A/N Hello boys and girls I'm back with a new chapter! The usual thanks is in order. And Enjoy ch 10

Ch 10 Dark Times

The days past slowly at Pride Rock. Soon two weeks past and Vitani and Nuka still hadn't awakened. This concerned Simba and Zira greatly but Rafiki had assured the King and Queen that this was normal for situations where a severe head injury had occurred. On this day Simba was sitting with his children while Zira was out hunting with the other lionesses. The Queen didn't want to leave her children but Simba had insisted as Zira hadn't left the cave since the cubs' accident. Just then Kovu bounded up to the golden King. "Any change?" the golden brown cub asked.

"None sadly," Simba said, looking down at his cubs. "But Rafiki said not to worry. But still I..." Just then Simba and Kovu heard a low groan. Looking down they saw that Vitani was stirring. "Vitani?" Simba said softly. "Honey can you hear me?" Vitani let out another groan and her eyes began to flutter.

"C'mon 'Tani you can do it," Kovu said softly. "Open your eyes."

"C'mon sweetheart come back to us," Simba whispered. Vitani's eyes slowly opened and she looked at Simba with confused amber eyes.

"Daddy?" came her raspy voice.

"Oh Vitani thank the Kings you're awake," Simba cried out, gently nuzzling his daughter.

"What happened?" the tan coated Princess asked. "How'd I get back here? And why does my head hurt so much?"

"You and Nuka fell down the side of the gorge," Kovu informed his friend. "You nearly died. You've been out for two whole weeks."

"Really?" Vitani asked, her voice coming out soft. Then she noticed her unconscious brother next to her. "Is Nuka gonna be ok?" Vitani asked, looking at Simba.

"I'm sure your brother is going to be just fine," Simba said. Then as if on cue they heard another groan. Looking down they saw Nuka was waking up as well. "Nuka?" Simba said softly. "Son can you hear me?"

"Wake up Nuk'," Kovu encouraged. "You can do it buddy."

"Come back to us son," Simba said. Nuka let out another groan and opened his eyes.

"Dad?" the three month old Prince said softly. "Is that you?"

"Yes its me son," Simba said, gently nuzzling his boy.

"My head hurts," Nuka groaned, holding the sides of his head. "And my side."

"Yeah join the club bro," Vitani groaned. "We fell down the gorge two weeks ago and almost died."

"We fell?" Nuka asked, shaking his head. "I don't remember tripping or anything."

"Yeah me either," Vitani declared. "But I do remember..." Vitani trailed off, now quite sure if she should continued.

"What?" Simba asked gently. "What do you remember sweetie?"

"I..." Vitani began. "I..." But before she could continue Zira came running into the cave.

"Simba!" the tan coated Queen cried out. "I heard something happened with the cubs. What..."

"Mom!" the twins cried out together. Zira ran over to her children and gently embraced them.

"Oh my sweet darlings I'm so glad you're awake!" Zira cried out as she licked her children over and over, tears of joy going down her face. "I was so scared I lost you both. I love you both so much."

"We love you to Mom," Nuka said, nuzzling into Zira's chest.

"Yeah," Vitani said. "But can you not squeeze us so hard? Its not good on broken ribs."

"I'm sorry my darling," Zira said. "I didn't mean to..."

"Its alright Mom," Vitani said with a smile. Then she let out a yawn.

"Why don't you and your brother get some rest?" Sarabi said, nuzzling Vitani and Nuka

"Ok Grandma," Vitani said with another yawn. With that she layed her head down and was promptly asleep. Simba smiled and saw that Nuka was already asleep.

"I think our kids are going to be alright," Simba whispered to Zira.

"Yes I think so too," Zira whispered. With that the Royal Family settled down to get some sleep.

"Whew I'm relieved that they're going to be alright," Jasiri said to Kovu.

"Me too 'Siri," Kovu said. "Me too."

TLKTLKTLK

A couple weeks past and things were going better in the Pride Lands. Nuka and Vitani were slowly getting better although it would be quite some time before they'd be allowed to play again. But while things were going so good in the Pride Lands things were going much worse in the Outlands. Kion was making good on his word that he was going to become more like Scar. The brown coated cub was becoming more and more withdrawn and cruel. He was especially cruel to Kopa because he knew Nala looked down on her oldest son. "C'mon Ky lay off Kopa will ya?" Kiara pleaded with her youngest brother as he once again berated Kopa for not being fast enough to catch a bird.

"You really don't want to test me Kiara," Kion snarled, glaring at his older sister. "Or maybe you want me to give you more scars than you already have!" Kion suddenly pounced on Kiara, pinning her to the ground. Kiara's green eyes went wide with fear as Kion put his face within inches of hers. "You don't want that?" Kion asked, his voice low and threatening. "Do you sis?"

"N...no," Kiara stammered. "I don't want that. I'm sorry Kion. I didn't mean to make you angry."

"Just don't let it happen again," Kion growled as he let Kiara up and went back to his training.

"Oh believe me I won't," Kiara said with a shudder as she watched her brother leave. Just then Kopa approached Kiara with Nyeusi right behind him.

"Someone needs to take him down a peg or two," Kopa growled, sitting down beside his sister. "Like I mean permanently."

"Oh c'mon Kop' you don't really mean that do you?" Nyeusi asked, giving her friend a look of surprise.

"I do mean it Ny," Kopa growled. "Kion thinks he's so much better than us. He's getting to be way worse than Mother could ever be. And I don't know about you Ki' but I'm getting real sick and tired of being treated by a punching bag."

"Yeah," Kiara said softly. "I am too. And I'm the oldest. If anyone should be pushing people around it should be me!"

"No one should be pushing anyone around," Sarafina said, coming onto the scene. "I may not be able to stop my daughter from doing permanent harm but I'm damn sure going to make sure my grandchildren don't have the same fate. Kiara you're a smart, beautiful big hearted young lioness. No matter what anyone says you are not worthless or pathetic or weak. And always know how much I love you."

"Thanks Grandma," Kiara said, nuzzling into Sarafina's chest fur. "I love you too."

"And Kopa," Sarafina went on. "You are such a sweet young lion. You have a heart of gold my dear sweet grandson. You are so brave and smart. Never let anyone tell you otherwise. I love you my sweet Kopa."

"I love you too Grandma," Kopa said, nuzzling Sarafina.

"And both of you should know that deep down Kion does love you both," Sarafina said. "He's just confused right now. Your mother has his brain so twisted that he's not thinking clearly. But I know the sweet, loving Kion is still in there. And he's only five months old. There's still time for me to get through to him. But I'm going to need your guys' help. Can you help me?" Sarafina looked at her grandchildren with pleading green eyes when she said this part.

"We can do it," Kiara said with a nod. "Right Kop'?" Kiara looked at her brother when she said this part.

"Yeah sure," Kopa said with a shrug. "I guess I can."

"We all can help," Nyeusi chimed in. "And I know that once I talk to Safara and Chafu they'll help too."

"Thank you Nyeusi," Sarafina said with a smile. "But remember we mustn't let Nala, Tama or your mother know what we're planning."

"Oh believe me we won't let that happen," Kiara said with a shudder.

"For real," Kopa said softly. Then his blue eyes lit up as an idea came to him. "I know what to do!" the creamy cub exclaimed. Without waiting for an answer Kopa took off.

"Hey Kop' wait up!" Kiara said as she and Nyeusi ran after the young cub.

"Where are they going in such a hurry?" Tama asked, approaching Sarafina with Sharka and Nala right behind her.

"They said something about exploring," Sarafina responded. "That is ok isn't Nala?"

"I could care less what they do," Nala said. "I've got more important things to tend to. Come Tama I need to discuss something with you and Sharka."

"Yes Nala," Tama said as she followed the creamy coated lioness. Sharka stayed behind and whispered to Sarafina.

"I know you're planning something," the grey coated lioness hissed. "But I'm not sure what yet. But just know I'll be watching you Sarafina." Without waiting for a responce Sharka left, leaving a slightly shaken Sarafina behind.

A/N alrighty then folks ch 10 is complete. I hope you all liked it and please review.