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 The Ties That Bind

Kopa got into a fighting stance even though he knew he didn't stand much of a chance against so many lionesses. But the creamy brown young lion wasn't about to go down without a fight. "Get him," Sharka hissed. "And make sure his death is as painful as possible." With that the lionesses attacked. Kopa let out a roar and attacked at the same time. He managed to take down several of the lionesses causing Tama and Sharka to blink in surprise.

"I grew up with Nala as my mother," Kopa hissed as he flipped a lioness over his head. "Or did you two forget that she had me, Kion and Kiara train every single day of our lives ever since we've been able to train?" Kopa slashed the face of a lioness that was coming in to bite his neck. But Tama and Sharka had a backup plan. Nodding to each other they looked over at the shadows where their allies were waiting. But before they could signal them suddenly they heard a voice cry out, "Get away from my brother!" Tama and Sharka looked over and to their surprise they saw Kovu charging towards them, his green eyes blazing with fury.

"We can take him out too," Sharka whispered to Tama. "That way we can kill two lions in one go."

"No," Tama said, shaking her head. "I can't do that. Safara loves him and I can't take that away from her." Then in a much louder voice Tama shouted, "Ladies retreat! This can wait for another time!" With that the lionesses retreated back into the Outlands.

"Kopa!" Kovu cried out, running over to his half brother, who was panting for breath as he wiped the blood away from his face. "Are you alright?" Kovu asked, the concern clear in his voice.

"Yeah," Kopa panted, as he continued wiping the blood that was dripping down his head away from his eyes. "I'm good Kovu. What are you doing out here anyway?"

"Looking for you," Kovu said with a smile. "We were all worried when you ran out of the cave like that."

"I'm fine," Kopa snapped, the annoyance coming through. "Kings Above how many damn times do I have to say it?! I'm fine! There's no need for anyone to be worried about me alright?! Sheesh!"

"Well that a Hell of a way to talk to someone that just saved your ass," Kovu snapped back, glaring at his brother. "Because if I hadn't come along when I did those lionesses would have killed you."

"Yeah I know," Kopa said, his voice much calmer. "I'm sorry 'Vu. Thanks for helping me. I'm sorry I snapped at you."

"Its all good bro," Kovu said with a smile. But when he said the word bro Kovu noticed Kopa flinched. "Kopa what is it?" the golden brown lion asked. Kopa said nothing. He just looked away from his older brother. "Kopa you know you can tell me anything right?" Kovu asked. Kopa nodded but still said nothing. So Kovu continued saying, "Look Kopa I sort of know how you feel."

"No Kovu you really don't," Kopa said, turning away from Kovu.

"I know what its like to feel conflicted," Kovu said. "I'm the son of Scar too remember? Hell my name literally means Scar. I've seen the looks the other lionesses give me. I've heard the whispers. It hurts."

"Do you hear his voice?" Kopa asked. "Cause I hear Kion's voice all the time. And its maddening. He says I'm just like him. Evil and twisted. Hell maybe he's right. Maybe I am more like him than I care to admit. I am his twin after all."

"Kopa you can't think like that," Kovu insisted. "You're nothing like him. Or Nala. They were murders. You're not. You have a big heart, Trust me on this bro you are the complete opposite of them. You would never murder anyone."

"I almost did," Kopa pointed out. "Or have you forgotten that I helped Kion push Vitani and Nuka down the side of the gorge and they almost died because of that."

"That was a long time ago Kopa," Kovu said. "You were just a cub then. And lets not forget how terrifying Nala could be. You were only doing what you thought was the right thing. And if you ask me you've more than made up for that."

"If you say so," Kopa said, still not convinced.

"Well I do say so," Kovu said with a smile. "And so does Vitani and Nuka. Not to mention King Simba and Queen Zira. If they can forgive you then you should be able to forgive yourself."

"Yeah," Kopa said. "You're right 'Vu. About everything."

"Now are you ready to go home?" Kovu asked. Kopa nodded and with that the two lions headed back to Pride Rock. Little did they know that Tama and Sharka's ally had been hiding in the bushes the entire time.

"So Kopa is doubting himself is he?" the ally thought. "Perfect. He'll be too easy to sway to our side." With that the ally let out an evil laugh and slithered back to meet up with Tama and Sharka to discuss their idea.

TLKTLKTLK

A little while late Kopa and Kovu had returned to Pride Rock where they were met by a concerned Kiara and Jasiri. "Oh Kopa what happened to you?!" Jasiri cried out, running over to her love and gently nuzzling him.

"Tama and Sharka that's what," Kopa spat out. Just then Safara and Chafu came onto the scene along with Nuka and Vitani.

"What's this about my mother?" Safara asked.

"Your mother tried to get me to join her and Sharka and go against King Simba," Kopa said. "And when I told her to go to Hell she and Sharka sicked their lionesses on me. If Kovu hadn't come alone they probably would have killed me."

"Its a good thing you had the sense to follow him," Kiara said, smiling at Kovu. Just then Simba and Zira entered the scene along with Asha and Cala.

"What's going on here?" Simba asked. Then he noticed the scratch and bite marks on Kopa. "Kopa what in the world happened to you?!" the golden King cried out.

"Tama and Sharka tired to kill him Dad," Nuka chimed in before Kopa could get a word out.

"Yeah they tried to get him to turn against you and Mom," Vitani piped up. "But he said no and they attacked him!"

"If Kovu hadn't come along they would have killed him," Safara said, giving her love a nuzzle. "He's a hero."

"If this true Kopa?" Simba asked, looking at the creamy brown lion.

"Yes," Kopa said. "But..." But Kopa was interrupted by Asha giving him a nuzzle.

"I'm so glad my boys are alright," the light gold lioness said as she gave Kovu a nuzzle as well. "You both are so brave."

"Mom we're not babies anymore," Kovu said with annoyance as he pulled away from him mother. "Sheesh we're almost two for Kings sake!"

"Kovu no matter how old you guys gets you'll always be my babies," Asha said with a smile.

"Kopa why were you so close to the Outland border?" Simba asked.

"I...I needed some air," Kopa stammered. "I've been...having trouble with...something."

"With what?" Simba asked. Kopa said nothing and looked away so the King continued. "Does this have anything to do with what happened earlier."

"Yes," Kopa said softly. "But its not a big deal. Really its not."

"Sure it is," Vitani said suddenly. "I mean hearing Kion's voice is pretty damn important if you ask me." Vitani gasped as she realized her mistake. The Princess looked over at her shocked friends and family. Then Simba opened his mouth to respond.

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