A/N:Thishappens afterLK 2.

I.

A warm shade of pink cast a hazy light upon the Pridelands, orient stars still gleamed contently in the navy sky arching above the tiny, lone strip of approaching dawn and covering the fields in shadows.

Someone moved silently through the tall grass while taking extreme care not to step on anything.Even the slightest rustle of brush or a quick inhale would give away her position, she had to make certain that he was not aware of her coming.It was a very crucial moment.

As the figure of a male lion slipping atop a rock came into contact with the lioness's sight, she allowed a roguish smile to cross her lips as she neared.Upon nearly stepping on a twig she had to back off.

Then, seeing that he hadn't awoken,continued to advance on him in a low crouch.Her ears back and her tail swishing from side to side.

'Ready'...Kiara thought anxiously.'Set'..she got psyched.'Pounce!'

One giant leap and she landed on top of her fiance in a single bounce. Kovu gave a little grunt as he stirred from his sleep.Chuckling, Kiara placed her golden paws over his eyes and stuck her nose in one ear.

"Guess who?"

"I don't know...Vitani?"He stifled a small laugh.With that, he rolled out from under her and leisurely landed a few feet from the point of rock he had been resting on.Kiara sent a pouting sort of frown Kovu's way.

"You aren't much fun this morning."

"It's early.Ha-"Kovu released a deep yawn."-hum.Real,real early."

"You're right."She noted and then tried another time from above him only to land with her muzzle down near his feet;he grinned lopsidedly.

"Kissing my feet,eh?Now that's pretty fun to me."

Kiara tilted her head up, an unamused look crossing her face.With not another word she left to go sit by herself off a ways.The sound of him moving tentatively toward her did nothing to make Kiara notice Kovu.

"I was only kidding."he told her."You're the one who thinks nothing of the concept of a good night sleep,let alone letting others get one also."

"Oh?"She said loftily.

" 'Oh'? "

"I know!"

She whirled around and flung herself on top of him.Kovu looked a bit off guard at first until she lowered down to peck him on black his nose.

"We're going to be together for a long time,right?"

His green eyes filled with softness as he reached up to nuzzle her on the cheek."And hereafter.I want you to know that right now,Kiara."

"I want you to know that as well."

The two of them rubbed against each other as the morning set forth.

II.

Simba walked out to see the grazing herds of animals below, antilope nibbling tender shoots of grass from the rich African earth and birds descending from great heights to get a beak-full of water or a worm.

For what it was worth, everything had turned out for the better.Zira was no longer a problem, the prides had reunited and most of all the damage from the fire was growing back.And strangely enough there were plants beginning to sprout from the outlands, according to Zazu.

"Morning."He felt a gentle nuzzle on his neck."Did you sleep well?"

Simba smiled as he nestled her briefly back."Pretty well.I guess that I'm still in shock over just how well everything has turned out to be."

"I wouldn't question it."Nala advised casually, yet pratically."Things have a way of working out for the better usually.This is one of them."

"That's agreeable."

The two soverigns looked on to the horizon where a dark streak was still there even as a blaze of red washed over the deep blue sky.This intrigued Simba and he moved closer so he could get a better glimpse.

"Simba,watch the edge."she nearly grabbed his tail to keep the lion on the rock."I'm sure it's nothing but rain moving in.Although,very abrupt."

"None of the animals are acting differently."Simba continued on with her observation."And look at the birds, no one is taking to the air now."

"Incredible.The birds normally love to fly around and grab drops of the rain.That leaves them less likely to turn into prey when they fly down."

"Something isn't right,Nala."he said uneasily."We need to get inside."

"What...is it?"

What started out as a storm cloud only grew in size and was coming at them much,much quicker.There was almost a low hum about it,like the calm before the storm and the Prideland's animals were stun in silence as the black cloud blanketed the entire greenary in a sea of deep gray.

"Get inside!"Simba roared and then he remembered something.Kiara.

"Simba!"Nala screamed from the cave's entrance,but her voice was to be lost over the loud buzzing.With no alternative,he had to duck down.

Kiara...he thought shakily.My little girl.

Once the ear-piercing noise had died down,the lion king slowly lifted his paws to see what had become of his lands.To see the after effects.

To be continued...