The Lion Guard: A Joyful Occurrence

Author's Note: This is a flashback to Kion's birth.
* Author's Note #2: This fanfic was updated on December 28th, 2023, eight years after publication.
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It was a calm day in the Pridelands; exactly two weeks after the battle between the Pridelanders and the Outsiders, as well as the union of the two prides, and the marriage ceremony of Kovu and Kiara. 
Although she was heavily pregnant, Nala had insisted on fighting beside Simba and the pride. Now, Rafiki had informed her and Simba of the impending birth of their cub. Sarabi and Sarafina had offered to take charge of the hunting party while Nala rested.
In the meantime, Nala was inside the den, settled down in a soft nest of moss, bracken, and feathers. That moment, she suddenly felt a severe, sharp pain ripple across her flank, causing her to gasp sharply, letting out a loud cry. Simba, waiting outside the den, immediately leapt to his paws and rushed inside, coming to a halt at Nala’s nest.
"What is it, my love? Is the cub arriving?" he asked, a considerable amount of anxiety and concern in his tone, for he and Nala were of the few aware that this cub wasn't their second-born, a fact unknown to Kiara and Kovu.
Nala growled loudly as another spasm overtook her, glancing up at Simba with fear showing in her greenish-blue gaze.
"I need Rafiki, now." she said urgently.
"Right away, my darling. I'll be back as soon as possible." Simba assured her.
He turned, bounding quickly out of the den. Upon exiting, Simba caught sight of Zazu, hurriedly summoning him, and ordering the hornbill to fetch Rafiki, with Timon and Pumbaa accompanying him.
Overhearing Simba's hurried explanations to the three of them, the pride gathered around him, expressing congratulations at the impending birth.
Kiara immediately made her way up to Simba, followed closely by Kovu, Sarafina, and Sarabi.
"Is it really time, Daddy?" she asked.
"Yes, my darling. Come with me. I need you all to come and watch the birth." Simba said.
At his words, Sarafina immediately pushed past him, hurrying to be at her daughter's side.
Sarabi, Kovu, and Kiara followed, entering the cave to find Sarafina settled down beside Nala, nuzzling her affectionately.
Sarabi stepped back to allow Kiara to approach her mother, before following her.
Kiara came up to Nala, bending her head to nuzzle Nala's cheek affectionately.
"I'm so excited for this, Mom. I can’t wait to be a big sister." she said brightly.
"I know, sweetheart." Nala said warmly.
Sarabi came forward to nuzzle Nala affectionately.
"I'm very happy for you and Simba, my dear." she said warmly.
"Thank you, Sarabi." Nala said breathlessly, gritting her teeth as another spasm overtook her. Sarafina pressed herself closer to Nala’s pelt as the pain eased.
"You're doing wonderfully, my precious." she said encouragingly.
"Thanks, Mom." Nala said.
Having left the rest of the pride outside the den, Simba came inside to rejoin them, settling down on Nala's other side.
"Rafiki should be here any moment." he said.
"It's almost time, Simba. The spasms are becoming more painful." Nala said urgently.
"I know, my love. It won’t be long now." Simba soothed her.
"Do you remember what happened last time?" Nala muttered through gritted teeth.
"I'm not going to allow that to happen again. This cub will be fine." Simba assured her.
At that moment, Rafiki appeared at the entrance to the den, Timon, Zazu, and Pumbaa having joined the waiting members of the pride.
"I believe it is finally time for this little one to be born." Rafiki said warmly, approaching Nala’s nest and bending down to examine her. Setting his staff down beside him, Rafiki gently placed his palms on her belly as another spasm overtook her.
"I have brought borage leaves and fennel for you, Nala." he said, opening the gourd attached to his staff and producing the herbs. He held them out towards Nala and she gulped them down quickly.
Nala growled loudly as a final surge of pain overtook her and she dug her claws into the moss underneath her, shredding the bracken that lined her nest.
"I shall need you to push now, Nala." Rafiki instructed briskly.
Nala groaned, straining her muscles as a spasm rippled along her flank. As she pushed, a small, wet bundle slid from underneath her tail, landing in the soft feathers and ferns that lined her nest.
Simba's eyes softened with affection and pride as he gazed at his cub, reaching over to gently nuzzle the small bundle, nipping the transparent layer that surrounded it.
"Well done, my precious. We have a son." he said breathlessly, turning his gaze to Nala’s exhausted face as her eyes met his, relieved.
Careful not to disturb the cub, Simba climbed into the nest, wrapping himself around Nala as Rafiki gently guided the cub to her flank, watching approvingly as he latched onto a teat. Nala began to lick her son gently, drying his fur with soft strokes of her tongue.
Still settled beside her daughter, Sarafina brushed her muzzle against Nala's cheek lovingly, her eyes shining with pride as she looked at her grandson.
"I'm very proud of you, my darling. I'm sure your father would've been proud as well." Sarafina said warmly.
"Thanks, Mom." Nala murmured.
Sarabi approached Nala, nuzzling her affectionately.
"He is wonderful, Nala." Sarabi said proudly.
Slowly, Kiara approached Nala, her eyes shining with affection as she observed her brother. Kovu was close beside her.
"He's perfect, Mom." Kiara said softly.
Nala’s expression softened.
"He certainly is, sweetheart. Would you like to hold him?" Nala replied.
"Of course." Kiara said immediately.
She settled down beside Nala, watching as Sarafina gently lifted the cub, placing him in Kiara’s paws. Kovu came over to settle beside Kiara, watching the young cub affectionately. Kiara gazed down at her new brother, a look of immense love in her eyes.
"Hello, little one. I'm your older sister, Kiara, and my mate is Kovu, I know he'll be a great brother to you. I want you to know that I love you very, very much. I will always be here for you, whenever you need me. I'm so proud to have the honor of being your older sister." she said. Kovu bent his head to nuzzle the cub affectionately.
"What's his name, Mom?" Kiara asked, glancing up at her mother, who'd been watching her and her younger brother affectionately.
"Your father and I are going to have his name announced at his presentation in the morning." Nala explained.
"I believe it's now time to get some rest, and allow the rest of the pride and our family to meet him." Simba said.
Kiara gently lifted her brother by his scruff, and placed him beside Nala, where he immediately nestled into his mother's belly fur.
At that moment, Timon and Pumbaa appeared at the entrance to the den, the rest of the pride, as well as Zazu assembled behind them.
"Can we come in and meet the little guy?" Timon asked.
"Of course. Come in, everyone." Simba invited.
As they entered the cave, Vitani, Naanda, Dwala, Diku, and Ayla approached Nala, watching the young cub affectionately as he was having a feeding from his mother.
"He is a fine cub, Simba. I've informed the animals of the kingdom. Everyone is very excited for the presentation tomorrow." Zazu said.
"Yes, I shall go to my tree now to prepare for it." Rafiki said.
"Thank you, Rafiki. For everything." Simba said gratefully.
"You are welcome." Rafiki said, as he and Zazu exited the cave, leaving the pride to settle down for the night.
The next day, the pride, along with Zazu, Timon and Pumbaa gathered outside the den as Simba, Nala, Kovu, and Kiara came out of the den; Kiara was holding her brother by his scruff.
Rafiki came up to the peak, embracing each of them warmly. Standing in front of Kiara, Rafiki anointed her brother before lifting the cub from Kiara's mouth, cradling him gently.
He approached the edge of the peak, looking out at the assembled animals.
"It is my very great pleasure to present, his royal highness, Prince Kion!" he exclaimed.
He raised Kion up, the animals below Pride Rock immediately erupting into cheers, followed by each one of them bowing respectfully.
Standing beside Nala, who leaned heavily against him, Simba watched with pride as the animals acknowledged his son, before feeling a breeze in the air, raising his head to see Mufasa's spirit in the clouds, watching the ceremony proudly.
Kiara took Kion from Rafiki and the pride headed inside the den.
Later, after Rafiki had returned to his tree, he stood in front of a bare section, gourds filled with paint at his feet. 
As he began to paint an image of Kion, Rafiki suddenly felt a breeze sweep around him.
"Mufasa, you would be very proud of this young cub, I believe he is destined for greatness." Rafiki said, chuckling.
"Yes, Rafiki. My grandson is destined to became a great leader someday, when he’s older." Mufasa replied.
Rafiki watched as a breeze swept around his tree, turning his attention to a painting of a lion’s head not far away.
"The Lion Guard." Rafiki said softly. 
Category:Fanfiction
Category:Ginnyharry4ever
Category:Ginny's Fanfics
Category:Flashback Fanfics