They're Ready to Take the Trail to Udugu

One fine day in the Pride Lands everyone was enjoying the nice weather after 2 straight weeks of soiled rain everyone in the pride was out and about doing their own things. Nala and Simba were laying together under a marula tree as Nala groomed her beloved's old, tired, and sore shoulder blades while Simba sighed happily. Kion and Tiifu where off in a corner of the royal den sharing a whole gazelle leg and Uzani and Shujaa where off with Beshte and Fuli for some session time on becoming better members for Chiku's future lion guard. So that left Queen Kiara and King Kovu observing their own three cubs from a short distance away. Chiku was playing a game with both of her brothers, Kibo and Mukasa and Chiku was trying to figure out which one was going to try and pounce on her first as her deep green eyes shifted to a from her eldest brother to her youngest brother and back again. Getting ready to pounce on their sister the boys each get into a stance and prepare for the attack. This is then Chiku smirks then jumps up high doing a backflip and lands gracefully on her paws as her brothers' smack face first into the other one. Chiku let out a chuckle as both Kibo and Mukasa untangle themselves and get back up onto their feet. Then the three start to wrestle together and having a good play session while Kiara turns to look at Kovu and the two begin conversing with each other. 

Kiara: "Chiku is getting very good at dodging her on approaching enemies."

Kovu: "You can thank my sister for those extra lessons."

Kiara: "Despite how vile your mother was I'm glad Vitani is turning her lessons into something good and a vital skill for our daughter's future."

Kovu: "Yes, Chiku is going to be a wonderful warrior and leader someday. Speaking of which you think Kibo and Mukasa are ready?" 

Kiara: "I've been observing them for the past few months, and I think all 3 of them are ready."

Kovu: "Well, what are we waiting for let's go and tell them."

Kiara nodded as she and Kovu walk over to meet with their cubs.

Mukasa: "I could have caught her if you hadn't slammed into me!"

Kibo: "Says the one who had his shoulder's tucked in too tight!"

Kibo and Mukasa began to roughhouse some more while Chiku rolled her eyes while grooming her ruffled dark brown fur down.

Kovu: "Boys...!"

Kovu's stern voice got the two brothers to finally stop as they stood to attention in front of their parents.  

Kiara: "Come over here please, Chiku. I would like to speak with the three of you together."

Chiku: "Coming Mom!" Chiku walked over to her brothers and sat beside Mukasa as she looked up at her parents. "So, what's up?"

Kovu: "Your mother here has surprise for all of you."

Kiara: "All three of you are coming with me on the Trail to Udugu."

All three cubs stared blankly at their mother in questioning silence before speaking up.

Mukasa: " Udugu?"

Chiku: "What's Udugu, Mom?"

Kibo: "Is it in the Pride Lands?"

Kiara chuckles as she looks at Kovu then back to the cubs.

Kiara: "You'll all see soon enough."

Kovu: "You see cubs. Taking the Trail to Udugu is an important part of growing up in the royal family."

Kiara: "And all royal siblings make the journey when they're ready."

Kibo: "Will Shujaa and Uzani be coming along with us today as well?"

Kiara: "I'm sorry son but they'll be making their own journey with Uncle Kion when they're ready."

Kibo's ears drooped that both of his cousins wouldn't be coming along but he figured this was a special moment that was always shared between parent and cubs.

Mukasa: "Did you ever go on it with Aunt Vitani, Dad?"

Kovu: "We never had the chance. You know the both of us grew up in the Outlands, right?"

All three cubs nodded in understanding hearing the stories of Zira and how hard life was for their father during his cubhood. Unlike their mother who had a rich and loving environment where she thrived Kovu had to end up fighting for scraps and was beaten each and every day right up to adulthood. 

Kovu: "You see, kids, Zira could be very harsh and living in the Outlands you were expected to go beyond your limits and Zira believed that training us day in and day out we didn't have the luxuries of going through special traditions while growing up in a royal family. I was expected to be Scar's heir sure, but I had to fight every day to become stronger and that included going through some very ugly times I choose to just forget about. But if I had gone on the Trail to Udugu  I would certainly be coming along as well."

Chiku got to her feet and walked towards her father rubbing her head against the lower part of his mane.

Chiku: "I'm sorry, Dad. I wish you, Aunt Vitani and... Uncle Nuka had lived here instead of out there growing up."

Kovu: "Your grandfather had his reasons, and he was right to be concerned. I see that now. But this isn't about me today is about you three finding Udugu and your mother will be right there with you all if you have any questions. Now off you go."

With that Kovu gave his daughter a nudge forward with his paw and she began to follow her brothers down the rocky slope of Pride Rock.

Kiara: "You sure you're going to be, okay?" 

Kovu: "Yeah, I think my sister and I could use some kind of Udugu ourselves. I'm going to go and visit her and have a chat."

Kiara: "Sounds like a fine idea. I'll let you know how it goes with the cubs."

Kovu: "And I'll let you know how it went with Vitani later."

Kiara: "𝙎𝙞𝙨𝙞 𝙉𝙞 𝙎𝙖𝙬𝙖, Kovu. I love you."

Kovu: "𝙎𝙞𝙨𝙞 𝙉𝙞 𝙎𝙖𝙬𝙖, Kiara. I love you more."

With that the royal couple went their separate ways and each tending to their separate tasks at paw.

Bases Made By ~ ~ TlG Base by xX-Lili-Lin-Xx on DeviantArt, Romantic Night TLK 2 Base by xX-Lili-Lin-Xx on DeviantArt ~ ~ TLG Kovu Base by LionGuardKujenga on DeviantArt, Kion Base 10 by LionGuardKujenga on DeviantArt ~ ~ Kiara Base 1 (black Outline) by CONNOR-RK800-343 on DeviantArt