AN: I don't have excuses for not updating anymore. It's just how I am. But, as a bonus, the prologue and chapters 1-4 have been more thoroughly edited and updated with some more details. Zenara has also been incorporated earlier. None of it is ultra important or changes the plot, it's just additional info if you want to go check it out. Anyways, here you go!

Candyluv99: Glad you loved it! We'll have to see how things go though.

Juster of Rivia: I've vaguely seen what the Lion Guard was doing with Scar and honestly wasn't a fan. Scar will not be present in this story unless I use a flashback where he is present.

Gage: I'm sorry to hear that, but I do appreciate the honesty and how you were polite about it. I'll admit that I wasn't sure with most of the dialogue between them as writing such things isn't a strong point of mine. I do hope to improve in the future though.

Rogue-Lion: thank you! And thanks for catching that, I think I fixed it but I don't remember now...

Hadur: done!

Nala awoke the next morning to see that Kion had never returned to the den. She frowned, uncertain of where her son had wandered off to. She decided that he couldn't have managed to get into too much trouble. He was smart and there weren't many threats around any more since the Outlanders joined the pride. Well, besides from the trouble Vitani and Zenara were causing.

When the thought of the two lionesses crossed her mind Nala sighed and scanned the den, her gaze falling on Zenara who was asleep off to the side of the den. Doa and Mahali lay on either side of her like sentinels, as if to make sure that no one, like Vitani, could sneak up on Zenara in the night and harm her. It was a nice thing for friends to do, Nala supposed, if a bit overdramatic.

Nala continued to look around the den and paused when she realized Nuru and Itanya were also both in the den. A quick glance over to her daughter proved that Kovu was still by Kiara's side. If the only three that would tolerate Vitani were in here… then who was with her?

The queen spun abruptly and slunk out of the den, careful to not disturb her pride while also moving swiftly. Once out of the den, she darted down the rocks that made the path to the other cave. She froze momentarily at Kion's scent and the worst crossed her mind. She wasn't ready to find him dead. She supposed it would prove Vitani guilty, but would the lioness really harm Kion? She sniffed again and relaxed slightly once she realized there was no scent of blood. Perhaps she was overreacting.

Nala padded slowly around the corner, her muscles tended and ready to pounce should she find the worst. She froze again, more in confusion than anything, when she found Kion sitting quietly in the center of the cave while Vitani slept off to the side. She could tell by her son's ruffled mane that he'd just woken up and had been in the process of smoothing it down.

Kion looked up at the scent of his mother and set down the paw he was using to smooth his mane. He spared Vitani a quick glance and the padded silently to the cave entrance to join his mother.

"Kion, what are you doing?" Nala hissed anxiously. She knew he could take care of himself, but that didn't stop her from being protective of who she still saw as her little cub.

"Nothing mom, just that dad said she needed to be watched at all times and everyone else was asleep so… I stayed here. To keep an eye on her." Kion explained, running his paw over his mane again.

"Why were you with her anyway?" Nala frowned, glancing in at the sleeping lioness.

"Because I thought she needed some company, and she wanted to go for a walk so I took her on a walk. Mom I think she's telling the truth. She told me some about her past, Zenara put this idea in her head when she was too young to question it. She didn't know better, but I think she does now. She's just upset that no one believes her and that the lioness most like a mother to her has betrayed her."

"How do you know that what she says is true? How do you know she's not just manipulating you because you're our son?"

"Because I've taken the time to actually talk to her, mother! You and dad would've done well to do the same."

"Kion, we're just trying to consider what's best for the pride!"

"But you aren't! At least, not fairly. I'm sorry, but it's not fair to separate Vitani and not Zenara. Zenara's practically already won! Dad chose her side when he did this, and the lionesses don't like to go against him, you know that. It doesn't matter to them that Kovu is, they still don't know him as well. And why should they care what a couple of young outlander lionesses think? The pride sided with Zenara when dad made this decision." Kion snapped, louder than he intended. He heard Vitani stir inside the cave and growled in frustration.

"I-" Nala started only to pause to truly consider her son's words. "You're right. I don't think Simba or I thought of it that way. But that-" Nala stopped when Vitani stalked up to them looking annoyed.

"Has her majesty decided to grace me with her presence?" Vitani growled irritatedly.

Nala sighed. "I've come to talk to you, yes. Kion, why don't you-"

"Go elsewhere. Sure mom. See you later, Vitani." Kion replied, glancing over his shoulder to smile at Vitani before leaving.

Vitani sighed and turned, padding back into the cave. She flopped down in the middle of it and looked up at Nala who has followed her in and sat down in front of her.

"What?" The young lioness asked.

"Kion believes we've treated you unfairly and that you're innocent."

"So? He's right, not that you or Simba seem to agree."

"Vitani, after what he just told me I do see that we dealt with this unfairly. There's not proof either way, but if we were going to separate you we should've separated Zenara as well. I will talk to Simba later today and we'll discuss what to do about that."

"Great. Anything else you want to tell me?" Vitani rolled her eyes before adding as an afterthought, "your highness."

"I just wanted to talk to you. Is something in particular wrong?"

"Would you like the short list or the long?"

"I meant besides this ordeal."

"Not much then. I just realize that I shouldn't trust anyone anymore. Zira was a horrible mother to me, and as a cub I saw Zenara as another mother like figure. Zira went insane, threatened to kill me too, and then died. Now Zenara's betrayed me and has been using me my entire life to manipulate my lionesses and now she's still influencing them, no thanks to you and Simba. Kovu is the only family I have left. And I suppose you, Simba, Kiara, and Kion are supposed to be my family in law or whatever but you don't seem that fond of me either. So what's the point?" Vitani ranted, only to drop her head onto her paws at the end. She looked strangely defeated.

"I'm sorry about your family. As for mine, Simba is concerned for the pride, as am I. Kiara is concerned for her cub. Kion… Kion seems a bit fond of you." Nala replied after a moment of silence.

"Why?"

"I don't know. Ask him if you want to know. But if he didn't like you, he wouldn't have spent the whole day with you yesterday and stayed here to keep an eye on you."

"Regardless, I don't see how this helps me. Look, Nala, if you and Simba decide you don't want me around anymore… then I'm fine with that. My only request is that I get to take Zenara down with me. I have to protect my lionesses, whether they believe me or not." Vitani growled, unsheathing her claws and running them over the stone floor.

"I can't officially grant that request."

"You and I both know you can."

"I'll take it into consideration." Nala promised, standing to leave. "And Vitani?"

"Yes?"

"For what it's worth, I think you may be innocent."

Vitani studied the lioness across from her silently. Nala seemed sincere. Not that meant anything in Vitani's experience recently. She blinked slowly, unsure whether or not to believe Nala. She supposed she'd have plenty of time to consider it that day. The older lioness smiled slightly, and after a moment Vitani smiled back.

"Thank you," She said softly, watching the queen leave.

Only a couple of minutes later, Nuru came bounding into the cave and hugged Vitani. The golden furred lioness was back to her usual cheerful self again.

"I'm sorry we got into an argument, Tani, I hope it's ok now. Kion told me he thought you were a little better," Nuru said quickly.

"It's fine, Nuru. Why were you talking to Kion?" Vitani hugged her friend back and then looked at her curiously.

"Oh. He just mentioned that he'd stayed here last night so that someone was watching you and suggested I come check on you after his mom left. So here I am! Zenara's being annoying again anyway."

Vitani started to reply only to roll her eyes at Zenara who was idly leaning against the entrance to the cave.

"Annoying, am I?" The gray furred lioness purred, padding into the cave.

"Yes. Now go away." Vitani growled, standing with her claws unsheathed.

"And why should I?"

"Because if you don't, I'll rip your throat out." Vitani replied matter of factly, her tail lashing from side to side.

"I just wanted to say you reached a low even I thought you'd never reach. Trying to trick Kion into believing you to get to the king? Wow. I suppose you did learn a few things from me." Zenara smiled, prowling along the edge of the cave.

"I'm not! Now get out, before I make you!" Vitani snapped, her eyes wide with rage. She ain't been that angry until Zenara said she was manipulating Kion. She was telling the truth to him! Why couldn't they just leave her alone?

"As you wish…" Zenara bowed mockingly and stalked out of the cave again.

Vitani tensed to go after her former mentor, but Nuru blocked her path with pleading eyes. Vitani growled but reluctantly sheathed her claws and sat back down. Nuru sat down beside her and nuzzled her friend.

"I can't just change it now," Simba sighed. Nala had just explained what Kion had learned and believed.

"Of course you can! You're the king, Simba, you can do what you want," Nala replied.

"If I separate Zenara now, those who side with her will be angry and may go after Vitani. If I let Vitani back into the pride, the same lionesses may try to hurt her. She'd be excluded if nothing else."

"And how is that really any different than it is now? As it is, it isn't fair. You've chosen a side, intentional or not."

"What about Kiara? The safety of the cub?"

"If Zenara is at fault she's in danger now."

"I-" the king sighed and looked into the distance. He shook his head, ruffling his mane, and looked at Nala again. "Fine. I'll consider it."

"Thank you," Nala smiled. "We'll figure all of this out. I know it."

AN: I know this chapter is still a bit short, sorry. I'm trying to find a good balance. Anyways, I have an additional thing. I have not decided any of the information on Kiara and Kovu's cub(s?), so if you would like to leave name (with gender) or appearance suggestions either as part of your review or as a PM I might decide to use what you give me! As always, reviews make my day and I'd appreciate any constructive criticism! Thanks for reading!