Kion had been looking for Fuli all over the Pride Lands. He had even payed the Night Lands a visit because Kovu had told she had done that, but Rani told him that she had left without saying goodbye. He was beginning to get worried. It was soon getting dark. He knew perfectly well she could handle herself, but as her husband it was hard not to feel a little sting of worry.

He gave up his search and returned back to Pride Rock, but when he passed the lair, he could hear a low sobbing. Someone was obviously in peril. He entered the cave with caution. It could be a trap. The sobbing became louder. He turned a corner and found Fuli all teared up, she was shaking slightly.

"Fuli!" he said alarmed. "What's wrong?"

The cheetah didn't answer but threw herself into his chest, sobbing uncontrollably. "Gee, Fuli, what's wrong? Has it something to do with Tani?"

Fuli nodded very slowly while tears streamed down her cheeks.

Tell me," he said softly.

"He-he knows," she stuttered.

"Who?"

"He knows about my fear," she sobbed. "He threatens to tell him."

"Who, Fuli?" Kion urged.

"Ahardi," she yelled, that even Kion was startled. "He knows about what I fear Makucha will do to me, to our family. Tani has been telling him my secrets, and know he threatens me with telling Makucha, if I don't keep my yap shut."

"How do you know this?" the lion asked shocked.

"I visited him because I wanted him to know why he left her when they are going to have a family and also to tell what a big prick he is. He said, he only was together with her because of the information she could get out of her," the cheetah sobbed. "So, I said I would tell Rani because she would of course throw such a prick out of her pride, but then he said, "If you do that, I'll tell a certain leopard about your secret". I said he was bluffing, but then he just confirmed how much he knew by telling me every bit of juicy detail."

"What did you then do?" Kion asked worried.

"What do you think I did, I ran for it," she sobbed.

"He is blackmailing you, fool," Kion said alarmed. "You can't give in to such a prick."

"Don't you think I know that, Kion," she sobbed. "But what can I do. If I tell theit is no way of telling what he will say to that leopard."

Kion hugged the cheetah tightly into his chest, looking alarmed at her. "Shh," he comforted, stroking a paw up her back. "He won't. I'm sure of that."

"Kion you're just telling me that to feel better," she sobbed. "How can you not know that he maybe already has told him?"

"And so, what if he has?"

"And so, wha-Kion I'm terrified of that leopard, okay. I'm not going to feel safe anymore. Knowing what he might do to me if we met terrifies me," she cried. "I know it's stupid, but I fear he might go after the cubs as well."

"But-"

"I know they are grown, but I'm still their mother. The only one that I really fear for is Shida. He is just a cheetah and not as powerful as a leopard."

"But what about Tasha, she is a cheetah too," the lion asked puzzled.

"She doesn't look like us, Kion," the cheetah sighed. "That is her only advantage and if she keep her mouth shut about who her parents are," she added, looking at him with big droopy eyes. "You must think I'm pathetic to look at, right?"

"What, no, no, no, fool," he comforted. "It's obvious you're worried after what he tried to do to you, and in your nightmare, but just so you know, you're safe in the Pride Lands, fool," the lion comforted. "He won't be able to touch you, and he won't because I won't allow it."

"I just got this sickening feeling that he might wait outside," she cried. "I'm getting paranoid, Kion."

"You're not paranoid," Kion comforted. "You're just shocked, and I can't blame you."

"I'm lucky to have you by my side," she sighed.

"No, I'm lucky to have such a gorgeous and kind wife by my side," the lion said, scratching her behind the ear. "You're not going to live in fear, I won't allow it."

The cheetah made a weak whimper, looking into his eyes. "I know I just have to pull myself together to forget it," she said, drying her eyes. "It's just so hard when your fear tells you all sort of dark things."

Kion kissed her once more on the forehead and stroked several times his paw across her spine. It took some more time before she calmed down and eventually stopped sobbing.

"Rest now, babe and I'll talk to Tani about this," the lion said, loosening his grip.

"No, please don't leave me," she said desperately, pulling hard around the lion. "I don't want to be alone."

"You won't be," he comforted, kissing her forehead. "I'll send Tasha into you."

"No, she can't see me like this," she sobbed, drying her eyes. "She can't know."

"Fuli," Kion sighed. "Someday they are bound to know the truth, even if it's not pretty. Don't worry, she will understand," the lion added and let go of the sobbing cheetah. Fuli reached out a paw to him, but he left before she could touch him.

The lion quickly found her daughter and told that her mother needed her.

"What for?" she asked annoyed. "I got some hunting to do."

"Please, Tasha. Your mother needs you," the lion said with beginning eyes.

Tasha went a little confused. It was the first time she was given these types of eyes by her dad. "Al-alright, I see her," she said confused and walked towards the lair.

"Good girl," the lion smiled and walked onwards.

The lion came to the baobab tree was he could see Tani and Makini. It seemed like they were in deep conversation. He approached without caring for that their conversation might be classified, but all that mattered to him was to justify Tani's actions.

The lioness moved her head towards him as the lion approached. She quivered a bit when she saw him approach, obviously knowing what he was here for.

"Hey, Kion, what are you doing here?" Makini asked friendly.

"Hey, Makini," Kion greeted. "Could I have a word with Tani in privacy?"

"Sure thing," Makini said.

"Actually-" Tani was about to say but the mandrill had already begun climbing the tree. The two cats looked at each other for some awkward moments, not knowing were to start.

"I have been talking to Fuli," Kion started.

"Oh, have you," Tani said carelessly, cowering for the guilt she felt.

"She told me that you have been leaking information to Ahardi about her secrets."

"A-and so what?" the lioness quivered.

"Tani, she is bloody terrified," Kion said angrily. "She really fears that leopard."

"And what do you want me to do about it, Kion," Tani cried into his head. "What done is done, I can't make up for the mistake I made."

"Yes, you could," Kion said friendly. "You could say sorry to her."

"She would never accept my apology this time," Tani said, looking away from the lion.

"But your guilt will be lifted."

"No, it wouldn't," she sighed, looking at the lion again. "It wasn't because I'm pregnant that I tried to drown myself."

"What?" the lion asked perplexed.

"I tried to drown myself because what I did was unforgivable and I don't deserve-"

"Your pregnant?"

"Yeah, haven't your wife told you?" she asked puzzled.

"No, she only said you told Ahardi her secrets," the lion replied.

Tani looked away, not understanding why Fuli haven't gossiped about her expecting cubs. It was the least she could do to get a little revenge on her. "Why didn't she tell?" she whispered.

"I don't know, Tani, but you got to say sorry to ger," Kion said. "It's the least you can do," he added as he walked away.

Darkness had settled across The Pride Lands when Kion returned to the lair. He found Tasha comforting her mother by holding her paw. Fuli stilled looked moody but at least she had stopped crying. The lion smiled for himself, looking pleased at his wife and daughter.

"How's she doing?" he asked his daughter.

"She is still not well," Tasha replied. "She shouldn't participate tomorrow. She needs rest."

"I'm fine," Fuli said abruptly. "The Guard is not going anywhere without The Fastest."

"Fool, I think it would be best if you laid of tomorrow," the lion said.

"Did you hear what I just said?" she asked angrily.

"Yeah, The Fastest-"

"Exactly, you're not going anywhere without me," she said.

"Not exactly, The Fastest which is you, but it's only a title," the lion said. "Let Tasha for once try to be The Fastest for a day."

Fuli looked uncertain at her daughter that beamed brightly back at her.

"Come on, fool, give it a go."

"I'll promise I'll do my best, ma," Tasha said exited.

"Fine," Fuli sighed in defeat. "But I don't want to be limited any further."

"Hunt as much as you want, hon," the lion teased. "While I and your daughter will take care of the Pride lands."

The cheetah let a little laugh erupt from her mouth before she cuddled herself up against the lion, ready to sleep. Kion stroke a paw up and down her body a few times before he tugged his daughter into her chest, but the brown cheetah was escaping his clutches. "Please stay," he said.

"No, dad, I need to be with the others," she said. "Besides, it seems like you two could be needing to enjoy yourself," she winked at him at left the cave.

Kion leaned his head down to the cheetah's ear. "You heard that? We could enjoy our self."

"Shut up, you dirty minded lion and sleep," Fuli said sleepily with a smile across her lips.

"How much did you tell her?"

"All of it, Kion," the cheetah sighed. "She knows and promised me that he would come as far as a meter close to me."

"She is a protector," the lion teased.

"Wonder who she has that from," the cheetah said, stroking a paw up and down his cheek.

"You," Kion said and kissed his wife goodnight.

Dawn rose and Fuli were happy to see the sun light after such a gloomy day. She stretched her slender body and licked her husband good morning. He moved pleasantly by the warm tongue caressing his face. He reached out a paw to touch her cheek and pulled her in for a kiss.

"Good morning, honey," he greeted. He opened his eyes and saw that she was already up on her paws. "Where are you of to?"

"Hunt," she replied shortly.

"So early? Don't you want to cuddle?" he asked.

Fuli smiled at him. "Didn't we do that quite enough yesterday?"

"You can never cuddle too much with your love," he teased and strike her chin again.

Fuli kissed him on his lips again. "I would love to, Kion, but right now I want to stretch my paws."

"Okay, but don't expect me to come with this offering again," he teased.

"Get up, your lazy lion," she teased. "You got a job and a daughter to handle," she added while her tail slithered across his face when she left the lair.

She ventured out on the open savanna, but something that were different with her hunting patter today, was that she looked closely at every tree. She knew in the back of her that she was looking for a hiding Makucha. Course it was stupid to believe he was here, but still her fear told her she had to be cautious. Great, first the water and now the trees, what was going to be the next?

She came to the hunting grounds and managed to catch an impala with ease which she ate with satisfaction. Now she was full, but she still had the whole day ahead of herself. She ventured back to Pride Rock to find her son running towards her. He seemed quite harassed.

"Hey, kiddo," Fuli greeted.

"Ma, why can Tasha be The Fastest today?" Shida asked annoyed.

Fuli looked for a second confused on her son. "She is just fulfilling my duties today," she replied. "I'm not up for today, so she is doing my job."

"Why can't I?"

Fuli looked perplexed at him. "I didn't thought you wanted to-"

"Course I want to be The fastest," Shida exclaimed.

"Maybe you could change with Tasha whenever I'm not up for the job," Fuli said more to herself than to Shida.

"When are you going to be off next time?" Shida asked suspiciously.

"Sooner or later," she said stroking a paw on top of his head.

"By the wat, aunt Tani is looking for you," Shida said. "She is waiting for you."

Fuli looked up and saw that Tani was looking out of the cave with a nervous look on her face.

"So that she wants to," Fuli said irritated. "Well I'm not," she added and turned around.

"Wait, Fuli," Tani called and began to run after her. Fuli also began to run. Tani sped up, and so did she.

"Go back to Makini!" Fuli yelled at her.

"I just want to talk," Tani called, under her breath.

"Just go away, Tani, I don't want to talk to you!"

"Will just not please listen!" Tani cried, running up beside her.

"No!" Fuli yelled and ran further ahead.

There was only one thing to do to make the cheetah listen. Tani ran up and reached a paw out in front Fuli, causing her to tumble. Tani placed a paw on top of her body to keep her down. Fuli snarled at her.

"Move your filthy paw from my body!" she snarled.

"It was the only way I could make you listen," Tani said hurt.

"You better make it quick or I will have to fight you," she hissed.

Tani removed her paw from the cheetah. "What did your husband tell about our chat yesterday?" Tani asked.

"Nothing worth of mentioning," Fuli replied.

"You found me by the riverbanks, do you know why?" Tani asked.

"I don't care, I should have let you stay!" Fuli hissed.

"I tried to drown myself, but it wasn't because I was pregnant, it was because I betrayed my only friend.

Fuli's eye widened for a moment with pity but then got filled with anger again. "That's what you deserve," Fuli snarled.
"Look, I don't want to your forgiveness-"

"And you will never get it for playing that trick on me, devil daughter!" Fuli hissed.

"Just listen, I want to apologize for the horrible thing I have done, and I know it's unforgivable, but somewhere in the future I hope you would at least talk to me," Tani said hurt. "Maybe not as friends."

"Don't get your hopes to high," Fuli said and got up on her paws. "Was it all?"

Tani just nodded moodily. Fuli gave the lioness one last disgusted look before she left.

Night had fallen upon the Pride Lands and the pride was sleeping peacefully. One where not. Fuli laid restless beside her husband, drumming her claws against the rock, irritated that everybody else were able to sleep. She rolled around to find a more comforting pose to lay in, but still sleep didn't come. She had an annoying feeling that it was because Tani weren't there. She knew the only thing that would give her peace was to find her and as much she hated the thought, accepting her apology. She got up on her paws and ventured out in the cold night. Fuli hadn't thought were to start her search but thought that Rafiki's old home might be a good start. She found the tree desolated which gave her stomach a nasty feeling that she had done something stupid again. She scratched her claws several times on the tree before Makini woke up.

Fuli, what do you want?" she yawned.

"Where is Tani?" she whispered.

Makini looked sleepily at her. "Tani? She is not here."

Fuli's stomach turned with worry. She had to find the lioness before she harmed herself again. "I'll continue my search," she said. "Good night."

Makini watched sleepily after the cheetah as she disappeared into the horizon.

Fuli searched all over for Tani. The night had almost gone by and there was a hint of a pink glow in the far horizon. Fuli came to the jungle and thought that it might be her lucky chance though she had never seen the lioness near the jungle before. She came to Hakuna matata Falls and saw a teared-up lioness laying in the grass by herself. Fuli gulped. She had never seen the lioness cry before. Honestly, she thought she wasn't capable of. She approached the lioness with cation.

"Tani?" she timidly asked.

Tani stopped sobbing and whipped her face before she looked at the cheetah. Fuli were alarmed to see her reared-up face up close, it was horrible.

"Tani?"

"What," she said with a voice that made it clear she had cried.

"I just wanted to check if you were okay," Fuli said uncertain.

"I'm fine, Fuli, go back to your perfect husband," Tani said.

"Tani, you're not well. You're crying, why?" Fuli asked.

"Can't you really not use that big brain of yours to work out why?" she said rather annoyed. "Sorry, I didn't mean it," she added when she saw the cheetah's alarmed face. "I just can't believe I was stupid enough to get fooled by that lion and lost my friend at the same time."

Fuli reached a paw towards the lioness and held her paw. Tani looked confused at her. "I though you said you didn't like being touched?"

"Listen up, Tani, I know everything looks dark from your perspective, but just so you know, you have a family that will support you, and tell that you were better of without that prick," Fuli comforted, giving the lioness a weak smile.

Tani looked dumfounded at her, not understanding why she was being her kind self. "I thought you never would talk to me again?" she asked surprised.

Fuli gave the lioness a smile. "I figured that your situation was more serious than mine, besides, I'm fearing, I don't know if it's an actual threat."

"But why aren't you pissed on me?" Tani asked.

"Because I'm your friend and friends stick up to each other," Fuli said wisely, stroking her paw across the lioness's back. "No matter how much they hurt each other."

Tani broke into tears and buried her face into the cheetah's chest. Fuli gave the lioness a smile and patted her gently on the head. "It's okay, it's okay, just cry it out."

"I don't know how you still can be kind towards me, Fuli," Tani sobbed. "I hurt you, I betrayed you."

"The only one that betrayed was Ahardi," Fuli comforted.

"Don't mention his name," Tani sobbed.

"Just forget that stupid lion," Fuli comforted. "Now what do you want to do when your belly swell?"

Tani looked confused at her. "I don't know," she sobbed. "I'll just have to suck it up."

"Just remember you always can find help if things get too harsh."

"Harsh?"

"You're going to need some help, Tani. Trust me. I thought I could manage it alone, but I failed," Fuli confessed.

"Would you?" Tani asked timidly.

"If you ask for my help, I will always be there."

Tani broke into tears again and Fuli pulled her in for a hug again. "We could travel away before they were born," she suggested. "That way you could prepare yourself as a mother without listening to what others say."

Tani looked dumbfounded at her. "Travel away? Where?" Tani asked. "And what do you mean about we?"

"I could travel with you, being your support and hunt for you," Fuli said.

"Your husband would never allow you leave him by his side for one single moment," Tani said, laughing bitterly.

"I think he would understand," she said with a teasing smile. "Besides, his sister is going away with their mother, too."

"What do you mean?"

"Your brother has been dirty with his wife," she teased. "She is expecting too."

"And you?" Tani asked uncertain.

Fuli gave the lioness a weak smile. "You think I have done it with Kion as well? No, I-I guess I'm still scarred."

"What for?"

"It's not about me losing my life, but next time more cubs could be stillborn, and I don't want to live to see that," the cheetah said sadden.

Tani stroke a paw across her cheek. "Are you scared?" she teased.

"It's not funny, Tani," Fuli said. "I'm a cheetah and he is a lion. It's bound to go wrong."

"So, you're willing to waste two weeks with one who has betrayed you?" Tani asked.

"You haven't betrayed me, Tani."

"How are you going to get it pass your husband?"

"Leave that to me," Fuli teased. "You just relax and think of how lucky you are."

Tani snorted, laying her head in the grass. From what she could tell she didn't consider herself lucky, but it was a great relief to find out that Fuli stilled saw her as her friend and was willing to help her, but could she come through the hard times that laid ahead?

000

"Absolutely not!"

"Kion just listen to me!"

"I have listened to you, fool," the lion bellowed. "And I think it's a reckless idea."

"Reckless?" Fuli asked puzzled. "Your sister is going away with your mom as well, how is that any different?"

"Because-because you're being reckless sometimes," Kion said pathetically. "You're taking too fast decisions. I mean, two days ago you were scarred that Makucha would wait around the corner for you."

"I was scarred because Ahardi knew and threatened me!" Fuli hissed.

"And what if you loose control?" Kion asked. "What if you get a panic attack?"

"Panic attack! Kion there are three months to go," Fuli spat. "I'm not going to get a panic attack."

"Oh yeah, what about Makucha? What if he finds you?" Kion asked worriedly.

Fuli gave him an adoring smile and brushed her paw into his red mane. "You're absolutely wonderful," she said dreamingly. "I was pregnant and weakened last time. This time it's differently. Don't worry, fierce boy. We will be fine."

"I just don't want you to leave my side," the lion sighed.

"It will only be for two weeks," the cheetah assured. "Surely you can handle that."

"Just stay safe."

"I will."

"And don't waste all your energy on hunting."

"I will."

"And don't-"

"Kion! I'll be fine," Fuli said, stroking his cheek instead. "Just don't be too harsh towards the cubs while I'm gone."

"I will."

The weeks went on. Kiara was congratulated by everyone for carrying on a secret as well, though little did they know that Tani too had a secret. She feared what would happen when it became visible that she was expecting. Fuli assured her every once in a while, that no one was going to mock her for being shy about it, but the day came when she was no longer able to hide her pregnant belly. Kovu was very surprised to see that his sister also was pregnant.

"Why didn't you tell me, Tani," he asked her.

"I don't want anyone to know," she replied.

"Everyone can see that your pregnant, why didn't you tell it to your own brother?" he asked.

"Don't you have more important things to look after, for example your wife? Aren't you going to ask her how many cubs she is hoping to get?" Tani answered annoyed and walked away. She had been feeling neglected by her brother ever since he married his girl. The only one that lately had been there for her was Fuli. Even though she had duties and a family to care for as well, she was always there for her.

The three months had passed and Kiara, Nala, Tani and Fuli bid farewell to the male lions and the cubs.

"You stay sharp, cubs," Fuli said, trying to hug all of them at one time. "Don't let your dad get you down."

"We will, ma," Amara said.

"You take care of aunt Tani," Tasha said.

"I'm going to make you proud, ma," Shida said, looking forward to taking on the task as The fastest.

"I'll look after the moron," Akisi teased, giving his brother a teasing smile.

"Akisi, be nice to your brother," Fuli said, giving his ear a little nip.

"Hey," the lion said. "Aren't I getting a goodbye kiss?"

Fuli walked over to him and gave him a long kiss. "Just wait till the two weeks has passed and I will be all yours again."

"Can't wait," the lion teased, giving his wife an adoring smile.

"You will be okay, tani," Kovu said. "Fuli will be there."

"I can take care of myself, Kovu," Tani said annoyed, turning her back to her brother. The brown lion looked hurt as she began to walk. Fuli gave Kion a quick hug before she followed the lioness.

"You two stay safe now," Simba said to Kiara and Nala. "I'm going to miss my queen."

"You'll be fine, Simba, you got Kion," Nala comforted, stroking a paw down his cheek.

"Just take care of each other," Kion said, hugging his sister.

"Don't worry, little brother," Kiara teased. "I'm more worried that your boys are going to get lonely without our company."

"Come on, honey," Nala said, pushing her daughter gently. "We better get moving."

The family hugged one more time before they the two lionesses walked away, leaving the Pride Lands to be taken care of by their husbands.