Love Unites Us All

Confrontations

A/n: Before I go any further, I'd like to apologize in advance if there's a reduction of quality in terms of writing for this chapter. I'm currently going through some personal and emotional problems, and so I wrote this chapter as a way to let go of some of the stress. Again, I apologize in advance and would like to thank everybody who's supported me throughout my story.

"Hey, Kion! We're just about to get ready for night patrol and- oh..." Bunga cheerfully called out just as he and the other three members of the Guard entered the couple's den... until they all had a good glimpse of their leader, that is.

Seeing the fresh, bloodied scar across Kion's face and Fuli completely in tears as she faced her mate, the first thought that came to their mind was that they had just unfortunately stumbled upon the scene of a domestic altercation that took place between the young couple.

"Oops! Err... sorry, Kion. We uh... we didn't mean to interrupt things between you and Fuli," Bunga hastily said with a nervous laugh as he and the other three quickly turned around to leave.

Realizing their thoughts, Kion quickly jumped in front of them and blocked their way. "Wait, Bunga! It's not what you guys think, that's not what happened!" he blurted out defensively.

"Okay... so, what did happen then? How'd you get that scar, Kion?" Beshte inquired, raising a brow at his leader.

"I uh..." Kion began, staring uneasily towards the ground. Finally, he sighed, "Look, it's a very long story, and I'd rather tell you guys some other time. But right now, I need you guys to do me a favor. I know I promised I'll be joining you for patrol tonight, but something's happened just now, and I have to bring Fuli and Mwamba back to Pride Rock. Meanwhile, you three carry on with night patrol as usual. Only this time, I need you guys to focus more on the area near the Backlands' border. You catch any intruder coming into the Pridelands, you let me know. I'll be at Pride Rock. Understood?"

"You got it, Kion! Come on, guys, you heard him!" Bunga exclaimed, naturally willing to do anything his best friend tells him to do without asking questions, though Ono and Beshte were rather skeptical of their leader's unusual orders. Still, they were convinced that there had to be a good reason for him to give such orders, and so they both nodded and promptly followed behind after Bunga, who had already shot out of the den.

"Why didn't you just tell them what happened? They could've helped us!" Fuli silently hissed at Kion, after making sure the trio were well away from the den.

"They already are helping us. Didn't you hear the orders I gave them?" Kion sighed rather tiredly, as he walked past her and towards Mwamba, who, surprisingly, was still peacefully sleeping at his corner.

Fuli let out an annoyed grunt, not satisfied with her mate's response. "Kion, please. Can you just truthfully tell me... what the Hell is going on?!"

Kion paused for a few seconds but then merely shook his head before proceeding to pick the still-dozing Mwamba up by the scruff and walking over to gently place him on Fuli's back. "Look, honey... after everything that's happened just now... we have to go back to Pride Rock tonight. Okay? I'll explain everything you need to know along the way."

Fuli let out a sigh but reluctantly agreed with her mate. Together, they left their den and headed towards Pride Rock, with Mwamba deep in his slumber as he lay on his adoptive mother's back, while Kion explained to Fuli everything that happened to him that day, starting from when he fell into the giant sinkhole in Mukuni Woods to the part where Kopa angrily shooed him away from his home after he invited the out-casted Lion to come back into the Pridelands.

"Wow... I can't believe that jerk is somehow related to you," Fuli commented with a frown, as she and Kion carefully made their way up the stepping stones of Pride Rock that was dimly illuminated by the partially-obscured Moon.