Nala finished telling the lionesses Simba's condition, along with what had led him there. Naturally they were furious. They weren't the only ones. Word spread across the kingdom as fast as any wildfire. Animals from all around had heard what had happened and were traveling to Pride Rock to see what had become of their king. When they heard how Simba was, they all breathed a sigh of relief.

When they heard how his life had been put in danger, they roared.

The lionesses unsheathed their claws. Birds sharpened their beaks. The elephants stomped the ground and tossed their trunks. All manner of hoofed animals threatened a trampling.

She was sorely tempted to send them out to find Kovu. But no. The Outsiders would come under their own power. Why turn away the added defense?

"Nala…" She turned back toward the den.

"Simba! You should be resting."

He shook his head the tiniest bit. "I could hear the crowd from inside. I figured I should come out and reassure them."

She wasn't fooled. She could see that he was leaning slightly on Kiara. But he was right. The kingdom would do well to see him up. As long as he lay back down shortly afterward.

He stood, not at the peak of Pride Rock, but more toward the base. He was supported by Kiara on one side, Nala on the other. He didn't say anything, just smiled slightly. It was enough to send a sigh of relief through the ranks of animals.

The king is up. The king is okay. He'll get better.

Simba received the look from both his wife and his daughter and lay down where he stood. He was almost asleep as soon as his head touched the ground. Nala and Kiara exchanged worried faces.

The whispers from the crowd intensified.

He still looks bad. Never seen anyone that hurt. Not any lion that is. Did you hear what happened? Some kind of ambush. Plot. Trap. Kovu. Kovu, Kovu, Kovu…

Kiara was listening, shifting nervously. Nala noticed. She couldn't still have feelings for Kovu could she? She saw him for what he truly was…right? Nala knew her daughter had heard her father tell what happened. When the time came to fight the Outsiders, Kiara would not falter, would she? Though knowing Simba, he would probably ban her from any battle.

"Daddy?" Kiara was right. He needed to get up, go back inside, and rest while they had the chance.

"Daddy, it can't be true." What? After what had happened, Kiara would still believe in Kovu? No. This was too much. Kovu had only been a pawn in a much larger game Zira was playing. And even Zira had only ever been a tool of Scar. Even dead, the lion kept pulling the strings. Well, should Nala get the chance, she would end the game. It had taken far too much from people. Simba in particular. She would protect her mate and daughter as best as she possibly could. The Outsiders would come. Come to try and take their home in the name of Scar. Through Kovu. She would do anything to stop this. She just had to be patient. She just had to wait.

"Look, it's Kovu."

"Kovu…"

"It's Kovu."

The waiting was over.

~*~

Mess with the lion, and you get the lioness. I wasn't completely sure how to get Simba from resting inside Pride Rock, to outside sleeping. I think it was a bit rushed but…*shrug* I hope you enjoyed! There's only one bit left! =^-^=