[Open] 1,001 Nights

[KingKovu44]

Simba went over to Kovu. "Kovu, I'm sorry for your loss. If you wish, I could ask my parents to adopt you. That would make you my brother," he said. He was sad to see Kovu in tears.

[Mike0908]

Zira had stayed in the room as a silent observer. She turned to address Mufasa and Sarabi, playing the concerned aunt and friend. She whispered to them, not wanting to bother Kovu.

"Perhaps we should postpone the trip for a couple days. We could have the funeral tomorrow. He deserves a chance to say goodbye to them. If we don't I know he'd come with us out of loyalty and friendship to Prince Simba. But I couldn't... wouldn't ask him to come along not until he's had a couple days to mourn and compose himself. But it's your decision in the end." whispered Zira.

[KingKovu44]

Scar turned to his wife. "I don't know what Mufasa has planned, but I do know one thing, my love: Vitani will be entering the treasure chamber with Simba very shortly. I heard Mufasa say it," he said.

[Sixshot1988]

Razoul looked to the Sultan. "Your highness, if I maybe be so bold, in light of this recent development, Punishing the stre.. I mean Kovu might be innapproreaite." Razoul said. True the rhino had never stuck up for Kovu, but there had also never been a murder in the palace.

Kovu burried his face into Simba's chest. " How, Why?" He sked, asking what any victum would ask. "Who'd what to kill them Simba, Who?" He asked, tears flooding down his face.

[KingKovu44]

Simba held Kovu close. "I don't know, Kovu. There are evil people in this world, and they do evil things. Now, why don't you ask to be adopted into my family? That would make you my little brother and the son of a sultan and sultana," he said.

[Mike0908]

Zira listened as Scar told her Vitani would join Simba in the treasury.

"That's some good news." said Zira.

She turned to Mufasa and Sarabi.

"Do not make the decision now. Think about it for awhile. But I recommend we all have a couple guards escort us everywhere. With a murderer on the loose, we're not safe even in the palace." said Zira.

Vitani joined Simba and Kovu. Aside from her parents, Kovu was one of the few people she actually liked here. She hated to see him cry, she liked seeing him happy.

"Kovu, whoever did this will pay. But Simba's right. I feel like you're already part of our family. You can make it official if you want to." said Vitani.

[KingKovu44]

Simba nodded. He then turned to his parents. "Mother, Father, may we adopt Kovu and make him my brother?" he asked.

[Mike0908]

(temporarily taking over for Nala until Amyz comes back)

In the kingdom of Faiyz, Sarafina was looking at letters from Mufasa and Sarabi about when Simba would arrive. Nala walked into the banquet hall as she joined her mother at dinner.

"Hello Nala." said Sarafina.

"Hello mother. What are you reading?" said Nala, sitting down.

"Just some old letters." said Sarafina.

She put them away, but one fell onto the floor. Nala picked it up and saw the royal insignia of Agrabah on the letter.

"Mother you're not trying to set me up again are you?" asked Nala.

"But Prince Simba is different. He'll be here in a few days. Give him a chance." said Queen Sarafina.

"He'll be just like Prince Achmed and all the others." said Nala.

[KingKovu44]

Selim was irritated by the mention of Prince Achmed, the selfish, arrogant leopard who had recently attempted to court Nala. He sighed and looked to Sarafina. "Your highness, let's hope that Prince Simba is different," he said. Selim's young adult son Kas'im, who up until this point had been talking with his mother about Simba's coming, looked at Nala, as he was a close friend of hers. "Princess, I hope you're able to resolve this issue," he told her.

Back in Agrabah, Simba was discussing Kovu's future with his parents. "Mother, Father, I think we should adopt him as your second son and my little brother. What do you two say?" he said, looking first at Mufasa and then at Sarabi.

[Nitro]

Mufasa was stricken as he heard the news. Never before had one of his servants died in his palace, much less murdered in it. He put his head in his hands, tuning out whatever Razoul said next in his attempt to regain his composure. He drew in a shaky breath. "Have every guard on the lookout for anyone even remotely suspicious. I want this killer found and hung before midnight!" He looked up, eyes blazing. "That is an order!" he roared. He turned to his son, gaze softening. "Of course, Simba. I could not leave him to fend for himself as an orphan, and I already think of him as my second son. But his thievery cannot be excused." He sighed softly as if he dreaded what he would say next. "My brother has always said he wanted a son. I will speak to him as soon as possible."