Hello all, and welcome to the seventh chapter of the story. I apologize for not updating Sunday, but I was really not in the creative groove that particular day. Thanks go to all who reviewed the last chapter, and I'd love it if EVERYONE WHO READS THIS CHAPTER WOULD KINDLY LEAVE A REVIEW! Well, I have done quite enough blabbing, so without any further ado, here is the seventh chapter of the story!

-Tex-

DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING!

By the time Steele reentered the den inside Pride Rock after his visit with Justin, he knew that something had drastically changed. The air seemed to carry a rough edge too it, an edge so rough that it nearly caused the former felon to gag. Simba and Nala lay snuggled tightly together on the royal platform of the den. Kovu lay snoring on the other side of the den, his massive arm holding a recently awoken Kiara, who smiled at Steele, and she began to whisper.

"Hello Unio. Your father and I have some big news to tell you."

The princess nudged her mate, who snorted tiredly as he awoke. "Good morning sunshine!"

Kovu groaned, and tried in vain to fall asleep again, only to have his neck bitten by Kiara.

"Babe, what the hell was that for?"

"One, don't swear in front of Unio."

Steele rolled his eyes. He did not give a shit to whether his "father" swore in his presence or not. It simply did not make any difference. The former human once again tuned in his senses as Kiara began to speak again.

"And also, it's time to tell our son the big news."

Kovu brushed his pitch-black mane and groaned again. "Can't we tell him in the morning?"

"Get up Kovu."

The former Outlander grumbled under his breath before standing up and stretching out his brown-furred body. Steele decided to use this opportunity to have his voice be heard.

"So what is this big news that you two seem so…eager…to notify me of?"

Kiara sighed, and Kovu straightened himself out in anticipation. The young lioness than began to speak. "Unio, I'm going to say it bluntly; there is going to be a new member of the family. I'm pregnant."

Steele chuckled before making the sound of a catcall. "Well now, it seems that the two of you have been quite busy lately. So that's what y'all do when I'm not around? Good to know…Good to know…"

At that, Kiara's face turned the color of bright crimson, Kovu growled in slight anger, and Simba and Nala, from the other corner of the den, along with all of the other lionesses, burst out into uncontrollable laughter. Kovu suddenly began to twitch violently, every fire of his being consumed with a combination of violence and anger.

"UNIO!"

The cub chuckled nervously before dashing out of the den, suddenly quite fearful for his safety. Even after his exit, Kovu continued to angrily twitch as Simba, Nala, and the other pride lionesses would not stop laughing.

Vitani in particular was in absolute hysterics at the revelation from Steele. Tears of laughter were flowing from her bright blue eyes, and the golden tuft of fur on the top of her head swayed gently up and down.

Meanwhile, Steele was once again dashing through the lush grasslands of the Pridelands, heading directly towards the Eastern Forest. Once he arrived there, the wolfdog known as Justin was already there, seeming having been waiting for the return of Steele.

"Seems like you've got something quite important to tell me. Spill it out now!"

Steele sighed, his golden fur bristling in the crisp African breeze, and his fierce sapphire blue eyes staring directly at his friend.

"It appears that we may have some…complications…to our original plan."

Justin gave Steele a quizzical expression, a single eyebrow having been raised. "Well now. How so?"

"It appears that Kovu has knocked up Kiara again. There will be another cub in the family in roughly three months."

Justin placed a paw to his chin in thought. "Yes, that may indeed cause a few complications. Do you feel that this cub is going to be any sort of violent threat?"

"Not at this time, but we will not know for sure until the moment of the actual birth, of course."

Justin nodded his grey-furred head in agreement. "Indeed. My notion was rather foolish, it seems."

Steele rolled his eyes. "That doesn't matter. What we need to figure out is what we are going to do if this cub, and Kiara and Kovu for that matter, become a threat."

Justin's chocolate brown eyes twinkled slightly, and the young hybrid began to grin darkly. "There is always death. Death solves any problem you can imagine."

Steele growled, and pounced on Justin, his teeth bared in anger. "No you idiot! This is why you died the first time around, and I as well, in the case of James Turner. Murder doesn't solve everything. We have to be intellectual about this. We need to manipulate, we need to dominate, we need to corrupt!"

Justin growled as well, and threw Steele off of him. "The real problem is your weakness, Steele. You don't like to get your hands dirty, and you never like to have any fun!"

"Murder is fun for you?"

"And if it is?"

Steele narrowed his sapphire blue eyes, and a desire he had never felt before began to swell up inside of him, which was the desire to secure, and protect.

"I will save you from yourself if I have to. I swear, your brashness and your quick-to-fight mentality is going to be the end of you. Again!"

Justin narrowed his eyes as well, and snarled in a feral manner. "Suit yourself Steele. We're done here."

With that, Justin turned tail and retreated deeper into the forest, leaving Steele to silently reflect on the mysterious events that had just transpired.

Well, that is going to be all I'm going to write for now! I hope that all of you enjoyed the chapter, and as I mentioned previously, PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO LEAVE ME A REVIEW! I will try to have the next chapter of this posted whenever I possibly can, but it may be a bit. Well, I feel I've babbled enough, so take care, and y'all have a great day!

-Tex-