A/N Thank you to my awesome reviewers. I really appreciate your reviews. Hopefully there will be more to follow in this chapter. Here it is ch 16. Enjoy

Ch 16 A Glimmer of Hope

"Kion!" Nala thundered, her blue eyes blazing as her youngest son stood in front of her. "What the Hell do you think you're doing?!"

"I won't let you hurt my grandmother Mother!" Kion shouted, glaring at Nala.

"You miserable little shit!" Nala snarled, raising her paw to strike Kion.

"Forgive me my lady but that might not be wise," Tama said, being careful to keep her voice monotone.

"You dare question me!" Nala roared, striking Tama in her face.

"But my lady if you harm Kion then he won't be able to train," Tama said, wiping the blood away from her eyes. "And that would put your plan on hold until he recovers. You don't want that do you?" Tama looked at Nala, hoping she'd listen to her.

"I suppose you have a point," Nala said, her voice much calmer. Then she whipped her head back towards Kion and spat out, "You got lucky today. But I promise you if you defy me again it won't be pretty!" Without another word Nala stormed away from her family.

"Are you guys alright?" Kion asked, approaching his siblings, who were being helped by Sarafina.

"As alright as we can be," Kopa groaned as Sarafina put pressure on a nasty cut that was on his side. Sharka was attending to Kiara, who had a nasty head wound.

"I'm really sorry guys," Kion said, lowering his eyes in shame. "I...I should have stopped Mother before. But I wasn't sure if I should go against her. But when she started hitting Grandmother I knew I had to do something."

"Thank Ky," Kopa said with a small smile.

"Yeah maybe there's hope for you yet," Kiara said with a smile of her own. Kion smiled back and was about to say something.

"Kion!" Nala snarled, causing her children to jump. "Get back to your training now!"

"Yes Mother!" Kion called back as he ran to his training spot.

"I hope this isn't just a temporary thing," Safara remarked. The rest of the group nodded in agreement spent the rest of the day discussing Kion's sudden change in behavior and all of them hoping this wasn't just temporary.

TLKTLKTLK

The next day Kopa, Kiara, Safara, Nyeusi, and Chafu were up early. But to their shock they saw that Nala and Kion were already gone. Exchanging confused looks the group of cubs went to look for them. But they didn't have to look far because soon Nala found them. "Kiara!" the creamy lioness snarled, causing her other children to jump. "Kopa! Get me and Kion something to eat! Now!"

"Yes Mother!" the two siblings said as they ran to get the food. But due to their injuries from the beating they'd received they weren't as fast as they usually were. Especially Kopa. The creamy brown cub had received some nasty hits to his head and side.

"Kopa c'mon," Kiara hissed, glaring at her brother. "Mother will be furious if we're not back quickly."

"I know that," Kopa hissed back, closing his eyes in an effort to clear his vision. "I'm really dizzy and my side hurts." Just then Kopa's vision began to go in and out and suddenly his eyes rolled back in his head and he passed out. But luckily Sarafina was watching and she quickly scooped up her grandson.

"I've got him," the older lioness said to Kiara. "Go get the food to your mother." Kiara nodded and quickly gathered the food and ran back to Nala.

"Where's Kopa?!" Nala demanded after snatching the food away from her daughter.

"He passed out," Kiara informed her mother. "I think he has a concussion or something."

"Indeed he does," said a light brown lioness with hazel eyes. "He has a nasty concussion and some bruised ribs. He needs rest for the next two weeks."

"Not happening Maganga!" Nala snarled.

"If you don't let him rest then he could have serious side effects," Maganga said. "Like death for example."

"Nala I know you're angry right now," Sarafina said carefully. "But you really don't want your son to die do you?"

"Fine," Nala spat out. "He can rest. But only for a week."

"But Nala," Sarafina began.

"I have spoken!" Nala thundered. "And if anyone dares argue with me I'll spill their blood all over this cursed ground!" Without another words Nala stomped away from the terrified group.

"Phew I glad she's gone," Nyeusi said with a sigh.

"Mom can I go play?" Safara asked, looking at Tama.

"Of course you can," Tama said, smiling at her daughter. "Have fun sweetie. I love you."

"Thanks Mom," Safara said, nuzzling Tama. "I love you too."

"Mom can we play too?" Chafu asked, looking at Sharka.

"Yes you and Nyeusi may play," Sharka said, pulling her children close and nuzzling them. "I love you both and please be careful and have fun."

"We will Mom," the two siblings said together. "We love you too."

"C'mon Kiara you can help me train," Kion said, motioning with his head for his big sister to follow him.

"Uh ok," Kiara said, looking at her other friends, who nodded and mouthed 'we got this'. With that the light brown young lioness cub followed her younger brother to the training area while the other cubs headed for the Pride Lands.

TLKTLKTLK

Meanwhile back at Pride Rock Vitani and Nuka were getting ready to venture out of the cave. "Now remember you two," Zira was saying. "Rafiki said to take it easy. That means no rough housing of any kind. Understand?"

"Yeah Mom we get it," Vitani said, rolling her amber eyes. "You and Dad have only been over this like a million times."

"Vitani keep up that attitude and you won't be going anywhere," Zira said sternly.

"Sorry Mom," Vitani said quickly. "But its really annoying hearing the same thing over and over again."

"Well honey you and your brother are only four months old," Zira began. "So that's why your father and I repeat things over and over."

"Ok I get it," Vitani said, the impatience clear in her voice. "Can we please go now?"

"Now just a minute Vitani," Simba said, coming onto the scene with Sarabi. "Your grandmother is going with you two remember?"

"Ah Dad do we have to have a babysitter?" Nuka groaned. "We're not babies anymore. We're four months old."

"None the less I want to make sure you and your sister are safe," Simba said.

"Kovu and Jasiri are gonna be with us," Vitani said. "So what's the big deal?"

"The big deal Vitani," Simba said, his voice coming out slightly rough. "Is that the last time you guys went out without an adult you both nearly died. I will not allow that to happen again."

"But Dad," Nuka began. But he was cut off by Simba's angry sounding voice.

"End of discussion Nuka!" the golden lion growled, causing his children to jump slightly.

"Simba..." Zira began. But like her son the Queen was cut off by Simba's growl.

"I will not discuss this anymore Zira!" Simba hissed, his amber eyes fiery. "End of discussion!" Without waiting for a response Simba stormed off.

"I'll talk to him," Zira said to her children as she gave them nuzzles. "I love you both. Please be careful."

"We love you too Mom," the twins said. Zira gave her children a smile and with that the tan coated lioness went after her mate.

"Well shall we go?" Sarabi asked, smiling at her grandchildren. But before they could another lioness called for Sarabi. "I'll be right back," she said with a smile as she walked towards the other lioness.

"Now's our chance," Vitani whispered. Nuka nodded and after making sure no one was around the twins ran down the side of Pride Rock, neither one of them realizing that this decision would change their lives forever.

A/N this looks like a good place to stop guys. Sadly this is going to be the last update for a couple of weeks as I'm leaving the country tomorrow. Hope you all enjoyed ch 16. Review please and thank you