A/N:A Thank you all for the reviews. Ch 20 coming at ya. Enjoy and as always see ch 1 for disclaimer
Ch 20 The Truth Comes Out
Meanwhile Dedra, Suni and Hera had met up with Janja and Reire and their brood. "We have a new recruit Janja," Hera declared with a smile.
"Yeah I ain't blind Hera," Janja snapped. "So what's your story lioness?"
"First of all my name is Dedra," Dedra growled, glaring at Janja. "And to answer your question just take a look at me. This is all thanks to Fuli and her freak of a son."
"So you're willing to help us then?" Reire asked, eyeing Dedra suspiciously.
"Yeah I am," Dedra declared with venom. "And I've got the perfect time for us to attack."
"Oh really?" Janja asked, giving Dedra a look. "Well what makes you think I gave a hippo's ass what you have to say?"
"Father just hear her out," Suni said. "Please?"
"Fine," Janja growled. "What's your plan?"
"Tomorrow Chaka and Kuoko are going to be crowned King and Queen," Dedra declared. "They'll be totally unprepared for an attack."
"You know," Karaha chimed in. "I think she's got somethin' there Janja."
"Well to bad I already thought of that," Janja snapped. "I was already planin' on doin' just that."
"Very well," Reire said. "Then tomorrow it is."
"Can't wait," Hera said, with an evil grin. With that Hera, Dedra and Suni left looking forward to the events of tomorrow.
TLKTLKTLK
The next day Jicho awoke with a shiver. She had just had another nightmare about Kuraku's death. "What's wrong honey?" Ono asked, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.
"Daddy," Jicho said softly. "I've gotta tell you something really important."
"What is it honey?" Ono asked, knowing by his daughter's face that it was urgent.
"It..It's about Kuraku," Jicho began. "Well..I..uh..his death wasn't an accident."
"What do you mean?" Ono asked, looking at his daughter.
"She means Kuraku was murdered," Merengo suddenly piped up.
"Children what in the world are you talking about?" Pesi asked.
"Mom Kuraku was murdered," Jicho repeated. "And it gets even worse."
"Tell us sweetie," Pesi said encouragingly.
"Prince Kopa was murdered by the same person," Jicho declared.
"You mean Janja?" Ono asked, confused.
"No not him," Jicho said, shaking her head.
"Well then who was it?" Pesi asked.
"It was Suni!" Merengo cried out. "Suni killed Prince Kopa and Jicho saw her do it and told me and Kuraku. And Kuraku decided to confront her and she killed him and said she'd do the same to us if we told!"
"What?!" Ono and Pesi cried out, their eyes wide.
"Yeah and Mrs. Hera is helping her," Jicho declared.
"Honey why didn't you tell us before?" Ono asked. "After all that was over a month ago."
"I..I was scared," Jicho admitted, lowering her eyes in shame. "I'm sorry Daddy."
"Oh Jicho it's alright," Ono said, wrapping his wings around her daughter and pulling her close. "I'm just glad you told me now."
"We're so proud of you," Pest put it, nuzzling her daughter. "You were so brave to tell us. Now we must tell the King and Queen at once!"
"It's Chaka and Kuoko's coronation today," Ono pointed out. "In fact I'm supposed to already be there."
"We'll just have to wait until after," Pesi declared. "Come children we must go now." With that the family was off heading for Pride Rock.
TLKTLKTLK
Meanwhile Furaha was sitting with Kali, just talking to him. "I really miss you Daddy," Furaha whispered. "These last few weeks without you being here have been really hard. And now me and Nash are expecting another cub. I just found out and I wanted you to be the first to know. I just wish you were awake so I can see your reaction."
"I love it," came Kali's soft voice. Furaha gasped and saw that Kali was awake and smiling up at her.
"Oh Daddy I'm so glad you're awake!" Furaha cried, nuzzling her father as the tears of joy came.
"I heard the good news," Kali said. "I'm so happy for you honey."
"Thanks Daddy," Furaha said, giving Kali another nuzzle. Just then Jasiri came into the cave. When she saw Kali awake her brown eyes went wide.
"Kali!" she cried out running over to her mate and nuzzling him. "Oh honey we were so worried."
"I'm sorry I scared you," Kali said, with a regretful smile. Then the golden lion looked around. "Where's Kopa?" he asked. "Is he already better?" Furaha and Jasiri exchanged sad looks, which Kali picked up on.
"What?" he asked. "What is it?"
"Honey its about Kopa," Jasiri began. But before she could continue Bunga came into the cave.
"Kali you're awake!" the honey badger cried, running over to the golden Prince. "How ya fellin'?" he asked as he examined Kali.
"A little confused," Kali admitted. "How long was I out for?"
"Four weeks," Jasiri informed her mate.
"That long?" Kali said, his blue eyes wide with shock.
"Yeah," Furaha said. "We thought for a minute that..." Furaha trailed off unable to complete that horrible thought.
"But the important thing is that you're alright," Jasiri declared.
"And you seam to be almost fully healed," Bunga declared with a smile. "In fact if you want I think it would be ok for you to try to stand."
"Daddy you up for that?" Furaha asked. Kali opened his mouth to respond but before he could Kiara and Kovu entered the cave.
"There you two are," Kiara said, smiling at her niece and sister-in-law. "Its almost time for..." Then the golden brown lioness noticed Kali was awake. "Kali!" she cried out running over to her brother and nuzzling him. "Oh Kali I'm so glad you're awake," she whispered, as the tears of joy came.
"I'm glad to see you too sis," Kali said softly. "But where's Kopa? I asked before but Jasiri and Furaha didn't say." Kiara's eyes went wide and she looked over at Jasiri, who shook her head.
"Well little brother you see.." Kiara began. But once again the news was interrupted. Only this time it was Ono that did so.
"Its time to begin," the small white bird informed the group.
"Begin what?" Kali asked, looking over at the group.
"Chaka and Kuoko are being crowned King and Queen today," Furaha informed her father.
"Now that I can't miss," Kali declared. "I'm gonna try to stand."
"Need help honey?" Jasiri asked.
"I think I'm gonna try on my own," Kali declared as he rolled from his side to his stomach. Slowly stretching Kali carefully got to his feet. But not having used his legs for a month quickly took its tool and Kali's legs began to wobble. Kovu and Kiara quickly got to Kali's sides and helped him steady himself. After a few minutes Kali gingerly took a step. Then with the help of Kovu and Kiara he walked slowly out of the cave. The rest of his family was outside and when they saw Kali their eyes went wide with surprise.
"Grandpa!" Thamini cried out running over to Kali and nuzzling his legs.
"Hi there sweetheart," Kali said, smiling down at his granddaughter.
"Uncle Kali I'm so glad you're ok," Kion cried also giving Kali a nuzzle.
"Yeah same here Uncle Kali," Chaka said, with a big smile.
"You should know I wouldn't miss you coronation for anything Chaka," Kali said, smiling at his nephew.
"Speaking of which," Bunga said. "Lets do this!" With that the coronation began. After officially being declared King and Queen Chaka and Kuoko stood on the edge of Pride Rock and roared to their new subjects, who all bowed to show their loyalty. Kali looked around and noticed that Kopa and Simba weren't there.
"Strange," he thought. "Dad and Kopa wouldn't miss this. Unless..." Kali's eyes went wide as a realization came over him. "No," he whispered, shaking his head. "No Kopa and Dad can't be.."
"Daddy are you ok?" Furaha whispered, giving her father a look of concern.
"Yeah I'm fine honey," Kali said, trying to sound convincing.
"Well you won't be for long," a voice said. Kali turned and to his shock he saw Janja and Reire there along with their crew.
"What the Hell?" Chaka growled. "Janja you have some nerve showing your flea ridden face here."
"Congratulations on becoming King Chaka," Janja snarled. "Too bad you reign is gonna be the shortest in history. This here is a take over!"
"Bring it on Janja!" Chaka roared. "We've been waiting on this and we're ready!"
"Lets do this," Reire snarled. With that the war was on.
A/N well there you have it folks ch 20 complete. Review please.