Chapter 25: "Welcome back!" Or not...

Later that night. The four cubs are snuggled up in the middle of Eva and Nia. Shumba is asleep in front of them. His yellow ear twitches and the night is quiet. Too quiet. A stranger enters the cave it's muscles tensed for action. The thing pads deeper into the cave, its eye's fixed on Shumba's small family. it comes closer and closer. Shumba shot up seeing the unknown lioness and roared defensively. Nia and Eva get to their feet growling and hissing at the stranger. The four cubs remain asleep but stir slightly. The intruder backs off hissing and spitting at the small group.

"I've found you at last!" She spits at Shumba and Nia.

"Who are you?" demanded Nia

The golden lioness turned to Nia. "You will pay for betraying your pride, and ME!" The lioness growled at Nia.

Nia looked confused. Who was this?

"Abdul will be pleased that at last I find the soft Shumba and his pathetic ex queen!" Cackled the lioness

Nia realised who this was.

"Zora?" Asked Nia still unsure.

"It's QUEEN ZORA if you don't mind!" Snapped Zora.

Nia threw her self at Zora. She bit down hard on Zora's ear biting a chunk off. Zora yowled.

"Your not going anywhere!" Hissed Eva throwing herself into the fight.

Zora was no match for Nia and Eva, and now Eva was biting down on Zora's arm and pulling her whilst Nia was doing the same on her other arm. They were literally ripping her apart. Zora scratched Eva's face making her release her arm, making her free to slam Nia in her face. Nia grunted as she fell to the ground. Shumba roared loudly. No-one was allowed to hit Nia. Shumba bit down on Zora's scuff and smashed her up against the rocks in the cave. Shumba then slammed his right paw into Zora's face making her cheek bleed badly. Zora ran from the cave scared of Shumba's brutal attack

"You'll ALL pay!" Shreiked Zora as she ran.

Shumba went to pursue.

"No" said Nia softly "Let her go"

Shumba sighed Morning was now approaching

" Didn't Abdul already know we were here after our little encounter yesterday?" Asked Shumba confused.

"He probably sent Zora to check that we were still here". Replied Nia thoughtfully

"Well that settles it then. We're leaving." Shumba said quickly.

"I know where we can go" Suggested Eva. "We can return to the pridelands and seek refuge!"

"NO!" snapped Shumba.

"Well I think this decision rests within the mother of your four cubs!" Smirked Eva.

Shumba looked at Nia.

"This is a very hard decision..." Nia began sarcasticly "I vote pride lands!" She raised her eyebrow at Shumba.

Shumba grumbled. "FINE! But we're leaving NOW!"

"Fine" Shrugged Nia. Her and Eva went into the cave, moments later returning with the young cubs.

The small group moved off into the morning.

By mid-morning the small group had reached the borders of the pridelands. Eva confidently strode ahead of the group whilst Shumba stayed behind of them two cubs were in his mouth. The first born dark-haired girl, and the white boy. Nia had the yellow and grey female cubs in her mouth. They reached pride rock. As usual the lionesses were sunbathing in the sun. Kovu and Samba were no where to be seen. The group walked up the rock. The lionesses got up defensively.

"Relax guys it's just me Eva"

The lions relaxed slightly. But glared at Shumba and Nia. Nia gently placed the cubs by her feet and sat down next to them. One of the lionesses walked over. Nia cradled her cubs in her arm. Shumba sat uncomfortably by her side with the other two cubs

"Are these yours?" Asked the lioness.

"Yes" replied Nia licking the yellow cub she had.

The lioness smiled "Im Vitani. At last I get to meet my great nieces and nephews."

"Acutally it's three nieces and one Nephew" Replied Nia managing a smile now she felt more comfortable.

"What are their names?" Asked Vitani, her eyes beaming with excitement.

"They don't have names yet Vitani" sighed Shumba still feeling uncomfortable.

"Oh" Vitani smiled "I have a suggestion for a girl..."

"Okay?" Nia looked at her cubs

"Actually it's one for the dark haired that Shumba's holding"

"Oh?"

"Lila" Vitani began. "It means dark haired and beautiful"

Nia looked at the dark-haired cub and chuckled. "That's her alright".

Shumba stared at the cub. "I like that name".

"Lila it is" Smiled Nia.

Eva sat with them. " Mother and Father are down the water hole, they will return soon. and by the way I hava a name for a girl too"

"Go on..." began Nia.

"For the yellow girl, Dafina. It means high worth." Nia looked at the yellow cub

"Perfect" Nia replied " Dafina and Lila."

"I have one for the grey girl" Began Shumba " Merah. It means Short-tempered."

Nia looked at the grey cub. The white male kicked the grey cub. The grey cub then started to nibble on the males ear.

" I see..."

"She chewed my paw because I accidently almost sat on her" Said Shumba rather sheepishly.

"She's not even one week old!" Nia burst out laughing.

"That's what I thought!" said Shumba in a defensive tone.

"Fine we'll call the grey girl Merah" Said Nia rolling her blue eyes.

Shumba smiled victorious.

"That leaves the boy" Said Eva.

The four lions stared down at the male cub.

"I have a name" Said a voice behind them.

Kovu and Kiara had returned from the water hole. Kovu's face was filled with disappointment Kiara ran over.

"Are these my grand children?"

Nia nodded " Dafina, Merah and Lila"

"What do you think about Haki for the boy?" Asked Kiara the youth suddenly returning to her.

"Sounds lovely!" Smiled Nia.

Kovu beckoned Shumba to him.

"I want a word son!"

Shumba followed Kovu into the cave. The cave was so much bigger when he was younger when he Eva and Samba had played in it, but where was Samba?

In ridge pride territory Abdul roared in anger...