They walked back in the direction of the Tree of Life. When they got there, Rani called out; "Grandmother!"

They walked into the cavern like area. "Rani? Is something wrong? Janna asked.

"You could say that." Rani glared at Kion. "Kion led an army of predators here!"

"An army of predators?" Makini gasped.

"I wouldn't call three an army," Kion said in defense.

Rani stood in front of the queen. "We never should have let him in."

"I am sorry. Your Majesty. I had no idea they were following us." Kion tried not to avoid her gaze.

"I doubt they will leave now that they have found the Tree of Life," Janna remarked.

"At least let me and the Lion Guard help with Makucha and-"

"NO!" Rani yelled. "I TOLD YOU! WE CAN HANDLE IT!"

Kion tried not to flinch.

"Rani," Janna scolded.

Rani looked up at her grandmother. "Sorry, Grandmother."

"Thank you for your offer, Kion," Janna thanked. "But Rani is correct. It is the Night Pride's duty to protect the Tree of Life," she told him.

Kion began to protest. "Yeah, but it's my fault that-"

"Kion," the queen stated firmly, getting his attention, "you must help yourself before you can help others. Now go. And let Nirmala guide you. After all, that is why you have come to the Tree of Life."

Kion was about to protest, then sighed. I can't give them a hard time with this. Or else they might refuse to heal me. Worse, they might refuse to heal Ono because of me. "Yes, Your Majesty," he agreed obediently.

He walked out of the Tree of Life. There, he found Nirmala waiting for him. "Let's go back to the River of Patience," she told him.

Kion was about to protest, but stopped himself. He sighed. "Okay."

They walked back to the River of Patience. That time, Kion didn't utter a word the whole time. When they got there, Kion sat down, waiting for a log.

Hours flew by. It was then sunset.

Kion sighed. I'm so bored!

He heard a voice echo in his ears. "This hyena-dung is pointless," it told him. "There's no way that waiting for a log is going to heal you."

He sighed. "Still no log." Pain itched at his scar. He pawed at it. "Nirmala, if you'd let me do it my way, I'd have the flower and be back by now."

"Let me guide you, Kion," Nirmala told him, "like Queen Janna said."

"Argh..." Kion groaned in pain. This stupid scar! Then, he finally saw a log floating past!

He could've leaped for joy. He dashed to the floating log. "Yes!"

"Patience Kion," Nirmala warned. "Oh, don't listen to her," Jua's voice rang in his ears. "She's just trying to slow you down."

He hopped onto the log but it rolled out from under him, sending him plunging into the cold water once more.

He began to panic again. Water filled his nostrils when he tried to catch his breath. Kion, you got out of this earlier, he told himself, just swim! His legs thrashed in the water as he tumbled. Suddenly he broke the surface of the water, coughing and sputtering.

He looked up at Nirmala who was smirking.

"Do it your way, " Jua told him. "All that Nirmala wants is to slow you down."

Kion hated to admit it, but deep down he knew that Jua was right.

"Forget it!" He yelled and glared at Nirmala. "This time I'm doing it my way!"

"If you must," Nirmala replied. She then hopped onto the log and floated across the river and got off next to the ridge.

He began to swim across the river, being pulled back by the current. "Woah. This current is stronger than it looked," he muttered. Suddenly he felt himself being dragged downward. Something had grabbed his leg! He tried not to panic and swam faster. Whenever it was that grabbed his leg broke off, and he eventually made it to the other side of the river. He looked up at the steep slope in front of him that led to the flower.

"This way, Kion! Follow me!" Nirmala told him as she made her way up the ridge.

Kion look at the slope. "Straight up the slope looks faster to me." He hopped up onto the rocks and began to climb the slope. "Almost there..." He grumbled while struggling to climb the steep slope.

"How's that going for you?" Nirmala asked in amusement from the top of the ridge.

Kion tried to pull himself up on a large rock. "It's going just..." He suddenly slipped. "Fine!"

He fell on the hard ground and groaned in pain. Anger and furiousity rised. Stupid Nirmala! Ugh! This isn't fair! She hopped down the rocks to join him, still smirking.

"Where's the flower? Why didn't you get it while you were up there?" Kion asked, not bothering to hide his annoyance.

"This is your task, Kion." Oh really? Fine! "It's almost night. You should get some sleep while I go on patrol." She then smiled. "Tomorrow is a very important day."

"Yeah? What's gonna happen tomorrow?" Kion asked, exitement rising inside him for the first time in what seemed like ages.

"Tomorrow you're going to try again," Nirmala told him.

Ugh! Really?!

**

Sunset fell upon the Tree of Life kingdom. Fuli sighed as she and the Lion Guard laid in the sleeping spot that she and the rest of the Guard picked out. Well, most of them. Kion was still at the River of Patience, trying to complete a task or something. A huge wave of tiredness swept over Fuli. She hadn't slept in two days! She laid her head down to sleep, but suddenly heard annoyed groaning.

She looked up and saw Kion stalking past them, tail lashing. He turned to glare at them, then walked a bit away from the group and laid down. He flexed his claws, tearing out grass.

He dug his claws into the earth, leaving marks on the dirt and shredding more grass. Fuli could tell he was upset.

Apparently the rest of the Guard noticed too, because they all walked over to him. Fuli followed.

"Hey Kion," she greeted him. He didn't even turn to acknowledge them.

Fuli sat down next to him. "What's eating you?"

"Nothing," Bunga replied for him. "He's at the top of the food chain."

Well that was unoriginal, Fuli thought.

Kion didn't laugh at the joke. He just sighed and looked at the ground. He huffed and laid his head down.

"Ugh," he muttered, "I hate this."

Fuli gulped. She had been around teenagers before that were currently in the 'I hate everything' mood.

"Hate.. what?" Fuli dared to ask.

"Everything," Kion growled. She was right. "This scar, this journey, this healing, J-" He cut himself off and flinched.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" Fuli asked, laying down next to Kion. He flexed his claws, still tearing up grass. Fuli could tell he needed to vent.

So he did; "Ugh! Ihatethishealingstuff! Allidoisfallintoastupidriver!" He growled and dug his claws into the earth. "Andireallydontgetthefactthatihavetogetaflowertogethealed!"

"Woah, woah, slow down there."

"Why?" Kion pouted. "Ugh, it's all so stupid! I have to get a flower on a cliff the get healed? It doesn't make sense. NOTHING MAKES SENSE!" He clawed harder at the ground, lashing his tail.

"I'm sure Nirmala knows what she's doing," Fuli tried to assure him. Kion stood up. Fuli did too.

Kion sighed exparatedly. "'Try again' 'Try again' That's all Nirmala ever says!" He pouted. "Ugh! But how is falling into a river supposed to heal me?"

"Sounds like fun to me!" Bunga said.

"I'm sure tomorrow will be better," Beshte reassured.

Fuli looked at him. "Kion, you can do anything you put your mind to."

"Yeah!" Bunga agreed. "You're Kion! Leader of the Lion Guard! You never give up!"

"Bunga's right," Beshte agreed.

"Yep."

"Indeed."

Kion sighed. He looked as if he wanted to say something, but kept quiet. "Okay. I'll try again tomorrow."

They then returned to their sleeping spot. After an hour or two Fuli noticed that Kion was still awake.

His eyes were wide. They were filled with fear. She could see a longing for safety. She inched closer to him. "Are you alright?"

Kion's eyes clouded and he shifted away. He turned his head away from her and didn't answer.

Something was wrong. Fuli had a gut feeling that there was something wrong the whole time. She had been pleading for Kion to open up to her, but he wouldn't. He'd always hide, lock his feelings away in a deep, dark cave.

I will find out what's wrong. He keeps shutting himself away... it's not healthy for him. I have to help, or who knows what could happen?

XXXX

Kion blinked open his eyes. Another day. He took a deep breath of fresh morning air. He felt the cool grass that still had morning dew on it.

"Yes, another day," echoed a voice. Jua.

Get out of my head! He silently told Jua.

"Oh, but why would I do that?" Jua asked.

Kion sighed. He decided he'd go to the River of Patience and complete the task of getting the flower that Nirmala assigned him.

He made his way to the River of Patience and waited. This is so unfair... he thought to himself.

He turned around at a sound behind him. "Kion?" It yawned. It was Nirmala.

Kion forced a smile. "I'm ready to try again."

"Excellent," she said. "And it looks like I got here just in time," she added as they saw a log floating past.

"Patience... Patience..." Kion muttered as he started intently at the log, his eyes fixed on it as if it was a piece of prey. Then, at the right moment, he jumped.

"Well done!" Nirmala praised. At least I did SOMETHING right.

But yet again, he rolled off the log and into the water. Ugh!

He glanced back at Nirmala for a moment, then reached back onto the log before it could float past. He climbed on it. "Try again..." He muttered. He stood on the log and floated towards the ridge.

"Good job, Kion! Now you're getting it!" Nirmala praised. Kion jumped off the log and onto the ridge, but suddenly an owl flew by. "Nirmala! Rani needs you! The predators are attacking again!" She called out.

Nirmala began to dash off, but was interrupted by Kion.

"I'll come with you! They followed me here. Let me help kick them out!" Kion shouted.

"You're the one in need of help, Kion. Remember? Stay focused and finish your task. No matter what!" Nirmala told him.

Kion sighed. "'Stay focused'... 'Finish the task,'" he muttered. But why...? Why can't I help? Kion questioned. If one of my teammates were in trouble, I shouldn't just stay here to get a little flower. Right?...

Kion started climbing the ridge anyway. Soon, he got to the top.

"Made it," he muttered. "Now where's that flower..." He looked around and a bright orange subject suddenly caught his eye. The flower!

He was about to pick the flower, but he suddenly heard screaming. He looked over the ridge and saw the Night Pride far away, battling Makucha, Chuluun, and Ora! And even worse, Baliyo wasn't fighting!

"Heyvi kabisa!" He gasped in alarm. "The Night Pride! And Baliyo's down!" He instinctively started to run in their direction, but stopped himself. He felt so powrless, and even more so when he told himself; I can't. He couldn't help them. He couldn't make his own choices, he wasn't capable of making his own choices until they said he could.

Kion mentally sighed in defeat without even talking to anyone. "Nirmala said to finish the task. No matter what..." He grabbed the flower. Then suddenly, Kion's eyes widened. He found a loophole! Nirmala DID say to bring it to her... And she's in the battle too! "But now I can help!" He told himself.

He rushed in the direction of the Night Pride. The wind buffeted his name as he ran. He pushed himself to go faster. Soon, there was only a wall of bushes between him and the Night Pride.

He gasped. Chuluun was going to attack the already wounded Baliyo.

Kion jumped out of the bushes and knocked the snow leopard aside.

"Kion!" Baliyo exclaimed in relief.

"Kion?" Makucha echoed, surprised.

"Kion?" Ora repeated.

"Use your Roar thingy! Send those guys flying!" Baliyo told Kion eagerly

"The Roar?" Ora echoed. "Forget it! I do not wanna get hit with that Roar again!" Or a scrambled away as fast as a Komodo dragon could.

"Some leader he turned out to be, " he heard Makucha mutter.

"Forget him. Forget attacking," Chuluun told the other leopard. "Kion came down that hill. So the Tree of Life must be on the other side." They both started to race off to the Tree of Life, leaving the Night Pride in the dust.

Ugh! Why did I have to come help?! Kion scolded himself. Now they know where the Tree of Life is! And all because of me! Ugh! Stupid, stupid me!

Rani's voice cut through his thoughts. "Surak, follow Ora. Make sure he doesn't double back."

Surak nodded. "Understood."

"Nirmala, get Baliyo somewhere safe." She looked at Kion. "Kion, you're with me. We have to stop them from getting over that ridge!"

"Okay."

As they dashed off, Kion heard Nirmala call out; "Kion! The path!"

Kion paused for a moment. He sighed. "Let Nirmala guide me..." He rushed up the path, panting. He pushed himself harder. Faster, Kion, he told himself. Faster...

"I hope I get there in time," he muttered to himself, panting. Suddenly, he arrived on top of the path. Sure enough, Makucha was there too.

"What? Kion!" Makucha gasped in surprise.

Surprise, Makucha!" Kion shouted before knocking Manucho down the other side of the path.

"Watch it!" ChuLuis shouted after Makucha almost crashed into her. She then laughed. "You missed!"

"I won't!" Came a voice. Rani suddenly appeared from the corner of the path and knocked Chuluun off too.

"Nice," Kion praised the young lioness.

"You too. Now let's make sure they keep going," Rani replied.

They raced after Makucha and Chuluun. They then heard a 'Oh no!' and got to the scene just in time to see the rest of Kion's Lion Guard staring at the fleeing Makucha and Chuluun. "Don't come back!" Bunga called out and smirked triumphantly.

"I guess we make a pretty good team after all," Rani said. She then turned to Nirmala. "How's Baliyo?"

"The venom will wear off eventually. He will be fine," Nirmala replied.

"You should be more careful, little brother." Rani nuzzled the blue eyed lion that was laying down.

"Not my style," Baliyo replied.

Kion looked at Amir all and remembered the task she had assigned him to do. "Nirmala? I did get the flower. But it got trampled in battle."

"You finished the task. Giving me the flower wasn't really the point." Normals smiled. "Though I would have liked to have a new flower to put behind my ear," she added in amusement.

"Does this mean Kion's all better?" Bunga asked eagerly.

"Does it?" Rani asked, a little too eager.

"I don't think so. There's more I have to do, isn't there?"

"Yes. You've taken the first step. But there's still a long way to go.

"Guess I just need patience." Though Kion still doubted that some of the things she said were completely true.

Nirmala nodded. Kion stared fearfully past her at a menacing gaze fixed on him. Kion narrowed his eyes.

Go away, Kion silently told Jua.

"Never..."

**
Fuli walked back to her and the rest of the Lion Guard's sleeping spot. The Guard was with her. Even Kion.

Fuli sighed. Gozi should be with them. Ever since he died, Fuli couldn't stop thinking about him. He had been like a little brother. He was family.

Guilt buried itself deep in Fuli's gut at the way she had treated him on the journey, when she thought Kion was dead. She neglected poor Gozi so much. And once... And once... She pinned him to the ground, digging her claws into his pelt in fury.

She glared at Kion who was following the rest of them on thoughtless paws. Fury built up inside her. It's your fault I was so mean to Gozi, Fuli mentally snarled. She then shook her head. No... it's not his fault. It was my own.

She then heard a thud. She turned around to see that Kion had tripped on some loose rocks and had fallen down a small hill.

The Guard turned to him. "Kion, you okay?" Fuli asked.

Kion's eyes were wide. He narrowed his eyes and growled. "Get away from me!" He snarled. He panted heavily, clutching his chest in his paws. He quietly wailed and began to thrash his hind legs.

Fuli rushed to him. "Kion," she soothed in the most comforting voice possible. "Calm down. Don't worry, we're all here. I'm here."

Kion's eyes were still wide with pain and fear. "My..." He sharply inhaled a breath and tears pricked his eyes. "Chest... hurting." He inhaled sharply again and squeezed his eyes shut. "A lot."

Fuli abruptly turned to Makini. "What's going on?!"

Makini dropped to her knees and put her ear to Kion's chest. "I don't know! I don't know!"

Fuli laid down next to Kion and stroked his chest with her forepaws in an attempt to soothe him. He inhaled sharply and more tears pricked his eyes. Fuli swiftly removed her paw, it must have hurt him.

Instead she pressed her cheek to Kion's. "Shhh," she murmured. "Calm down. It'll only get worse if you panic."

"Fuli's right," Makini agreed."

"Yeah," Ono agreed. "If you panic too much, do you even know what could-"

Fuli turned her head to face him. "Ono!" She hissed under her breath. "Not helping!"

She lowered her head once more and licked his forehead repeatedly in a soothing manner.

After what seemed like forever, the pain seemed to subside as Kion dared to breathe more often.

Fuli nuzzled him. "Kion-"

She was interrupted by Kion gagging. He turned his head away from her and continued to gag. Fuli and the Guard turned their heads away to avoid seeing what they knew was happening.

Once the gagging stopped, Fuli and the Guard looked at Kion once more, and they gasped in horror. The vomit wasn't normal vomit. It was blood.

"Kion!" They all gasped.

Makini was obviously trying to calm down. She appeared to be running the things Rafiki taught her in her head as she muttered things that related to healing.

"Should we get the Night Pride?" Beshte asked.

"No, they're not here. They're out patrolling outside the Pass making sure that Makucha, Chuluun, and Ora don't try to invade again, remember?" Fuli told him.

"Oh yeah," Bunga remembered.

Their attention snapped back to Kion when he moaned weakly. He looked up at them and managed a smile. "I'm okay," he tried to assure them, his voice breaking. "No need to worry."

Fuli looked at Beshte giving the 'he is definitely not okay' look. Without speaking, Fuli nodded at Beshte and lowered down to Kion. She gently grabbed his scruff in her teeth.

Kion quietly wailed. It's okay, it'll only be for a moment, she wanted to reassure him. She -though struggling- lifted Kion onto Beshte. Kion grunted and moaned in pain.

Once Kion was on Beshte, the hippo and the rest of the Guard started walking to their sleeping spot.

"Do you think Kion will be okay?" She asked Beshte.

"I don't know Fuli," Beshte replied. "I don't know."

"But... he's gotta survive this," Fuli protested. "He fought so hard... He had the courage, loyalty, and strength of the whole Pride Lands. He couldn't have fought for all of that just to give up now."

"What if..." Beshte's voice dropped to a whisper. "What if he doesn't have a choice...?"