Here's chapter twelve and hope you all enjoy! A big shoutout to all my reviewers, thank you so much for your reviews. You really keep me going when it get's hard to write.
TMNTTLK lover- Thank you for continuous support and reviews. I AM SO SORRY I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO READ AND REVIEW YOUR STORIES! I quickly skimmed through them and they look really good so I am looking forward to reading them. I'll get onto that very soon!
Courtney Steele- Thanks for reviewing and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
BlackLouie- Thank you for continuous support and reviews. I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Jestalnaker9400- Thank you so much for your review. I hope Kion will be okay too and as for Kopa becoming more overprotective, you'll just have to keep reading and see. But keep in mind that they are young cubs and most likely won't take everything seriously. Thanks again for the review and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
balto90-Thank you for continuous support and reviews. I hope you enjoy this chapter!
RogueRaven18- Don't worry there will be a lot of histories and a lot of Nala coming up. leep in mind that this was originally going to be some one shots put together of life after the first story but I decided to combine it with an entirely new story. So there will be lots of short stories coming up and a lot more with out favourite characters. Thanks for the review and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Clarissa and Autumn: Thank you both for the reviews! I really appreciate your suggestions and I will keep them in mind. There will be lots with Tojo, Shinda and Shani in the upcoming chapters!
Anyways, hope you all enjoy this chapter!
The rest of the Pride was waiting back at Priderock anxiously for Simba and Nala to return with news about Kion. To their dismay, the King and Queen entered the den with no signs of their son.
"Simba what happened?" Malaika asked rushing forward.
"The hyenas don't have him." Simba announced.
The pride erupted into whispers and murmurs among themselves. Kopa who had been getting drowsy at Shinda's side, rolled onto his feet and tried moving forward but Shinda grabbed him by the tail.
"If the hyenas don't have him who does?" A lioness called out.
Simba took a deep breath before answering. "Scar…or some of you may know him as Moto. He has Kion."
"I knew he never cared for this Pride!" Kudeka let out an angry growl at the thought of him harming Kion.
"Simba, why does he want Kion?" Akila asked.
"To have leverage over Simba." Nala said. "And it's working too. We demanded the hyenas to tell him where he was but they wouldn't tell us. We threatened them but they warned us if we hurt any hyenas, they would make sure that Scar kills Kion." She felt her knees trembling at the thought of it.
"I've gotten Zazu to send out search parties to locate his Pride." Simba said. "Hopefully he can. If not, I want to go get him myself."
"We'll come with you." Amri said. "We can take his Pride by force, we have power in numbers." There were murmurs of agreement from the rest of the Pride.
"No!" Nala said and everyone, including Simba looked at her in surprise.
"We aren't all going." Nala said. "This is exactly what Scar wants. He wants the Pridelands and if we all go after Kion, we are giving him what he wants. He will be able to come into the Pridelands and take over. If not him, the hyenas and with a clan like them, if they get control of Priderock, we're done. "
"Nala's right." Simba said after a minute. "We aren't all going."
"Then who is?" Akila asked. "How many do you want to take?"
"As little as possible." Simba said. "I have a feeling Scar has a large Pride but we don't need to fight them. We just need to get Kion and leave."
"We will organize a small party to go and get them." Mufasa announced. "It wouldn't be wise to go fight Scar's entire Pride to get Kion, we don't have the strength of numbers on our side when they're paired up with the hyenas. We will go in a small group and we will sneak Kion out. We can't afford to do anything else." Simba felt a bit irritated at his father for interrupting but didn't say anything.
The Pride broke up into the groups, some of the lionesses getting ready to hunt for those who were leaving while the males talked with Simba about how many would set out to find Kion. The others tended to the cubs.
Nala felt Runju nuzzling her. "How about you get some sleep? It'll be a long journey to find Kion." Nala nodded numbly still worried about Kion.
"Nala." Simba came up to them. "Chumvi and Kula are coming. I didn't want both of them coming…Jasiri will be alone but they insist. Chumvi's the best tracker we have and Kula does know how to navigate the stars better than us. Akila wants to come but I need him to stay back for the Pridelands but Shinda and Alex are coming. Tojo and Shani won't stay behind either."
"That's all you're taking?" Runju asked.
"I'm not going to start a war with him." Simba said as Mufasa and Akila came up. "I have seen what war can do and I will not let that happen under my rule. We only need enough to find Kion and quickly sneak him out of there. Nothing else. Even if I wanted to fight them, I'd need both our Prides and that would be leaving the River Pride and the Pridelands without protection. "
"Well said." Akila nodded along with Nala.
"I will not leave these lands without enough power." Simba said shaking his head. "The hyenas are ready to attack the minute they spot weakness. We are going to get Kion and sneak him out. I'm not going to fight Scar. When the time comes, I will but not today."
"So when are we leaving?" Shinda came up to them.
"Tomorrow at sun high." Simba said. "Zazu needs to come back and he will be coming with us."
"I'll watch the cubs while you two are gone." Sarabi stepped up to Nala and gave her a nuzzle. Once everyone had dispersed, Nala looked at Simba in frustration. "I'm not waiting that long!"
"Nala, I don't like waiting anymore than you do." Simba said. "But we have no idea where Scar's Pride is. If we go, we're going to get lost in the Outlands and we won't be helping Kion. Waiting for Zazu is the best plan we have. " He tried to nuzzle his mate but Nala pulled back looking upset and walked out of the den.
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Meanwhile, back at Scar's Pride, Scar had returned and thrown Kion into the corner of the den that the Pride used. He had given the Pride clear orders that Kion was to be watched at all times no matter what the circumstances.
"Dad…" Kovu got up sleepily and trotted towards Scar. He had been sleeping along with Vitani when he had heard talking from the rest of the Pride members. He had gone to where Zira was standing and had been surprised to see a strange cub huddled in the corner of the den.
"What is it Kovu?" Scar asked. "Why aren't you asleep?"
"I was asleep but I woke up." Kovu said. "Dad, who's that cub over there?"
"That cub is a…guest of ours." Scar said. "He will be staying here until I say so. That's all you need to know. Now go back to sleep." Kovu nodded and went back to where Zira was settling back down for the night. As Kovu snuggled down beside his mother and sister he stared at the cub who was huddled into a ball at the other side of the den.
"He look's so scared." Kovu thought. "Maybe I should go talk with him tomorrow. That might make him feel better."
As Kovu looked at their new guest, he couldn't help but feel something deep in his stomach. The cub somehow looked oddly familiar but Kovu just couldn't think of why or how. He had never met this cub before…had he?
"Mom…" Kovu turned to Zira. "Can…can Vitani and I play with that new cub?" He wanted to find out more about him.
"Absolutely not." Zira said. "Do not ever let me catch you near him. Understand?" Kovu nodded knowing better than to anger Zira. Only a few nights ago, Nuka had disobeyed Zira which had left him with a bloody nose that the other lionesses had to tend to while Nuka had howled in pain.
On the other side of the den, Kion was huddled up in a ball crying silently. He wanted nothing more than to be with his mother and father back in the Pridelands but he had no idea where he was. Were Simba and Nala coming for him? Surely, Kopa and Kiara would have gone back and told their parents about what happened…unless his siblings had been caught by hyenas too. The thought brought more tears into his eyes.
Kion looked at the two lionesses who were sleeping nearby to make sure he couldn't escape and then at the rest of the strange Pride that belonged to Scar…just the name sent chills down his back as he remembered his parents talking in low voices about him. Why had Scar taken him? Kion wanted to be brave like his mother and father. He knew Simba and Nala wouldn't be afraid right now and neither would they want him to be afraid.
"Mom…Dad you have to come find me." Kion thought, using his paws to cover his ears from the cold. "What are they going to do with me? Eat me?!" The thought made him stomach twist with fear.
"I'm not afraid." Kion whispered. "I'm not afraid. I'm Prince Kion of the Pridelands and I'm not afraid. I'm not afraid." The tired young Prince whispered this to himself, trying not to fall asleep but eventually, his eyes closed and the little cub was sound asleep.
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Late next morning, an exhausted Zazu had returned with directions to Scar's Pride. It had taken his entire overhead search party but the birds had managed to do it much to the Pride's gratitude and relief. Now the rescue team was preparing to leave.
"Dad let me come with you." Kopa begged. "I want to help Kion too!"
"I know you want to." Simba said wrapping his paw around Kopa. "But only adults are going. It's too far and dangerous for you. But we will bring back your brother. I promise." He licked the top of Kopa's head just as Nala walked into the den carrying Kiara and she placed her down beside Kopa.
"We'll be back as soon as we can." Nala nuzzled both of them. "Be good and listen to Aunt Malaika and the others while we're gone."
"You're going to bring Kion back, right Daddy?" Kiara asked clinging onto Simba.
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"Of course." Simba nuzzled her. "We'll be back with him. Kopa, take care of your sister while we're gone."
"I will Dad." Kopa nodded. Simba and Nala nuzzled them one more time before walking out of the den with the others. Both the cubs were silent until Malaika came up to them with Vijay close behind.
"It's alright, they'll be back." Malaika settled down next to the cubs and picked Kiara up and into her paws.
"I wish I could go with them!" Kopa huffed and Vijay nodded in agreement.
"Me too!" Vijay grinned. "We should go after them."
"Not as long as I am here." Malaika said from behind them.
"But Mom, you said that I'm getting better at tracking!" Vijay said. "Kopa and I can help them!" Kopa nodded in agreement and Malaika smiled softly at the cubs.
"I can help them too!" Kiara said.
"No you can't Kiara." Kopa said. "You can't even leave Priderock by yourself!"
"You're the baby of the family!" Vijay laughed along with Kopa.
"Hey!" Kiara glared at her brother and cousin.
"Boys…" Malaika scolded gently. "That's enough. Go find your friends to play with." Kopa and Vijay nodded before trotting off.
Zuri and Anjani, who were now in adolescence walked into the den and headed towards their older sister. Malaika rubbed heads with them.
"Can you two watch Kiara?" Malaika asked. "I need to go find Akila." The twins nodded and settled down next to Kiara as Malaika got up and left.
"What's with the long face Kiara?" Anjani asked, pulling her youngest cousin in closer.
"Kopa and Vijay called me the baby of the family." Kiara said lowering her head.
"Of course you are." Zuri smiled. "You're the youngest cub."
"I miss Mommy and Daddy." Kiara said. "And Kion."
"They'll be back." Anjani said trying to assure the young Princess. Being one of the older cubs, they knew the dangers of the journey but of course they weren't going to scare the younger cubs by telling them.
"I wanna go outside and see what everyone's doing." Kiara said getting up and trotting outside the den. Zuri and Anjani followed her.
Kiara noticed the uneasy atmosphere between the members of the Pride. With the rainy season slowly starting, dark ominous clouds rolled over the Pridelands. The males were huddled at the base of Priderock talking with Akila at the head. Kiara heard noise and turned around to see lionesses dragging several kills up Priderock with Tama at the head and storing them in the small caves.
"Why're we bringing the kills up here?" Kiara asked turning to Zuri and Anjani.
"We need to be careful these days in case there is an attack. It is best to store food while we can instead so everyone's ready when we need it."
"What attack?" Kiara asked. The adults had avoided revealing too many details in front of the cubs save for Zuri who had sneakily listened to everything.
"Because the hyenas and Scar's Pride want the Pridelands." Zuri said.
"What?" Kiara asked. "Why?"
"Zuri!" Anjani glared at her twin. "We're not supposed to tell her."
"Whatever." Zuri shrugged. "Come on Kiara let's go find Jasiri and Danyssa." She pushed Kiara back into the den to look for the other two cubs. They spotted them in the nursery den connecting to the main den that the Pride used.
"Kiara!" Danyssa called her over.
"Why are all the adults outside?" Jasiri asked. "There's only one lioness watching us." Kiara looked at an old lioness, Binti who was keeping an eye out on the cubs despite the fact that she looked like she was about to fall asleep with her eyes drooping every few seconds.
"Because there might be an attack. " Kiara said. "Zuri told me. The hyenas took Kion to a place called Scar's Pride."
"What?" Danyssa asked. "Why?"
"I don't know why." Kiara said. "But I wanna find out."
"Me too!" Jasiri declared. "Let's go! We can find Kion ourselves and save him. " Despite having overly protective parents, Jasiri was known to have something for constantly getting in trouble.
"But what if the adults find out?" Danyssa asked folding her ears as she looked over at Binti who was now soundly asleep.
"They won't." Kiara said. "We can probably sneak out of Priderock and get back before they see. Let's go!" The three cubs trotted out of the den and took the long way down Priderock, hiding in a small cave when they saw Sarabi and some other lionesses coming their way. Once they were gone, Danyssa crept out of the den.
"Everything's clear." Danyssa said. "Let's go."
The cubs ran down Priderock and towards the trees making sure there were no adults nearby before hurrying off to the border.
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A while later, Malaika returned to the den expecting to find Zuri and Anjani with Kiara but to her surprise they weren't there when she looked around.
"Mom." Malaika went to where Kudeka was resting after the hunt. "Have you seen Zuri and Anjani?"
"I just saw them with Ajjali and Zawadi." Kudeka said then noted her daughter's expression. "What's wrong?"
"I told them to watch Kiara while I went to find Sarabi." Malaika said feeling annoyed at her younger sisters.
"Perhaps Kiara is with them." Kudeka assured. "I only saw them from afar so I might have missed Kiara. Or maybe they left her in the nursery den with the other cubs."
Malaika headed into the nursery den and her stomach tightened when she realized that Kiara wasn't in there either. She hurried out of the den and down towards where she could hear her sisters.
"Zuri! Anjani!" Malaika called going over to them.
"Hey Malaika." Zuri greeted.
"What are you two doing here?" Malaika asked. "You were supposed to be watching Kiara!"
"We were but she was bored so we left her in the nursery den." Anjani said.
"She's not there!" Malaika snapped. "This is exactly why I asked you to keep an eye out on her until I came back."
"Kiara's gone?" Ajjali asked a look of worry crossing her face. Simba was her older brother and she knew very well that her brother would have lost it if he were here.
"I don't know where she is." Malaika sighed and hurried back to the den with the other three following her. She tried picking up her niece's scent but with the rain outside and everyone else in the den, the scent was covered.
"Kiara where are you?" Malaika murmured as she went back into the nursery den. Most of the cubs were asleep with a few like Ari and Tanabi still playing. Malaika suddenly noted Danyssa and Jasiri were gone as well and her heart dropped, realizing what must have happened.
Malaika rushed out of the den but slammed right into Akila who grunted at the impact.
"Hey if you wanted to see me so bad you could have just come outside and said hello!" Akila grinned giving his mate a nuzzle.
"Akila this isn't funny!" Malaika snapped. "Kiara's gone!"
"What do you mean she's gone?" Akila asked.
"I left her with Zuri and Anjani just for a bit and they left her in the nursery den. When I came back, Kiara was gone! What's worse is that Danyssa and Jasiri aren't there as well and knowing them, I don't know what they could have gotten into. " Malaika said.
"Dammit!" Akila cursed. "Simba and Chumvi are going to kill me if something happens to their cubs while they're gone."
"What about the cubs?" Akila and Malaika turned around to see Tama and Moraan standing there looking concerned.
"Kiara, Jasiri and Danyssa aren't in the nursery den where we left them." Malaika said. "I tried picking up their scent but it's gone with the rain."
"That means we won't be able to track them either." Tama said worry growing over her face.
"I'm going to send an overhead search party right now." Akila said. "Zazu's not here so it might take a while but if they can't find them we'll go search."
"Is Jasiri in the den?" Penda came up to them along with Sarabi and Malaika shook her head.
"I think she ran off somewhere with Kiara and Danyssa." Malaika said biting her lower lip. "My guess is that they went to help Kion."
"Oh spirits above…" Sarabi closed her eyes. "The hyenas could enter the Pridelands any minute."
"Mom!" Vijay came into the den followed with Kopa. Both of them were soaking wet.
"What are you two doing outside?" Malaika scolded. "You're going to catch a cold!"
"But Aunt Malaika we were only out there for a little bit." Kopa said.
"Yeah we came back to play with Kiara." Vijay said.
"Kiara's not in the den." Moraan sighed. "Neither is Danyssa and Jasiri."
"She left the den?" Kopa exclaimed and ran into the den to check for his sister before running back as he realized that she was no where to be seen.
"Both of you go inside." Malaika said. "The last thing we need is more missing cubs. We're going to look for Kiara…and no you aren't coming." She added the last part seeing both the male cubs opening their mouths to ask the to join the search party.
Malaika headed outside with the rest of her group behind her. Akila had already organized a search party as they waited for news about the cubs. Malaika didn't know how long it was before the searching birds returned.
"Prince Akila!" They flew in soaking wet. "We spotted the cubs heading towards the border! It's the northern border where the hyenas are."
"No…" Akila whispered fearing the worst had happened. "We have to get them!" He bounded down Priderock followed by Malaika, Tama and Danyssa. Penda, Ishan, Sarafina and Sarabi were right behind them, eager to get their grand cubs back to Priderock.
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Meanwhile the female cubs were approaching the border.
"Can we stop running now?" Danyssa panted. "My legs hurt."
"We gotta keep going Danyssa." Kiara said. "We have to save Kion!"
"We should have told Kopa to come." Jasiri said. "Kopa's been out near the borders a lot with the males for the patrol."
"Yeah but he think's he's the best at anything." Kiara said, feeling annoyed as she remembered her older brother and Vijay teasing her.
"Now come on!" Jasiri said. "Let's go save Kion!" She ran ahead and Kiara and Danyssa scampered behind her.
Near the border, Kiara picked up a strange stench. It was faint with the rain but it was there.
"What's that smell?" Danyssa asked covering her nose with her paw.
"Hyenas!" Kiara exclaimed. "That's what they smelled like when they took Kion! He's probably with them!"
"Maybe we shouldn't confront them…" Danyssa said feeling a bit scared.
"Don't be a scaredy cub Danyssa!" Jasiri huffed. "We have to get past them if we want to help Kion!"
"I am not a scaredy cub!" Danyssa said narrowing her eyes. "I'm braver than you!"
"No you aren't!" Jasiri said. "My name means brave!"
"But you aren't brave!"
"Yes I am!" Jasiri growled. "I'm better at pouncing and stalking too!"
"No I'm better!" Danyssa argued. "I catch everything I pounce on!"
"No you don't!" Jasiri said.
"Can both of you stop arguing?" Kiara asked covering her ears with her paws. "My ears hurt!"
"My paws hurt…" Danyssa mumbled feeling grumpy after her argument.
"And I'm really cold!" Jasiri shivered as the rain continued to fall on them.
Suddenly the cubs heard snickering behind them. They turned around to see a large group of hyenas gathering behind them.
"Well well look what we have here…" one hyenas grinned licking her chops.
"Look's like dinner's served Shenzi!" A male hyena tiptoed forward looking at the cubs eagerly.
"You're right Banzai…royal cubs taste the best of them all…don't they Janja" Shenzi whipped around snarling at Kiara who gasped and moved back, bumping into Danyssa and Jasiri.
"Don't try to run!" Janja jumped forward when he saw the females cubs trying to scramble away. "We hyenas have much better stamina and speed than you lions." He spat out the last word.
"Kiara…Danyssa…we have to go!" Jasiri whispered.
"What was that sweetheart?" Shenzi stalked closer to Jasiri. "Where do you have to go?"
Jasiri only trembled with fear and moved back.
"Run!" Danyssa exclaimed and she began to run as fast as she could with Kiara and Jasiri behind her. The hyenas laughed and within a few footsteps they had surrounded the cubs again.
Kiara wanted to cry as she looked at the group of hyenas closing in on them. Why had she left Priderock?
"Enough talking and let's start eating!" Janja snickered moving in for the kill. "Now which one first?"
"Hmmm." Banzai circled around the cubs. By now both Jasiri and Danyssa were crying.
"Let's take Simba and Nala's daughter first!" Shenzi grinned. "It will serve as a little message to King Simba as well."
"Kiara!" Jasiri and Danyssa looked at their friend in fear as Janja slammed Kiara with his paw sending her flying and away from her friends. Kiara landed on the wet grass with a thud and tears in her eyes as Janja moved forward.
"Any last words Princess?" Janja smiled evilly at her as he raised his paw.
"How about hell no?" Came an angry voice. Janja turned around to see Akila jumping over the group of hyenas and in front of Janja.
"Step away from her Janja!" Akila growled.
"Make me!" Janja snarled. "You're outnumbered!"
"I don't think so!" Suddenly Malaika jumped in from behind of Kiara and stood in front of her protectively daring Janja to step closer.
Shenzi looked around as she heard more angry snarls as the rest of the lions closed in on her. Moraan let out a furious roar when he saw Danyssa and Jasiri trapped between the hyenas. Before anyone could react, he slammed into the hyenas in front of the cubs and they stumbled back with a yelp as Tama pulled Danyssa and Jasiri close to her.
"Who's outnumbered now Janja?" Akila taunted. "You're in our lands and you know that the penalty is death!"
"Of course we know what the penalty is Akila." Janja said. "We knew perfectly well when we decided to cross the borders and hunt. We hunted enough to feed our entire clan. We were lucky enough to stumble upon your young ones for a quick meal." Akila roared in anger as he realized that the hyenas had stolen kills from the Pridelands.
"Then you must be seeking death…" Akila said coming in closer for the kill.
"I wouldn't touch him if I were you Akila." Shenzi said stepping up beside her mate. "Keep in mind that Scar still has your nephew…remember if you kill us, he kills Kion." Akila growled angrily, he wanted to kill the hyenas, every single one of them, it was the perfect chance to get rid of the hyenas matriarch and her mate…Simba was one his way to get Kion…surely he would get there first.
"Wait they're still using Kion against us…that means they don't know that Simba and the others are on their way. If they don't know…that means Scar doesn't know either." Akila though, his heart rising slightly as he realized that they had the element of surprise. He could relax a bit now, this entire time he had been worried that the hyenas would realize that they were already searching for Kion but they were still unaware of it.
"Of course I remember Shenzi." Akila snapped. "Now get out of our lands before we force you out. If you want the cubs, you have to get through us."
Growling Janja backed away from Kiara and nodded at his hyenas to follow him out as they began to run away.
"Kiara what were you thinking?" Malaika cried as she pulled Kiara in closer covering her with licks and nuzzles. "I was so worried!" Akila came over to them and scooped Kiara up with his paw rubbing his face against hers.
"Kiara you knew better then to leave Priderock." Akila said still holding onto her protectively. "What happened?"
"We wanted to help Kion." Kiara said folding her ears down. Akila and Malaika turned around to check up on Danyssa and Jasiri who were still shaken from the ordeal.
"Kiara!" Sarabi and Sarafina were immediately at her side, nuzzling her to make sure she was okay.
"Kiara we thought we lost you…" Sarabi said rubbing her cheek against Kiara's. "Don't ever to do that again!"
After being coddled by her grandmothers for another moment, Kiara went up to Akila and Malaika again. The rest of the adults took a moment to greet her and check up on her before Akila and Malaika pulled her back into their grasp.
"I'm sure what happened taught you three a good lesson." Tama said. "Hyenas are dangerous creatures especially for cubs and any threats from them should not be taken lightly." She along with the rest of the adults knew that the young ones had been terrified from the incident and didn't want to give them any serious punishment.
"Now let's get you back to Priderock before you get sick from being out in the rain." Penda said as she picked Jasiri up and began heading back to Priderock with Ishan. Moraan picked Danyssa up and followed them with Tama.
"I'm sure your father won't be happy when he hears about this." Akila said, smiling softly as he imagined his brother's face after hearing about what happened.
"That's enough for now Akila." Malaika said gently. "She's exhausted." Akila nodded, licking the top of Kiara's head one more time before he picked her up. Kiara felt safe with her uncle as they began the long walk home.
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Meanwhile, Kion had woken up in the hot dry cave. He looked around to see that a lioness was still on guard, looking at him with cold unwelcoming brown eyes. Kion winced silently and he turned away from her.
"I want to go home…" Kion whispered softly to himself as he tried not to cry but a few tears rolled down his face. His stomach rumbled hungrily, he hadn't eaten since the evening before the day the hyenas had kidnapped him.
He heard voices from the entrance of the cave and he turned around to see a little brown cub trotting into the den and towards him.
"Kovu!" The lioness guarding Kion called out. "Your father gave you clear instructions not to go near our guest."
"Yeah yeah I know Asna." Kovu said with a cheeky grin. "Don't tell him please! I have nothing else to do! Dad's busy and Mom's teaching Vitani how to hunt." Kion looked at Kovu in surprise that he was coming to see him.
Kion felt strangely attached to Kovu…like he was familiar.
"Have I met him before?" Kion whispered unaware that this very cub was the best friend he had lost years ago.
"Alright." Asna sighed. "But only for a few minutes. I'm not willing to deal with your mother's bickering again."
"Thanks Asna! You're the best!" Kovu gave her a nuzzle and a small smile cracked on Asna's face.
Kovu trotted towards Kion. "What's your name?"
"K-Kion." Kion stammered out nervously.
"I'm Kovu." Kovu gave him a friendly smile. "Do you wanna play?"
"I….I…" Kion was scared of him. Not exactly of Kovu but of his family. What if they saw them playing together.
"What? Do you not know how to play or something?" Kovu smirked at him.
"I do know how to play!" Kion snapped. "I'm just really scared."
"Why're you scared?" Kovu asked, oblivious to the danger his so called father had put Kion in.
"Because some hyenas kidnapped me and brought me here away from my home." Kion bit his lip to make sure he didn't start crying again.
"Where's your home?" Kovu asked.
"The Pridelands." Kion answered.
"The Pridelands…" Kovu let the name slowly roll on his tongue. "Sounds cool." The name sounded oddly familiar…perhaps he heard his parents talking about it but he doubted it.
"Do you know what they're going to do with me?" Kion asked.
"No." Kovu admitted. "I don't even know why you're here. But at least you can keep me company!"
"Don't you have anyone else to play with?" Kion asked.
"Not really." Kovu folded his ears down. "My mother is always training my sister and I, especially my sister for hunting. My brother doesn't really like me and my dad's not really the type to play. Everyone else in the Pride is always just trying to hunt to survive."
"Oh…" Kion said, feeling bad for Kovu.
"Who do you play with?" Kovu asked. "Back at your home?"
Kion felt a grin coming onto his face as he remembered how much fun he always had with his siblings, friends and the rest of the Pride.
"I have lots of fun." Kion said. "I always have my twin brother and little sister to play with. And my parent's and my uncles and aunts play with me when they can. And all our friends live at Priderock with us so I can play with them too."
Kovu silently shuddered when he heard Kion mention 'Priderock'. It sounded so familiar but Kovu knew he had never been there before. He closed his eyes trying to remember where he might have heard the word from but no matter how far back he went, the little cub just couldn't remember where he might have heard 'Priderock' from.
"What's Priderock?" Kovu asked.
"Priderock's the best." Kion said. "It's where the entire Pride lives. It's giant rock with lots of caves for us to sleep in. The big den is where most of pride sleeps and my family and I share the royal den. There's a nursery den too just for the cubs. And down the side of Priderock are a lot of acacia trees that you can sit under when it get's really hot. And if you go all the way to the top of Priderock, you can see the entire Pridelands!"
"Wow!" Kovu said astonished. "I wish I could come see Priderock."
Thinking of Priderock made Kion feel sad again. "I hope I can go back home."
"You could stay here." Kovu suggested. "I would have someone to play with!"
Asna came over to them and dropped a tiny piece of meat in front of Kion before going back to guard the entrance of the cave. Kion looked at the size of the meal he had been given before he ripped off a portion and slid it over to Kovu.
"What're you doing?" Kovu asked looking at him strangely.
"Sharing." Kion said. "Have you never shared your meals before?"
"Never." Kovu said. "We don't get a lot to eat so we have to fight for whatever there is."
"Oh…that's terrible." Kion said. His mother always hunted for them and Kion could never remember a day that he had gone to sleep hungry. He knew that not all hunts were successful but both his parents made sure that he and his siblings were well fed before they even began to think of eating, even when meals were harder to catch during the dry seasons.
"Don't you have to fight for food back at home?" Kovu asked curiously as he took a bite of the meal that Kion shared with him.
"No." Kion said. "Mom and the other lionesses always make sure that the cubs eat first."
"Wow…" Kovu murmured. "I wish I had been born in a place like the Pridelands." His heart sank knowing he wasn't as lucky as Kion but Kovu had no idea just how wrong he was.
"Kovu!" Asna's voice sounded a bit urgent. "Your parents are back. It's best if you leave."
"Oh alright Asna." Kovu said and then turned to Kion. "I'll talk to you later." He hurried out of the den.
Meanwhile Zira and Scar were returning after enjoying sometime together.
"Now tell me what you plan on doing with Kion." Zira said.
"Well as much as I would like to demand for Simba to exchange the throne for Kion, I can't. It's a big Pride and surely they will fight back. I want to weaken them as much as possible first…take down Nala, Akila, Mufasa and everyone protecting Simba. If I have to get rid of the River Pride too I will. Surely, Runju will send reinforcements to help his daughter. Once we weaken the Pride, we weaken Simba. And that's when we get rid of him." Scar said, growling with joy as he thought of the last part.
"What about Kion?" Zira asked.
"I took Kion for leverage." Scar said. "If Simba tries challenging me, he'd think twice since I have one his cubs. Surely they are out looking for him but I know he wouldn't take the entire Pride on a mission to the Outlands. It leaves the Pridelands exposed to the hyenas and I know that Mufasa isn't that foolish. Either way he is stuck. If Simba only took a small group, he won't stand a chance against us."
"Mommy!" Vitani bounded up to Scar and Zira. "Look what I caught!" There was a baby hare in her mouth.
Zira couldn't deny that she felt pride as she looked upon her only daughter. Vitani was clever and a fast learner, much faster than both her brothers. "My little huntress." Zira thought feeling proud.
But Zira refused to show it. She would make sure Vitani would toughen up the point where nothing could break her. She wouldn't allow her to soften with emotion. They didn't have the time for it. Besides, she knew that Scar would kill her if she cared too much for Vitani. He had hated her from the minute she was born after realizing she was a female and refused to let Zira spend too much time with her aside from her training and hunting practice. After they had taken Kovu in, Scar made sure neither Vitani or Nuka were taking up too much of Zira's time, he always made Kovu the priority. And Zira didn't dare to defy Scar…she would do anything to hold her spot as his Queen.
"That's a fine kill Vitani." Zira said her voice monotone. "Now go give it to Kovu. Once he has taken his share, you may take whatever is left."
"Oh…" Vitani folded her ears down. "But Mom…I'm hungry too. Kovu already ate this morning and I didn't."
"Did you not hear your mother Vitani?" Scar growled at her. "Give the kill to Kovu and whatever is left you may take. I will not be wasting an entire kill on a useless female like you!"
Whimpering softly, Vitani picked up her hard earned kill and trotted away to find Kovu. She didn't want to be jealous of Kovu but during times like these, she couldn't help it. She was starving but Kovu still got to eat first!
TLKTLKTLKTLKTLKTLKTLKTLK
It took Simba and his search party over a day to locate Scar's Pride. Zazu was exhausted and Simba knew that they couldn't keep pushing him on. It had taken time to pass through neighbouring Prides, they had to wait at borders to cross through. Thankfully Simba had kept good connections with rulers from other Pride's and once they had found out that Nala was from the River Pride they had been allowed to pass through immediately. Kingdoms from all over the African lands had heard the stories of Simba and Nala uniting two feuding Pride's and they were more than happy to meet them.
"Simba, I see them ahead." Nala said stopping when she spotted some caves ahead of them. They had left the Mountain Pride, whose land bordered some territory with dry grass, little water and little to none animals passing by. Nala thought it was only a small area but after an hour or two of travelling through it she realized the territory was gigantic. The Mountain Pride had been generous and offered them kills to fuel them for the rest of their journey.
"So what's your plan?" Shinda said as they gathered in close.
"We are not going to fight all of them." Simba said. "We don't have the numbers to do so. All we can do right now is find a way to go around them and quickly sneak Kion out of there."
"Do you want to distract them?" Chumvi asked. "While Nala goes to get Kion. If there's visitors, I think the entire Pride will come out to see what's going on."
"I hope so." Simba said. "I don't know how big their Pride is and we don't know where they're keeping Kion either. That's why we have Zazu." He turned to the hornbill who was perched on his neck.
"What do you need me to do?" Zazu asked nervously.
"I need you to fly ahead and keep high above the ground so they won't notice you. Go into the caves when no one is looking at see which one has Kion. We can't risk us going in there and them seeing us." Simba said.
"Will do." Zazu said as he got up and flew away.
"So I go for Kion." Nala said. "Kula, will you come with me for backup?"
"Of course." Kula nodded.
"The rest of us distracts the Pride." Tojo said. "But Simba you've met Scar before. He's going to recognize you."
"I suppose so." Simba sighed. "Then I'll go with Nala to sneak Kion out. The rest of you distract Scar and the rest of the Pride."
"Sounds like a plan." Shani nodded.
"I spoke with my father before we left…no one knows Scar better than him." Simba said. "He said that Scar's going to be expecting a fight and thinks that we're outnumbered. He always turns to violence and that's where we have our advantage." His tone was still worried and everyone looked at him in concern.
"Simba…" Alex put his paw on Simba's shoulder. "We're going to get Kion out and we're ALL going to make it out alive." The rest of them nodded in agreement.
"I'm going to go find some water." Chumvi said. "It'll be a while before Zazu returns." The group left in pairs to search for water and Simba turned to his mate.
"How're you holding up?" Simba rubbed his face against hers.
"Simba…" Nala's voice was quiet. "What if we're too late?"
"No." Simba pulled her in closer and held her in his embrace. "I refuse to believe that."
"He's all alone without us to protect him." Nala whispered, her eyes tearing up as she thought of her missing cub. "Can you imagine how scared he is right now? Who knows what Scar and his pride are doing to him." She pressed her face against his cheek, wiping away her tears.
"They won't do anything to him." Simba said. "They need Kion for leverage against me, they would be fools to try to hurt him." Despite his words, he was sick with worry but didn't want to worry his mate even more. He licked the back of Nala's ears as she pulled back, knowing how worried Nala was. He knew that their cubs were everything to Nala and she would lose her mind if anything happened to either of them.
"Simba!" Zazu came tearing in.
"What is it Zazu?" Simba asked.
"I found Kion!"
So that's it for chapter twelve and I hope you guys liked it. I would really appreciate a review, even just a tiny one so I know everyone is enjoying the story. Your feedback helps me improve the story and it keeps me motivated to update chapters faster. Anyways, so Simba and his team are ready to rescue Kion from Scar who thinks that they're coming for a fight but reality is that they aren't. I added some Vitani into this chapter, she doesn't play a big role right now but she will at the end of the story. Also, Chumvi and Kula are on the rescue team heading to the very place that their son (who they think dead) is. What's going to happen if they spot him? Keep reading to find out!