A/N Hope everyone has a safe and fun Thanksgiving. Thank you to my wonderful reviewers and alerters. Here's ch 2 for you.

Ch 2 Getting Things Out in the Open

Meanwhile Sarabi and Nala had returned from Rafiki's tree and they were met by an angry looking Simba. "Simba!" Nala cried out, a smile going across her face. "I'm glad you're up."

"Hello Nala," Simba said, his voice monotoned. "Mother. We need need talk."

"Simba what's wrong?" Nala asked, concerned at her mate's tone.

"Oh not much," Simba said, his voice still monotoned. "Only everything!" Simba's voice had become a growl at this point.

"Simba," Nala began. But she was cut off by her mate's growl.

"Not here Nala," Simba hissed, nodding his head towards the rest of the pride, who were all pretending not to hear. "Come with me," the golden King said, motioning with his head for his mate and mother to follow him. Nala and Sarabi exchanged confused looks as they followed Simba up to the top of Pride Rock. Once they were up there Simba turned towards the two lionesses.

"Simba what is going on?" Nala asked.

"Yes I'm curious as well," Sarabi chimed in. "You seam angry with us."

"I am angry Mother," Simba said, his voice having an edge to it. "Angry and annoyed at the both of you."

"Simba I don't," Nala began. But once again she was cut off by Simba's growl.

"I want to make something clear right now," the golden lion said, looking from his mother to his mate. "I'm the King around here. I make the decisions in this Kingdom and I won't be cut out of that."

"Simba we would never..." Sarabi began.

"You did today Mother!" Simba cried out, surprising his mother. "You should have woke me up today first thing in the morning!"

"Simba I was letting you rest," Sarabi said. "You were up most of the night last night and I didn't want you to get overwhelmed."

"I can handle it Mom!" Simba cried out. "I'm not some helpless cub that needs his Mommy to make decisions for him! I've been King since I've been six months old I think I can handle one sleepless night!"

"Simba why are you shouting at us?" Sarabi asked, her amber eyes wide

"Yes Simba this isn't like you," Nala said, also staring at her mate with wide blue eyes.

"Well I'm sorry Nala," Simba said, his voice still a low growl. "But I tend to get angry when people think they know what's best for me and make decision about me and they don't even talk to me about it!"

"Simba please don't shout at me," Nala said, her voice shaking as the tears came to her eyes. Simba noticed this and his tone changed.

"Hey I'm sorry Nal'," Simba said, giving his mate a nuzzle. Nala buried her face in Simba's mane as the tears came.

"I'm sorry Simba," came the Queen's muffled voice. "I didn't mean to make you so angry. I was just trying to help."

"I know Nal'," Simba said softly. "I'm sorry I yelled. I'm sorry to you too Mom." Simba looked at his mother with guilt filled amber eyes when he said this part.

"Oh honey I know you're stressed," Sarabi said, giving her son a smile. "And I'm so sorry that I added to that stress."

"Its alright Mom," Simba said with a sigh. "Just please don't let that happen again. It...it brings back some...really bad memories that's all." Simba shuddered slightly as he remember when his Uncle Scar had been controlling and manipulative over him as a child.

"Oh my poor Simba," Sarabi said, her voice full of guilt. "You've been through so much my poor baby." Sarabi gave her son a nuzzle when she said this part.

"I know Scar is dead and gone," Simba said softly. "But these damn feelings just won't go away."

"And that's why we're going to help you," Nala said with a smile. "We're here for you Sim'. And we always will be." Nala gave her mate a loving nuzzle when she said this part. "And Simba," the creamy coated Queen said, the smile still on her face. "I have something to tell you that I think will make you feel better."

"What is it?" Simba asked, looking at his mate.

"Well I..." Nala began. But when she looked over at Sarabi she saw the tan coated lioness shake her head ever so slightly. "I uh I," Nala stammered. "I've been getting better at leading the hunting party."

"I didn't know you were having trouble leading the hunt," Simba said, giving his mate a confused look.

"Well I didn't want you worrying about me so I didn't tell you," Nala said quickly. "But I've really gained confidence lately and the hunts have been going much better. I just wanted to let you know."

"Ok?" Simba said, arching an eyebrow at his mate. The golden lion knew Nala wasn't telling his the truth. But before he could press the issue his good friends: Timon and Pumbaa came running towards him.

"Oh Simba thank goodness we found you!" Timon cried out, sounding really freaked out.

"What's wrong Timon?" Simba asked, alarmed at his meerkat friend's tone.

"Pumbaa and I nearly got eaten!" Timon cried out, his eyes wide.

"What?!" Simba cried out, shocked at the information.

"Who would do such a thing?" Sarabi wondered.

"Yes everyone in the Pride Lands knows Timon and Pumbaa are off limits for hunting," Nala put in.

"Where did this happen?' Simba asked Timon.

"In the Grasslands," Timon informed his lion friend. "Me and Pumbaa were gathering grubs for out dinner when all of the sudden some creep jumps out from the shadows and tries to eat us!"

"That's awful!" Nala cried out, shaking her head.

"How in the world did you manage to get away?" Sarabi asked.

"I rammed him," Pumbaa said proudly. "My tusks caught him in his stomach."

"Yeah," Timon chimed in with a slight laugh. "The coward ran away after that."

"Damn that Shenzi!" Simba growled. "I bet it was her that did this!"

"It wasn't a hyena there Simba," Timon informed the King. "It was a lion. And a male one at that."

"Did you get a good look at him?" Simba asked.

"Eh not really," Timon said. "I was kind of cowering in fear."

"He was young," Pumbaa chimed in. "He had a black mane. But it wasn't full like yours Simba. And he had a brown coat."

"Simba you do know who that sounds like don't you?" Nala asked, looking at her mate.

"Yeah I do," Simba said softly. "It sounds like Scar. But it couldn't be him. He's dead."

"Simba," Nala said. "Scar and Zira had a son remember? He'd be about a year and a half old now."

"Yeah I remember," Simba said. "Nuka was his name. And if he's back then that means..." Simba trailed off as a terrifying realization came to him.

"That means Zira is back too," Nala said, her blue eyes wide.

"Now Nala we don't know that for sure," Sarabi said.

"Was this near the Outland border?" Nala asked, looking at Timon and Pumbaa.

"Yeah it was," Timon confirmed with a nod.

"Then that's where I'm going!" Simba declared. "I need to know for sure if Zira really is back."

"Wait Simba!' Nala cried out. "You shouldn't go alone!"

"Then come with me," Simba said. "Or don't. Either way I'm going!"

"I'm coming," Nala said, running to catch up with her mate.

"Wait!" Sarabi said, running after her son and daughter-in-law. "I'm coming too!"

"We are too!" Pumbaa cried out. With that Timon jumped on Pumbaa's head and the pair raced to catch up to the others and they headed towards the Outlands to find out if Zira was indeed back.

A/n well folks ch 2 in now complete. How'd you all like it? Let me know in a review please