Zuka Zama Part II: The Scourge of Kopa | The Lion Guard

48. Injured

Simba and Nala broke away from their embrace with Kopa and turned back towards their other cubs. Kiara was a still thinking about Kovu, he told her that he would back but it still worried her. Even though she knew the war was over and they were his family, Vitani and Nuka still didn't have her complete trust.

"You're worried about Kovu?", Kion asked Kiara, who jumped a bit in surprise.

"Yes. I know that he'll be fine but I can't help but worry", Kiara admitted. Kion nodded in understanding.

Simba, Nala and Kopa returned to them soon after the conversation was over. Simba and Nala both carried bright smiles while Kopa smiled as well, but it was an awkward kind. Affection, especially from his reunited parents, was something he certainly had to get used to.

"Even after something as grim as a war there is still a light of hope", Simba smiled warmly towards the foreign lion.

"Yes, it's seems that our family will be truly reunited today", Nala nodded. "Nearly all the Outland lions were once a part of this Pride. There were family members they certainly had to leave behind."

"So it's just not us who will be reconnecting", Kiara said in a bit of awe. The very same reunion they were having was probably happening with other lion's right now. "We're all related, all family."

"Family.....", Bunga repeated to himself. That word buzzed in his head, but gave him a sense of urgency. He had no idea why but the more he dwelled on the word the more panicked he felt. But why? Kion's family was just fine; Simba, Nala, Kiara, and even Kopa. Bunga thought more about it and came to think of his own family his uncles. And that's when it clicked in his mind.

"Uncle Timon!!", Bunga yelped in panic, losing his balance and falling off Kion.

"Bunga! Are you alright?", Kiara asked the honey badger.

"No, it's Uncle Timon. I.... He got really hurt and I don't know if he's okay!", Bunga said in voice pitched with worry. It was rare for the badger to be acting in this way and that only made everyone else worry as well. Bunga wouldn't be in this state if his injuries were something minor.

"Do you know where he is?", Simba asked urgently. Just like Bunga he was raised by the meerkat and warthog. The very idea of one of them being in critical condition had all his senses at a pitch.

"Pumbaa took him and searched for Rafiki. They should be there. I'm not exactly sure, I went off alone to help Kion", Bunga explained best he could.

"Come on, it'll take you to him", Kion said firmly. Bunga nodded and climbed back in his mate's back. In this moment he was truly grateful that he had someone like Kion that could lift him up the way he would do for the lion. Kion took off for Rafiki's hollow with Simba following close behind.

"You aren't going to go?", Nala asked her daughter. Kiara shook her head.

"I have to wait for Kovu. I need to know he came back alright", Kiara said firmly.

Nala did not oppose, knowing very well the feelings her daughter has for her mate. Nala herself saw that it was her duty as queen to return to the battlefield and make sure all was well. It would not take much for another conflict to rise and she was going to be there to stop in an instant.

"Kopa, I will need your help to make sure there is no more fighting", Nala called to him. 

"I'll help anyway I can...mother", Kopa nodded to his mother, who smiled at his words. Kiara watched as the two of them took off towards the open savanna. Kiara wondered that maybe it was best if she joined them, having nothing to do but wait for Kovu to return.