A/n Thank you so much to my awesome reviewers! I really appreciate it! Keep them coming! I hope everyone is doing well Here's ch 9. Enjoy.
Ch 9 A New Plan
As Nala watched her mother leave Tama approached her friend along with another lioness that had a gray coat and light blue eyes. "Nala?" Tama asked, concerned at the look on her friend's face. "Are you alright?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" Nala snapped, glaring at her friend.
"We heard what you mother said," the other lioness chimed in. "That had to of stung."
"Well it didn't!" Nala shouted. "And one more remark like that out of you Sharka and you'll regret it!"
"My apologies Nala," Sharka said, dipping her head. "I was only concerned for your well being."
"Well don't be," Nala growled. "Either one of you. I stopped caring what Sarafina thought long ago. She's to weak minded to be of any use to me."
"Then why do you keep her around?" Tama asked.
"She's my mother," Nala declared. "And she remained loyal to me and went with here. She could have stayed with Simba and his Pride but she didn't. If someone is loyal to be then I see no need to dispose of them. But if I suspect that she or anyone else has betrayed me I'll..." Just then Nala let out a furious roar and swiped a nearby log, slicing it clean in half. "I think I mad my point," Nala said, examining her claws. "Now get out of my sight. Tomorrow a new phase of our plan will begin."
"Yes my lady," Tama and Sharka said with bows. With that the three lionesses departed for the night.
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Meanwhile back at Pride Rock Rafiki had arrived and he was examining Vitani and Nuka while the others waited outside. Simba was pacing back and forth, grumbling to himself the entire time.
"Simba dear why don't you sit down," Sarabi suggested. "Rafiki said it could be a while."
"I can't sit down Mom," Simba declared as he continued to pace. "Not until I know my kids are going to be alright."
"Simba," Zira began.
"Zira nothing you or anyone else can say is going to make me change my mind," Simba said. "So please just leave me be." Zira was about to say more when Rafiki emerged from the cave. "Rafiki," Simba said, running up to the old mandrill with Zira and Sarabi right behind him. "How's my kids?" the golden lion asked, his voice shaking slightly.
"Please tell us they're going to be alright," Zira said, her voice coming out very soft. Simba pulled his mate close and she leaned against him for support. Kovu and Jasiri were waiting off to the side with their mothers both cub anxious to hear about their friends.
"I am afraid dat I do no have good new on de Prince and Princess," Rafiki said, the sadness clear in his voice.
"Oh please tell me they're not," Sarabi began.
"Dey are alive," Rafiki informed the group. "However de have vedy serious injuries."
"How bad are they?" Simba asked, blinking back tears.
"Young Vitani had serval broken ribs," Rafiki said. "One of dem has pierced her lung. I managed to reset de ribs but she is still having trouble breathing. Both she and her brother have vedy serious head injuries and have swelling around der brains. Young Nuka has broken ribs as well and numerous broken bones."
"Are...are they going to die?" Zira managed to choke out as she wiped away the tears.
"Not if I can help it," Rafiki said. "I will be monitoring dem vedy closely until I feel dat dey are out of danger. I should know more tomorrow but until den de only ting we can do fer dem is sit with dem and let dem know dat we are here."
"Good idea Rafiki," Sarabi said. "And we must keep a positive mind set. Even though they may be unconscious I know Vitani and Nuka can sense when we are worried or sad. So we must be positive for them."
"I couldn't agree more," Zira said with a sniffle. "And that's exactly what we're going to do. Isn't it Simba?" Zira looked at her mate with pleading ruby eyes when she said this part.
"Yes of course we are," Simba said, forcing himself to smile.
"Den go be with yer children," Rafiki said, motioning for Simba, Zira and Sarabi to enter the cave. Kovu went to follow but Asha stopped him.
"Mom I just want to see Vitani and Nuka," Kovu protested as Asha gently pushed him back.
"I know you do honey," the light gold lioness said. "But we need to let King Simba and Queen Zira be with them right now."
"Its alright Asha," Simba said. "He can come in too. Jasiri too. Nuka and Vitani need all the love and good energy they can get right now and having their friends with them will help with that."
"Well if you're sure," Asha said, allowing Kovu to go inside the cave. Jasiri followed her friend and Asha and Cala went in after their children. When they got inside they saw Nuka and Vitani laying very still. Zira ran up to her cubs and pulled them close.
"Its alright my darlings," the tan lioness said softly, licking the tops of their heads. "We're here. Daddy and I are right here."
"And so are all your friends," Simba said as he layed beside his mate and children.
"And I'm here too my dears," Sarabi said. "And we'll all be here when you both wake up."
"But we know you'll wake up when you're ready," Simba said. "But until then know that we love you both so much and we're right here for you."
"And we always will be," Zira finished. With that the group all settled down for the night all of them hoping Vitani and Nuka would be awake in the morning.
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Back in the Outlands Kion was training with Safara and two other cubs from his Pride. One of them was a grey coated cub with hazel eyes named Chafu. He was the son of Sharka and he was the same age as Kiara. The other was a smaller black coated cub with dark brown eyes named Nyeusi. She was the younger sister of Chafu and she was the same age as Kion and Kopa. "Hey Ky what's with you today?" Nyeusi asked as she easily through Kion to the ground.
"Nothing," was Kion's response as he got to his feet. "I'm fine Ny."
"Yeah I don't think you are," Nyeusi said as she tackled Kion to the ground. "You're distracted. I can tell. You usually easily dodge my attacks and I've knocked you to the ground twice now." With that Nyeusi promptly hit Kion to the ground once again. "Three times," the black coated cub said. "So I'll ask again: what's with you?"
"And I'll say again: I'm fine!" Kion snapped, pushing Nyeusi to the ground and pinning her. "So back off will ya?!"
"Geeze bite my head off why don't ya?" Nyeusi grumbled as she pushed Kion off of her and got to her feet.
"Ah shut up Nyeusi," Kion growled as he walked away. "I'm getting a drink. Do NOT follow me!" With that the brown coated cub was gone.
"Sheesh what's his problem?" Chafu asked, looking at Safara.
"No idea," Safara said with a shrug. "C'mon lets get back to training. With that the three cubs began to spar once again.
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Kion had reached the river and was getting a drink. After he had finished he sat on the edge of the water just staring at his reflection. "I'm a monster," the five month old cub thought as he splashed away his reflection. "I'm nothing more that a murderous monster. Just like my father." With that Kion let out a growl. "Well if I'm gonna end up like him then I may as well start acting like him," he thought. "And that means I have to be ruthless, cold hearted, unfeeling and uncaring. And that's exactly what I'm going to do! I'm going to live up to the saying: 'Like Father, Like Son'." With that Kion let out another growl and went to join the other for his training.
A/N well folks there you have it. Chapter 9 complete. Hope you all enjoyed ch 9 and as always please review.