently as the cub moved around. I gasped with glee knowing that the cub was alive and well. I gently extended my right paw, careful not to hurt her with my extended claws, and placed it on her belly to feel my son or daughter moving around. My eyes went wide when I felt a few kicks underneath my paw. It took everything within me not to cry.

"Isn't it the best feeling?" Shanni asked as she looked at her sister's stomach continue to move with life.

"It's a feeling. I'll give you that," Vitani said before she placed her tiny paw above my own. She rested her head against my chest and released a long yawn.

"You should get some sleep. You have to be up early in the morning tomorrow." I suggested already licking the top of her head to help lull her to sleep.

Vitani yawned loudly once again and nodded her head a few times before she shifted a few times to get into a more comfortable position against my chest for support.

"Tomorrow's a big day," she whispered as Shanni padded over to Mheetu and took over holding the boys while her mate rested his head on her back. Shyra soon stood and rested her body close to Vitani's and placed her head on Vitani's right flank for comfort.

"What do you mean?" I asked during the time that I tried to place my large head on the ground beside Vitani. Her own head slowly slid down and soon it was beside my own. 

"You don't know why?" Shyra shot up with her ears flicked forward. I shook my head slowly and filled with sleep.

"I'm going to have our child tomorrow, Tana," Vitani said with her head turned away from me. My eyes shot open and my head shot up as I processed what she said fully. I hadn't thought of her having it the same day she left. My body went into shock as I began to tremble uncontrollably with the feeling of my stomach dropping down to my butt.

I was going to be a father in less than twenty-four hours.

"Until the morning my love," Vitani whispered before she slipped off into sleep. I couldn't help but smile widely and sigh contently before I placed my head back onto the ground beside Vitani with our paws still resting above the spot where our child continuously kicked throughout the night.

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Vitani's P.O.V.

My eyes had never been so glad as to see the golden sun's rays hit our cave entrance. Tanabi's hatred for the sun seemed to have rubbed off on me after almost two years of being together and a year of being married. My stomach flipped at the mention of marriage. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine myself being married to a lion as kind and as handsome as Tanabi. My heart leaped at the thought and sight of him. I never seemed to get enough of him, though I would never admit it verbally.

I shifted my head slightly and found myself staring at my husband, though it wasn't something out of the ordinary, with my lips tugging at the corners to form a smile. It was as if he brought out the cub I never got to be growing up and I couldn't be more thankful to him for that.

A few kicks from within me drew me away from the dark and muddled past that still lingered in the back of my mind. I felt a few more followed by my stomach growling at an obnoxiously loud volume. As much as I loved and enjoyed being pregnant I despised the fact that I was hungry every second of the day.

"Good morning," Just the sound of his raspy and sleep filled voice was enough to send my body into overdrive. My heart began to palpitate furiously as my eyes met his. The palest of green eyes I had ever seen with dozens of specks of brown and gold danced across his entire iris.

He had the most beautiful eyes I had ever had the privilege to witness.

"Good morning," I finally said after a few moments of observing him. Tanabi chuckled and softly placed his lips on mine for a delicate kiss. He pulled away after a few seconds making me feel light headed from the suddenness of it.

"You're leaving me today," He pouted as he raised and turned his head away from me with his ears flicked back as they usually did when he was upset. I rolled my eyes and craned my neck in order to cuddle into his neck with a purr. I felt him shudder under my touch and I withheld my need to laugh at that fact.

"I hate when you do that," Tanabi groaned giving me a not-so-stern look as a smirk began to form on his face. I knew he couldn't stay mad at me for too long as I did. It was an odd sight to see Tanabi and I arguing or truly being mad at one another. That only happened once and it was due to the loss of Matu-

"Are you hungry?" I shook my head softly to rid myself of any dark thoughts. Today was a day I wanted to remember and look back on with happiness. The Great Kings knew I had enough tragedy in my life as it was already.

"When aren't I?" I asked making him stifle a laugh. He shook his head and chuckled softly before lowering his neck and pressing his forehead against mine. We stayed this way for what seemed like hours, praying in silence to every Great King that ever lived and asking them to help and protect me as I gave birth to our cub.

"I'll go get Mheetu and Beba to go on a quick hunt with me. I won't be long," He assured me after we finished our prayers. He leaned in once more for a soft kiss before he slowly removed his paw from my stomach, stood, and padded quietly over to Mheetu first who was still drooling over Shanni as he slept. I found myself giggling at the sight.

The cave soon felt empty after the three of them left. It was only Shyra, Shanni and her boys,  Shanira and her own cubs, and I. Kovu, Kiara and their boys had stayed with Simba and Nala to continue training for when it was their time to rule The Pride Lands. Kiara was also helping the aging queen care for Kiongozi. M.K. and Ayodele were also helping out at Pride Rock as Zazu was beginning to feel his aging wings ache to cause his far trips across the Pride Lands for morning reports to become more and more difficult as the days passed. Nevertheless, they had all promised to come and visit once I had our cub.

A wave of happiness surged through me at the thought of my cub. My cub. God, how I'd dream of having a cub of my own with a lion that I adored and who adored me just as much. I wondered what it would look like and what gender it would be. I secretly hoped it was a girl with her father's eyes. It would be a damn shame if any cub we ever had didn't have eyes like its father's. His fur tone was also something I adored as it was the perfect balance of gold and tawny.

"Daydreaming again?" Shyra asked from behind me causing me to jump at the sudden sound of her voice.

"It's all I can do for now," I joked seeing my younger sister. Her long hair tuft falling onto my right flank and her narrow hazel eyes still filled with sleep.

She hummed her reply before releasing a small yawn.

"When will Jama and Rafiki come to get you again?" She asked slowly getting off of me to stretch.

"They said just as the sun began to rise," I paused and looked at the mouth of the cave that was still barely lit up by the sun. "Soon, I suppose," I said and then began to give my legs a few licks before reaching behind my head to clean them of any of Tanabi's drool that managed to fall onto me while we slept.

After a few moments of attempting to get my whole stomach clean, I heard Shyra gasp. My head shot up, frightened that my sister might have gotten injured.

"Shy?" I asked making sure to give her my undivided attention. Her eyes never looked away from the mouth of the cave causing me squint my eyes and look in the same direction she was. I felt my blood run cold as I witnessed half of Mheetu's faced being covered in blood.

"Go wake up Shanni," I ordered causing Shyra to shake her head and quickly get to her feet and run towards the back of the cave where Shanni was.

I groaned and struggled to my feet.

"Vitani," I heard Tanabi chastise as he got closer to the cave. He dropped the small antelope onto the ground and rushed to my side. "You shouldn't be getting up on your own at this stage in your pregnancy," I gave him a deadpan glare before turning my attention towards Mheetu.

"What the hell happened?" I heard Shanni almost shrieked as she raced over to Mheetu and began to lick away the now dried up blood.

"What this? This is nothing, I promise," Yet, his constant wincing convinced us all otherwise. He remained still for a few moments to allow Shanni to lick away all the blood only to reveal a deep gash on his right eyebrow.

"The antelope had a go at him," Beba explained causing Shanni to growl and send a deadly glare towards the dead antelope.

"Don't tell me you've gone soft now that you're a daddy Mheetu," I teased making all but Mheetu laugh.

"Hysterical," he said with an eye roll.

"Let's eat and then we'll see what Rafiki says about that cut of yours when he gets here." Shanni offered which earned her nods all around.

"Nice one Mheetu," Shyra said with her tail flicking every which way. She was more like me than I thought.

After we all finished our meal Shanni's twins decided to wake up and join their mother as she cleaned Mheetu's cut once more.

"Baba!" They shrieked and whimpered once they realized their father was injured.

"Baba's okay boys," he assured and lowered his head to greet his sons. Aslan and Cecil both whimpered and gave his cut a lick making him wince.

"Baba hurt?" Aslan asked with tears in his teal-blue eyes that were identical to Mheetu's as Cecil's was identical to Shanni's. It was fascinating to me.

"Nah, Baba doesn't get hurt son," he smiled and then rubbed his nose against Aslan's causing him to giggle happily.

"I see everyone is awake," my ears twitched at the sound of Rafiki's voice. I smiled and greeted him and Jama, who stood closely to her father's side, with a soft good morning before I tried getting to my feet. Of course Tanabi quickly stood to his feet and helped me get a good footing.

"It's good to see you Rafiki," I said after giving my thanks to Tanabi. Rafiki laughed and wrapped his arms around me.

"The time has come," He said holding me at arm's length.

After breakfast and many painful goodbyes the three of us left. My chest felt tight the moment my eyes had met Tanabi's. They were tearful and gloomy rather than the bright and lively eyes I was so used to seeing. It took a few minutes to convince him that I would be home in just a shirt month.  When I finally did he engulfed me in a tight hug and gave my lips a long kiss before he finally allowed me to leave.

"Are you nervous, Miss Vitani?" Jama's unique voice pulled me from my thoughts and made me focus on her dark eyes looking back at me for a reply.

"No," I exhaled, not knowing I was holding my breath from the beginning. "I'm more adrenalized than nervous honestly," I spoke feeling my stomach flip at the thought of finally seeing my cubs.

Jama and Rafiki chuckled simultaneously before Jama spoke once again. "I'm glad to hear that Miss Vitani. You'll need all the adrenaline you can get to have your cubs," she said with another chuckle.

"You didn't tell Tanabi that it is more than one did you?" Rafiki asked as he placed his paw on my back and walked alongside me.

I shook my head. "I wanted it to be a surprise," as soon as the words left my lips I felt my cheeks grow warm with embarrassment.

"Speaking of surprises," he said then released a loud and maniacal laugh, as he usually did, before finishing his train of thought. "I'm surprised Mheetu only got one injury today," I couldn't help but laugh along with him and Jama.

The memory of Mheetu groaning and hissing in pain while Jama smeared some green sap from the Baobab Tree onto his gash was still vivid in our minds. Tanabi had laughed and reminded him of the stinging pain that he once felt almost two years ago when Rafiki treated him for his gashes. I almost swooned at the thought of my Tanabi's scars. Many lionesses thought it revolting to have a mate with as many scars as him but I loved every single one of them. They made him different from all the other males and that's what made him even more attractive in my eyes.

His imperfections were what made him beautiful. I couldn't imagine my life without him. A few kicks coming from my stomach caused me to remember just what it was that I was doing being so far from him now. But, this kicking felt a bit rougher than what I was used to. I groaned and stopped walking momentarily until the strange feeling past.

"Miss Vitani," my ears twitched the sound of Rafiki, "are you alright?" I nodded my head slowly and began to walk again. The feeling didn't return until the sun had reached it's highest point, but this time, it felt as if I had been more intense than the first time.

"Ugh," I complained once again as I doubled over and gasped for air.

"Vitani, you're having your first set of contractions. This will pass soon I promise," Jama soothed as she rubbed my lower back with her strange paw. After a few more agonizing minutes the pain ended once again and I was able to breathe normally again.

"We are almost there. Do you think you can make it?" Rafiki asked looking a bit worried. I groaned and gave him a weak attempt of a verbal reply. He nodded and picked up his pace slightly until we reached a den with it's opening covered with thick vines.

"Queen Sarabi was the last lioness to have a cub here," Rafiki explained as he pulled back the vines to reveal a cavernous and heavily lit den. It was nothing mind blowing but it looked warm and safe which was something that I was content about.

"It's close to an antelope eating ground as well. If you get hungry you'll know they will be safe here while you hunt," Jama explained though I felt a bit worried. Though the ages of males killing cubs seemed ancient now, it was not unheard of.

"The Tree is a few minutes from here as well," Rafiki said as he pointed his stick to the right to reveal his Tree.

"Thank you," I smiled knowing that I would have some family nearby. I knew that this was my decision and I didn't regret it for a second. After so long of being surrounded by people that loved me it was difficult to readjust to the solitude I endured as a cub and young adult years.

"We will stay with you until you feel ready to be on your own," Jama assured as she extended her paw as a signal for me to enter the den. I gulped and slowly padded inside as I felt yet another pang of discomfort begin to hit both my lower back and uterus. I cried out in pain and stumbled almost colliding with the dirt ground.

The air was ripped from my lungs as I felt something inside of me pop and trickle out of me. I swiveled my head around expecting to see blood as I had many months ago. However, all that was visible was a transparent liquid that I had never witnessed before. Had the pain caused me to urinate myself?

"Vitani, I think you should begin to get comfortable," Rafiki said with his dark eyes never leaving mine. My stomach dropped and my heart began to accelerate as I realized what the liquid was. My water broke and my children would be born soon.

Before I could give my words of excitement a pain like none before struck my lower back and I yelled out in pain.

"Your contractions will come quicker and will worsen each time," Rafiki said as he walked over to me and held onto me so that I would not fall and injure myself.

"When will it end?!" I gasped feeling my whole body shake with pain.

"Soon," Jama said as she ran her paw up and down my spine attempting to rub away the pain. Though sadly it didn't work as much as I pleaded that it would. Tears began to form in my eyes causing me to shut them tightly and forbade them from spilling this early.

"Breathe, Vitani, breathe," Jama continued to sooth until finally the contraction ended. I exhaled sharply and thanked every king that lived for finally relieving me of it.

"Can you walk?" She asked with eyes filled with worry. I nodded not being able to find my voice after the pain I had just endured.

"Alright, do you see that smooth stone?" she asked once again but this time she pointed ahead. I nodded when my eyes found the object before she spoke again. "Do you think you can make it over there?"

"Yeah," I breathed before carefully and slowly padding over towards the smooth stone. Once my body was comfortably rested against the stone Rafiki walked over with his paw tightly wrapped around his stick. He gave me a sympathetic smile before he placed his stick to rest against the den wall and placed his now free paw on my large stomach.

"It is time," he spoke softly. My response was nonexistent as yet another contraction began.

~~~~

"You're doing great Vitani. Just once more," Jama encouraged as I inhaled deeply and exhaled with an ear piercing yell to help me push with more force. I allowed my head to collapse onto Jama's arm and almost seconds later, a small cry was heard.

I raised my head up carefully and felt my heart skip a beat once my eyes caught sight of the cub in Rafiki's paws.

"Hello little one," Rafiki spoke softly with tears forming in his eyes as he looked at my child in his paws. "You look so much like your mother." He said before he placed the small cub near my stomach. I gasped softly and instinctively began to lick away all the placenta and after birth that remained on my...my son. His fur was almost identical to my own with a small spots covering his entire body. He had a darkly colored round nose like his father's with large colorless paws. I couldn't help but sob and laugh at the sight of him. I nuzzled my face close to him causing his cries to seize. I cuddled into him for a few moments before I turned him and shifted him so that he could get his first taste of milk.

I felt at peace for a few  minutes as I looked in awe at my son. He was almost bigger than Tanabi's enormous paws and by the ferocity of his suckling I knew I wouldn't have to worry about his health.

"My son," I whispered giving his body a few licks. We had a son. Our endless prayers had finally been answered as I looked down at the tawny cub that I already adored and vowed to always protect. I thought the sweet moment would never end. But it soon did when my pain returned causing me to jump from the intensity and suddenness of it.

"We had a good start but we are not finished yet," Rafiki said as he stared down at me to make sure nothing went wrong while Jama held onto me for support.

"Come on, just like before," she encouraged causing me to mentally thank them both. I don't know what would have become of me if I didn't have them at my side. I sucked in a deep breath and began to push once again. I only stopped when I felt as if I would faint and pause momentarily to fill my lungs with oxygen before I began to push once again.

Time passed on agonizingly slow with almost two hours of my endless pushing, groaning, and sweating with exhaustion and fatigue wrapping itself around us all. Until finally, my second child was born.

"The Great Kings have blessed you with yet another son," Jama all but squealed as she looked at my second son. My eyes began to water now at both the pain that my body had endured and the fact that this cub was the replica of his father. Tanabi's beautiful golden fur covered his matted and spotted body. His colored paws were the same as my mates, making me chuckle under my breath and place my nose delicately on his pink padded paws.

"He's beautiful," my voice sounded distant as Rafiki placed him in front of my stomach beside my first born. I licked him clean as well and caressed my sons with many more tears escaping me. They were almost the same size and I felt a rush of emotions go through me as I continued to admire my sons. They were more beautiful than I had ever imagined them to be. I couldn't help but smile at the sight of them crawling over one another in search of a new teet. Their little tails were almost similar in color except for the fact that my first born had a golden-brown tail tuft like Tanabi's and my second born had a very dark mahogany tail tuft.

As the hours passed by, I realized that the contractions had vanished. I felt relieved. My eyes were beginning to feel heavy with sleep and exhaustion. My boys had stopped suckling and were fast asleep with their bodies pressed deeply against my belly. I wanted nothing more than to rest and let the drowsiness take over my body completely and allow me the pleasure of sleep. Just as I was about to succumb to it, my lower back and uterus felt tight and the urge to push washed over me once more.

"God," I groaned as I extended my front legs to lift me from my resting position.

"Another?" Jama wondered locking eyes with Rafiki who looked just as shocked as his young daughter.

"It has been generations since a litter of three has been born," Rafiki mumbled under his breath with his eyes glossed over. I released a loud roar of pain and discomfort causing him to shake his head and snap him from his thoughts. I felt short of breath as I continued to gasp and grunt in attempt to give birth to my cub. My body was worn down from the stress I was putting it through. I felt my paws slip from underneath me and my eyes shut tight with a few sobs escaping me.

"It'll be over soon, Bibi Vitani, I promise. But you must keep pushing," Jama reassured me as she held my head close to her chest as I remained gasping and sobbing in pain.

"You're breaching," Rafiki announced with a smile before he lowered one of his paws and hovered close to my rear to catch my final child. "Almost there Vitani. Just a few more tries," he said with his eyes focused on my lower end.

"Ugh!" I yelled out in agony as I pushed as hard as I could before, finally, feeling relief wash over my entire body. I sighed and felt my paws give out on me with my head fell against the flat stone I was on with a soft thud. I breathed heavily in attempt of regaining some control in my body with a subdued moan. I closed my eyes once more and exhaled softly before raising my head to see my last child. I exclaimed at the sight of her. She was enormous and plump like her brothers with her fur being the perfect combination of both mine and Tanabi's creating a gold-tawny color that was unlike any other fur-tone I ever had the pleasure of seeing. Her paws were colorless like her eldest brother with her tail tuft being identical to his.

A sob wracked my overworked body as he placed my only daughter beside her brothers. My sobs were uncontrollable during the time I took to clean her and make sure she was fed. I found myself intensely staring at my three children. My boys were now awake and had joined their sister in yet another feast. They were beautiful and healthy and most importantly ours. I allowed my head to rest against my paws and continued to look at them as if it were the first time I had ever laid eyes on a cub.

"They're precious, Vitani,"Jama gushed as she wiped away her tears.

"They are aren't they," I whispered with my head and body now wrapped closely around my three children. They twitched in their sleep making me smile widely and licking their heads as my Tanabi had done for me many time to lull me to sleep.

"Have you and Tanabi thought of names?" Rafiki asked with his paw resting against my shoulder. I shifted my gaze momentarily to meet his and Jama's eyes before I looked at my little ones once again.

"We mentioned so many," I said with my eyes never leaving my little ones. "Tanabi always thought the name Imara was a bold name for a son. He mentioned it so many times I'm surprised he mentioned any others," I chuckled softly along with Jama and Rafiki.

"Strong one," Rafiki said as he eyed the cub that was most similar to me. "I think he seems like a strong one. Don't you think?" He questioned with an eyebrow raised. I smiled proudly at my first born and purred at the sighed of him cuddling into his siblings.

"Imara. My little Imara," I said with a soft purr earning a few back from the little ones resting close to my stomach. With my peripheral vision I caught sight of my second born releasing a small squeak as he yawned. His toothless mouth caused us all the giggle before he nuzzled closer into me. 

"Maalum," I spoke softly already feeling my body begin to allow sleep to take over. "It means special," I explained feeling my eyes begin to grow heavy once again.

"That's lovely name, Vitani," Jama spoke softly. "And your last little one?"

"Salama," I said without having to think twice of the name. "I've wanted my own little girl for as long as I can remember with the name being the complete opposite of my own. I am war will forever be the name I was given and hers...hers will be peaceful one." A fear tears escaped me as I looked in awe. My Salama wiggled her pink rounded nose in her sleep making me sigh with content.

"Rest now, Vitani. You've earned it," Jama's calm voice echoed within my brain until I finally fell asleep and dreamed of the moment my Tanabi got to meet the family he thought he would never have.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sleep was something I was always thankful for. It was the only time any beast could truly feel at peace with a world of fantasies being concocted by the subdued mind.

"Mama! Mama!" However, with three little ones to look after on my own sleep was very minimal.

My eyes fluttered opened and shifted upwards to lock eyes a pair of pale green round orbs with dozens of browns and golds dancing across the surface of her iris.

"Good morning, My Love," I smiled and gave my daughter a quick lick on the belly sending her into a fit of giggles.

She smiled and gave my nose a soft lick before pacing her colorless paws on my angular nose. I chuckled and raised my head to get a better look at my only daughter. She was bigger than the average female lion cub even for her age. Her fur was almost completely ridden of her infancy spots revealing her unique tawny-gold pelt with more intensity. Her eyes were identical to her fathers with the same intense look he gave the world. She didn't possess ear rims like Tanabi and I. Instead, she possessed the Mark of the Ancients as a black patch of fur colored the majority of the anterior parts of her ears with a single white dot in the corner of each. It was a trait lions lost millenniums ago and I felt much pride as my daughter was the first to have it after all this time.

"What are you doing up this early?" I asked looking at the mouth of the den. A few beams of light were barely visible entering in between the thick vines.

Salama scrunched up her nose, deep in thought, before she turned her head and gestured towards the light.

"That is the sun, My Love," I explained with a smile. She tilted her head to the side and mimicked my expression before stuttering and repeating the word 'sun'. I nodded my head with a giggle and opened up my paws as a way of telling her to join me. She struggled to her feet for a few moments before she giggled and waddled her way in between my paws. As she got into a comfortable position, I gave my boys a quick glance. They were both still soundly asleep wrapped around one another. It appeared to me that they hated the sun almost as much as their father.

Imara as the largest of his siblings and was the most similar to me. His spots were lighter now with my dark tawny fur peeking through. His flat nose was the same color as my own and his eye color was identical to mine with colorless paws like his sister. I felt my cheeks feel hot at the thought of Tanabi gushing over his eyes. Imara twitched in his sleep causing Maalum to stir and flip to his other side. Maalum was just as handsome as his father with his golden fur, pal green eyes, and colored paws. The only trait he got from me was the freckles that covered his muzzle and his angular nose.

"Mama?" I turned my head at the sound of my daughter's small voice and looked down at her. I grinned at the sight of the freckles that covered the bridge of her nose and cheeks. The moment Tanabi see's that two out of the three of his cubs had my freckles he would explode with happiness.

"Yes, My Love?" I asked giving her head a few licks causing her to yawn.

"Papa?" She asked resting her head against one of my paws.

"We will see him tomorrow, my Salama, I promise," I assured before giving her head a few more licks until she finally went back to sleep. I sighed happily and looked on at my daughter. God, I hoped she'd be nothing like I was as a cub. I was so much of a hassle that Zira had other lionesses take care of me. A low growl developed deep within me at the thought of anyone raising my children other than Tanabi and I.

My thoughts evaporated at the sound of my Imara stirring once again in his sleep. I quickly turned to check on him. His body was pressed up against my side with Maalum now resting his head against his older brother's right flank. Imara continuously squirmed in his sleep, a nightmare. I adjusted my body slightly and began to purr softly until Imara's nightmare seized and his frown was replaced by a soft smile as he slept. Just as I was about to rest my head, his eyes fluttered open revealing his electric blue eyes.

"Ma?" He questioned with his narrow eyes barely opened.

"I'm here, don't worry. Now, go back to sleep my Sweet Boy," I whispered making his eyes blink one at a time before they fluttered shut. When I made sure he was resting happily I shifted my gaze towards Maalum and stifled a laugh at the sight of my silly son. His mouth was open wide with pools of drool falling onto his older brother. I shook my head at my silly Golden Boy and exhaled softly and looked at all of my children. They were all so different with only a few similarities that even suggested that they were related. I smiled to myself and rested my head beside Salama's body and continued to look at my little ones in awe.

"Vitani?" I turned my head at the sound of my name and almost squealed at the sight of Jama.

"Good morning, Jama," I whispered making her give me a toothy grin as she padded over to me.

"Oh, they look so at peace," she cooed looking down at my little ones after our long embrace.

"I don't want them to grow up," I admitted with a few tears beginning to form. They would be the only children I could ever have as my uterus had endured too much and was too damaged for me to ever be able to reproduce again. It brought much pain to my heart but I was glad that I at least got to have three beautiful babies.

"I know, my friend," she said with her paw pressed against my shoulder. "But, are you excited to be going back home tomorrow?" She asked as she sat on the ground beside me. My eyes went wide at the thought of getting to see my Tanabi again as well as my sisters and the rest of the Pride. I nodded my head quickly with much excitement causing her to laugh quietly.

"My father suggests that you have a full stomach for your journey back," I again nodded and felt my stomach growl with approval. For the past month I had poorly filled my stomach with the field mice and other small rodents that Jama and Rafiki would bring me or the few that happened to wander inside the den. The thought of a successful hunt was always in the back of my mind but to leave my cubs alone was something I wouldn't allow myself to do.

"I can't just leave them," I said looking at my little ones still fast asleep.

"Go. I'll watch over them while you're gone," She assured with a pat on my back. I thanked her many times and instructed her on what to do if they should awaken while I was gone. She merely laughed and practically shoved me out of the den. Once I was outside I inhaled deeply and soaked in the suns rays. It had been so long since the last time I had to hunt on my own and I was silently glad. It was the only joy I ever got while my time in the Out Lands. Of course the land was barren with barely any game meat to feed on, but when there was, Zira would allow me to lead the hunt. It was the only times I saw her be truly proud of me.

"Alright," I mumbled looking out into the plains until I spotted a large group of antelope. My eyes looked over the group until I spotted an old buck barely able to walk. My ears flicked back and my tail swished in anticipation. "Perfect," I said lowly before I lowered my body and began my usual role as lead huntress. My stomach grazed over the grass as I stalked my prey until I was just close enough to catch it. You're mine, I thought before I leaped into action and within a matter of seconds the old buck was dead and I began my feast. I ate as much as I could to both fill my stomach and be able to produce enough milk for a while since I knew Tanabi would not want me to hunt when I got back home. I rolled my eyes at the thought and found myself laughing as I realized I would hunt regardless. I was more stubborn than him and he knew it.

When I could no longer fit meat into my stomach I stood and licked the blood off of my body. I smacked my lips and sighed as I looked into the vast Pride Lands. It was hard to believe that this was my home after so many years of plotting of getting these lands in ways that would end in deaths of many. I had never truly understood the reason behind Zira until now. This place was bountiful and peaceful unlike the barren disgust of a home I once lived in.

I would have continued looking over the lands and basking in the sunlight I was deprived of for a month but the sound of something crying caught my attention. I furrowed my brows and began to panic as I got closer to the sound...and smell. The scent of death was something unmistakable as I grew up with that stench all around me. My nose, ears, and paws carried me throughout the land until I reached the tall grass. My eyes began to burn as the scent grew stronger. My lungs and chest felt tight causing me to cough and wheeze once the easily recognizable scent of dead lions. When I could catch my breath I extended my paw and pushed back the tall grass to reveal two young dead lions. I turned my head with a gasp and shut my eyes.

"God," I exclaimed with my heartbeat and breathing racing. This type of crime was the worst to ever occur in these lands punishable by either death or exile. My mouth gaped open in order to fill my lungs back up with air before I finally looked at the dead bodies. It was a couple, not much older than Tanabi and I, their throats ripped clean off with many gashed throughout their bodies. Memories of Kopa flooded my mind making my eyes water and for me to turn away from the bodies completely. My mind might have been able to move past his death but in my heart it felt as if everyday was the first day of his death and with this visual representation of death it was triggering enough to send my body into panic mode.

My breathing was erratic and my heart rate was beating quickly as the memory consumed my mind. The blood and the bodies filled with open wounds was identical to the way I had seen my Kopa. My heart sank in my chest with tears streaming down from my eyes once my younger self had fully understood what it was that happened to the lion that had meant everything to me. A sob wracked my body without any shame as sadness took over my mind as it had all those years ago.

My memories would have gotten darker if not for the whimpering sound that came from the slaughtered bodies. I sniffled and turned my head to look back at the dead bodies in hopes of seeing any signs of life only to come up blank. I sighed and sniffled once more before deciding to go back to the only thing that would surely always bring me joy: my cubs. But, my actions were ceased once again when the whimpering returned. I turned my head once more and perked up my ears to get a better hearing. The whimpering grew louder and continuous drawing me closer to the dark and bloody lions. I craned my neck and noticed a small tail wiggling underneath the lionesses paw. I gasped and slowly removed the paw to reveal a small cub covered in thick blood. I blinked a few times and cocked my head to the side in shock. They must have fought to protect their cub from invaders I thought to myself as I watched the small cub squirm and struggle to open it's eyes and when it did, the palest of blue eyes stared up at me. I felt my whole being feel sorrow knowing that this cub would not make it without the care of a Pride.

"I can't just leave you here," I thought out loud as I looked around in hopes of finding a sign of someone looking for the small cub. When no one caught my eyes I thought of the best plan for it. "I guess you'll just have to come home with me."

The small thing cocked its head to the side before it smiled widely and extended its paws as a way of asking to be carried. I smiled and carefully took...him into my mouth. He was still under my touch without showing any signs of distress and gently placed him on the ground. He couldn't be but a few days younger than my own cubs and one extra mouth to feed wouldn't be a problem with me or my children. I decided then that I would take him to the den and ask Jama for her wise words before making any rash decisions. Before I carried the young cub once more I looked back at the lions that were once his parents.

"I'll take care of him, I promise," then I bent down and carried the cub by the scruff of the neck and carefully made my way towards the den.

"Oh, thank goodness you're back. I was getting so worried-," Jama's statement fell short after she noticed the cub in my mouth. "What happened?" She asked with eyes filled with worry. I placed the bloody cub on the ground and kept him close to my paws for support as he was still too young to stand on his own.

"I found him after my hunt. Jama, he was hiding underneath his dead mother's paw," I said feeling tears swell up in my eyes at the very vivid memory.

"And what of the father?" She asked getting closer to me with her eyes locked on the cub.

"He was dead too," I said looking down at the cub who had fallen asleep on top of my paw. I smiled and decided to clean him. My body shivered at the taste of the dried up blood that matted his fur. But, I quickly dismissed those thoughts and continued to clean his skinny body. Once he was finally clean my eyes examined him. His fur was a unique light brown with small colored paws. My eyes moved up towards his face and noticed his nose was pitch black and angular. My eyes moved back down to his body and noticed a dark brown tail tuft softly wagging in his sleep.

I thought for a few moments and debated whether or not to take him to a nearby Pride and explain to them what had happened to him. But, my thoughts were interrupted when my little ones came running towards me. They stopped, however, once they noticed the small cub in between my paws. They cocked their heads to the side and looked between him and me.

"It's alright cubs," I assured making Imara and Salama take a few steps back in fear of the unknown cub. Maalum though didn't hesitate to leap onto the sleeping cub and tug on his ears as his rough way of playing. The small cub opened his unique eyes and blinked a few times before he pulled his ear away from Maalum and whimpered. Maalum gasped and cast down his eyes knowing that he had done something bad. The look only lasted a few moments before the small cub gave my son a sniff before he giggled and swatted his ear playfully. Moments later, the two boys had begun a small game of "capture the ear" with Imara and Salama joining when they noticed this new cub was not a threat.

Jama and I shared a look and shared a soft smile.

"He would fit in with your family you know. He does look a bit like Kovu," Jama reasoned with a smirk on her face. I scoffed and shoved her softly with my shoulder.

"Do you think I should?" I asked with worry washing over me. Food would not be a problem, I knew that, it was him being accepted by the Pride. I sighed and looked at the cub once again. I couldn't help butt smile at the sight of him playing happily with my little ones.

"Are you sure it's the right thing for him?" I asked causing her to look up at me.

"A cub that age needs a Pride in order to survive and with Tanabi as leader he has more of a chance of survival. You know that even now male cubs are not as excepted into the Pride...imagine a male cub who isn't blood," She explained causing me to sigh once again and thought to the times I wished someone else had taken me in. Even now as an adult I thought of what it could have been like if Tama and Tojo had been the ones to raise me and not Zira and her Pride of vengeful lionesses. With a finally glance at the cub I decided what would be best for him.

"Then I suppose he will need a name," I smiled at Jama who had the goofiest of looks on her face. I rolled my eyes playfully and walked towards the four cubs. Imara and Salama related each other's ears while Maalum got off of the brown cub and ran towards me.

"Mama!" They shrieked causing my stomach to erupt into a million butterflies as my three loved ones ran towards before tackling my legs. I giggled and rested my body on the ground and laughed loudly when my three babies pressed with faces against my own with soft purrs. The sweet moment was brief when I noticed the brown cub lying on the ground with a confused look on his face. I raised my head and smiled before beckoning him over. He blushed and clumsily rose to his feet before he ran over towards me and my cubs. He carefully slid between Maalum and Salama then nuzzled into my nose.

"Welcome home," I whispered into him causing him to giggle and lick my nose. My head swirled with dozens of names that would fit him best. My eyes went wide once I finally picked the perfect one. "Kellan," The name meant powerful and after what this little one had endured, the name seemed perfect. I looked up at Jama who nodded in agreement.

"Let us hope Tanabi is okay with this," I mumbled nervously momentarily but then I shook my head and looked down at my cubs. "No, he will be proud to have four cubs. I'll warm him up to little Kellan. The Circle of Life has already been unfair to him as it is the least we can do it give him a family," I thought aloud feeling myself grow more and more comfortable with idea of having an adoptive son. After all, Kovu was taken in as well as I and we turned out fine...more or less. Jama was smiled and gave my little ones a once over before she nodded her head.

"I'd better tell my father of the news so that he can be the first to know of the newest member of your family," she said with a bow before she exited the den.

I looked down at my cubs and chucked before giving my four little ones a quick bath. The sun had already began to set sending my stomach into a fit of butterflies knowing that in less than twenty four hours my mate would meet our cubs.

"Dinner time," I said while resting my body to one side to expose my stomach. Imara, Maalum, and Salama all quickly began suckling but Kellan stayed behind. I raised my head and looked down at my paws where he was sitting. He made eye contact with me and waited until I gave him a nod of permission before he ran towards a teet that one of his new siblings hadn't been latched on to. He stood out from the rest of my cubs and I couldn't help but smile at the thought of him being the Matumaini I never got to have. He could never replace my lost son but Kellan would be loved as if he was my own even if, Great Kings forbid, Tanabi wouldn't accept him.

Imara, Maalum, Salama, and Kellan...my world is better with you in it.

________________________________________________________________________________

A.N.

Hello there LoveBugs, Happy New Year!!

Here is the chapter I have been dying to write since the beginning of this book! I really love all of their cubs and I am glad to have added Kellan26's character and make him the adopted son of Tanabi and Vitani.

Do you think Tanabi will be happy with the news or will he reject little Kellan? Will love truly be what makes Kellan family or will blood triumph?

I hope you have all enjoyed your winter break and that this year is very good to you.

Until my next post,

~ Delaney.

P.S. The drawing is of Cecil and Aslan created by Shanni13. The song Hallelujah beautifully covered by Tori Kelly in the movie Sing.