A/N Hello everyone I'm back with another chapter for you all. Sorry for the long hiatus but I've had a lot going on with my life but the usual thanks are in order. Enjoy ch 12

Ch 12 Time for Growing

"Nuka honey what's wrong?!" Tama cried out as she and Tojo ran over to their son.

"Are the cubs alright?" Nala asked, pulling her cubs close and looking them over.

"Yeah they're fine Queen Nala," Nuka said. "I'm sorry I worried you guys but I thought you all should know the lionesses are back from their hunt."

"Did you recognize any of them?" Simba asked as he slowly lowered himself to the ground.

"Yes King Simba I did," Nuka said with a nod. "The two traitors were definitely there."

"What did they look like?" Nala asked.

"They both looked similar," Nuka said, wrinkling his brow in thought. "I'm pretty sure they were sisters. I mean they called each other sis when they were talking. And one was younger that the other one."

"There's a lot of lionesses that are sisters in the Pride," Simba said, wrinkling his brow in thought as well.

"Well they both had beige coats," Nuka said. "And one had blue eyes and they other had green eyes."

"Nuka would you mid pointing them out for me?" Simba asked, nodding towards the Pride, who were coming in to rest for the night. Nuka looked at the lionesses intently. Then his ruby eyes got wide as he recognized the lionesses.

"That's them," Nuka whispered, nodding towards two lionesses that were talking amongst themselves off to the side.

"No that can't be right," Sarabi said, shaking her head. "There's no way Kike and Sasha would betray Simba. I've known them since they were babies. Their mother, Aina was a dear friend of mine. They would never do such a terrible thing."

"Nuka are you sure about this?" Simba asked, looking at Nuka.

"Yes King Simba I'm sure," Nuka said with a nod. "I know for a fact that it was them."

"Puh I don't believe you," Sarabi scoffed, glaring at Nuka, who looked up at him with wide eyes.

"Mom why would Nuka lie?" Simba asked, surprised by his mother's words.

"Because Kike and Sasha have always been against Zira," Sarabi said. "And Nuka knows this. That's why he's making up such vicious lies." Sarabi let out a low growl and glared at Nuka, who at first shrunk down but then he got a sudden burst of confidence.

"They're not lies!" Nuka cried out, surprising Sarabi. "I could care less that they hate Zira! I hate Zira too! I'm not on her side anymore and I just wish people would stop assuming the worst about me!" With that Nuka let out a sob and ran out of the cave. Tama and Tojo ran after their son while Simba, Nala and Sarafina glared at Sarabi.

"What?" Sarabi said, although she knew full well why the others were glaring at her.

"I just don't understand you sometimes Mother," Simba said, shaking his head.

"Neither do I," Sarafina said. "For Kings Sake Sarabi he's just a child! Why must you always treat him so poorly?"

"I don't have to explain myself to you or anyone else," Sarabi said, causing the group to blink in surprise. This kind of behavior was very unusual for Sarabi, who very rarely spoke badly of anyone let alone a child.

"Mother what's wrong with you?" Simba demanded. "This behavior is so unlike you."

"Yes Sarabi I must agree," Sarafina chimed in. "This behavior is very concerning."

"Well I don't need your concern," Sarabi said. "I just want to be left alone!" With that Sarabi let out a growl and stormed away from her stunned family and friend.

"I'll talk to her later," Sarafina said. "Right now she just needs some time to cool down." Simba nodded and walked away wordlessly.

TLKTLKTLK

Meanwhile Tama and Tojo were doing their best to comfort Nuka. "Honey please don't be so upset," Tama said, pulling Nuka close and nuzzling him.

"Why does Queen Sarabi hate me so much Mom?" Nuka whispered.

"Son I don't think Sarabi hates you per say," Tojo said. "I think she's just so angry at what Scar and Zira did to her that she's blind to everything else."

"And she takes it out on me because she can't take it out on them?" Nuka asked, still confused.

"In a way yes," Tojo said. "I know its confusing now but I promise you it'll be alright son."

"And just know we love you very much," Tama said, giving Nuka's cheek a lick.

"And Asha loves you," Tojo chimed in with a smile. "And Simba and Nala love you. You have a lot of lions that care about you Nuka."

"I know Dad," Nuka said with a sigh. "And I'm gonna prove to Queen Sarabi and anyone else that doubts my loyalty that I'm nothing like my parents."

"Honey you don't have to prove anything to anyone," Tama said.

"I know I don't have to Mom," Nuka said. "But I want to." Just then Nuka let out a yawn. "But not right now," he said. "I just wanna go home and sleep."

"And that's what we're going to do," Tama said. "We're going to find Asha and head home." With that Tama picked up Nuka and the family went to find Asha and head home to get some rest.

TLKLKTLK

A month past and things were going slightly better at Pride Rock. Simba and Nala had decided not to confront Kike and Sasha but they were keeping any eye on them so they wouldn't try anything else. Sarabi and Sarafina had had a long talk and Sarabi had agreed to treat Nuka better. Scar was healing slowly and now the deranged lion was able to stand on his own. The triplets were growing stronger too and they were now talking and walking around. "Dad can we please go exploring?" Kion was asking as he, Kopa and Kiara raced around Simba.

"I'm sorry Kion but the answer is no," Simba said, causing his children to groan in disappointment.

"But Daddy," Kiara groaned. "All the others cubs got to go exploring when they turned two months old. Why can't we?"

"Yeah Dad it isn't fair," Kopa chimed in. "We've been two months old for a week now."

"Kopa you and your siblings all know you're not like normal cubs," Simba said. "You were born early and have had numerous health problems. You three may be two months age wise but your bodies aren't. So until you three are stronger there will be no exploring. Understand?" Simba gave his children looks when he said this part.

"Yes Dad," the triplets said together, clearly unhappy with their father's decision.

"I know its hard," Simba said, pulling his children close and nuzzling them. "But its for the best. I've got to make my rounds. I love you guys."

"We love you too Daddy," Kiara said.

"Yeah have a good day," Kion chimed in with a smile. Simba smiled back at his golden coated son and without another word the golden King left for his rounds.

"What are you so happy about Kion?" Kiara asked once Simba was gone.

"Mom is out with the other lionesses right?" Kion asked.

"Yeah," Kopa said with a nod. "Why? What's going through your head Kion?"

"I've got an idea," Kion said. "We might not be able to explore the Pride Lands but that doesn't mean we can't explore around here. There's a whole lot of Pride Rock we haven't seen yet."

"Hey yeah that's a great idea!" Kiara exclaimed, her amber eyes lighting up.

"Yeah if we can get past them," Kopa said, nodding towards Sarafina, who was chatting with Sarabi off to the side.

"We can go now," Kion said. "They're not even looking." With that the triplets headed out of the cave to explore Pride Rock. Little did they know that what they would find would be life changing for all three of them.

A/N alrighty then folks ch 12 complete. I hope you all enjoyed it. And as always reviews are much appreciated.