Hello, I want to thank those who have reviewed. I really appreciate it. Here's the next chapter, enjoy!

Maisie had found Jashua and Sherise lounging in a private little area near the bottom of Pride Rock, away from the rest of the pride. The light beige lioness faltered for a moment, watching as Jashua groomed Sherise, unsure whether she should disturb them.

Jashua hadn't spent as much time with Sherise as he'd like, as he had to help his father more often, especially as Queen Eshe neared her time.

However, as she hesitated, Jashua happened to look up and notice her. "Oh, hey, Maisie! Did you need something?" He asked as he turned to face his friend.

Sherise opened an eye and grumbled, clearly unhappy at being disturbed.

Well. There was no going back now. Maisie frowned as she sat next to the couple. She shuffled her paws a bit as she asked, "H-has anyone t-told you what exactly happened to your mother in the battle?"

Jashua frowned as he stood. "No. I mean, I know she was hurt a lot by Chumvi and some his pride, but not anything more than that."

"W-well…" Maisie glanced down at the ground for a moment before blurting out as she looked up at her friend. "I have something to... to tell you. It's about Sherise's brother."

"What about him?"

Sherise finally lifted her head. "What did that brother of mine do now?" She grumbled as she stood beside Jashua.

Maisie felt her heart sink. Sherise didn't know. Oh, this was about to get a lot messier than he had wanted to deal with. She could handle Jashua's temper. He had no idea how Sherise would react. Maisie bit her lip and took a deep breath before she met Jashua's orange eyes.

No sense in delaying it any longer. "In…the battle, Simba was the one who attacked your mother early in the battle."

Silence fell, and the only sound that could be heard were Jashua's claws flexing into the hard rock until Sherise bit out, her purple eyes flashing, "He. Did. What?" She knew it was war; she knew someone would've been fighting the queen. But she also knew her brother. He would've been fighting to kill and now, knowing of Eshe's pregnancy…Her eyes widened as she looked at Jashua.

Jashua remained silent, attempting to process what he'd just heard about Sherise's brother. He finally growled, "He could have killed her…and the unborn cub." Fury continued to build up inside him, which he made known as his claws dug deeper into the ground. He met Maisie's grey eyes. "Where. Is. He?"

The light beige lioness winced as she could practically feel Jashua's fury growing. "H-he went out with Nala for a hunting lesson."

Concern mingled with Jashua's rage. The last thing he wanted to hear was that his sister was alone with…him. He felt a hint of foolishness as well. He'd been the one to introduce his sister to him. "I think I need to have a talk with him," he growled.

Maisie sighed. This was going to end well. Not.

~TLK~

A short while later, Jashua was pacing at the top of the steps. A flash of gold fur caught his eye, and he snarled as he saw the dark gold lion edge closer to Pride Rock alongside Nala. He charged down the steps and stood his ground as he awaited their arrival.

Maisie could only watch from afar. Nearby, Sherise was drowsing. As the light beige lioness watched Jashua, she once again wondered if she had done the right thing by telling Jashua. As her thoughts whirled around in her mind, Simba and Nala were getting closer to Pride Rock, both of them eager to get out of the heat.

They slowed as they saw Jashua, who looked furious.

Jashua lunged forward and tackled Simba to the ground, catching the dark gold lion completely off guard. Nala gasped. This was the last thing she'd expected from her brother.

Maisie watched from above, covering her face with her paw. This wasn't going to end well.

Sherise stirred, and her ears twitched as she heard the snarling of the two lions. She quickly opened her eyes and rose to her paws when she heard a loud roar. She darted down the steps, stopping when she saw Jashua had tackled her brother.

The two lions were snarling and tussling, and though Jashua had the advantage of catching Simba off guard, the former Outsider was still putting up a good fight.

Nala backed away, trying not to get caught by the flailing claws, and asked, "Jashua, what is going on?!"

Jashua barely managed to pin Simba before he looked at his sister, snarling. "He attacked Mom during the battle!"

Simba's orange eyes widened, and he silently groaned. So someone had finally told the prince. He wasn't sure how he was going to get out of this unscathed. He could already feel bruises starting to form.

Nala closed her eyes for a moment to take a deep breath before she met her brother's eyes. "I already knew. I was with Ahadi before Chumvi came to finish mother off," she admitted.

Jashua gave her a look of disbelief mixed with anger. "You knew?!"

Simba winced as Jashua's claws dug into him a bit more, but wisely remained silent.

Nala said nothing. Her brother rarely got angry, but when he did, it was best to let his anger run its course.

"Why didn't you tell me?!" He demanded.

Nala gave him an look as she glanced between him and Simba, whom he still had pinned. "This. This is why I didn't tell you," she said flatly. "Besides, it's not like you listen to me anyway," she muttered, looking away.

What use is being a princess if no one ever listens? Nala wondered with a hint of bitterness.

Sherise decided now was probably a good time to intervene. "Jashua, get off my brother." At his expression, she glared at him. "Look, I'm not too happy with him right now either, but he's still my brother. Let. Him. Up."

Simba was the only family she had left. She wasn't going to let Jashua shred him that easily.

Jashua growled, but reluctantly moved so Simba could stand.

Simba groaned, rolling over and getting to his paws. He shook himself and began lookinghimself over. A few cuts and bruises, but nothing too bad. He yelped when he felt a paw hit the back of his head. "Ow!"

"Why didn't you tell me?!" Sherise hissed at him. "I could've helped you tell Jashua, and you wouldn't be in this mess!"

"I know…I just…didn't want you to know about that, especially since you changed for the better."

Sherise scoffed. "I grew up with you. We've already seen the worst of each other," she said grimly. "Besides, it was war. Someone would've fought the queen before Chumvi could get to her."

Jashua winced.

The brownish lioness narrowed her purple eyes. "Don't tell me…"

"Chumvi…well…" Simba trailed off, eying Jashua warily.

Sherise sighed. "He would," she muttered, understanding what her twin hesitated to say aloud.

"Amor?"

Sherise bit her lip. "If I tell you, do you promise to not attack my brother again?"

Nala paled, suddenly understanding. She knew Chumvi had wanted to take her mother out himself. But that would've left her father. The light beige princess shuddered, wondering if she would've been Simba's next target if her brother and Sherise hadn't arrived in time.

Sherise glanced at her. "Figured it out, didn't you?"

Nala nodded before she glanced at Simba, who wasn't looking at any of them. "Chumvi told you to take out my mother." It wasn't a question.

Simba winced, but there wasn't any point in hiding it. "Not take out but weaken so she'll be less of a fight."

Sherise was quick to block Jashua from tackling him again, and it was only due to her training that she was able to hold him back. It still wasn't easy, though, given how furious he was.

"What about me?" Nala asked. Part of her was dreading the answer, but she needed to know.

"No offense, but Chumvi and Avana didn't see you as a threat. Your parents are formidable fighters, and your brother is the heir," Simba admitted as he glanced at his injuries. "And a pretty decent fighter himself," he added, muttering. He turned to face her. "He didn't care who took you out, and on the off chance you escaped, he didn't think you'd pose a problem."

Jashua snarled as Simba spoke about Chumvi's plans, although he was relieved that his sister might've had a chance if the worst had happened.

Nala fell silent, once again reminded that Simba had been trained to help Chumvi and his pride take down her family. She looked at him, her expression unreadable.

Simba felt his heart sink, afraid that whatever friendship he'd managed to form with the princess had been irreparably damaged. He supposed he deserved it, though.