A/N: It's that time again folks.

Definitely some interesting things going on. Of course you will have to read to find them out. Not going to spoil anything in the notes.

I plan on replying to each and everyone of my reviewers. But not in the normal way. From here on, I think I'll stick to PM's. More private, and it allows for a longer discussion. Not only that, but I think it is a bit more professional as well. It also keeps it so that the stories word count isn't falsely inflated.

At the end, I'll be posting the name translations for my OC's.

Till then, read away. Don't forget to review either. I accept all reviews :) .

He was panting slightly, from running to catch up with her. For a moment Chaka was afraid that he had startled her to the point of panic. That obviously wasn't the case when he saw her looking at him the way she was.

"Finally caught you." breathing was getting a bit easier now. "Sure can move fast when you want to."

Her smile faded, and she looked away. "You're wasting your time. I don't think anyone wants me around. Not even your sister does."

His eyes lit up, as if a fire was now burning within them, "You know that's not true. Both mom and dad care. Even uncle Scar talks nice about you, and he usually doesn't do that for anyone. And Kiara...well she isn't that bad. I don't think she meant all that, it wouldn't be like her to be that mean."

"But some of the others, the lionesses...they hate me. Or at least they hate what I am." Ani said dejectedly. "I am different, I know it. Not being full blooded...it really is a curse sometimes."

Chaka shook his head. "I think your wrong. They are the ones wrong for thinking like that, not you. Besides, I think that it makes you stand out. In a good way." he turned away, trying to hide the small blush he had coming over him.

Three shapes came sauntering out of the grass all at once, taking both cubs by surprise. He recognized them as members of the pride, feeling suddenly relieved. A feeling that Ani did not share.

"Hello there, hybrid filth. Never expected to find you here." The words came from a lioness called Kiruhu. One of the older females in the pride, she was still healthy and fit despite the passage of time. "Really thought you could just, fit in, be accepted. What a delusion indeed." she hissed. "What do you suppose we should do with her Kakasi?"

She was younger, though not by a significant amount. Dark colored, with a white, crescent shaped pattern running alongside her right ear. "We could beat her, chase her off. I think that's a fair price for her to pay." a smile crossed her lips.

"So, what'll it be my sweet little cub?" the first purred, so sickeningly sweet that it made the both of her companions fur stand slightly on end. "No one else is around, so I think something more would suite my mood. How about...an execution?"

Both cubs, gulped. Even the other two lionesses seemed slightly taken aback. "I'm not so sure this is what I signed on for." muttered the third one.

"Don't be such a coward Mfuasi, you knew this could have happened." Kakasi said angrily. Inwardly, she wasn't all that keen on outright murder, but there was a point that needed proven.

"No, I won't let you do that. I...I'm the prince, that means you have to listen to me!" Chaka shouted, borrowing a small portion of his sisters bravado.

He was met with silence from the younger females, but Kiruhu laughed in his face. "Prince Chaka...I would love to do that, really. But her very existence is an insult to our kind. So do yourself a favor, and leave. Wash your paws of the entire thing." her voice lowered several octaves. "While you have the chance."

In a flash she shoved Chaka to the side, before slashing at Ani. The female cub saw the lunge, and moved just enough to avoid a fatal blow. Still her entire left side was cut deep, almost to the bone.

Chaka growled, before latching onto Kiruhu's paw. Roaring in rage and flailing her foot, she managed to dislodge his tiny teeth. With another stroke, claws raked across the side of his face.

"Kiruhu, what the hell are you doing?" the darker lioness shrieked.

"He is the prince, are you trying to get us exiled!" Mfuasi hissed, practically in hysterics. Then, more quietly, "This was wrong...all wrong...I'm so sorry.."

A paw caught her across the face, causing her to stagger back. "Stupid. We've gone this far now, like it or not you're all in on it now. Neither can be afforded the chance to live...so if I can't count on you gutless cowards then I'll finish the job myself." her tongue ran out over her lips hungrily. Almost methodically, she stalked over to the two cubs. Ani had climbed to her feet, and was nervously shaking the prince. "Come on, you have to get up now, come on.." her legs nearly gave out, as blood streamed from the raw gashes on her side.

"It ends, now!" Kiruhu raised her paw. But before she could bring it down on either, a roar sounded off, and a dark blur slammed into her side.

In an instant she rolled to her feet, and looked at her attacker. "Well...if it isn't you. Nuka, you really are a piece of work aren't you." venom oozed with each word, and she narrowed her eyes.

"How could you be so foolish?" the former heir growled as he stared defiantly at the lioness. "Trying to kill an innocent cub, and for what?" he said, his characteristic stutter all but gone. He wasn't much over half her size, but that didn't trouble the adolescent much. Not with two other lives on the line.

"Not nearly as foolish as you. Barely more than a cub yourself, and here you are trying to take on three grown lionesses. I can see why Zira hated you so much." the words stung, and Nuka fought back tears at the painful memories that tried to resurface.

Part of him wanted nothing more than to shrink back in terror, and he might have even done do. But one glance at his cousins prone form, and the injuries on Ani were enough for him. "I don't c-care. They did nothing to you!" he lept towards the ringleader, but was smacked to the ground with a quickly blow to the temple.

With a groan, he rolled in time to avoid being pinned. Both of the other female lions looked on, unwilling to add another strike against themselves.

Nuka sank his jaws into Kiruhu's flank, before taking a swipe to the shoulder. He fell back, panting heavily.

She merely grinned at him. "Better than I expected from such an idiot. But really, what were you trying to do. Obviously you can't beat me." A confident smile flashed across her face.

"Wasn't trying to." Nuka laughed. "J-just needed to stall."

"What?" a massive paw caught her across the face, sending her crashing to the ground. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the furious look marring the king's features.

Actually terrified, she still opened her mouth to speak, but a deafening roar from Simba ensured her silence.

"What is the meaning of this!?" he looked over to his son, and his expression grew very dark. Like he wanted to rip her throat out, but by thinnest thread was keeping himself in check. "Chaka!" Simba ambled over to him, nudging him gently with his nose and licking the wounds on his face.

The rise and fall of his chest confirmed that he was alive, and to the kings great relief, his eyes fluttered open. "D-dad...is she okay..."

Simba nodded. "Yes, everything is going to be fine now. Save your strength, I'll take care of the rest."

As he turned to address the three his face contorted, and a snarl threatened to form on his muzzle. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't rip all of you apart!"

Kiruhu looked around, and saw that Simba was the only other grown lion around. As long as the other two backed her up, even he would stand no chance. A smirk returned to her face. "Aren't we the self righteous one? What are you going to do now, did you forget you were out numbered. I deeply regret that your son was injured, but it would have never happened had he not insisted on protecting that worthless half-breed cur." she allowed her own teeth to go on display. "In fact, we could forget this whole thing ever happened. If you let me finish what I started with that thing." her nose curled in disgust.

"I've had enough, this is crazy." Mfuasi said, and she timidly backed away from the other two.

A second roar sounded, and a second dark maned lion came screeching to a halt mere feet from Simba. He looked over at Nuka, and growled when he saw the scratches and cuts on his body. When he saw both Chaka and Ani's wounds, his blood practically started boiling as the more hate driven parts of his persona threatened to rise up.

"Took you long enough." Simba muttered to his uncle. Not that he wasn't glad to have the back up.

Scar paid no mind to the younger's sharp comments, and instead focused on the three lionesses. "I'll only ask this once. Which one of you did all this. Start talking or else you will all suffer." the look in his eyes bordered on madness, with Simba finding himself thankful that at least it wasn't directed at him.

Both Kakasi and Mfuasi inched away. In the center, Kiruhu tried her best to shrink back. This was not what she counted on, without help she could be ripped to pieces in under a minute if they chose to do so.

"Kiruhu. I knew you were never the most honest or upstanding of lionesses, but I didn't expect this from you. Out of everyone, you were one of the most vocal supporters when I allowed the hyenas in."

His eyes narrowed and Scar gave a derisive snort. " Irregardless of that matter, I for one don't care about an explanation at this point. Were it not for Simba being here...well let us just say the vultures would be very well fed by the time I was through. If you catch my meaning."

His red maned relative interjected, not wanting Scar to get to carried away. Not just yet. "As I see it, I should exile each and every last one of you. So unless anyone can come up with a damn good reason for me to show any mercy, that will be my judgement. Except you..." Simba pointed to the largest of the lionesses. "Anyone can see that you were the one in charge of this, and I know for a fact that you were the one to hurt both my son and Animafsi. Consider it a blessing that you're only getting exiled."

A gust of wind kicked up, making his mane billow and twist like an open flame. "What are you waiting for, go now!" Simba roared.

"As for the two of you, what reason is there for me to not render the same verdict?"

Mfuasi spoke up first. "Neither me or Kakasi knew she was going to take it this far. I didn't even think she was going to hurt her, much less that."

"That is true. Much as I dislike what the girl cub is, I had no wish to kill her." said the dark colored female.

"Nuka, you were there." the golden lion said. "Is what they spoke the truth?"

"It is. Neither of them wanted to be a part of it when s-she attacked me either. From what I saw, it w-was only Kiruhu that actually wanted to hurt anyone. And you saw it when they refused to back her when they c-could have ganged up on you." was what Nuka uttered in response.

He mulled about it for a moment. "Given the circumstances...I will allow the two of you to stay. You will be under constant watch though, till I say otherwise."

Kakasi shook her head. "Not to spurn your generous offer, your majesty. But Kiruhu is my...companion of sorts. Someone needs to keep her in line and out of trouble...so I think I will go and try to catch up with her."

Simba blinked a few times in surprise. "Fine. Do as you wish. Might be for the best anyway."

She nodded, before turning to walk off. "Simba. I am terribly sorry for what happened to Chaka. I never wanted him to get hurt in any way. So I want you to know that I wish him and...her well. Goodbye." she said without so much as glancing over her shoulder.

Before she even got ten feet, Simba was checking his son over. The wounds were deep, but not fatal. So long as they got Rafiki to tend to him soon, they would probably be fine. With a gentle movement, he lifted Chaka up and onto his back. The cub was fully conscious, and groaned painfully.

"Think you can hang on like that, son?" the king asked him.

Chaka dug his paws in, getting a firm grip on his father's thick mane. "Yeah...I think so. How is Ani doing?" for some reason, he felt more concerned about her than himself. Strange.

He nearly fell off Simba's back when he heard her voice. "I'm fine. You're hurt a lot worse though..." she looked at him, seeing how deep the gash was. Her nose scrunched up at the thick scent of his blood. " But you were really brave..thank you so much."

She saw Simba looking at her, and she started to shrink down. "King Simba...I'm so sorry, it was all my fault and I never meant-" her rambling stopped when she saw him shaking his head, a thin smile on his lips.

"Don't blame yourself. She was the one that came after you first...so I don't want to hear that from you anymore. I hate that he is hurt, but I am proud of my son for doing the right thing. I also find it very touching at how concerned you are. Makes me think..."he trailed off.

Chaka flushed. "Daaaaaad!"

...

Kiara anxiously waited, pacing back and forth. She had gotten Nuka almost right away, and managed to tell her mother as well what happened. Nala was not pleased with her behavior towards Animafsi. Any further punishment though, was going to be left up to her father.

Perplexedly, the young cub agreed. The way she had acted...it made her really take a look at herself, and how she acted to the other cubs. It was something she never wanted to think about herself, but Kiara couldn't deny that she really had been a bit of a bully. It was hard to get some of them to even play with her anymore, given her antics and attitude. To think, she even had a chance to make a good impression. A fresh start, with a new member of the pride.

But she had blown it, and now Animafsi probably hated her for it. Shame, a new feeling for the princess. Wouldn't stop her from trying to make things right.

When she saw them coming back, she gasped audibly. Both Scar and Simba were there, standing on either side of one of the younger lionesses. Neither looked happy. The gouges on the other female cub made her skin hurt, and then she saw Chaka. He was awake, resting feebly on their dad's back.

She could make out some scrapes on Nuka, but it was her brother that had her attention.

"Chaka!" she rushed over, grabbing Simba's leg with her paws. "What happened, dad..tell me please!"

Simba looked into her eyes. He could see the guilt, and that tipped him off that she might have had something to do with why Chaka had followed Ani out into the Savannah. But for the moment, he would focus on what was of greater importance. "They were attacked. Kiruhu did it. She's gone now, exiled. I had to do it, after what she tried to do. Kakasi left voluntarily...she had nothing to do with the actually attack, but she wished to accompany...you know what...never mind that." he shook his paw in the air, dismissing the rest.

"That isn't important now. I can tell that there is something we need to talk about, but I think I'll give you some time first."

"Dad...I think I'm okay to walk now.." a tug on Simba's mane emphasized the point.

"Alright, if you're sure. I'm still sending someone to get Rafiki. Those cuts that you and Ani have are pretty bad." he reached around, gingerly picking Chaka up before placing him down next to his sister.

Head down and tail sagging, she slowly moved over to her brother. "Hey Chaka...I'm really sorry about what happened. This feels like it's all my fault."

Chaka looked his sibling in the eye. "I know it's not your fault. At least not us getting attacked by that crazy lioness. But you still said some mean things...so if you wanna apologize to someone, " the darker cub pointed to Ani. "It should be to her. Right now all I feel like is resting."

Kiara walked over to the other girl cub. "Hey." she winced when Ani tensed up. "Look, I didn't know about your past. I still don't, but I feel really bad about what happened. What I said, you have to hate me."

She shook her head. "No, I don't. I also don't think it was your fault, like Chaka said...it probably would have happened anyway somewhere else. I'm still pretty upset with you too. But it means a lot to hear that. Maybe one day, we can be friends."

Kiara agreed with her on that.

...

Later that afternoon, both lions were at the end of their rounds. For some reason Scar had decided to accompany his nephew. "You surprised me earlier." he spoke so suddenly that Simba nearly jumped out of his skin.

It embarrassed the king that something so small could startle him so. But a lot of things had put him on edge recently. The antics of his children was one, though there was another older matter that still cropped up on occasion.

"How so?" it was a genuine question.

Scar laughed. "I mean, that I was surprised at how well you handled that situation. Personally you know what my solution would have been...but I suppose mercy can be doled out here and there. Mufasa would be proud of that. You definitely got his soft heart, among other things."

"Maybe so...but I still can't help but think on something. I could have given Zira the same chance I did them...perhaps banishment was a bit too harsh a sentence for her. That bothers me a lot, of how quick I passed judgement. Especially when she had cubs...your cubs."

"Perhaps I could undo it, and invite her back into the Pride Lands." Simba mused.

Scar growled harshly. "No! That is a ridiculous idea and you know it!"

Simba had stopped walking, so Scar quickly darted right in front. Nose almost to nose. "That would be the biggest mistake you could ever make. You had your chance, and you made your decision then. She is far too full of hate and malice. Turn your back on her once, and it might be the last thing you ever do."

He bared his teeth at his uncle. "Is that a threat?"

An exasperated sigh. "No, you petulant over-sized cub. I'm merely warning you of what she could do. Right now, Zira is very unstable. And even more unpredictable. Not even that, as there are many more complications that would arise from such a decision. Especially if made too abruptly. You know the pride would have a fit if you did something like that out of the blue. Believe me, I know from experience how unpleasant a lot of plotting lionesses are.

One day nephew, we will find a way to resolve the issue. It will take time. I can only hope that it is without bloodshed."

"You make some good points." Simna grumbled.

/

Running. Where exactly he didn't know anymore. All he knew was that thing had found him.

It was the reason they were separated in the first place. How it managed to track him down so many days later was a mystery. Not once did he get more than a fleeting glimpse, but the sounds it made suggest it was a very large feline. Truly a bad predicament. As his heart thumped harder with each step, but fighting against fatigue he pressed on. Stopping was not an option.

If he paused even more moment, he would be as good as dead. Memories were flashing in his mind. A plague, because they represented all that had been lost. He knew that if he escaped this beast that there would be time later to reflect. For the moment, they needed to be repressed.

On the horizon a rock formation loomed, standing tall and proud over the surrounding grasslands. Of course! How could he have forgotten?

"Too far, I'll never make it." But it was his only chance. The only means of salvation.

One misstep, and he went tumbling to the ground in a heap of limbs. Less than three seconds passed and he was already on his feet, but that was all that was needed. Picking up speed, he glanced back in horror at what was about to strike.

OC Names:

Kiruhu: Wrath

Kakasi: Bitter

Mfuasi: Follower, or disciple