New chapter! Yesss! So, I thought some of this chapter sounded corny or cheesy or something like that. I don't know. Please tell me what you guys think. It really does help.

Chapter XI

"She has basically been planning this for years. Zira has pretty much thought of nothing else," Kovu explained.

"Boy, does she need to get a life," Nyota muttered. Kovu chuckled at her comment a bit.

"So, she thought I killed Scar? Did she miss the entire part with the hyenas?" Simba asked.

"Uh, yeah. I think. But,there might be a change in plan. Might."

"But, she's been planning this ever since Scar's death, right? Why would she change it now?" Nala said.

"I don't know, honestly. Maybe she'll come up with something. Hopefully not." Kovu had already explained Zira's original plan to them. He had been with that Pride for a couple of weeks now. Long enough for Simba to believe whatever Kovu was saying.

"And, there's something else," Kovu said. "My mother had told me that there's a traitor here in you Pride, Simba. I don't know who it is. Just that they've been in contact somehow."

The king cursed under his breath. "What else is there to know?"

"Nothing. Or, at least, something Zira hasn't told me about."

"Well, we need to find out who this traitor is, and soon. Before things take a wrong turn," Nyota said.

The Outsiders made way for the lioness that walked by. She walked up to their leader. "Kovu told them everything. Just like you said he would."

Zira grinned. "Perfect. Now all we need is for him and Simba to be alone and far from Pride Rock."

"And, what if that doesn't happen?" the traitor asked.

"Make him lose confidence in his most trusted member."

"I doubt it'll be that easy. He is sure to believe her over anything you would tell him, Zira." The Pridelander was starting to have second thoughts about helping this Outsider.

"Oh, but I have a plan." Zira leaned in to whisper into the other lioness's ear. The plan was perfect and sure to work. "Go now. Before they notice that you are gone."

The lioness nodded and ran out. Nuka ran up to his mother. "Hey, mom. Can I lead the ambush with you?!" He asked with a crazed grin.

Zira rolled her eyes. "Your sister already has that position."

"Then….can I be king?"

"Well, only if Kovu has truly betrayed us, and if you kill Simba. Otherwise, Vitani will be Queen of the Pridelands."

Nuka sighed. "Fine. I promise I will get rid of Simba. For you mother." And for me.

"For now, get the others ready."

"Hey, Nyota!" The lioness ran up to the huntress.

The Pridelander stopped walking and turned around. "Hi. Where were you last night?"

"Oh. Just checking on Kion. Making sure he was doing his job right," the other lioness replied.

Nyota raised an eyebrow. "Is that all you did? Because it seemed to take you a bit long. And I didn't see you when I went to get Kion for bed."

She was really good at telling when there was a lie. Even if they're very vague. "Just tell me where you were."

The other lioness smirked and walked closer to the Pridelander. She whispered everything Zira had told her to tell Nyota. As she listened, her smile slowly faded away. She couldn't do what Zira told her to. But, if she didn't….

"So, what's it gonna be, Nyota?" the traitor asked.

"I-I can't do that."

"You know if you don't-"

"I know. I just don't get why you would work for her," Nyota said.

"Yes, you do. I guess you were right for never trusting me. But, you should really listen to Zira."

Nyota started to pace back and forth. But, if you don't do it, you won't be considered a traitor. Then again, everyone will die. If you do it, you can stop this, but Simba may not trust you anymore.

She should definitely do it.

She really shouldn't. The voices in her head started to yell at each other. At least none of them were Kikatili's voice. "Would you just shut up," Nyota whispered.

"What was that?" the other lioness asked.

"I….I'll do it. As long as Zira promises to keep her deal. And, as long as you don't tell anyone about this. Or else I won't be so nice to you this time. Got it?" Nyota growled.

The lioness backed away a little in fear. She knew Nyota wasn't someone you'd want to mess with. Especially now. But, she took a deep breath and laughed a bit, trying to hide how nervous she was. "Sure thing, Princess." The only reason she called her 'Princess' was because Simba treated Nyota like his own daughter….most of the time, anyway. She looked over her new enemy's shoulder and smirked. "Looks like your boyfriend's waiting for you. Better go see what he wants."

Nyota snarled at her, but left and walked over to Kovu. "What was that about?" He asked.

"Nothing. We just don't get along very well," Nyota half lied.

Kovu gave her a disbelieving look, but went with it. "Okay, then. Um, Gem asked if you wanted to go hunting. Just the three of us, since, I guess, it'll be easier for you to concentrate and not worry about anyone turning on you, or anything like that."

"Sure. I really need to blow off some steam. These past couple of weeks have been super exhausting."

Kove agreed with her. "Great. Let's go."

~0~

"So, how's it like living in the Pridelands, Kovu?" Gem asked excitedly.

"Uh, it's been good, I guess. I was really happy to see Nyota again after all these years," Kovu said.

"Oh, really?" She looked at Nyota and smirked. She then wiggled her eyebrows.

Nyota shot her a warning look, but smiled. "I'm glad to see Kovu as well. We are best friends, after all." She elbowed Gem playfully, but with some force.

"Ow!" Gem whispered.

"Hehe, I guess," Kovu sounded a bit disappointed for a moment. Though, he really had no idea why. He then spotted something. "Look! Over there. That zebra looks promising," he whispered as he crouched lower in the grass. They did the same thing.

They split apart and circled the zebra quietly. It was surrounded on three sides. Nowhere to run. The lions counted in unison in their heads. One...two...three… The jumped from their hiding spots and attacked their prey. The zebra yelped in pain. The lionesses slashed at it with their claws as the lion bit the grass eater's legs. It kicked Kovu in the face and kicked the lionesses off. It ran in the opposite direction. After Nyota recovered in that quick second, she growled and ran after it. Luckily, the zebra was alone. It would've been difficult to catch one zebra if they were in groups. Those zigzag lines confused the lions a lot.

Nyota sped up as she ran after the zebra, getting closer by the second, Gem and Kovu at her side. Once she was close enough, she pounced on the injured animal and sank her fangs into it's throat while her two friends held it down. After two seconds, the creature went still and would never wake up. She ran her tongue over her teeth and tasted the metallic liquid that had come from the zebra.

"We did it! Awesome!" Gem said as she and Kovu started help Nyota carry their kill.

"Yeah. This one was tougher than the others. Um, you guys okay?"

"Fine. Just fine. Let's bring this back to Pride Rock. I'm kind of hungry," Kovu said.

"Yeah. But dinner isn't until later. You probably should've eaten more yesterday."

Kovu made a face. "Well, you ate most of our kill."

"I did most of the work, Kovu," Nyota smirked.

"She kinda did," Gem said. They were all silent for a moment. She changed the subject. "So, uh, what was your most dangerous adventure as cubs?"

"The time Kovu almost got eaten by a hippopotamus and a crocodile. It was both scary and hilarious. It happened because he got a bit impatient and decided to get a closer look."

"Wow. That must've been something," Gem laughed a bit.

Kovu rolled his eyes. "Okay, yeah. I-"

ROAR! The cry echoed from Pride Rock all the way to the hunting grounds.

Gem looked at the others. "You know what that means. Trouble in the Pridelands."

~0~

Kovu, Gem, and Nyota ran up to Nala. "What's wrong?!" Nyota said.

"There have been two strange male lions spotted near the water hole. We're going to try to scare them away. Nyota, lead the others to the waterhole. Gem, Kovu. Come with me. You two and some others are going to make sure no other outsiders are here." The Pridelanders and Outsider followed their instructions.

When Nyota and the other lionesses neared the waterhole, they spotted the two strangers. The first male lion on the right had to be the oldest. He had a full, dark brown mane, cream-colored fur with a slight gold tint, lighter colored underbelly and paws, and red eyes.

The male lion to the left was about a couple of years older than Nyota. He had a golden pelt, an almost full, light brown mane, cream-colored underbelly and paws, and sea-green eyes. They both looked a bit like Simba, but this one was almost identical.

"You two aren't supposed to be here. Leave now, or we will force you out," Nyota growled. The lionesses behind her bared their fangs.

"We just want to speak with your rulers," the oldest said.

"About what?"

"It has to do with the Outsiders and their plan to overthrow Simba," the second one said impatiently. Though, for some reason, his voice quavered when he said 'Simba'. "We need to talk to them. Now." He seemed like he really wanted to get it over with and leave as soon as possible.

"Well, you're going to have to wait here whether you like it or not," Nyota replied. She nodded at one of the lionesses and she roared. She looked back at the impatient lion. "They'll be here soon."

"They better be," he said with a very low and quiet growl.

The older lion whispered into the younger one's ear. "I know you don't like being here, but please be tolerant."

"What makes you so sure that m- Simba and Nala will allow us to stay for a while."

"Just wait." They all sat there stared. The other lionesses had relaxed some, but Nyota stayed guarded.

Minutes later, Nala, Simba, Gem, Kovu, and some more lionesses showed up. "What's the problem here?" the king asked.

"They want to speak to you and Nala. They say they know something about the Outsiders," Nyota replied.

"Do they now?"

"Who are you?" The queen asked curiously, with a slight growl.

"You are no longer flaky," he smiled.

Simba took a step forward. "Watch it-"

"Ni?" Nala said.

The stranger nodded and smiled. "That's me."

They both laughed and rubbed the top of their heads against each other. "I thought I'd never see you again. Did you find a Pride to live in. And who is your friend here?" Nala said with a huge grin.

"I am actually the leader of a Pride. This here is K-"

"Moyo," the second lion cut Ni off. "I'm Moyo. Ni's younger brother."

"It's nice to meet you, Moyo," Nala said.

"Ahem. Did I….miss something?" Simba said.

"Simba, this is Ni. He was my friend back in Scar's reign. Remember? I told that story to you and Kopa."

"Oh, yeah. I remember now."

"Ah, so this is the famous Simba I heard about. Nala did miss you so much. I have to say, Moyo looks so much like you. We could possibly be related," Ni laughed, but gave Moyo a look after he did.

"I guess. That would be something," Simba said with a smile.

"How about we head back to Pride Rock and talk some?" Nala suggested. Everyone agreed.

For those of you who don't know Ni, he was in The Lion King 6 New Adventures: Nala's Dare. It's a good book. The series is amazing. Tell me what you think. Until next time. :)✌