A/N Thank you to the people who put my story on alert. I appreciate it. I would really appreciate some reviews as well. Thank you in advance. Enjoy ch 6

Ch 6 New Beginnings

"Oh Kings Above," Simba breathed, his voice barely above a whisper. "I think Zira may have killed Nuka."

"Oh Simba I hope that's not true," Nala whispered, nuzzling her mate.

"Does it really matter?" Sarabi blurted out before she could stop herself. Simba and Nala both shot the former Queen glares. "I'm sorry," Sarabi said quickly embarrassed that she had said that out loud. "It just slipped."

"Hey where's my mom?" Nala asked, looking around for Sarafina.

"That's strange," Simba said, wrinkling his brow. "She was just here. I wonder..." But just then they heard the sounds of arguing followed by angry growls and shouting. "I'm going up there!" Simba cried out. "Nuka could be hurt or worse!" But before he could take one step Sarafina came rushing back into the area. To everyone's shock she had an unconscious Nuka in her mouth.

"Mom," Nala gasped her blue eyes wide with shock. "What..."

"I couldn't stand it anymore," Sarafina said as she gently placed Nuka on the ground. "I had to do something otherwise Zira would have killed Nuka."

"So you brought him down here?" Sarabi asked, her voice high with outrage. "Have you lost your mind Sarafina?!"

"Zira said she had no use for him Sarabi!" Sarafina cried out. "She was looming over him when I came up there. She was going to slash his throat!"

"Thank the Kings you went up there when you did Mom," Nala said, letting out her breath. "You saved his life."

"But at what cost?!" Sarabi cried out, her amber eyes wide. "Sarafina you need to take him back to Zira right now!"

"Sarabi I can't!" Sarafina protested. "Zira will kill him if I take him back!"

"His life isn't worth ours!" Sarabi cried out. "Zira will kill us all!"

"Mother stop this right now!" Simba cried out. Sarabi instantly was silent. "For one thing Zira knows if she tried anything she'll be killed. Nuka will be perfectly safe here with us." Sarabi began to protest but she quickly thought better of it.

"I suppose you're right Simba," the tan coated lioness said with a sigh. "I'm sorry. I just lost my head for a second. You did a good thing Sarafina."

"Thank you Sarabi," Sarafina said with a smile.

"Nuka will be much safer here," Nala said, smiling down at the child.

"Yes but whose going to take care of him?" Simba asked.

"Simba we could," Nala began.

"Nala as much as I would love to take him in I don't think that's such a good idea," Simba said. "You're pregnant and I think its going to hard enough taking care of a newborn without having to take care of Nuka too."

"I'll take him in myself," Sarafina said, causing the others to looks over at her in surprise.

"Mom are you sure?" Nala asked, shocked that her mother would agree to raise Nuka. "I mean you're not exactly young anymore. Cubs are a lot of work."

"Yes Nala I'm well aware of that," Sarafina said with a small smile. "I did raise you and Mheetu remember? But he obviously can't go back to Zira. So if I don't take him in then who will?"

"I will," a voice said. The group turned and saw a light brown lioness with blue eyes standing there.

"Are you sure about this Tama?" Nala asked. "He is..."

"Yes Nala I'm sure," Tama said. "I know full well who his father is but quite honestly I don't care. He's just an innocent child. And he's the same age as my Asha. They've always gotten along. I've already discussed it with Tojo and he's in agreement." Then as if on cue a dusty brown lion with light brown eyes and a sandy brown mane came onto the scene along with a female cub with a dusty brown coat and blue eyes.

"Mom is it true?" Asha asked, bounding up to her mother. "Is Nuka going to be my new brother?"

"If he's alright with that," Tama said, looking down at the still unconscious cub.

"This poor boy has been through so much," Tojo said, shaking his head sadly. "But don't you worry we'll take good care of him."

"But we feel its best to take him away from Pride Rock," Tama said. "Just to make sure Zira can't get her damn paws on him again."

"But of course we'll discuss this with him first," Tojo said. the as if on cue Nuka let out a low groan and opened his eyes.

"Wh...what's happening?" came Nuka's weak sounding voice. "Where am I?"

"You're safe dear one," Tama said softly. "Don't you worry Nuka. Zira is never going to hurt you again."

"H...how can you be so sure?" Nuka asked, the terror and fear clear in his voice. "Mother wants me dead. She..."

"How would you feel if we told you you'd never have to see your mother again?" Tojo asked gently.

"Really?" Nuka asked, his ruby eyes lighting up. "But how?"

"Tojo and I would like to take you in," Tama said. "Would you like that?"

"I sure would!" Nuka exclaimed, a big smile going across his face. "But won't Mother find out?"

"We're going to take you away from Pride Rock," Tama explained. "Not far. Just in the Grasslands. That way you'll be safe and you can still visit Pride Rock whenever you want to."

"Plus you get to have me for a sister!" Asha cried out, smiling big at Nuka, who couldn't help but smile back "It'll be so much fun!"

"It sound great," Nuka said. "But what about my brother and sister?"

"We'll keep an eye on them," Simba promised. "They'll be safe Nuka I promise you that."

"Thanks everyone," Nuka said softly. "I...I just can't believe that there are lions that actually care about me."

"Well believe it sweet Nuka," Tama said, nuzzling Nuka.

"Thanks Tama," Nuka said with a smile as he nuzzled Tama back.

"If you're feeling up to it we can leave now," Tojo said.

"Sure I do!" Nuka said, wrapping his paws around Tojo's muzzle. Then he quickly pulled away, "Sorry. I didn't mean..."

"Never apologize for showing affection," Tojo said, smiling at the cub

"Thanks Mr. Tojo," Nuka said softly. "Mother always hits me when I try to nuzzle her. Or smile at her. Or do anything around her for that matter. I just don't understand what I did that was so terrible that my own parents hate me so much." By now Nuka's voice had gotten really soft and he was staring at the ground as the tears ran down his face and hit the ground.

"Oh you poor child," Tama said, pulling Nuka close and nuzzling him. "You'll never have to feel like that again." Nuka snuggled into Tama's chest fur. Just then they heard noises coming from above them. They heard the sounds of newborns crying followed by Zira's angry shouting.

"Can we leave now?" Nuka whispered, shivering slightly. "Please?"

"Lets go," Tojo said, gently picking up Nuka and putting him on his back. With that Tojo and his family began to exit the cave. But just then Cala and Shida came down from above. When the two lionesses saw Nuka on Tojo's back their eyes went wide with surprise.

"If you think you're going to stop us you..." Tama began.

"We're not going to stop you," Shida said, surprising the group.

"I just wish we could get Kovu and Vitani away from Zira too," Cala chimed in. "Before Zira ruins them too."

"Go now before Zira come down," Shida hissed. With that Tojo and Tama nodded and Tama picked up Asha and the family took off, heading for the Grasslands eager to start a new life with their new son.

A/N well folks ch 6 is now complete. Hope you enjoyed it and as always please review.