A/N Hello everyone I'm back with another chapter for you all. The usual thanks are in order. Enjoy ch 12

Ch 12 Gather Together

Zahar and Kaatana struck at Binga and Nala in an effort to take them down. But suddenly Malkia shouted, "No! Leave them alone!" Before anyone could react the dark brown cub jumped on the snakes heads, taking them by surprise. Nala took the opportunity to strike and hit the snakes as hard as she could in their heads, sending them flying through the air and crashing to the ground. The snakes were knocked out by not killed. "Run children!" the creamy coated lioness shouted as she picked up Bunga and ran with Binga and the young ones right behind her. While they were running the cobras were coming around.

"Should we go after them?" Kaatana asked, looking at her mate.

"No," Zahar said. "We should get back to our hatchlings."

"Jiona won't like this," Kaatana said as they slithered back towards their nest.

"He'll get over it," Zahar said. "Anyways I don't really care what he thinks."

"What if he makes good on his threat?" Kaatana asked, the worry creeping into her voice.

"I'd like to see him try," Zahar hissed, his yellow eyes stormy. "I'll make sure he'll never live to see another day." With that the two snakes started to leave, not knowing the Kion had been walking nearby and heard the conversation. The golden King decided to make himself known and stepped out in front of the snakes.

"King Kion!" Kaatana cried out, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Hello Kaatana," Kion said, his voice having an edge to it. "Zahar. We need to talk."

"Look Kion we ain't got nothin' to say to ya," Zahar said, glaring at the King. "We need to get back to our hatchlings."

"Zahar is Jiona blackmailing you guys into helping you?" Kion asked, although he was pretty sure he already knew the answer.

"Our business is none of your concern," Zahar hissed, still glaring at Kion.

"Maybe we should tell him Zahar," Kaatana whispered.

"We ain't sayin' a damn thing Kaatana," Zahar shot back.

"If Jiona is threatening your family I can help you," Kion said.

"You'd be willing to help us?" Kaatana asked, her eyes once again widening in surprise. "Even after we attacked your young ones and friends."

"You did what?!" Kion snarled, glaring at the cobras.

"Damn it Kaatana," Zahar hissed. "Why the Hell did you say that?"

"Well he would have found out eventually," Kaatana hissed back.

"You had better not have hurt my cubs!" Kion snarled, baring his teeth at the snakes.

"And what if we did?" Zahar asked, an evil grin going across his face. "They'd be dead. And you're gonna be dead if you try and do anything to us." Zahar was rising up as he was speaking and bared his fangs at Kion.

"So help me Zahar," Kion began. But he didn't have a chance to finish before Zahar struck. Kion ducked to avoid being bitten. The snakes took to opportunity to slither off. Kion wanted to go after them but he thought about his kids and decided to check on them and deal with the snakes later. Kion dashed off towards the Tree hoping his cubs weren't harmed or worse.

TLKTLKTLK

A few minutes later Kion was back at the Tree. "Rani!" he called out, looking around for his mate. "Malkia! Naya!"

"Kion what's wrong?!" Rani cried, running over to her mate.

"Rani!" Kion cried again. "I heard the cubs were attacked by cobras! Are they alright?!"

"Kion they're fine," Rani said, nuzzling her mate. "Just a little freaked out. They're in the back with Ngavu and Haraka. But there's something you need..." But before she could continue Kion dashed to the back of the Tree, where he saw Bunga being treated by Nirmala. Binga was off to the side, being comforted by Anga, Fuli, and Maja. Beshte and Ono were off to the side with Azaad. All of them had worried looks on their faces.

"Daddy!" Naya and Malkia cried out, running over to their father and latching onto his front's leg.

"Of my sweet girls are you alright?" Kion asked, nuzzling his daughters.

"We ok Daddy," Malkia said softly.

"But Uncle Bunga might not be," Naya said. "He got bitten by one of those scary snakes.

"He'll be just fine," Nirmala declared. "Luckily honey badgers have a very high tolerance when it comes to venom. He'll be feeling under the weather for a few days but he'll make a full recovery." Then as if on cue Bunga groaned and opened his eyes.

"Bunga!" Binga cried out, running over to her mate and hugging him.

"Dad!" Ngavu and Haraka cried out as they too ran to their father and hugged him.

"Man am I glad you boys are alright," Bunga said as he held his boys tight.

"Are you alright Bunga?" Kion asked, approaching his friend with Beshte, Ono, and Fuli right behind him.

"You know me Ky," Bunga said with a grin. "Nothing can keep me down!" Bunga let out a laugh when he said this part. But his laugh turned into a groan. "Ugh my head," he groaned, closing his eyes.

"We better let you rest," Binga said, giving Bunga a kiss. "Come children lets let your father rest." With that the group said their goodbyes and left Bunga to rest.

TLKTLKTLK

As the group left the sick area Simba approached his son. "Kion can I have a word?" the golden lion asked, his voice low.

"Sure Dad," Kion said with a smile. Simba looked over at Kiara and Kovu and nodded. With that the family exited the Tree with Nala and Rani right behind them. "Ok Dad what's up?" Kion asked, once they were outside.

"I saw something rather disturbing while you were gone," Simba said.

"What was it?" Kion asked, dreading the answer.

"I saw two hedgehogs trying to get into the Tree," Simba informed his son. "They saw me and took off before I could confront them."

"Hedgehogs?" Rani said, wrinkling her brow in confusion. "Why would hedgehogs be trying to get into the Tree?"

"I bet it was Madra and her mate Bindu," Kion said. "They've always had a bone to pick with us ever since we defeated their friends."

"Boy you just make friends everywhere don't you Kion?" Kovu scoffed, rolling his emerald eyes.

"Kovu!" Kiara scolded, glaring at her mate.

"Are we gonna have a problem here Kovu?" Kion demanded, walking over to his brother-in-law. "Cause I'd hate to have a repeat of what happened last year."

"I got no problem here Kion," Kovu declared. "Sheesh I was just kidding. No one around here has a sense of humor."

"This isn't really the time for humor Kovu," Simba pointed out.

"Yes Kovu I hardly think the deaths of young ones is a laughing matter," Rani said, rolling her brown eyes.

"You really should take things more seriously Kovu," Kiara added.

"Well excuse the Hell out of me," Kovu snapped, glaring at the others. "I was just trying to lighten to mood. I wasn't making light of anything. I'm not a monster you know and I don't appreciate the attitude!" Without waiting for a response the brown coated lion turned and stormed away from the group.

"Kovu wait!" Kiara cried out, feeling bad she had hurt her mate's feelings.

"I gotta get some air!" Kovu called back as he disappeared into the forest.

"Let him cool off for a bit honey," Simba said as his daughter started to go after Kovu. Kiara began to say something but just then Doot came flying in, looking frantic.

"Kion am I glad I found you!" the young Babbler cried out, perching in front of Kion.

"What's wrong Doot?" Kion asked, giving the small yellow and white bird his full attention.

"Aalas and Ponch just sent me to come get you at once!" Doot said. "There's trouble by the southerner side of the river!"

"I'm on it!" Kion said, taking off towards the area.

"Kovu wait I'm coming too!" Kiara said, taking off after her brother with Simba and Nala right behind her.

TLKTLKTLK

Meanwhile Kovu was brooding. "Why does everyone feel the need to jump all over me over every little thing I do?" he thought with a growl and he walked. Just then he heard a noise come from the bushes. "Hello?" Kovu called out, looking around and sniffing the air. Silence. Kovu looked around some more before continuing on his walk. But his walk didn't last long before he heard the rustling again. "Alright whose there?!" the Pride Land King shouted. "You had better come out or I'm coming in after you!"

"Whatever you say," came a low dark voice. Suddenly a loud roar echoed through the air and Kovu found himself on the ground. To his shock he found himself looking up into the faces of Jiona and Jattha.

"What the Hell?" Kovu growled, glaring at the pair. But he didn't get a chance to say more before Jiona slashed him hard in the face, re opening his scar. Kovu roared in pain as Jiona and Jattha hit him again and again. Kovu tried to fight back but the speed of the attack prevented him from doing so. Kovu felt the blood pouring down his face as the vicious assault continued. The last thing Kovu heard was Jiona's cruel laugh as his world went to black.

A/N alrighty then folks ch 12 complete. I hope you all enjoyed it. And as always reviews are much appreciated.