Chapter 6 Strange realities

Kion and Kovu both looked at each other and then stared back at the tiger whose face had change color.

"Tunda is that you?" Kion asked.

"Tunda, weak. I'm him who hurts or heals," Tunda said.

"Cut the crap tiger just what the heck are you?" Kovu questioned.

"You don't want to know who I am really. But a little advice for you. Run!" Tunda said charging at them as quick as a leopard. Tunda lashed out at them barely missing Kovu's face. Kion reached for Tunda with his claw but when he hit is face the tiger just shook it off.

"Kovu we got to get him in open area," Kion instructed.

"What fun indeed," Tunda said in an even deeper voice then before.

Tunda clawed at both hitting Kovu's right shoulder and hitting Kion in the face. Tunda lunged himself at Kion which Kovu stopped by tackling him but quickly Tunda turned and was on top of Kovu trying to bite his face. As Kovu struggled Kion took a breath and looked around and saw there was a opening of trees almost like a gateway that if he used his roar it wouldn't danger anyone.

"Hey freak show, come here," Kion yelled out.

Tunda looked at him as his eyes rolled back in his head and blood started dripping from his teeth. He stalked Kion leaving Kovu on the ground still reeling from the struggle.

Kion waited until he was in the clear and he used his roar to blast the tiger as far as he could, Tunda went flying way passed the mountain pass and far away in another land.

"What the heck was that thing!" Kovu yelled.

"I nightmare but it's over for now," Kion said.

"I know I've seen that roar in action from both you and my sister but it's still pretty freaking cool," Kovu said.

"Yeah. You okay I saw you holding him back," Kion said.

"He was trying to eat me," Kovu said while his adrenaline was still flowing.

"Kion, Kovu. Any update for Queen Rani?" Ono asked swooping down to then.

"Tell her that the problem is fixed," Kion said slowly walking back toward the tree of life.

"So Kion can I ask you something guy to guy?" Kovu asked.

"If it's about something to do with you and my sister doing things then no," Kion joked.

"What? Oh no I would never," Kovu said.

"It's okay if you did Kovu. I'm happy that my sister has you to love," Kion said.

"How did you know you were going to adopt Asha?" Kovu asked.

"The moment I found her and her touched my nose with her paw I knew I was hooked," Kion said.

"It's amazing to me how you did that. As someone who had a rough upbringing it's awesome to see someone save another cub from that," Kovu said.

As they made it to the tree Fuli was already walking out.

"Did you get him?" Fuli asked.

"I'd rather not discuss what and who we just encountered but needless to say is you or anyone sees him again let me know," Kion said.

"Kovu I'd hate to ask you this. But would you and Kiara be willing in the morning to help with patrols?" Rani asked.

"Of course while we're here I want to have fun but also help out as I can," Kovu said.

"That goes for two of us," Kiara said.

The rest of the tree of life cleared out and it was just Kion and Rani trying to get to sleep. Rani was restless but they had Asha next to them.

"Kion you awake?" Rani asked.

"Nope," Kion joked rolling over putting his arm around her.

"Have I ever told you about the day my parents died?" Rani asked.

"You haven't no," Kion said.

"Baliyo wasn't that much older then Asha. My parents and Surak and Nirmala would go on night patrols as my grandmother would watch us. That day was the perfect day leading up to the night. Me and my dad had a little time together I always loved it when he held me. Just like I like it when you hold me," Rani said struggling to get through her story. As Asha walked over and curled up in Rani's arms and went right back to sleep, this made Rani cry.

"Just like this. That night my mom and dad were walking through one of the canyons here. It was one that was prone to rockslides but it hadn't had one in a long time. Surak says that they were playful that night all four of them had a lot of fun, but suddenly a Little Rock fell on top of them and as my mother looked up down came rock after rock. It crushed and buried her," Rani cried telling the story.

"Let it out Rani. I'm here," Kion said holding her tighter.

"My dad raced to try and dig her out, Surak had already told Nirmala to go get help. Surak says he pleaded with my dad to just leave in case another rock slide happened. He refused cause he didn't want to believe that my mom was gone. Which now being a mate and a mom too. I can't imagine having that reality come over you that your best friend and the one you love the most is gone. Before my grandmother got there another rockslide hit and it trapped my dad inside. Surak tried with all his might to get him free but it was too late as one finally rock came down and almost killed Surak too. Now Surak gave me this part of the story that apparently the uncle I didn't know I had was there that night which lead my grandmother to believe that he had something to do with it. Kion if he did I don't know if I could ever forgive him for that," Rani cried.

"I'm so sorry Rani. I wish I could go and change that from happening. But as bad as the pain is at least you have a family here and in the pride lands that will love and defend you at all costs. Is that why you got so angry at the rockslide when we first came here?" Kion asked.

"Partly. Plus Baliyo just charged at you guys which I told him not too," Rani said.

"Oh so I did have a right to roar him away," Kion joked.

"I guess you did, I know I would've used that roar on him a couple times in my life," Rani joked.

"Rani. I can't change the past. And it kills me to know that happened to you. How did you find out?" Kion asked.

"That's the worst part," Rani sobbed.

Kion held her as she cried as it was killing him to have her so upset.

"My grandmother came into the den in here. And I was right here with Baliyo, and I asked if my daddy and mommy were okay. My grandmother shook her head and then told us that our parents were gone. Baliyo was too young to understand but when I started crying Baliyo put his little paw on mine," Rani explained.

Just as she said that Asha reach her paw onto Rani's.

"Oh my love. Listen to me Kion I need you to promise me something," Rani said.

"Okay?" Kion said not sure if he wanted to hear it.

"If something were to happen to me. Something like a freak accident and you know that I'm gone leave. Don't leave this little girl without a daddy, because as much as I loved my mom. My dad and I did everything together," Rani said.

"I promise that no matter what I'm not going to let anything happen to either of us. Cause this little girl and our cubs in the future will have both their parents," Kion said.

"Your so sure that we're going to have cubs," Rani said.

"Why else did you ask Kovu and Kiara to helps with the morning patrols?" Kion questioned knowing the answer.

"Well we can't let this little one growing up without someone to play with," Rani said.

"That's fitting cause when mommy plays with daddy then she can have someone to play with," Kion joked.

"Kion!" Rani laughed.

The next morning in the pride lands. Vitani was getting ready to lead the lion guard when Nala walked into the lair.

"Change of plans ladies. You four can do whatever you'd like today, cause I want to take Vitani on a little walk," Nala said.

"Your majesty, that's very gracious of you," Kasi replied.

"Am I in trouble?" Vitani asked.

"No. And no it's not about yesterday. I want to spend sometime with you and with my other kids gone I decided to spend the day with you," Nala said.

"Alright but no spa day for me," Vitani said.

"Fair enough," Nala said.

"Your highness Simba wanted to know if your free," Zazu said flying into the lair.

"As a matter of fact no," Nala said.

"Oh dear. Well then I'll go tell him," Zazu said.

"Nala if simba needs you I'll go do my thing for a bit and then we'll meet up near the water hole," Vitani said.

"Me and that dang water hole nothing is so great about that place. But yes I agree I'll meet you there," Nala said.

Vitani walked to rafiki's tree where she had a question.

"Rafiki you there?" Vitani asked.

"Yes child, ahh Vitani. For what do I owe the pleasure," Rafiki asked.

"I wanted to know something and I figured you knew the answer," Vitani said.

"Come on in if you can fit of course," Rafiki laughed inviting her in.

"I want to know If how Simba and Kiara and all of them talk to Mufasa if it's possible for me to talk to Nuka," Vitani asked.

"My, my, my. That's an interesting question I take it you and your brother were close?" Rafiki asked.

"Nuka was an idiot, but he always looked out for me. He resented Kovu cause of Zira's favoritism but he always protected me," Vitani said.

"Before I answer that question let me ask you one. By protect you what do you mean?" Rafiki asked.

"My mother would have lions and lionesses come through the outlands that were wanderers. And if they would help us with something she would pay them. And by pay them I mean," Vitani said clearly trying to hold her emotions in check.

"I know what you mean. And I'm sorry for asking you," Rafiki said.

"No worries. But um Nuka always protected me from some of them. But there was one who wouldn't take no for an answer. And well my mother didn't care, so she forced me into it. Afterwards nuka held me and let me cry, I had never cried like that before," Vitani said.

"Your brother was a good lion then. Protecting those he loved, even though some of his actions may be deemed wrong or abhorrent to some. What I see is a misunderstood Lion who protected his sister," Rafiki said.

"Well, Nuka did kill the lion who did that to me," Vitani said.

"We all make mistakes and we all seek revenge sometimes. Sometimes it's justified and others go to far. I'm a keeper of knowledge and a defender of the circle of life but in my opinion Nuka was justified in his actions," Rafiki said.

"So does that mean he's up there in the stars?" Vitani asked.

"I'm not the kings of the past Vitani so I don't know. Sometimes what we view as good some see as evil. My advice would be to try and talk to him, see if he appears," Rafiki said.

"Thanks Rafiki now I got to go meet Nala," Vitani said.

"Vitani. Don't take your relationships that are forming now for granted," Rafiki said.

"Trust me I don't. I never had a true family, and now I do," Vitani said.

Back at the tree of life.

Kovu and Kiara were telling the Night Pride the story of how Kiara defeated Zira.

"So, Kiara you clawed her eyes out and she fell to her death then?" Bunga questioned all giddy.

"No. What?" Kiara asked looking at Bunga with a smile.

"Actually she tried to help her up. And Zira refused," Kovu said still a bit sad about his mother's demise even though she was evil and cruel she was still his mother.

"It took a lot of courage to do what you did Kiara. You both stood in the way of that civil war," Beshte said.

"I can't all the credit I felt Kion right there beside me. If he was there he would've stood with me and Kovu," Kiara said.

"I just wish we could've got there sooner to help resolve the conflict maybe Nuka would still be alive," Anga said.

"Yeah. Nuka died trying to make Zira proud but he never could that fool," Kovu said getting up to walk away.

"Kovu. I know what its like to lose a brother. Whether you have a relationship with them or not, it takes apart of you," Surak said.

"Thank you Surak. I appreciate it now keep your eyes peeled for that tiger, that thing is something out of a nightmare," Kovu said.

"Yeah, I can affirm that," Fuli said.

Kiara went back with Kovu to their cavern that they were staying at.

"What's wrong Kovu? I can tell something is troubling you," Kiara said hugging him.

"I miss Nuka, Kiara. He and I had a horrible relationship because my mother drove us to compete, and he resented me for it. But he was still my brother, Vitani and Him had a better relationship then he and I. I just wish he could've had an opportunity to be in a family like I am now," Kovu said.

"I'm sorry about Nuka. I wish he didn't die, cause would've love to meet him. He seems like a very misunderstood lion," Kiara said.

"He was," Kovu said.

"Hey. You know I was thinking a lot about what you said the other day. And I think I'm ready," Kiara said.

"Ready?" Kovu asked.

"For us to try and make a cub," Kiara said.

"Really?" Kovu asked smiling.

"Yeah. Because I think I can be a good mother, and I know that our cub or cubs will have a great father," Kiara said.

"No matter what Kiara. Love will find a way," Kovu said kissing her.

Author's Note

If you want to see a design of Tunda go to Deviantart and search for Dkstiger, there you'll find the image of the monster in this story. And just so you know He Is Not Dead!