"Grrrrawrrrr! AHhhh! Ahhhhhhhh!"

A chorus of cheers erupted: "Yeah!", "Go, Simba!"

Simba groaned and slid backwards, pulling himself out of Chumvi's tailhole.

"Ooh, that feels weird. Really, really weird!" Chumvi commented, making a face, his tail clamping downwards immediately. "Oooooh gosh. Good thing I know right where to go!" He snickered and rushed to the side of the clearing where Tama lay on her back, waiting.

She made a small, gurgling whimper as Chumvi stepped over her, her muzzle already partly full with gloppy mess. Her neck twitched as she might try to turn, but instead she closed her eyes and opened her muzzle a bit more. Chumvi lifted his tail and growled as Simba's cum spurted from his rump over Tama's face and open muzzle with a squelch. He groaned in relief, pushing back to shove his rump against Tama's lips. "Ooooof. Feels like I'm poopin'," he snorted, wiggling his rump. "Uhhhh… Wait, am I pooping?"

"Ewwwwww"s and a "that's gross" sounded from the other cubs, but they stayed watching until Chumvi flicked his tail and stood up. Tama whined again, moving to wipe a stray glob of dirty semen from her whiskers, but Chumvi kicked at her paw with a hindleg.

"Hey! You know the rules. No cleaning up until Simba's done!" Tama let her paw fall to the ground and closed her eyes, muzzle still open, chest rising and falling slowly as she breathed through her nose.

Chumvi's attention wasn't on her for long. "C'mon Simba, one more!" Chumvi called eagerly, bounding back over to where the others were standing

"Yeah, you can do it!" Kula echoed.

"I dunno...," Simba said with a small grin, breathing heavily.

"I bet you can", Nala said with a chuffed murr, rubbing under Simba's chin and turning to look at him with hooded eyes. His own eyes went wide.

"Haha, that did it!" Kula giggled, pointing.

"I think he was still hard from me," Chumvi giggled. "I've got the sexiest lion butt in the Pridelands, after all."

"Psh," Kula retorted. She turned tail and shook her rump, showing off her reddened, leaking pucker. And more. "I'm one who's mated the king AND his brother AND the prince," she crowed. "Now THAT's an ass!"

Eyerolls and a "boooo" followed her statement, but she just giggled and jumped back around. "C'mon, Simba! You can do it! Go for three!"

Nala lowered herself  as if on cue, lifting her rump.

"Alright, guys," Simba said with a self-conscious shake of his head. He mounted Nala in a single move, pushing himself under her tail. It felt easy now. Practiced. She purred in appreciation as his shaft touched her pink pucker and she half-turned under him, to look upwards.

"I warmed it for you," she murmured, eyes still hooded. "I sat on some sunning stones before."

Simba pushed and gasped as he slid fully into his friend all at once. "Oh gosh, Nala... You're plenty hot enough all on your own, but I slid right in. Ohhh that's... good." Nala giggled and pushed back against Simba in little jerks, watching his face as she helped fuck herself on his cock.

"Ooooooh, he's liking it!" Kula commented. "Look at his whiskers! They go right up when he's liking it."

"Haha, you're right," Chumvi commented, watching Simba's muzzle working silently as he thrust deep into Nala's rump.

"W-wait", Nala panted, causing Simba to open his eyes and slow, questioning.

"Down," Nala cooed, eyes alight in the sun. "I want you to finish in my pussy."

"Are... Are you sure?" Simba asked, chest heaving. "Should I clean it first or something or..."

"No, no... C'mon. Keep going Simba. I want you to do it. Cum in me."

Simba hesitated only a moment longer and then shook his head, pulling back slowly and then lowering himself, hissing as he touched Nala's black-furred pussy. He pushed, felt slight resistance, then pure wetness, and then he slid into pure warmth.

"Oh!" He gasped out loud, eyes rolling back. His hips began moving again. Nala's eyes stayed open, watching him as he thrust over her back.

"Ooooh, how romantic," Kula giggled.

"Psh, it's not romantic. It's hot," Chumvi said, eyes never leaving the pair.

"They do make a really cute couple, though" Kula to him softly, and Chumvi chuffed.

"Yeah they kinda do," he agreed at last, and Kula smiled at him. “Kinda glad Malka’s not here to see though. He’d flip.”

“Naw, he’d be cool with it,” Kula giggled. “Trust me, they figured it all out after… the thing.”

"Come on, Simba," Nala said in a voice barely above a whisper. "Take me. I've been wanting you just like this, Prince."

"Oh... oh.... ooOHHHHHH!" Simba's whole body shook and convulsed, pushing tight to Nala as he emptied himself for the third time in less than half an hour. "Oh, oh, oh," he gasped, half-biting Nala's nape. Tugging on it in exhausted instinct.

"Yeah! That's three!!" Chumvi and Kula cheered, bouncing up and down. "You did it! Hip hip hurray! That’s our future king!"

Simba was looking at Nala, their eyes connected, sharing something silent between them that only broke when she leaned forward, touching his nose with hers. The gold cub moaned and stepped back, eliciting a soft hiss from Nala as his barbs scraped her. She looked at him one more time and then stood, striding over towards Tama. As she approached, Tama turned, looking at her out of the corner of her eye. Nala slowed a moment, a whisper of sympathy flitting over her face, and then it was gone, leaving behind a stern gaze. Tama opened her muzzle without complaint as Nala straddled her and shook her rump, letting Simba's cum drip out of her pussy and into Tama's mouth. Wiping herself clean on Tama's forehead.

"C'mon Simba, you gotta finish it," Chumvi said off to the side. Tama turned, and her eyes caught Simba's.

"I don't know, guys..." Simba said, watching Tama. "We don't really have to. It's not that fun."

"Well we made a deal," Chumvi said, looking from Simba to Tama. "I think we gotta go through with it. This way Tama can earn her pride back."

"Yeah. It's what's fair," Kula said. She cocked her head, walking over to Tama, her expression dour. "She deserves it. But... Kick your legs if you wanna stop," she huffed at Tama. "Once for stop, two for keep going."

Tama closed her eyes once, eyes moving from cub to cub. Only Simba met her gaze. She kicked. And then kicked again.

"See? It's what she wants." Kula said, putting her nose in the air with a haughtiness that would have befitted a queen.

"Well. Alright. I guess a deal's a deal," Simba said.

"Alright!" Chumvi laughed and dashed over to Tama, bumping into Kula, who still had her nose in the air and almost fell over.

"Hey!" she snarled, leaping after him. Nala trotted up beside the pair as they jostled into position over Tama.

"Sexiest rump in allllllllll the pridelands," Chumvi giggled, shaking his butt against Kula's as they pressed together in a crouch.

"Three royals. Three." Kula grinned back, lifting her tail against his and making room as Nala stepped in backwards, pushing her rump to Kula's.

"C'mon, Simba!" Chumvi called eagerly. "We gotta see if she makes it through this time. It's her chance!"

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Simba said, trotting tiredly over to the three. He turned, lifting his tail and walking backwards until his rump pushed up tight to all the others, gingerly placing his hindpaws astride Tama's shoulder.

"Okay, ready?" Chumvi called.

"Hold up, hold up," Kula said. "I'm not a boy, I'm not just always ready to mark. I gotta think."

"Oh that could take all day", Chumvi snorted, and Kula bumped him with her hips, before closing her eyes.

"Okay. Got it. I drank a whole bunch earlier. You just gotta think about rippling water, and waterfalls, and rain, and–"

"Are. You. Ready?" Chumvi cut her off.

"Sheesh! Yes, I'm ready."

"Simba, Nala"?

"Ready", Nala said, shutting her eyes and concentrating. Simba, who was next to Chumvi, turned and nodded his readiness. Chumvi nodded back.

"Okay... One... Two... THREE!"

A whisper of sounds of effort came from the three of them for a moment and then, onetwothreefour, sounds of relief. Four golden streams of marking splashed down over Tama. With a complete failure to aim, the splashes hit her on her face, her nose, her eyes, her chin, and moved over her face individually. The lioness cub mewled in discomfort as her muzzle slowly filled and her breathing became heavier and heavier as her nose filled with the acrid scent of urine and the urine itself.

Suddenly she gagged, and a moment later a geyser of dirty cum, fresh lion marking, and four desperately leaping young lions flew into the air as she vomited all the liquids towards the sky.

Squeals and shrieks came from all four cubs as they danced away, lifting their paws and trying to avoid the spray as Tama gasped for breath and continued choking up, spraying cum and urine in all directions at random.

"Ahhhhhhhhhh so close!!!" Chumvi laughed, dancing in place and kicking his legs, even as his own still-flowing stream splashed his paws behind him. "You almost made it that time, Pissbush!"

“Oh, my paaaaaaaws,” Kula groaned, shaking her hindlegs.

“That. Is. Disgusting!” Nala shouted, running a ways and then dropping, scraping her rump along the grass.

Tama rolled over on her side, gasping for air and shaking her head, pawing at her whiskers and tongue. “Fuuuuuuuck,” she gasped, in a barely audible moan.

“Oh, well. You’ll get it next time champ. Fifth time’s the charm, right?” He turned and ran over to Kula, who squealed and tackled him as he shook himself next to her.

“Hey, you okay?” Simba said quietly, ducking his head towards Tama. She turned her head to him, still gasping. “Yeah. Yeah I’m fine. Thanks for trying, Prince. Thank you for… The chance.”

“You really don’t have to do this,” Simba hissed even more quietly, his voice masked under Chumvi and Kula bickering in the background. “I told you, it doesn’t make me feel any better. It’s starting to make me feel worse.”

Tama lay, breathing heavily, her tongue hanging out. Simba couldn’t tell if her eyes were full of tears or… other liquids. “I’m fine,” she said at last, meeting Simba’s eyes but keeping her gaze low. Subservient. “They need to see that you’re the prince.”

“Tama, they already—”

“Just. Please, Simba,” Tama hissed. She turned and saw Nala looking at them, and quickly turned back.

“Okay, we reeaaaaaally need to get to the waterhole,” Chumvi pronounced, climbing off Kula and looking himself over from chest to rump.

Tama sighed and coughed a wet cough that made Simba back up a little. “I chose my punishment, Simba,” she whispered. “Let me do what’s right. Please.”

Simba didn’t look sure.

“C’mon, Simba!” Nala called.

Simba looked back at Tama, looked like he might say something, then simply nodded and turned, running after the others. 

“Hey, wait!” Tama called as the trio disappeared into the reeds. “I need to go to the waterhole… too…” She sighed as the three cubs’ tails disappeared and the sounds of their laughter faded into the distance, leaving her alone in a soggy, smelly puddle. 

So much had changed in just a few weeks. She simply sat, not bothering to move, and let her mind wander over the past. Weeks that might as well have been years. She allowed herself a sniffle and a quiet sob.

For starters, Malka had returned to his pride not very long after the incident. No one told his mother of the events that occurred, and she assured both Malka and his friends that he could return to visit the Pridelands from time to time.

All the cubs had been worried about him leaving. When things were at their worst, Malka was the only cub who Simba could allow around himself. For the first while he had suffered from strange fits of panic around the other cubs where he struggled to breath and became disoriented. Rafiki had assured his parents it would pass, and whenever a fit happened Malka had sat faithfully with his adopted brother and told stories while Simba lay unresponsive next to him.

Even Nala couldn’t make him feel better. When she tried to approach it made the fits worse, so Mufasa and Sarabi gently instructed her to stay away.  She had cried over it for a full week.

But those times had passed. The fits sometimes started again, but he had learned to excuse himself and recover nearby. Tama could never watch. The sight reminded her of her nightmares.

The dreams had started the night Scar named her Zira. Long before her first punishment trial. She tried to stay tough, but they went on, night after night. The lionesses had begun to need to take her out of the sleeping cave at night, so her crying didn't disturb the pride. No one talked about it, which was fine with her, but she knew everyone knew. But what was done was done.  The pride simply believed she had been traumatized by her punishment and the following ostracization. There was no one she could tell the truth.

She wasn't crying because she was lonely, anyway. Not then, not now.

She was crying because she knew what was coming, now. Scar's plan had been set in motion. There was no stopping it, and she had helped start it.

Any day, she knew, Simba would be gone. Banished, if he was lucky, dead, if not. And what were the chances banishment was any less than a death sentence to lions their age? Every night, nightmares of predators tearing the prince apart sprang to life behind her eyes. She could no longer sleep without medicine from Rafiki.

Tama rose, shaking herself sadly. She turned, seeing the spot where Simba had mounted Nala. She had watched out of the corner of her eye, knowing what Simba and the other cubs did not.

Nala had been visiting Scar. A lot. It was what Tama had been sure she wanted. What she had fought for. But now it seemed... wrong, somehow. So wrong. Despite Scar's constant derision of the idea of sex with her or anyone else in the pride, she knew what they were getting up to in his cave, when no one was paying attention. She had seen Nala returning, early in the morning when no one else was awake, her fur freshly, thoroughly washed. And she recognized the look in Nala's eyes. The pride she felt. Pride Tama had felt herself, but didn't know how to touch again.

What she knew for sure was that Scar wasn't just guiding Nala down the path to being a Zira. He was enjoying himself. Even Bayankaa was disgusted by it. Though, of course, Bayankaa would have shown some disgust towards Scar mating anyone other than herself. It was more than that, and they both knew it. Could see it when they looked in each other's eyes.

It was one thing to make use of a tool. That's what he was doing with them, and deep down they both knew it. It was what they wanted, even if Bayankaa foolishly longed for more. It was all they knew. It was acceptable. Righteous, even, to do what was necessary.

This was not necessary. This was... wrong.

When questioned, Scar simply said he was "working on it". Nala had not pledged to follow him, yet, and Tama knew time was running out. Too many nights Nala joined Simba in her dreams, dying a thousand times between gnashing hyena teeth. It was what would doubtlessly happen, if she were with Simba when the stroke fell. Tama had no doubt Scar would kill Nala too.

But not a Zira. The line was there. Scar looked after his own. Tama had to believe that.

Every night, when she finally fell asleep, it was murmuring prayers to any god who would listen that her friend would join Scar soon. Then she'd have someone to speak to. Someone who would understand.

Then she wouldn't be alone. Then, at least, perhaps Nala would be safe in her dreams.

Bayankaa had been trying to goad her, recently. She knew it was her sister’s way of showing concern, but she couldn’t find the will to rise to the insults and challenges. Bayankaa swore she had a plan that was going to make her the prime Zira again, but even that didn’t spur Tama to action. Probably because she didn’t believe it for a second. It was a stupid plan, involving Sarafina and a hunting accident of some sort. Someone was going to get hurt, but it wouldn’t be sure-footed Sarafina, and eventually it was going to blow back on Bayankaa. Tama wished she could care so little about the lives of the other cubs. That she could spend the time plotting to overshadow her sister as she used to, but she just couldn’t.

Even the idea of sex with Scar wasn’t appealing. He had inquired a few times about her wish, and she always just said she was thinking about it. Scar never questioned further, and she wasn’t sure how she felt about that, either. He had been right, all those weeks ago. She didn’t really want to mate with him. And now she really didn’t care what Bayankaa thought, either. Her sister continued mooning around the dark lion like a dope, but it was clear Scar’s interests were elsewhere. He claimed he was focused on the details of his plan, but both sisters were fairly certain it was on the details of fucking Nala.

Tama was a little concerned Baynakaa might try to kill Nala before Scar got the chance. But, of course, her sister would never risk angering Scar that way, no matter how spurned she felt.

A sudden rustle in the bush yanked Tama’s attention away from her thoughts. She sat at attention, ears high. Surely they were safe from predators this close to Pride Rock? But what if it was an adult and they saw her… state? And what if….?

She was still thinking through a string of disastrous scenarios when Nala’s tawny pelt emerged from the reeds. Alone. She ran towards Tama and sat a few feet away, her nose wrinkling, but trying to be polite about it.

“Hey, Tama. I need to talk to you. About… About Scar,” she said. Tama just sat, poleaxed, half expecting some kind of trick. Barely processing the words.

“I made Scar a promise,” Nala said, speaking slowly as if weighing all of her words. “You know… Back during the... Thing.” She took a breath, studying Tama’s face as she spoke. “To protect Simba. ‘Cause… what we did was wrong, and I had to do something to help when I found out… Well, when I found out.”

“Found out I was lying”, Tama thought to herself, but said nothing. To protect Simba? What kind of promise could that be with Scar?

Nala’s eyes were searching hers, but Tama had no idea what the other girl was looking for, so she remained silent, watching. Nala looked around as if trying to find something. Hunting words deep within a fog of unfamiliar emotions.

"Look, I'm not supposed to tell you any of this, but... Well, Scar isn't actually so bad. Not once you get to know him. He's smart, and sometimes funny, and..."

Nala blushed with her ears for a moment and Tama felt her lip curl. She knew how Scar could make someone feel. Especially a young lioness.

"Nala," Tama cut in softly, "You've pissed in my muzzle more times than you've spoken to me in the last three weeks. Why are you saying all this now? What are you telling me?"

"Look, I know it might seem... scary after what happened, but I know you know Scar better than any of the other cubs anyway, right?"

"Sooooort of."

"Well, Scar has an idea. A big idea, and I think we can help."

"An... idea..." Tama hedged.

"Yeah, I don't know all the details, but I told him how clever you are, and how much you'd want to, you know, maybe help the pride more? After what happened? And he said you sounded perfect, so... Anyway, I promised to keep it secret, but I wanted to tell you so you wouldn't be surprised if he talked to you. Just act surprised, 'k? I wanna bring you to meet him. Soon. But it can't be tomorrow. Tomorrow Simba has this thing. I guess King Mufasa promised to show him the whole kingdom from the top of Pride Rock? It's a big deal to him, and I wanna... you know. Make the day special for him. If I can." She sighed, ears falling. "It's the least I can do, after... Everything."

Tama felt her heart racing. Her long-held instinct to share nothing warring against her conscience. Nala had to become a Zira. Had to. Nala's life depend on it. But if she ever discovered what they had done... What Scar planned to do...

"Anyway, I really wanted to tell you that. You'll come listen to him, right?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I'll come," Tama said softly.

"Great! I, uh, I need to get back to the others. I told them I had to poop. They'll get suspicious soon. And, uh, I guess you should probably go by yourself. It wouldn't look good if we showed up together. Sorry." Nala paused as she turned to leave, then gave Tama a small smile. A smile just like when they had been friends. Best friends. A smile that broke Tama's heart.

"Hey, Nala?" Tama called after her. The tawny cub stopped and turned. Tama gulped. "Just... Be careful around Scar? Please."

"I laugh in the face of danger!" Nala giggled, crouched in a playful hunting stance, and then bounding off into the brush.

Tama watched her go and managed to hold her tears until she was gone. She was a Zira, after all. The Zira, for now... But then, looking down at her splotchy, stained fur, the name didn't elevate her spirits the way she had dreamed it would.

She rose, and began padding towards the watering hole. What could she do, but continue forward? It was one of the first things a young lion learned about wrestling; when your opponent tackles you for the pin, you roll with them, not into them. You hold on, look for a chance to break the hold, and keep rolling.

The one thing she knew, the one thing she was sure of–only now–was that she had missed her chance to break. And now she just had to hope it had all been worth it.

She was pinned. They all were.

Tama took a moment to wipe her eyes before she got to the wateringhole. Not that anyone would care, but she didn't want them to think the punishments were getting to her. With a deep breath, she put on the most confident face she could muster and walked onto the bank.

"Oh hi, Pissbush!" Chumvi called, waving from the water. "Ready to try again already?" All the cubs turned and despite herself she wilted back a little. She knew she looked awful, and their expressions confirmed it.

"Shut up, Chumvi," Nala barked, "She's not doing it for fun. Have some respect for the law."

"Listening to you respect the law is why Kula had to stay at Rafiki's tree getting her butt smeared with weird stuff for a whole week," Chumvi growled back, splashing water at Nala with a paw.

Nala growled, ears flattening.

"H-hey, please don't fight?" Tama said from the bank, and all the cubs turned again in surprise. Tama had barely spoken to any of them since the punishments. Not that they gave her much chance. Still, something in her voice made them all pause and give her a moment.

Tama looked at them, ears flitting up and down.

"Look, I just wanted to say... I love you guys. All of you. I know you'll never forgive me, so I'm not asking for that. But... I made some mistakes. Some bad mistakes. And I can't undo it. And I'm sorry. Sorry for everything." She sniffed and dipped her head. "I just want you guys to have fun, now... So... I guess that's it."

The cubs were silent, and Tama wiped her nose with a muddy paw, looking down at the bank of the wateringhole they had spent so many hours in since they were born.

The cubs looked to Simba one by one, but he was just looking at Tama.

"Well, I forgive you, Tama," He said. Tama couldn't look back, and turned her face, trying to hide her tears.  Simba coughed, politely looking away to the other cubs. "You guys, I don't wanna do the punishment trial with Tama anymore, okay? But... You all got hurt too, so we all gotta agree."

"She lied," Kula hissed. "We got punished by the king! The whole pride will never forget!"

"Simba, it's justice. It's fair. She's gotta make it right." Nala said.

"We just made that up!" Simba pointed out. "The adults already punished her. A measure greater. If that's justice enough for me, can't it be for you?"

The cubs looked at each other hesitantly. No one had entirely gotten used to Simba not just ordering them around and asking for their opinion.

"Well, I don't want to play with her," Kula said at last.

"I guess... I guess that's fine," Nala said. "I was wrong before. So... If you think I'm wrong, I'm going to listen this time."

"Eh..., I dunno if it’s right or wrong," Simba shrugged. "Does it matter? You all said it was to help me, and it's not helping me. Who's it helping?"

They were silent for a while.

"Do you still wanna mate sometimes?" Chumvi said at last.

"THAT’S what you're worried about?" Kula exclaimed.

"I'm just wondering!" Chumvi held out his paws wide, and Simba rolled his eyes.

"Yeah. Sometimes, sure. When it feels right." Simba answered.

"Alright, fine, I'm in," Chumvi said.

"I agree," Nala added.

"Fine. Me too," Kula said.

Simba stamped his paw, making a small splash in the pool. He turned to Tama. "As prince of the Pridelands, I pardon you. Your pride is your own again."

Tama still looked like she was going to cry, and was having trouble speaking.

"It's my decision. Not yours." Simba said with soft confidence, nodding once. "Why don't you get your fur cleaned up? It looks uncomfortable. And then... maybe we could all play Sneaky Crocodile?"

"Ooh that is way more fun with four", Chumvi pointed out.

"No! I just said I don't want to play with her!" Kula groused.

"If she's the crocodile she'll just be underwater, you'll barely see her. Who cares? I wanna play." Chumvi scoffed.

"Ugh, you're so annoying! Fine! Only if she's the crocodile."

The two continued arguing, but Tama stopped paying attention. She gave Simba a look, and he gave her a single nod, and Nala gave her a smile. She padded into the cool water, deep until the water covered her ears. She could feel her fur cleansing and, as the stains left her fur, she knew there were deeper stains that couldn't be washed away so easily.

She broke the water, breathing deeply. Vaguely, she heard Chumvi shout "Ah! Butt-ugly crocodile!" and a loud splash as someone dunked him. A laugh broke from her like a sob. A real laugh. She couldn't remember the last time she had laughed for real.

"I'm gonna count, okay?" She called out.

"Get ready, she's counting!" Nala said, and she heard the cubs splashing to get into their positions. Tama dipped beneath the water again, counting along with the heartbeat in her ears.

There was nothing to do but roll. And for however long she could, she'd try to be a cub. Try to help the others be cubs. Scar could do what he liked. Would do what he liked, and now she knew nothing she ever could have done would have changed that. So there was only one thing she could do.

"10!" The cub gasped, breaking the surface. "Crocodile in the waterhole! Hide your tails or I'll eat them whole!" Tama called with her eyes closed, to decidedly un-sneaky giggles from the other side of the water.

She took a breath, dipped her head beneath the rippling water, and paddled off to play.