(A/N: Thank you guys for being sooo patient! The 2 summer classes I took were more time consuming that I had predicted. But, it just got me that much closer to getting my BA. Hopefully now I'll get things back on the monthly schedule. Thanks for your reviews on the last chapter, guys, here is a new update.)

A sharp jab caused pain to radiate through Natin's shoulder. Someone was attempting to drag him out of the grasping, drug-induced sleep that was keeping him immersed in unconsciousness. Low voices above Natin's head were incoherent, but he registered how uptight and on edge they sounded. Hardly able to open his eyes, Natin weakly batted at the forcibly prodding paw.

Someone's hot breath on Natin's cheek and in his ear made him tense up. Distantly, he thought he heard Chaka mumble, "Wh...t... Givehim... Tswane?"

"Wake up!" his uncle hissed anxiously. "Tanga has been found."

What? Tanga's been found? Where? Here?

Groggy, Natin managed to slur out, "Huhhhwhy? Whattthhow? Ssshhhehere?" Painfully, he forced his eyes open as Kovu backed away.

"I sent my messenger with Kiara," Tojo explained. "While we were discussing the situation, he flew back here with the news that Tanga is being looked after by her mother at Timon and Pumbaa's oasis."

She's been found! That's great, right? She's alive! I'm gonna have the chance to say I'm sorry! Tell her I was wrong! And Asuma... I…I…

The relieving news only raised Natin's spirits for a second before they crumbled like loose earth, leaving him feeling ill and heavy-hearted. "Just Tanga?" He forced his eyes open wider, lifting his heavy head. A lingering numbness made his limbs feel useless. Kovu, Tojo, and Tswane stood over him. A blue bird was perched on Tojo's shoulder.

Kovu nodded solemnly. "Yes... Asuma must be taking on the lionesses alone..."

Mute, Natin gaped at his uncle. Unfolding before him was all the effort they'd made to save both of his cousins.

"But we'll find him," Kovu went on. A giddy smile widened his muzzle. "There's still a chance he's out there, maybe injured, needing our help and-"

"He'd have no chance!" Angrily, Natin spat a curse, causing everyone to flinch sharply. "He's as good as dead- he probably resigned himself to die!"

"No. He's still got a chance. I know he does," Kovu shot back. "He can't die! He's needed!"

Natin scowled. What do I do with you? Stop believing that everything is going to turn out perfect! This world is not perfect, it's excessively cruel! Be happy Tanga is the one who survived after everything that you did! Everything that I did and didn't do!

"Stop. Dismissing. My. Son!" Kovu bellowed. He was glowering down at Natin, but when Chaka, Tojo, and Tswane glanced at each other, Kovu looked away self-consciously.

Oh who cares if we argue with an audience! It doesn't matter anymore!

"Forgive me for being the pessimist I've become," Natin retorted, "but open your eyes! What did Sauda and Fola do to my mother? Huh?" He then spat venomously, "And that was just for fun! She didn't kill their leader like you did!"

"What'd you say?"

Chaka suddenly all-but pushed Kovu out of the way and stood in front of Natin. Kovu was too distracted by Chaka's outburst to issue more than a small growl of protest.

"Those names- Fola and Sauda," Chaka pressed. "That's what you said, right?"

"What...? Yeah..." Natin was taken aback and he frowned confusedly. "They're just... these two dumb lionesses who helped kill my mother, and Kovu killed Sauda when she got in the way." Natin narrowed his eyes and cocked his head to the side, looking closer at Chaka's surprised, troubled expression. "Why, do their names matter to you?"

"They matter because..." Chaka blurted, but then stopped when he noticed how everyone was staring at him oddly. He straightened up and lifted his chin. He explained, clearing his throat, "I-I knew them... once... from my old pride."

Natin and everyone else raised an eyebrow, their eyes widening. Nobody spoke as they attempted to take in Chaka's connection to the heathen lionesses.

What the…

Chaka continued awkwardly, "Some older lionesses... They wanted to abandon their pride when the king was really going off the deep end. There was gonna be a revolution. They gathered up a few of the younger lionesses, including Fola and Sauda, and then asked if I wanted to go, too. I knew I needed to get away. I wasn't a warrior, I wasn't a lioness... I wasn't one of them. I probably would've ended up dead if..." At that point, Chaka trailed off again, his gaze becoming very distant. He then muttered equivocally, "Probably explains a few things..."

"That's an advantage, isn't it?" Kovu suggested eagerly, his tone despairingly hopeful to Natin's ears. "They know you, and you know them better than me or Natin, right?"

"Yes... And that's the problem... I probably do know... them better," Chaka replied unhappily, looking down at his paws. "But, I knew them too long ago, and I think you've poorly judged them if you think their stupid." He then glared at Kovu and spoke painstakingly slow. "You made a very grave mistake when you killed Sauda. They're all soldiers- soldiers who do not let their enemies crawl away. That's why they left the pride- because the crazy lion who was king wanted everyone to run and hide after a huge defeat. Some of them are as stupid as a tick on an elephant's ass, but how smart d'you have to be to take someone's life."

Kovu frowned, his lip twitching.

"Calm down," Chaka spat. "I've killed, too... Just not my own kind."

Natin had tensed at Chaka's gibe when Tswane spoke up calmly, "Time is of the essence. If Asuma has any chance, you both need to turn this energy you're using to bicker into energy used to find him."

Chaka and Kovu didn't break off their glares even as Chaka said, "Fine with me. We leave immediately- find Kiara first at the oasis and then take things from there."

Chaka's use of 'we' was unsettling. Natin bit the inside of his cheek, watching the anger grow on Kovu and Chaka's faces. He hated how out of the loop he was. Was his uncle going, too, or staying here? They were still prisoners, despite the situation, weren't they? Had Chaka and Kovu worked something out? He thought Tojo had said something about a discussion. Regardless, Natin knew he was in no condition to go along, and he believed he wouldn't even make it to the border by the time the sun hit its high point. He felt the dull throb in his foreleg. He guessed the numbing effect of the stuff Tswane had smeared on his wound was wearing off. He didn't expect anyone to ask him to tag along.

How much use am I alive now than dead?

When Chaka finally broke off his glare, he turned to Tojo. "Can you run fast and keep a pace?"

Natin's muscles relaxed. Maybe the 'we' included Tojo after all.

Tojo lifted his chin, replying. "It'll ease your mind if I'm here watching Natin and keeping your pride safe while you're away."

"You're not coming?" Undisguised panic filled Chaka's good eye, and Natin was certain that the big lion's fur turned a shade paler.

Kovu looked ill himself.

Tojo took a moment to respond. "You know what's right and what's wrong," he told Chaka. Then his eyes darkened as he added, "I'll just tell you now that it won't bother me any if you come back here and I find out that you killed him."

Without meaning to, Natin flinched. He didn't fully understand Chaka's attachment to Tojo, but at the very least having an old lion around would've probably been better than having a wounded one who'd already lost to Chaka. Did Tojo think Chaka cared about what the old king thought about his actions? Did Chaka care? Why? How? Frustrated, Natin could only guess that his uncle and Chaka had already come to some sort of truce agreement in the spirit of their only common interest- Asuma- which was fine enough with him.

But so much for Tojo's help... He's taking a huge risk... whatever his goal is...

Tojo then turned to the three guards who were standing, and clearly acting too conspicuous, at the mouth of the den. Tojo called to one of them, a straight-faced lioness with green eyes. Her orange-toned fur was darker than Kiara's.

"Yes, my king?" she asked coolly, her voice a bit husky.

"Muna, I want you to go with Kovu and Chaka. You can act as a diffuser and help them once their prince is found."

She nodded. "Yes, of course."

"I want to go, too."

Although Natin was grateful to see the rescue group expand, he doubted the sturdiness of the small, eager-eyed lioness who'd spoken. She walked lightly, as if anticipating any sudden sound that might make her jump to the side. He thought she was the mother of the young adolescents who'd been following Tanga around, but he wasn't sure, especially since he hadn't yet seen either of the cubs.

Chaka offered her a weak smile. "Suki, I can't ask you to do that... It's gonna be very dangerous."

Her eagerness faltered a bit. "I'm going for you, Tanga, and Kiara. And Asuma when he's found." She then looked at Muna, who looked back at her out of the corner of her eye. "I might not be as tough she looks, and you might think I'm too sweet and gentle to go, but I still want to go with you."

"Take her with you, Chaka," Tojo spoke up firmly. The old king offered the small lioness a modest smile. "I think she'll be good for you."

Suki grinned back, probably thankful, before she looked at Chaka, seeking his approval.

Finally, Chaka gave in. "All right, you can come." He glanced outside at the dark night. "We need to leave sooner rather than later." He then looked at Kovu.

Kovu nodded. "I want to talk to Natin first."

Looking disgruntled, Chaka started to move outside, as did Tojo, Tswane, Suki, and Muna. He muttered quickly, "Okay, but we need to leave. And before those lionesses notice."

"This won't take long, I promise," Kovu assured Chaka, who only glared impatiently back at him.

The second Chaka was out of earshot and before Kovu had a chance to sit down, Natin hissed under his breath, "I don't know what kind of agreement you two have, but don't turn your back on him."

"Don't worry," his uncle replied. "That's one of the first things I ever learned... but I do wish you were coming," his uncle said quietly. "I could really use you right now... I'm still trying to process this... new Chaka."

"New Chaka?" Natin eyed his uncle suspiciously. "What are you talking about? This is just about how he acted when I came here for Asuma. And then some."

Kovu unmistakably glanced at Natin's foreleg. He explained, "I'm not entirely sure, but I think he's trying to understand me and what I did. I told him everything-"

At this, Natin cringed.

"-and when he heard Tanga had made it to the oasis... and that she'd told Kiara you were dead... he seemed convinced I might just be telling him the truth. And I apologized to him."

Natin glanced away, extremely doubtful. Nobody could change their attitude so quickly, even with help and an apology. Attitudes were cultivated over time. "Just watch your back. Do not provoke him. He doesn't actually need you anymore, now that Tanga's there. And don't-"

"I'll be fine, Natin. Don't worry. He does need me, and in a day or two we'll find a way to send word here." Kovu made a face, which Natin suspected was meant to be a reassuring smile.

Natin lowered his ears. Almost in a whisper, he urged, "Just don't trust him unless you have to, and don't push Tanga or Kiara either, ok-"

"Let's head out," Chaka called impatiently, standing at the entrance. "We should cross most of the desert by midday."

Kovu's green eyes flashed with irritation when he turned his attention away from Natin. "Fine, I'm coming," he called back sharply. He then jogged out of the den, past Chaka, out of sight.

When Chaka lingered, flicking his tail back and forth, Natin made eye contact with him and glared hard at the bigger, meaner lion.

Natin's harsh, lilting voice echoed slightly. "Guess I shouldn't have talked to Asuma alone, huh? I released all the secrets, didn't I?"

Chaka glared back, staring him down, much like he'd done when Natin had originally returned home.

"Do me a favor, Chaka, and watch that ol' rage of yours," Natin added.

Chaka turned away with a derisive snort. "I'll work on that for you," he muttered before disappearing from view.

When the moment passed, Natin blinked, realizing he was alone now except for the remaining lioness from Tojo's pride who sat outside with her back to the cave.

After everything, this was the last thing he would've expected to happen, and it had all happened so quickly.

How am I still breathing? How did Asuma manage to get himself into so much trouble? How are two lions who hate each other's guts going on a rescue mission... together?

He shook his head and laid back down with his head resting on the stone floor, smirking tiredly to himself. If someone asked him one day to explain everything, he knew he would hardly come off as sane, even though he liked to consider himself to be one of the most sane players in the serious game that was running around him.

Nothing makes sense... yet everything does... I guess it's just how you see it all...

The muggy, thick jungle was too noisy, but the inside of Kiara's mind was deafening. Clenching her eyes shut, she tried to bury her exhausted head in her paws.

I need to sleep... I cannot be tired...

Bron had left hours before. She couldn't really estimate how fast a small bird could fly, but she expected him to return by mid-morning at the latest with instructions from home.

What will Chaka think when he hears Tanga is safe? Will he want to help Asuma then? Does he think Asuma knew better than to do what he did? Would he refuse to help? What then? Would I be able to ask Tojo to help me? Should I try finding Asuma alone? How long could I commit to that?

She sighed and raised her eyelids. Not too far away, Tanga was resting quietly in the hollow of the big tree's roots. On the other side of the clearing, Kenyi slept soundly with his back facing everyone. A few steps away from Kiara, Timon and Pumbaa were sleeping as well. When Tanga made a small snorting noise in her sleep, Kiara sat up and looked down on her daughter. Blinking tiredly, Kiara tried to smile at Tanga's smooth, relaxed features.

A smile didn't come, however.

Kiara was glad her daughter was near her again, safe, but this only reminded her more strongly of who was still missing.

Where is my son right now? My child? Is he safe, too? Has he found Kovu yet? Is he thinking through his actions?

"...He's so tormented, and he's wasting his life... Mom... he said he hated me..."

Her shoulders sagged. She knew she should've told her children the truth, and she was determined now to right the mistakes she'd made, to do her best to help her family come together again when they were spread so thin... but she felt clueless about how to do it.

"H-have you forgiven Father for… you know…?"

Kiara sighed, feeling bothered. She regretted pushing her daughter's question off in favor of taking care of business-

But what was she to do? She'd needed to send word quickly to Tojo and Chaka in the Pride Lands. The wounded, disappointed expression on Tanga's face had hurt her deeply, but what could she have said? Yes? No? And by the time business had been taken care of, Tanga had fallen asleep. Kiara had needed to rely on Timon and Pumbaa for information, but they'd only gotten a few big, contextually vague things out of Tanga- basically that Kovu had abandoned them after leaving the lionesses, that Natin had died in a stampede, and that Asuma had tried to tell Tanga that they were being hunted down by Kovu's lionesses before Asuma chased her away. Kiara knew there was more to extract from Tanga. Everyone needed the whole story to proceed, but doing so felt too... formal... distant... indifferent... cold...

-Business... Seems like royal business and my duty to my pride and what's good for them has come before my flesh and blood a lot more than I used to think it did... And when I put individuals above the whole, it's a bad thing- but when I try to work for the group, it doesn't work either... I didn't help Kovu explain himself because there was an angry mob standing behind me; I shouldn't have helped Suki protect her cubs- one of them an heir to the throne- because there were individuals more worthy of being sheltered; I shouldn't have lied to my cubs about their father in order to allow them to move on and be happy and serve the pride well; and I shouldn't have let my own mother carry herself alone because I was too scared that she was hiding some bit of unspoken disappointment in me...

"Mother, do you want to go for a walk?"

Nala had lifted her head, giving her daughter a smile that hadn't reached her dull eyes. "Maybe later, Kiara..." The old queen was resting on a rock Kiara remembered her grandmother using when she'd been alive. Nala's peaceful demeanor would've further resembled Sarabi's if not for the vague feeling of lethargy and sadness that Kiara was getting from her mother.

Kiara tried to offer a sympathetic smile. Her mother's behavior had been a bit off for several days- resting more and for longer, declining to go on hunts, eating less, visiting Tswane more. Some of the older lionesses were even acting more Nala's age than she was. When Kiara looked at her mother, she often felt a dull stab of worry in her belly.

When her mother resumed resting her chin on her foreleg, Kiara sat down next to the rock. Nala smiled warmly at her, and this time the smile returned a little of the spark to her blue-green eyes.

"I heard Asuma and Tanga have been practicing their hunting. Will they have their first solo hunt soon?"

Kiara had nodded. "I think by the start of the rainy season they'll be ready. Asuma still needs a little more practice, but he's really trying hard to get better."

Memories of Kovu rescuing her from the staged fire and teaching her to hunt more stealthily had entered Kiara's mind at that moment. Kovu was supposed to be there, coaching their cubs, encouraging them. She had no idea where he was or if he'd ever return to her. Chaka had tried to help a couple of times, but had seemingly grown frustrated quickly by the tedious task, and had instead gone off on patrol alone.

"You're doing a good job teaching them, Kiara," Nala remarked pleasantly before opening her jaws to yawn. "They'll both be masters in their own right before you know it."

Kiara heard her mother's words, and knew she was trying to assure her, but the weariness on her mother's face ground on Kiara's emotions. Her mother just looked so tired, and had been that way since her father's death. The other members of the pride always felt on edge, and Kiara knew that state would either have let up... or continue until everyone was exhausted. And Kiara knew that the state of her pride was almost just as much her fault as it was Kovu's. She hated seeing her mother suffer, even if she did it with all the dignity she'd cultivated since cubhood. Her mother didn't deserve that, she deserved far better, no matter what...

The sudden sound of a bird's thrashing wings made Kiara lift her ears. Everyone stirred at the noise. In the middle of the clearing a blue bird all but plummeted to the ground, stumbling and gasping for breath.

Kiara's eyes widened. "Bron!" She pushed herself to her paws and jogged over to the bird. Absently, she noticed that sunlight was starting to leak down through the leaves and branches.

"Ko-Ko... Chak..." Bron panted incoherently.

"Calm down," Kiara told him anxiously.

Around the bird, the others were gathering. Timon even came over with a large piece of leaf to fan Bron.

Why the extreme rush to come back? Kiara thought as she waited for Bron to calm down. The news of Tanga's return to the family was important, no doubt, but she hadn't expected Tojo and Chaka to return him so quickly, probably without much rest. Are Tojo and Chaka coming here now to help? Do they want me to bring everyone home to the Pride Lands immediately? Did something happen at home? Kiara glanced at Tanga. Her daughter's tired face was eager. She then looked at Kenyi, who stared impatiently at his father's messenger. Slowly, Bron was coming around, but not fast enough for everyone waiting with bated breath.

Finally, Bron blurted "Kovu's at Pride Rock!"

There was a collective gasp. Kiara had expected anything but news that Kovu was at Pride Rock.

"Is everyone okay? Tanga said he left the lionesses." She tried not to let her surprise and panic overwhelm her. "Was there a fight?" she asked. "Did anyone get hurt?"

Bron was still trying to catch his breath. He nodded furiously. "Y-yes, yes, yes."

Kiara lowered her ears. Disappointment and anger washed over her. "D'you know who got hurt?" she blurted.

"Tojo said Chaka fought Natin," Bron got out. "Shaman an' Tojo stopped it. That's it."

"Wait... What?"

Kiara turned to Tanga, who was frowning deeply, confusion darkening her misty, shocked eyes. Her body was shaking and her nose looked paler.

"No, that can't be... Natin's dead," Tanga went on, a tremor in her voice. "I saw him get trampled!"

Bron shook his head furiously. "No, he's alive..." He then looked from face to face.

"But how?" Tanga exclaimed.

Bron only looked back in confusion. "I'only know what I see. He's alive. I dunno."

Tanga's mouth fell open. Kiara watched as her daughter's mouth moved to form words, but she stayed silent.

Bron nodded, still looking confused. "He's a' Pride Rock. Waitin'. He couldn't come 'cause his leg's badly injured, an' they didn't have time t'wait f'him when Asuma's endangered."

"So they're coming here?" Kiara asked. "Who exactly is coming here?"

"Chaka an' Kovu are comin' here," Bron replied. "With two lionesses."

"...And King Tojo?" Kiara pressed.

Bron shook his head. "Nah, he's stayin' t'watch yer pride."

Kiara cringed, angry. "He knows how much they hate each other! How could he let them travel together? Even having Asuma's safety as a common concern wouldn't stop them from attacking each other. Two lionesses can't stop them."

Bron huffed. "He wouldn't let 'em go if'n he di'n't b'lieve they'd be fine. M'king said that t'me." The bird looked up at Kenyi. "You'd agree?"

Kenyi nodded and looked at Kiara with conviction. "It was obvious he wanted Chaka's tune to change," the young lion said shortly.

Kiara looked away, doubting Kenyi and Bron. They knew Tojo best, but she knew her brother better than them. She was seriously afraid that Tojo had made a grave mistake, and frustration made her feel sick to her stomach.

Tanga moved closer and rested her head on her shoulder. She said quietly, "Mother... it's going to be okay."

Kiara deeply wanted to be hopeful. When she was younger, she never would have dreamed of a day when she didn't look at any situation with optimism. Was it all a part of growing up? Was it part of leadership-playing the role of the one who always had to pay attention and constantly look over their shoulder for everyone else? Was this now part of who she'd become after all she'd been through? Helplessly trying to control what was probably not even remotely controllable?

When this is all over... what parts of me will be left for me to give, even if everything does turn out fine?

Bron let out a heavy breath. He was starting to look more like himself. "Th'r on their way. Be here before sunset." He then seemed to notice Timon for the first time and acknowledged his fanning efforts with a nod.

"Good job, Bron," Kenyi stated, his voice as diplomatic as usual. "You've served my father well."

Kiara gave a tight-lipped smile as everyone else praised Bron, too. Unhappily, she thought about how she needed to prepare herself. In less than a day, she would be face to face again with Kovu. She wasn't sure what was more concerning- what she thought she should say to Kovu, or what she thought others expected from her. This mission was about getting her son back safe. Her relationship with Kovu would have to be second priority. What did he think of her now? Did he think she was a bad mother? How much did he know about Asuma and Natin's plan? Had Natin been lying the whole time, conspiring with Kovu?

There's so many questions I could ask... but as usual, I have no answers to them... This is going to be one very long day...

"Don't worry, Kiara. After everybody is sorted out, we'll start working on a plan to get Asuma home!"

Absently, Kiara looked down at the smiling, gray-furred meerkat at her paws.

He lifted his small, slightly crooked paw onto her foreleg and stroked her fur comfortingly. "Hey, what doesn't kill ya makes ya stronger, riiigghhht? Eehh? And if Kovu pulls anything again, I won't make Pumbaa hold me back this time."

Out of the corner of Kiara's eye, Tanga started to frown. She asked in a strained voice, "This time?"

Instantly, Kiara felt a twinge in her gut. She turned to her daughter, who had an interrogative look on her tired face, not understanding.

"I need to help Bron find some water. And possibly some food."

Kiara looked over at Kenyi as he crouched down and allowed the small bird to climb up onto his shoulder. The prince was looking to Timon and Pumbaa for help.

"Sure, sure," Timon exclaimed, starting to lead the way into the slowly brightening jungle. "Of course! C'mon, Pumbaa, d'you think you can rustle him up some bugs?"

"Uh, okay," Pumbaa replied, following after Timon and Kenyi while looking over his shoulder at Kiara and Tanga.

"We got grubs, insects with wings, ants, crunchy, slimy..."

Pumbaa and the others melted into the jungle, leaving Tanga and Kiara alone again, sitting side by side. Birds overhead were beginning to call to each other.

After a moment, Tanga cleared her throat and slid her paw so it was up against her mother's. "Can you just tell me everything that you know? Even the things you don't think I want to hear? I'd like to just listen..."

Kiara blinked, looking down at their paws. She felt herself nod.

"Okay."

"Hey, Koofrey!"

He didn't need to recall the lioness's name, but Chaka remembered clearly enough that she did her best tormenting when the older lionesses weren't around. He'd never been able to understand why she picked on him so viciously- the most he could guess was that she'd picked up the habit from the meanest of the adults in the pride. Leaving the warrior pride hadn't softened her vicious streak.

She came swaggering up to him as he sat on a low hill, watching over the small patch of land the elder lionesses had secured for the runaway lionesses. The elders had it in their heads that if any males thought they wanted to take over their matriarchal pride, they'd see him and think twice about bothering them. A few of the younger lionesses were just down the hill under a tree while the rest of the small pride was away hunting. He was hot and tired.

"Sure look pretty and mean up there, Koofrey," the lioness taunted. "If I were a rogue, I might think you were one of those beautiful maned lionesses."

When Chaka stood up, he towered over her. "Leave me alone, or else-"

She snorted. "You've got no follow-through. Everybody knows it. That's why nobody wanted you as a soldier."

Chaka snarled, his muzzle creasing. "You know they didn't want me to train because I'm an outsider." He then took a step closer and started to work up a wad of spit.

"Exactly!" She grinned and a cruel glint sparked in her eye. She took a step closer, too. "Gee, I don't know where you came from, but they didn't keep a good eye on you... maybe they asked you to run away?"

She doesn't know what she's talking about. She's just running at the mouth.

"And as an outsider," she taunted further, taking a step closer, "what do you think about us lions, hmm? All creatures are below lions because we rule them, but a snake wouldn't even kiss the ground you walk-"

Chaka's wad of spit struck her on the cheek. He watched, smirking, as she lowered her head and rubbed a paw over the glistening spot on her fur.

The lioness's nose twitched in disgust. "What the-" She looked stunned, then furious when she realized what was smeared on her cheek. "Why you- I'm gonna give you one chance to grovel at my paws for mercy before I rip out your throat!"

Chaka frowned. "No. If snakes won't kiss the ground I walk on, why should I grovel at your filthy paws? Get a life."

The lioness bared her teeth and the fur along her spine raised. "When I'm done with you, you're gonna wish you hadn't said that."

Chaka had flinched, starting to feel regret coming on. He'd seen her torture out prey animals just for the fun of it. Just when an apology started to form on Chaka's tongue, another lioness arrived, walking calmly with her head high. "Leave him alone already. We're on our own now, and we need everyone to work as a team. You heard the elders."

The lioness had used every muscle in her face just to roll her eyes. "They're called elders for a reason, Fola. Their ideas are out of date, and soon, they'll be dead. Then we can do what we want."

"What we want might not line up with what we need," Fola replied evenly. "And what you need right now is to leave him alone now. I'm not gonna tell you twice."

The lioness coughed a laugh. "Ha! Why would I listen to you? I'd rather crack a tooth than listen to you say one syllable."

Poker-faced, Fola took the insult. "Hmm."

The lioness narrowed her eyes, waiting for more. "That's it? Pffft... Really? Well, if I can't pick on your boyfriend anymore, or get you to rise to a taunt I'm out of here." With a shrug, the lioness turned to go, her gait easy-going and light. "See ya, Koof-"

A flash of fur in Chaka's peripheral vision was all the warning he had before Fola moved from his side to the lioness's exposed back. Chaka's eyes had widened, watching Fola use all her weight to force the lioness to the ground before slashing her claws over the other lioness's lips, catching part of her gums in the process. Screaming bloody-murder at the top of her lungs, Fola's victim wriggled to get free, but Fola didn't let her go until she'd whispered something in the girl's ear. Teary-eyed, the lioness was then released and ran away with her tail tucked between her shivering legs.

Panting, Fola looked over her shoulder at him. "I'm gonna be punished for that," Fola said evenly. She then offered a thin-lipped smile. "She won't bother you again."

Chaka looked away. He hadn't needed to hear that. He wasn't sure what was worse... that Fola was going to be punished, or that he'd needed someone to act for him. "Right..."

"Are we being followed?"

Suki's question broke into Chaka's thoughts. Behind him the rest of the group had stopped and turned around. Kovu was squinting his eyes at the shifting splotch of brown in the distance. A stiff breeze whipped up his dark mane and swirled a cloud of dust around his head. The dark-furred lion's ears went back, a look of hostility crossing his face.

Are those...?

Chaka sighed in irritation when he realized who was following them. "Scavengers. Looks like a gang of them."

"Fan-tastic," Muna muttered.

As much as Chaka was enticed by the opportunity to tear into a pack of scavengers, he thought better of it.

I'm not alone out here, and I'm expected to be somewhere by day's end. I can't be so reckless anymore.

He turned away. "Just stay alert." Chaka started walking, but realized the others attention was still on the scavengers. "C'mon," he urged. "They'll give up after a mile."

"What if they don't?" Suki spoke up. "We can't lead them to the oasis."

Chaka frowned. "But we can't afford to be injured, and it would be a waste of time."

Suki lowered her ears. "But... what about the meerkats?"

Muna nodded, although hesitantly. "The girl has a point. Hunger can make anyone desperate enough. If they follow, and if you care if those scavengers pillage the oasis, we'll only create more problems for ourselves that will have to be resolved."

"There'll be problems either way," Chaka argued, trying to keep his tone neutral, but knew he wasn't keeping himself in check when Muna's mouth turned down slightly.

The merciless sun was beating down on his head and back, burning his paws, which were no longer used to touching blistering sand and cracked earth. The very last thing he wanted to do was to make a trivial decision like this, but time would soon make the decision for them. Disgruntled, Chaka glanced over at Kovu, only half-seeking the lion's opinion. As if sharing the same mindset, Kovu almost immediately looked down at his paws, resigning himself to no opinion at all, it seemed.

"We can't stand here all morning," Muna spoke up.

Chaka frowned at her.

A diffuser sent in Tojo's place? More like a dry tinder...

"What?" Muna shot back. "I don't want to get hurt, either, but what choices do we have?" She then jutted her chin at Kovu. "Do you have any ideas? C'mon. Don't be shy. We've got nothing."

"Well..."

Chaka turned his attention back to the stupid scavengers. They were getting closer, and he guessed that the group was mostly made up of wild dogs.

Maybe the ancestors will smite them all with lightning, Chaka thought bitterly, his lips curling back slightly.

"...What if we charged them? It would be better than letting them chase us down, leading them to the oasis, or standing here. They might think twice if we face them."

"There. Was that so hard? Now we have one more idea than we did before."

"It's a dumb idea..." Chaka muttered under his breath. Without really meaning to, he glanced at Suki and tried hard not to imagine what the scavengers might do to her, or even Muna. He wasn't sure at all of Muna's background, and even if Suki had grown up in the Outlands, he wasn't confident of the odds.

He then heard Suki mutter, "We can't out run them."

Chaka frowned at three other lions. "Are you seriously waiting for me to make a decision?" he snapped. "Because nobody seems to want to listen to me anyway."

Muna rolled her eyes. "And here I've been assuming the whole time that Suki was leader."

Suki frowned. "I didn't come along to be beat on. And be nicer to Chaka."

"It was a joke. Pridelanders..."

Chaka turned his head again and shifted his hot paws. He growled under his breath. The scavengers were getting closer and closer. They were now even in earshot and he could hear them hollering. His skin crawled and his heartbeat quickened. The scavengers were practically begging to be killed now... but he couldn't.

And now we've run out of time to run. We have to fight now.

"Now is not the time to be jok-"

"Fine! We're gonna charge them," Chaka interrupted Suki as she bickered with Muna. Chaka tried not to look at Kovu and instead tried to stay focused on Suki and Muna. Inwardly he sighed. "We stick together," he blurted. "Be aggressive. Don't try to be a hero. Okay? This shouldn't be hard for four adult lions."

He waited for them to all nod.

"Okay, let's go." He turned and started to lead the way at a quick clip.

This better work! Chaka clenched his jaw as he picked up the pace.

The others were right behind him. As they drew closer, picking up their group pace, Chaka counted thirteen gang members. The group was made up of wild dogs except for two hyenas, a beat-up-looking caracal, and a jackal.

Chaka ground his teeth. I guess if Timon and Pumbaa can come together and be friends, why not have a group like this sorry excuses for predators.

The lions kept running. Getting closer. Muna and Kovu roared as they started sprinting towards the gang that was sure to break up as soon as one of the members broke away from the others...

Then Chaka's eyes opened in surprise. Nobody in the gang turned and bolted. They kept coming, starting their own warrior calls.

One of the wild dogs cried out, "Stay-!"

"-Together!"

Kovu's eyes widened as the gang surged forward, rushing straight at Suki. When he saw Suki falter and drop back, he skidded to a stop, extended his claws, and lowered his head, preparing to take the first opportunity he got to catch one of the attackers.

Muna, who was closest to Suki, doubled back and jumped on one of the wild dogs, who yelped and tried to twist around to bite her face before she bit down on its head. Kovu moved to help the lionesses, but he was distracted when he heard the cackle of a hyena as it charged directly at him. He turned just in time to stun it with a blow to its temple. The hyena stumbled back, but two wild dogs were waiting for their fallen companion to roll out of their way, waiting for their turn to attack him with huge grins on their dark brown muzzles.

Kovu bared his teeth at them, lowering his head again and trying to stay light on his toes by shifting his weight.

"We ain't eaten in a week," one of the wild dogs sniggered. "And all we need is one of you!"

The creases on Kovu's muzzle deepened. He hissed, "You're gonna wish didn't follow us!"

But, before Kovu could react, Chaka let out a roar and rammed head long into one of the wild dogs, catching the hyena who was still standing behind them by surprise. Kovu watched as they rolled around, legs thrashing at the air, howling in distress. The hyena scramble to her paws, but the wild dog went limp. A grimace on its pinched face indicated that Chaka's attack had probably broken a few of its ribs. It wouldn't be getting up any time soon. Chaka didn't even hesitate before leaping onto the back of the shocked hyena. The big lion bit down hard into its neck, bearing down on the much smaller creature with the weight of his whole body.

"Here's to you never harassing a lion again!" Chaka hollered, a smile on his face.

Kovu wasn't a stranger to death by any means, but the way Chaka laughed as he crushed the life out of the hyena made him feel light headed, especially after the lion had protested the defense attack so readily.

"Grrraaaahhh!"

A wild dog stretched her neck to snap at Kovu's front leg. Even though he'd been distracted for a moment, her teeth closed on nothing when Kovu jumped to the side. He then bounced on his paws and came back at the wild dog, sticking out his paw to sweep her off her feet. The wild dog stumbled a bit and grunted with a loud curse. When Kovu unbalanced her completely by using his other paw to strike her shoulder, she fell onto her side. Her legs moved frantically, but Kovu easily had her. Panting, Kovu pressed his paw down on her throat. His claws dimpled the dogs's flesh. He was about to press his full weight downward when he felt a sharp pain on his hip. He turned and saw the caracal standing behind him, teeth bared in a mean hiss. It had scratched him, but there was something in its eyes that made him smirk inwardly.

"Are you sure you want to fight me?" he asked the small, brown-furred cat. He pressed down a bit on the wild dog's throat, just enough for her to let out a strangled squeak. Kovu's ears swiveled back when he heard another animal cry out as Chaka issued another roar. Kovu thought it was the jackal who had been caught. Muna and Suki roared as well.

The caracal's fur-tipped ears flickered and its eyes narrowed. After a moment, it started to back away before turning and fleeing the scene.

"That's what I thought," Kovu muttered as he raised his paw, releasing the wild dog. She laid there, stunned, until she received a sharp bite to her haunch and dashed off.

They're just a bunch of stupid scavengers with egos too big for their small brai-

"Rrraaahhhh!"

Kovu tensed and turned around. Muna had been the one who'd roared, and this time he could plainly hear pain in her cry. The seven remaining gang members, six dogs and one hyena, had concentrated around the two lionesses, and Chaka was struggling to help. The look on Chaka's face had even changed, from a look of excited blood-lust to genuine distress. Kovu roared and charged at the scavengers. With his jaws, he grabbed the hind leg of the first one he came to. He could hear the wild dog's bones and tendons pop and snap as he flung it over his shoulder like a doll. He looked back long enough to see it limping away. When Kovu turned to face another wild dog that had turned to him, its mottled lips pulled all the way back so every pink-tinged tooth was visible, he didn't expect Chaka's paws to quickly shoot out to grab onto the side of the dog's head. The dog squealed as a look of horror replaced the black hatred in its beady eyes.

"C'mon here!" Chaka snarled gutturally before making quick work of the unfortunate beast.

Kovu again had to shake off his own personal horror, thankful that Chaka was taking his frustration out on the scavengers and not him. He could now see that Muna and Suki were fighting so close together that their sides were nearly brushing. So far they were making a good team, but not good enough. Trying to act faster, Kovu drove his teeth into the shoulders of one wild dog and the remaining hyena. The wild dog ran, but the hyena turned long enough to unwisely snarl at Kovu before leaping at Suki, who snarled and batted at its face. The hyena only faltered, unfazed by the lack of physical power behind the young mother's strike. It readied for another attack

I've had enough of this!

Kovu narrowed his eyes and roared before he jumped the hyena. He gripped it by its shoulder blades and sunk his teeth into the back of its neck, using all his strength to try to break its neck. Only when he shook his head violently from side to side did the hyena finally fall to the ground in a spasming heap.

"Go on!" Muna started shouting. "Go lick your wounds!"

Is it over?

Kovu stood up with the dying hyena at his paws. He turned and looked around until he spotted, running with their tails between their legs and yelping pitifully, two dark figures that were dashing off into the desert.

"Was that it?" Chaka called out. He stood over the crumbled body of a wild dog. Almost playfully, he pulled back its head, which lolled back limply, totally unresponsive.

Kovu looked around. Everybody was panting hard. Blood painted their chests, paws, and muzzles. Kovu counted the dead: the jackal, both hyenas, and four dead wild dogs. From the look of Chaka, with blood practically up to his eyebrows, Kovu was sure that he'd done most of the actual killing, and he looked pleased with himself.

Chaka started to laugh, attracting everyone's attention. The grisly laugh started as a low rumble before growing to a full chuckle.

Muna, with a fresh gouge on her cheek, frowned in distaste. "What's so funny?"

"I think they thought they could eat one of us," he laughed, grinning proudly as if he'd just caught his first kill. "That's what one of them said to Kovu." The big lion then turned his attention to him. Still laughing, he said, "Right?"

Kovu nodded nervously, unsure if he should laugh, too, at Chaka's dark joke. "Yes. They hadn't eaten for a week... It made them stupid. They should try living in the Outlands."

Chaka's grin widened, which was both a good thing, Kovu thought, and a bad thing, considering the amount of blood on his teeth. The blood only reminded Kovu of what the big brute had done to Natin.

"Are you okay, Suki?"

"I-I'm fine..."

Kovu and Chaka both looked towards the lionesses. Muna, with her straight expression back on her face, was looking Suki over.

"You'll be fine. You'll have that nick in your ear until you die, though," Muna remarked.

"Your ear is hurt?"

The humor in Chaka's voice was sucked out and replaced with concern, and this caught Kovu's attention. He watched as Chaka tentatively approached the two lionesses and frowned at Suki's ragged, bloody right ear. A good chunk was missing.

"If Muna hadn't been there," Suki explained, "I think they would've overwhelmed me. I'm glad I just have this notch in my ear."

Kovu watched Chaka's frown deepen and his eyebrows arch. He started to draw closer to Suki, started to lift a paw, but stopped himself and instead lifted his nose and sight up at the sky. "Well, we succeeded in keeping those idiots away from the oasis." He then smiled at Muna before also smiling at Suki. "The meerkats are safe."

Suki smiled back at Chaka. "Won't they be happy when you say how you protected them?"

Chaka shrugged and shifted his weight. He looked around at the dead bodies that encircled their group. "It was nothing more than a game."

To Kovu's ears, Chaka's words didn't sound as boastful as he might have expected, and as he watched, the more Chaka seemed to frown in disgust at the bodies that were on the ground, and the more uncomfortable he appeared to be with the amount of blood on his body. Finally, Chaka called for the group to resume their trek and started off at a brisk jog without glancing at the kills he'd so proudly stood over just moments before.

What's going through his mind?

Leaving the scavengers to the ones already starting to circle overhead, Kovu followed behind Muna and Suki. As they jogged along, he alternated his attention between Suki and Chaka, trying to analyze the depth of whatever relationship they had.

I think I'm starting to see why Tojo wanted Suki with us...

(A/N: Hope the wait was worth it! I tried to put in a lot of character development and backstory content.)