I'm sorry for the long update. I've already explained why it was so late. It's on my page. Hope you're still reading. Haha. xD

Anyway, onto my reviewers:

XxDarkDemonWolfxX: I have no idea what story you're talking about, sorry. Hope you find it though.

Kratos-god-slayer101: Thanks for reading! I hope to hear from you more often! :)

Kate: Thank you.

lilMonkeyCupcakes: Thanks! I was worried the cliffhanger wouldn't be as dramatic as I wanted it to be.

TLKNerd: Well you'll just have to read and see. xD

5: I've read his story before. I was too lazy to review. I might've faved him though. I'll check and see.

Silverbellsb: I'm glad you like Isa! 3 I was planning on turning her into a brat, but I'll just see where it goes. And PS: Your cousin sounds ADORABLE! xD And ty for reading SR. (:

Johanna the Sponge: Thanks! I thought it would've been too boring but glad you like it. :)

Well, here goes! :)

~11~

Doli managed to usher the cubs back to the safety of the Pridelands, and eventually back to Pride Rock. Kiara immediately greeted them.

"Oh thank goodness you're safe." she said with relief.

Iman moaned softly and Ashanti and Shani stood silent. Isa's guilt-ridden eyes strayed away from the queen's relieved expression. Doli looked down at the ground remorsefully. Kiara wasn't sure why her cubs were so glum, but she got the message once she realized the eldest of her brood was absent.

"W-w-where is he?" she asked, her voice raising a couple decibels. "Where's Diallo?"

"We tried to save him, Mom." Iman wept as he cuddled into Kiara's warm body. "We really did."

He took a breath in between his mournful sobs.

"I'm sorry, Mom. Please don't be mad at us."

"Iman…" the frantic mother stammered. "This isn't a joke, where's Diallo?"

"The leopards got him, your majesty." Isa added, still avoiding the queen's royal red eyes. Even she got a bit teary-eyed. "We-we-we didn't mean for any of this to happen, we just—."

"Where's Kovu?"

"He's still in the cave…"

Kiara could feel her eyes stinging. Not only was her son missing, but so was her husband. To make matters worse, they were no longer in the Pridelands. She hurried the children inside and told them to stay.

"Mom, where are you going?" Iman called out from a few yards away.

"Doli, go home!" Kiara ordered. "The rest of you, follow her!"

Thick gray clouds wafted across the cobalt colored sky. Nightfall had arrived quicker than expected. Kiara took one last glance at the cubs and dashed off to find the two.

"What were you guys thinking?" Simba asked sternly as the cubs fought the courage to meet him in the eye. "You could've been killed."

"We didn't mean it, Granddad." Ashanti wept. "I wanted to go back but Doli told us to go home."

"It's a good thing she told Kovu what happened when she did. Otherwise, the result would've had a nastier outcome."

Ashanti bit her lip a bit, looking dolefully towards the right of the den, where several of the older lions were already asleep.

"Grandad, do you hate us now?" she murmured, a thin stream of tears trickling down her face.

Simba hugged his grandchildren and Shani tight.

"Nothing you do would ever make me stop loving you." he assured. "Parents love their children unconditionally—and I guess the same applies for grandparents as well." he chuckled causing the princess to grimace.

He licked his youngest grandchild and brought her into the crook of his arms. Ashanti rested against his thick mane and let her worries gradually slip out of her consciousness.

"Do you think Diallo will be okay?" Iman asked, quickly wiping away any approaching tears.

"He's a brave cub. Very smart as well." Simba responded with a grin, trying his hardest not to scare the cubs. "He's definitely gonna be alright."

"I hope so…" Shani said as she exchanged looks with Isa, who was still overwhelmed in guilt.

None of this would've happened if she hadn't told Diallo about the caves.

"Isa, it's getting dark, you should go back home before your parents get worried." Simba suggested, noticing how melancholy the fledgling had become.

She sighed a bit. She couldn't stand Diallo or his egotism, but it would crush her eternally if she knew she was the cause for his death. Plagued with remorse, she took off and headed to her own home, where her punishment was awaiting her.

DIALLO'S POV

"Diallo!" I heard Shani cry as she slipped into the darkness.

I ran after her, pulling onto her with all my might. She nearly slipped and let out a wail, but I managed to pull her up with all my strength. Nassor and Sura's laughing could be heard. They were coming closer!

"Come on, Diallo." Shani ordered.

"Go!" I roared at her.

She reluctantly agreed and I ran behind her, knowing everyone was safe. Suddenly, something pinned my tail. I tried to scream but a paw wrapped around my mouth as I howled in pain.

"Shut up, kid!" Nassor shushed, raking his claws on the corner of my mouth. "Or I'll kill you."

I felt his claws digging deep into my skin. I could taste the blood pooling their way out of my scars.

"Let me go!" I roared hysterically. "Let me go!"

"I said shut up!"

I ignored his threats. It was until I felt a sharp blow to the back of my head that I realized Nassor was serious. I collapsed in front of them, my vision blurred from the darkness and the mighty blow. My eyes rolled back and I moaned softly as I blacked out promptly.

I woke up in a different section of the cave. I looked up to see Nassor's mouth curled into a toothy smile. I scampered backwards but collided into Sura, who growled at me. I cried out, trying to escape. Nassor rooted his paw onto my tail again.

"Please don't eat me." I stammered with tears rolling down my face. "I'll give you anything you want."

Nassor and Sura looked down at Diallo.

"Anything?" they asked me, peering their heads closer to me.

Their green eyes glowed intensely in the dimly lit caves.

"Well, good news, buddy." Sura finally said, his eyes fastening with mine. "We're not gonna eat you."

"Really?" I asked with a glimmer of hope.

"Yeah, to be honest, what we need most is a friend…"

"A friend?"

"A friend…"

I raised a brow.

"You guys never had a friend?" I asked curiously.

"Nope," Sura sighed. "Nassor is my only friend. And vice-versa."

"But you guys tried to eat me a few minutes ago." I reminded. "Why do you want to be friends with me now?"

"Oh-ho-ho." Nassor chuckled. "It's because we've never had a house guest in years. We forgot what it meant to be courteous."

Hmmm…

"Really?"

"We apologize for scaring your friends." Sura said with a convincing grin. "We really do."

"Well it's okay, I guess." I groaned, my head still foggy.

I looked around the vast cave.

"But why would no one wanna come here?" I asked the brothers. "It's beautiful."

"It's not all it's cracked up to be." Nassor scoffed. "It was better in the Pridelands."

I halted and turned back to them.

"You guys lived in the Pridelands?" I asked them with wide eyes.

"Yep," Sura nodded. "Till that two-timing king kicked us out."

"Hey! That two-timing king is my father!" I retorted defensively.

"And a very good one at that, I bet." Nassor insisted. "But…unfortunately, you probably never heard about what happened between us."

"Huh?"

"Do you want us to tell you the story?"

I nodded enthusiastically.

"Very well then." the leopard said as he sprawled out in front of me.

NASSOR'S POV

"It all started a long, long time ago. Way before you were even born."

"Wow, really? How long?" the young prince asked in awe.

"This was when your father was still a cub." I said, which left the cub speechless.

I could tell he hadn't heard much about his father and his past issues. Now would be the perfect opportunity to tell him and hopefully get him on our side.

"Before me and my brother were born, our mother, Haiba, ventured into Kovu's home. She had an encounter with his mother, and your grandmother, Zira."

"Who are you?" she spat at our mother.

My mother could barely respond. She was malnourished and was heavily pregnant with Sura and I. She hadn't eaten in days and she had to find food quickly or all three of us would die.

"I am Haiba, your Majesty." she responded, her eyes filled with fear. "I humbly ask to join your pride."

"No!" Zira retorted with intense rage. "We barely have enough food as it is. We don't need another mouth to feed."

"Your Majesty, please!" Mother sobbed. "I haven't eaten in days and I'm with cub—cubs maybe. Why, if I don't get anything to eat soon, I'll die, as will my kin."

Zira's snarl lessened at the sight of the mother. Her eyes fastened onto her swollen belly. She was very far along. Being a mother of three, she could relate to Haiba's pain.

"You can stay." she agreed.

"Oh thank-you!" Haiba rejoiced, tears of joy pouring down her face. "I promise I won't be too much of a burden."

An annoyed Zira just scoffed off her thanks and turned the other way, ready to tend to her own brood.

"Our mother gave birth just a night after being accepted into Zira's pride."

"Well what was it like?" the chocolate cub asked, his tail now flicking back and forth in excitement.

"It wasn't anything like the Pridelands…but hey, it was home." I responded nonchalantly. "We were very good friends with your father."

"But you didn't seem like friends back there!"

"That was in the past. When we were young, your father was one of the bravest, most loyal cubs in the lands."

"Did you know Efia?"

"Well, of course. She was a bit too feisty for my taste though. Last I heard, she had a cub with some rogue."

"Two." the cub corrected. "She has another one my age. Her name's Shani."

"You two are betrothed I suppose?"

"Bethroated?" the cub asked quizzically.

"Betrothed!" I corrected in annoyance. "You'll get married to her when she's older."

"Really? Gross!"

"You won't be saying that in a few years, buddy."

"Yu-huh!" the brown furred prince snapped back in defense. "Shani's gross! All girls are!"

"You sound just like your father when he was your age." I chuckled.

"I do?" he beamed proudly.

"Of course! With the exception of those eyes, you're a splitting image of him." Sura added.

"Why would Dad kick you out, you sound like you were best friends…" the cub asked quizzically.

"Some people just change I guess…" I scoffed back. "I guess all that power got to his head."

"Can you tell him some more about Dad, pleeeaaaseee Nassor?"

"Welllll…"

Before I could answer, two loud roars were heard. It was Kovu, but this time, the queen had accompanied him.

"Diallo! You're alright!" the queen rejoiced as she nuzzled her son.

"Step away from my son! Both of you!" the king ordered menacingly. "If I catch you anywhere near those cubs again, I'll rip you both from limb to limb."

"Save your breath, two-timer." Sura spat. "We know how bad you are at keeping promises."

"Don't you remember?" I added. "How you turned to your new life in the Pridelands and left us behind? Huh?"

The frustrated king growled.

"You better pray you don't cross paths with me." he warned before turning away.

Sura hissed at him before leaping from the scene. I immediately followed. I could feel Kovu's eyes staring at us as we departed. I had no time to deal with that traitor.

THIRD PERSON NARRATIVE

"Oh Diallo!" the relieved mother said happily as she cuddled her son. "What were you thinking?"

"I'm sorry, Mom." Diallo replied in shame. "I didn't mean to scare you."

"Please don't do anything like that ever again." Kiara said as she showered her son in licks.

"Mom, stop it!" the prince said in annoyance.

"What's gotten into you?" Kovu spat. "Hanging around with—them?"

"But they seemed really nice, Dad."

"Nassor and Sura are dangerous liars. I don't want you hanging around with them, Diallo. Not now, not ever!"

"But Dad—"

"Diallo!"

Diallo held his tongue and miserably marched behind his parents back to Pride Rock.

"I never get to do anything!" he scoffed.

He peered behind him taking quick glances at the cave as he got further and further away.

The walk back home was solemn and quiet. Once they reached the den, the only source of light were the stars and the moon that looked down on them. The only sound was an orchestra of crickets and the occasional hooting of an owl. Diallo was the first to pad into the cave. Shani and Ashanti were already asleep. Iman wrestled out of his grandfather's grip and ran to his older brother.

"You're back!" Iman cried as he hugged his brother. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Diallo scoffed playfully.

He and his brother circled one another.

"You think you're tough enough to take me on?" Iman laughed.

"Please, I survived in a cave with hungry leopards. Bring it on, shrimp!"

Iman was about to pounce on him, but something planted onto his tail and he went tumbling.

"Just a meenut, yung prince." Rafiki chuckled. "I've heard you've got yuhself into quite a preedicament."

"Uhhh, maybe." Diallo said bashfully.

"Yuh very luckee those lehpads didn't keel you then and there. They cannot be trusteed."

"But they're nice guys."

"In dee eyez of a gulleble cub such as yuhself. But Nassor and Sura are notheeng but trouble."

Rafiki surveyed his body for any cuts of bruises. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary.

"It looks like yull be just fine!" he said. "Now do old Rafiki a favor and stay out of trouble yung one."

With that, he walked out of the cave and back to his tree. Diallo looked back and snapped at his younger brother.

"Now where were we?"

He was going to leap after him but he crashed into a wall of brown fur instead.

"Watch out, Dad!" Diallo said impatiently, trying to get to Iman.

"Diallo, you're still in trouble." he reminded sternly. "Both you and Iman head to bed. When morning comes, I'll have a talk with all three of you about the importance of staying in the Pridelands at all times. Do you realize how reckless your decision was? Leaving the Pridelands and putting the others in danger?"

"I know…" Diallo scoffed before turning away back to his spot.

He plopped down and faced the wall, opposite of his father and his mother, who just walked in.

"It's not fair!" he thought. "Nassor and Sura are my friends. Why can't I talk to them anymore?"

Kiara walked towards her husband.

"He'll get over it." she assured, nuzzling her mate.

"I just don't know what to do." Kovu responded. "I know those two'll try and sway him to side with them."

"Diallo is a smart boy, he would never fall for their lies."

"I just hope so…"

The couple took their royal spots in the cave and fell asleep. Kovu woke up in the dead of night. The whole cave was deathly silent. He decided to take a walk to clear his head.

"It's okay, Kovu." he said to himself. "They deserved it. You had a right to banish them."

"You traitor!" Nassor spat. "I thought we were friends!"

"I'm sorry, guys." Kovu said with remorse. "But what you did was unforgivable and I'm afraid you have to leave."

"Well, well, well look at this!" Sura snarled. "It looks like Kovu turned his back on us in favor of his royal family."

"You aren't fit enough to rule an ant hill let alone Pride Rock!" Nassor added. "It'll be a matter of time before you screw up!"

Kovu growled in rage.

"GET OUT!" he roared. "And don't come back!"

The brothers looked at him once more before they took off. The prince sighed and turned back to his new family.

"I had to do it…"

Well, I wasn't sure how to end this chapter to be honest. So I just left it off like this. I hope it's okay. xD Anyway, sorry for the late update. Hope you can forgive me.