"SUFFER!"

Jua, Zira, and Scar's chants rang through his ears.

"FEEL PAIN!"

Claws raked down his side. It ripped his skin and poured blood. He screeched in agony. It felt like it was tearing him apart then and there. He writhed in agony and tried to get out.

He dashed around blindly. "PLEASE!" He screamed through tears of pain. "PLEASE STOP! PLEASE!"

"Never! Not until you do as I command!" Jua screamed. She raked his claws down his side. The pain seared through him and seemed to tear his body apart.

"Break Kion. Break." Jua looked down at him with a twisted smile.

"I won't. I'll never listen to you," Kion growled, wiping his tears.

"Too bad... I guess this means that Fuli might be in some... danger."

"No!" Kion shouted fearfully. She CAN'T hurt Fuli! "Leave her out of this!"

"Well," Jua mused, "I thought we had a deal when you said that you'd do what I want if I took you back to her."

"I know but... I can't kill them. I can't!"

"Very well... Get ready to feel even more pain. But not just in sleep this time..."

Pain writhed through him, seeming to cut him open. He struggled in her grip as immense pain seared through him. "AHHH!" He screeched in pain. Please! Stop! Please someone make this stop! He silently pleaded.

He screamed in agony, Jua's claws seeming to rip his skin open. "PLEASE STOP! PLEASE!"

**

"Kion!" Fuli shouted. "Kion! Wake up!"

Kion's head shot up. He painted heavily and his eyes were wild. His head swerved around, obviously either confused or scared.

"Kion, Kion, woah there. You okay?" Fuli asked. She knew something was wrong... but what?

"Yeah Fuli. I'm okay." He gave her a small smile. However, this barely put her worries to rest. He then got to his paws and shook his mane. "Gotta go to Nirmala for another healing session," he said almost too quickly. "See ya later." He quickly turned and bounded towards the Tree of Life.

Fuli sighed. It was like he wanted to get away from her. Like he was... afraid of something.

Fuli sighed. He wasn't here now so there was nothing she could do about it then. She decided to go find her friends. Hanging out with them would be a good way to pass the time.

XXXX

Kion arrived at the Tree of Life. There was Nirmala. 

"Hello Kion," she greeted him. "Seems you are ready for another session of healing?"

"Yes Nirmala," he replied, dipping his head slightly in respect for the healer.

"Okay then- And no need for that," she told him, obviously referring to him dipping his head. "Now come on, let's go."

XX

"So... what are we supposed to use this for?" Kion asked Nirmala, looking at the mud puddles in front of them.

"Simple," Nirmala told him simply. She gingerly dipped her paw into the mud. She grabbed some and gently applied some to Kion's face, near his scar. Kion was partly shocked. "This will help treat the venom and make it less painful," Nirmala explained.

"Okay," Kion sighed. He grabbed some mud with his paw and started to put it on his face. Another boring thing to do...

"Boring, you're thinking?" Nirmala implied. Kion looked away. He would've said yes in another situation, but this was Nirmala, the animal who would heal his scar. Heal his suffering. If it was anyone he'd better treat highly, it's her.

"How about we spice things up?" Nirmala suggested, a smile tugging at her lips.

"What do you mean by that?" Kion asked curiously.

"I mean... THIS!" Nirmala swiftly splashed mud onto Kion.

Kion froze for a second, then he smiled one of the biggest smiles ever seen. "Oh it's on!" He quickly grabbed a huge lawful of mud and splashed it onto her. Nirmala jumped to try to avoid it - but she accidentally rolled into the mud puddles instead!

Kion burst into a fit of laughter.

"Oh you think that's funny?" Nirmala asked, her tone holding amusement and playfulness. She got to her paws and rushed towards Kion. She tackled him and pulled him into the mud, splashing him.

They then engaged in a mud fight, splashing and giggling.

After a little bit Nirmala could barely contain her laughter. "Heh heh... while that was fun, we should get down to business and actually use the mud the way it's supposed to be used."

"Yeah," Kion agreed. "Though that was fun."

"Heh, yeah. It was."

**

"Poa. Sure is nice to relax now that we're here at the Tree of Life," Beshte said relaxed. All of their friends -including Rani- were all relaxing at a small pond and for the most part not a worry amongst them. 

Fuli sighed in relaxation and stretched. "You gotta admit. You're right, Beshte." Though most of her was relaxed, a part of her was worried.

"Ooh, yeah!" Bunga agreed. "Nothing better than relaxing and munching on bugs." He shoved the grubs into his mouth, crunching loudly,

"Ugh. Yeah. Nothing better," Fuli said sarcastically as she tried to avoid seeing Bunga chewing.

"I'm glad you guys get to relax," came a voice from their side.

Fuli looked to her side. It was Nirmala and Kion. And Kion was.. wearing a mud mask? "Uh, Kion? You okay?" Fuli asked, confusion audible in her voice.

Nirmala chuckled in amusement. "He's fine," the healer explained. "The mud is helping to treat the venom in his scar."

Kion looked at Nirmala uneasily. Fuli guessed he was uncomfortable with a bunch of mud on his face. "Can I-"

"Yes," Nirmala chuckled, cutting him off. "You can wash it off now."

Kion sighed with relief and rushed over to the pond. He dunked his face into the water and used his paw to scrub the mud off of him. "That's better," he sighed while getting out of the water and walking back over to the others.

"So how's the healing going?" Beshte asked.

"Kion is making progress," Nirmala informed them. Fuli sighed with relief. "But we still have a long way to go."

"Right," Kion repeated. His ears folded flat with obvious disappointment. "A long way to go.."

Nirmala turned to Ono. "Speaking of healing, Ono, it is time for your healing to begin."

Ono hopped off of Beshte and flew in small circles. "Oh. Yes, yes, yes!"

"Your remedy is ready. Queen Janna and Makini are waiting for you. Shall we go to the Tree of Life?" The healer lioness asked.

"You...you mean right now?" The egret stuttered. "Of course. Let's go!" Nirmala walked off, Ono following.

"Good luck, Ono!" Beshte called after him eagerly.

"Yeah, good-" Bunga cut himself off when he saw another grub. "Ooh, water bugs! They're better than regular bugs 'cause they're a lot crunchier." He popped the grub into his mouth and chewed it loudly.

"Ugh! Bunga!" Fuli folded her ears flat in annoyance and kept herself from snarling. "Could you be any noisier when you eat?!"

"I can try," Bunga said, obviously not catching the sarcasm in her voice. "Like this?" He popped another bug into his mouth and chewed really loudly.

"I think Bunga's chewing is kinda quiet for a honey badger," Rani's brother Baliyo commented.

"You know other honey badgers?" Bunga asked with his food still in his mouth.

"Sure. My friend Binga. She lives just over there in the marshes," Baliyo replied.

Bunga swallowed. "Ooh, I've never met another honey badger! I gotta meet her!" He exclaimed.

"Okay. Let's go," Baliyo said, walking off.

"Zuka Zama!" Bunga exclaimed, following Baliyo.

"Huh. Another honey badger," Fuli sighed after they were out of ear-shot.

"Sounds nice," Beshte's commented.

"Sounds stinky," Anga remarked.

Kion laid down near Fuli, sighing. He rubbed his eye and laid his head down on his paws.

"Now you relax," Fuli suggested.

Kion cocked his head to the side.

Fuli chuckled. "Do you not know how to relax?" She then realized that was the wrong thing to say, as his ears flopped down and he looked at his paws, fidgeting.

"Oh..." Fuli sighed. 

"No, no, it's okay," Kion tried to reassure her. "It's fine."

XXX

 "Oh, I'm so excited. Come on everyone!" Makini squealed as they all walked towards the Tree of Life.

"I can't wait!" Fuli said.

"Yeah. It's what we came here for," Kion agreed.

"I just can't believe it," Bunga said in awe.

"Me neither Little B," Beshte agreed. "Finally. Ono's gonna get his eyesight back."

"No," Bunga said, flapping his arms, "I mean I just can't believe that Binga beat me at bug-eating. 

"You lost," Fuli said, annoyed. "Get over it."

"But I gotta come up with another honey badger challenge!" Bunga protested.

Anga managed a subtle eye roll. "Maybe you stink more than she does."

"Yes! That's it!" Bunga exclaimed. "Stink contest. Thanks Anga! Tell Ono I'll see him later. When he sees me!" Bunga then ran off in the direction of the Marshes where his new friend lived.

"He's going now?" Fuli asked in disbelief. He'd miss the healing of his friend for a GAME?! Ugh... typical Bunga...

They walked up to the Tree of Life. 

"Hello, Lion Guard," Nirmala was the first to greet them. Rani, Surak, and Baliyo were there too.

"Lion guard?" Echoed a strange animal, hiding behind Nirmala in fear.

"It's okay," Nirmala calmly reassured the strange animal. "They're our friends."

"Rani? You here for Ono's healing, too?" Kion asked in confusion.

"Actually, no. We have a new animal to introduce to Queen Janna," Rani explained. Come on, everyone." She started walking, leading the way into the Tree of Life.

They were soon inside the Tree. It's glowing green insides didn't cease to astound Fuli once more.

They soon saw the Queen of the Tree of Life, Janna. "Welcome, traveler," Janna greeted the strange animal. .I am Janna, Queen of the Tree of Life. What brings you here?"

"We rescued her from the villains lurking outside the pass," Rani explained to her grandmother.

"Why would they pick on a weak, old lady with a bad leg?" The strange animal whined.

You no longer need to worry about them," the calm and wise Janna reassured her. "You are safe at the Tree of Life. We welcome all animals who need healing." Janna gave her a welcoming smile. "Perhaps we can even help your leg," the elderly Queen added.

"I believe you may be our very first... uh..." Ranu trailed off then looked at the strange animal. "Sorry, but what kind of animal are you?"

"Oh." The animal looked almost.. startled by the question? "Oh, yes. I'm a..." She almost trailed off but didn't, "a ginterbong."

"I've never heard of a ginterbong," Ono remarked, leaves covering his eyes as Makini tended to them.

"We're very, very rare," the ginterbong told her. "You can call me Granny Ginterbong."

"Yes." Janna smiled approvingly. "And the Tree of Life is home to many rare animals."

"So I've heard!" Granny Ginterbong remarked. "Queen Janna, perhaps you can take me on a tour of your beautiful land?"

"Unfortunately, I no longer have the strength to leave the Tree." Janna frowned for a moment, but quickly smiled once more. "But I'm sure my granddaughter Rani would be happy to show you around. Once she and her Pride have rested from their patrol."

"So the Night Pride rests during the day? That makes perfect sense," Granny Ginterbong remarked. "I won't trouble you with the tour right now, dearie. Maybe just show me to a tree where I can rest, too?"

"Of course. Follow me Granny Ginterbong." Rani walked out of the Tree of Life, Granny Ginterbong following.

"Thank you again, Queen Janna," the ginterbong thanked her before leaving with Rani.

"It is my pleasure," Janna replied calmly. She then looked to Makini and Ono.

"Now, Ono. It is time," Janna said, "Makini, bring Ono here." Makini obeyed and gently grabbed Ono. She set him in front of the queen. The queen looked at Nirmala "Watch, Nirmala. Soon this will be your role." 

Nirmala nodded. 

Janna placed a paw on Ono's eyes. She closed her eyes. When she did, the Tree's roots glowed a beautiful bright red.

Fuli could barely refrain from gasping. Woah... 

 Janna took her paw off of Ono's eyes. "Ono, your eyesight will be better now. But it may not be as strong as it once was."

"Uh, okay," Ono replied unceartainly.

"Makini, please remove the leaves from his eyes," Janna said gently.

Makini did so.

Fuli held her breath. Please work... please work...

Relief swept over her when Ono gasped; "Oh, yes. Yes! I can see so much better now! Everyone. Everyone! I can see all of you!" He turned back around to face Janna "Thank you so much, Queen Janna." He bowed.

"Of course, Ono." The queen gave a friendly smile.

"Now I-" The egret cut himself off. "Wait a tick... I don't see Bunga."

"Bunga's with his new friend," Beshte explained. "Wanna go tell him the good news?"

"Yes!" Ono agreed. "Now that I can see again, I can find him." He declared. "Let's go!" Ono flew quickly out of the Tree, laughing and cheering. "I can see!"

Nirmala looked at Kion. "Kion, are you ready to continue your healing?"

"Yes," Kion said. "Everyone? I gotta go. Ono, I'll see you later."

"And I'll see you, too!" Ono laughed.

XXXX

"Rani's right, Ono. Even if you're not the keenest of sight, you are the keenest of insight. And you'll always be part of the Lion Guard, no matter what," Kion declared.

"Yeah... but I still wish my eyesight is what it once was," Ono sighed sadly. Kion pitied the poor egret. He had sacrificed his own eyesight to save their friend. He doesn't deserve this.

"Like Kion said; you'll always be a part of the Lion Guard. No matter what," Fuli told him, her voice strong.

A lot had happened that day. 'Granny Ginterbong' turned out to be Mama Binturong and had fooled everyone. She was actually working with Makucha, Ora, and Chuluun to spy on the Tree of Life. This whole incident further pushed Kion to the fact that little could be trusted.. and many couldn't be trusted.

"It's getting late," Nirmala remarked. "You should all be going to sleep."

"Yeah," Bunga agreed. "I'm beat!" He climbed up onto Beshte and flopped down on top of him.

"Well maybe you shouldn't have done so many 'honey badger challenges' with Binga," Fuli remarked, annoyance showing through in her voice.

"Maybe... heh." Bunga scratched the back of his head nervously.

"Okay guys, let's go back to our sleeping spots." Kion hoped his voice didn't show the fear in it. He knew what would happen when he went to sleep next.

He refrained from letting tears fall at the thought. No... no, he told himself. No, don't cry, it won't get you anywhere.

His paws started to make him walk. The others followed. His paws dragged him in the direction of their sleeping spots.

Kion sighed. I don't know how much longer I can cope...

XXXX

Kion broke down into tears. This wasn't fair. What did he ever do to deserve this? He let a tear slide down his cheek as Jua raked her claws through his fur.

Help me, he pleaded. Someone, anyone. He squeezed his eyes shut, praying for the nightmare to all be over.

His head swerved around and he quickly opened his eyes. Then he realized he was awake. He looked at Fuli who was laying beside him.

He pawed at his still-healing scar. He then shook his head. He squeezed his eyes shut and fought back more tears. He couldn't be like this. It wouldn't get him anywhere. He took a deep breath and sighed.

He inhaled. Fury built up inside him at everything that happened. He was worthless. Useless. Meaningless. He raised his paws and put them on his side. He unsheathed his claws. He raked them down his side.

I deserve this, he told himself, fighting the urge to stop and yelp in pain. If I deserve all that's happened, I deserve this.

He thought back to everything that had happened, him becoming leader of the Lion Guard, Scar returning, him getting his scar, Jua torturing him...

He regretted it. Being leader of the Lion Guard meant nothing to him anymore. And he also... deep down... had feelings for Fuli. But he knew his dad would never accept it...

The pressure was also put down more on him when he brought Scar back. The anger.. the disapproval of him in the Pride Landers' eyes...

Kion shut his eyes even tighter as he sunk his claws in deeper. One thought rang in his head; I deserve this.

**

Fuli ran across a meadow, laughing with joy. Kion was with her. They laughed and cheered in happiness.

"Betcha can't get the Baobab Ball!" Fuli taunted as she picked up speed. The green fruit dangled from her mouth and she could feel herself losing grip on it.

"I bet I can!" Kion picked up speed. He soon reached within pouncing distance.

Kion took the opportunity. He pounced, knocking the Baobab Ball out of Fuli's grip while pinning her to the ground. "Ha! Gotcha!"

"That's what you think!" Fuli quickly threw him off and scrambled after the Baobab Ball.

Their giggles and laughs could be heard for miles as they chased after each other. Soon, Kion tackled her. They both engaged in a playful wrestling match, laughing and giggling.

Suddenly, Kion let out a cry of what sounded like pain. "Ah!"

**

Fuli blinked open her eyes. She yawned. That was a good dream - except for the very end, she thought. Suddenly, she heard another cry of pain, similar to the one she heard in her dream.

She turned around and saw Kion near her, his back turned.

"Kion?" Fuli said softly. "Hello?"

Kion flinched and turned to face her. She gasped and her ears fell back in shock - there were so many cuts on his body, all bleeding out onto the ground.

"Kion," Fuli could barely whisper. "Who did this to you?" Fury built up inside her. Whoever it was, they would be torn to shreds by the time she would be done with them. Her eyes found their way downward and she gasped. His paws were covered with blood and his claws were unsheathed. Blood trickled down them onto the ground, staining it red.

Fuli flattened her ears and gasped. She was absolutely speechless.

After what seemed like an eternity of silence, Fuli finally managed to speak. "Kion," she finally uttered in disbelief.

"Leave me alone," he growled. "You have no idea what I'm going through."

"Kion..." She walked closer to him. "Why are you doing this?" Her ears flattened. "Why are you... hurting yourself?"

Kion didn't answer. He continued sobbing and sniffling.

Fuli sat beside him, avoiding the blood that dripped from his pelt. "Kion... let's get Nirmala."

"What's the point?" Kion asked blankly. "Not like it matters."

"It does!" Fuli protested sharply.

Kion sliced a claw down his other shoulder. Fuli gasped in shock. "No it doesn't," the lion growled.

Fuli placed her paw on his shoulder. "Talk to me. You can tell me anything." She gazed at him worriedly. If he's hurting himself... who knows what else he might do...

"Talk to me, Kion. I'm your best friend," she told him. Maybe more, she added silently. "You can tell me anything."

"No!" Kion cried. "I can't!"

"Why?" Fuli asked, hurt. "I told you I'd always be here for you, yet you always push me away." Yes, that was a guilt trip. But it had good intentions. Maybe it would get him to say what was wrong.

"No! Never! I can't tell you!" Kion shouted.

"Why?!" 

"I just can't! I want you safe!" Kion shouted back, more tears building up.

"Safe from what?!" Fuli half asked half yelled in confusion.

"I can't say!" Kion's voice broke.

"WHY?!"

"I want to protect you!"

"I don't need protecting! I want to help!"

"YOU CAN'T!" Tears were then pouring down Kion's face. He cried heavily and buried his face into his paws, screaming. The quivering of his once strong but now frail body was more than enough to show fear.

He shakily got to his paws. "I-I'm gonna go see Nirmala for another healing session." His voice quivered and his eyes were wild.

Fuli swiftly stepped in front of him. This had been going on way too long. I can't let this go on. This is where I draw the line. "No you're not," she told him firmly. "You're going to tell me what's wrong. Now."

"N-no," he said, voice shaking. 

"That's not a request. It's an order," Fuli told him firmly. She was going to find out what was wrong if it was the last thing she did.

"N-n-n-no." Kion's voice shook more as he backed up.

Fuli walked closer to him. "Tell me. I can help. I promise." She gazed at him. She sighed. Sometimes she would have to be blunt to get the point across to another animal.

"Keeping it a secret won't help anything. Hurting yourself won't help anything," she told him sharply. She took a deep breath as she continued. "It'll only make you worse. Worse and worse until your demise."

Kion looked frightened. 

I don't want to scare you, she thought, but sometimes this has to be said.

"N-n-no I-I can't."

Fuli walked closer to him. "Please." 

Kion backed up. "F-Fuli I-I'm sorry!" He turned around to run but hit a rock just behind him. He turned back to face Fuli. His frail body quivered and shook with fear. He shakily lowered to the ground in a submissive stance, eyes wide with fear. "P-please don't h-hurt me!"

Fuli's jaw dropped in shock. Hurt him?! She was mind blown. She looked at Kion. He was still shaking with fear. Her face softened. She extended a paw towards him, caressing his cheek in a friendly and comforting way as he sniffled. Tears rolled down his cheeks dripping onto her paw. "Kion... I would never hurt you." 

He sniffled once as she continued; "Why would you think that?"

He looked up at her, eyes widening with what looked like fear. "I-I dunno... it's just that... no one cares what they do to others anymore..." He inhaled a shaky breath.

Fuli picked Kion's head up with her paw. "Kion, it's okay. I would never hurt you. You're my friend, now and always."

"H-how do you know...?" Kion trailed off, still breathing heavily from crying.

Hurt pierced deep into Fuli's heart. "I can't believe you'd think that," she said, her voice breaking.

Kion's ears flattened. He seemed to realize what he said. "I-I'm sorry. I take it back... I don't wanna hurt you..."

He then swiftly turned around and started running. He paused in his tracks for a moment and looked back. Fuli was still looking at him longingly for an answer.

He then started running again. He suddenly stopped in his tracks and inhaled sharply. He pressed a paw against one of his wounds. Fuli rushed over to him, concern written all over her.

"I'm taking you to Nirmala," she told him.