A/n thank you all once again for all the amazing reviews and alerts! I'm really grateful for the support. And to address some concerns about Kion's behavior: he didn't enjoy killing Kweli. He felt he had no other choice. He got no pleasure from it so don't worry he won't end up like Scar. Here's ch 8 for all of you to enjoy

Ch 8 Figuring Things Out

The next morning Kion awoke feeling sore, tired and annoyed. The golden King hadn't slept at all the night before and it was really frustrating. Kion was really sore from the fight he had had not only with Kweli but from the previous day's fight as well. Kion let out a groan as he stood and stretched. "Man I'm not even two yet and I already feel like an old lion," Kion grumbled as he stretched out his back legs. Muttering to himself the King went down to the watering hole and got a drink. Looking into the water Kion frowned at his reflection. "Puh some King I am.." Kion grumbled, splashing away his reflection. "I can't even keep peace in my marriage. And I killed someone. Maybe Rani was right. Maybe I am a barbarian." Then after thinking about it for a few minutes Kion said. "No I am a good King. Rani's wrong about this. And I'm gonna tell her just how wrong she is!" With that Kion stormed back to the Tree, ready to tell his mate off.

TLKTLKTLK

A few minutes later Kion was back at the Tree where he saw Rani emerging along with Sarak and Baliyo. "Kion there you are," the brown coated Queen said, going up to her mate. "I have something I need to tell you."

"I have something to tell you too Rani," Kion declared, his voice coming out rough.

"Please Kion let me..." Rani began. But she was cut off by Kion's angry voice.

"No Rani you're gonna listen to me," the golden lion demanded. "I've had a really bad night and I'm really angry right now. And you're gonna hear me out!" Rani was silent so Kion continued. "Yesterday things got out of hand. I probably should have thought twice about killing Kweli. But I've dealt with lions like him before. They won't stop so I stopped him. He tried to kill you Rani and that's not ok. But if you think for one second that I enjoyed doing you're dead wrong. I hated doing it and its been eating away at me. Then you called me those horrible names and it made it so much worse."

"Kion," Rani began. "I'm sorry about that but..."

"But nothing Rani," Kion interrupted. "What you said yesterday was really hurtful. Not only to me but to my family too. You called my father barbaric Rani and that's not ok! My father is one of the best lions to ever live. How would you feel if insulted your father?!"

"I wouldn't like that one bit," Rani said, getting angry at the idea of anyone insulting her deceased father.

"Exactly," Kion said. "And as I recall Rani you don't even know my father! You met him once and that was at our wedding. Not to mention you've never even been to the Pride Lands! So you don't know a thing about how things work there!"

"I know I don't Kion," Rani admitted. "And I'm sorry I said those things. I never meant to insult your father. Or you or the Pride Lands. I was just being harsh again and that was uncalled for."

"I thought you were past all that," Kion said. "I also thought we worked through all these problems."

"Yeah well old habits die hard I guess," Rani said, looking at the ground.

"You got that right," Baliyo muttered.

"Shut up Baliyo!" Rani snapped, glaring at her younger brother.

"Sorry," Baliyo muttered.

"Kion please forgive me for saying those things," Rani pleaded. "I really am sorry and I swear I'll never say anything like that again."

"I know you won't Rani," Kion said with a slight smile.

"So you forgive me?" Rani asked.

"I..I don't know," Kion said. "You really hurt me with what you said Rani. I don't think I'm ready to forgive you yet."

"Kion please," Rani said, her voice shaking. "Please forgive me. I'll do whatever you ask of me."

"I just need some time to think about things," Kion said. "Away from here and all the pressure." Just then Nala emerged from the Tree along with Nirmala and the rest of Kion's friends. "Good I'm glad you're all here," Kion said, approaching his friends.

"What's going on Ky?" Bunga asked.

"I'm going back to the Pride Lands," Kion informed his friends. The group gasped and looked at Kion with wide eyes. "Let me finish," Kion said, holding up his paw. "Now I'm not going back permanently. Just for a little while so I can get my head on straight."

"And just how long will that be?" Anga asked.

"I'm not sure," Kion admitted. "Probably a couple of weeks. I've got a lot of thinking to do."

"Mind if I join ya?" Bunga asked. "I've been wanting to see my Uncles for a while now."

"I'll come to," Binga said. "I've been wanting to properly meet Timon and Pumbaa."

"Me too," Beshte said. "I've really been missing my family."

"Are you well enough to travel?" Kion asked. "And what about you Mom? Are you ok to travel?

"If they both take it easy and go slow they'll be just fine," Nirmala said. "And I think a break is just the thing you and Rani need right now."

"If its all the same to you I'll stay here," Fuli said. "I mean me and Azaad should help Rani out."

"Thanks guys," Rani said with a grateful smile.

"We'll stay too," Anga said, looking over at Ono who nodded in agreement.

"And of course Baliyo and I will help Rani around here," Sarak said.

"Yeah especially if Makucha shows up again," Baliyo said.

"Good," Kion said. "I'm glad that's settled. We'll be going then."

"Wait Kion!" Rani cried out, running up to her mate. "Just tell me you're coming back," Rani whispered as she nuzzled into Kion's red mane.

"I'll be back as soon as I figure things out," Kion said, pulling away from his mate.

"I love you Kion," Rani said. "Please remember that. I'll always love you."

"I know," Kion said as he and the others turned to leave. "I love you too." With that the group headed back to the Pride Lands.

TLKTLKTLK

A day later Kion and the others had returned to the Pride Lands. "Wow," Kion said with a smile. "Not much had changed in a few months." Just then Kion heard a familiar voice call his name. Looking over Kion saw Kiara bounding up to him a smile on her face. "Kion!" the golden brown Princess cried out, embracing her brother. "Its so good to see you again!"

"Its good to see you too Ki," Kion said with a smile. That smile widened when he saw his sister's baby bump. "All of you," Kion said, rubbing his sister's belly. "I can't believe you're going to be a Mom Kiara."

"I know," Kiara said with a giggle. "I can't wait."

"Where's Dad?" Kion asked.

"Out with Kovu," Kiara informed her brother. "You know doing his Kingly lessons and all that."

"Glad to hear Dad and Kovu are getting along better," Kion said with another smile.

"Me too," Kiara said with a smile of her own. "You should see them Ky. There as close as a real father and son. Its so sweet."

"That's great," Kion said, his voice coming out low.

"You ok Ky?" Kiara asked with concern.

"Yeah," Kion said with a sigh. "I'm fine Ki'. I'm just really tired."

"Well lets go back to Pride Rock," Kiara said. "I'm sure you all need rest after the long trip."

"Actually I'm going to head to Big Springs," Beshte said. "I really wanna see my folks. See you all later." With that Beshte took his leave.

"Yeah and me and Bin' are gonna find my Uncles," Bunga said.

"We'll see you guys later," Binga said as she and Bunga left.

"Well lets head back shall we ladies?" Kion said, looking at his mother and sister.

"Sounds good to me," Nala said with a smile. With that the trio began to walk back to Pride Rock.

"So Kion where's Rani?" Kiara asked. "I though she would have come with you."

"Rani and I had a fight," Kion informed his sister. "We're taking a break right now so I can clear my head."

"What happened?" Kiara asked.

"I'll tell you later Ki' alright?" Kion said with a heavy sigh. "Right now all I want to do is sleep."

"Sure Ky," Kiara said with a smile. "I get it. Believe me I do." By now they had reached Pride Rock and Kion and Nala began to head inside. Just then they heard another familiar voice. Looking over they saw Simba and Kovu climbing up the side of Pride Rock. Both lions were laughing about something.

"Well there's my handsome mate," Kiara said with a smile.

"Hey Kiara," Kovu said, nuzzling his mate. "How are you feeling?"

"Oh Kovu I'm fine," Kiara said with a laugh. "In fact I couldn't be better. Look whose back!" Kiara nodded towards Kion and Nala.

"Kion!" Simba cried out, running over to his son and embracing him. "Its so good to see you son!" Simba had a huge smile on his face as he held his son tight.

"Its good to see you too Dad," Kion said with a smile of his own. "Hey Kovu," Kion said once he pulled away from his father.

"Hey Kion," Kovu said with a slight smile. "Long time no see."

"Yeah well I've been busy," Kion said with a sigh. "And right now all I want to do is sleep."

"Ah yes you must be worn out after your trip," Simba said. "Come lets go inside. Tomorrow we'll catch up."

"Sounds good to me," Kion said as he and his family headed into the cave. None of them was aware of the scowl on Kovu's face. The brown coated lion wasn't happy that Kion was back. But he knew better than to say anything. So Kovu grinned and bared it as he joined his mate and her family in the cave.

A/N well folks there you have it ch 8 complete. I hope you all enjoyed it. Review please and thank you.