The Neutral Prince

Chapter 8: An Attack

It's been nearly a week since Krayt decided to spare the hyena. He was still not pleased about how his sister choose to spare a enemy, but he seems to let it go for now, realizing that he would have to change tactics about what to do with Kiara. She have proved to be a speaker but Krayt decided that he would one day show her about battles and strength. She must not be a inferior. The fact that his parents allowed her to show such weakness to an known enemy intensifies Krayt's anger 'till the point where he was almost about to spoke out against his family. Krayt was just concerned about his sister and her potential going to a complete waste until her life is over and she won't have nothing.

Krayt punched a rock, destroying it without even leaving blood on his claws. Due to his muscles, Kion; or Krayt, have proved himself being a strong assets which is why most lion cubs leave him alone. Kiara was the only one bold enough to speak out towards him. Tiifu and Zuri even have their fears of him which is why they preferred of being his friend than someone in his path. They knew that even his family even had their own fear of him and doesn't seem to try to stop him that much. Since the moment he gotten here, he didn't even gotten punished yet. But his family knew that the cub didn't cared about rather get punished or not. He was stronger than last week, so that means if he continues to fight to adolescent years he would be a very strong lion someday. His family was trying to convince him to stop these fighting instincts but Krayt refused and would not allowed himself to become a weak fool. Without a second thought, Krayt would kill anybody if he wanted to.

He had some lights in his faults however. Kiara, Tiifu, and Zuri is the only one lion cubs who are safe from Krayt, which is why they leave them alone these days; none wanted to cross Krayt and feel his wrath. Secretly, Krayt was building up ploys to finally turned the girls to make them start seeing the faults and make them to grow stronger. His friends was also safe from his wrath but even Beshte seems to be frightened of him despite being the strongest of the group. Connections were formed between him and his friends.

However, all of the lionesses doesn't seem to trust him yet. Most thinks he is a spy for Mheetu, trying to infiltrates the ranks of the Pride Lands and get closer to the king and princess, while others seems to be afraid of him and thinks he is a monster. Krayt just prefers to be someone different, stronger, and more fall of strength. Easily, he can send some enemies away, but yet he haven't ran into much encounters beside the one with Janja, which means he haven't fought anybody.

The lion cub brought his claws up. He wasn't sure if he can do life that much anymore. At this point, the cub would glad if he can make it past the age of adulthood. He felt like age is catching up towards him and that he is maturing too early. Kion never really cared for what people had thought about him though. They are just jealous of him that they don't have his strength or just wants to hold him back. Now, sometimes strength can get ahead of a person, but he would not allow it to come to that.

One day, they would thank him for his strength. Krayt decided there has been enough of fighting practice for today. The lion cub decided it was time for a meal since the lionesses would likely be back by now. He desperately hoped that he has a zebra for breakfast, due to being tired of eating gazelles and antelopes since they have been on hunting grounds many times.

He returned the Pride Lands and saw a zebra being brought up which brought a bright smile on his face. Nala brought the meal with the lionesses and then went out. Instantly, Kiara, Tiifu, and Zuri went up and took their parts and then went to their part of the lair. Kion smirk, amused as he glanced at the girls who begin biting away at the meal. "Well, those three are pretty hungry." He muttered, seeing them chewing it up pretty fast as they clearly were anxious for their meal. "Then again, this is a zebra after all."

Deciding that he wants to get a meal before someone else will, Kion scrolled over and was about to took his part of the meal. "Move it!" A lioness snarled, knocking him away and sending him crashing to the ground.

"Hey!" Kion roared, his eyes full of fired as he gotten back up and stormed over to the lioness who knocked him down. He saw it was the same lioness that didn't trust him a week ago when he had returned to the Pride Lands. He wanted to hurt her and make her suffer for doing such a thing to him, who didn't even knew anything towards him. "That's my part of my meal!" Kion's eyes flashed as he neared the lioness. Kiara, Tiifu, and Zuri ran up and got in front of the lion cub, hoping to stop him from doing the same thing to the lioness as he done to Janja. Rage burned through his soul as Krayt pushed the three aside softly. Krayt moved again as he finally got in front of the lioness.

"Just grabbed another one," she mocked as she held the zebra part of the meal in her mouth. She clearly was getting a kick out of this and that brought even more fury to Krayt.

Kion connected eyes with the lioness. His eyes locked onto her with no fear in his eyes while she just had a gleefully look. The anger in his eyes burned through her soul. It was like darkness started rising as Krayt's eyes gleamed and showing no sign of backing down. In one fast motion, Krayt lunged upward coordinately and grabbed the zebra part of the meal from the mouth of the lioness, catching the lioness off balanced as she held the meal the best she could before striking the lioness on the jaw, sending her crashing to the ground with small blood leaving her jaw.

Silence is what had followed as all of the lionesses turned towards the scene to see a strong cub standing over the lioness. Cubs were even watching in some admirable way; none of them never took a meal from their mothers or lionesses in such a manner, but Krayt did without a blink of his eyes. Humiliated, the lioness rub at the blood with her paw. She also stared at the cub with clear shock and something else; rage. That was a bold move from a cub who shouldn't have much strength like this. He literally move so fast in a blink of an eye like a cheetah and grabbed the meal and punched her, teaching her not to mess with him and take his part of the meal.

Not even affected by the deed he just done, Krayt turned and glared at all of the lionesses and cubs. "Touch me, take my part of my meal, and I won't be able to control my actions," Krayt threatened, his eyes beaming brightly as the sun which brought shivers and chills to many of the lionesses who shaken in their place.

Giving her one last glare, Krayt grabbed his meal and took it out. Kiara and Tiifu hoped to calm the steaming lion cub down by following him, as Zuri walked to follow her friends she turned and saw the lioness coming towards her paws. "You shouldn't have mess with him," she snarled bluntly. "If you didn't bothered him, everything would have been good, Usaliti. But you never listen to him. He did warned you. Next time, you will perhaps leave him alone."

Zuri knew Kion was a nice lion cub, except when someone forced him down to a degree. The three rather want to remain on good terms on Kion since he is not very light and would fight fire with fire when it comes to that. Now, he is clearly pissed and is trying to burn the steam off by being alone. The three were bold enough to approach a angry Kion, but they knew Kion will never hurt them. If anybody in the Pride Lands is bold enough to approach him without likely getting beaten up, they're on the ones on top of the food chain of surviving or not getting hurt. Though, he did not back down and bowed to the lioness which is admirable. Kion may be a cub but he will not let anyone boss him around without a reason.

The three couldn't find him anywhere. He must have ran off so he can be alone. They were sure he wouldn't give up just now and regret his actions. Kion was a smart cub who clearly likes to think about his actions before committing them, so he must just wanting to eat in peace. They then realized there is no other place they could check, then they forgot about one place. The girls went to the side of the Pride Rock and saw the lion cub eating his meal in peace. Kion grinned and continues to eat until the bones were shown.

"I don't regret my actions," Kion states carelessly as he chewed on the bone with his teeth. The three were startled as they didn't expect him to stop his assault on his meal. "She attack me and learn the price," he continues, stopping once again and turning to the girls.

"Yeah, you got fans on you now," Kiara says humorously yet sarcastically.

Krayt turned and shot her a playful smile. "Oh, goody," he responded, matching her sarcasm with his. "Perhaps they can finally stop trying to take me for granted and learn the consequences of messing with me. Now, you better go back to Pride Rock, princess. I think a certain king is waiting for you."

Kiara was bemused at first then her eyes went wide. She forgotten! Today, her father and her is forming a negotiation with one of the allies the Pride Lands! That is highly embarrassing! He is going to kill her for being late! Instantly, she shot up and ran away, leaving behind a laughing Kion, Tiifu, and Zuri, as none of them never seen the princess running that fast.

As the laughter begin to calm until a leery silence, Krayt seen Tiifu standing up and beginning to walk down from the den. Kion noted this, but didn't say nothing and begin to chew at the bone - however Zuri did. "Tiifu, where are you going?" Zuri asked curiously.

"I'm going to go to the watering hole to make my fur gleam out," Tiifu said, walking down and shooting her a slight wink.

Kion didn't really care but Zuri knew it was something more then that. It dawn on the lioness cub. Kiara and Tiifu have been trying to get her and the prince alone since the stares the two would send each other. The two clearly had feelings for each other. Although, Kiara's reason of leaving was intentional due to that meeting being very much important, Tiifu have left because she saw a chance to the two being alone and exploit it. Now, Zuri has to stay with Kion because she can't find a reason to leave.

She knew that Krayt wouldn't care if she was going to stay nor leave. Zuri knew she can just get up and easily leave, but the question is that did she wanted to? She have never been around a male before but Kion seems to be like a very nice cub whenever he wants to be. Rather, he's like his Kion's persona or Krayt's persona, he's still nice towards her. Zuri decided to stay because she didn't want to be rude and appalled, beside she didn't even known where she was going to go, so staying with Kion won't be as boring as her having to be alone.

"Hey, you want a bone?" Krayt asked, kicking a bone over towards her with his rear paw, causing her to stared at the bone with disgust.

Zuri never liked to get herself dirty or do dirty things because she didn't want her fur to get dirty and her being mocked. That is all more the reason to why some cubs would mock her about her trying too hard to keep her appearance clean and why she only have a few friends. Kion seems to not judge her but he's honestly want her to join him. His teeth was kind of tough. Maybe that is why he managed to take the part of his food away easily and why it had form blood onto her aunt's jaw.

She decided to take this the nice way instead of her usual snobby way, "No thanks." She says, trying to find a way to get out of this solution and to have some fun while her friends are gone.

Krayt stopped for a moment and approached her. Zuri backed up until she was at the edge, not wanting to have physical contact because it may be too embarrassing. She were about to fall but he reached out and grabbed her with his paw and pulled her back. For a second, they made eye contact and Zuri thought she were about to have her first kiss, like she, Kiara, and Tiifu had heard from the lionesses; but he instead lowered her. "Oh, come on, it would be fun," he insisted. "At least give it a try. If you don't like it then don't do it again but just test it out."

Zuri sighed, realizing that there is no way out of this. She is about to bite away at the inside of flesh itself. Whenever she eaten a meal, she would always refuse to eat the bones and leave them for the lionesses to clean them up. She walked over to one of the bones and looked it over and grabbed it with her mouth, similar to how Kion did it and laid against the ground and begin to chew it. At first, she thought it was going to be so gross but it was far from gross. Instead, it brought some confusingly relief. She find herself being invested in this as they both started biting away at the bone. This brought relief and calmness to the young lions.

Tiifu walked towards the watering hole, determined to embarrass her best friend since she never seen Zuri staring at somebody like she had with Kion. But also, she needs to sunbathe for completion reasons. As she near the watering hole, she checked for signs of crocodiles but saw there was not. Guessing that this was a watering hole that is for the normal animals, Tiifu lay down in the water as the sun ran through her fur. Little did she known a crocodile saw her and begin looming over towards her, her being completely unaware of his presence.

Kion and Zuri were laying beside each other in a calming way. She slightly leaned against his stomach which shocked the lion cub but he refuse pushing her away because he has always never allowed anybody to lay against him unless it was Kiara; not even his mother and father can touch him without a short grimace. He seems to have grown a fear of those who stand over him. What's odd is Tiifu have not yet return. She should be back by now because surely it wouldn't take that long for her to sunbathe or whatever she done. He hoped that no one came across them and had the wrong idea because he rather not have to explain to his parents and everyone he had sleep with her, practically nuzzling.

"Zuri, where's Tiifu?" Kion asked quietly, actually finding himself concerned for his friend.

"I don't know," Zuri responded carelessly, not sure herself but wanted to resume her sleep. "Honestly, I think she's back at Pride Rock. Let's go check it out."

Kion wasn't sure if she was at Pride Rock though. She would have already been here due to boredom so she can't be here but still Kion decided to go check it out. Reluctantly but tiresome, Zuri followed the cub from behind and search for their friend but she was gone. The two cubs neared Pride Rock but seen that she wasn't there. Instantly, Kion begin walking down Pride Rock, having a feeling that something is wrong as Zazu flew towards Pride Rock.

Zazu breathed heavily as he landed. "Kion! Tiifu is in danger! Where is your parents?!" Zazu cried. The majordomo than remember both parents are preparing themselves for the other kingdom. "Oh no! I forgot! They are preparing themselves for the meeting! But I can't get there in time and save Tiifu!"

Kion's eyes flashed as anger and newfound strength came towards his features. The lion cub can take anything but when it comes to his friends and family, he will never allowed them to get hurt. "Where is she?" Kion inquired, a scowl coming across his face.

Zazu said nothing for a moment. He was not liking how the prince instantly became something else. He looks to be darker and stronger and he wasn't sure if that was a good thing. The lion cub doesn't like when someone important to him lives are at stake. Something that the bird has examined from him, since he clearly is protective of his sister.

"Tell me now!" Kion shouted, losing his patience as he glared at the majordomo who slightly shook at the tone of his voice.

Zazu nodded and wagged his wings. "Very well, she's at the nearest watering hole but a crocodile attacked her. She looks to be on a rock but it's currently unsteady and unable to escape."

Kion's eyes gleamed as he begin running towards the watering hole. Zuri followed from behind along with Zazu. They had to get to Tiifu's fast or worst can turn into horrifying. They were not going to allowed her to die. As Kion neared the watering hole with Zuri and Zazu following from behind, he saw Tiifu squirming to keep her balance up on a small rock as a lone crocodile growled menacingly at her, attempting to get her flesh. Rage course through him, and his eyes gleamed.

Quickly, Kion jumped on top of the crocodile, catching him quickly by surprised. Instantly, he put his small paws against the crocodile, causing the young cub to begin struggling to keep his jaw close. Kion send a strike to his eyes but continue to hold the snout down as best as he could. "Run!" Tiifu nodded and jumped into the water, beginning to swim as fast as she can to surface. Before she could, the crocodile finally forced Kion away and advanced onto her, grabbing onto her leg and striking upwards.

"Kiburi," Kion heard the voice of the majordomo, catching his attention as he stared towards the bird, guessing that was the name of the crocodile who is trying to kill them since he went silent for a moment. "You are not allow to kill innocent Pride Landers."

Kiburi was quiet for a moment. His eyes then filled with glee and a cackled came from him. "What are you going to do to stop me, bird? This is the crocodile way and you cannot stopped me. No one can." Kiburi snapped, grabbing Zazu by the end of the wing and forcing him away in a nearby bush. He advanced onto Tiifu and Zuri, both who were completely helpless and begin to scream with terror and fear.

With the rage increasing, the lion cub threw himself at the crocodile, catching him in a moment of surprised as he scurried across his tail and begin biting away at it. The crocodile let out a large snarled and diverted his attention towards the cub who was standing bravely down in a crouching motion, emitting a short growl with bared teeth. The crocodile faltered for a moment. He may be young but this cub clearly have a fighting spirit. If he was a crocodile, perhaps Kiburi would have asked him to join his clan.

As a moment of silence passed, Kiburi lunged forward and Kion side-stepped, knowing this was a battle he could simply not win. Probably, if he was grown and had a larger body, then the chances of winning would be in his favor. But he was just too young, but his age did not define his speed and the best he could do is buy up time for himself and the girls to escape. Kion can perhaps even injured him but the lion cub knew he can not outright defeat him. Had this been a lion, a hyena, jackal, or any other animal, there would have been a more chance.

As the crocodile again advanced towards him, Kion move back and raised his front right claw to gashed at his eye. The crocodile yelped out with pain since that was the only weak area. Kion jumped and begin hacking away at his eyes, trying to blind him for enough time. At first, it seem like Kion was going to actually win and is causing some damage, but his blows begin to weaken after a few minutes. The crocodile then stood up, shaking the cub off of him and sending him to the ground. Kion decided he had to run and knew that the crocodile just needs a momentarily distraction for him, Tiifu, and Zuri to get away. Kion send a harsh attack towards his left eye, catching him off guard and blinding him.

He could have continued to attack him yet again until he recovered. Instead, Kion ran over, picked up Tiifu and place Zazu in his mouth and the three cubs begin to run off. None even dared to look behind as they decided to hide near Rafiki's tree. Luckily, they knew the area and if that crocodile comes towards them he wouldn't know her exact location. As expected, he soon came up and tried to look for them but they were all find and when he came back to the watering hole, grumbling to himself, Kion knew they were safe.

Kion then sneak inside of Rafiki's tree, deciding to get Tiifu and Zazu's injuries check. As he walked inside, the mandrill seems to be working on some sort of painting and Kion noticed the picture look like himself. But he choose to ignore it. "Rafiki," he cleared his throat. The mandrill turned around and saw Kion holding Tiifu on his back and Zazu in his mouth.

"Oh, well, you leaded them into more trouble," Rafiki said half-jokingly.

Kion frowned and gritted his teeth, as his Krayt's persona started to take over. "Rafiki," he said lowly. "Check over them now." He was very sensitive when it came to his friends and family. Kion were overprotective of Tiifu and Zazu clearly. Zuri seems to be okay, and Kion doesn't sustain much energy.

Rafiki nodded and motioned for him to where he put the girl cub and majordomo. Rafiki checked both over, putting countless herbs. "Young Tiifu seems to be alright. She is stronger than she looks. But she would have to stay here since she has a concussion, but Zazu is alright and is just unconscious. You can come here tomorrow and escort her home and Zazu will be up within the next hour."

Arthur's note: I'm finally done with this chapter. Lately, I have been losing interest in writing Lion King fanfics (still love the movies and show; who doesn't? JK) I think I'm going to put this on a hiatus and starts writing other fanfics until I regain my interest. I guess always writing TLK/TLG does that to people so this is going a pause for a little while.