Adopted: Lion King Story

Malkia Meets Zeus

Malkia's POV

I have a day off from training and hunting. Actually Kiara will be going on her first solo hunt tomorrow. She and her friends are now young adults. They already had a successful team hunt. Even though Kiara alerted the wildebeest to their approach. She would have failed with out Rozi and her friends. My sisters also have the day off. Both are resting at pride rock enjoying a sleep in. While I've decided to go down to the water hole.

Think about mum's strange behavior. But also about my first heat. Mum says it could happen any day now. My sisters have already had theirs. But neither want cubs, at least not yet. Me though, I'd love to have cubs of my own. But the only male in the pride is my uncle and no way would I let an outsider seduce me. I guess I'm not meant to be a mum yet. Otherwise I would have found a mate by now.

I pause when I catch an unfamiliar scent of a male lion. I growl lowly and crouch down, staying down wind as I follow his trail. To the water hole. I see him just having a drink. I cock my head to the side, he doesn't look like an outsider. But I've never seen or smelt him here before. Could he just be a rogue passing through? Should I alert my uncle and the pride?

Wait, I should say hello and greet him. Find out why he is here, then I can alert the others. I stand up making myself known and he looks at me surprised. "Oh hello" he says.

"Who are you? Why are you here? Are there others? Where are you from?" I ask him as I stay tense encase he becomes aggressive.

"Why the twenty questions? I only said hello" he states. I just give him a pointed look flicking my tail. "Fine, I am Zeus. I am passing through and I am alone. I am from the jungle" he tells me. "Now you" he says as he sits down.

"I am Malkia, I live here with my pride and this is the pride lands. Where my uncle is king" I tell him.

"That'd be King Simba?" he asks.

"You know my uncle?" I ask cocking my head to the side.

"Heard of him, never meet him" he says shrugging.

"If you mean no harm and follow the circle of life. You could stay" I offer as I approach him slowly.

"Don't know about that" he tells me as he looks around. "I'd rather start my own pride, then join one" he states.

"Have you ever been in a pride?" I ask him.

"Nope, was raised by a leopard after my mum abandoned me" he tells me.

"Abandoned you?" I ask shocked. What sort of mother abandons her own cub?

"She was very young, didn't have a pride at the time. She couldn't hunt enough alone to produce enough milk for me. She couldn't bring herself to kill me herself, so left me in the dessert. Luckily Rehema found me, she raised me along with her two cubs. Until I could hunt on my own and then I left to find my place in the circle of life" he tells me.

"Have you ever seen your mother?" I ask.

"Once, she found me when I was still cub and was weaned. She said she'd found a pride and asked me to join her. I refused, she left me and had no right to ask me to leave Rehema or her family. Who raised me" he states. "She left and I never saw her again" he adds.

"I'm sorry" I tell him as I sit beside him "I could never imagine doing that to my future cubs" I add. As I look at the water.

"You're pregnant?" he asks me.

"What?" I ask him shocked.

"You said your future cubs" he states.

"Oh, no I am not pregnant yet. But I hope to have cubs one day" I tell him.

"Oh" he says and looks up at the sky. "It' a beautiful day" he states.

"It is" I agree. "I'm not doing anything today, I could give you a tour. If you want?" I offer.

"I'd like that" he tells me with a smile. We get to our feet and set off. "So have you lived here all your life?" he asks me.

"Pretty much" I tell him. "Me and my sisters" I add.

"Are they as beautiful as you?" he asks me.

"I'd say so" I tell him shrugging. "But it depends your definition of beautiful" I add smiling at him.

"Well I'd call you beautiful" he states and I look away. He nudges me and I look up at him. "That tour?" he asks.

"Right, lets head to the gorge. We will past most of the pride lands" I tell him. He nods and I lead the way.

(Time skip)

"It is lovely here" he tells me as we reach the gorge. "Definitely perfect for raising cubs" he adds.

"It is" I agree. I look at the gorge and sigh.

"What is it?" he asks me.

"This is where my grandfather killed my great uncle" I tell him sadly.

"Maybe we should go?" he suggests. "Why not head to Rafiki's tree? You said it's the biggest tree around" he states. I nod and we go to leave only to see Uncle Simba along with several other pride members. They all growl at Zeus.

"Don't!" I shout getting in front of him. "He isn't an outsider and won't hurt anyone. He is just passing through" I tell them.

"Stand aside Malkia" uncle Simba tells me.

"No, he is my friend" I snap glaring at him.

"He has not harmed a fly since he arrived" Rafiki says appearing from a tree. "He arrived a couple days ago, I have been watching him from a far" he states.

"I thought I felt someone spying on me" Zeus matters. He comes to my side. "King Simba, it is an honour to meet you. Malkia speaks highly of you as did my adoptive mother Rehema" he states.

"Rehema, the leopard from the jungle?" Uncle Simba asks relaxing.

"Yep, she raised me to respect the circle of life. I am trying to find my place in it, and Malkia was kind enough to offer me a tour of your territory. But if my presence upsets you, I will gladly leave" he states. "But if you allowed it, I would like to stay a while" he adds bowing his head.

"For now I reserve judgement, you may stay awhile. But should you not respect the circle of life or cause any trouble. You will be banished, are we clear?" Uncle Simba asks him.

"Crystal" Zeus says with a smile. "Malkia, race you back to the water hole" he states and takes off.

"Hey, no fair. You had a head start!" I shout as I run after him. Leaving the others behind.

(Gorge) Third Persons POV

"Are you sure this was wise Simba?" Nala asks.

"No, but I have heard of Rehema. She used to live here until Scar kicked her out. If he truly respects the circle of life. Then he may stay for a while" he states.

"Malkia seems to like him" Nala states looking off to where they'd left.

"We should tell Uru and the others what's happened" Simba tells her. Nala nods and they return to pride rock with the other two. Meanwhile Zeus won the race to the water hole, but Malkia then tackled him into the water. They have a play fight in the water laughing. Acting like a pair of cubs, instead of adults. Malkia and Zeus could not remember the last time they had so much fun.

A/N

Picture above of Zeus.