A/N Hello boys and girls I'm back with a new chapter! The usual thanks is in order. And Enjoy ch 10

Ch 10 Seeking Advice

Rani just stared after Varya's retreating form, shocked and devastated by the tigress' words. Just then Anga came flying in and perched in front of Rani. "Hey I heard what just happened," the eagle said. "You can't take what Varya just said to heart. She's grieving and hurting right now."

"I know that Anga," Rani said softly. "But it doesn't make what she said any less true."

"She's looking for someone to blame right now," Anga said. "And since we don't know whose responsible for this tragedy she's blaming you and Kion. But trust me she doesn't mean what she said."

"She's still right though," Rani said with a sigh. "Kion and I did fail her and Pasha. We should have been all over this when the first young one was murdered. But we didn't act fast enough until our own cub went missing. That's not what a good King and Queen should do."

"Rani..." Anga began. But she was interrupted by Rani's frim and determined voice.

"I've got to make this right," the Queen said. "I'm going to talk with Kion. We'll fix this come Hell or high water." Without waiting for a response Rani headed back towards the Tree to speak with her mate.

TLKTLKTLK

Meanwhile Kion was taking a walk, trying to clear his head. He had just gotten an update from Aalas and Ponch and the two males had informed the King that there was confirmed spottings of Jiona and his crew. "Damn that Jiona," Kion growled as he walked. "I knew I should have killed him when I had the chance. He's worse that Makucha ever was. That was my stupidity and I'm sure as Hell not going to make that mistake again. When I find Jiona I'm going to kill him. He'll pay for every drop of innocent blood that was spilled by him." Kion was so engrossed in his own thoughts that he wasn't paying much attention to where he was going and he ran smack into Sarak, who was also taking a walk.

"Whoa there Kion what's the hurry?" Sarak asked with a slight smile.

"Sorry about that Sarak," Kion said, shaking himself back into reality. "I guess I was lost in thought."

"I'd say so," Sarak said, still smiling. "What's on your mind my boy?"

"A lot," Kion said with a sigh. "I screwed up Sarak. I should have killed Jiona when I had the chance. But I was so stupid and didn't and now he's caused so much pain. And all those young ones that lost their lives. And that's on me. It...its a lot to handle." Kion's voice had gotten really soft and he lowered his head as the tears came to his eyes.

"Kion you can't blame yourself for this," Sarak said, embracing his niece's mate. Kion buried his face in Sarak shoulder, trying his best not to break down completely. "There now its alright," Sarak gently soothed. "You must pull yourself Kion. For the sake of everyone."

"I know I do," Kion said, his voice muffled by Sarak's fur. "Its just hard sometimes."

"Its perfectly fine my boy," Sarak said with a smile. "We all have those moments."

"Thanks for listening," Kion said. "Its nice to have someone besides Rani to talk to."

"Anytime Kion," Sarak said. "After all we are family. And that's what family does." Just then they heard the sounds of giggling. Exchanging looks Sarak and Kion went to see what was going on. When the two males reached the are near the river they saw Naya playing with Mkali, Baraka, Ngavu and a small red panda cub. Kion looked around and didn't see any adults around.

"Naya!" Kion cried out, causing the young ones to jump and look over at him.

"Oh hi Daddy," Naya said with a giggle. "Hi Uncle Sarak."

"What do you think you're doing out here without an adult?" Kion demanded, giving his daughter a look. "You know how dangerous it is out here. You could have gotten attacked. Or taken like Malkia was. Or..."

"Its alright King Kion they're not alone," a voice said. Kion looked over and saw Laalu emerge from the tree along with another red panda.

"Sorry Laalu," Kion said. "I didn't realize you were there."

"No worries," Laalu said with a smile. "This is Ponch's brother, Chhota."

"Its an honor to meet you Your Highness," Chhota said with a bow.

"Its nice to meet you too Chhota," Kion said with a smile. "And please call me Kion."

"Daddy can I go play?" Naya asked.

"Yes but stay within our eyesight," Kion said. With that Naya ran off with her friends.

"Juda don't go to far!" Laalu cried out to her daughter.

"I won't Mom!" Juda called back.

"I'll keep an eye on them," Chhota said as he climbed back into the tree to follow the children. Just the they heard a rustling. Looking over Kion saw Varya's sister Bahan coming towards them with an angry looking Varya right behind them. Polina and Feliks were walking beside their mother, both of them looking very sad. When Varya saw Kion her expression darkened.

"Varya," Kion began. "What's..."

"We're going back to our cave," the tigress said, her voice coming out very cold.

"I don't understand," Kion said, shaking his head. "Why..."

"My daughter is dead because of you!" Varya snarled. "I'm not about to sit around so my other children can be killed as well!"

"Varya..." Sarak began. But he was cut off by the tigress' furious snarl.

"If I were you Laalu I'd take your only remaining child and leave as well," Varya said the tears rolling down her face. "Before Kion and Rani allow something to happen to her too!" With that Varya grabbed Feliks and Polina and put them on her back and walked away.

"I'm sorry Kion," Bahan said, her voice full of regret. "She's just hurting right now. I'll talk her down."

"Thanks Bahan," Kion said with a grateful smile. Bahan smiled back and followed her sister back to their home.

"Mom I wanna play," Feliks said as they walked.

"Feliks you're nine months old now," Varya said, her voice coming out eerily monotoned. "You're too old to be playing. Especially with the children of him." Varya shot Kion a sharp look.

"Varya," Kion began. "Please don't..." But he was stopped by Sarak putting his paw on Kion's shoulder.

"Now's not the time Kion," the brown coated lion said softly.

"Yeah you're right Sarak," Kion said with a sigh. "I just wish..." But just then he heard a sharp cry of pain. "That was Naya!" Kion cried out, his amber eyes wide with worry. Kion started to run towards the scream when he saw Naya come towards him, being helped by Juda and Ngavu. "Naya!" Kion cried out, running over to his daughter, who was holding her paw up. "Are you alright?" Kion asked, taking Naya's paw and examining it.

"I fell Daddy," Naya sniffled. "I landed on my paw and now it hurts."

"Lets get you back to the Tree," Kion said, picking Naya up.

"Yes I think its time for you children to get back as well," Sarak said. "Its getting late." The other young ones nodded and they group headed back to the Tree, not knowing Patnee was watching from the shadows.

"This is perfect," the female leopard thought. "Varya hates Kion now. She'll be easy to convince to go against him. I have to tell Jiona right away." Patnee slinked away to inform her mate of the current situation.

TLKTLKTLK

A little while later Kion was back at the Tree and he and Rani were resting after learning Naya only had a sprained paw. Just then Ono approached Kion. "There's someone here to see you Ky," the egret informed the King. "They're outside."

"I wonder who it could be?" Rani wondered.

"Only one way to find out," Kion said as he stood and walked out of the Tree. When he saw who was standing there his amber eyes went wide with surprise. "What are you doing here?!" he cried out.

A/N alrighty then folks ch 10 is complete. I hope you all liked it and please review.