The next morning, I woke to a new kind of world. My eyes were greeted by very dim light illuminating the enormous cavern where the majority of our new Pride slept. At the center of the cavern was Kovu's throne. His flank rose and fell very slightly with breath as he slept. He looked so peaceful and unaware of the chaotic world he would wake up to.

All of the lionesses were already awake. Most of them weren't in the cavern which led me to believe they were hunting or patrolling. Sitting at the cave entrance side by side were Issa and Hasana. They sat silhouetted against the first rays of daylight. My ears pricked at the little squeals of Armani's newborn daughters that came from a smaller cave that was connected to the main cavern by a short tunnel.

Last night, I had fallen asleep next to Kovu on his throne. It surprised me that Mother had allowed me to share this elevated place at my brother's side. Perhaps she took into account the recent traumatic events of yesterday. Either way, I was grateful to have the familiar comfort of Kovu sleeping at my side.

When my gaze wandered to the other side of the cavern, I spotted Nuka sulking alone. He kept casting envious glares at Kovu and muttering under his breath. At least Mother wasn't here to witness his fit because she surely wouldn't tolerate it. How could Nuka so openly be opposed to Kovu as the chosen heir? It was Father's dying wish!

I slowly stood up then stretched my legs before arching my back. Kovu still remained asleep which made it easier to slip away. Issa and Hasana didn't notice me as I crawled closer to glimpse the outside world. The closer I got, the brighter the sunlight gleamed against my face.

"Where do you think you're going?" Issa's attention turned to me trying to sneak by unnoticed. "You know the rules."

My ears flattened with annoyance at her. Why couldn't I go outside?! Nuka could walk outside the cave whenever he wanted to! Besides, who would hurt me here? Our Pride was smaller now, but that also meant everyone was on the same side. There was no more silent war...just all-out war between the Outlanders and Pridelanders. Zira had no one to shield me from.

"Please Issa?" I growled. "Just a quick look? I'll be back before you know it!"

Issa narrowed her eyes at me, clearly unimpressed. "If your mother returns and you're outside, we'll both get into trouble. It's not safe for you outside."

"Who's going to hurt me here?" I argued with persistence.

She heaved a great sigh and rolled her eyes at me. "It's not a 'who', but a 'what'. There are all kinds of predators around here that would see you as a tasty snack."

"Your aunt's right, Vitani." Hasana piped up. Her red eyes flitted towards me with a sparkle of amusement. "There are crocodiles, snakes, jackals-"

"Don't forget about eagles and vultures," Issa added.

Clearly they thought listing all of the dangers would convince me to abide by Mother's rules, but it only made me more curious to explore. What were all these strange animals and what did they look like? How dangerous could they really be? I was a lion and at the top of the food chain! I'd like to see them try to hurt me!

"Let them try to eat me," I huffed. I unsheathed my claws and curled my lip to reveal my fangs. "I'll send them running!" With a swipe to the air, I attempted to make my point clear. Instead, it only caused me to loose balance and I tumbled into the dirt.

Issa and Hasana's laughter turned me red with embarrassment. I sat up and kept my eyes down at my paws. Why were they laughing? In a few moons I would be much more physically apt to attack anything that saw me as a snack! My hair stood on end with indignation. How dare they laugh at me?! I am Princess Vitani, daughter of Scar and Zira. I'd like to see them try to laugh if Scar or Zira were here!

"Our point exactly," Issa smirked. She nodded towards Kovu who still slept soundly on his throne. "Why don't you go join Kovu? Or maybe play a game with Nuka? You're not old enough to go outside on your own and your mother agrees."

I narrowed my eyes at her angrily. "I don't want to sleep and I don't want to play a game! I want to go outside!"

"Vitani!"

I suddenly cowered at the sharp tone of the one lioness I wouldn't dare argue with: Mother. Her form cast a shadow over me when she appeared at the cave entrance with Ramla and Afra at her side. Zira marched towards me with all the fury of a great monsoon. When she reached me, she lifted her paw to clout me across the face which sent me flying against the cave wall.

The breath was knocked right out of my lungs. It felt like a hippo was sitting on my chest. For a few heartbeats, I was immobilized. I couldn't move and I couldn't breathe. My vision blackened and the panicked voices of the Pride sounded muffled.

In almost an instant, Zira had captivated everyone's attention. Kovu snapped awake while Nuka quit his mumbling. Armani peeked her head out from the nursery, Issa and Hasana jumped to their paws, and everyone became silent.

Zira sauntered over to me while I was still gaining back my senses. She grabbed me by my tail and tugged me closer to her. Her furious gaze burned into me so that I was almost shaking in my skin. "Don't you ever disobey my orders again!" Zira snarled to reveal her sharp teeth. "If someone is in charge while I'm gone, they're to be given the same respect. Am I clear?"

"Yes, Mother," I whimpered weakly.

She released my tail and immediately walked over to Kovu. "How's my dear Prince?" She cooed.

I simply watched as jealousy burned in my belly. What was so special about Kovu? Why did she speak to me so harshly? All I ever wanted was to honor Scar's memory, yet she practically groveled at Kovu's paws. It didn't make any sense to me! I had been Father's favorite and I should've been the one named as his heir!

Nuka strode over to me with a smirk plastered to his face. He sat beside me for a few moments as we watched Mother dote on Kovu. Suddenly, he spoke up: "Get used to it. Mother doesn't love us. She only loves power. And right now, Kovu's the only one who can promise her that."

~*~

A/N

So sorry for the long wait for this update! I was having technical issues and then was suffering from writer's block. But I think I've found my groove again!