Princess Kairia, was engrossed as she listened to her grandfather the former king Simba, as he told her a story of one of the adventures he had with her grandmother when he was a cub.
"There Grandma and I were cornered by the hyenas they were moving in for the kill. I did the only thing I could think of, I roared at them." Kairia looked at her grandfather impressed and asked him
"Wow Grandpa did that scare them off?"
Simba laughed heartily at his granddaughter and said "No, Dear One I'm afraid it didn't."
Kairia asked confused "But Grandpa if it didn't work then how did you and Grandma get away?"
Simba laid down next to Kairia and replied "Well, after my roar didn't scare them off I truly thought me and grandma were done for then my father came to our rescue. It was very scary but also exciting, Dad made those hyenas run to the ends of the earth!"
Kairia laughed and said "Grandpa that was a great story,can you tell me another one?" Just as Simba was getting ready to tell his granddaughter another story Kiara his daughter and reigning queen of the pride lands found them sitting on the summit of Pride Rock,
"Kairia,Father there you two are, I've been looking every where for you both, What have you two been doing here all morning?"
Kiara asked them as she laid down next to her father. "Grandfather has been telling me the coolest stories about when he and Grandma were my age, Oh mother they are so cool, You should ask he has had some really crazy adventures!"
Kiara turned towards her father she gave him a angry through subtle look. She then said to him angrily "Yes I should ask him more about that, due continue Father"
Simba said backtracking "Um,that is enough stories for one morning Dear One, why don't you go off and play now." Kairia said disappointed "But Grandpa I really want to stay here with you and listen to more of your stories."
Kiara stood up and replied
"You have spent more than enough time with your grandfather this morning Kairia, now why don't you go off and visit Aunt Vitani and Cousin Vitana ,they are laying on the sunbathing rocks on the south side of Pride Rock, your grandmother is there too, you mind her for the rest of the day. I need to go and scout the perimeter of the pride lands."
Kairia's ears perked up in excitement and asked "Mom can I come too?"
Kiara bent down and replied "No Kairia it's too dangerous, you run along now all right, we'll spend more time together soon I promise." Kiara swiped her daughter up with her right paw and hugged her tight to her chest, and licked her. She gave her father a small nuzzle and said
"Well I need to get going, Daddy why don't you go and take a nap you look exhausted, Kairia you mind your grandmother."
Kairia sighed and said "Yes, Mother I will I promise." The young Queen smiled and gracefully scaled down off the summit of Pride Rock.
Kairia asked her grandfather "Grandpa why won't Mom let me go with her, I never get to go anywhere." Simba laughed and said "You sound just like me when I was your age."
Kairia looked at her grandfather and said "I bet great-great grandfather let you do whatever you wanted and go where ever you wanted to go."
Simba laughed once again that day at his granddaughter and replied "No he was very strict and hardly let me go anywhere without Zazu.
Kairia looked at Simba and asked " Really why was he like that ?"
"Well you see Dear One, when I was prince I was just like you, I wanted to go and do everything my father did, but I realized that the things that sound really fun and exciting are usually the most dangerous."
Kairia looked at her grandfather and replied "I don't understand, Grandfather"
Simba nuzzled Kairia and said "You will one day Dear One you will." Kairia sighed then said "I hope so Grandpa."
Simba laughed and said "I promise you you will Kairia, now let's get you to the sunbathing rocks, I'm sure everyone is waiting for you.
Kairia asked "Grandpa will you tell me a story tonight before I go to sleep?"
Simba nuzzled his granddaughter slowly and replied "We'll see Kiaria." They finally had made it to she south sunbathing rocks Simba gave Kairia a slight nudge with his nose and said "Go on now have a good time with Vitana. Say hello to your Granmother for me. I'll see you tonight."
Kairia ran back to her grandfather nuzzled him and said "Okay, Grandpa see you tonight." Simba watched her clamber down the large rocks towards the south sunbathing ones he shouted after her "You be careful today you hear me Dear One!"
Kairia shouted back "Yes Grandfather I will!"
Kairia finally made it to the sunbathing rocks she ran towards her cousin and best friend Vitana who was being bathed by her mother Kairia's Aunt Vitani,
"Hi Vitana" Vitana looked up at her and said "Hey, Kairia."
Kairia whispered in her ear "Come on Grandpa just told me about this really amazing place."
Annoyed Vitana said "Kairia I'm kind of in the middle of a bath." Nala the former queen of the pride lands and
Kairia's grandmother said "Speaking of baths its time for yours, dear" With that Nala grabbed Kairia by scruff of her neck and started bathing her. Kairia struggled out of her grandmother's grip
"Grandma, grandma stop your getting me all wet you know how much I hate getting wet!"
Nala smiled and released her. Kairia shook off the excess saliva on her and replied "Okay, Okay, I"m all clean can we get going ".
Vitana said "So were are we going, it better not someplace be stupid." Kairia replied "No it's really awesome."
Nala asked "So were is this really awesome place?" Kairia said "Oh, um around Rafiki's Tree."
Vitana chimed in "Rafiki's Tree what's so great about Rafiki's Tree?" Kairia bent down and whispered in Vitana's ear
"I'll show you why when we get there." The notion dawned on Vitana and playing along she whispered back "Oh right"
Turing around to face her mother she asked "Um, mom can I go with Kairia?"
Vitani stared at her daughter for a second then she looked at Nala and asked "Hmm what do you think Nala?"
Nala looked at the two cubs and said " Well,...
Kairia and Viatana smiled extra sweetly and said "Please!"
Nala relented and replied “It's fine with me."
Kairia and Vitana rejoiced happily jumping up and down. "Yeah, all right!" they said in unison.
As they were leaving Nala said "As long as Zazu escorts you." Kairia and Vitana were crestfallen.
Vitana said "Kairia you've got to do something we can't have that bossy dodo around"
Kairia nodded and said " Your right I'm going to see if I can get Grandma to change her mind, wait here all right?"
Vitana said "Okay, hurry up Kairia ." Kairia ran back to her grandmother and said "No Grandma not Zazu, Why can't Vitana and me go by ourselves?." Nala who was washing her paws said "I'm sorry but you either let Zazu escort you or you stay here."
Kairia sulked and said "All right" She ran back to Vitana and said "No go, but don't worry I've got a plan."
Vitana asked "So were we are really going?" Kairia whispered "The old elephant graveyard." Vitana's eyes grew wide with excitement and she said loudly "Woah, cool!"
"S shh, Zazu will hear you." Kairia whispered Vitana replied "Right so how are gonna ditch the Dodo?"
The two cubs then began whispering in the tall grass about their plan to loose their pesky and annoying escort.
Zazu, landed down in front of them and asked rather hotly "Why haven't you two picked up the pace, it is nearly midday and we aren't even half way to the tree yet, what is the problem?"
Kairia whispered in Vitana ear "Let Operation Ditch the Dodo commence." Vitana nodded slightly.
Kairia then said slyly to Zazu, "Zazu we're thirsty I mean we've been walking for at least three hours, why don't you go the watering hole and get us some water, that way we'll get to Rafiki's Tree faster".
Zazu looked at her with scruity and said
"Oh no you don't your grandparents pulled a similar trick on me before and I will not fall for it a second time I will not be swayed form course, besides there is a small pond near the tree you can both have a drink when we get there. Now come on you two let's get moving!" Zazu said with crazy passion.
Kairia stayed where she was and replied slyly " All right we'll go but I would hate to tell Grandmother and Mother that you disobeyed a direct order form the princess. I don't think they'll like that at all. What do you think Vitana, do you think they'll like it ?"
Vitana shook her head and replied " No they won't they'll probably strip away your majordomo position, and kick you out of Pride Rock."
Zazu who was in mid take off stopped and went back down to the two cubs he replied smugly "In case you two didn't know I have been the majordomo to this royal family since Kairia's grandfather was a cub! They would never banish me I am far too important!"
Kairia replied coolly"I doubt that Zazu because I heard Mom and Dad talking yesterday and Mom was saying how frustrated she was because she couldn't catch anything for dinner the day before, she said she was so mad she might just fire you."
Zazu looked more closely at Kairia and finally his expression faltered and Kairia knew was going to give in to her request.
He sighed and said "Oh all right I'll go and get you two some water but its not because I believe your ridiculous lie I just don't want you two to get dehydrated. Stay right here I'll be back in a flash" Zazu then took off for the watering hole. As soon as Zazu was out of sight
Kairia turned to Vitana and said "Come on let's go." Vitatna replied "Yeah let's get out of here!"
The two cubs then ran all the way the graveyard. They clambered up a large elephants tusk, to get a better view looking down at the whole yard they were in awe.
After a few seconds Kairia said"Whoa this place is amazing!" Kairia exclaimed Vitana nodded her head and replied "Sure is but its pretty creepy." Kairia nodded and said "Yeah, but isn't it awesome." Vitana said "We could get into huge trouble." Kairia replied "Yeah I know."
Suddenly Kairia spotted a large elephants skull and said "Cool look at that !"
They ran towards it and Vitana wondered out loud "You think it's brains are still up there?"
Kairia started walking towards it "There's only one way to know, come on let's go check it out."
Suddenly Zazu apperaed before them and said "Wrong the only checking out you will do will be to check out out of here!"
Kairia groaned "Aw ,Zazu we were just having some fun"
Zazu ruffled his feathers and replied indignantly "Fun, Princess we are way beyond the boundaries of the pride lands. This place is riddled with danger
Now come along now you two we need to get back to the pride lands before anyone notices we've gone"
Kairia hadn't moved form her spot she said "Zazu my Grandpa told me that the hyenas cleared out of here years ago. Relax there isn't anything here expect bones."
Zazu said " Princess, I implore you to see reason even though the hyenas maybe gone there are still grave dangers here, We must go now."
Just as Kairia was about to retort to Zazu they all heard a loud growl.
Out of the shadows of the graveyard came a large and powerful leopard. The trio huddled together in a circle Kairia in front as the dominating predator came towards them.
The leopard just stared at the frightened threesome for a few minutes then it spoke in a voice dripping with a crazed sweetness "I am Solmari. Who are you and why have you entered my home?"
Kairia puffed herself up stepped forward and said "I am Kairia daughter of Queen Kiara and King Kovu. I am the Princess of the Pride lands."
Solmari's crazed sweetness possibly got even sweeter as she replied " So you are the future queen of pride rock, I have always wanted to kill a member of the royal family!" Kairia said "You can't do anything to me!"
Zazu spoke up "Actually she can we are on her land."
Kairia replied "But Zazu you told me that she was just a mangy good for nothing predator?"

Solmari threw back her head and roared angrily then she grabbed Zazu by his neck and flung him. The horn bill went flying through the air.
Solmari then turned her attention to Kairia and Vitana she spat out acidly "I start running if I were you right... Now!" With that she gave chase and pursued the two cubs throughout the entire graveyard.

Finally they reached a large cliff face that was too steep for them to climb they were trapped. Kairia was scared out of her mind. She did the only thing she could think of she roared .
Unfortunately it wasn't strong enough to even scare the powerful leopard.
Solmari laughed and said "Oh come now is that the best you can do, surely you a future queen can do much better than that ?"
Kairia stood her ground and roared at the Solmari again but it wasn't her roar that came form her mouth.
In a flash her mother leaped between the two cubs and Solmari.
Zazu ushered them against the cliff side out of the way of the ferocious battle. Solmari was strong but she was no match for Kiara and with a few swipes of her paws she was able to pin down the leopard
Kiara said angrily "Consider this a warning if you ever threaten my daughter again I will not be so gracious. I will end you "
Solmari bowed. She then said with false formality "Yes of course Your Highness."
Kiara roared and Solmari ran off. Zazu looked at Kiara proudly but she gave him only a angry glare in return. Kairia stepped forward "Mom I didn-”
Kiara whipped around to face her "You deliberately disobeyed me" Stunned Kairia said "Mom, I'm - I'm sorry."

Kiara said curtly "Let's go home."

As they all walked home Vitana whispered to Kairia "I thought you were very brave, thanks for saving me cousin." Kairia whispered back "l didn't really but your welcome."

They stopped halfway towards Pride Rock Kiara said "Zazu." Zazu landed down near Kiara and said head bowed "Yes, Your Majesty?"
Kiara ordered "Take Vitana home, I need to have a talk with my daughter."

They were in the plains and Kairia slumped down into the tall grasses fearfully. Zazu swept over to Vitana and said "Come along Vitana." Before leaving Zazu went over to Kairia put his wings on her shoulders looking at her with sincerity said "Kairia good luck you'll need it." With that Zazu and Vitana left for Pride Rock.

A few seconds of silence passed before Kiara said "Kairia."

Kairia winced at her name being called by her mother but obeyed and walked slowly to Kiara her head hung low in shame. She sat down beside her mother.

None of them spoke for a few seconds finally Kiara sighed and said "Kairia I am very disappointed with you. Do you realize you could have been killed today?"

Kairia nodded her head and said "Yes I know."
Kiara continued " You purposely disobeyed me and what's worse you put Vitana your own cousin in danger!"

Kairia exhaled on the verge of tears said "I was just trying to be brave like you and Grandpa."

Kiara said "Your Grandfather and I are only brave when we have to be, to protect the ones we love. Kairia being brave does not mean you go seek out trouble."
Kairia exhaled again and replied “Mom nothing scares you"

Kiara bent down so that she was at eye level with her daughter. "That's not true I was very scared today." Kairia said "Really, you were?"

Kiara bent down more and said "Yes I was afraid I was going to loose you."

Kairia said "Oh I guess even queens get scared don't they?" Kiara said "Yes they do" Kairia whispered in her mother's ear "But you know what?" "What?" Kiara asked "I think that leopard was even scarederer"

Kiara laughed and said 'Because no one messes with the Queen. Least of all my own daughter. Come here you!” Kiara then swept Kairia up and started licking her all over.

Kairia said "Oh no, Mom stop get off !" She pushed her mother down and the two of them chased each other around the plains until Kairia tackled her mother and grabbed onto her tail pulling it she said "Ah, I got you, admit it your defeated!"
Kiara said tiredly "All right All right you win."

Kairia said happily "Yes I won!"

The two of them were laying on the plains Kairia laughed and clambered atop her mother's back and onto her head. Kiara sat up so that she could position herself more easily.

When they were both settled Kiaria asked "Mom we' re best friends right?" Kiara laughed and replied "Right we're the best of friends"
Kairia then asked "And we'll always be together won't we Mom?"

Kiara said "Kairia let me tell you something Grandfather told me. Look at the stars, The great kings of our past look down on us form every single one of those stars."

Kairia asked awestruck "Wow really Mother?"

Kiara said "Yes, so always remember whenever you feel alone or scared in this world just look up at the sky and those Kings will always be there to guide you. When my time comes I'll be up there too. That way we'll always be together."

The two of them just stared at the sky for a few moments.

Kiara took a deep breath and said "Well it is very late, I think we should call it a night don't you?"

Kairia replied "Aw Mom we were just starting to have fun!"

Kiara laughed and said "Oh I would think you would be tired of fun after everything that's happened today."

Kairia shook her head and replied "Nope I am always up for fun!" Kiara laughed again and said "Okay then how about a little race to Pride Rock, you up for it?"

Kairia laughed and said "Oh yeah defiantly!"
Kiara said "All right then, on the count of three we start one, two, Three!" Kiara darted forward as soon as she said three. Kairia said "Hey no fair you got a head start!"

Kiara shouted "Come on slowpoke come and get me!"
Kairia ran happily after her mother she shouted "Don't worry I will!"

FIN