A/N: Thank you all so much for the reviews and alerts. And to address an issues with regards to Kinta's age: Kinta was a cub during Scar's reign, however Kinta was a year old when Simba killed his father and banished Kinta and his mother thus making Kinta roughly a year and a half older (roughly about 21-23 human years older) than Kopa. Sorry if I confuse anyone. And to my Guest reviewer: Simba doesn't really prefer Kiara over Kion IMO she just needs more of his time because she's the heir. Now in this story Kopa's the oldest thus he's the heir. And if you recall in an earlier chapter it was said that Kiara's training hadn't officially began yet. And to those who want Boga, Babu and Afua to be included: I'll see what I can do about fitting them in but I've already written most of this story and I may not be able to do so. Here's ch 10 for ya and as usual see ch 1 for disclaimer. Enjoy.

Ch 10 The Harsh Reality

"This is not good," Fuli declared, her green eyes wide.

"Looks like you've run out of options Kion," Zira said, cruelly as she advance towards Kion. "Too bad for you." Zira raised her paw to strike Kion.

"Oh no you don't!" Beshte cried out "Twende Kiboko!" Before Zira knew what was happening Beshte rammed into her hard, sending her flying into Somo and Mchanga, knocking all three of them out. "Just because I lost my mark doesn't mean I lost my strength," the young hippo declared.

"Nice one Big B," Bunga said with a smile.

"Thanks Little B," Beshte said with a smile of his own.

"C'mon lets get Kopa and get out of here," Fuli said.

"I can walk," Kopa began as he tried to stand. But a stab of pain in his side prevented him from doing so.

"Yeah I don't think you can walk," Fuli said.

"C'mon we'll help you," Bunga said. "Or should I say Beshte will help you."

"I'll carry you if you'll let me," Beshte said with a smile.

"Thanks kid," Kopa said, his voice coming out very soft. With that Beshte got underneath Kopa and picked him up as gently as he could.

"We should get Asha and Jasiri back to," Ono said with sadness. "They deserve proper burials."

"We will Ono," Kion said. "But first we have to make sure Kopa's alright."

"Oh so now you care," Kopa said, his voice full of bitterness and contempt.

"Kopa I.." Kion began.

"This whole thing is your fault you know," Kopa snapped, glaring at his younger brother. "If you hadn't blown Asha and Jasiri here then they'd still be alive and none of this would be happening! I'll never forgive you for this Kion! Never!" Kion's eyes went wide as he realized his brother was speaking the truth. Hanging his head in shame Kion walked silently back to Pride Rock dreading having to explain to his parents what had just happened.

TLKTLKTLK

A little while later the group returned to Pride Rock and Simba sent Zazu to get Rafiki. Beshte gently placed Kopa on the ground. "What happened?!" Nala cried out, running from her place beside Kiara.

"Ask him," Kopa growled, shooting Kion a glare.

"Kion what happened?" Simba asked.

"Asha and Jasiri are dead," Kion informed his parents. Simba and Nala gasped and their eyes went wide.

"Damn Zira," Simba growled.

"For once it wasn't Zira," Kopa said, wincing as a stab of pain went threw his side. "It was Kinta. He attacked them because they were defending you Dad. I tried to stop him but then Zira and her lionesses showed up and attacked me."

"Oh honey I'm sorry," Nala said, giving Kopa a nuzzle.

"Its all my fault," Kion said, his voice full of emotions. "I got angry and used my Roar to send Asha and Jasiri to the Outlands. And now, not only are they dead, but I lost my Roar too." By now Kion's voice broke as the tears slid down his face.

"Oh Kion I'm so sorry honey," Nala said, pulling Kion close and nuzzling him.

"We know how much your Roar meant to you," Simba said as he too gave Kion a nuzzle.

"I deserve to lose my Roar," Kion declared, pulling away from his parents. "After what I did I don't deserve to be Leader of the Lion Guard. But Asha and Jasiri didn't deserve to die. And their deaths are on me. And I have to live with that." With those words Kion broke down and sobbed bitterly.

"Kion," Kopa began, felling bad about what he had said earlier to his brother.

"I'm sorry Kopa," Kion said through his tears. "I'm so sorry for everything. For what happened to Asha and Jasiri, for being such a jerk to you. I'd give anything to take it all back." Once again Kion broke down and sobbed. Simba and Nala both went to comfort their youngest son but he pulled away. "I don't deserve to be comforted," he said, wiping his eyes with his paw.

"Kion honey," Nala began. But she was interrupted by Busara entering the cave.

"My fader is not feeling well today," the female mandrill explained. "So he sent me. How are you feeling Prince Kopa?"

"Terrible," Kopa admitted. "And not just from my side."

"Ah yes I heard what happened to Asha and Jasiri," Busara said with a nod. "But some good may com from dis."

"What do you mean?" Kopa asked, looking at Rafiki's daughter. Just then Kubwa and Aibu entered the cave along with two other lionesses from the Pride. They had Asha and Jasiri with them.

"You are not gonna believe this," Aibu said as she and Kubwa placed Jasiri on the ground.

"What?" Simba asked, looking at the two lionesses.

"Kinta was the one responsible for Jasiri and Asha's attacks," Kubwa exclaimed, her blue eyes wide. "Apparently he was working with Zira all this time."

"What?!" the group cried, their own eyes wide.

"How do you know this?" Simba asked, looking at the peachy coated lioness

"Apparently Jasiri was still alive after the attack," Aibu explained. "She told us what happened."

"So Jasiri's still alive?" Kopa asked, his blue eyes wide

"I'm sorry Kopa," Aibu said sadly. "But she passed just after she told us." Kopa's expression fell and he lowered his head as the tears came.

"Honey you can't expect miracles," Nala said softly as she nuzzled her oldest.

"Yeah I know," Kopa whispered as he took in a shaky breath. Then he groaned and shut his eyes tight as the pain once again washed over him. "Ow son of a bitch that hurt!" he cried out.

"Sorry about dat," Busara said from her place beside Kopa. "I was cleaning yer wounds and applying medication."

"Its ok Busara," Kopa said as he opened his eyes. "Hakuna Matata."

"You know about Hakuna Matata too?" Bunga asked, clearly surprised.

"Well yeah," Kopa said with a laugh. "Timon and Pumbaa told me all about that when I was a cub. And so did Dad now that I think about it."

"Well you are going to be fine Prince Kopa," Busara informed the golden Prince. "But you will have to rest fer a couple of weeks."

"Thank you Busara," Simba said with a smile.

"My pleasure," Busara said with a smile of her own. "And now I will check on de Princess and young Kovu den I shall be on my way." With those words Busara made her way towards Kiara and Kovu, who were with Kurya. Tiifu and Zuri were beside their friend, not wanting to leave her until she woke up.

"Excuse me my dears," Busara said with a smile. "I need to examine de Princess."

"Can't we stay with her?" Zuri asked, looking up at Busara with pleading blue eyes.

"Zuri come over here with me honey," Kubwa called.

"But Mom I wanna stay with Kiara," Zuri protested.

"You can sit with her after Busara is done," Kubwa insisted. "Besides its time for your bath anyway."

"Tiifu its time for your bath too," Aibu said, motioning for her daughter to come.

"Oh ok," the two cubs muttered, knowing it would be pointless to argue with their mothers. While they were getting bathed Busara examined Kiara and Kovu.

"How are they?" Simba asked, after Busara was finished.

"De Princess is recovering nicely," Busara informed the King. "But young Kovu is not I am afraid."

"What does that mean?" Kurya asked, her voice shaking. Nala went to her friend's side and nuzzled her comfortingly.

"It means," Busara said, her voice full of sadness. "Dat I am afraid young Kovu will not survive de night."

"No!" Kurya cried out collapsing to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. Vitani and Nuka ran to Kurya and she pulled them close as they too wept.

"Surly there must be something that can be done," Simba said, shaking his head sadly.

"I am afraid der is not," Busara said, her voice full of regret. "De only ting dat can be done is to make him as comfortable as possible." Just then Zazu came flying in and landed in front of Busara.

"Forgive the intrusion," the blue horn bill said. "But Busara I'm afraid your father isn't doing well. He's requesting you at home."

"Forgive me I must go," Busara said.

"Please give Rafiki our love," Nala said.

"Yeah and tell the old monkey he better get well soon," Bunga chimed in.

"I will tell him dat," Busara said as she exited the cave.

TLKTLKTLK

The next morning things were going better at Pride Rock. To everyone's relief Kiara had woken up and was she was currently chatting away with Zuri and Tiifu. Just then Busara returned, looking very sad. "Busara what's wrong?" Simba asked when he saw the look on her face.

"I am afraid dat my fader has joined Mufasa in de Great Beyond," Busara said, her voice shaking with emotions.

A/N well there you have it folks. Ch 10 complete. Did you enjoy it? Let me know in a review please.