Underestimated Kiongozi

1. Discovered

     Kion was talking to the sky at the edge of Pride Rock, or so it seemed. He was truly talking with Mufasa, because he couldn't sleep.

"Grandfather Mufasa, are you there?" Kion called, hoping they could talk.

The starry night sky shimmered as the clouds parted to reveal a face, Mufasa had answered his call. "Hello Kion, I hope you're not staying up late again?"

Kion chuckled, "You really know me, huh Grandfather? I just can't figure out how to get to sleep. Dad said talking to you always helped him when he was little."

As if on cue, Simba walked up at that moment, with sleep in his eyes and a ruffled mane from sleep. "Talking to Mufasa, I see," Simba chuckled.

"Yeah, I couldn't sleep, so I figured Grandfather Mufasa could keep me company," Kion replied.

"Would you mind if I join?" Simba asked with a fatherly smile as he sat down.

"Not at all," Kion replied as he he returned the smile and looked back to the sky. "Grandfather Mufasa always likes it when you talk to him. He says he misses you."

Simba looks at Kion in surprise, but then 'realizes' he must be assuming.

"Yes, I miss him as well," Simba replies.

"Hey dad," Kion began, "What's your favorite tradition in the Pride Lands?"

"Well, I suppose I would have to say when a new royal family member has been born," Simba replied. "All the animals gather around and watch as Rafiki holds up the new lion, with the newest animals of all the herds at the front to watch, so everyone in the Pride Lands can see all the animals each year brings."

"I wish I could see that, but I think my favorite that I've seen is when each lioness goes on their first hunt," Kion says, then looks up to Mufasa. "What about you Grandfather Mufasa?"

Simba gets a wistful look in his eyes and the wind ruffles his mane, messing it up further.

"I believe mine would have to be the performance of the first Lion Guard. It was especially... exciting, this year," Mufasa told Kion, with a wise smile and soft chuckle.

Kion chuckled too, but Simba was confused.

"What's so funny?" Simba questioned, looking genuinely confused.

"Didn't you hear Grandfather Mufasa?" Kion asked in reply.

"...Does Mufasa actually respond when you speak to him?"

"Well, yeah. Doesn't he talk to you too?" Kion asked back.

"No," Simba began, "The most response I get is the wind directly in my face and the stars shining extra bright."

"Oh," Kion started, looking genuinely surprised. "Is it maybe because I'm the leader of the Lion Guard?"

"Well, I've never heard of the leader of the Lion Guard speaking with the Lions of The Past, but not everything is meant to be known by the royal family, is it?" Simba told him.

"Yeah, that's probably it, Asahi said that when he discovered the Roar he was able to talk to his mom and dad at certain places," Kion reasoned.

Simba looked taken aback, realizing his son had talked to at least 2 of the Great Kings, and possibly more. He stood up, stretched, and went back to the cave to sleep with Nala. Not before telling his son of course.

Kion just watched as Simba left, talked to Simba a bit more, and finally got tired enough to go to sleep.

Kion went into the cave and nuzzled into Kiara's side, but after about 10 minutes decided it was too hot no matter how much he moved around. So he decided to go back to the top of Pride Rock, waking his sister in the process unknowingly.

So Kion settled into his perch at the top, and was a bit surprised when his sister joined him. But he wasn't upset about it, if anything he was happy. They were able to sleep better together, no one else understood why, they just preferred to always be together (Not a ship). They didn't understand themselves.

And that's how they were found the next morning, curled up together sleeping soundly.