A/N alright folks here is ch 22 coming at you all. As always thank you so much for your reviews. Enjoy ch 22

Ch 22 Growing Up

"De Prince is going to be just fine," Rafiki informed the group. This earned sighs of relief from everyone. "However," Rafiki said, holding up his hand. "Der is some swelling in his brain which concerns me."

"You don't think he'll have brain damage do you Rafiki?" Nala asked, her voice shaking slightly.

"I do not tink dat will be da case," Rafiki said. "But until de swelling goes down I will now know for sure. Young Kion will also not wake up until de swelling goes down either."

"How long do you think that will be?" Simba asked.

"It is hard to say," Rafiki said. "But from my experience it should only be a few days."

"Thank you so much Rafiki," Simba said with a smile. "Once again you managed to save the day."

"It is my pleasure yer Majesty," Rafiki said with a slight bow. "And now I shall return to my Tree to retrieve some supplies. I will be back to check on all of you." With that Rafiki took his leave.

TLKTLKTLK

The days seamed to pass slowly at Pride Rock. Soon two weeks past and Kion still wasn't awake and although Rafiki said not to worry Simba and Nala still did. "Man I hate all this waiting!" Bunga exclaimed as he paced. "I wish Kion would just wake up already!"

"We all wish that Bunga," Simba said, trying his hardest not to snap at the honey badger. "But you saying things like that really doesn't help matters."

"Sorry," Bunga said, felling bad he was making things worse. "I didn't mean to make things worse."

"It alright Bunga," Simba said with a smile. "I know you're just worried."

"Kion will wake when he's ready to," Ono chimed in. "The brain needs extra time to heal from trauma. That's why he's not awake yet." Just then Nala and the other lionesses returned from hunting.

"Hi Mom!" Kiara cried out from her place between Simba's paws.

"Hello my darling," Nala said giving her daughter and mate nuzzles. Then she looked down at Kion. "Still not awake huh?" she whispered, giving Kion's head a lick.

"Guess what Mom?" Kiara said, trying to distract her mother. "Rafiki said I could leave the cave tomorrow."

"So soon?" Nala asked, her blue eyes wide with surprise.

"Yep," Kiara said with a smile. "I can't wait either."

"Well that's great sweetie," Nala said as she settled down beside her family. Just then Kovu came onto the scene along with Miwa, Kopa, Tiifu and Zuri.

"Hey Kovu guess what?" Kiara said.

"What?" Kovu asked with a smile.

"I get to leave the cave tomorrow," Kiara said, her smile getting bigger.

"That's great," Kovu said. "I'm glad you're feeling better." Then he looked down at Kion and then he said with a guilt filled voice, "I just wish Kion was feeling better too." Kovu sat down with a sigh.

"Dear one you mustn't feel so guilty," Nala said, putting her paw around the nine month old cub.

"I can't help it," Kovu said, his voice shaking. "This is all my fault."

"Its just as much my fault as it is yours Kovu," Miwa chimed in, sitting beside her cousin.

"Its not either one of your faults," Simba chimed in. "You two are just cubs. And I know first hand how terrifying Zira can be. You two had no choice and in the end you did the right thing. So please don't blame yourself."

"Thanks King Simba," Kovu said with a smile. Simba smiled back at the cub and Kovu and Miwa settled down beside their friends and settled down for the night.

TLKTLKTLK

The next day Rafiki was at Pride Rock, examining Kiara, Simba and Kion. "De Princess is ready to leave the cave," the old mandrill said with a smile. "As long as she takes it slow. And de King should be able to resume his Kingly duties in a few days."

"Thank you Rafiki," Kiara cried out, getting to her feet. Kiara stretched and let out a slight groan as she did so.

"Don't overdo things honey," Nala said.

"I won't Mom," Kiara promised. "Can I go now please?"

"Be careful and have fun," Simba said with a smile as he gave his daughter a nuzzle. Just then Kovu and Miwa came bounding into the cave.

"Are you allowed to go out today?" Kovu asked.

"Sure am," Kiara said with a smile. "Lets go." With that the three cubs left the cave.

"Be back before dark," Nala called after her daughter.. Just then Simba let out a sigh. "What's wrong Simba?" Nala asked, sitting beside her mate.

"I hope Kiara is going to be alright," Simba said. "I know Zira hasn't been seen or heard from lately but still..."

"If it makes you feel better Vumbi went with the cubs just in case," Tojo said.

"Yeah and Tama, Naya and Cala are out walking," Malkia chimed in. "They'll keep an eye on the cubs."

"Does that make you feel better?" Nala asked, nuzzling her mate.

"A little," Simba said with a sigh. Just then the group heard a low groan. Looking down they saw that Kion was coming around. The golden Prince slowly opened his eyes and looked up at his family.

"Oh Kion!" Simba and Nala cried out at the same time, nuzzling their son.

"Oh honey we're so glad you're awake," Nala exclaimed, tears of joy going down her face.

"Mom?" came Kion's weak voice. "Dad? What's going on? How'd I get here?"

"You're safe honey," Nala said softly. "Zira is gone and she can't hurt you or your sister again."

"Kiara's ok?" Kion asked.

"Yer sister is fine young one," Rafiki informed Kion. "And you will be too. But you need yer rest."

"Ok Rafiki," Kion said, closing his eyes and going back to sleep.

"He will be just fine," Rafiki said, putting his arm around Simba and Nala.

"Thank you so much Rafiki," Simba said, giving Rafiki a hug.

"My pleasure my King," Rafiki said as he took his leave.

TLKTLKTLK

The days past quickly for Simba and his family. Soon the days turned into weeks and the weeks turned into months. The cubs were turning into young adults right before their parents' eyes. Soon it was time to celebrate Kion and Kiara's first birthday. Kion was looking more and more like Simba every day and he had a bright red mane growing in. Kiara was looking more and more like Nala with a beautiful golden brown coat growing in. Today was a special day. It was the day of Kiara, Tiifu and Zuri's first hunt. "I wish I could go with you guys," Miwa, who was visiting along with Tojo, Vumbi and her little brother: Ndugu. Ndugu was a five month old cub with blue eyes and a light brown coat.

"It'll be your time soon enough," Tiifu said, smiling at the ten moth old young lioness. Just then Naya approached her daughter along with Tiifu's four month old sister, Jana. Jana was a peachy coated cub with green eyes.

"You're so lucky Tiif'," Jana said, nuzzling her sister's front leg. "I'd give anything to go with you."

"Enjoy being a cub as long as you can little sis," Tiifu said, nuzzling her sister. Naya gave her daughter a nuzzle as well.

"I know you'll do just fine," she said with a smile.

"Thanks Mom," Tiifu said with a smile of her own. Just then Simba and Nala emerged from the cave with Kiara and Kion right behind them. Kovu, Vitani and Nuka were there and when Kovu saw Kiara a smile went across his face.

"Good luck today Ki'," the dark brown lion whispered, nuzzling Kiara, his jet black mane covering both their faces.

"Thanks 'Vu," Kiara whispered back. Just then Simba cleared his throat and motioned with his head for Kiara to come to him. Kiara approached her parents and gave them nuzzles.

"You'll do just fine sweetie," Nala whispered.

"Yeah sis you got this," Kion said as he too gave the Princess a nuzzle. Kion had some scars on his side form Zira's attack. But the most noticeable one was on his right eye. But Kion didn't mind the scars and Miwa told him they made him look cool.

"Just please be careful honey," Simba said, nuzzling Kiara.

"Don't worry King Simba I'll keep them safe," Vitani said, stepping forward.

"I know you will Vitani," Simba said, smiling at the one and a half year old lioness. He looked over and saw Zuri giving her mother a nuzzle.

"Good luck Zu'," Kopa said, giving Zuri a nuzzle. "I know you'll do great."

"Thanks Kop'," Zuri said with a smile. With that the three lionesses headed out with Vitani leading the way.

"Please make sure Kiara stays safe," Simba whispered to Bunga, Fuli and Ono who were standing off to the side.

"You got it," Bunga said as he and his friends bounded down the side of Pride Rock. Nala and Kion shook their heads but said nothing. Instead they went and joined the others to wait for the young lionesses to return.

A/N well folks there you have it everyone this chapter is done. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter as I quite enjoyed writing it. Thank you all for your reviews :)