The Lion King IV: Kopa's Story (COMPLETED)

Chapter 49

"Simba, are you sure?" Nala asks for the tenth time since we began our walk throughout the Pride Lands. They had been so warm and inviting since the ceremony a year ago now.

Our cubs, all of our cubs, had grown so much in such a short time. I loved the hell out of all of them.

"Nala, I love you for worrying but I promise it's fine." Simba assures and easily steps over a bolder. Even at his age he's still so graceful. He was king after all.

"It's just—it's been years since you've been to the gorge." She points out and wrinkles her purple nose. Simba presses his nose against hers and she giggles.

"I'll be fine, darling." He assures and picks Kion up by his scruff and tosses him in the air and he falls laughing on his head.

"Dad!" He whines playfully and bites at our fathers ears. It was still so weird to me to call them "mom" and "dad". They were okay with just Simba and Nala for now. We all knew in time I'd call them by their appropriate names. In time.

"He's getting big." I point out. His paws were almost the same size as Maalum's and I knew Maalum would be massive because of me. Kiongozi would surely measure up in time.

"He is and heavy." Simba jokes and shakes his head softly to rattle my little brother.

"Boys! Don't go so far ahead!" Kiara chastises Nafari and Zuri. They had grown so quickly it felt like only yesterday they were babbling little cubs.

"You guys are too slow!" Nafari rolls his light eyes with a humph.

"Just a little bit ahead?" Zuri coaxes, his emerald eyes shining.

"Fine, but take everyone with you." Kovu says and places little Kopa on the ground. She giggles and runs after her brothers.

"Go on cubs, have fun." Vitani encourages and shoves Kellans bottom for motivation. Our cubs take off of course and I am delighted when on the other side Mheetu, Shanni, Shyra, Siwatu, Beba, Shanira and all of their cubs are there to greet us.

"It's been too long!" I yell and tackle my older brother/uncle. His laugh a loud boom and his paw ruffles my mane.

"What you'd think we'd miss Mufasa's day?" Shanni teased and gave my cheek a kiss when I stood. "We also missed you." She adds and happily greets her sister with a warm embrace.

"Are we on time?" Beba asks and I rub my forehead against his.

"Right on time." Simba smiles and we all gather, except the cubs of course, and sat by the small patch of grass that grew in the center of the gorge. It was warm and it smelled of daisies.

"Hello, father." Simba whispers and he lays on the ground. We follow suit and soon we were all listening to stories that Simba told of his father and the stories Mufasa told him. Nala shared a few from the dark times in the Pride Lands when Scar was king. Siwatu told stories of his, Mheetu and Nala's late father and of the white lion pride in the desert. Simba made it seem very important that he came in touch with that pride and did what he could to send help their way. All the talking died down and after a few shared yawns everyone was taking an unexpected midday nap.

~ ~ ~

"Dad?" My eyes flutter open and it takes me a second to recognize Kellan so close to my face.

"Yes son?" I ask with a yawn and cover my face with my giant paw. The sun was burning down harsher today than it ever had before.

"Can we explore?" He whispered and tried to pry my paw from my face. I chuckled, still not removing my paw, and nodded.

"Make sure all the cubs go together." I hear him sigh happily and he gives me a soft kiss before I heard his paws along with a dozen others take off.