A/N Thank you so much to all my reviewers and those who put my story on alert. Its nice to know that there are people reading this and enjoying it. Here's another chapter for you all to enjoy.

Ch 3 Figuring Things Out

Meanwhile back in the Outlands a young lion with a thin black mane, brown coat and red eyes was nursing his wounds. Just then a larger lion with a pale coat, a light brown mane and brown eyes approached him with some supplies. "Boy Nuka you're lucky that this isn't much deeper," the lion said as he helped Nuka apply the medicine to his wounds. "You could have died."

"Yeah I know that," Nuka snapped, glaring at the other lion. "I don't need you to remind me Uncle Tojo."

"Keep up this attitude and I won't help you," Tojo snapped back. "Its not my fault that you foolishly went into the Pride Lands and tried to hunt."

"Well someone has to do it," Nuka declared, wincing slightly as Tojo cleaned his wound.

"What do you think you're mother has been doing?" Tojo demanded. "She's out right now trying to get us some food. And let me tell you right now Nuka she's gonna be pissed that you went and got yourself hurt. You were supposed to be watching Kovu." Tojo nodded towards a small brown coated cub with green eyes that was sleeping in a nearby log. Nuka scowled at the cub.

"I shouldn't be left in charge of the little termite," the young lion growled. "I don't know why Mother keeps having cubs. You'd think she would have stopped after Vitani was born." Nuka looked over at a small tan cub with blue eyes that was sleeping next to Kovu. Vitani was four months old while Kovu was only a couple of weeks old.

"You know Zira," Tojo said, shaking his head. "She's determined to take down Simba at any costs. And now that she has Kovu she finally believes she can. She told me that Scar came to her in a dream and told her Kovu was the chosen one. Hell that's why he's named Kovu."

"Yeah I know all of that," Nuka grumbled. "Mother's told me this over and over again. She's told me how much of a disappointment I am. How I'm to weak and scrawny to amount to anything. How my father was ashamed of me just like she is. How Kovu is going to be King one day. Its really annoying."

"I know it is kiddo," Tojo said, giving his nephew a nuzzle. "But you really shouldn't take it out on Kovu. He didn't ask to be born. None of this is really his fault."

"Yeah I know," Nuka said with a sigh. "You're right Uncle Tojo. I shouldn't take it out on the kid." Nuka looked over at his sleeping brother and smiled. "He's gonna be an alright kid," Nuka declared as he limped towards Kovu and Vitani and pulled them close.

"What's going on?" Vitani asked with a yawn.

"Nothing," Nuka whispered. "Go back to sleep little sis. I'm right here."

"Ok," Vitani said with another yawn as she closed her eyes and went back to sleep. Tojo was watching all of this with a smile. But the happiness didn't last for long. After a few minutes Zira returned, carrying a small zebra in her jaws. The tan lioness dropped the kill and let out a growl.

"Rough day sis?" Tojo asked.

"Shut up Tojo," Zira snarled. "Nuka! Come here now!"

"Uh Zira there's something you should know," Tojo said quickly. "Nuka got hurt."

"And so what?" Zira hissed. "That's not my problem! Nuka! Come here!"

"He can't sis," Tojo said. "He got rammed by a warthog and his stomach got spit opened."

"And how exactly did that happen?" Zira demanded. Nuka was listening from the log, silently hoping his uncle wouldn't tell the truth.

"The warthog was wondering by," Tojo said, thinking quickly. "Nuka thought he could catch it but it was to fast for him."

"Figures he would do something stupid," Zira growled. "Vitani! Come here now!"

"Y...yes Mother?" Vitani stammered, emerging from the log.

"Get us some logs for the shelter!" Zira ordered. "And be quick about it!"

"Yes Mother," Vitani gulped as she ran to gather the logs.

"I'll go help her," Tojo said, going to help his niece.

"No!" Zira shouted, causing her younger brother to jump slightly. "She doesn't need help."

"But Zira," Tojo began. "She's only a four month old cub."

"Hard work will make her tougher," Zira declared. "Now get out of my way! I need to feed Kovu!" With that Zira shoved past Tojo and headed to the log where Nuka and Kovu were. Zira glared at Nuka, who gulped in fear. Letting out a snarl Zira hit Nuka hard in his head. Nuka tried his best not to cry out as the blood flowed down his head. "Let that be a lesson to you," Zira growled as she grabbed Kovu and walked out of the log. Zira laid down next to a rock and pulled Kovu close so he could nurse. Tojo shook his head sadly as he picked up the zebra and began to eat. He saved some for Vitani and Nuka as he knew Zira already ate. Just then Vitani came back with some sticks and placed them in front of Zira. Then she went over and began to eat. Tojo smiled at his niece and picked up the remainder of the zebra and went to bring it to Nuka. "No!" Zira shouted. "Nuka doesn't get food tonight!"

"But Zira he's hurt," Tojo pretested. "He needs food to recover faster."

"Then he shouldn't have gotten himself hurt!" Zira thundered, getting up and grabbing the remainder of the zebra. Kovu fell to the ground with a surprised mew as Zira had abruptly interrupted his meal. Zira growled and laid back down and pulled Kovu close again as she ate the remainder of the zebra.

"Ugh you are impossible sometimes," Tojo hissed, shaking his head in disgust.

"Shut up Tojo," Zira snarled, glaring it her brother. "Or else I'll give you some really nasty scars."

"I'm not scared of you Zira," Tojo shot back glaring back at his sister. Zira opened her mouth to say more but suddenly a lioness with a dusty brown coat and dark brown eyes came running towards Zira followed by a lioness with a grey coat and light blue eyes.

"Zira forgive me but there's something really important I need to tell you," the dusty brown lioness said.

"What is it Vumbi?" Zira growled. "I'm a busy lioness."

"Simba, Nala and Sarabi were seen heading this way," Vumbi informed Zira.

"You and Mwanga go see what they want," Zira ordered. "And take Tojo with you."

"Yes Zira," Vumbi said, secretly glad Tojo was going with them. Unbeknownst to Zira Vumbi and Tojo had recently started a relationship. Vumbi looked at Mwanga, who winked slightly at the couple as she knew what was going on between them/

"Can I go too Mother?" Vitani asked, looking at Zira.

"Fine," Zira said, waving her paw. "Just as long as you're out of my fur." Without another word Vitani ran to her uncle and they along with Vumbi and Mwanga were off to see what Simba wanted with them.

TLKTLKTLK

Meanwhile Simba, Nala and Sarabi had reached the Outland border. "I don't see anything out of the ordinary," Nala commented as she looked around.

"Yes it does seam like all is quiet," Sarabi chimed in. Just then the trio saw Simba and Nala's good friends: Tama and Malika heading towards them.

"Hey guys," Tama said, smiling at the group.

"Hey," Simba said with a smile of his own. "What are you two doing out this way?"

"Oh we just came from Rafiki's tree," Tama said, her smile getting bigger as she looked at Malika, who also had a smile of his face. "Should we tell them?" Tama asked, looking at her mate.

"Tell us what?" Nala asked.

"Tama and I are going to have a cub!" Malika cried out, unable to contain his excitement.

"That's wonderful!" Sarabi exclaimed, embracing the couple.

"I'm so happy for you both!" Nala cried out at the same time.

"Congratulations guys!" Simba cried out at the same time.

"Thanks guys," Tama said with a giggle. "I can't wait to be a mom."

"Me either," Nala said without even thinking about it. Nala gasped as she instantly realized her mistake.

"Nala what do you mean?" Simba asked, looking at his mate. "Are you pregnant?"

"Uh," Nala stammered, looking at Sarabi, who just started at her with wide eyes. "Uh yes I am," Nala said with a slight laugh.

"Wow this is great!" Malika cried out.

"Yeah our kids are going to grow up together!" Tama cried out. "Just like we did!"

"Simba?" Nala said softly, looking at her mate who was staring at her silently. "Simba?" Nala tried again. "Are you alright? Please say something." Simba blinked a few times then he shook his head.

"I'm sorry Nal'," the golden King said. "Its just that you took me by surprise that's all."

"You are happy aren't you?" Nala asked. Simba looked at his mate then he opened his mouth to respond. But before he could he heard Tama gasp.

"What's wrong?" Simba asked, looking in the direction where Tama was looking. When he saw who was coming towards them Simba's amber eyes went wide and he let out a gasp of his own.

A/N well folks ch 3 in finished. I hope you all enjoyed it. Review please and thank you.