Disclaimer: Once again, I painstakingly must admit that I, unfortunately-although as much as I'd like to, can not take credit for the invention of any of The Lion King. It, with the exception of this story (but not the characters or setting), was created by and has rights held by Disney.


A/N: First of all I would like to say kudos to the only reviewer who picked up on the last line of chapter 3. I won't say who it was though, as to further the suspense…you guys will just have to find out later on what is happening. I would also like to say thank you for all the encouraging feedback from all my faithful reviewers…you have no idea how much it truly means to me. I have been asked to make the chapters a bit longer by several people and so, I have decided that that would be in the best interest for my story. These longer chapters, however, have come at the price that it might take me a little longer than usual to update. My apologies. This chapter would have been out a lot sooner, but I went to Florida for a week to see my brother-it was very relaxing down there- and then I went spelunking with a couple of friends of mine- if you ever get the chance to go, by all means, you should-it was so much fun, and of course I had to see Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, because, well-who didn't? Anyways, I'm sure you are all bored to death with my life story, so without further interruption…


The Lion King III
Chapter 4

Darkness and rain had swallowed the Pride Lands just as Simba and Zazu had made it inside the cave. Kiara, Kovu, Timon, and Pumbaa were right behind them, running at full speed. This storm was going to be a big one. Kiara, who had hated any storm since Zira had died, went over to her mother and curled up in a ball to drift off into a deep sleep. Kovu was about to follow the princess, however he was cut off by a rather hostile Simba growling at him. Instead he went over to where his sister was nestled and tried to sleep, but he just could not ignore the voices in his head that kept telling him that Simba hated him for no apparent reason. It was not only Kovu who had realized this, though. Nala, who had been resting, got up after she had heard her husband growling at Kovu. She walked over to him while Timon, Pumbaa, and Zazu and silently signaled for the others to disappear.

"Simba, what's gotten into you? I thought you liked Kovu." she said curiously.

"He can't be trusted. Not now, he can't. We have to be careful, now; very careful." Simba replied as quietly as he could while looking around to see if any lions had been eavesdropping. "We need to talk, Nala; away from prying ears. Come on."

"Simba! It's pouring out! We'll get soaked!"

"I'm willing to take that chance."

"Okay." She said still confused and unsure as they walked out of the cave and down Pride Rock. Once they were a considerable distance from the cave and Nala was almost certain that there was no one else around, she questioned Simba again. She was not in the mood to keep to herself anymore. It was part of her nature to pry and even though she had given him his space for a while, she was sick of it now. It was time for him to confess what had been going on. "What's going on Simba? I have the right to know."

"You do, and that's what I want to tell you. It's not that simple, Nala. Do you remember when we were fighting with the Outsiders for control? We thought that Scar would take over for good?"

"Simba, what are you getting at? Scar is dead. He's been dead for a long time now and nothing anyone says can bring him back. What's going on Simba? Where did you send Timon and Pumbaa before? Why have you been so secretive, lately? This isn't like you, Simba?"

"Here's the thing. Scar isn't dead. He was escorted away by Shenzi and Banzai through the caves. He's in hiding, Nala. Timon and Pumbaa went off to find him and they were successful. He's back, Nala, and he wants to kill us. He's after us; all of us."

"What? How did you find any of this out? Who does he want to kill? And why don't you feel as if you can trust Kovu? What has he done?"

"A few weeks ago there were hyenas in the elephant graveyard. I had been with Timon and Pumbaa-they were showing me one of there spots for grub when we heard voices. We were hiding and we heard three of those awful creatures. I recognized one as a close friend of Shenzi. She was saying how Scar was laughing right now at the Pride Landers and his nephew because he was still alive and well, just biding his time."

"Okay…well, um, hmm…Scar is back, okay, but that still doesn't explain why we can't trust Kovu. Simba," she said looking directly into his eyes "we can trust Kovu. You know that don't you?"

"He was supposed to be their king. He was supposed to lead the Outsiders to freedom. How do we kno-"

"SIMBA!" Nala said cutting him off. "He will be their king. He did lead the Outsiders to freedom by bringing them here! And it wasn't by any means of Scar helping him! There is no doubt that he is on our side. I don't understand why you can't just trust that and have it be enough. He has never betrayed us. He saved our daughter's life, even though he knew who she was! If you can't trust Kovu then you can't trust any of the lions living here who were once banished to the Outlands. Don't you see it, Simba? We are all connected. We are one, Simba."

"He was Scar's chosen one."

"Why are you doing this? You know, the great kings of the past are probably watching over you right now and they're probably saying how could we do this. How could we put this lion that has run away from everything rule? You know what Simba? Kovu is a trustworthy lion and if you can't trust him, then you can't trust me."

"Nala!" he said as she started to walk back to Pride Rock without him. "Nala, it's not like that. You know that I trust you. Nala, I love you." He said running after her. He couldn't believe that she had just said that.

Spinning around the lioness gave her husband a hug. "I know you do, honey, but we can't live like this. This was how Zira and her pride lived. Never trusting one another, talking behind someone's back! It's not you, Simba, and it's certainly not what your father wanted for you. I can't live like that, Simba. We can trust Kovu, and you're going to have to live with the fact that if you make the mistake of throwing him out because you don't trust him, your daughter will hate you along with most of the pride and you will have made a very big mistake. And with that being said, I am going to go dry off now, and if you had any sense left in that kingly brain of yours you would do well to do likewise!"

Slowly Nala walked back to Pride Rock, deliberately waiting for Simba to catch up, but when she looked back he was still standing in the same place, looking up to the skies. She thought about yelling over to him to follow, but then she had second thoughts. Maybe he needed to have a little meeting with the great kings of the past in order to clear that confused brain of his. Maybe they would straighten him out. Maybe, just maybe.


okay, so I know it took a while to update, but hopefully it was worth the wait. Please review!
Lauren