A/N I'd like to thank tmh1022, simbaanaya 84759745826, Teddi 8347, Ato 2013, Salunatic, Dinoman193, My Demonic Heart and Soul, WTF123, Vitani825, Chaozu, jtgil, kate, BLACK CAT, thingsareweird, and TRON0602 for reviewing ch 9. Here's ch 10 for ya and as usual see ch 1 for disclaimer. Enjoy.

Ch 10 Surprising Outcome

Nuka had arrived in the Outlands and found Zira, who was watchin Mheetu train with Kiara and Windi. "Mother," Nuka called out running up to Zira. "I have good news Mother."

"Not now Nuka," Zira growled, not looking at her son. "I'm busy."

"But Mother it's really important," Nuka insisted.

"Oh very well," Zira hissed. "What is it Nuka?"

"Simba and Nala are having major issues," Nuka informed his mother.

"What concern is that to me?" Zira asked with irritation.

"Well," Nuka began. "Simba is gonna divorce Nala. But the really good news is that Kovu is no longer living at Priderock. I think Nala drove him away or something."

"Really?" Zira asked rubbing her chin thoughtfully. "And I suppose you know where he is don't you Nuka?"

"Well yeah I uh do," Nuka stammered nervously. "I uh I was thinking that this is our chance to get him on our side. He'll go along with me 'cause I'm his brother and all. And what with him and Kiara getting so close I figured it would be easy to convince him to join us now."

"Bring him to me," Zira ordered. "We'll just see how true all of this is."

"Sure thing Mother," Nuka said running off to get Kovu. Meanwhile Kiara had heard this exchange between her mother and brother and was worried Zira might try to harm her friend. "Mother," Kiara said walking up to Zira.

"What Kiara?" Zira said facing her youngest daughter.

"You're not going to hurt Kovu are you?" Kiara asked.

"Not if he's willing to join us," Zira declared.

"But what if he's not?" Kiara asked, afraid of what the answer might be.

"Then that'll be to bad for him," Zira said extending her claws for effect. "Let's just hope that for his sake he'll be smart about this." As Kiara listened to her mother speak she silently prayed that Kovu wouldn't even show up.

TLKTLKTLK

Meanwhile back at Priderock Jayla was sulking. "What's wrong Jay'?" Alzu asked walking over to his friend.

"I miss Kovu," Jayla declared sadly.

"Yeah me too," Alzu said with a sigh.

"I was really stupid 'Zu," Jayla said miserably. "I should have never ratted Kovu out. I didn't even have a chance to make things right with him yet. That's what really sucks."

"Well it's your own fault Jayla," Cusmo said coming onto the scene. "You choose to be a rat and now you have to deal with the fall out. But don't expect any of us to fell sorry for you. 'Cause we don't. Right Alzu?"

"Right," the golden brown cub said angerily. "I almost forgot about what you did to Kovu and Kopa. See ya later rat." With that Alzu and Cusmo left leaving a misarable Jayla behind. "What am I going to do?" she said to herself trying not to cry but failing. "I'd give anything to take what I did back. I'd rather have Kovu with Kiara here then gone. I'm such an idiot." With a sob Jayla got up and went to find Jani, hoping her mother would bring her some comfort. But somehow she doubted that would happen.

TLKTLKTLK

Meanwhile Alzu and Cusmo had exited the cave and ran into Kinta who had just returned from his walk. "Cusmo I'm glad I found you," the sandy brown lion said blowing a strand of his thin brown mane out of his eyes. "We need to talk. Would you excuse us please little brother?"

"Sure Kinta," Alzu said. "I'm going to see if Kopa wants to play." With that the golden brown cub left, leaving Kinta alone with Cusmo.

"Ok Kinta what do you want?" the grey brown lioness said impaiently.

"My my my such a hostile tone," Kinta said with a smile. "Is that any way to speak to your future mate?"

"Kinta there's no way I'm ever going to marry you," Cusmo said.

"Oh but I think you are," Kinta said slyly. "Unless you want me to tell King Simba and Queen Nala about your little fling with that Outlander scum Nuka."

"How did you..." Cusmo began. "Have you been following me?"

"I had to see who this mystery lion you were in love with was," Kinta said. "And that's how I found out about Nuka. Honestly Cusmo don't you think I'm a much better choice than him. I mean come on. Look at him and look at me."

"Kinta you are such an ass," Cusmo said angerily. "And you are so full of yourself it's pathetic. Nuka is ten times the lion you'll ever be. He's kind and sweet and humble. Unlike you. You are the most arrogant lion I've ever met."

"Cusmo let me ask you something," Kinta said. "Do you honestly think that King Simba and Queen Nala are going to allow you to take Nuka as a mate? The answer to that my dear is no. So unless you want to be banished to the Outlands you have no choice but to marry me."

"I'd rather live in the Outlands and be happy with the lion I love than live here and be miserable with you," Cusmo growled glaring at Kinta.

"Oh but what about your mother?" Kinta asked. "If you leave then Dayamo will leave too. Or she'll stay here and die of a broken heart. Either way she'll be miserable. You don't want that do you Cusmo? Think about all that your mother has sacrificied for you. Don't you think it's time you sacrficed something for her? Besides I happen to think that I'll mate a good mate for you and that you'll eventually come to love me as much as I love you."

"I'll never love you Kinta," Cusmo said with tears in her blue eyes. "Never. You may force me to marry you but my heart will always belong to Nuka."

"Or so you think," Kinta said simply. "Oh come on Cus' being married to me won't be as bad as you think."

"It'll be Hell," Cusmo said. "And if you really loved me Kinta then you wouldn't force me to do this."

"I'm doing this to prevent you from making a huge mistake," Kinta said. "If it had been any other lion other than Nuka I would have bowed out gracefully but I just can't sit by and watch you throw your life away for that scum."

"He's not scum!" Cusmo shouted. "If anyone is scum around here it's you Kinta! I hate you for this! And I will never forgive you! Never!" With an angry sob Cusmo ran away from Kinta tears going down her face.

"Ah she'll get over it," Kinta muttered. "And in time she'll thank me from stopping her from wasting her life with Nuka. She'll see. I'm doing this for her own good." With that Kinta went inside the cave to find his mother to discuss his upcoming wedding.

TLKTLKTLK

Meanwhile Nuka had found Kovu, who was enjoying his latest kill which was a small jackrabbit. "Hey Kovu I've got great news," Nuka said running up to his brother with a smile on his face.

"What is it Nuk'?" Kovu asked gobbling down his last bite of rabbit.

"I talked with Mother," Nuka said. "And she said for you to come talk to her."

"I don't know Nuk'," Kovu said uneasily.

"She said she wouldn't hurt you," Nuka said. "Come on Kovu at least give her a chance what harm could it do?"

"Plenty," Kovu said with a shiver. "Besides I don't think I should turn aganist my dad. He never did anything to me."

"He let you leave didn't he?" Kiara said coming onto the scene. "What kind of dad lets their kid leave when they're not even grown yet? Not a very good one if you ask me."

"Oh and I suppose Zira's 'Mother of the Year' huh?" Kovu scoffed rolling his amber eyes. "Thanks you guys but no thanks."

"Mother may have her faults that's for sure," Kiara said. "But at least she never let her cubs fend for themselves."

"Well I guess that's true," Kovu said softly. "But still..."

"But still nothin'," Kiara said impatiently. "Come on Kovu wise up here. Simba and Nala are on the losing end. I've been talkin' with Kopa and he's tired of it too."

"Really?" Kovu said looking at the dusty orange five month old cub.

"Sure," Kiara said, glad that Kovu was buying her act. "Come on Kovu talk to Mother. I won't kill ya."

"I hope you're right Kiara," Kovu said with a sigh. "All right I'll talk to Zira." With that Kovu, Nuka, and Kiara headed to the Outlands to talk with Zira.

TLKTLKTLK

A few minutes later the three young lions had reached the Outlands and saw Zira sitting there along with Cala. "He's here Mother," Nuka declared with a smile.

"I can see that Nuka," Zira snapped with irratation. Then in a much softer tone she said, "Come closer Kovu."

"I'm good right here thanks," Kovu said nervously.

"There's no need to fear me young one," Zira said. "After all we're on the same side now aren't we?"

"I'm not so sure about that," Kovu said uneasily.

"Oh but I am," Zira said walking towards Kovu and pulling him close to her. "Afterall why would you want to stay loyal to a lion who threw you out to fend for yourself."

"He didn't throw me out," Kovu protested pulling away from Zira. "I left on my own."

"Or so you think," Zira said her red eye burning into Kovu's amber ones. "I hear Simba didn't put up much of fuss when you left. And why would he? You are the son of Scar. Why would he want you around?"

"But he rasied me like his own son," Kovu pointed out. "He could have kicked me out anytime but he didn't."

"But that was before you started looking so much like Scar," Zira said. "But now you're almost a year old. You've got the beginnings of a black mane growing. Simba can clearly see that you're going to look exactly like Scar."

"She has a point Kovu," Vitani said coming onto the scene along with Mheetu. "Open your eyes. Simba is not the good lion he pretends to be."

"That's not..." Kovu began. But the brown lion cub trailed off as he took in what Zira had said. Shocked Kovu realized that Zira made a good argument. But before he could respond Baraka came onto the scene. "I have news my Queen," the dusty orange lioness said.

"What is it Baraka?" Zira asked.

"I've just heard that Simba and Nala are going to stay together," Baraka declared. "Looks like the divorce is off."

"You see Kovu there's your proof," Zira said. "Simba had no intention of divorcing Nala. Do you see now what I have been saying."

Kovu looked at Zira with wide eyes then looked at Kiara and Nuka who both nodded their heads. Kovu turned back to Zira and said softly. "I can't believe I was such an idiot."

"We all make mistakes young one," Zira said. "And after all you were just a cub. All cubs are foolish at time. You musen't blame yourself. Simba and Nala are the one to blame in all of this. Don't you agree?"

"You have a point," Kovu said.

"So you're in agreement then?" Zira asked looking at Kovu.

"Yeah," Kovu said. "I am. Simba and Nala must be taken down. And I'm the one that must do it!"

A/N dun dun dun. Well there you go folks the end of ch 10. What do you guys think. Review please.