A/N: A few notes before the story begins. Firstly, I don't own theLion King or any of their original characters. However, Yetunde, Ayana, Yejide, Kamau, and any other characters mentioned that aren'tDisney's are mine.

Secondly, this has a bit of an alternate storyline. I always believed Simba had a son, so I added Tanabi to this story. Tanabi is not mine either, hebelongs to someone else. Also notice that this story has NO RELATIONSHIP TO THE DARK MILE. It is entirely different, and a completely different perspective than that of The Dark Mile.

Though this story is the sequel to another, it is not necessary for you to go and read it. Quite simply, the first story is about Sarabi during the time of Scar's ruling. Hardships were suffered under the cruelties of Scar and Zira, and it put Sarabi, Sarafina, their friend Kala, and the rest of the lionesses into a struggle for survival.Scar andZira's first cub is stillborn due to a fightZira had with Sarabi, and her second is too scrawny and unhealthy tobe Scar's heir. The cub is named Nuka and Scar is very cruel to him.To punish Sarabi, Scar sees to it that Sarafina and several other lionessesare killed by the hyenas during a struggle for scarce food. LaterSarabi is raped by Scar, and after the event, she discovers she is pregnant with his cub. During her struggle to keep it a secret, she discovers that her best friend Kala is also pregnant by a rogue named Sekou, and Sekou is killed trying to dethrone Scar. Kala eventually gives birth to two cubs whom she names Kovu and Vitani. Scar and Zira find out and steal away her cubs, killing her in the process. They have decided to rear the cubs as their own and Scar makes Kovu his heir. Sarabi eventually secludes herself, and finally gives birth to one male cub whom she names Kamau. Sarabi knows that Scar will kill the cub to maker her hurt more, so she gives him to her friend Yetunde when the lioness tells her she is leaving the Pride Lands. Though she is heartbroken, Sarabi knows it is best and sees the both of them off. However when she returns to Pride Rock after being beckoned by Scar, she discovers that Simba was alive after all...

Anyhow, now thateverything is covered, on with the story!

I
The Bargains of Peace and Barbarity

Sarabi sighed contentedly as she lied quietly under the shade of an acacia tree. She smiled to herself as she looked at the warming rays of the sun, and at the warmth that it brought deep into her fur. It was something the old lioness had wanted for years, and what at last had been achieved by the assumption of her son King Simba.

Sarabi chuckled to herself. In the history of Pride Rock, Simba was the youngest lion to ever attain the Kingship. Most lions had been well into their adulthood, but Simba on the other hand, had just begun to sport a full mane when his time came. Not only that, but just days after becoming King, Nala announced that she was pregnant with the future heir. Most were delighted, but some lionesses, like Yejide and Ayana, were utterly appalled that not only was Nala pregnant out of proper wedlock, but that they were both too young to be proper parents. Sarabi had abolished the supposition, and within the next few days, Rafiki performed a proper ceremony for their union.

When the Pride Lands began to restore, Nala brought forth two cubs. The effort for her had been long and agonizing, but Sarabi stayed by her side through the whole ordeal. But through the blood, sweat, and tears, Nala gave birth to one male and one female. Simba had been elated. Their daughter they named Kiara, and their son they called Tanabi. Tanabi was gold like his father, and as he grew you could see a beautiful auburn tuft on his head. He had his mother's green eyes however. Kiara was a much darker color, almost an orange. She had her father's ruby eyes, but her mother's face.

Sarabi smiled to herself, then observed her surroundings. The Pride Lands were indeed coming back to life. She sat under the only living acacia tree in the lands, but that didn't distract much. The creeks and waterholes had filled again, and grass had begun to grow once again over the ground. Flowers began to bloom, and the return of the rains washed away the old bones left by the hyenas. The sweet smells of the golden puffballs atop the acacia trees drowned out the scent of death that had loomed in the Pride Lands for so many years. Though it was still not at its former glory, it was indeed starting the long awaited transformation.

Suddenly, Sarabi felt a nudge at her side. She looked up from where she lay to see Simba with a sweet, cub like smile on his face. He looked down at her with the most innocent, childish eyes as he sat next to her.

"Hi mom," he said as he sat.

She smiled and licked his forehead. "Hello sweetheart. Everything ok?"

Simba sighed and looked down at his paws. "I don't know mom, I just don't know. I'm not sure what to think anymore."

Sarabi looked up at him and waited patiently for him to continue. She could always sense his troubles but she always encouraged him to speak them, it always made him feel better.

"What's bothering you?" she asked.

Simba sighed. "The vultures have been spreading rumors," the lion stated. "That I raped Nala and she had my cubs, that we're too young and unfit to rule, that I'm letting hyenas keep living in the Pride Lands, and that the lionesses want to overthrow me! It's out of control, and I don't know what to do. The animals are loosing faith in me, and I haven't even been King for half a season."

Sarabi looked up at him. "Rumors are rumors Simba," Sarabi said. "Nobody can or should believe them unless there's proof. The difference between a rumor and a fact is that a fact can be proven, but a rumor is only word of mouth. Only fools or gullible ones believe them."

"Then why is everyone turning against me?" Simba asked looking up at the sky.

Sarabi sighed. "Because they have not had something to believe in for the longest time. And everything the vultures say is for attention. They don't know what they're talking about, and the odds are that not as many as you think are believing them. The fact of the matter is, that you came in so suddenly, that everyone is in a bit of a panic. With panic is bound to come rumors. It's the way things are."

Simba sighed and looked at the ground. "This wouldn't have happened to dad."

Sarabi looked over at him and sighed deeply. "No Simba, it didn't happen to your father. But then again, he didn't overcome a tyrant to claim the throne. You have to understand Simba, with Scar's rule came his supporters. The odds are that the vultures were some of them. It's just how things happen."

Simba looked over at his mother and smiled that smile again. "Do you think I'll be a good King mom?" he asked as he lied down next to her.

She smiled and nuzzled him. "You already are," she replied. "And I have never been more proud of you in my entire life. And I know, from way up in the stars, your father is proud too."

Simba sighed and rested his head on his paws next to her. He felt so complete now. It was a feeling he had been missing since Mufasa's death, but not that empty void seemed filled. It was a long coveted emotion he had wanted for so long, and had finally claimed for himself when he returned home.

As he was about to fall asleep, he heard a horrid, savage cry erupt from Pride Rock. His ears perked up, and he lifted his head abruptly. He looked over at his mother who had looked up at attention. Suddenly the birds scattered from the perimeter of the Rock and flew off in a crazed flurry. Bewildered, Simba gazed up at Pride Rock.

What the hell was that?

He rose to his feet as the cry echoed a second time and dashed off towards Pride Rock. Sarabi quickly followed and with their combined speed raced upwards.

"What is that?" Simba asked as they ran.

Sarabi looked up towards the Rock, and back at Simba. "I don't know. But hurry!"

Simba raced up the slopes with a deafening roar. "What's going on here?"

Zira whirled her head around from her task and bared her teeth at the young King. She grunted, and her followers looked up as well. Zira grinned and moved from where she stood, with her eyes flashing a devil red.

Simba gasped in horror as he saw Ayana lying on the ground, covered in her own pool of blood. From where he stood, Simba could make out several other pride members lying motionless on the ground, at the paws of some of their own!

Simba's eyes filled with rage as he looked at Zira who bore a smug look on her face.

"You…." Simba said through clenched teeth. "You FILTHY BITCH!"

Simba roared in rage and leapt at Zira. Prophesizing more bloodshed, Sarabi leapt in front of her son, blocking his attack.

"No!" she cried as she jumped in front of him. "No Simba! Don't stoop to their level!"

"She killed them!" he said as he breathed hard, not taking his eyes off her. Soon Sarabi could see his eyes begin to fill with tears. "She killed them…"

Zira growled fiercely. "Just like you killed our King! Now I will make you pay!"

Suddenly, two lionesses marched forward with treasures that made Simba's eyes widen in pure shock and terror. Tanabi and Kiara were clenched tightly in their jaws, whimpering and crying desperately. Simba looked on in horror, utterly helpless as his children remained in front of him, dangerously close to death. He looked at the mouth of the cave, to see Nala lying unconscious on the ground where she had been attacked.

"What do you want with me?" Simba asked as tears rolled down his cheeks. "Don't make my children pay for it!"

"Oh, poor Simba wants his little cubbies back?" Zira sneered as she stared menacingly at him. "You don't even deserve cubs! You return home barely an adult, kill our King, then bring your childish lust on a young lioness and bring forth cubs outside wedlock? What kind of King are you?"

Simba growled low in his throat. He knew he was young, but that didn't mean anything. He loved Nala, that's why they had cubs. He came home and took back his throne because it's what his father asked of him, and what Nala asked of him.

"Just because I'm young doesn't mean I can't run a kingdom or raise a family," Simba said with a growl.

"Well you certainly won't be running a kingdom," Zira sneered. "And if you don't obey you won't be raising a family either!"

Simba roared angrily but stood his ground. "What is it that you want?"

"You should know by now!" Zira exclaimed sarcastically. "Those of us loyal to the Great King Scar demand your abdication of the throne."

"Never."

Zira smiled a knowing smile. "Would you be willing to sacrifice your family for kingship?" she asked as she raised a paw to strike the cubs, claws unsheathed. Simba looked over past them to see two other lionesses claws raised, ready to slash Nala to death.

Simba looked in horror. What could he do? He couldn't surrender the kingdom back to Scar's followers, but his refusal meant the death of his small family. He couldn't fight. One move and his cubs would be slashed to pieces. As thoughts rolled around in his head, he heard a whooping cry, and something leap at Zira, knocking her to the ground. Simba looked in awe to see Rafiki swoop past the other lionesses at unimaginable speed and gather the small cubs into his arms. All of this was done in a fraction of a second, and Rafiki stood his ground a few feet off with his staff at the ready in one hand, and cradling the small cubs in the other.

Zira rose to her feet and roared angrily at the old mandrill. "You stupid ape!" she roared angrily as she prepared to pounce at him.

Gathering his wits, Simba leapt in front of Rafiki and tackled Zira. They rolled across the ground grunting and snarling, clawing eachother mercilessly. They rolled to a stop at the edge of Pride Rock and continued to wrestle. Simba tore into Zira's back, but she whirled her head and lashed out in his face. Simba stumbled back and with one hard swipe, Zira sent Simba spiraling backward. He hit the ground hard, but the young lion quickly regained his footing. Zira was an older lioness, and would hardly last against the youthful strength of Simba. Simba leapt forward and bit into the back of her neck, gaining a firm hold. With all his strength he tossed her out, sending her flying over the promontory. She cried out in fear as she hit the ground with a thud and rolled across the ground. At last she rolled to a stop and lay motionless. She was still alive, Simba could see her chest rise and fall softly.

Simba panted heavily and gritted his teeth at the searing pain he undertook. He suffered several cuts, including one particular gash against his right flank. He looked to see Rafiki walk up to him with a gentle smile, cradling his small cubs. Filled with joy, Simba lied down where he was and gathered his cubs into his paws. He nuzzled each of them affectionately as tears slid down his cheeks. It had been so close. He would've died if something had happened to them. Nala regained consciousness, and Rafiki helped her over to her family. She looked down at her newborns and smiled warmly as tears sprung from her own eyes.

As night fell, Sarabi sat next to her son in silence, looking over at the gathered group of lions in front of her. Simba sat before them, an expression of cold, emotionless stone etched into his youthful features. Before him, stood the accused rebels from the brawl earlier in the day. As punishment for their treachery, rebellion, murders, and attempted assassination of the future heirs, they had been condemned to exile. Simba glared a look of hate at Zira who stood before him, a sickly vicious glare worn into her face.

"Get out now." Simba said coldly as he rose to his feet. "If you're not out by midnight, every last one of you will be killed as trespassers. Get going."

Zira snarled angrily, and turned to leave. But before she did, she turned to see Kovu and Vitani nestled up against Yejide's foreleg. Zira roared angrily and leapt at Yejide, snatching Kovu and pressing him against her own foreleg. She grunted at one of the other lionesses, and the other grabbed Vitani. She walked over to Zira and carelessly dropped the cub at her feet.

Nala roared and prepared to strike at Zira. "They are not your children!" she roared. "They are Kala's, and I won't let you take them!"

Zira snarled and bared her teeth at Nala. "He is my son, Scar said it so!" she hissed. The lioness then looked up at Simba. "Look at him Simba! Take a good, long look!"

Simba bared his teeth as he fixated his eyes on her.

"This cub," she said as she stroked his fur. "Is Scar's chosen heir. Take a good look. For the next time you see him, he will be the last thing you ever see!"

With that, she grunted to her followers, and they stocked off towards the border. Zira glared down at Nuka, and the cub trotted over and picked up Vitani. He looked up at Simba, almost pleadingly, before turning around and trotting towards his mother. Simba watched after them, and hoped now that Zira's words were but her own wish filled thinking.