It was a sad time for the Pridelanders when a sickness has killed two of their oldest members. Sarabi and Sarafina would be remembered forever for their kindness and support through a crisis like Scar's reign so many moons ago. The pride still remembers how strong Sarabi and Sarafina were even under Scar's tyrannical rule after Mufasa's death. When things were finally starting to look up, the illness got to Kovu. He was experiencing the same symptoms Sarabi and Sarafina were. Rafiki confirmed that the symptoms were headache, fever, nausea, muscle aches, chills, a bad cough and overall fatigue. Kovu layed where he was feeling really weak and helpless. Simba asked Rafiki if there was a cure and he said there was only a cure in the jungle where Simba grew up with Timon and Pumbaa. Kiara decided that she would be the one to get the cure and make Kovu better again. Simba told her that he would go with her since he knew the way. Kiara agreed as they departed on their journey. The rest of the pride stayed at Pride Rock with Kovu. He hoped to be feeling better soon. Meanwhile, Kiara and Simba were walking around and talking.

"When are we going to get to the jungle?" Kiara asked.

"It'll take at least five days until we get there," Simba said.

"Oh," Kiara said.

They stopped talking and continued to walk in silence. Kiara wondered what was going on at Pride Rock at that very moment. The pride noticed that Kovu was unable to sleep and was thrashing about. Vitani had to restrain him before he hurt himself.

"Kovu, you need to rest," Nala said.

Kovu was struggling under Vitani's weight and was unable to settle down. Vitani looked up at Nala and hoped she was able to do something for Kovu.

"Where's Kiara?" Kovu asked as he started coughing hard.

"She and Simba went to the jungle to get a cure for the sickness you have, and I don't like the sound of that cough," Nala said.

"Me neither, I'm worried about you," Vitani said.

Kovu finally stopped thrashing about and layed still. Vitani got off of him and groomed herself. Nala layed next to Kovu and started talking to him. It was hard for Kovu to talk since he started coughing again. Each time a coughing fit started, they were getting much worse. His throat was starting to get sore from all of that coughing. Nala wondered if they were going to lose Kovu to this illness. It would take Simba and Kiara five days just to get to the jungle and it would be two weeks before they could get the cure back to Pride Rock. Meanwhile, Kiara asked Simba how much longer it will be before they get to the jungle.

"We've only been walking for five hours Kiara," Simba said.

"Oh damn, I wish we were there already so we could find the cure," Kiara said.

"Be patient Kiara, we'll get there eventually," Simba replied.

At Pride Rock, the pride noticed that with every waking hour, Kovu was slowly getting worse. Vitani layed a paw against Kovu's forehead and pulled it back wincing. She then decided to go to the waterhole and soak her burning paw in the cool water. Nala was really worried about Kovu since she loved him like a son even though she had Kopa and Kiara as her children. She also sees Vitani like a daughter considering how well they get along. When Vitani got back to Pride Rock, she asked Nala if Kovu was going to die.

"There might be a chance Kovu will die, but we don't know for sure exactly," Nala said.

"I'm glad to hear that but I can't help worrying about my favorite brother," Vitani said.

Kovu knew that Vitani was talking about him and he smiled at what she said then he started coughing again. He really wanted to stop coughing but it was no use. Vitani started crying and Nala pulled her into a hug. Vitani had her face buried in Nala's shoulder. Nala tried to console Vitani but it was impossible. Shani has been watching from the back of the cave and walked over to Nala.

"I wish there was something I could do," Shani said.

"Me too," Nala said to her sister-in-law.

"Vitani, I know how much you love Kovu, I'd feel the same way if Simba was really sick and he would feel the same if it was me who was really sick," Shani said.

Vitani lifted her head up and looked at Shani with tears in her eyes. Vitani wiped her tears and made a small smile. Shani smiled back and nuzzled her.

"I appreciate what you said to me, thank you Shani," Vitani said.

"Anytime," Shani said.

A few days later, Simba and Kiara finally reached the jungle. Rafiki mysteriously appeared before them.

"What are you doing here Rafiki?" Kiara asked.

"I came to help you to fine the cure to Kovu's illness," Rafiki said.

"We don't know if Kovu's alive at this point," Kiara said.

"Is he still alive?" Simba asked.

"Barely but still hanging on," Rafiki confessed sadly.

"Whats going on at Pride Rock right now?" Simba asked.

"Kovu is close to the point of being delirious," Rafiki said.

"Is he going to die?" Kiara asked.

"He will if we don't find the cure and give it to him within seven days," Rafiki said.

"Oh," Kiara said sadly.

"We'll find the cure, don't you worry Kiara," Rafiki said.

Meanwhile, the pride noticed that Kovu has lost a lot of weight. His bones were now visible when they weren't a week ago. They all really wanted Kovu to survive but they decided not to get their hopes up. His fever was still rising and it was worrying everyone. Nala had recently begun to feel sick and so has Shani. Luckily they only had a low fever and not a high one that Kovu has. Kopa went out for a walk and thought about how worried he was about Nala, Shani and especially about Kovu. It would be almost a week before Simba and Kiara to get to cure back to the Pridelands. In the jungle, Kiara came across a tree stump with a plant growing beside it. It was nothing like Kiara had ever seen before. Rafiki recognized it right away.

"Ah, this plant will cure any known illness, but we need to get the medicine from it and give it to Kovu within a week," Rafiki said.

"Now we can head back to the Pridelands," Kiara said.

It was a long journey back but at least a cure was found. At Pride Rock, Kopa got back from his walk and checked up on Nala and Shani.

"How are you two feeling?" Kopa asked.

"Tired," Nala said.

"How about Kovu?" Kopa asked.

"He's getting delirious," Shani said.

"Where is he?" Kopa asked.

"At the entrance of the cave," Nala said.

Kopa walked over to Kovu and saw Vitani laying down beside him. She looked at Kopa with her eyes tearing. He felt bad for his sister-in-law and nuzzled her.

"Oh Simba, you look younger now, and you came back," Kovu mumbled.

"I'm Kopa, Dad isn't back from the jungle yet," Kopa said.

A cough was heard and Kovu had trouble breathing.

"Yep, he is delirious," Kopa said to Vitani.

"When will Simba, Kiara and Rafiki return?" Vitani asked.

"Hopefully in a few days," Kopa said.

Vitani noticed that Kovu had a hard time staying awake. She kept nudging him to keep him awake. She really hoped that the cure would be given to the sick pride members on time. Vitani layed a paw on Kovu's forehead and pulled it away fast.

"I feel his fever is climbing higher," Vitani said.

"It feels like he's literally burning up," Kopa said.

"You didn't even feel his forehead so how would you know?" Vitani wondered.

"I don't have to when the heat from his body is warming up the cave," Kopa said.

In the jungle, Rafiki said it was best for him to take the cure from Kiara so he could get back to the Pridelands as fast as possible. Kiara agreed and handed the plant to Rafiki. Rafiki was gone within a few moments. Kiara sighed and told Simba about wanting Kovu to be alive and get better. When Rafiki reached Pride Rock, Vitani walked out of the cave to greet him in a hug.

"Its so good to see you Rafiki," Vitani said.

"Nice to see you too Vitani," Rafiki said.

"You have the cure and now you can give the medicine to Kovu, Nala and Shani," Vitani said.

"Nala and Shani are sick too?" Rafiki asked.

"Yes, but they're not delirious like Kovu is, he thought Kopa was Simba," Vitani said.

"Well, its been a rough few days but I can get the medicine ready in a few minutes," Rafiki said.

"Thank you so much Rafiki," Vitani said.

"The pleasure is all mine Vitani," Rafiki said.

After the medicine was made, Rafiki decided it was best to give it to Kovu first since he was close to death. Kovu looked at the mixture and drank from the gourd. He hated the taste of it and was told by Rafiki to go to sleep. Then, Rafiki gave some medicine to Nala and Shani, since they weren't as sick, Rafiki told them that they would be back on their feet in a few days. After taking their medicine, Nala and Shani went to sleep. Rafiki walked out of the cave and told Vitani that it will take Kovu two weeks before he is allowed to leave the cave.

"Kovu won't die?" Vitani asked.

"He is now having a better chance of living thanks to this lovely purple plant, I'll be off to my tree and make more medicine for Kovu to take in a few hours," Rafiki said.

A few days later, Kiara and Simba made it back to the Pridelands. Rafiki told them that Kovu was still very sick but would survive.

1 2

Next page