He loves her.

He knows that he loves her. That in itself is strange. 'Love' was not really around growing up. Just training, and destiny, and power. It's an interesting feeling. A warmth in the center of his chest, that grows when she smiles at him. It feels…good. Right. Like…it was meant to be there. But that couldn't be. He was an Outsider. Different. He couldn't feel that warmth for her. And even if he did, she wouldn't feel the same way. She couldn't. They were too different. The plan, he had to stick to the plan. Love…love wasn't in the plan. But still…

Kiara is beautiful.

She was the most beautiful cub he had seen when he was young, and she was just as beautiful grown up. She smiled a lot. Laughed too. Especially when they were doing something fun. Fun. It had been so long since that word had had any meaning. Ever since that day; when Zira first thought up her evil little plan. A plan to use Kiara, and him, to take the throne. He hadn't wanted to. Inside, he still didn't want to. But when your mother and trainer was Zira, you learned to keep your mouth shut and go along with her. When she talked about 'the Great King Scar' and the 'Cruelty of Simba', he almost believed her. How she spoke of those times…she made Scar's kingdom sound perfect. Maybe he should end it. The pride slept rather soundly, he could do it. He could…But Simba had taken him in, though he really had no other option, seeing as how Kovu had saved his daughter. He couldn't…but…Kiara. He couldn't just leave her.

Could he?

Maybe that would be better. Just vanish. No goodbyes, no explanations. Let his mother find a new pawn. Let it be Nuka; that should make him happy, though he couldn't see Nuka charming his way into the pride. Let the outsiders have someone else to put on a pedestal to lead them into paradise, only to turn it into a killing ground. Let Kiara…Let Kiara find someone else. Someone better. Someone without secrets to hide.

No.

No. He couldn't do that. She…she felt the same way about him, as he did for her. She probably felt that way before he fully realized that…he did to. He couldn't just leave. Not without an explanation. She deserved more than that. She had taught him how to have 'fun' again, after months of training and hunting and fighting. He had to tell her the truth. He had to…warn her! Zira wouldn't give up! The pride had to know the danger they were in, even now. Kiara had to know the circumstances that had brought him to saving her.

She…she would hate him if she knew. Could he really do that? Destroy all she may have had for him? Show her…what he really was…An Outsider.

Yes. It was worth it. Anything was worth keeping that warm feeling in his chest. If he lied…if he continued on this road, he would end Kiara, and everything she held close.

But…If he told the truth, she…his mother…she would be so angry…Simba…he would end him. Kiara…

Kiara…

He didn't know what to do. He didn't know what to think! He didn't know what was right! His family…His raising…He didn't know…He didn't…know…

No.

He did know something. Something important. Something that…makes his decision simple. Something that he knows no matter what anyone else could ever tell him.

He loves her.

~*~

A bit of love for EmoLion. ;) Nah, I like Kovu. Very…conflicted. I tried to get that in here. Hope I got at least a little. Enjoy! =^-^=