A/N I'm back with a new chapter every one! Hope you all like it. I especially want to thank my reviewers and readers out there for your support. Enjoy ch 13

Ch 13 Darkest Before the Dawn

Kovu returned back to Pride Rock and ran straight into Kiara and Kion, who were heading out for a walk. "Oh Kovu there you are," Kiara said with a smile. "I wanted to talk to you."

"I wanted to talk to you too Kiara," Kovu said, returning his mate's smile. Then he looked at Kion and said sharply, "Alone."

"Right," Kion said, getting the hint. "I'm gonna find Bunga and Binga and see if they want to head down to Big Springs. See you later sis." With that Kion gave his sister a nuzzle and went off to find his friends.

"Kovu," Kiara began.

"Kiara," Kovu said at the same time. Both lions laughed and said together, "You go first. No you." Then they laughed again.

"I'll go first," Kiara said with another giggle. "Kovu I hope you took what I said last night to heart."

"Oh I did," Kovu said. "Believe me I did. I thought long and hard about what happened last night and I'm ashamed of my behavior."

"Kovu I just don't understand why you have such a problem with Kion," Kiara said. "I talked to Daddy and he told me about the little spat you and Kion had and how you went off on him for no reason."

"I know," Kovu said, a little irritation creeping into his voice. "And I already apologized for that."

"Yes Daddy told me that part too," Kiara said. "But after what happened last night I wonder if you really meant it."

"Yeah well maybe I didn't mean it completely," Kovu admitted, not looking Kiara in the eye. "And honestly Kiara I have no idea why I'm being so hostile towards Kion. I mean he never really did anything to me. There's just something about him the irritates me and I don't know why."

"I think I may know why," Kiara said. "I think that deep down you're a little jealous of Kion."

"You think I'm jealous?" Kovu asked, surprised by his mate's words.

"Think about it Kovu," Kiara said. "Now that Kion's back you have to share him with the lions you love the most. Namely me and Daddy. But honey you don't have to be jealous. You're still the most important lion to me. And Daddy still thinks highly of you. And Kion isn't going to be staying here forever. So please try and get along with him. For me." Kiara looked at Kovu with pleading amber eyes.

"Maybe you're right," Kovu said, after thinking about what Kiara said for a few minutes. "Maybe I am a little jealous. Kings Above I never thought about it like that. I feel so dumb."

"So you'll try with Kion?" Kiara asked.

"Yeah," Kovu said, actually meaning it this time. "In fact I'm going to find him right now. There's something I need to tell him." With that Kovu took off in search of the Night Pride King.

TLKTLKTLK

Meanwhile back at the Tree of Life things were not going so well. Sarak hadn't awakened as Rani had hoped he would. And what made things worse is that the Queen had received word that Makucha and his cohorts were reeking all kinds of havoc. "Sis you've gotta do something about this," Baliyo was saying. "The other animals are freaking out. They're worried they'll be attacked just like Sarak was."

"I know Baliyo," Rani snapped. "And I've sent Fuli, Azaad, Ono and Anga to deal with Makucha. Nirmala is helping as much as she can as well. I need you to help them too."

"But Rani," Baliyo began. "You're the Queen. Its your job to protect the Tree of Life and all its inhabitants."

"I can't leave Sarak right now," Rani declared. "He needs me."

"He would want you to protect the Kingdom," Baliyo said firmly. "Trust me sis I know how hard this is for you. Its hard for me too. But Sarak would tell you the Kingdom is more important than he is." Rani looked at her younger brother and opened her mouth to protest. But she quickly shut it when she realized that Baliyo was right.

"Alright," Rani said, taking a deep breath. "I'll go. But you need to come with me."

"Sure thing sis," Baliyo said with a smile. "But whose gonna stay with Sarak. I mean he can't be left alone."

"I'll stay with him," a voice said. The siblings looked over and saw Varya standing there along with Polina, Feliks and Pasha. "I'd be more than happy to stay with Sarak," the tigress said with a smile.

"Thank you Varya," Rani said, returning her friend's smile. "C'mon Bali lets..." But before she could continue she heard a voice call for help. Looking over they saw Azaad carrying an unconscious Fuli with him. It was obvious that the female cheetah had been on the losing end of a fight. Azaad was also covered in scratched and bite marks.

"What happened?!" Rani cried out, her brown eyes wide with horror and her friend's bloodied state.

"Chuluun that's what," Azaad growled as he gently placed his injured mate on the ground. "Her, Fahari and Jiona attacked Fuli. I tried to help her as best I could but as you can see I wasn't very successful." Azaad winced as a stab of pain went through his body.

"You both need medical care," Rani said. Then as if on cue Nirmala came running into Tree, panting for breath.

"I knew I'd be needed," the chestnut brown lioness panted as she ran and grabbed her medical bag. She went to treat Azaad but the male cheetah pushed her away.

"Please Fuli needs help more than I do," he said softly.

"And she will get it," Nirmala declared. "But right now I am treating you. Fuli will be alright. Her bleeding is under control. But yours is not and I am going to fix that." Azaad opened his mouth to protest but Nirmala gently put her paw over his mouth. "Shh no more arguing my dear," she said softly. "Just let me do my work." Azaad closed his mouth and was silent as Nirmala treated his wounds. "There now," she said after a few minutes. "All taken care of. You'll be just fine my dear as will your mate." With that Nirmala began to work on Fuli's injuries.

"We'd better get going sis," Baliyo said, nudging Rani. "Looks like we're needed more than ever."

"Right," Rani said after a minute. "Lets go kick Makucha's sorry ass!"

"I'll go with you," Varya offered as she stood. "That is is you don't mind my cubs staying with you Azaad." Varya looked over at the male cheetah when she said this part.

"I don't mind," Azaad said, smiling at the three cubs.

"Be good you three," Varya said, nuzzling her children. "I'll be back soon."

"But Mom we wanna help," Polina said.

"Yeah we want to fight too," Feliks chimed in.

"I know you do sweetie," Varya said, nuzzling her three cubs once again. "And you can help."

"How?" Pasha asked, confusion in her voice.

"By helping Nirmala take care of Sarak, Fuli and Azaad," Varya said. "She's going to need a lot of help."

"Yeah and you can keep me company," Azaad chimed in. "That way I won't worry about Fuli so much."

"We can do that," Polina said with a smile. "Right guys?" The young tigress looked at her siblings when she said this part.

"Right," Pasha said with a smile of her own.

"You can count on us," Feliks said with a grin.

"Good," Varya said with a smile. "I knew I could trust you with this very important job. I love you guys."

"We love you too Mom," the triplets said as their mother left with Rani and Baliyo to confront Makucha once and for all.

A/N There you go folks ch 13 done. I hope you all enjoyed it. Review please and thank you.