A/N Thank you so much to my awesome supporters you all mean a lot to me. ch 17 coming at you all. Enjoy.

Ch 17 Recovery

Kion heard the sounds of people talking. But the voices seamed like they were far away and Kion couldn't make them out. The golden Prince tried to open his eyes but as soon as the light hit his eyes a stabbing bolt of pain went through his head and he quickly shut his eyes again. Kion let out a groan of pain and put his paw over his eyes in an attempt to block out the light.

"Kion?" came Nala's soft voice. "Honey can you hear me?"

"Mom?" Kion said, his voice coming out very soft. Kion slowly opened his eyes and saw Nala looking down at him with a look of concern. She was standing in front of Kion, blocking out the light. "What..." Kion swallowed an shook his head to clear his vision. "What happened?"

"You don't remember?" Nala asked, making sure she kept her voice low.

"Not really," Kion said, closing his eyes and shaking his head. However when he did that searing pain went through his head. "Ugh my head," Kion groaned, putting his paws over his head once again.

"You have a concussion honey," Nala said, her voice still very soft. "And some really nasty scratches and two broken ribs."

"Guess Zira really did a number on me huh?" Kion said weakly.

"You remember Zira attacking you?" Nala asked.

"I remember her taking me," Kion said. "But not much after that."

"Kion why exactly were you in the Outlands?" Nala asked.

"Yes I'm curious as well," Simba said, walking into the cave with Tama, Malkia, Kopa and Kiara right behind him.

"Kion!" Kopa cried out, running over to his friends with Kiara right behind him. "I thought you were dead buddy!" Kopa gently bumped heads with his friend while Kiara did the same thing.

"Sorry I worried you guys so much," Kion said softly.

"We're just glad you're alright son," Simba said, giving Kion a gentle nuzzle. Kion nuzzled his father back. But the the golden Prince noticed Simba had scratches and bite marks on him as did Malkia.

"Dad what happened to you and Uncle Malkia?" Kion asked, the concern clear in his voice.

"We got into a scuffle with Zira and her Pride," Malkia informed Kion. "We would have done more damage if we weren't on their turf."

"But don't you worry Kion," Simba said. "She'll pay dearly for what she did to you. But I am curious as to why you were in the Outlands to begin with." Kion opened his mouth to explain but Kopa beat him to it.

"Its all my fault Uncle Simba," the light gold cub said, lowering his dark brown eyes.

"Kopa honey what do you mean?" Tama asked, putting her paw around her son.

"I...I was so dumb Mom," Kopa said softly, his voice shaking with emotions. "I...I met this cub and I thought she was really cool and stuff so I've been hanging out with her so I wanted Kion and the others to meet her. But it was all a trap. That cub ended up being Zira's daughter."

"Oh Kopa," Tama said, shaking her head. "Why didn't you tell us this earlier?"

"I...I was scared," Kopa admitted, still not making eye contact. "I...I thought you and Dad would be mad at me for hanging out with Vitani."

"Well Kopa we're certainly not happy with you for lying to us," Malkia said, giving his son a disappointed look.

"Yes Kopa it was rather foolish of you to hang out with a cub that lives in the Outlands without even asking her questions," Simba said, his voice having a slight edge to it. "Not only could you have gotten Kion killed but you could have been killed yourself."

"I'm sorry Uncle Simba," Kopa said, his voice shaking as the tears came.

"Hey now its ok Kopa," Simba said, nuzzling Kopa. "Don't cry."

"Y...you're not angry with me?" Kopa sniffled, looking up at Simba with tear filled brown eyes.

"I admit I'm still not happy with this," Simba said with a frown. "But that's not on you Kopa."

"Thanks Uncle Simba," Kopa said with a smile.

"Uh honey why don't you go sit with Kion and talk for a little bit?" Tama suggested, nodding over to Kion who was already chatting away with Kiara.

"Ok Mom," Kopa said, bounding towards his friends. This left the adults alone to talk.

"Ok Sim' what's the plan here?" Malkia asked once he was sure that Kopa was out of ear shot.

"I can't believe I'm about to say this," Simba said, taking a deep breath. "But we wait."

"Well I must say that surprises me," Sarabi said, coming onto the scene with Sarafina right behind her.

"Mom how much did you hear?" Simba asked.

"Well I heard Malkia ask you what the plan was," Sarabi said. "Which I assume means he wants to know what you intend to do about Zira nearly killing Kion. Which is why I said I'm surprised you want to wait."

"Yeah Sim' I'm surprise too," Malkia chimed in.

"Well as much as I would love to kill Zira for what she's done I'm not suicidal," Simba informed the group. "Me and Mal' were lucky that we were able to get out of there with just these scratches. So even though I hate doing it the only smart thing to do here is wait."

"Wow Simba," Tama said with a slight laugh. "I never thought you'd be so calm about this. I really expected you to..." But the light gold lioness was cut off by Simba

"But the cubs won't be going anywhere without an adult with them," the golden King declared. "I won't risk anything happening to Kion or any other cub."

"Simba I don't think that's necessary," Nala began.

"Well I do," Simba said. "And since I'm King around here what I say goes. And I won't discuss it any further." Without waiting for a response Simba turned and walked away from the concerned group.

"Well so much for Simba not flying off the handle," Tama muttered.

"I'll talk to him," Nala said. "He just needs some time. Trust me I'll get him to change his mind." With that the creamy coated Queen took her leave.

TLKTLKTLK

The months past and soon the cubs were all six months old. Kion had recovered from his injuries and was back to his lovable self. The cubs had been meeting up with Kovu and Miwa daily and had really been enjoying their company and visa versa. Kiara and Kovu had become really close as has Kion and Miwa. On this particular day Kovu and Miwa were getting ready to leave to meet up with Kiara and Kion. But before the could suddenly Zira stepped out in front of them. "Just a minute," the tan lioness hissed, causing Kovu and Miwa to gulp in fear. "I want to speak with both of you."

"About what Mother?" Kovu asked. Just then Tojo and Vumbi came onto the scene along with Nuka and Vitani.

"You wanted to see us Zira?" Tojo asked.

"The time has come," Zira said. The group all exchanged looks of confusion. "The time for vengeance has arrived," Zira continued. "Today is the day justice will be served and Simba and his family will die! Kovu you and Miwa will lead Simba's brats into a trap!"

"But Mother," Kovu said carefully. "That's going to be really hard to do."

"Yeah," Miwa chimed in. "Simba always has a grownup with us. Its going to be really hard for us to sneak away without being obvious about it." Secretly Kovu and Miwa were both hoping Zira would back down. Over these past few months they had really gotten to like Kiara and Kion and neither cub wanted anything bad to happen to them. But they didn't dare voice their objections. They knew that would be deadly to do.

"Well you had better figure out a way!" Zira growled. "I want Simba's brats to be alone and at the river on the Outland/Grassland border when the sun's highest in the sky. And you had better do it or you'll be the ones that pay the price! Am I clear?!"

"Y...yes Mother," Kovu stammered, his green eyes wide.

"Y...yes Aunt Zira," Miwa stammered at the same time, her blue eyes also wide with fear. Without another word the two cubs took off to meet with Kiara and Kion, both of them dreading what they were about to do.

A/N ch 17 over and done everyone. I hope you all liked it. Let me know in a review please