A/n thank you all once again for all the amazing reviews and alerts! I'm really grateful for the support. Here's ch 8 for all of you to enjoy
Ch 8 A Serious Situation
"Azaad!" Fuli cried out, her green eyes wide in horror as her mate passes out cold in front of her. Just then Nirmala came racing into the room.
"What happened?" the chestnut brown lioness asked, going over to Azaad and examining him.
"He just passed out cold," Fuli said, pulling her cubs close to her. "There's blood coming out of his eyes."
"Don't you worry my dear," Nirmala said as she worked on Azaad. "I'll take care of him. He'll be fine. I promise you that."
"Dada?" Jua said, looking at Fuli with wide eyes.
"Its alright darling," Fuli said, licking the top of her youngest son's head. "Daddy will be alright. Go back to sleep." Jua looked back at his father, who was still being treated by Nirmala.
"Dada!" he cried out, trying to get to Azaad.
"Daddy can't hold you right now," Fuli said softly, trying to hold onto the tiny cub while not disturbing her other two cubs. But that didn't work and soon Sabase and Sana were awake and fussing as well. "Please go back to sleep little ones," Fuli soothed, trying not to lose it all together as she rocked her cubs back and forth.
"Need some help there Fuli?" a voice asked. Fuli turned and saw Bunga there.
"I could use all the help I can get," Fuli admitted, wiping away the tears of frustration and worry that were sliding down her face.
"Hey there don't cry little ones," Bunga said, walking up next to the triplets and stroking their heads soothingly. "Uncle Bunga is here. Everything is gonna be alright." This seamed to work because Jua began to giggle which caused his brother and sister to giggle as well.
"Unc' Unc'!" Sabase called out with a smile as he reached out for Bunga.
"Alright I hear ya little guy," Bunga said, snuggling next to Sabase. The little cub snuggled into Bunga's side and promptly went to sleep. Sana snuggled into Fuli's fur and was soon fast asleep as well. Jua didn't go to sleep like his siblings instead he snuggled next to Sana so he could see Azaad.
"You really love your Daddy huh?" Fuli asked with a smile as she stroking her young son's back. It amazed Fuli that in only a few short days her cubs had bonded with her and Azaad so fast. After what seamed like ages Nirmala was finished.
"There," she said, turning towards Fuli with a smile. "He'll be just fine Fuli. He'll have to keep the bandages on his eyes for a few days and won't be able to move around much for the new week. But he'll be fine."
"Thank you Nirmala," Fuli said with a smile. Just then Kion came walking over with Malkia and Naya right beside him.
"Aunt Fuli!" Malkia cried out, running over to Fuli and gently head bumping her.
"Oh sweetheart I'm so glad you're alright," Fuli said with a smile.
"Daddy told me you had your baby," Malkia said. "Can I see them?"
"Of course," Fuli said, nudging Bunga to move so Malkia could see the cubs. "This is Sabase, Sana, and Jua." Fuli nuzzled each cub as she said their name.
"They're so cute," Malkia said, looking down at the cubs with a smile. Just then Rani returned along with Beshte and Maja.
"Kion," Rani said, approaching her mate. "There's some creatures here that..."
"Mommy!" Malkia cried out, running over to her mother and latching onto to her front leg.
"Ma...Malkia?" Rani stammered, her brown eyes wide with shock. Then reality set in as the Queen realized her daughter was indeed right in front of her. "Oh Malkia my sweet baby!" Rani cried, tears of joy going down her face. "I'm so glad you're alright."
"I missed you Mommy," Malkia said, burying her face in Rani's front leg.
"Oh honey I've missed you so much," Rani cried. "But how..."
"I'll explain 'Ani," Kion said. With that the golden King explained to his mate what had happened over the last few hours.
"Well we've had quite the day as well," Maja piped up. With that the female hippo explained to Kion what had happened with them as well.
"So Aalas and Ponch are willing to help?" Kion asked.
"Yes and they're waiting for you outside," Rani said with a nod.
"Then I'd better not keep them waiting," Kion said with a tried sigh.
"You ok there buddy?" Bunga asked, looking at his best friend with concern.
"Yeah," Kion said with another sigh. "I'm fine Bunga. Just really tired. I've haven't slept much in the last few days."
"We can handle things if you need us to," Sarak said, joining the group along with Baliyo.
"No," Kion said with yet another sigh. "I'm the King I need to be the one that meets with them. But how is Pasha?"
"Not so good, " Baliyo said, shaking his head sadly.
"Yes the poor child has suffered badly," Sarak said, his voice coming out full of sadness. "But at least she's still with us."
"And she's in the Tree," Rani pointed out. "She'll be healed in no time. Just like Azaad will be."
"I hope you're right Rani," Kion said. "Well I'd better go talk to Aalas and Ponch." With that Kion exited the Tree to speak to the sloth bear and red panda.
"Hey wait!" Bunga called out as he, Beshte and Maja followed Kion out of the Tree with Baliyo and Sarak right behind them. "We're coming too!"
"Come Malkia lets get you cleaned up," Rani said, picking her daughter up by her scruff and carrying her to their spot.
"Well Azaad looks like things are coming together," Fuli said to her sleeping mate. "I can rest a little easier now." With that Fuli layed her head on her paws and tried to get some sleep. Little did she know how wrong she was.
TLKTLKTLK
Meanwhile Jiona was furious. Ravi and Chidya had just informed him of Malkia's escape. "Damn Kion and his friends!" the male leopard roared, swiping at a nearby tree and leaving four long scratch marks down it. "I'll teach them a lesson they won't soon forget!"
"Uh Jiona I hate to break this to you but you're plans don't seam to be working very well," Ravi pointed out. "I heard that Varya's brat isn't dead either."
"Well that's easily fixed," Jiona declared, examining his claws.
"I don't know about that Jiona," Patnee said. "I mean after what's been happening the children are bound to be under close watch."
"And that's why I'm having Madra go in," Jiona said, indicating a small hedgehog that was standing off to the side. "You and Bindu are still willing to help aren't you?" the evil leopard asked the female hedgehog.
"Yeah we're willin' to help," Madra said, looking over at her mate, who nodded in agreement.
"Good," Jiona said. "Now you know what to do."
"Sure thing Jiona," Madra said, walking away and motioning for Bindu to follow.
"You sure they won't get caught Jiona?" Patnee asked.
"Don't be stupid Patnee," Jiona said with irritation. "They're small enough not to be noticed by anyone. They'll get the job done."
"You're so smart Jiona," Patnee said with a smile as she nuzzled her mate. "You always have a backup plan."
"Of course I do," Jiona said. "I ain't dumb. Now c'mon we've got to meet up with Jattha. Ravi, Chidya lets go." With that the group left to meet back up with Jattha.
TLKTLKTLK
Meanwhile Madra and Bindu had reached the Tree. "Are you sure about this 'Dra?" Bindu asked. "I mean we've got little ones of our own. You sure you're ok with killing one?"
"Look Bindu we've discussed this before," Madra said with irritation. "We've gotta do this. For the sake of our little ones. Jiona said he wouldn't hurt them if we cooperate with him."
"Yeah I know," Bindu said with a sigh. "But at least we get to have our revenge on Varya for killing our friends."
"Yeah," Madra said, her black eyes darkening. "Lets do this." With that the two hedgehogs snuck into the Tree and made their way towards the area where Pasha was resting. Varya was bathing Polina and Feliks was sound asleep. Varya had her back to Pasha, who was asleep next to Feliks. "Perfect," Madra whispered, motioning towards Bindu, who moved to the side. The pair went towards Pasha's mouth and took their sharp points and pressed them to Pasha's throat, puncturing it so she couldn't breathe. Satisfied the pair left the Tree while Pasha slowly died
A/N well folks there you have it ch 8 complete. I hope you all enjoyed it. Review please and thank you.