The Lion King III: The Chosen Ones

Cub Arc

Chapter One: The Circle Opens

Disclaimer: I don't own "One By One" or any of the TLK/TLK II characters, they all belong to the Disney people, so please don't call those people on me! Heh I'm broke and I don't own much anyways. Just a sock puppet and he won't go with you if you take him, even if you give him jelly beans :3

The circle of life was starting again as it always did. That promise could be heard in the wind as it carried itself around the African savannah, whispering about the change to come. It was heard in the animals who were getting ready to celebrate the creation of a new life and the shining future that would come, one that they had been waiting for.

A wise old mandrill kept himself away from the festivities of the morning; he didn't have time to celebrate with the rest of the kingdom just yet. He was busy; swiftly creating the image of a cub on the inside of an ancient tree. His withered and shaky hands were covered in colored power as he continued to work delicately on the piece. He drew an ear there, a tail here and two noses for emphasis. The more he finished, the happier he became.

Eventually Rafiki drew away, his beady eyes flashing with pride, grinning from ear to ear at his masterpiece. At last, it was finished. He chuckled softly to himself as he caught the soft light of the afternoon reflecting on the artwork.

It was time for Rafiki to introduce the new prince and princess to the pridelands.

OooO

Every animal walked in a line to Pride Rock. It was a beautiful late afternoon; a breathtaking vision. The unlimited sky that stretched over Africa was painted with various hues of red, orange and yellows intermixed with a dusty purple color as the dusk started to settle. Animals flocked in the thousands, big and small, in order to pay tribute to their new future King or Queen.

As they made their way to the ceremony, the animals began to chant. The antelopes and zebra stomped their hooves rhythmically to keep their spirits up. The elephants trumpeted powerfully out of pure joy. Other animals such as the birds flew high in the sky, untouchable. They were all chanting and singing softly; it was an old traditional song that had been sung for generations in the pride lands. If one strained to listen, the song would sound something like this:

Ibambeni njalo bakithi (Hold on my people)

Ninga dinwa (Don't get weary)

Ninga phelelwa nga mandla (Don't lose your strength)

The animals continued to march on, their voices becoming stronger and filled with more pride. It was a song of celebration and of life; most importantly it was a song about embracing their identities. Eventually their voices became a perfect blended harmony.

One by one

Ngeke ba lunge (They will not succeed)

One by one

Siya ba bona (We can see)

Babe fun'ukusi qeda (They were trying to hold us back)

Ngoba thina (Because)

Siya zazi (We know who we are)

Zazu, a brilliantly blue colored hornbill and the current King's majordomo flew in a wide arc above everyone else, examining how everything was falling into place. Seeing everything in order, he flew back to Pride Rock to inform the King of the progress.

The majestic Pride Rock was basked in shadows from the darkening of the sky, making the huge landmark stand out more than usual. Zazu soared into the mouth of the cave, smiling and bowing at the paws of the monarchs, Kovu and Kiara.

"It's time," Kovu, the King whispered lovingly to his mate. He nuzzled his Queen's cheek, smiling down at his two bundles of joy with pride. Two cubs looked up at him with curious wide eyes.

Rafiki, the old shaman took no time in starting the procedure of tradition of anointing the two cubs. He shook his staff at the two cubs playfully, getting a few soft mews from them in return before cracking open a gourd hanging from his staff. Red sticky juice rolled off the sides and Rafiki dipped his hand into one of the halves. He smeared a line of juice onto one of the cubs' forehead with his thumb and the repeated the same action for the other cub.

He picked the two gently from their mother's forepaws, cradling them protectively as if they were his own. Kiara and Kovu then got to their paws and followed Rafiki out on to the promontory. A cool breeze wafted through the night air, teasing the lions with it presence.

Everything was respectfully quiet as the animals watched their leaders, not a sound could be heard out of anticipation. All eyes were on Rafiki who slowly started to hobble to the edge of the Pride Rock, the animals were so excited to see what the new generation of the circle of life would bring. Kovu and Kiara shared a proud glance with each other as the wind started to pick up. Kiara knew that like on the presentation of her birth, her grandfather's spirit was watching over them in blessing.

Nothing would be the same after tonight. After the cubs' presentation, it would finally cement the pain and hatred between the pridelanders and the once hated outlanders. It wasn't an easy road and it was paved with strife, but the pride had made it out in harmony. Today was the day the past could be laid to rest; there was no turning back now.

Finally, Rafiki reached the edge of Pride Rock. He proudly started to raise the two cubs up high above his head, so that the animals could see them and so that the cubs could see the lands they would one day inherit. At that moment, the animals below them went wild with joy, crying, roaring loudly.

The two cubs looked out at their kingdom and down at their subjects with confusion. They had no idea how joyous an occasion their birth meant to everyone. One day, someday, they surely would.

OooO

After the night's presentation had died down; the young king and queen retreated back to the den for some alone time with their family. It was the picture of perfect harmony; everyone had spent their time giving their blessings to the cubs, showering them with love and affection.

Kiara was exhausted from the day's activities but content, there was nothing more she could ever think to wish for. Now all she wanted was to relax and forget all about being Queen just for the moment. She wondered how her parents had the energy to do the same thing over and over again.

But it wasn't so bad for her second week as Queen, after all she was able to get out of patrol duty by giving birth. She also had Kovu, her true love supporting her all the way. When the ex outlander had found out he was going to be a father, Kovu tried his hardest to make sure Kiara was comfortable and every day he would eagerly listen for the sound of his cubs inside of her. He would constantly talk to her about all he wanted to do with his new family, how he wanted to play with his son and teach him how to be a fierce fighter. Though Kovu had started to get more fussy and overprotective during the last few days of Kiara's pregnancy, it was only because he was hyped up on the excitement. And once he saw them, Kiara could just saw pure happiness radiating from her mate. Though Kovu swore up and down he didn't cry that day, Kiara saw those tears in his eyes.

Kiara smiled brightly at her two cubs, one held the rich dark shade of the night while the other was the color of the African sunset. When she saw them for the first time, she knew she loved them. They were so tiny and helpless yet they made Kiara feel such a warmth that she had never felt before, one that made her never want to leave their side. They were something that her and Kovu had made out of their love for each other and that made her cubs all the more precious.

"They're so perfect Kiara," her mate purred softly into her ear as Kiara beamed up at him. The dark furred male then gently licked her on the mussle. "You have made me the happiest lion alive, you know that?"

"And you have made me the happiest lioness alive," Kiara whispered back. They nuzzled one another lovingly, not wanting to pull away. Feeling the two cubs nestling closer to her in response, Kiara let out a tiny giggle. "I guess they want to share the love too."

Kovu smiled warmly, "I see." He then slowly bent down and very lightly nuzzled the tiny cubs with his nose, speaking tenderly and playfully. "Hey, is it okay for you to share your mommy?"

The male of the two cubs yawned at him, his cute pink tongue unfurling before he snuggled up closer to his mother's warm fur. Kovu grinned, "That's a definite no."

Kiara laughed, "Looks like we have a case of like father, like son, Kovu."

"Wouldn't want it any other way," Kovu replied sincerly, settling down.

"I just can't believe my little girl's all grown up now," Simba said wistfully, grinning like the proud grandfather he was as the darker cub started to play with his long mane. Nala cooed at the two cubs and lightly nuzzled the other one with her nose.

"Daddy, please. You're embarrassing me," Kiara giggled playfully, shifting her forelegs so that the two proud grandparents could get a better look at their grandcubs.

"It's my job to embarrass you," her father told her smoothly, flashing the orange lioness a grin. "Call it payback for all those years of making me a nervous wreck."

Nala rolled her green eyes in amusement, "Don't listen to your father, Kiara. He obviously enjoyed it a little too much. By the way, have you finally picked names for our cubs or are they just going to remain nameless."

Kovu and Kiara exchanged glances. "Actually...Simba, Nala," Kovu started, smiling warmly. "We wanted you to do the honors of naming the cubs."

Simba raised an eyebrow curiously, "Kovu? Are you sure you both want this?"

"Of course, we couldn't think of anyone better." the younger lion told him. He then smirked, "Besides, I'm pretty sure that you old timers have come across a lot more names than we have."

"How nice of you to remind us, Kovu," Nala replied dryly. She smiled down dotingly at the tiny orange cub in Kiara's forelegs, "Well, I think the name Ayira will fit you perfectly."

"Ayira?" Kiara asked.

The white lioness nodded, "Yes. My grandmother's name was Ayira and she was one of the best huntress' in the pride lands. "

Simba nuzzled Nala affectionately and smiled down at the other cub, "If your sister's name is Ayira, then you will be Tanabi. He was one of the legendary kings of the pride lands, my father used to tell me stories every night and Tanabi was one of my favorite kings."

"Tanabi and Ayira…" Kovu murmured thoughtfully with a smile as the brown cub yawned. He gently rubbed his son's back, "It does have a nice ring to it."

Kovu and Kiara smiled, leaning against one another tiredly. Nothing could be more perfect in their world but this, having the family together again. It was a dream come true. Tomorrow they would have to return back to ruling the kingdom but for now celebrating their cubs was all that really mattered; it was a moment that they would cherish for the rest of their lives.

That night, a shooting star appeared across the sky marking the birth of Prince Tanabi and Princess Ayira of the pride lands.

So yeah... This is my very first LK fic ever! After watching TLK 2 about a month ago, I found myself wondering what Kovu and Kiara's kids would be like so I started planning this chapter out. This is the story of their cubs as they take their place in the Circle of Life. It won't be a bowl of cherries for them, but please continue on reading you won't be disappointed :3!

Names:

Ayira: Chosen One

Dede: Grasshopper

I have no idea what Tanabi's name means, it just looked cool XD

First Draft: 01/10/09

Edit: 12/06/10