Kopa awoke with the the sun warming his nose. He yawned as he opened his eyes to see Nzuri resting beside him, her head near his paws. He wanted to say something, but he decided against it. This is probably the most peaceful she had been since the hyena ordeal.

Instead, he quietly stood and went for a drink by the river. He had had his fill when he heard rustling in the woods. He looked up just a lone antelope left his sight. His mouth watered as he hunched low and quietly followed after.

The ground was soft and masked his steps perfectly. Finally he came upon a clearing where the antelope had stopped for a meal. Keeping down wind, Kopa growled deep in his throat. Then he pounced, landing on the the antelope's back. The beast struggled for a moment under Kopa's grip before both it and the lion crashed on the jungle floor. Kopa then sunk his teeth in the beast's neck and waited until the life had left the body. He then sat up, satisfied, before dragging the body to where Nzuri would be sleeping.

Suddenly he heard... laughter? Followed by strong hisses, that could have only have come from Nzuri. Dropping his prey, he leapt into the action. It didn't take long for him to reach the stream, but as soon as he arrived, he saw that no one was there. He sniffed the air, recognizing Nzuri's and a pack of hyenas. He growled as he looked around before suddenly he was knocked in the head by what felt like a large rock. Laughter was all he heard before slipping into darkness.

TLK

"Your... majesty...wake...up."

Kopa groaned as he tried to force his eyes open. The voice was one he did not recognize.

"Open your eyes, goldy!"

Kopa unsheathed his claws and snapped his eyes all the way open to see a hyena standing over him. She was a senior hyena, no doubt about that for her black spots upon her pelt were beginning to grey. She curled her muzzle into a sinister smile. "Yeah, I recognize ya."

Kopa narrowed his eyes as he stood. "What do you want, hyena?"

The beast gasped dramatically. "Well, I just wanted to say hi to an old friend."

"But, Shenzi, we never met this guy." Said another hyena.

The hyena before Kopa groaned. "I WAS BEING DRAMATIC, BANZAI!"

The one called Banzai rolled his eyes.

"Who are you?" Kopa demanded.

"Ha! Figures. Ol' Simba didn't think add us in his little history lessons."

The lion's eyes widened. "YOU!! You're the hyenas that threatened my parents!"

"Ooh, give the lion a prize. Whoops! Too late! We ate it!" The hyenas started to laugh and it didn't take Kopa a second to realize they had eaten his find.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't rip you apart." Kopa snarled.

"How about several?" Shenzi smiled as she addressed the clan of hyenas that sat in the back ground.

"Kopa!"

The golden lion would have sighed in relief had he not been angered, as Nzuri made herself known. As she approached him, she stopped, her eyes narrowing past Kopa. "You."

Kopa folllowed her eyes and frowned as he saw Kali sitting not far away, smirking at them. Nzuri made to attack him, but Kopa stood in her way. "Don't, we're surrounded."

"They can take my life, but he shall go down with me."

"Think of your cub, Nzuri, your second one. Would you leave it motherless?"

Nzuri blinked as she looked up into Kopa's turquoise eyes and frowned. The thought had not occured to her. Restraining herself she turned with Kopa to face the clan.

"We mean no harm, Shenzi." Kopa said, though the words left a bad taste in his mouth. One swipe and he could have destroyed the very animals that had chased his father out so many years ago, but at what price? Instead, he took a deep breath. "The past... is in the past Shenzi, I don't wish to become a part of a fight that began years ago. Let this hatred go."

Shenzi narrowed her eyes and laughed. "Just like your daddy, so pushy,"

"And hairy!"

"And are they uuuuglllyyy." Both Shenzi and Banzai finished together which erupted laughter from a crazed hyena beside him.

"Haha! And not to mention cowardly!" Banzai added. "Remember Simba's face when we chased him off?! Bahahaha! That was hilarious, eh, Ed?"

The crazed nodded, his tongue hanging out and his eyes wide with humor.

"Oooh, I'll say but it doesn't compare to Scar's pathetic look." Shenzi smiled.

Kopa's fur bristled. His father's temper coursed through his veins and he felt his blood boil. Suddenly something snapped inside him and he lashed out, striking Shenzi to the ground.

Banzai shouted orders to attack and the clan obeyed, piling on the king. Nzuri backed away, her sights on another.

Kopa roared as he threw several hyenas off his back and grabbed another in his teeth, throwing them onto the ground.

While this went on, Kali hid behind a bush, shivering and hoping Kopa would not spot him. But the battle before him was soon to become the least of his worries as he heard a twig snap. He turned just as Nzuri sprang from the shadows and dragged in him away by his leg.

TLK

Vitani paced in the cave, uneasy, unable to sit still, unable to eat.

Malka frowned as he walked in.

Vitani stopped and faced him. "Something is wrong." She said.

Malka frowned, concerned. "Is it the cubs?"

"No, I mean with Kopa. It just... something feels wrong."

The older lion smiled. "It is stress, my dear. Worry. Come, I think it's time we start working on your role as queen."

"What? But I am already queen."

"Vitani, the animals on the land are scared. Without Kope here, they fear the worst. And I do not want to sound rude, dear one, but you have been neglecting your duties to the kingdom. True, you are with cubs and with Kopa missing, it adds on the the stress, but you must see to your kingdom."

"I am not their ruler."

"Ah, but you are."

"No I'm not!" Vitani roared. "I am not queen material. Can't you talk to them!? They trust you!"

"It is not my duty." Malka then smiled, again. "But, I suppose I can show you a few tricks. Come."

TLK

"Anything to report?" Kion asked as Ono came to land.

The Keenest of Sight frowned. "Nothing, Kion."

The leader frowned as he hung his head, worriedly. "We have to keep looking."

"I might have an idea." Ono said.

"Let's hear it,"

"I am going to follow the river deeper in to the jungle. Perhaps it carried Kopa farther then we thought."

"That's too dangerous." Kion said. "This ia unfamiliar territory."

"Perhaps, but if he had someone with him." Fuli said as she raced up, Bluu close behind. He had been assisting Fuli in her own search along the border. "If Bluu went with him, I'm sure they would be all right."

Kion frowned. "Well-"

"It's the only shot we have, Kion." Ono pointed out.

Kion turned to him and nodded. "You're right. But be back here by the evening." Understood?"

Ono saluted before he and Bluu both took off.

Kion frowned. "Find my brother," he whispered.

"It'll be okay, Kion." Fuli comforted.

Kion looked away. He wanted to be believe her. Brother, where are you?

TLK

Kopa roared as he struck yet another hyena off his leg before Shenzi leaped towards him. She growled as she latched herself on his mane and delivered a powerful strike to his face. The golden lion roared with pain as his left eye began to water and shut tight.

Shenzi smiled as he fell to the ground, weakened. For the moment.

Banzai panted as he placed a paw on Kopa's shoulder. "Heh, like old times. Except you put up a better fight then Scar."

Meanwhile, Nzuri was chasing Kali through the woods. He had managed to escape her grasp and was now running through the jungle. When she was close enough to touch him, she swiped his leg with her paw and he went tumbling. He turned and scratched her cheek. Nzuri growled as she recovered and turned back jusy to see him crossing the river. She made a move to take off after him, when she suddenly notice something in the water. Panting, she sat down.

Kali looked over his shoulder to see that she was no longer following him. His smug smile returning, he slowed his pace in the water. Just then, he felt something brush his foot and he came to a full stop. He swallowed as he looked around. Suddenly something latched onto his foot. He gasped as he was dragged under. A Crocodile hossed and he screamed in the water, kicking the croc in the face and breaking the surface. Quickly, he tried to get to land. His paws could nearly touch when another another Crocodile grabbed him. He was, this time, unable to escape as he was dragged below, forever.

Nzuri bowed her head. "You are avenged, Paka. My beloved son. And now I shall leave you, for your sister now calls my attention. I shall leave, but you will always remain in my heart."

It was then she heard Kopa's pained shout and frowned as she raced towards the battle.

Kopa grunted as he waa pushed to the ground once more. Banzai chuckled at the weakened king. "What's wrong, kid? Who's dangling at the bottom of the food chain now?!"

"You!"

Banzai looked up just as Nzuri leapt into the opening, pinning him to the ground. She hissed as swatted away the hyenas that attacked. Kopa growled as he stood and launched himself towards Shenzi.

The old hyena gasped as she hit the ground hard. Kopa snarled as he looked into her yellow eyes. He could just see the terror in his own father's eyes as he was chased from his home. With one swipe, he could-

"Kopa."

The King frowned and looked to Nzuri who stood a few feet away. "Let's, let's go home." She said, softly. "They're not worth it."

Kopa narrowed his eyes as he looked back to Shenzi. Nzuri was right. Snarling, he backed away, letting her stand. His left eye still closed shut. He used his remaining eye to give a warning stare before he and Nzuri walked away from the clearing.

Merry Christmas Eve!!!

The writer has returned, consider this a small Christmas gift to all you wonderful followers of the tale. Kali has been brought to justice and Kopa and Nzuri head home. But what awaits them there?