A/N Thank you to my awesome reviewers. I really appreciate your reviews. Hopefully there will be more to follow in this chapter. Here it is ch 16. Enjoy
Ch 16 Formulating a Plan
"I'm certainly glad you came to your senses Kopa," Tama said with a smile. "Now then I think we should discuss our plan."
"Hold on Tama we need to set some ground rules here first," Kopa said. "I have conditions that must be met before I do anything for you."
"Very well," Tama said, trying not to let her annoyance show. "And just what are these conditions?"
"First of all Jasiri doesn't get hurt," Kopa said. "I still love her and I won't have her getting hurt."
"Agreed," Tama said. "Now then I..."
"I'm not finished Tama," Kopa interrupted. Tama let out a growl but said nothing. So Kopa continued, "Second condition: I get to be the one that takes down Simba."
"Why should you be the one that gets to do that?" Sharka demanded, glaring at Kopa. "Tama and I..."
"Are lionesses," Kopa interjected. "Not to mention you're older lionesses at that. I'm a young strong lion. I can easily take down Simba."
"What about Nuka?" Tama asked, the anger coming through her voice. "And Vitani? Do you want to be the one that kills them too?"
"No," Kopa said, glaring at Tama. "I don't really care who takes them down. I just want Simba. He's been the biggest pain in my ass and he needs to be taken down."
"I thought you were all buddy buddy with Simba," Sharka snapped. "I mean what's changed Kopa?"
"Simba thinks I'm weak," Kopa said. "That I'm unhinged. That I don't know what's best for me. He's never thought that I was anything other than the son of Scar and Nala. He's never respected me. Well its high time I showed him how powerful I really am."
"Well you're already off to a good start," Dogo chimed in. "I mean you attacked Kovu not that long ago. He's probably dead."
"You attacked Kovu?" Tama said, the shock clear in her voice.
"Yeah," Kopa said, his voice coming out deep and demonic again. "I did. He deserved it."
"But he's your brother," Tama said as if Kopa needed a reminder. "I never thought you'd attack your own brother."
"Half brother," Kopa spat out. "And like I said before: he deserved it. He's no better than Simba. He and Kiara always think they know what's best for me and that they get to make all the decisions for me. They treat me like a weak little cub. Well I showed Kovu just how wrong he was."
"So you'd be willing to take out Kiara then?" Sharka asked. "Even though she's your sister?"
"I'll do what I have to do," Kopa said. "And if that means killing Kiara then so be it."
"Anymore conditions before we finalize our plan?" Tama asked.
"Just one more," Kopa said.
"And what's that?" Tama asked, trying not to lose her temper.
"When Simba and his family are dead I get to be King," Kopa said.
"There's no way in Hell that we're..." Sharka cried out.
"That's the deal Sharka," Kopa thundered. "Either you guys agree to let me become King after or I'm out. Now which is it?" Tama and Sharka let out growls and looked at each other. Then they looked at their followers.
"We do what you do," one of the lionesses said. Tama and Sharka looked back at Kopa. Then Tama went to respond.
"Very well," the tan coated lioness said. "We'll do things your way Kopa."
"Smart decision," Kopa said with a smirk. "Now lets discuss our plan shall we?" With that the group began to discuss their upcoming plan to take down Simba and his family once and for all.
TLKTLKTLK
Meanwhile back at Pride Rock the group was anxiously awaiting news on Kovu. Asha and Safara were off to the side comforting each other. Kiara was pacing back and forth while Nuka was trying to calm her down. "Ki' I know you're worried," the light gold Prince said. "But you'd feel a lot better of you just sat down and talked to me."
"Talk to you about what?" Kiara demanded as she continued to pace. "Talk to you about how I may lose both my brothers? Talk to you about how Kopa may be going down the same evil path our mother and father did? Talk to you about how I failed as a big sister?"
"Kiara you didn't fail Kopa," Nuka said, getting to his feet and standing in front of Kiara.
"Yes I did Nuka!" Kiara cried out, her voice breaking as the tears escaped her green eyes. The light brown lioness stopped pacing and lowered her head as more tears came. Nuka pulled Kiara close and she wept into his chestnut brown mane for a few minutes. "I failed both my little brothers," came Kiara's muffled voice. "I should have been looking out for Kopa more. But I was so focused on my own problems that I didn't see his."
"I think we're all guilty of that," Jasiri said, coming onto the scene with Vitani and Chafu right behind her. "I'm Kopa's betrothed," the rusty brown lioness continued. "I'm the one that failed him the most. I should have done more to help him."
"Its hard to help someone that pushes you away all the time," Chafu pointed out. "I mean we all tried to help Kopa. But he wouldn't let us. He wouldn't even let Rafiki help him for Kings' Sake! If you ask me no one failed Kopa here except himself."
"Chafu that's not true," Jasiri said. "I should have..."
"Should have what pushed harder?" Chafu said. "Jasiri we all know that if you would have done that Kopa would have just gotten angry. I mean he did when Kovu pushed harder. Hell I bet Kopa was the one that attacked Kovu."
"No!" Kiara shouted, getting in Chafu's face. "Kopa wouldn't do that! Kovu's our brother! Kopa would never try to kill his own brother! And if you ever say that again I will rip your damn head off! Got it?!"
"Yeah," Chafu said softly. "I got it. I'm sorry Kiara. I shouldn't have said that. You're right. Kopa would never do something like that."
"I'm just really worried about Kopa," Kiara said softly.
"Daddy said he sent Zazu to find Kopa," Vitani informed her future sister-in-law. "He said we need to ask him about what happened with Moto, Chana and Kijana."
"Yeah I know we do," Kiara said with a sigh. "I just wish..." But she was interrupted by Asha coming onto the scene.
"Kovu's awake," the light gold lioness said. "And he wants to see all of us." With that the group headed into the cave to speak with Kovu.
TLKTLKTLK
The group all headed into the cave where they saw Kovu alert, a serious look on his face. "Kovu!" Asha and Safara cried out, running over and gently embracing the golden brown lion.
"Oh honey we were so worried about you," Asha said, giving Kovu's cheek a lick.
"Sorry I worried everyone," Kovu said, his voice coming out very soft.
"We're just glad you're going to be alright," Kiara said as she gently head bumped her half brother.
"Thanks Ki'," Kovu said with a smile. Then his expression turned serious. "But we need to talk about what happened to me," he said.
"Ah yes," Simba said. "We need to find the creature that did this to you."
"Honey do you remember who attacked you?" Asha asked.
"Yes I do," Kovu said, his voice shaking with emotions. "And you all aren't going to like it."
"It was Kopa wasn't it?" Chafu asked, causing the rest of the group to look it him in surprise including Kovu.
"Yes," Kovu said after a few seconds of silence. "It was Kopa that attacked me."
A/N this looks like a good place to stop guys. Hope you all enjoyed ch 16. Review please and thank you