A shiver rippled through Kion as he stood out on the cold with the Guard. The others didn't look any better.
"H-h-how a-are w-we g-go-gonna s-s-sur-survive th-the n-ni-night i-in th-this c-co-cold?" Makini asked, shivering and teeth chattering.
"I-I d-do-don't kn-know," Ono squawked in reply.
"H-how a-ab-about w-we h-hu-huddle t-to-together f-for w-war-warmth?" Kion suggested. The coldness of the night pierced through his body, sending chills down his spine. Could this night get any colder?!
"S-sure," Makini agreed.
"F-fi-fine b-by m-me," Ono replied.
"O-oka-okay," Fuli mewed, also shivering in the cold.
"P-poa," Beshte said. "Th-that sounds like a g-good idea."
"I-I n-n-nor-normally w-wou-wouldn't t-t-tol-toler-tolerate a-an-any c-contact w-wi-with a-an-any-anyone l-li-like h-hu-hug-hugging, b-bu-but r-ri-right n-now I-I m-mi-might m-ma-make a-an exc-except-exception." Anga's words came out so broken, it'd take one to pay a lot of attention to understand.
"Okie dokie!" Bunga replied, giving a thumbs up. He doesn't seem cold at all.
The Guard all scooted next to each other, pressing against each other for warmth. Suddenly Anga called out: "Hey! Who pushed me?"
"Hey, you're squishing me!" Bunga called back in reply.
Kion felt something hit him in the head. "Hey! Who hit me?" He asked.
"Sorry!" He heard Makini call out. Then she yelped: "Ah! Someone kicked me!"
"You're sitting on me!" Ono squawked.
"You're pecking me!"
"Hey stop rolling on top of me!"
"He pushed me aside!"
"She hit me!"
"She shoved me!"
"He rolled onto me!"
"Enough!" Kion called out. Everyone went silent. "This isn't going to work."
"Well we have to huddle together," Makini protested. "We'll freeze if we don't!"
"That's why I've got a plan," Kion told them. "We'll all sleep in pairs. Ono with Anga, Bunga with Makini, and Beshte with Fuli.
"That sounds great, but-"
"What about you?" Fuli asked, finishing Bunga's sentence.
"I'll sleep alone," Kion told them.
"But you'll be so cold," Fuli protested.
"I'll be fine," Kion told her, trying to reassure her. Fuli didn't look convinced.
"I won't let you sleep in the cold all alone," Fuli told him. "At least sleep with me and Beshte."
"I'll be fine," Kion told her. It wasn't that he wanted to sleep alone, he very much wanted to sleep together with Fuli, feel the warmth of laying beside her. It was that he couldn't let himself get attached to Fuli any more. It'd only put her in danger...
He walked to the other side of the cave and laid down. The cold, rocky floor pierced coldness into his body. A very cold breeze washed over him. He curled up tightly, praying to the Great Kings and Queens for the cold to go away. Please... cold go away. Why can't the cold go away... it's freezing. So cold...
The chattering of Kion's teeth seemed to echo throughout the cave. He dug his claws into the ground as he shivered. He was so cold, it stung almost. He so desperately wanted to curl up next to Fuli and the others, but he couldn't. If they cuddled together and kept each other warm, he would get more emotionally attached to her by spending time with her.
He shivered. So... so... cold. Freezing... Kion let out a quiet whimper. I want to be back in Pride Rock... I want to be back home... with my mom and dad and sister... my family...
[FLASHBACK]
Kion let out a content sigh. He let out a yawn, exposing his pink tongue. He relaxed as he felt his mother's tongue groom him. He stretched, she stopped licking for a moment to let him.
His sister shifted beside him, almost rolling on top of him. He lightly pushed her away - he didn't want to be squished!
"My sweet little cubs," their mother cooed. Kion yawned. She always does this! "Can we go explore?" Kion asked out of the blue. "We're always in Pride Rock! I wanna explore!"
"I agree!" His sister chimed in. "Please Mom?"
Their mother shook her head. "It's nighttime and it's a little cold too," she said. "You can explore tomorrow."
"Awwwwwwww," he and his sister pouted. "But that's forever."
Their mother chuckled. "Well 'forever' will go by faster if you go to sleep."
"I don't wanna go to sleep," Kion protested. "I wanna stay awake!"
"Me too," his sister agreed.
"Now now little ones, go to sleep," their mother encouraged.
"But whyyyyyyyyy?" The cubs both asked staring up at their mother with big, round eyes. They were interrupted by a yawn from Kion.
"That's why," their mother told them amused after hearing Kion yawn. His sister glared at him momentarily for ruining their small chance of going to explore.
"Fine. Fine. We'll go to sleep." The two cubs rolled their eyes and laid down in their mother's paws. They felt the warmth of each other bodies. They snuggled against each other's soft fur. So comfy, Kion thought to himself. Their mother started to lick them again.
Something boomed loudly outside, almost seeming to shake Kion and his family. He jumped up on fairly unsteady paws. "What was that?!" He asked fearfully as he tucked his tail. His mother nuzzled him. "Nothing more than a little thunder. It's alright." This calmed Kion down a little and he laid back in his mother's paws. He felt the warmth of laying beside his sister and mother once more. He felt their soft fur again as he slowly fell asleep. Still very comfy. Their mother's consistent licking somehow finally lulled he and his sister to sleep.
[END OF FLASHBACK]
He continued to tremble against the stony cave floor. His teeth chartered loudly. For Fuli... for Fuli... He curled up into a tight ball, but it didn't help much. He coughed. The cough echoed off of the cave walls.
Fuli perked up her ears, most likely because of the echo. "Alright, enough is enough," he heard Fuli say as she walked over to him. Kion rose to his shaking paws, only for him to tremble and shiver. Fuli wore a very concerned expression.
"Kion... you're so cold. Huddle together with me and the Guard for warmth."
"N-n-n-no t-th-tha-than-thank-thanks." Kion's teeth chattered so much that his words came out broken.
"You'll get sick if you sleep alone in this cold," Fuli protested. "You're already shivering so much..."
"I-I-I'm f-f-fi-fine," he told her, teeth still chattering.
"No, you're not fine," Fuli told him, her ears flattening. Kion could feel concern coming off of her in waves. Fuli rested her paw on his shoulder and spoke again; "You don't need to sleep out in the cold alone. Just let us help you and keep you warm."
I can't... It's for your safety that I stay away from you...Because of both the scar and Jua...
"I-I-I'm a-al-alr-alri-alright. N-n-no n-n-nee-need t-t-to w-w-wo-worr-worry." He was so cold at that point, that he felt a tear slide down his cheek. Not just because he was nearly freezing his whiskers off, but for the fact that he couldn't be near Fuli or his friends. It's for the best, he tried to reassure himself through all the pain. It's for the best...
Fuli sighed. "Kion.. you know that if something is wrong you can tell us," she said softly. "We'll help you."
"I told you there's nothing wrong! I'm completely fine!" Kion shouted as tears rolled down his cheeks.
"No, there is something wrong, I can tell."
"And how exactly?" Kion pressed.
"You're just.. not acting like Kion. You've been like this ever since you got your scar." Fuli stepped back. "I know your scar hurts. And I know you're not feeling too good right now. But we can help you." Her eyes flashed with emotion as she brushed back his drooping mane with her paw, exposing his red, puffy eyes.
"Talk to us, Kion," she pleaded. Her eyes flashed once more. They held a thousand emotions, some of which Kion didn't understand. "Talk to me."
Kion shook his head. Guilt clawed his heart as he saw Fuli trying to blink back tears. I'm hurting her... I'm sorry Fuli, but it's for the best... I have to keep you safe...
"Please, Kion," Fuli begged once more, "I promise I can help with whatever's wrong, if you'll let me. Please don't shut me out again."
They locked gazes for a moment. Guilt stabbed into Kion's heart as he looked into Fuli's eyes, seeming to plead him to open up to her.
"O-okay fine!" Kion sobbed. " It's-" He was cut of by an immense pain in his chest. "AHHHHHHHH!" He screeched in agony. He fell to the ground, clutching his chest with his paws. He laid there for a few moments. The pain didn't subside. What's going on?! Kion wondered fearfully. He then hit a horrible realization. Is this..? No! No, it can't be! Please no... It can't happen again! Please no...! He was paralyzed by fear. Blood roared in his ears as he made an effort to breath. It seemed to stab him directly in the heart. Once he was finally about to tell Fuli to get Makini he found himself unable to speak. His chest hurt too much. The pain seemed to stab him very deep, and he couldn't do anything about it.
Fuli's eyes widened. She rushed over to Makini. "Makini!" She yelled. Makini's eyes snapped open. "What?" She asked in an urgent tone.
"Kion's having a mshkuto wa moyo!" Fuli shouted urgently.
"Wait what?! You can't be serious!" Makini blurted out. They rushed over to Kion. Makini gently put her ear to his chest. She gasped in horror. "Fuli, try to find some-"
"Dhuara flowers, already on it!" Fuli quickly darted out of the den in search of the flower that would help Kion. Kion stared after her. Fuli... Please please please please please be back soon... He silently pleaded while clutching his chest. Then, he could almost see Jua's outline standing next to him.
"Aww... is the little cub hurting?" Jua seemed to taunt. "Serves you right for almost spilling the secret about me. You'll get a whole night of agony for a week as punishment."
"Kion, don't panic!" Makini said, obviously struggling to keep herself calm. How can't I?!
"Don't worry, Kion!" Makini reassured him. "Fuli will be back with the dhruara flowers soon and everything will be okay!"
"No," Jua seemed to snarl. "It won't be okay. You're going to DIE..."
Stop feeding my mind with dark thoughts! He silently told Jua.
"Kion, don't panic! Calm down! Makini pleaded.
He started to panic. He tried to move but he couldn't. He silently wailed. Is this my last day...? Surviving a mkustha wa moyo once is very unlikely, this time... I might not be so lucky... His eyes widened at he stared out the enterance. He felt his pain subside a bit as his vision began to blur. No.. No please! I can't die... Please...!
He suddenly heard a voice call into the den; "I have the flowers!" His panic eased as Fuli rushed over to him and Makini. She gave the flowers to Makini who handed them to Kion. She put the flowers in his mouth and made him chew them.
After a minute or so, the pain began to subside and then finally disappear. Kion trembled against the stony cave floor as Makini pressed her ear to his chest. "The mshkuto wa moyo is gone. Kion should be alright."
Fuli pressed her cheek against Kion's. Her eyes were wide and filled with emotion, mainly fear. "I almost lost you again..." She murmured. "Stop scaring me so much, little furball..."
Kion felt comfort in her gesture. He still shivered and trembled, but he felt comforted nothenless. She laid down next to him. He would have protested for her safety from Jua, but he was too tired. He felt himself slowly fading into sleep, but then one last thought and flashback made it's way into his mind.
'"Aww... is the little cub hurting?" Jua seemed to taunt. "Serves you right for almost spilling the secret about me. You'll get a whole night of agony for a week as punishment."'
No... Please no!...
XX
Kion blinked open his eyes. He was back in the Dark Shadows Below the Savanna. He looked around, and sure enough, Zira and Jua were there.
"Hello, Scar-clone. Ready for some... pain?"
Kion tried not to flinch. Zira and Jua surrounded him and dug their claws into his skin. He looked up, trying to ignore the pain. He felt cool blood trickle down. He held his breath. They both held him down and raked their claws down his belly. Pain seared through him. He thrashed his legs wildly in pain. Stop...! Please stop!...
A disoriented voice echoed in his ears; "Kion..." It sleepily muttered. "Stop kicking me in your sleep..." He felt the feeling of being lightly pushed, then Zira and Jua's eyes widened.
"Hyena-scraps," Jua cursed, "the fun could barely begin. No matter. Tomorrow night will be fun. Be prepared for more torture..."
XX
Kion's eyes snapped open. He felt a paw lightly paw at his shoulder. "Kion, you awake?"
Before he could answer, Kion let out a small yawn. The paw brushed back his drooping, messy mane. It was Fuli.
"Did you have another nightmare?" She asked softly. "You were kicking wildly in your sleep."
Kion sleepily raised his head. He was almost too tired to utter a word because of the mshkusto wa moyo that happened the night before. Fuli seemed to understand this and she motioned for him to lay his head back down. "You should rest," she told him. Kion didn't object, but he shifted farther away from Fuli. If Jua thinks I don't have a strong connection with Fuli anymore, she won't be in danger if I mess up.
Fuli's eyes flashed with hurt after he shifted away from her. She took in a shaky breath and got to her paws. She walked to the other side of the cave and laid down, sighing.
Guilt stabbed Kion's heart deeper then the mshkuto wa moyo. Fuli... I'm really sorry. I just want to keep you safe...
XX
Fuli sighed from the other end of the cave. Why does Kion keep pushing me away...? I only want to help him... She heard sniffling from the other side of the cave. She looked around and saw Kion with his head buried in his front paws. He was still trembling and shaking. He lifted his paw and pawed at his scar. He pawed at it more. Fuli noticed it started to bleed. Kion pawed at it even more. Doesn't he realize that by constantly pawing at it he's gonna make it worse?
Fuli slowly walked over to him. "You're only making it worse by pawing at it like that." Kion looked at her for a moment then turned away, his paw still on his eye. Fuli's ears flattened.
"L-leave me alone," Kion finally choked out. Those words stabbed hurt into her heart. He didn't want her here. He didn't want her beside him. She was about to walk back to the other side of the cave but a cry stopped her. It was Kion. She whipped back around and saw Kion on the ground, wailing in pain. He dug his claws into his scar, screaming. This woke up the rest of the Guard who all quickly rushed over to Kion, panicking and asking what was happening to him, while also alarming Makini who was already awake.
Something's wrong... Something's terribly wrong.
"Zuka Zama!" Bunga exclaimed in fright. "What's going on?!"
"That's what I wanna know!" Fuli shouted fearfully in reply. She turned to face Makini. "What's going on with him?!" She demanded. Makini shook her head. "I don't know! I don't know!" It was visibly clear that she was beginning to panic, moving her arms around in fright while trying to examine Kion. However, she couldn't. Kion was thrashing and kicking like crazy while digging his claws into his scar. "AHHHHHHH!" He screamed.
Makini tried to do something, anything! But she couldn't due to Kion's thrashing and clawing.
"Stop!" Fuli cried. "Let Makini help you!" Kion looked up at Fuli. His breaths were labored and he dug his claws into the ground.
"No!" He cried. "Stop it!"
He quickly got to his paws and darted out of the den. He screamed wildly as he did. "HELP ME! SOMEONE! ANYONE!"
Fuli's heart raced faster. "Guys, let's go! We have to find him!" The Lion Guard obeyed and they all raced out of the den, following Kion's crazy sounding screams.
"Guys, split up!" She ordered the Guard. "He could run in any direction!" The Guard obeyed once more and all ran in different directions.
Fuli continued to run straight, following the sound of Kion's voice. "Kion!" She shouted. "Kion! Where are you?!"
"Kion!"
"Kion!"
"KION!"
"Kion, where are you?! Answer me, please!"
She gasped when she found him, screaming wildly. "HELP ME! STOP IT! PLEASE STOP!" She saw him standing on the edge of a cliff. Her eyes widened. She rushed over to him. "No!"
Kion looked back at her. His eyes widened in shock and his gaze filled with emotion. She nuzzled him as tears fell from his eyes.
"No... no Kion..." Please tell me he hasn't come to this... I can't lose him... to himself... She stroked his neck and back, trying to calm him down.
"Kion..." She murmured softly. "Talk to me... please."
"F-Fuli," he choked out, his voice breaking. "I can't live like this anymore.."
"No, no, Kion don't say that...!"
Kion's legs suddenly buckled -likely due to exhaustion- and he then collapsed on the ground. He sobbed heavily as Fuli tried to comfort him.
"Don't cry..." She murmured. "I'm right here... don't cry..."
Kion continued to sob. "F-Fuli..."
"Shh... it'll all be alright... don't cry..." She soothed. "We'll figure out what's wrong and everything's gonna be okay."
Kion's eyes widened at that and he backed away, sobbing. "No, it won't be," he told her, his voice cracking.
Fuli's heart cracked in a million pieces as he continued; "I don't even want to be alive anymore!"
A moment of silence followed. "No.. Kion don't talk like that," she told him as she nuzzled him. Kion backed away, hot tears rolling down his already wet cheeks. "All life is is torture! And I don't want to live that way!"
Fuli hugged Kion tighter as he cried. He shivered and shook as Fuli tried to comfort him. He backed away slightly for air. Fuli let him.
"Fuli, I'm tired," Kion said drowsily, obviously speaking his mind.
"I know," Fuli replied sympathetically.
"I miss my family." Guilt stabbed Fuli as she recalled when Nala told her the secret. They aren't his real family...
"I know."
"I wanna go home."
"I know."
Kion laid down once more where he was. He yawned and rested his head on his paws. He still trembled a little, but it was overwhelmed by the tremendous amount of exhaustion that swept over him due to the events that had taken place that night.
"F-Fuli..?"
"Yes?"
"C-can you sleep with me tonight? I-I'd feel safer with someone nearby," he asked, the bashfulness clear in his voice.
"Of course," Fuli replied. Suddenly, they heard a noise.
"We found him! Fuli, you found him!" The Lion Guard rushed over to them. Makini slowly approached Kion. She then observed him as a healer should, checking his body for anything that could have caused what had happened.
"I don't see anything that could have caused whatever happened," Makini informed them. "I think it was the scar that caused it."
"But.. I didn't think the scar could do that," Fuli said. "Are you sure there's not something else going on?"
"I mean there could be. As Rafiki always said: 'Anything is possible'. But right now, I don't think there's a great possibility that there's something else besides the scar is affecting Kion."
Kion looked nervous for a split second and shuffled his paws.
"Kion, you okay?" Fuli asked, noticing his sudden nervousness. Kion quickly nodded. "I'm fine."
"Okay-" She was interrupted by a yawn from Kion.
"Kion, I can tell you're pretty tired," Beshte remarked. "How 'bout I carry you back?"
"Thanks, but I'm sure I can-" He was cut off by a yawn. Fuli gave him an encouraging nudge. He sighed and gave in. "Okay." He climbed into Beshte's back. Beshte started walking along with the rest of the Guard back to the den.
Along the way, Fuli started to notice Kion pawing at his scar. "Agh.. ow..." Fuli looked at Makini. "Now you can give him Tuliza," Fuli said. Makini nodded in agreement. "Okay Fuli!" She agreed and reached into the gourd she kept the Tuliza in. She pulled the Tuliza out and handed it to Kion.
Kion sighed and took the Tuliza. His face cringed at he chewed it. Bunga stiffled a laugh. "I've tasted that stuff before," the honey badger told the others. "It's disgusting!"
The others all burst into laughter. Never thought I'd think this, but thanks Bunga for lightening the mood. "And Kion has to eat that nearly every day!" Bunga chuckled.
"That probably isn't pleasant for him," Anga laughed. This was one of the very few times Anga actually smiled.
"It's not funny," Kion pouted after he swallowed the Tuliza. "You wouldn't be laughing if you had to eat it every day." His tail twitched in annoyance.
Fuli walked over to him. "It's okay Kion," she chuckled. "We're not trying to make fun of you. Just loosen up and have a laugh."
Kion looked to the right and flinched. He looked back at her, eyes filled with what looked like fear. He tensed up and shook. He squeezed his eyes shut and extended his claws, gripping tightly onto Beshte. Tears fell from his eyes as he trembled.
"Kion?! Kion, are you okay?! Makini, what's going on?!" Fuli demanded, fear for Kion pulsing through her veins.
"I don't know! I don't know!" Makini was obviously starting to panic. "Fuli, help me lift him off of Beshte!" Fuli obeyed and they both lifted Kion off of Beshte. They set him down on the ground. He curled up into a tight ball. Makini tried to examine him and try to move him, but he wouldn't budge.
"Kion, answer us! Please!" Fuli pleaded. "I can't lose you! Please!" Kion didn't answer. Instead he curled up tighter.
He screamed crazily. "AHHHHHHH!" He clawed the air wildly. Fuli quickly slammed her paws down on his chest, trying to avoid his claws. Kion yelped. Sorry!
"Guys, help me hold him down!" The Guard obeyed. Makini held him down by the belly while Anga held back his hind legs. Bunga made an effort to hold down Kion's front legs with occasional help from Fuli. Meanwhile, Ono just observed as he was too small to help holding Kion down. Beshte stood next to them in case they needed backup.
"Kion, look at me!" Fuli told him, her voice calm and strong at the same time. Kion slightly opened his eyes and looked at her, his wild clawing beginning to subside. His screaming slowly died down as they locked gazes.
"Whatever's happening to you right now, you need to calm down. Breathe in and out." Fuli did as she said and Kion slowly followed suit. "In and out... In and out."
When Kion seemed calm, Fuli was greatly relieved. "Okay Kion, are you here?"
Kion nodded, beginning to tremble once more.
"Okay. Guys, get off of him." The Guard obeyed and stopped holding Kion down. Kion rolled back over and got to his paws.
He began to apologize. "G-guys, I understand if you're upset... I-I'm sorry for that outburst..." Fuli's mind was blown. We want to know if you are okay! We're not mad at you! Kion walked over to a nearby tree. He laid under it, seeking shelter from the wind. Fuli walked up to him, ears flat in dismay and worry.
"Kion..." She trailed off when she noticed he was already falling asleep. She began to groom his pelt, hoping it would relax him. It seemed to, but it seemed for a moment that Kion would walk away from her. To Fuli's inner gratefulness, he didn't. Though Fuli guessed he didn't even have the energy nor the drive to.
He soon completely fell asleep. Fuli looked down fondly at him. She sadly sighed. She got to her paws and turned back to the Guard, taking in a shaky breath. She had to face the truth.
"Guys," she began, trying not to get emotional, "Kion doesn't... What has happened today and recently has proved that... that Kion doesn't have much time left."
The Guard didn't look surprised. They all bowed their heads solemly. "My best friend doesn't deserve this..." Bunga trailed off.
"He doesn't, Bunga, " Fuli agreed. "He doesn't..."
Beshte interrupted them. He turned to Makini. "How much time do you think he has left?"
"I don't know..." Makini said, putting her index finger to her forehead. "Maybe two or three more moons at the most. Probably less.."
"Maybe we can get to the Tree of Life within that time, if we hurry," Beshte suggested. Fuli perked up at that. Her hope then faded when she looked at Kion. "We wouldn't be able to get to the Tree of Life that soon with him in that condition," Fuli told them, sighing sadly.
Beshte's ears folded down. "Me and my big hopes..."
"Beshte, I would have those hopes too.." Fuli trailed off.
"Me too, Big B," Bunga agreed sadly. "Me too.."
The Guard turned back to Kion. They all squeezed under the tree and laid beside him, huddling together for warmth. Soon, every member of the group except for Fuli was asleep.
Fuli gazed fondly at Kion and hit a realization. The secret... his real mother... I've gotta tell him before... before he's gone...
She looked at his sleeping form. She noticed he occasionally flinched. He started mumbling something which Fuli did not catch. He jerked sharply then started kicking and thrashing crazily. Another nightmare! She shook him, not hard enough that she would hurt him, but not too gentle that it wouldn't wake him up either. Kion stayed asleep and froze for a few moments, then his eyes snapped open.
He started to sob quietly, burying his head in his paws. He sobbed and sobbed. Fuli watched with pity.
"Kion... it was all a dream. No need to cry," she made an effort to assure him. Kion looked up at her with eyes that were red and puffy from crying. He buried his head in his paws once more and continued to shed tears.
You're suffering so much... I wish I could take that pain away... Fuli so desperately wanted to tell Kion of the secret of his birth, but she couldn't bring herself to. He would be in misery for the last moons of his life, trying to come to terms with the fact that his whole life was a lie...
Fuli got lost in her thoughts and she felt herself slowly drifting into sleep.
XX
Fuli was running through a field, the wind blowing through her fur. She saw Pride Rock in the distance. Wait, what? How am I back in the Pride Lands? She then hit a realization. It's a dream. She noticed that Kion was running beside her, the wind buffering his mane. He was noticeably smaller, like what he looked like when he first became leader of the Lion Guard. She noticed that she herself was smaller too. We're younger cubs again.
She then noticed fumes coming from the Outlands volcano. She then noticed that Kion slowed down. He looked worried, scared. She saw animals looking pleadingly at him, as if silently urging him to do something.
Suddenly, they all grew bigger and taller. Kion looked after her as she still ran. He looked like he was about to go after her, but a vine suddenly appeared around his ankles and paws, tying him to the ground.
His ears flattened and he turned back around, his golden pelt and red mane fading to gray.
Fuli was going to run back to him, but her paws didn't let her.
"Kion... "
Suddenly, a voice whispered in the wind.
"When water and flames meet, scars and secrets will bleed, and the trees will blaze with fire."
XX
Fuli blinked open her eyes. Just a dream...