Chapter Text
The Pride Lands was experiencing a time of peace. Jasier was leading the Outlanders and Zira and Nuka could no longer cause the pride any trouble. Simba was waiting on the ledge of Pride Rock for Zazu to give him the morning report.
"Your Majesty," he heard someone say.
Turning, he saw a cheetah come up to him.
"Azaad, right?" Simba said. "What brings you here from the Tree of Life?"
"Kion sent me," Azaad said. "I bring news from the Tree of Life."
"Is there a problem?" Simba asked concerned about his son and daughter-in-law. "Do I need to send the Guard back with you?"
"No. A new prince and princess have been born at the Tree of Life; Princess Vuur and Prince Skaduwee. They will be presented in just a few days. If you and Queen Nala wish to attend, we'll have to leave tomorrow."
"Unfortunately, Nala and I can't make it. Kiara and Kovu had cubs as well: Engel and Maan. They'll be presented in a few days as well and Nala and I have to be there. But I'll send Tiifu back with you to represent the Pride Lands." The king turned back to the den. "You must be tired. Come inside and rest and meet Kion's niece and nephew."
Azaad followed Simba inside the den. Kiara was in the back by throne rock; two small bundles were cuddled up to her side. One looked like a small version of her and the other a small version of Kovu. Kiara looked up as they entered.
"Hello, Azaad," she said. "Come say hello to Engel and Maan."
The cheetah moved forward and gently sniffed the two lion cubs.
"They're perfect," Azaad said.
A sudden roar caused him to back up as a lioness rushed forward.
"Back off!" she said.
"Zuri, calm down," Kiara said. "It's Azaad. You remember him. He's Fuli's mate."
Zuri and Tiifu had become extremally protective of Kiara since she became pregnant but Zuri especially. It was like she felt it was her job even though Kiara had Kovu to protect her and Engel and Maan and was still capable of protecting herself and her babies.
"But he's not from the Pride Lands," Zuri said. "He shouldn't be here."
"I asked him to come in her," Simba said. "Kion sent him to inform us that Kion and Rani also had cubs. Now make yourself useful and go find Tiifu and tell her I'd like to speak with her."
Zuri slinked by Simba; her belly to the ground, ears pinned and tail tucked.
"I am so sorry about Zuri," Kiara said to Azaad. "She's always been protective."
"Zuri said you wanted to see me?" Tiffu said entering the cave.
"Yes, Tiifu," Simba said. "You remember Azaad?" Tiifu nodded looking at the cheetah. "He brought news back from the Tree of Life."
"Is something wrong?"
"No. Kion and Rani had two cubs. They're going to be presenting them at the same time Engel and Maan will be. Since Nala and I can't be at the Tree of Life for the presentation,
I want you to go back with Azaad and represent the Pride Lands."
"It would be an honor to represent the Pride Lands and the royal family."
"Good. Tomorrow, you and Azaad will leave." Simba turned to Azaad. "Now what other news is there from the Tree of Life."
"Well, Bunga and Binga are going to be parents and Fuli and I are expecting a littler of cubs," Azaad said.
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"This is exciting," Tiffu said the next morning as she and Azaad set off for the Tree of Life. "The last time I left the Pride Lands was to attend Kion's corrination and his marriage to Rani."
The two followed the well-worn path leading to and from Pride Rock. Many of the animals looked up and watched them. Many of them knew Tiifu as a member of Simba's pride and Azaad as Fuli's mate. Vitani and her guard had inherited a peaceful service to the royal family; the only major problems they had was mediating disputes. Even the fact that they were once part of Zira's pride didn't seem to bother anyone.
They opted to take the shorter way to the Tree of Life through the Outlands. They made a brief stop at the hyena clan's home to give them the news about Vuur, Skaduwee, Maan, and Engel and to meet Janja and Jaseri's new cubs Sirkel van die lewe and Voog van die Clan. Surka and Beshte were waiting for them for them when they enter the valley.
"Tiifu," Surka said recognizing her from the coronation and wedding. "This is a surprise."
"I know your were expecting King Simba and Queen Nala but something came up that requires their attention so King Simba asked me to come and represent the Pride Lands. I can't wait to meet the cubs," Tiifu said.
"I'll take you to them," Surka said. "King Kion and Queen Rani will be so happy to see you."
The animals of the Tree of Life, many Tiifu only saw at the coronation and wedding, watched them. It wasn't unusual for animals to arrive at the Tree of Life. But it was highly unusual for one that had a family elsewhere to come back. They also knew that something was going on. Baylo, Nermala, and the rest of the active Guard were resting outside the Tree of Life. Kion and Rani were inside with Skaduwee and Vuur.
"I'll leave you here," Azaad said to Tiifu. "I want to go home and check on Fuli. She's due soon."
As Azaad left, Tiifu entered the den under the Tree of Life. Kion and Rani looked up.
"Tiifu," Kion said. "Come meet Shaduwee and Vuur."
"Rani, they're perfect," Tiifu said as Shaduwee and Vuur nursed from their mother.
"Did Mom and Dad come with you?" Kion asked.
"We need to talk, Kion," Tiffu said.
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"So my sister had cubs as well," Kion said.
"Yes," Tiffu said. " Maan and Engel are to be presented at the same time as Vuur and Skaduwee."
She leaned forward and nuzzled the cubs.
"That's why I'm here. As the king and queen of the Pride Lands, your parents must be present when Maan and Engel are presented. So Simba sent me to represent the Pride Lands at Vuur and Skaduwee's presentation."
Having grown up as the prince of the Pride Lands, Kion completely understood. There were things that his parents had to attend to as king and queen. As a king now himself, he understood it even more. Though his parents had to sometimes put their duties first, Kion knew they loved him and Kiara.
"The ceremony will be tomorrow at sunrise. Until then, you can stay here," Kion said.
"Thank you," Tiffu said.
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The sun had just crested the valley when all the animals made their way to the Tree of Life. They had no idea what was going on. All they knew was that some kind of ceremony was happening. The Night Pride and the Lion Guard were waiting. Though some noticed that Fuli and Binga were absent though figure it was because they were both expecting. There was also a lioness that they didn't recognize. She sat beside Surka, Nirmala, and Baliyo. Her light colored fur marked her as different from them. But the Lion Guard and the Night Pride didn't seem bothered by her. Makine was waiting on the rock where Rani and Kion were crowned queen and king and married. The sun shone it's first rays on the rock as Rani and Kion came out of the Tree of Life caring Vuur and Skaduwee. Makine used red clay to mark both cubs. Taking both cubs, she raised them up for the other animals to see. Realizing that the cubs were the long awaited children of their king and queen, the animals cheered. Several days later more news came of the birth of Fuli and Azaad's three cubs Vlootvoet, Vinnige Wind, and Vinnige Stap and Bunga and Binga's baby Dapperheid. The family at the Tree of Life was growing and the animals living there (and the ancient spirits) couldn't have been happier.