A/n thank you all for your wonderful reviews. Keep them coming. Here's ch 11 for you and as always see ch 1 for disclaimer

Ch 11 Change of Course

As the girls were approaching the entrence of the cave they heard a loud commotion coming from inside. Being careful not to be seen the female cubs listened to what was being said. "Scar if you come near my son I sware I'll rip your head off," Zira roared her teeth bared standing in front of Nuka who was shaking from fear.

"Now Zira don't be a fool," Scar said his eyes gleaming. "You really think you stand a chance against my friends here?" Scar pointed to the large group of hyenas who were gathered around him.

"I'll fight to the death for my son," Zira snarled her red eyes filled with fury.

"As will I Scar," Jara hissed standing in front of Tojo whose brown eyes were wide with terror. "And I simply cannot believe you are doing this to me after all the years of friendship we've had."

"Jara I must do what I feel is best for my son," Scar replied his voice monotone.

"How is killing innocent cubs best for your son?" Zira spat out.

"They are male cubs Zira," Scar pointed out. "And they may be only seven months old now but they will eventually grow up and they could try and take the throne away from Mheetu. I will not take that risk."

"Please Scar there must be another way," Jara pleaded her voice breaking. "Murder isn't always the ansewer you know. And don't forget I know just what you know about murdering people."

Scar paused and realized what Jara was referring too. This got the brown lion thinking. Afetr a minute an idea popped into the King's head. "Ah yes there is another way," Scar said. "If Nuka and Tojo leave Priderock at once and never return I will spare their lives."

"But Scar if they leave now they are as good as dead," Zira shouted. "Two seven month old cubs cannot survive on their own."

"That's not my problem," Scar snapped coldly. "Those are the options. Take them or leave them."

Jara opened her mouth to speak but before she could get a word out Kurya whispered to her friend, "I know a place where they'll be safe Jara." Jara looked over at the bage lioness and nodded. Zira saw the exchange between the two lionesses and she knew her son would be safe so the tan lioness said, "I guess we have no choice." Zira looked at her son who was looking back at her confusion in his red eyes and she knew what she had to do. Zira looked up at Scar and said, "At least allow me to go with my son."

"No," Scar said coldly. "If you or Jara try to go with your sons then that will be an act of tresion punishable by death."

"You can't be serious," Jara growled her grey eyes flashing with fury.

"Deadly serious," Scar hissed evily. "Kurya you will escort the cubs to the border of the Pridelands. Jara and Zira will say their goodbyes here."

"But Mom I don't want to go," Nuka sobbed burying his face in his mother's fur.

""I'm sorry Nuka," Zira said tearfully nuzzling her son. "You must go. I cannot allow you to stay here and be killed. Oh how I'll miss you my precious boy. I love you so very much. Please know that."

"I know Mom," Nuka sniffled wiping his eyes. "I love you too." The little brown cub looked over at Tojo who was saying his goodbyes to his mother.

"I love you so much Tojo," Jara was saying the tears pouring out of her eyes.

"Please don't make me go Mom," Tojo sobbed nuzzling his mother.

"I'm so sorry my love," Jara sobbed. "But if you stay you'll die. This is the last thing in the world I want but it has to be done."

"I know," Tojo sniffled wiping his eyes with his paw. "It still sucks though." Tojo looked over at Scar when he said this part. Then the pale cub nuzzled his mother again. "Goodbye Mom. I love you."

"Goodbye my sweet Tojo," Jara choked out as she watched her only cub walk out of the cave with Nuka and Kurya. Zira walked up to Jara and the two lionesses held each other close comforting each other. Scar walked up to the pair and said coldly, "Enough you two. You have a hunting party to lead. Now get to it." Zira and Jara glared at the King who walked away from them without another word. Sarafina approached the two lionesses, "I'm truly sorry about all of this."

"How could you allow this to happen Sarafina," Jara hissed glaring at the Queen. "You know very well that two seven month cubs cannot possiably survive on their own."

"Jara I wish things could have been different," Sarafina said meaning it. "But I agree with my mate. Tojo and Nuka could not be allowed to stay. They could have posed a threat to Mheetu. We both did what was best for our son."

"And what about your daughter?" Zira spat out. "What about her feelings Sarafina?"

"What are you talking about Zira?" Sarafina asked in annoyance.

"Nuka and Tojo were two of her best friends," Zira pointed out. "Did you ever stop to think about what this might do to her?"

"Don't you dare leture me on my daughter Zira?" Sarafina growled. "And watch your tone with me. Need I remind you that I'm Queen around here?"

"Forgive me my Queen," Zira said the sarcasim dripping "I'll be sure to watch my tone next time." With that the tan lioness stormed out leaving Jara and Sarafina alone. Jara began to walk away as well when Sarafina tried to stop her. "Jara please.."

"Don't talk to me Sarafina," Jara said still glaring at the Queen. "Ever again. Because of you and your mate I've lost my only child. I never want to speak to you again. We are no longer friends. Good day Your Highness." With that the pale lioness left to join the hn=unting party leaving a devastated Sarafina behind in her dust.

TLKTLKTLK

As they trio was nearing the Prideland border Kurya said to the boys, "Now listen closely you two," the bage lioness said her voice low. "I want you two to go across the desert. There's a jungle on the other side that has plently of fresh water and food. You'll be safe there."

"Thank you Kurya," Nuka said with a smile.

"Yeah thanks," Tojo said. "But why are you helping us?"

"Because I'm a mother myself," Kurya said smiling at the two cubs. "And your mothers are good friends of mine and would do the same for me if it was my Vitani in the same position. Now no more talking. Go and be careful." With that Tojo and Nuka were off heading towards a much brighter future.

TLKTLKTLK

As Kurya was walking back to Priderock she was met by Nala, Tama, and Vitani. As soon as she saw her mother Vitani ran up to meet her. "Mom where are Tojo and Nuka? Are they safe?" Vitani's blue eyes were filled with concern as she was speaking.

"Don't you worry my dear," Kurya said nuzzling her daughter. "Your friends are just fine. I sent them to the safe place. They will be perfectly safe there."

"The safe place?" Tama said confusion in her voice.

"Yeah she means the jungle," Vitani said. Nala let out a gasp and her green eyes went wide with surprise. Vitani noticed this and truned to her friend. "What's wrong Nala?" she asked concerned for her friend.

"The jungle?" Nala whispered. Tama and Vitani just stared ate their friend both of them clearly confused. Then Nala blurted out without even thinking, "That's where Simba is."

A/n uh oh looks like Nala slipped up. What'll happen now? Stay tuned for ch 12 to find out and as always please review.