"Are you sure you're ok?" Nguvu asked, his eyes dark with worry. "You took a pretty nasty blow, kid."

You think? Shujaa almost snorted. The leader of the Lion Guard was limping badly, blood dripping from her unmarked shoulder. When Kucha had had them cornered and all had seemed lost; Nguvu had come up with a plan. The young lion had rushed the elephants, sending them stampeding towards Kucha and Nguvu's uncle. The two Backlanders had run from the elephants crushing feet, but not before getting a few swipes in on the retreating guard.

"I'm fine." Shujaa assured the Strongest. She turned to glance over her shoulder at the rest of the guard. "Lion Guard, you did well today… Obviously we underestimated Kucha, but we managed to get out of the situation alive…. That's what counts. We'll do better next time!"

"Better?" Mflame yipped. "We sent those slimeballs running for the hills! I'd like to see anyone do better!"

"Be careful," Kupanda warned, her voice gentle yet firm. "Don't go getting cocky, Mflame. Shujaa's right, it's only by the will of the Kings that we escaped that trap."

"Lion Guard," Shujaa added. "Head home, we've done our job for the day…. Go get some rest, you've all had a rough day."

As the rest of the Lion Guard spilt up to go their separate ways, Nguvu scooted closer to Shujaa.

"I'm sorry." He breathed as they walked. "My uncle… he could have killed you…"

"And that makes you sorry?" Shujaa narrowed her eyes. "Listen, Nguvu… I don't know what happened between you and your uncle, but nothing he does is your fault."

Nguvu flicked an ear, he didn't look very convinced. But before Shujaa could say another word, she made out several shapes racing across the Pridelands towards them.

"Is that…" Shujaa groaned. "Why is my whole family running over here?"

"Uhm," Nguvu titled his head, a little smirk on his face. "Talk about overprotective… I pity the lion that falls in love with you. He's gonna have claws on him from every angle."

Koda, Shujaa couldn't help but think, a pang of grief stabbing at her chest. Koda would have killed anyone who even looked twice at me… but will he ever get the chance now? Will I ever have him standing beside me again? Is he even alive now?

"Shujaa!"

Shujaa watched as Kovu, Simba, Kiara, and Vitani came to a halt before her. Her father thrust out his head, rubbing it along her jaw.

"Shujaa!" he mewed. "We thought… we thought you were in danger." It was then that the king caught sight of the deep scratch on her flank. "Great Kings! Shujaa! What happened!"

"Kucha happened." Shujaa muttered. "He led us into a trap. And, before you ask how we escaped, why don't you just take a look at Mr. Genius over here." She flicked her tail tip towards Nguvu.

"I didn't do much." Nguvu shrugged, embarrassed at all the royal eyes on him.

"You saved our lives." Shujaa protested. She rolled her eyes. "But, yeah, sure. You didn't do anything at all."

"Thank you, Nguvu." Kiara whispered, running a paw along her daughter's spine.

"Yes," Kovu lifted his head and stared at the younger lion, green eyes glowing with pride. "You sure have come far from the cub we met in the woods all that time ago."

"Ha." Nguvu ran a paw uncomfortably through the dirt. "I don't know about that."

Nguvu headed home and Shujaa's family made their way to Priderock. They were met outside the cave by Nala.

"Oh, thank the Kings, you're back!" She exclaimed, rushing forward to nuzzle Simba. Simba smiled, returning the affection gesture. Nala turned to look at Kovu and his family. "He's awake." She breathed. "I just got back from a hunting patrol… Koda is awake!"

Shujaa didn't even wait for permission to enter the cave, she just shot in. Her heart sputtered with joy as she saw him. Koda was sitting up in his nest, his eyes blurry and unfocused, but open all the same.

"Koda!" She screeched out in pure joy, leaping across the liar and coming to thrust her head into her brother's chest. "Oh, Koda! You're alive."

"Shujaa?" The lioness felt him return her gesture of affection, even though it seemed a bit forced. "What…"

"You've been asleep for days!" Shujaa purred, stepping back and taking in her brother. "We were beginning to think you'd never wake."

Koda smiled, that innocent, calm, smile of his.

"Do I even want to know what you did without me for days?" He teased, voice cracked and rough from lack of use.

"Took down Kucha and his followers all by myself," Shujaa shot back. "That's what."

Koda blinked. But before he could question such a statement, the rest of his family came to greet him.

"Koda!" His mother cried out, leaning down to groom his sprouting mane. "My little prince! You're alright!"

"It's wonderful to have you back." Simba added from behind her.

"Yes…" Kovu stepped forward and slowly made his way to his son. Shujaa's smile slipped as she noticed the odd look on Koda's face as he met their father's gaze. "We've missed you, son."

"You missed me." Koda's lip curled. "Uh hu, sure."

"Koda!" Kiara scolded, pulling away from him. "Your father has been worried sick about you! We all have!"

"So, what!" Koda snarled, his tail lashing as he continued to glare at his father. "He can completely ignore me while I'm alive, make me feel like I'm all alone in the world, but the second he thinks I'm going to die… then, he cares!" The young prince flattened his ears. "Well, guess what, I don't need your care, father."

There was a dark silence in the den as everyone took in Koda's words. Kovu had stepped away from his cub, eyes flooded with pain and regret.

"Koda…" he choked. "Please… I was only trying to do what was best for you."

"Best for me?" Koda was shaking at this point. "What would have been best for me would have been to have my father be there for me! I might as well have grown up without one for how little you cared!"

"That's not true!" Kovu hissed, eyes wet. "I've always cared for and loved you… how could you not know that?"

"How could I?" Koda shot back. "When you only speak to me to make small talk… the same kind of talk you would have with a random rogue out on the plains… not your own son!"

Shujaa's heart shattered as she stared from her father to her brother. The grief and heartbrokenness in one face and the anger and hate in the other…

Nothing will ever be the same again, Shujaa realized, her eyes moving down to the deep wound in Koda's own shoulder. A wound that, unlike her own, would be forever with him. Whatever happened to him these last few days… Koda will never be the same as the cub who was first bitten by that snake.