SIMBA

Time had frozen still, and I could find myself barely breathing. What the hell... my mind couldn't itself wrap around the things that were being said to me. 'Nuka...raped me.' I refused to even let the idea come in my mind's eye, the picture...but it all seems so pursuable. So real. Because what she was telling me was real... it was happening...but I...I couldn't- I wouldn't get myself to believe it. It was too hard to stare the truth right in the face.

"Nal i..."

"You don't have to say anything. there's nothing much to say about it either way. It's already happened." yes but...but. I feel the need to do something, anything would be better than just sitting here like some stupid helpless cub. Who's being told information they aren't ready for and now they have to figure out what to do next about it. stumbling all the while. What was next? Death was next. And, not just death. A brutal public execution. Torture. it was alone right...it was only fair. wheels started turning in my head. Ideas of murder- things I had never truly thought of were in my head. Beating away at the sain part of my mind.. to go crazy. Nuka's face was all I could see in red and black. It was so much so I didn't even realize I was shaking. I was only able to get myself out of my head when I felt Nala's paw on mine. She was comforting me? "Are you...okay?"

How was I suppose to answer that? How the hell can she be so calm as to even say this? she should be a wreck on the ground right now, needed me to support her. And as I stared into her eyes I saw nothing... a blankness stood in the back of her eyes. A clearly formed callus in her mind. shutting off, was the best if not the only way to protect yourself from the hurt. I got that completely. "I don't know what to say."

"I already told you, you don't have to say anything. It's better that way." I stood there for a moment watching her shift back and forth uncomfortable between her paws. she was shaking some but was managing to keep her emotions under control. " I...honestly thought telling you would be easier than this..." she voice was starting to catch, but she quickly cleared her throat and looked away from me. " but I guess...still admitting it is...hard."

"I feel terrible...and anything I say or do means ...absolutely nothing."

"No they don't...not fully. It's just I have to remind myself that that word can't change anything and for a long time, I thought it could...that was stupid for me."

"Don't say that." because nothing about her was stupid...ever, she was the smart lioness I know. Damn sure better than me in every way.

"Please I was stupid to think I could even take him... I should have just-"

"What... ran away?" an awkward pause stuck us, one that I felt would always be there. because it had to play in the back of her mind like it did in mine. Nala said nothing, but deep down, I needed her to scream at me. tear me to shreds because this happened because of me. If I had been there then...then none of this would have happened. and if anyone would have been the one getting hurt it would be me and not her...

"No...I wouldn't...I can't...I can't say what you did was wrong."

"BULLSHIT Nala...you know it is, I should have been there and then-"

"What? You would have stopped it?"

"Yes!"

"Don't be stupid Simba, you would have been outnumbered from the start. and then what... I'd have to watch my best friend get killed before my eyes?!" tears started to stream down her eyes. Because it would have been true.

"You don't know that-"

"Yes, I do! It was already hard enough watching your mother and brother die Simba, I couldn't lose you too... even if you did leave YOU were still out there, and that meant something to me even if it didn't mean anything to you!"

"...But how can you say that..." that words that were coming out didn't seem right, nothing seemed right at all! Everything always felt so wrong... it felt like I know there can be another alternative for us. and it wasn't... and that fact of what could have been is killing me... its' not fucking fair. Since my father died nothing has been fair..." You should hate me... I hate me."

"I don't know... I can't explain it...Simba I could never hate you, not even if I wanted to...I get it..w..we were both scared cubs and everything was piling up over our heads." How did she have this way of making me feel better when I should feel lower than trash. " and you were right."

"Me? about what?"

" Before when you said I had no idea what you were going through with Scar...I didn't even think to asks you. I was so caught up in my own problems I didn't even think of yours-and you have the right to be just as mad at me Simba...I'm sorry." it didn't feel right to think about myself or my own issues. I don't deserve that grace. Traitors don't deserve anything. I stabbed everyone in the back. and that regret will be something I will live with for the rest of my life.

"No I shouldn't, its' not fair."

"Life's not fair." a felt her head lean into my shoulder. the side of her face was still wet from the tears. but the smell of her scent and the touch on her body against mine was a needed distraction for the both of us.

"...No it hasn't been... not since my dad died." when the words finally fell out of my mouth, parts of me finally felt like I was being heard. Hmm, little Simba I guess, cub Simba who had the world at his paws, and then in one day, everything changed. His world started shattering around him, like leaves being ripped from their branches of a tree from a violent wind storm. He couldn't make sense of it, even if he tried. Hell, I still can't make sense of it now. "Nala...do you ever feel stuck?...like you've gotten older, and time has passed...but you're still in the same old spot? it almost makes you feel like your-"

"trapped inside?" I'm not surprised that she got me...but I really wish she didn't. "Everything else looks like it's moving on and your struggling just to keep up with today? Yeah...I get it... what felt worse was when the others tried to help me and I shut them out...I wasn't strong enough to want to fight. It was much easier just giving him want he wanted- it hurt less that way." a hot pain went off in the chest. I had to close my eyes and envision anything else to keep myself from losing my shit. "...once you're at your lowest you can't go anywhere else. I could have died but I didn't even have control over that... So I have no choice but to get better."

"How are you so strong?"

"I'm not I'm far from it, I'm just trying." it sounded like she wanted to laugh like this was something I should have known. but she didn't, instead, she took in my scent as I felt her breath me in. it was reassuring for me to know I could be there for her in some way. to comfort her instead of being the one who needed comfort, protection from the past realities. "some days the trying feels in vain...like today and it just...triggers me, but other days it's bearable and I learning how to handle it."

"I...I always had a feeling you would come," I confessed looking into the night sky. it was well beyond dark, and thousands of tiny little stars danced above us. the territory of the Valley pride was beautiful. it could make you forget your troubles if only for a little while. "That feeling never stopped nagging at me, since the day I left. and I did everything in my power to block it out and distract myself. Even get into a relationship I damn well do not need to be in."

Nala looked at me, surprised. I was too. It was a feeling I've always felt. but I knew I wasn't strong enough to deal with the real reality I was left with. leaving, losing my mother my home my family... Getting myself involved with Kenya was the one thing that saved me from self-destruction. A coward runs away from their problems...only to create new ones.

" She's your escape?" Nala spoke in an all-knowing voice. " Vitani and Roho were mine."

" I'm a terrible lion." now that the truth was out, I should be ashamed of myself.

"You're not."

"I'm using her."

"We do what we have to do to survive." I looked away. She was making this sound too easy. Like anyone would have made the same decision I had.

"...You make it sound like anyone would have done the same...like there weren't better options I could have taken, better choices ..."

" They would. Simba you escaped into Kenya to deal with your issues. I escaped by shutting down. There is no right or wrong answer for this, you do what needs to be done just so you can make it another day."

"But I'm only creating more problems for myself Nal."

"So we all do...and you'll fix it...I'll help you. But don't beat yourself up for not knowing how to deal with your problems. Okay?"

"...okay." After that nothing else needed to be said. and it was as she said before, nothing could be changed either way.

"We should be getting back. What's our plan for tomorrow?" this was something I had to remind myself of constantly, others were looking at me now for answers. Kings, please say I have enough sense to lead them in the right way.

" I don't know if we can wait on king Aries. A part of me wants to take the lion at his word, but he's not obligated to do so. Especially at the risks of losing his own lions. but if he should lend us help, we need to be here."

" Then we'll split up." I did my best to hide my concern. We're stronger together plus I have no idea how Nuka has his hyenas roaming the territory. If anything else happened to Nala or anyone else under my care... "My mother and Mwenya and stay here and lead the valley pride back to the mountain Pride."

"...And we can reconvene with the others, back in the forest." I knew without a doubt Roho and Shia would be safe there. But after one hyena got away, a part of me was anxious to think they could return again with more reinforcements.

" I'm fine with that. besides, that will give my mother a chance to heal before returning for the battle." Battle...a cub who had run for his own survival was now going to be a key part in winning this war.

"Nala?" I asked as we began to return to the others. "Please don't let me lead us the wrong way..."

"Don't worry I've got you."

kings, I sure hope so.

NUKA

I stood eagerly awaiting the return of my hyenas. dawn was slowly approaching and the growing anticipation of war was at paw. " you're doing a lot to cover your bases son."

"Leave me alone mother." now her visit were becoming more frequent. and parts of me oddly anticipated our conversation. It was all in my head, it had to be. but I was growing fond of that. Genius is madness and madness is genius. both two sides of the same rock. A part of me knew I had to repay for the sins I have committed. but I would do so in the WAY I wanted.

Did she really think her showing up was going to stop me, and reframe my consciousness? Father never wavered in his decision and neither will I. "could it be that you smell your own defeat in the air?"

"On the contrary, I fill the warmth of victory at my heels." my one eye strained to see images against the dark background.

"you could have avoided this fate, if only you had listened to me..."

"I did listen to you mother, I listen to every single word you told me growing up. I listened until the day you turned on me."

"I never turned on you."

"I won't waste my time having this conversation with you. Besides, I know the truth either way."

"What truth Nuka? a truth of something you've made up?"

I snapped in my head in a direction I felt she was in, even though her physical appearance was hidden from me. Gone in the air, because I made it so. " You don't think I know do you, you didn't think I could hear the conversation between you and father at night about me?" the air went still. " don't be dumb mother, you know he questions me as his son. Even if I looked just like him. He couldn't fathom how weak, sickly old me, could amount to anyone. That's why he kept Simba...I didn't think that hearing him say he didn't claim me would bother me so much...but I guess it did. I mean when we constantly hear it OVER AND OVER AGAIN as a cub it might do some things to do HAhah. Your own father resorting to keeping his dead brother son around over you?! it's sad...and it comical really! he hated me that much...it's a riot! so can you blame me for wanting to be just like him? you [prove you ALL wrong."

The air had remade still and I no longer could feel her presence and yet I kept talking.

"And Simba that poor fool he still doesn't even know his own father was murder. Even after this long, he probably still thinks he died in the gorge by accident-"

"Nuka? what are you doing out here?" Shanti appeared from my blind spot. " it's not even morning yet, and it is freezing."

"I'm awaiting someone." I turned to her, she looked tired. More than I had ever seen before. "Why are you up, you need to be resting."

"I would say the same for you."

"I can't rest with things still needed to be done."

"What else needs to be done Nuka?"

"You'll see." suddenly I heard the sound I had been waiting for all morning, the whooping call on my hyenas returning. "Perfect and not a moment too soon."

NALA

Yesterday morning Simba, Limpo and I left the Valley pride. leaving behind my mother and Mwenya with the new plan. Simba was right we didn't have time to wait around and see if king Aries would lend us the help we needed in enough time. And if he did- what move would Nuka already had made by the time the extra help was given to us. I can't lie and say anxiety didn't fill my every step back towards the forest.

"Hey, you okay?" I turned to face Simba who was walking beside me. Limpo was ahead of us, looking as if she was more eager to get to the forest than I was. This journey felt as if it was stretching on for too long, we all wanted this to be over. But was I ready... the possibility of the valley pride not helping us and my mother returning emptied paw loomed over me. it would be impossible to face what felt like 100 strong abled bodies against our 15, and that was if we could get to Vitani and the other in time for them to join us. it again...started to feel impossible.

"um, I don't know...just thinking," I admitted.

"Last night?" I shook my head saying 'no'. My nightmares had returned- not that they ever left. It wasn't as bad as it could have been, but I couldn't get myself back to sleep. It's terrible when you feel you can't even be safe in your own dreams.

"No...but thank you for being there for me."

"Always." it was the little smile that I appreciated so much. Because the little things were the only things we really had. Another thing also came to me, what was he going to tell Kenya when this was all over... would he stay with her or would he come back and be with me? and did I even want that... most times I just wanted to be left alone, not touched or looked at.I just wanted to be by myself...but I missed him. I missed him a lot. and now that he's here in my life, I don't know if I could go another day without him...i don't know if I even want to.

I could tell by the way he looked at me, he wanted to say something. "Yeah?" there was a tiredness in his red eyes. Mainly from walking all-night, we had surprisingly covered more distance returning to the forest than when we originally when we left it. At least that was what it felt like to me. The sun was headed back into the sky. and our day and a half journey would turn out to be a day and a morning. No one could really sleep well last night, so we decided to start up walking early.

"It's okay."

"What tell me?" I couldn't think of what could be bothering him so much besides the matter at paw. but something definitely was.

"I was thinking about what I told you. about me and Kenya and I started thinking that maybe w-"

"Guys this is it?" Simba and I snapped out attention in front of us. There, just beyond the horizon was a clearing image of the forest, little slight misted by the morning fog. finally. immediately my heart swelled at the thought of seeing Roho and shia again. it had been too long since I last hugged them and I wanted nothing more than to be back by their sides again.

"Yes." Simba voiced "that's it." he turned to look back at me, I felt like he wanted to continue where he left off. but I cut him off too eager to return to the others.

"we can talk about it after we check on the others?"

"Yeah, that'll be fine..."

As we approached the forest, we were greeted the same way we left. wind sweeping in between trees, the sound of water running from the nearby river, and local animals making various nosies. but something didn't feel right. as we kept walking it felt odd... i had stopped walking. I could no longer ingore the warning feeling i had growing in my body. something was wrong, very wrong. I turned to look at Simba who too had this strange look on his face. he was feeling it too.

"what is it?" asked Limpo turning back towards us.

"Something's not right here." he voiced

"Simba..." I voiced, not able to read his eyes.

"You two stay here, I'll be right back" he warned us over his shoulder. Limpo and I were forced to watch him leave. okay...something is wrong... but what?

"what's going on?" Limpo asked as she turned to me.

"I don't know..." i couldn't exactly explain it. yes, something was off, but off how? everything looks the same way as we had left it. then a lump of fur caught my attention. it was dark and matted, clumped together by something red. blood. as i got closer and took in the smell the reality hit me like an elephant. the hyenas had been back...they were here. " Oh no no no...kings no!" I was taking off before my brian could even realize what I was doing. I instinctively followed the blood trail, I knew it would lead me to something, anything to give me my answers.

I froze when I saw the blood pooled on the ground. the body was of a hyena...thank the kings. Limpo and I approached slowly. he was dead, and looked as if he had been dead for at least a day. thousands of flies swamed around the dead dogs body, even more, maggots drank the blood from the ground. it was a terrible sight.

"Wait how did they get here...how did they know?"

"Nuka sent two hyenas after Shia when she escaped...one got away...it must of returned back and told Nuka...i...i... knew this would happen. Quickly we had to get simba and let him know-" suddenly the labored breathing of a second body caught my attention. my ears caught the noise of the wheezing before I eventually saw her. She was tucked away at the base of a tree...blood ozzed from a cut going across her stomach. "...Shia..." I approached her painting body. "...kings...Shia...Shia please."

"...n...nala..."

everything within me wanted to drop to the ground, but I hauled myself over to her side.

"Shh shh... it's okay...w...what happened?" tears flooded my eyes as I took in Shia beaten frame.

"...t...they came, and tried...tried to get me to go back..b-but i-"

"shh...don't say anything...it's okay." I turned to Limpo who had the same expression on her face as I did. "...get s-Simba...get him NOW!" without hesitation Limpo went off, bounding in some direction calling out Simbas name. I snuggled into Shia and brought her into my chest...the cut was bad, but it wasn't fatal. she can live- but how long had she already been out here like this?...where the hell where the others?! and as if she read my mind Shia spoke in a low whisper.

"..t...they took them...all of them." I could feel my heart start to sezie. and I did my best to keep myself from having a panic attack.

"r-Roho?" I found myself barely able to say.

"...s...safe... I kept him...safe... like I pro-promised."

"Good...I knew you would...you're a great auntie Shia." she smiled weakly at me. and I did my best to smile back at her.

"..a...am I going to die...n...Nala?"

"of course not Shia, you'll be fine." strength found its way into my voice.

"B...but everything hurts..."

"I know...I know, but it will be fine. I promise we're getting help now... and e-everything will be fine" I watched as Shia slowly slumped into unconsciousness.

My eyes looked around desperately for any signs of Limpo or Simba...where the hell were they?!

Here is the update you lovely people have been asking for... heheh

Hi again, ummm idk I posted that last chapter in Feb and then I open the document again and it's damn near June. Sorry for that long-ass wait. I've gotten all your email I promise, It was just life happening...again. I hope you enjoyed this cliffhanger.

+Ryansquad. No, don't feel terrible... although I did feel terrible writing it, I guess it took a lot out of me. 2021 and we're still going strong.

+KawaiiCutie12, I'm glad you enjoyed that long one...don't know if I'll be able to do that again lol.

+StarGazer7099, Finally here for your update. and she does have the feels for our Simba...but it might be a little too soon for her to want to talk about 'them' lol. and yes I will be updated 'lioness drama' a shit ton lol.

+Iz, Hell yeah! she told him and she growing the feels we all knew it would happen, but I say again it will not be an easy ride.

+ExGeneration35, honestly writing them getting together will be an interesting one hehe...yes this infamous battle. I'm just saying Nuka is making this really hard on me, because I know how sneaky he is...

+GUEST, here is your update sorry for the long wait