Thank you for all the reviews. I really enjoy reading the long reviews on the characters of the story. A special thank you to the reviewers who leave reviews like that. And sorry for the delays in me updating but I've been really busy lately. Anyway, here's chapter 27 and please review. And a reminder that each part of the story does not happen at the same time.

Nala waited until her father brought back some of her friends. She knew that he wouldn't let more than two of them see her at a time, but as long as she could see her friends, she didn't mind. Tama and Moraan were the first ones to reach the secluded part of the den.

"Nala!" Tama cried. "I'm so glad you're alright." Tama nuzzled Nala, and Nala nuzzled her friend back.

"We were really worried. I'm so glad you're okay." Moraan said, also nuzzling her. Nala smiled and nuzzled him back.

"I'm okay. I'm glad you two escaped the fire." Nala said.

"We heard what happened with Scar and the fire." Tama said, lowering her head. Nala just nodded.

"The night you got exiled, we went into the Outlands looking for you, but you four were already gone. Where did you go?" Moraan asked.

"We just wanted to get as far away from the Pridelands as soon as possible." Nala explained. "So we travelled away from the evening star. After a couple days, we found really nice unclaimed territory. So we decided to stay."

"How did you find out about Scar?" Tama asked.

" A bird named Takita, from the Pridelands heard Scar talking about it with Gurile. She tried telling Mufasa but he didn't believe her. So she flew away from the Pridelands, and by some miracle she came to land we were staying, and found me and Simba." Nala answered.

"Did Simba actually believe Takita?" Moraan asked.

"No, he thought she was insane, and even if he did believe her, he said that he wouldn't go back. Chumvi wouldn't either. Kula and I wanted to come back and help, but they said no. So we left without them." Nala replied.

"How did Simba react when you left without him?" Tama asked.

"Chumvi and Simba found us near the border of the Pridelands. At first he was relieved, then he was furious." Nala answered.

"That sounds just like Simba to me." Moraan said, with a wistful smile.

"How is Simba? Is he okay?" Nala asked.

Tama looked at bit troubled, and Moraan looked away. They both knew very well that Nala loved Simba, and neither of them wanted to tell her the truth, and get her upset, but they didn't want to lie to them either.

"Is he okay?" Nala demanded, sounding worried.

Tama sighed. "He isn't okay, but he's making progress." she said, trying to pick out the right words.

"He might die, right?" Nala asked, softly, her throat tight.

Tama bit back tears, and Moraan nodded. "I'm so sorry." Moraan sighed, and nuzzled Nala.

"Did you see him yet?" Nala asked.

"No, we're not allowed." Tama answered.

"Tell me when you are." Nala said.

"We will." Moraan promised. "Tojo and Shani are waiting to see you, so we'll leave now, but we'll come back soon." He and Tama nuzzled Nala, and Nala nodded.

Tama and Moraan walked in, and when her next visitor came, it wasn't Tojo or Shani. It was a lion that she was completely unprepared for. It was Thresh.

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Shinda was waiting for her mother, nervously. Tojo had told her that Kudeka was going to see her after she came back from hunting, and Shinda wasn't quite prepared for her mother.

Kudeka walked into the den, and looked at Shinda.

"How are you feeling?" Kudeka asked.

"Better. How was hunting?" Shinda asked.

Kudeka could tell Shinda was trying to avoid the conversation that both of them knew they need to have.

"A bit difficult, but we'll manage." Kudeka answered. "We have some talking to do."

"I know." Shinda replied.

"Tell me why you said those things on the day of the fire." Kudeka said.

"I was just overwhelmed with all the heat, and the panic, and I was tired. I didn't really mean it." Shinda said, but she was mostly lying.

Kudeka narrowed her eyes. "Don't lie to me. Did you really mean those things you said?"

"Mostly," Shinda mumbled.

"Why would say that? To your own little sisters?" Kudeka asked.

"Half sisters," Shinda said, firmly.

"Anjani and Zuri are your sisters just as much as Shani is." Kudeka said.

"No! I will never say that." Shinda growled. "My only full siblings are Tojo and Shani."

"I've never thought you could be this cruel, Shinda" Kudeka snapped.

"You know what Mom?" Shinda said. "I get your point. You want me to love Zuri and Anjani just as much as I love Shani and Tojo. But that will never happen. I'm sorry, but I've tried, but I just can't."

"And the way you acted to Hariku. " Kudeka snarled.

"I know. I showed just how I felt. You will never understand. My father left when I was four years old. Shani never even got to meet him. And then, you just get a new mate without even talking to Shani, Tojo or me. You will never understand how I feel."

"There would have been no difference if I had talked to you three or not. You would have still refused, but me and Hariku would have still became mates." Kudeka growled.

"I know what you want me to do. You want me to love Anjani and Zuri just as much as I love Tojo and Shani. But that will never happen. And if you stay mad at me until I do, you can. I will never be able to love Anjani and Zuri that much. I don't care if it means losing you. Love isn't something you can force out." Shinda said.

Kudeka looked at her stunned for a moment, and then walked out of the cave. She was at the entrance of the cave, when Zuri and Anjani rushed up to her.

"Can we see Shinda now? I want to ask her about what she said during the fire." Zuri asked, looking at her mother.

"No." Kudeka said firmly. "You two will not see Shinda, unless she comes out and see's you two. Other than that no."

"Mommy, are you mad?" Anjani asked.

Kudeka's eyes softened, as she bent down and nuzzled both of them. "Not anymore." Kudeka sighed.

"What have you two been doing?" Kudeka asked. "And where's your father?"

"Daddy's helping Mufasa fix the Pridelands." Anjani answered, and Kudeka chuckled at her answer.

"Mom, come play with us." Zuri said. "We can't go out and play because the Pridelands haven't recovered yet."

"Of course, my sweet ones. Let's go into the dens." Kudeka said, and ushered them back into the den. When they reached the den, and lay down where they usually slept, Kudeka saw Shinda watching them, but she didn't invite her to join them. Instead, she focussed on play wrestling with her youngest daughters.

Shinda watched them from where she was laying down, and felt like her heart was breaking. She remembered Kudeka playing with her and Tojo when they were Zuri and Anjani's age. Shani had been too young to wrestle with them, so she had always lay on Kudeka's back while watching.

Shinda sighed. She knew her relationship with her mother would never mend, until Kudeka got what she wanted.

"But Mom doesn't understand. Love isn't something you can force out. And if Mom won't love me as much as she loves Anjani and Zuri I don't care. I don't want to force her love out of her." Shinda thought.

Shinda slowly got up. Her back ached, but the more she stretched, the better it felt. She walked out of the den, to see if she could find anyone. She bumped into Alex.

"Why aren't you resting?" Alex asked, the minute he saw her.

"Well, hello to you too." Shinda sighed.

Alex smiled and leaned in closer and nuzzled her. "You should really be in the den resting."

"I don't want to stay in their the whole day Alex." Shinda said.

"You can visit Nala now." Alex said.

"We can?" Shinda exclaimed.

Alex nodded." Me and Tojo and Shani just came back."

"I'm going to see her." Shinda said, and walked in to the area where Nala was.

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Nala and Thresh stared at each other for a minute. Nala seemed to see Thresh as a different lion since Simba had told her that Thresh also desperately loved her.

"How are you feeling?" Thresh asked, breaking the silence.

"I'm hurting, but I'll be okay. I'm glad you escaped the fire." Nala replied.

Thresh smiled, and two of them chatted about what had happened to Nala ever since she got exiled.

"Thresh, there's something I have to ask you." Nala said, a bit nervously.

"What is it?" Thresh asked, giving Nala his full attention.

Nala took at deep breath, and said, "Simba told me that you loved me. Is it true?"

Thresh was surprised. Simba had told him to not to tell Nala any of this, but he had told her anyway.

"Yes, I do, Nala." Thresh replied. "I love you a lot."

Nala sighed, and said, "Thresh, I'm sorry, but I don't have feelings for you. I love Sim-"

Thresh cut her off. "I know you love Simba. And I know, you're happy with him. And if you're happy, I'm happy. I want what's best for you."

Nala felt stunned. Thresh turned to leave, but then turned back, licked Nala's cheek and then walked out.