The Lion Guard: A Sibling For Nita

It was a beautiful day in The Pridelands.

Vitani was resting inside the den.

Kora padded inside the den.

"Tani, do you need anything?" He asked.

Vitani shook her head.

"I'm fine." She said.

Kora bent down and nuzzled Vitani's cheek.

Vitani caught her breath as her belly tightened around a powerful squirming sensation.

"What's wrong?" Kora asked.

Vitani gazed up at him.

"It's time." She said.

Kora's expression softened.

"I'll go fetch everyone" he said.

Vitani nodded.

When Kora returned with the rest of their family, Clea and Kiara were the first to come forward and embrace her.

"We're so happy for you Tani" Clea said.

Vitani's expression brightened as Nita crept forward.

"It's time Nita, you're going to be a big sister" Vitani said.

Nita's eyes gleamed with excitement.

Just then, Rafiki appeared in the entrance to the den.

He chuckled and made his way over to Vitani.

"How do you feel Vitani?" He asked.

"I want to see my baby" Vitani answered.

Rafiki gently placed his palms on either side of Vitani's belly.

Vitani let out a gasp as a spasm rippled along her flank. Nita backed away as a tiny wet bundle slid from beneath Vitani's tail. Nala drew the bundle toward her with one paw and nipped through the transparent layer that surrounded it.

She bent her head and began licking her fiercely.

Kora pressed his muzzle against Vitani's  cheek. “I’m proud of you,” he whispered.

Vitani nodded weakly and snuggled into his side.

Clea pulled Belee and Denahi closer to her with her tail.

Kiara bent down and pressed her muzzle against Vitani's cheek.

Nita tentatively approached her mother and sister.

She huddled beside Kiara.

"What's her name Mom?" Nita asked.

Vitani smiled and beckoned Nita closer.

"We've decided to name her Marigold." She said.

Nita stared in awe as her sister nosed its way into Vitani's fur and latched onto a teat. “Amazing,” She whispered.

Clea padded from her nest and pressed her muzzle against Belee's cheek.

She led Belee and Denahi back into her nest.

Simba and Nala excitingly approached Vitani.

Marigold mewled and caught hold of his paw. She churned her hind legs against his pad. Simba shook her off gently and bent to nuzzle her cheek.

"Hello Mari. I'm your Papa. I'm your Aunt Kiara's father" he whispered.

He traced his paw along the outline of Mari's jaw and gently shifted her back to Vitani

"She's beautiful Vitani, we're so proud of you" Nala said warmly.

Sarafina and Sarabi padded forward and bent to examine Marigold.

Kata and Maya exchanged a glance.

Nita glanced at them.

"What do you think Grandma?" She asked.

Kata's expression softened.

"She's beautiful Nita." She said.

Vitani sat up and faced Kata and Maya.

Maya took a deep breath. "I don't have to trust you or love you Vitani. Nita depends on you and Kora loves you. I just hope you don't do anything to let either of them down." She said.

Kata's claws began shredding the moss underneath her paws.

Vitani glanced down at Nita.

She sighed and transferred her gaze back to Kata.

Kion cleared his throat awkwardly.

"She's beautiful, Tani." He said

Vitani beamed and beckoned him closer with her muzzle.

Kion padded over and settled beside Nita.

Fuli exchanged a glance with Kiara.

"Is it okay if I take Belee for a walk?" She asked.

Kiara nodded.

Fuli's expression softened as she gazed at Belee.

She led Belee outside the den.

Once they were out of earshot of Pride Rock, Belee turned to Fuli excitingly.

"Fuli, I know something is going on between you and Kion." She said.

Fuli glanced down at her.

"You're right Belee" she said.

Belee's expression brightened.

"Mom and Dad found each other and they had a connection. Maybe you and Kion have one too" she said.

Fuli chuckled.

"Want to race to The Meadow?, I promise I won't go to fast." She said.

Belee nodded excitingly.

They began to run towards The Meadow.

Meanwhile back at Pride Rock, Nita had settled beside Vitani and was gazing down at her sister.

"She's so beautiful Mom" Nita said quietly.

Vitani reached over to nuzzle Nita's cheek.

Simba and Nala exchanged a glance and padded over to join them.

"What do you think of your sister, Nita?" Nala asked.

Nita glanced up at her grandaunt.

"She's perfect Nana" she said.

Nala's expression brightened as she bent to nuzzle Nita's cheek.

She and Simba settled down beside Nita.