I've got a whole re-write of TLK 2's pre-canon but I can't figure out how I'd bring it all together to post it cohesively.

Until then, Zira gets a grumpy girlfriend!

Kijinga ('Cynical') is one of a handful of rogue lionesses that exist along the broad stretch of Sukari Beach. She finds monarchal politics boring and pride structure wasn't her thing.

Zira was found after being swept away by the flood- she'd sustained major injury to her face, with her right eye gone, the skin ripped away, and her jaw broken . Several of her smaller ribs were cracked, and a majority of her left hind leg was de-gloved.

Kiji prowls mud flats after floods to pick through for things that may have washed down from higher lands, and found Zira severely wounded hours after the waters settled.

She manages to get her somewhere dry and slowly assists in her healing, as much as Zira is willing to be helped, though with her jaw broken, she doesn't speak very often.

While she is no true healer like Rafiki, Kiji knows how to help set and strengthen broken bones. She's about as old as Zira, but had the added benefit of eating well for most of her life... she has Big Boy Bones.

I wanted to try doing some edits with these two perhaps, but I'll have to wait and see! It's likely a 'yes' though... I adore Zira lol