Why, Nuka? by BullerThePirate on DeviantArt (original) (raw)

Takes place the following day after Simba banishes Zira:

As the golden rays of dawn painted the African savannah, Nuka found himself sitting beside his little sister, Vitani. Her eyes were wide with confusion and fear, her fur still ruffled from the chaos that had ensued earlier that day.

"Nuka, why would Momma do thatl?" Vitani's voice trembled, her words barely audible.

Nuka's heart ached at the innocence in her question. He knew the truth, understood the gravity of their mother's actions, but he couldn't bring himself to shatter Vitani's perception of their family. Not yet, at least.

"I don't know, Tani.." he murmured, wrapping a protective arm around her slender frame. "We'll figure it out - we have each other, and Kovu. That's all that matters now."

But beneath his reassurance, Nuka's mind raced with uncertainty. Would Simba allow them to stay, despite their mother's betrayal? Would they face punishment for her crimes, or worse, the blame of the entire Pride? As they huddled together, Nuka couldn't shake the nagging worry that gnawed at his insides. His gaze drifted to the den where Rafiki worked tirelessly to save Kopa's life, knowing that within its confines, Simba wrestled with decisions that would shape their destinies.

Unbeknownst to him though, Simba had already made the choice to offer them refuge. But in that fleeting moment of uncertainty, as they clung to each other beneath the African sunrise, Nuka could only hold his sister close and pray that their bond would weather the storm that raged around them.

Follow up:

Simba gives Nuka the opportunity to train as guard, to give him purpose and make sure Nuka knows that Simba does not blame him for what his mother did.

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