+WolfStrom of ShadowClan, Yes I have been known to use the occasional cliff hanger lol.

+Money100, Honestly I don't know what Ingine in planning I'm waiting to find out myself.

+CandyLuv99, Haha yes I'm back and not dead lol, and don't worry Scar will have his own story in my next fanfiction I am working on. It will be uploaded soon.

Chapter 16

"…What did you say?" the blue eyed lioness voiced echoed in the ears of her opposed grey fur lioness. The tension had gone for 10 to 100 with these two, why Nala has no idea. She in her right mind, should be hostile towards her aggressor. But the anger Ingine held towards her was beyond her belief. She did nothing wrong to her-yet Ingine is giving her hell.

"Why do the cute ones always act so dumb?" she voiced stepping closer.

"Back off…" she warned, ears pinning to the back of her head. The lioness watched as the eyes of Ingine scaled her up and down. Looking for the slightest bet of weakness. Which would not be hard, you have a heavily pregnant lioness before her-but a lioness who would no less throw it down if she had to. Whether she was capable of it or not. "Turn around and walk away and we will have no problem."

"pssh, I'm not your problem, you're mine…" she egged knowing she could get the emotional state lioness to blow.

"Me?! I've done nothing to you! NOTHING! You're the one who came to us, wrecking everything!" the notion of she and Simba could not be helped. Nala thought she and Ingine were truly friends, while she was the one who knowingly stabbed her in the back." After we took you in- welcomed you in our home, you did this to us- to me?! I was your friend! How could you look me in the eye-smile- and tell me- EVERYONE that lie!" referring to she and Simba one night stand.

"What lie? It was true, everything I said was true. And how the hell would you know? You weren't there. You left him, all to himself...because you weren't or aren't lioness enough for him-"

"That's a lie! He wasn't in his right mind! You did something to him! He would never purposely do that-"

"Are you deaf and dumb! You heard him! He told you that was his cub-his SON-"

"Stop it…NOW" Nala warned. She shook her head to fight back the tears she could feel coming. "Turn around and walk away!"

"Or what? You think you can take me? please. I dare you, it's just you and me." at this point the lionesses were nose to nose. Nalas eyes, red from fury.

"Don't…try…me."

"Fine, I'll turn around. I'll see what Simba do-"WHAM. Ingine went tumbling sideways as the force of Nala paw sent her flying. She doubled back and caught herself, her paw went to her cheek and lip. Stopping the red stain of blood from running down her chin. She smiled as the taste of her blood made its way to her tongue. Sending a chill down her spine. She had thrown the first blow and now, it was on. "You hit harder than I thought, I'm glad…now it'll be more fun!" it took Nala less than a second to realize what she had done. That and her throbbing paw also was a reminded, what was she doing. What was he thinking, she couldn't-she didn't have time to think about. The lioness was charging right at her and all she could do was brace herself for impact-

"STOP IT, NOW!" Nala turned her head and Ingine came to a sudden stop when she heard two extra voices boom from behind the cream fur lioness.

"Who the hell are you?!" boomed Ingine furious over the interruption. But when the two came into view, Nala knew exactly who they were.

"A lion that will make your life a living hell if you take one step forward." Malka. He and Tojo came from the forest that stood behind the two lionesses.

"Turn around Ingine and go home, no one will hear about this." Voiced Tojo, he and Malka were now fully in front of Nala. There was no way Ingine would be able to get to Nala now, her plan would be foiled before she even got up. She started and eyed them.

"You heard him." Voice Malka, and he, unlike Tojo. Would not be in a forgiving and understanding mood. Her ears pinned back, pissed. She hated the idea of delaying her plan any further-but what else could she do. She couldn't stop and take them both. "Beat it." she turned in a hast and took off.

"What the hell happened to her?" asked Tojo and Malka turned around to face Nala, the lioness unfortunately in the midst of it. "You stuck her?"

"No…Yes…she was coming after me and-"

"Nala, you can't be fighting like that and plus you had us worried sick. You can just go disappearing what if something happened." Voiced Malka, the voice of reason now.

"Nothing happened-"

"That happened! If we hadn't come she would have beaten the crap out of you- did you not see the crazy in her eyes."

"No I wouldn't- and I didn't want to fight her. She came after me- I told her to leave me alone! But then she started talking about her and Simba and…" she began to get flustered.

"Relax, we get you Nala-Malka, just practicing being uncle Malka over here. So it looks like I have to cool one."

"I'm sorry guys."

"No biggie, besides what would you do without us." Malka.

"Apparently get my ass kicked." She mouthed laughing at herself. in a way knowing the truth she as glad Malka and Tojo were still looking for her. Hell just arguing with her was draining. She couldn't wait to get back to pride rock to sit down. "and, Malka you're right. I've got to fix things with Simba."

"finally, someone starts taking my advice."

"Dude you barely have advice to give." Tojo.

"But the little I do give, is worth taking." Tojo, rolled his eyes.

"And you guys…don't tell Simba about this, okay?"

"Why? He should know about this Nala."

"….I don't want him anywhere near her."

"Nala…"

"I know I know, I just…it's hard for me to wrap my head around it. I want to make it work so, the little he and her have to deal with each other, the more we have a chance of fixing this." She did, she truly- after that moment with Ingine. She had to get back with Simba and fix it, she couldn't stand the thought of them being separate, maybe it was jealously or hate towards Ingine. But when she spoke about Simba, in any manner. It enraged her. Simba was her lion, her mate- no matter how mad he may have gotten her, or how stupid he acted- and trust there was one than one time he acted stupid- but he was hers none the less and she was his. No matter the situation, they had a history together and she loved him. Her love never wavered although her trust has. Her love for him never did. And it was Ingine talking about Simba that caused that fire to stir in her once again.

"Fine." Malka voiced. "let's get back, you look tried."

"I'm exhausted."

"You must be, the mark on her face, geesh Nala you must have hit her hard!" voiced Tojo, now that all the seriousness was over. The trio laughed. "Remind me not to mess with you."

"Pregnant or not, Nala still badass!" voiced Malka in agreement. Suddenly the wide smile on Nala face quickly turned to an expression of agony as she went falling towards the ground. "Whoa…Nala?!"

"Aarrgh..s-something wrong…" distress hang from her voice.

"What…what.. what's wrong?!" voiced both males, as they did not know what to do.

"I..I don't know, my stomach…it hurts!" she laid on her side, panting.

"Crap Nala! you can't have the cub here on us! We're NOT ready!" exclaimed Tojo. He was more nervous than the lioness was.

"Tojo, relax she not having the cub…are you?!"

"No! you….Aarghhh!" she closed her eyes and waited out the pain. Suddenly, it become more manageable. When the strange ache finally subsided, she opened her eyes. "I'm…I'm okay"

"Are you sure? You just fell down saying you're in pain two seconds ago…"

"The pain is gone…I feel better…I don't think it was anything serious." She started to get up. " I th-Mmmm…." Her legs too numb to stand. "Never mind…" she paused. "I think I should see Raifki."

"Right…Tojo, C'mon." both lions went over to either side of the lioness to help her up. "Can you walk?"
"…Barely…"

"That's fine, all you need to do it get up, Malka and I can handle the rest." Voiced Tojo. The young mother rose to her feet slowly, by the help for her friends.

On the furthers side of the territory, the pride was returning to pride rock. Sarabi had left the lionesses earlier in hopes of running into her mate, Mufasa before he was off on his patrol. In no time she was back at pride rock, oddly enough it was silent…deadly even. It seemed like the other pride members had left. There was no sign of Simba, Tojo, Malka or Nala. She pushed the thought to the back of her head and went screaching for her mate. "Mufasa? Mufasa?" then out of the corner of her eye she saw a figure disappear into the brushes. "Hello?" the figure stopped moving and didn't response. From what she thought she was it was...Ingine but she couldn't be for sure. Then the large lion with the red mane caught her attention.

"Sarabi, the hunt is over already?"

"Yes, but I left the lionesses so I could come speak with you."

"You don't have to worry dear, I've handle it." she raised a eyebrow, what was her husband talking about. " I spoke with Ingine earlier today. with everything happening I told her she has to leave pride rock. Now- I know how you feel about her, but Sarabi she can't stay here anymore." The king, did not want to be hash, but he had to do what needed to be done, in order to reclaim order in his pride.

"Well this is something you beat me too. I was actually going to tell her myself, I came to tell you first. How did she take the news?"

"…better than I thought, but then again, with her I can't tell. But, what's done is done. I told her she has a week-to be fair, but I think she'll be done before then. What does she have to stay here for now…"

"I know…"

"Come with me Sarabi, I could use some company." Voiced the large male was he walked over to his mate. "I feel we still will have a lot to talk about."

"yes, I'm sure."

Meanwhile, Malka and Tojo had managed to get Nala to the wise monkey, Rafiki. The walk was long but the trio finally made it with little to no mishap…almost. Tojo on the other paw, almost didn't make it, but that's another story. The boys stood a good distance to give Nala and Rafiki their space- they didn't want to hear something their poor male ears would not forget.

"Mhmm, you had da lil scare I see."

"Yes, I don't know what happened. My stomach just started to hurt."

"hmm." He examined her more. Feeling on her swollen side. He could tell by her reaction that his touch was somewhat uncomfortable. Nala still might be feeling some pain and discomfort and is just not telling him. "Hav you been stressed?"

"Huh?"

"Stress?" he took her paw and examined it as well. It was swollen and slightly bruised. "Wat is dis?"

"Oh that, ugh, nothing I don't know. I must have done that and not realized." She didn't fool him, he knew she had another reason, but he wasn't going to force her to tell him.

"Well, ya all done here."

"So..am I okay? The baby?"

"Yes, fa now." He voiced, now?"

"Now? What does that mean?"

"It means dis, Nala now ya far along with the cub, stress is a bad ting and very very bad ting. Da cub was upset, whatever you did cause it stressed- don't do it anymore." He warned but more like scolded the young lioness. She took his words to heart.

"I won't I promise."

"Gud, hey boys, ya can come back now !" he voice ran. Looking in the direction of the two male lions. Tojo and Malka stuck their heads out to make sure the coast was clear.

"Is everything okay here?" asked Tojo.

"Yes, I'm fine. The cub was just upset. But I promised Rafiki I wouldn't do anything stress anymore." If only she could really promise that. Because if Ingine comes at her again, she'll have to defend herself.

"Don't worry doc, we'll make sure she keeps her promise, Simba too." Because she was going to have to tell Simba about this whether she wanted to her not.

"Gud, be careful goin back home." The elder monkey waved a hand was she watched the trio leave his sight. When the trio got a good distance away they began to speak.

"You're telling him when you see him, okay Nala?" voiced Malka, as he and Tojo still aided the lioness along.

"I know and I'm going to tell him."

"Tonight, not tomorrow night or a week from now tonight- Tonight."

"I get it I get it…tonight." She sighed just thinking about it. She and Simba have not have a talk- talk snice…a while. She doesn't know how she should even start the conversation. And what if he doesn't want to talk with her anymore, what if he's over her too now?! What if all of a sudden the drama just got too much for him and Simba just said…fuck it. it other words. Her the cub the situation. I mean , she hasn't mad his life easier will ending the marriage, saying he can't see his own cub, telling him how much she hated him…she might as well give up on talking to him now, right?

Well she had to think about it, until she didn't have a minute to spare anymore. Tojo and Malka had went to find Simba once they had gotten back. By this time the lioness had returned for the hunt and it well into the afternoon now. She had told Tama and Kula what had happened with Ingine and the scare with the cub… and then her lastly talking with Simba.

"That bit…oh I'm going to punch her in the face as soon as I see her- oh dare she even…." Voiced a heated Tama.

"Relax Tama it got resolved more or less…"

"How?"

"Malka and Tojo came before anything could really happen." She explained, both girls listening. "and….I got one good hit in before.: she chimed with a slight smile. Kula eyes grew wide and Tama exclaimed with an exaggerated yell.

"Yessss, that's my girl!"

"What..Nala… how did you.."

"She got into my face! I had to defend myself….plus" she lead off. "She was talking about Simba and I…I didn't like that."

"Awwwww!" voiced Kula, happy to see that Nala still had feelings for Simba. She knew that they couldn't he bad at each other forever. I mean they are Simba and Nala after all! "You didn't like another lioness talking about your lion-"

"Please Kula, calm it down. Nala not going back to him- are you?" she didn't answer. "Nala?

"Ugh! What I'm I suppose to do Tama! I'm having his cub for kings sake…yes he did mess up but-I can't hold it against him anymore, I've done things too that I'm not proud of."

"Yea, but he broke your heart!"

"And I broke his when I ended things! Malka told me, I'm not the only one suffering here. Look, I know you're looking after me because you care but… I have to end this beef between us. I have to fix it for both of our sakes."

"Alright, if you say so."

"I do say so, but do I know so?" the lioness shrugged.

"That's up to you Nala." Suddenly three extra figures came into the room. It was the three young males of the pridelands. Nala eyes watched as Simba came passing though his friends. He had a worried look on his face.

"Nala are you okay, I heard what happened with Rafiki?!"

"I…" Nala shot a look at Tojo and Malka, who were conveniently looking in the opposite direction. Their job was to go get Simba, not tell him everything. "I'm fine really." A small smile came across her face as she could see the concern all over his face. Then her eyes noticed all the extra pairs of eyes looking at them. "…um, can you guys give us some space…" she asked. All four got brought back to reality as Nala voice hit them and took them away from the deep moment. They each, slowly walked out of the den, leaving the two. The two watched as they left, Nala slowly got up.

"No, sit down. You should be moving." Voiced Simba with concern.

"Simba, I'm fine, really."

"What happened?"

"Nothing, I just got alittle stressed and-"

"No, what happened." As she sat, he took her swollen and bruised paw. The blue eyed lioness had forgotten how observant Simba was with her. She could get nothing passed him, even if they hadn't seen each for a while.

"From the beginning?" he nodded. "…I hit Ingine-"

"What? Why?"

"She was messing with me, I don't know what her problem is but…she threated me and the cub…and she got in my face- and Simba I don't know what happened?! She…she was talking about you and her and I…I just wanted her to stop! And i-" the red mane male took her into a sudden embrace to calm her fried nerves. She fell into his embrace and started to cry. "i…i…wanted you there, b-but you weren't and…I was scared!"

" Nala i-" she was so spathic that she couldn't let him talk. "Nala Breath! BREATH…" it took her a moment, a very long moment to gather herself. she felt her moving cub and remembered what Rafiki had told her. "i…I'm sorry…i.. I just want things to go back…the way they were…I don't this. I don't want to be mad at you…I don't want to hate you…I don't want our cub to grow up and you're not there!"

"I'm not going anywhere Nala…I'm staying right here…"

"I'm sorry I hurt you…I know I was being stupid and selfish too…a-and I took it out on you. Malka told me everything that happened! I' sorry…so so sorry, I just want us to be back together again…I can't do it anymore on my own…" a great sense of relief came over the lioness as she finally got to spill her heart out. She took the larger male paw and placed it on her side. " Rafiki said, everything fine…but, I can't stress anymore. But, without you I stress… this whole situation is making me stress…" finally confessing. She didn't look at her former fiancé, but at the ground by his paws. "I want everything to go back to normal, I just don't know how…" that by far was the happiest thing Simba had heard in his life-besides the first time Nala had said ' I love you'- he had been waiting, dying to talk to her about 'them' their relationship, their future as a family. And maybe even…picking back the pieces of where they left off. "so.." she asked. "how can we fix it?"

The prince did not know what do to, but take her into another, tighter embrace. The force knocked the wind right out of her lungs. "I'm so sorry for everything Nala, I truly truly am… and I've missed you so much." He paused. He didn't want her to see him cry, but he could feel the tears of joy breaking their way thru. " You're my best friend, and if I can do anything- anything to help you, or us…I will." He paused. "I just want us to be back together again too." He voiced, she looked at him and slowly wiped away a tear.

"I know…" for a while they said nothing. Staying connected by the silence between them. "I can forgive…but it may take a while to forget. And I'm sure the same is for you with me. but if we can both agree that its done, I have no doubt things will be getter."

"Agreed"

"I've missed you so much." She chimed, nuzzling her head under his chin. The two stay together the rest of that evening. Neither wanted to leave eachother, even when the lionesses went on to leave for the evening hunt. It would take them no time to come back, but they didn't want to take that chance of not being with eachother. For a first time the young mother was able to get some much needed, and restful sleep. Now that Simba was at her side again. they cuddled up together in the back of the den, it was peaceful again. As he watched her chest rise and fall while she slept she couldn't help but be thankful for her. She was his clam and now she was back with him in this storm. A storm, that, seemed still for a while-however was still brewing. It was an awkward sensation for him, being torn like this. He had finally gotten Nala back, but something still didn't seem right. He was still on edge, waiting for something to happened. It can't be over he thought, so easy, so smooth. It was like he wondering thought crossed on to the sleeping lioness as she soon woke from her nap.

"What's wrong? " he asked looking down at her.

"I should be asking you. " he looked at her puzzled. "Our cub is a mind reader, it won't stop kicking me something must be brothering you. Tell me."

"Its nothing." Nala closed her eyes and winched.

"That was a very big kick for a very big lie." She told him " Tell me, or I'm going to start kicking you like this cub is kicking me." he smiled some.

"It's just want you told me earlier, about Ingine." Nala paused. "she…she attacked you."

" I more attacked her because she was getting in my face, but yes. She as coming after me." she informed.

"I want to you stay away from her, you hear."

"I want nothing to do with her. Threaten me that's fine, but threaten my baby…" she paused. " what's wrong with her?"

"Something that's for sure." Suddenly the miss of blood cold be smelled in the air. The lionesses had finally arrived back from the hunt. Simba got up slowly.

"Where are you going?"

"To get you something to eat."

"I'll come with you."

"No stay here and rest."

"So I can be alone by myself."

"I'll be back before you know it." he walked over and gave her a kiss. " I'll be back soo, I promise." She looked at him, smiled, but knew better. He was doing something that he didn't want her to find out. And he was. He was going to confront Ingine.