"Shujaa!" Nguvu called out. He was standing next to a huge boulder, eyeing it thoughtfully. "I think I can push this."

Shujaa sighed. The guard had been patrolling almost all day. She had thought they would be able to go home soon, seeing as danger had yet to rear its ugly head. But just as they had started for home. Kupanda had spotted an antelope with its tail stuck under a rock. So, here they were, trying to get the stuck animal free.

"Maybe you can." Shujaa said. "But what if it rolls the wrong way and we wind up squashing him?"

Nguvu shrugged.

"Squished antelope tastes great." He said. The antelope perked his ears and squealed. Haraka rolled his eyes.

"Nguvu!" He scolded. "You're panicking him!"

Nguvu started to say something. Kupanda beat him to it.

"What if we just lift the rock up a little and pull his tail out?" She suggested from where she was perched in a tree. Shujaa nodded slowly. She smiled to herself. My Lion guard will be the best there ever was! We work so well together!She thought.

"That's a great idea!" Said Shujaa. She nodded to Nguvu. "Push the rock up just enough for us to be able to get his tail out!"

Nguvu muttered something to himself. He shoved his broad shoulder against the rock. The boulder grunted as it was pushed more on its side.

"Now!" Shujaa ordered Haraka. The cheetah lashed his long tail, before racing forward and grabbing the antelope's tail. He pulled it clear of the rock.

"All clear, Nguvu!" Shujaa cried out. Nguvu snarled and leaped away from the rock. The rock fell to the ground, spraying dust everywhere. The antelope gave the guard a quick thanks, eyeing Nguvu wearily.

"Great work everyone!" Shujaa said as the prey animal started back toward his herd. "You all worked very hard today! Why don't you go home and get some rest?"

"Rest sounds great." Kupanda purred. She started to jump down from the tree. She stopped with one paw hovering in the air. Her eyes had gone wide. Shujaa frowned.

"Kupanda?" She mewed. "What's wrong?"

Kupanda frowned. Her head tilted to the side.

"Vultures are circling over by Priderock." She said. "They look like they're planning to eat."

"That's odd." Shujaa said. She glanced toward the Lion Guard. "Sorry guys, but I think we have one more thing to do before we can take a break."

Mflame chuckled.

"I'm in!" He yipped. "I would be bored at home anyway."

Nguvu nodded. Kupanda leaped down. Haraka shrugged. Shujaa smiled.

"Till the Pridelands end!" She yelled. The lioness bounded ahead of her group.

"Lion Guard defend!" They called from behind her in unison.

"See anything, Kupanda?" Shujaa asked. The Lion Guard was standing on the edge of a cliff, looking out over the Pridelands.

"No, I-." Kupanda froze. "Shujaa… I think… I think it's your brother!"

Shujaa's heart stopped in her chest. Kings above, no… she thought.

"K-Koda?" She stammered. "Is he ok?"

Kupanda stood stone still. Her eyes narrowed in concentration.

"I…" she looked at Shujaa. Her eyes were pained. "He's really still…"

Shujaa couldn't think straight. Her mind was flooded with unbearable thoughts. Not Koda… please, no!

"Shujaa?" Nguvu's paw was suddenly on her back. His rough pad smoothing down the fur on her spine. "What do we do now?"

Shujaa just stared blankly at him. She couldn't think… she couldn't lead….

Nguvu seemed to understand. He took his paw of her back and turned to the guard.

"Lion Guard!" He roared, drawing himself up. "We have to find the prince and see to it that he's ok." Nguvu looked at Kupanda. "Where is he?"

"Over there by the ravine." Kupanda said. She pointed with her tail toward the right. "If we go that direction we can get to him fastest."

Nguvu nodded and turned to Haraka.

"Run ahead and see how he is." He ordered. Haraka nodded. He was gone faster than the blink of an eye.

Nguvu shoved Shujaa gently.

"Come on." He whispered. "We have to go check on him."

Shujaa shoved her head against her friend's shoulder. Together they started after Haraka.

When the guard made it to Koda. The young brown cub was laying on his stomach. He stunk of blood. Haraka was sitting beside him.

"Koda?" Shujaa whispered. She walked over to her brother. He was so still… "Koda! What's wrong?"

"Is he…" Mflame was cut off by Kupanda, who flicked her tail across his muzzle.

"Is he breathing?" She asked. Shujaa, feeling extremely light-headed, put her ear against her brother's chest. At first, she heard nothing. He wasn't breathing! Panic started to consume her. But before it could, she heard Koda exhale slowly. He was alive!

Barely…

"Nguvu!" She sobbed. Tears started spilling down her cheeks. "You… my dad… Rafiki…"

Her friend gave a ridged nod. He was looking at Koda with haunted eyes.

"Haraka…" he croaked. "Go get the king."

Haraka sped away without a word. The rest of the guard stayed unnaturally silent. Shujaa laid down next to Koda. She didn't care that his blood was soaking into her pelt. She didn't care that she was laying awkwardly on her front paw. She didn't care that other Pridelanders had gathered around to see what all the fuss was about. She only cared about Koda. She had to hear him breathing. She had to know he was still there. She heard Nguvu snarl at the crowd to stay back. She heard Kupanda crying silently behind her. She heard the heavy paw steps of animals running away from the scene. She didn't have the strength to lift her head and see what was happening. She just couldn't…

"Koda!" She heard her father scream. Kovu pushed through the crowds and came to sit by them. Shujaa saw him stare blankly at his limp son.

"Dad…" she whispered. "We have to get him to Rafiki."

Her father nodded. He pulled Koda gently up onto his back.

Shujaa watched them start through the crowds. She wanted to follow her hurt brother. But she couldn't make her paws move.

I froze up! She realized. I didn't know what to do! If it hadn't been for Nguvu… we might have gotten to Koda too late… he was a good leader, not me. Shujaa put her head in her paws. I'm so sorry Koda… if anything happens to you… I'll never forgive myself.