Hey, I know how long it's been, sorry. I'm a teacher and it's back to school time, so I haven't been thinking much about posting.

On that note, I get you want another chapter. But if you review/pm me with nothing more then an update request, or asking if the story is dead... Please don't spam those... And of course the story isn't dead, Zira showed up literally last chapter and mentioned like dozens of plot paths to go down... Asking for updates doesn't make them come out quicker it just makes me feel worse about myself. I know people are waiting trust me. Regardless of that gripe, don't assume I'm mad. Lots of people don't know what that's like and I understand.

But even still, I love you guys for all the support still! I promise the next chapter will be out probably this week/weekend to make up for lost time a little bit.


Chapter 9

"Forgiveness"

After the rain had cleared, Simba and Nala were carrying back a very tired Daniel. Carrying him from the skin on the back of his neck. Once they got far enough in land, they still heard the calls from other pride members still. "Cover his ears, would you?" Simba asked Nala with a nudge. She nodded, stopping to use her front paws and cover Daniels's ears. And Simba released a very loud triumphant roar into the savanna. A few roars echoed back in answer.

Finally returning to pride rock, the rest of the members were already waiting, most soaked from the rain, but as the King and Queen came up into the cave they all smiled with relief. Sarabi ran down to greet them , "You found him!"

Kiara ran out of the crowd of lionesses, "Momma, Daddy!"

Tackling Nala's foot she looked up worriedly, "Is he okay Momma?"

Nala smiled, putting Daniel gently into her front forearms while she sat on her haunches, "He'll be okay," she said confidently with a hint of hopefulness.

Simba laughed gently, "On another note, say hello to your new little brother."

Her eyes widened, and she jumped around happily. Though curiously she halted her jumping and slowly looked towards the ground with a devastated look, the older lions and lionesses not noticing. Serafina joined them as Sarabi leaned in excitedly, "Did I just hear that I have a new grandchild?" She asked.

Serafina squealed quietly, "Oh my gosh, he's so adorable!"

Sarabi grimaced at the sight of his paw which was bleeding still, and stood out against his Snow White fur. "Is the little one alright? It looks like he got a nasty nick out there."

Nala and Simba nuzzled each other, "He's a little hurt, but he's still our precious little gift." Nala said, nuzzling the bundle of fur in her arms.

He stirred slightly, nuzzling himself into Nala's chest, the two grandparents cooed. Simba looked around curiously, "Where's Rafiki? I'd like him to check on his paw."

"Precisely where I should be!" Rafiki said from behind him.

Simba looked at him surprised, "How did… when did you..?"

He waved his hand, "Hakuna Matata right? That's what you always say! Let me see the cub, if I may?"

Nala nodded, gently handing him off, and Rafiki smiled, "He's a bold one. He will bring lots of joy to the pride lands."

Simba raised a brow, "It's still the same Daniel, just as a lion."

Rafiki shrugged, "What, you want me to tell the spirits to quiet down or something?" Simba's eyes widened and he shook his head respectfully.

Inspecting the thorn wound, he nodded, "It's nothing my friends," he said joyfully, handing him back to Nala, "I could dress the wound, but it will heal in a few hours."

Nala shook her head. "Rafiki, we may not be able to do the ceremony tomorrow."

He nodded, "I understand, a lot has changed! Don't worry."

"So what will we be naming him eh?" Rafiki asked, silently amused by their faces.

"Daniel?" Simba said slowly, confused.

Rafiki laughed, "We must give him a name fit for a prince. Of course he may go by Daniel still, but he deserves a name befitting a lion. Wouldn't you agree?"

Simba hummed unsure, looking at Nala who was looking downwards lovingly in her forearms, "Ajabu." She said happily, giving him a short lick.

Simba's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but smile, nuzzling his mate. Rafiki nodded, "Very good. What gave you the idea?"

She giggled, "He's a miracle for us, but he's also someone I look at in wonder. To go through everything he had and still have such a good heart."

Sarabi nodded, "It's a wonderful choice my dear," with an approved nod from Serafina.

They nodded, "I think we will turn in, it's been a long night for all of us." Simba sighed, looking over the whole pride who seemed more than happy to return to their den.

"Goodnight," Serafina said.

"Sleep well, if you can with a new cub," Sarabi added.

The family walked past the pride, lots of bowed heads and congratulations were given to the two. As they settled into their cave for the night. Kiara nestled herself between her parents, as Nala laid the cub between her paws. "Love you," Nala said nuzzling the other two, "Sleep well my little Ajabu." She said putting her muzzle to Daniel's forehead lovingly.

Simba replied, "Kiara."

Barely awake she groaned, "Uh?"

"We didn't forget by the way. We'll talk in the morning." He said.

"Yes daddy…" she said acceptingly.


Blinking open my eyes, I could instantly tell I was unwell. My nose was leaking, and I had an annoying body ache, due to sickness or being thrown like a stuffed animal I had no clue. Yawning and looking around, I still felt the warm furred body of Nala, as she stirred awake as well. She yawned, and looked down at me eagerly, "Well good morning!" She said nuzzling me with a large loving smile.

I felt small amounts of confusion, and began remembering last night in its entirety. I nodded slowly, tilting my head, "G-Good morning…" I said shyly. Trying to hold it in but letting out a sneeze and shivering to my dismay.

She watched me curiously for a second, and sighed worriedly, "You might have a cold little one…" she said, licking my cheek.

I shrugged and hummed, "Could've been worse I guess…"

Simba yawned awake next to us, leaning in gently to rest himself against Nala, "You're right about that one."

Nala lifted up my limbs individually and analyzed my entire body. I groaned as I was still mentally hitting a bit of a snooze button. I released a groan of annoyance and Nala giggled, "Does anything still hurt from last night? You can move your paws alright?"

"Yes," I said unwilling to move.

"You can see okay? Does your head hurt?" She continued.

"Yes… No head hurt."

She giggled, "Your tail? Can you breathe alright?"

"I'm beat up kinda, but everything works, I'll be okay mom." I said absentmindedly with a small whine in my half asleep state.

I surprised myself by calling her mom, vaguely remembering I had done something similar last night. I could feel Nala's nerves ease when I said it, and she pulled me closer and began to groom me, "That's good," she said happily.

Simba yawned more and stretched, "Put that worry away, dear, nothing seems to break Daniel's spirit." Nala hummed in response, almost a doubtful one.

Nala just continued to lick me, it kind of tickled and I was very not used to the feeling of it all. "Nala?" I said with a small whine.

She laughed gently, "Just like when I was a cub, and Kiara was little, momma will be giving you a bath in the morning's."

I blanked for a moment, remembering exactly what I had said the previous night, when I called her momma. As opposed to just 'mom'. I blushed deeply at the memory, and groaned a bit, "Every morning?.."

She stopped for a second, to touch her nose against mine, "Yep," she said with a grin.

"But I'm thirteen…" I mumbled.

Nala hummed, "So cute!" She said teasingly.

I groaned again, looking at Simba who seemed amused, and I looked at him pleadingly. But as if sensing I was asking for his help he suddenly spoke, "I just remembered!" Simba started, "I have to start on some morning duties, and talk to your sister here about those mean words. So we'll be leaving you two alone."

Kiara nodded solemnly, she had barely even seemed awake to me, "Yes, Daddy." She slowly stood herself up, and I felt sad… she was clearly upset about what had happened and I felt somewhat responsible.

Nala and Simba nuzzled each other, and then he gently nuzzled me, though I looked kind of betrayed. "Simba…" I said quietly. He hummed in question, and leaned down so I could whisper in his ear, "Please be nice… she's sad…" he smiled, nuzzling me again, before they both headed out of the small cave.

I began thinking of last night, and how I ran away, even though they all wanted me to stay. At Kiara's face of horror, when she realized what was going on. Would she be mad at me? She didn't so much as glance my way when she left, I got her in trouble. And worst of all it was all my fault. I could've gotten lost out there and nobody would've showed up to help. I am truly useless by myself.

I sniffled a bit, trying to hold my tears, but soon began crying to myself. Nala looked down in worry, "W-What's wrong Daniel? I'm sorry, am I making you uncomfortable?" She said slowly backing off me in worry.

I shook my head and held on to her front paw, and cried more, "No! Don't leave me." I cried louder.

She nuzzled me, "I won't I won't!" She said, quickly pulling me back into her chest fur. "What's the matter honey…" she said motherly.

"I-I don't like being alone anymore…" I stuttered with a shaky voice.

I felt her smile warm my body from behind me, "Shh, shh… I'm still here. I'm not going anywhere,"

"I was so scared... l-last night. I thought you might not want me when I ran… o-or come looking for m-me." I said shakily.

She cooed, "Oh my poor cub…" she said sadly.

"I-I guess I just miss… having a family." I hiccupped, "I love you guys, don't leave me..." I said nuzzling into her chest.

She whimpered, and was crying now as well, "I never will Ajabu, you're my little cub now. I love you so much."

She held onto me like her life depended on it, and I cried into her chest. "Ajabu?" I asked curiously, wiping some tears away.

She smiled, "Your new royal name as a lion. Or just Daniel if you'd like," she said with a short giggle.

I sniffled, "What's it mean? I've never heard that word."

"It has a lot of meaning, wonder, strange..." she bumped her muzzle against mine, "And miracle!"

I blushed and smiled, "I-I like that. Thank you." I said quietly. She nodded happily, retracting her muzzle, but I seemed sad, so she quickly brought it back down to me.

She nuzzled me over and over, "You're very love starved dear… Has your birth mother been gone for such a long time?"

I shook against her slightly, "My birth mother… She didn't come back one day, I still don't know why. M-My dad still loved me a lot, b-but then he died and..."

Nala whimpered at my sorrow, licking my cheek, "Life is so unfair mtoto, but it can also be filled with beautiful blessings like you."

"But then why did she leave?.." I shook my head.

She continued, "I'm not sure sweetie… Maybe she didn't know what a wonderful little one she was leaving behind? She was blessed, but thankfully I found you, maybe it was meant to happen. How else did I get such a cute cub?"

I blushed more, "You're just saying that to make me feel better…"

She purred, "No Daniel." she started, "I mean sure I'm saying it in a silly way, but that's just instincts… I do truly believe that you are a blessing. I couldn't be happier with you being my cub."

I looked up at her, "Really?" I said with a doubtful face.

She nodded, wiping her eyes, "Me and Simba have been having… trouble… having cubs. Kiara herself was a miracle. But… We wanted a sibling for Kiara for a while, believe me, you're our little blessing."

And she nuzzled me more, "And no, that doesn't mean we love you less because you aren't our blood. You are our cub." I nodded, leaning in to nuzzle her more.

She smiled, "You're going to look so cute when Rafiki presents you to the kingdom."

My eyes widened suddenly, and I pulled back to stare at her wide eyes, "When he does what?" I asked fearfully.

She giggled a bit, "When royalty is born, there is a royal ceremony." She nudged me, "I'd say you count in that category."

I shook my head nervously, "I'm not royalty though! That's fine, I don't like the idea of fame anyway!" I said slightly panicked.

She raised a brow, and tilted her head, "You are royalty, and you will be presented to the kingdom as such. It's not that scary I promise."

"When?" I said nervously.

She hummed, thinking, "Either tomorrow or the day after."

She nuzzled me before I could think too much about it, "All you have to do is have yourself presented by Rafiki. And it'll be done. It's easy mtoto."

I nodded unsure, and she laughed, "Your big sister did it, and she tells me you're even more of a showman on stage, if the graveyard story is true."

I crossed my paws, "Little sister actually!"

She giggled at me, "Ah, is that why she nearly doubles you in size, little one?"

I huffed, "But as a human-"

"As a human you're still a cub, and as a lion, you are very young." She said, I couldn't argue with her.

I sighed, "Well, when I'm a human she's my little sister." I said crossing my arms, Nala giggled at that.

She looked at me in interest, "Daniel, do you… know how to switch back?"

I thought for a moment, and shrugged, "I did it by accident the first time, I was panicking when I switched back."

"Panicking?" She said worriedly.

I nodded, "Yesterday when you came to check on me and Kiara when we had no guard. I heard you coming and panicked, then changed back."

Nala whined sadly, "I thought you two were up to something… You were so scared of us not accepting you…I'm...I'm so sorry you went through that Daniel." I nodded slowly, and she nuzzled me more.

"Anyway," I started, "I'm not in any hurry to change now, being a lion seems cool."

She laughed gently, "Yes me either. You're much easier to cuddle like this."

I stood up, walking away from her slightly, turning back to her, "Can we go out? I've been stuck in this cave too much already."

She nodded, "Of course mtoto." As she walked by she grabbed me by my scruff.

I whined, "Why can't I walk?" I asked childishly.

"Because your paw doesn't need the unnecessary strain." She told me.

As we exited the cave, most of the lionesses who weren't hunting turned to us. I felt so many eyes on me, I hid my face. All of these younger lionesses giggled, and a few cooed at me. I blushed and opened my eyes again, Nala was sitting with me proudly, presenting me to them in pride. I groaned, "Why are you doing this…"

She smiled, "Sorry, I want everyone to see my little Ajabu."

Some lionesses I didn't know the names of spoke up, "He's so cute Nala, congrats."

"That's Daniel? Aww!"

"Don't hide Daniel, you're still our same friend from before."

"His fur is beautiful, he's so special!"

"What a gentle young cub,"

I blushed wildly, "Thank you…" I said quietly, embarrassing myself more as they all cooed again.

Nala seemed happy enough, nodding to them as we exited the cave. Laying on a rock I was released from her grasp, and onto the warm morning sun heated rocks. I had to admit, they did feel relaxing. Plenty of lionesses were also taking advantage of the morning rays. Some with their own cubs, and others with their mates. There were much fewer males, I noticed, though they were around. Generally laying in the sun with their mates.

I thought of where Kiara might've gone with Simba, and I frowned, "...Nala," I started, she nodded curiously, "I don't want Simba to be too harsh with her… I'm the one that made the drastic decisions…"

She smiled, "Of course he won't… He knows she didn't understand a lot of what you were told."

I looked downward, "But she already felt guilty, and she made me feel better when I first changed… She just wanted to help…"

She nuzzled me with a giggle, "You're always trying to defend her from everything hmm? You're a very good brother." I blushed.

"I'm sure they'll be back soon, Daniel." She said sweetly.


Kiara sat at the top of pride rock, on a small ledge at Simba's head height. Desperately avoiding the gaze of her father. He shifted sadly, then hummed. "Kiara… you know why I brought you up here…"

She avoided his gaze more, and he sighed, "Why did you tell Daniel those things?"

He noticed a few tears well up in her eyes, but he did not move to comfort her yet. She sniffled, "I-I don't know daddy… I just…"

She looked up briefly, and he nodded at her to continue, she whined, "It's just I heard all the stories of the pride from the desert. The one your grandfather had fights with…"

Simba tilted his head, "So you told an already terrified cub, who wasn't a lion to begin with, one that is younger than you, I must remind; that he wasn't wanted here? Is that correct?" He asked sternly with disappointment.

She raised her head up quickly, "No!.." she said desperately. "It's not like that! We were both panicking a little about his change… and I just… I spoke my mind out loud…"

"What did you tell him?" Simba asked carefully.

She covered her face with her front paws, "I-I told him… that he resembled the white lions, that…a-and that your grandfather used to k-kill them…"

Simba seemed shocked, and felt hurt, "Who told you about…" he shook his head, "You thought me and your mother would try and… hurt Daniel like that?"

She started crying more, "No! I'm sorry daddy…" she said, "I just didn't want anyone to hurt Daniel! I still feel so bad that I got him hurt the first time… I wanted to protect him instead…"

Simba tried desperately not to feel too terrible for his daughter, as he continued trying to find the truth. Though he did offer a loving nudge against her muzzle, "Then what were you afraid of?" He asked gently.

She shied her eyes away, and whined, "I don't know, I just did it! I didn't think about who it was coming to the cave… I-I didn't think about what you guys would've done…" she looked up tearfully, "I just want to protect him like he did for me, because he's my little brother now!" She yelled slightly.

Simba looked down and sighed, and she looked back towards him, "Daniel probably…" she sniffled, "He hates me now daddy!.." she cried.

Simba's gaze softened and he brought his muzzle down to nuzzle his daughter, "No… No… I promise he doesn't Kiara…"

"He has to!" She yelled back through tears, "I made him hate the way he looked… I made him think we would hate him… I just couldn't keep my mouth shut!" She closed her eyes.

"Kiara," Simba said calmingly, she begrudgingly looked up at him. "While I can't say for certain exactly how Daniel feels, I do know one thing. He does not hate you."

"What would you know!?" She said quickly in anger, but quickly bowed her head in regret.

Any anger she expected didn't come as Simba sat down, "Kiara, he told me something before we left this morning."

She looked up in interest, and he continued, "He said you seemed sad, he wanted me to be nice to you."

Her eyes widened in surprise, as a set of fresh tears came to her eyes, "My little brother doesn't hate me?"

Simba chuckled, "On the contrary, I think he's rather attached to you."

She cried, "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…"

Simba nudged her, "Don't apologize to me, Daniel is the one who you need to apologize to."

She looked up quickly and nodded, "You're right! Can I go..?" She asked.

Simba nodded as she jumped off the rock and quickly ran towards the slope down, "Be careful Kiara!" Simba yelled.

"I will!"

Zazu swooped down and landed on the rock Kiara had been on moments before, "I was coming for the report sire, are you… busy?" He said, glancing back down the way Kiara went.

He shook his head with a smile, "Go ahead my friend, all is well."


I was enjoying the rather warm sun the morning rays offered, laying against Nala relaxed as ever, as I heard paw prints approach ever quicker. I raised my head to look around, but had little time to react to the small yet bigger than me fluff ball that nearly tackled me against Nala.

It was Kiara, she was crying, and saying something incohesive. She was bigger than me, so she held me to her chest. Nala raised her head in alarm, looking over and sighing with a head tilt, "Kiara, be careful doing things like that with your brother."

Noticing her cries Nala became worried, as I nuzzled into Kiara's neck, "Kiara what's wrong?" I asked, looking up at her eyes.

She seemed to shudder when I nuzzled her, and cry a bit more, "I'm so sorry!" She said to me.

I looked over to Nala, who seemed to understand more than I did, as she stopped talking and observed quietly instead. "Why are you crying..?" I had a feeling she was still worried about last night.

She let me down, and looked into my eyes through her tears. "I'm sorry about what I said…"

I shook my head with a small sigh, "Kiara it's okay! I don't blame you for it…"

She smiled, "I know you don't. And that's why I had to say sorry. I-I avoided you all morning because I… I thought you hated me."

I walked a bit forward and nuzzled against her legs, "I can never hate you, you were my friend, and now you're my sister!" I said happily.

She smiled and nuzzled me, then turned to Nala, and sighed, "A-And momma… I'm sorry I didn't trust you guys with Daniel as a lion…"

Nala smiled and leaned in to nuzzle the top of her head, "No worries mtoto… I forgive you."

"Me too, I forgive you." I said.

She seemed satisfied with that as she nuzzled into both of us, "I love you."

Nala drew back slightly with a smile, "I'm glad you two have each other now. Because you're both grounded for a looooong time."

I looked up in confusion, "I know Kiara is but me?"

She giggled, "You're a bit small to leave pride rock much anyway. But you did run away from home mtoto."

I bowed my head, "Yes, I did…" I nuzzled Kiara again, "I've got my big sister to keep me entertained anyway!"

She smiled, "Yeah, and I've got my little brother." Nuzzling me back.

I heard the sound of someone approaching again, and turned to see Sarabi and Serafina. Serafina cooed, "Aww, you two are so cute together."

Sarabi laughed, "How's my newborn grandson?"

They approached and both nuzzled into me and Kiara affectionately. Nala hummed, "He's doing wonderful."

I crossed my forearms, "I am thirteen…" I said with a smile.

Sarabi ruffled the top of my mane with a paw, "You're a newborn to us little one." She chuckled.

Serafina laid down next to Nala, "Always will be too." She said.

Off behind them I saw some of my guards… the three I yelled at previously. They were looking over happily, then avoided my gaze the moment I looked over. I tapped Nala's legs and she leaned in curiously. As I pointed to the three, she smiled and nudged me forward.

Carefully walking down some rocks, much to a nervous Nala's dismay, I began approaching the three who were sunbathing together. As I got closer they noticed me, and looked rather nervous. A few seconds of working up courage I broke and began crying, and sniffled, "I'm sorry…" I said looking up at them.

They all seemed shocked, as they worriedly stuttered, nearly panicked by what was making me upset. Kimya shook her head, "No no, don't cry little one…" she said waving her paws wildly.

I nodded my head, "You guys are so nice a-and I just yelled for no reason… I was so worried you didn't like me…" I said through my tears.

Mkali pulled me in with a paw, against her chest and shushed me, "Now now Dan, we aren't angry I promise."

I buried my muzzle in her chest, "Especially you Mkali! I was so mean! A-And…"

She nuzzled me quickly and shushed me, "Hey… Dan, it's okay cub. I forgive you. We forgive you."

Sanyaa nodded, "We just couldn't tell you what was going on to ruin the surprise."

Kimya leaned in, "We'll always still be your guards." She said affectionately.

I sniffled a few times as Mkali's regular stoic resolve was now that of a compassionate mother, nuzzling me and telling me it was all okay. "You're gonna make me cry Dan…" Mkali said with a small laugh.

I looked up, "You guys are my family too, I don't want to make you sad like that again, I love you just as much as everyone else."

The other two nodded and nuzzled me, and Mkali did release a few tears, "Come here you little fluff ball…" she said, pulling me even closer into a hug with the other two.

The rest of my family looked down at us from above with a happy gaze. My new mother gazed at me in pride and love, and I began to feel at home. Like I actually belonged to this place. And joy filled my heart for the first time in what felt like forever.