Here's chapter fourteen and please review. Reminder that I don't own Lion King, Disney does.
Thanks to the following for reviewing:
BlackLouie: Perhaps surrendering is a good idea but remember that if they do, all the other Prides are going to think that they can easily walk over them. And don't worry, I will be continuing and finishing this story. Thank you for reviewing and enjoy the chapter.
fanfic-lover-10: I'm glad you like my story. It makes me happy. As for Simba and Nala learning about what is going on back at home, you'll just have to wait and see. They may find out or they may not. I know that Runju seems like the bad guy and the real problem, but really he isn't. He just thinks that he doing what's best for Nala. Sure, he made some bad decisions but no one is perfect. Of course, Runju is the bad guy to some degree but if Mufasa was put in his place, I can guarantee that he would do the same things as Runju. But yes, his war decision was a good one. Thanks so much for the review and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
AMBER: Thanks, I try my best. LOL, no I probably won't be publishing my stories in real life but thank you. It makes me really happy that you think I'm the best author you know here. Thanks for being so patient for the update. I hope you enjoy the chapter.
Balto90: Thanks for being so patient. Life really gets busy for me. By the way, it is okay if I use some of the quotes you post in your reviews for my stories? I'll give you the credit for it. Just wondering. Thank you for reviewing and enjoy the chapter.
TMNTMentalistTLK lover: Yeah I'm glad as well. He pretty much already turned on him but we'll see how their future will be. Thank you for reviewing and I hope you like this chapter.
Doclover: Yeah it's a three way battle now. Thank you for the review and enjoy the chapter.
Asaf: Mufasa is attacking Runju because he thinks that he was involved in the attack against him so therefore Runju is also attacking Mufasa. Mufasa is attacking Asante because he was involved in the attack so therefore Asante is attacking Mufasa. Runju is attacking Asante because he blamed his attack on Runju so therefore Asante is also attacking Runju. And another underlying reason for war is because of their children. Mufasa is angry at Runju because he thinks Nala influenced Simba against his better judgement and Runju thinks that Simba influenced Nala against her better judgement. And Asante is angry at Runju for breaking his promise of handing Nala over to marry his son, Thresh. All of this makes it a three way battle. So anyways, thanks for reviewing and I hope you like this chapter.
While trouble was brewing back at the Pridelands and River Pride territory, Simba and Nala despite the difficult conditions of the Outlands were having the time of their life.
"So since that day," Simba was saying. "Moraan and I never even thought of scaring Shinda again." He had been telling Nala stories of his childhood and growing up to pass the time while they were travelling.
"I would have done the same thing!" Nala chuckled.
Simba grinned. "Seems to run in the family." Nala just shook her head with a smile.
"So how far do you think we have to travel?" Nala asked.
"I think another couple days if we want that land." Simba said.
"Simba we should just find a Pride that's willing to take us in." Nala said. "It's easier living in big Prides. We can tell them a different name for us in case our father's look for us."
"You have a point." Simba said. "But I want to rule a territory of my own."
Nala felt a pang of guilt. She knew that Simba at least wanted to have land of his own like he would have if he had still been the heir. He had already given up so much for her and she couldn't let him give up anything else.
Simba immediately noticed Nala's face. "Hey," Simba pulled her in closer and rubbed his muzzle against hers. "I don't regret giving up the throne for you. Don't ever forget that."
"I know," Nala said, giving his nose a lick as they pulled back. "Let's go find that land."
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Back at Riverside it was chaos as everyone had heard that Runju had waged war on Asante and that Mufasa had waged war on them.
"They can't do this." Kula hissed to her friends. "The Pridelanders have no chance of winning. Especially since its Pride's fighting each other."
"Then we have to fight with the Pridelanders." Shari said. "It's the only way to show them that we are loyal to them not to Runju."
"You think that will convince Mufasa?" Tama asked.
"It should." Shari replied. "And once we leave this Pride under Runju's consent we can go back into the Pridelands. Runju and our parents will have no power to argue with that."
"You're right." Kula said. "But what about Nala?"
Tama sighed. "She probably ran away to get away from Runju and Thresh. If we aren't accepted back into the Pridelands we can go find her."
Suddenly a new though hit Shari. "Wait." Shari said. "The day that Mufasa got attacked, Simba wasn't there."
"He wasn't was he?" Kula said.
"He wasn't there when we got exiled." Shari said slowly. "Nala had already run away when we were still in the Pridelands. Both of them were gone."
"Wait," Tama said. "You think that they went together? Why?"
Shari glanced at her friends. "Well…while all four of us were part of Mufasa's Pride…I found out that Simba and Nala were having an affair."
Kula's jaw dropped open. "What? How do you know?"
"I saw them and when I asked Nala she told me but she also made me promise not to tell anyone until she and Simba told his father."
"Then it all makes sense." Tama said shaking her head. "They ran away together."
"Then we have to find them." Kula said. "They're the only ones who have a chance at stopping this war."
"There's no way we could do that." Shari said. "We have no idea where they went and even if we did, it would take days to catch up to them."
"Then what're we going to do?" Kula demanded. "Without Simba and Nala to stop this?"
Tama sighed. "We're just going to have to fight with Mufasa's Pride and hope that we can help them have a chance of winning."
"Alright then." Shari said. "When the battle begins we'll switch sides." Nodding in agreement, the three lionesses went to join the rest of the Pride listening to Runju's plans about the upcoming battle.
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Back in the Pridelands, Akila returned back to Priderock after another unsuccessful search for Simba. He was getting quite angry at Simba but at the same time he was worried about his brother. Everyone had seemed to have forgotten about Simba in the plans for war.
Akila climbed the last rock to Priderock with his paws aching. He wanted to go take a nap but everyone was too loud in the den. All the cubs were confined to Priderock until the battle had passed and he didn't want to be in the den while all the cubs were running around and making noise.
"Akila?" Malaika walked out of the den.
Akila smiled and pulled her in closer. Purring, Malaika buried her face into his mane and Akila licked the top of her head. He was glad to see her. It had been so chaotic for the past couple days that they had barely had even seen one another.
"Where have you been?" Malaika asked.
"I was looking for Simba." Akila said. "I'm still not having any luck."
Malaika gave him a nuzzle, trying to comfort him. She knew how close Akila was with his brother and knew how worried he was without Simba. The two of them always had each other's back and always knew what the other one was thinking. She wished that she could understand their relationship. She loved her older half-sisters but she knew that they would never care for her the way they cared for each other. That would never change. She knew that even for Tojo, his first priority was Shinda and Shani.
Although she had figured out that Nala was her cousin. Her mother had told her and it had somehow slipped to Shani and Tojo who had told Shinda. It had only taken them a week to see them hanging around and talking like siblings. She could tell that Shani, Shinda and Tojo loved Nala like she was a full sister to them.
Malaika sighed silently; why they didn't care for her like that she would never understand.
"What's on your mind?" Akila nudged her with his nose and Malaika snapped out of her thoughts.
"Nothing." Malaika said. "So what are the plans for the battle?"
"We're going to need good defense." Akila said. "We're not going out to show that we can kill them but that we can fight back if we need to."
"That's good." Malaika said. "With a three way battle it is tough."
"Akila," Mufasa walked out of the den. "Sorry to interrupt you two but I have to talk with you."
"It's fine." Malaika said as Akila sent her an apologetic look. "I'll see you later."
Akila followed Mufasa a little way off. "What do we have to talk about?"
"You know Simba's been missing." Mufasa began. "And I suppose your brother told you about his feelings for Nala."
"Yeah," Akila said. "What about that?"
"I think they ran away together." Mufasa said.
"What?" Akila exclaimed. "No! He wouldn't just leave like that! He didn't even tell anyone!"
"I'm afraid he did." Mufasa said. "You know the things he does."
"But…we need Simba…he's the heir and-" Akila was cut off.
"No son." Mufasa said. "Simba isn't fit to be King. If he ever returns, I will never accept him back."
"But why?" Akila asked.
"He threw away everything we did for him." Mufasa hissed. "Every single thing that we ever did for him, everything that we ever wanted for him…he threw all of that away when he made his choice."
"So does that mean I'm the next King?" Akila asked nervously.
"Yes it is." Mufasa said. "Simba will never be allowed in the Pridelands again. He ran away with Runju's daughter of all lionesses!"
"But…" Akila couldn't find his words.
"Meanwhile," Mufasa said. "I got news from the Eastern Pride and the River Pride. They are also at war. It will be a three way battle."
"When is it?" Akila asked.
"I don't know," Mufasa admitted. "I suppose they will just come at us and then we'll go as well."
Akila nodded and the two of them headed back into the den. Neither of them was aware that Ariya had been listening to the entire conversation.
"No," Ariya breathed. "This can't be happening." She gritted her teeth in anger. Simba had run away with Nala!
"I knew I should have gotten rid of her the day she came." Ariya growled to herself. "Now what am I supposed to do?"
Suddenly, a new plan hatched in her mind. Perhaps it wouldn't neccasararily get her and Rojan to the throne…but it would still work. It was different but it was better than nothing.
"I have to find Rojan first." Ariya murmured and headed off to find him.
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Meanwhile, Shinda and her siblings had gotten themselves into a bit of a mess. Their mother had left Shinda in charge of Zuri and Anjani however Shinda being the stubborn one hadn't watched them properly and when Malaika had returned to the den Shinda had been taking a good nap while Zuri and Anjani were nowhere to be seen.
"Why are you so…so...irresponsible?" Malaika growled at Shinda as they were scouring Priderock hoping to find the twins. "Was it that hard to watch them?"
"They're your sisters!" Shinda snapped. "If you love them so much why don't you just watch them yourself?"
"That won't work with Mom when she comes back." Malaika nearly shouted. "We're at war with two Pride's so there's potential danger everywhere and you let them go!"
"I fell asleep." Shinda hissed gritting her teeth together. "I was tired."
Malaika squeezed her eyes shut. "You probably wanted this Shinda. You wanted to break up our family. Mom, the twins, my father and I. You want that."
"Have you been talking to Mom again?" Shinda snapped. "And no! What happened was a mistake! I was tired and I fell asleep. And our family? Mom, you, the twins and Hariku huh? So I guess Tojo, Shani and I aren't considered your family!
"You've always pushed me away Shinda!" Malaika cried. "Ever since we were young you showed me that I'm not as important as Shani and Tojo!" She could remember there times from when they had been young cubs.
Flashback
"Shani where you going?" Malaika asked, her emerald green eyes sparkling with energy.
"Shhh," Shani hissed. "I'm going to find Tojo and Shinda. Don't wake Mom or Hariku up!" Malaika was still nestled between Kudeka's paws and Kudeka's head was on top of Malaika, ensuring that she was nice and warm during the night.
"I wanna come too!" Malaika giggled, and slowly pulled herself out of her mother's paws.
"Alright." Shani said. "Come on then."
Shinda and Tojo were waiting for them at the base of Priderock. Shani ran up and nuzzled her older brother and sister. Malaika nudged her head against Shinda and Tojo but they only gave her a nod.
"What took you so long Shani?" Tojo asked. "Simba and Alex already left."
"I fell asleep." Shani shrugged. "And Malaika wanted to come too."
"Who cares?" Shinda said. "I'll show you what we found." She pointed to an entrance to a tiny cave that was big enough for three cubs.
"Let's go!" Shani squealed and ran inside. Tojo and Shinda ran after her and Malaika followed. But when she got there, Malaika realized that there was no space left.
"Wait," Malaika said. "What about me?"
"There's no space." Shinda said. "You can see it later when we're done."
"But I wanna come with you now!" Malaika whined.
"It's only a really weird looking bug stuck in a rock. Simba's mom said it was called a fossil." Tojo said. "You can see it later."
"But that's not fair!" Malaika said, her eyes tearing up. Why couldn't she go with them as well?
"Malaika's crying!" Shinda giggled. Malaika glared at her through teary eyes. Shinda, no matter who it was loved teasing other cubs. It didn't matter whether it was her siblings or not. She loved teasing others.
Malaika turned and trotted as fast as she could back to the den. She wanted to be with her parents right now. Just as she was about to enter the den, Kudeka walked out and Malaika ran right into her mother.
"Malaika?" Kudeka asked. "What are you going out her alone? Where are Shani, Shinda and Tojo? And why are you crying?"
"I-I-I wanted to see it-it-it too-but-but Shinda and-and-and Tojo said-said later and-and…" Malaika managed to get out in between sobs and hiccups.
"Shhh," Kudeka pulled her in closer and licked the top of her head. "What happened? Where are Tojo, Shani and Shinda?"
Malaika led her to the tiny cave that had the fossil that Tojo had told everyone about. Kudeka took one look at the cave and then at Malaika and figured out what happened.
"Alright you three," Kudeka said. "Come here."
"Mom?" Tojo stuck his head out of the cave and his eyes widened knowing they were in trouble. He and Shinda came out of the cave with both of them dragging Shani who had become very interested in the fossil.
"Hi Mom!" Shani gave their mother a wide toothy grin.
"Why are you three out of the den so early?" Kudeka asked, narrowing her eyes.
"There was a fossil Mom." Tojo said. "I wanted to show it to Shinda and Shani."
"You know you're not allowed to leave so early." Kudeka said. "And why's Malaika crying?"
"There wasn't enough space in the crevice so I told her to wait until we were done. She didn't have to cry for that." Shinda said.
Kudeka narrowed her eyes. "Shinda…how many times are we going to talk about this?" She motioned for Shinda to come aside with her. Malaika couldn't hear what they were saying but she saw Kudeka looking at Shinda angrily but Shinda just glared right back at her. Malaika wondered why Shinda wasn't scared of their mother.
Kudeka motioned for all of them to come.
"Shinda," Kudeka said. "You are confined to Priderock for three days."
"But Mom!'' Shinda cried. ''The lionesses said that we could watch them hunt for the first time today! I want to go!"
"That's your punishment and don't argue with me." Kudeka said and walked ahead of her cubs.
Once Kudeka was out of earshot Shinda whirled towards Malaika.
"This is all your fault!" Shinda snapped.
"But...but you wouldn't let me come in so I-"Malaika was cut off.
"You told Mom." Shinda rolled her eyes. "You are such a tattle tale!"
"Uhhh," Tojo said. "Shani let's go play with Alex and Akila."
"I'm going to find Ariya." Shinda said and headed into the den. Malaika tried following her but Shinda whirled back.
"Don't follow me! I don't want you with me!" Shinda snapped and stormed into the den.
(End of flashback)
Malaika's heart broke at the memory. Shinda had been the one to make Shani understand that they weren't full blood siblings. Of course, Tojo had helped her but it had mostly been Shinda. They could have been a family but they hadn't because of Shinda.
To Malaika, Zuri and Anjani were the only siblings she really had. Anger boiled up in her as she looked at Shinda.
''If anything has happened to them," Malaika snarled. "I will rip you into pieces!"
"You're going to have to go me first Malaika." Tojo said, coming up to them along with Shani.
"It's not all her fault either." Shani said. "Zuri and Anjani should have known better than to leave."
''You three are no help.'' Malaika snapped. "I'll find them myself."
"What's going on here?" Kudeka came onto the scene with. "We went into the den but Zuri and Anjani weren't there. Where are they?"
There was silence from the four.
"Shinda," Kudeka turned to her oldest daughter. "What happened?"
"I fell asleep." Shinda said. "And when Malaika woke me up, they were gone."
Kudeka's eyes went wide. "What were you thinking? This is the most dangerous time to let cubs out and you let them wander off?"
"I fell asleep," Shinda hissed. "I tried telling you that before you left but you didn't listen. We've been looking for about three hours."
There was burning anger in Kudeka's eyes as she looked at Shinda. Shinda felt herself getting equally angry. She was tired of this! Every time something went on, it always ended up as an argument between Shinda and Kudeka. No matter what it was.
Shinda opened her mouth to talk but before she could, she Kudeka struck her hard against the side of her face. Gasping from the impact of the blow, Shinda collapsed ono the ground. Shani and Tojo were immediately at her side, helping her up but Shinda stared at her mother in disbelief.
This had never happened.
Kudeka had never struck them before. Even Malaika was staring at their mother with wide eyes.
"If anything has happened to them Shinda." Kudeka growled. "This will be the last time I ever look at you." She turned around to start looking for them but Hariku's voice called out for them.
"Kudeka! It's alright I found them." Hariku walked out of the den with a nervous looking Zuri and Anjani following them. Malaika's eyes filled with relief and she nuzzled her younger sisters.
Shinda got up and looked at the five of them. Seeing Hariku with them only made her heart ache for her own father. Why had he left the?
"Let's go," Tojo said and led his sisters away from their so called mother and her family.
I decided to stop here. The next part will be about the battle and I don't want to split the battle into the two chapters. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed and please review.