A/N Welcome to the latest chapter of my story! Thank you all so much for the reviews I'm really grateful for the support. Here's ch 8 for all of you to enjoy

Ch 8 Darkest Before the Dawn

"No," Simba said softly as he back up a step and sat on the ground. Timon and Pumbaa were instantly at their friend's side. "I can't lose Nala," Simba whispered. "Or my cub. Oh Kings Above I can't lose them." Simba lowered himself to the ground and put his paws over his face as he fought hard not to lose it.

"Hey buddy you can't think like that," Timon said, patting Simba's head and stroking his mane.

"Nala and the cub need all the good thoughts we can give them," Pumbaa chimed in.

"I know," came Simba's muffled voice. "But its just so damn hard right now." By now Simba's body was shaking as the golden King softly cried. Timon and Pumbaa could only nod and they hugged their adopted son and anxiously awaited news on the Queen and the cub.

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After what seamed like hours Sarabi finally emerged from the cave. Simba instantly got to his feet and went to his mother. "Mom," the golden lion said softly. "Is...is Nala and the cub alright?"

"We managed to get the cub out," Sarabi said. "You have a daughter. But Nala lost a lot a blood during the delivery. And when Rafiki was pulling the cub out a third cub came sliding out as well. So you have two sons and a daughter."

"Triplets?" Simba whispered, sitting back down on the ground. "Are they alright?"

"Your sons are perfectly healthy," Sarabi said with a smile. "But the girl is smaller than her brothers. Right now she's very weak. But Rafiki is certain that both she and Nala will be alright with rest."

"Can I see them?" Simba asked, his voice still coming out very soft.

"I don't see why not," Sarabi said with a smile. "Come with me," With that Sarabi motioned with her head. With that Simba followed his mother into the birthing cave.

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When Simba entered the cave he saw Sarafina sitting next to Nala. In between Sarafina's paws were three small bundles. One was a golden bundle. The other had a creamy coat while the third had a golden brown coat. Simba looked down at his cubs and smiled. "They're beautiful," the golden King breathed as he lowered himself down beside his mother-in-law, never taking his eyes off his cubs.

"Aren't they?" Sarafina whispered as she smiled down at her grandcubs. "This is your daughter," Sarafina said, nuzzling the smaller golden brown cub. "And these are your sons." Sarafina nuzzled the other cubs when she said this part.

"I love them already," Simba said as he reached for his cubs and pulled them close. "Hi there," Simba whispered to the cubs. "I'm your Daddy. And I'm going to take very good care of you three." With that Simba gave his cubs licks.

"So what are my grandchildren's names?' Sarabi asked, smiling down at the newborns.

"Well Nala and I decided on Kiongozi, or Kion for short and Kiara," Simba said. "But we didn't decided on alternative names. So I'm at a lose to what to call their brother."

"I've always liked the name Kopa," Sarafina said. "It does mean heart after all."

"I love that name," Simba said. Then he looked down at his sons and said, "Alright which one of you wants to be Kopa?" Just then the creamy coated cub began to stir and opened his eyes to reveal bright blue eyes like his mother. "Hmm I guess that's settled," Simba said, nuzzling the newly named Prince Kopa. "You my boy are to be called Kopa. And you, your sister, Kiara and brother Kion will have a perfect presentation once your mother is healed enough." Then Simba looked over at his unconscious mater. "I'm so proud of you Nala," the golden King whispered. "You gave me three perfect cubs. But I need you to be awake so we can enjoy them together. I love you Nala." With that Simba gave Nala's cheek a lick a wrapped his paws around his children to keep them warm.

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The next few days went by slowly for Simba. Nala still wasn't awake and his cubs were having major health issues. Kiara was having a lot of trouble breathing because her lungs were underdeveloped and she had stopped breathing numerous times. Rafiki had set up camp at Pride Rock so he could monitor both Kiara and Nala. Kopa and Kion were doing as well as could be expected but due to the trauma of the birth Nala was unable to nurse the cubs. But luckily there were two other lioness that had recently given birth that were willing to nurse the Princess and Princes. One of them was a light gold lioness with blue eyes named Mkwe. She had just given birth to her daughter, Tiifu, who was a creamy tan cub with green eyes. The other was a beige coated lioness with blue eyes named Chana. She too had given birth to a daughter that she named Zuri. Zuri had a peachy coat and blue eyes. At the current moment Sarafina and Sarabi were out hunting with the other lionesses and Simba was doing his rounds. Rafiki had gone to check on the hippo leader's mate, who was due to have her calf at any time. Mkwe had Tiifu, Kiara and Kopa nursing at her side while Chana had Kion and Zuri nursing at her side. Both lionesses had gotten tired and had fallen asleep while the cubs nursed. Cala and Shida had been keeping any eyes on things and they had informed Zira what was happening. "Perfect," the crazed lioness growled standing up. "I can kill one of Simba's brats while he's out.

"Zira I don't think," Cala began.

"That's right you don't think!" Zira roared, striking Cala hard in her face. The roaring caused Kovu and Vitani to wake and they began to fuss. "Tend to them," Zira ordered. "I have a brat to kill." Without waiting for a response Zira slinked out of her cave and down the side of Pride Rock. Cala and Shida exchanged looks but neither lioness dared to voice their disagreement. Neither one of them had a death wish

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A few minutes later Zira had reached the nursery cave. Peaking her head inside she saw that Chana and Mkwe were asleep and no one else was around except for the still unconscious Nala. And evil grin went across Zira's muzzle and she slithered inside the cave. Once she was close she grabbed the nearest cub, which was Kopa and ran out of the cave with him. Zira ran down the side of Pride Rock with Kopa in her mouth. The newborn was mewing in protest. "Shut up you brat," Zira snarled, biting down hard on Kopa's side, causing the cub to cry.

"Zira!" a voice thundered. Zira skidded to a stop as Simba leapt down in front of her. "What the Hell do you think you're doing?!" Simba growled. "Put my son down! Now!" Zira was backing up trying to find an escape route. But she soon found that Sarabi and Sarafina had the paths blocked. Then an evil idea came to Zira.

"As you wish," came her muffled response. Then she bite down once again on Kopa's said, causing more blood to flow.

"No!" Simba cried out. Zira used the distraction to her advantage and dropped Kopa's limp body on the ground and made her escape. Kopa hit the ground with a sickening thud and remained still while his father checked to see if he was dead or alive.

"Oh Kings Above!" Sarafina cried our, tears coming to her blue eyes.

"Simba is he..." Sarabi asked, trailing off as the horrible though crossed her mind. Simba checked his son the looked up at his mother and mother-in-law. Then he opened his mouth to respond.

A/N well folks there you have it ch 8 complete. I hope you all enjoyed it. Review please and thank you.