A/N: this is my first lion king fanfic, so cut me some slack! I'll try to make the chapters longer over time but for now you'll have to cope with this length.

Disclaimer: I do not own Kiara, Kovu, Nala, Simba, Zazu, Rafiki, or any Lion King character for that matter. I do own Kubwa, Yindi/Chanjo, Uzuri/Kiwa, Hadusa, Bavu, and Naji.

Chapter 1 - Time

Times had changed in the Pridelands. Simba and Nala had aged, their muzzles whitening. Simba was blind in one eye and Nala suffered from arthritis. Today, Kiara was giving birth, and Kovu anxiously waited outside the cave. Kiara turned to lick her large belly. It was almost time. For months she had to put up with Kovu pampering her, so she was looking forward to the birth. Maybe then Kovu would let her do want she wanted. When it was over, Kiara turned to see the cub. Kovu entered the cave. "Oh, Kiara!" he gasped softly, staring at his tiny son. He picked the cub up and put him in Kiara's paws. The cub sneezed. He had a reddish coat, with a flop of fur over his eyes, like Vitani. His eyes were like Kovu's, with a dark tail, hinting that his mane would be dark also. "The prince to be," said Kovu proudly. "Let's call him Kubwa," said Kiara, "It means prince."

A few weeks later, Simba stood on Pride Rock, gazing up at the stars.

"Dad..." He murmured.

Memories flooded through his mind. Mufasa's violent death at the paws of Scar, and then the death of Scar.

"It won't be long, Dad," murmured Simba, "until I see you again."

He turned and went into the cave, lying beside Nala.

Simba awoke the next morning feeling tired.

"Are you alright?" asked Nala.

"Yeah... I had a rough night," Simba's words were cut off by a coughing fit.

"Are you sure you're ok?"

Nala was afraid for Simba. The lion wasn't young anymore, and his cough was particularly bad today.

"I fine, I just..." cough, cough, "...need to rest a bit.'

Simba stood staring at the sky. Blood red sunset. It turned into Mufasa.

"Son," came his voice.

"Dad?"

"It is time, Simba."

Time for... no. Simba understood, but didn't want to believe it.

"No, not now!"

"It is time..."

"No!"

"Time..."

"Daddy? Wake up!"

It was Kiara's voice that jolted him awake. Simba was sweating, gasping in fear.

"Daddy? What's wrong?"

Simba got his breath back.

"Nothing, honey, just a..." cough "...bad dream."

Kiara nuzzled her father as he coughed badly.

"Is it... time?"

Simba knew he couldn't lie any longer. The end was not far off.

"I'm sorry, yes it...it is. Bring Nala and Kovu. Don't..." cough, cough. "...bring Kubwa."

Kiara dashed off, leaving Simba lying weakly alone. His body was frail, and another bout of coughing shook him. Nala was there by his side a moment later.

"Simba..."

No more was said. Nala pressed her head against Simba's face as tears streamed down her face.

"I'm sorry," said Simba softly.

"Don't be," soothed Nala through her tears, "The circle of life will never stop. Birth, life, and death are forever happening. It's just hard for those left behind."

Nala's words were true, and Simba relaxed. Of course, he couldn't help dying. Nobody lived forever. Soon Kovu and Kiara arrived.

"My king..."

Kovu bowed his head in respect for the dying king. Kiara fell beside her father and wept bitterly.

"Kiara..." Simba comforted, "It is ok. Even when I die I'll watch over you from the stars," cough, "...and I love you. Lead the pride well, Kovu, and raise Kubwa like a true king."

Kovu nodded, ashamed that tears were forming in his own eyes. He had to be strong for Kiara. Simba coughed violently, the pain coursing over him, and then gave the last word of a king.

"I love you...all of you."

And that was the end. Simba's body shuddered and then was still. His eyes closed and his chest ceased to rise again. He was gone. Kiara sobbed as though her heart would break as Nala's tears fell on Simba's still body.

As the news reached the rest of the pride, they all gathered to pay respect to Simba. As each lioness passed Kiara, they spoke words of kindness, but Kiara's ears neither twitched nor lifted. She couldn't hear them. Alone in her grief, Kiara barely saw the funeral procession out of the cave, carrying Simba's body away. It was too much for her to bear. Her shoulders shook as she sobbed once more. Night came, and Kovu approached her as she sat staring at the sky.

"Kiara?" he said hesitantly.

"Why today, Kovu?" whispered Kiara, "Why now, when we have a young cub to raise? I don't know what to do. I've never led a pride before."

Kovu nuzzled her and licked her tears away.

"Simba was a great leader, and you, his daughter, will be too."

Kiara heard the emotion in her mate's voice and knew he too was upset by it all.

"Come on, you need to get some rest," said Kovu, "It's late."

Reluctantly Kiara rose and followed Kovu into the cave, where she lay with Kubwa. The cub's green eyes were fearful.

"Mommy? What's happened?" he asked quietly, "Where's Grandpa?"

Kiara hushed him and pulled him close to her.

"Kubwa... Grandpa's gone now."

"Gone?"

"Yes, dear. He's gone to be with his father."

Kubwa's eyes were confused.

"But his father..."

Then it clicked.

"Grandpa's dead?"

There was a note of fear and confusion in his little voice, and Kiara felt the tears pricking her eyes.

"Yes."

"But I-"

Kiara quietened the cub.

"Enough, now, Kubwa. Go to sleep."

Kiara closed her eyes. Kubwa lay down but did not sleep. His little mind was in turmoil. He never got to say goodbye. In his immaturity he reasoned that going to see Simba one last time under the baobab tree wouldn't hurt. He got up without waking his parents and left the cave. In the dark Kubwa found it hard to see where he was going. At last he reached Simba's body.

"Grandpa?"

Kubwa laid his head on Simba's neck, burying his face in the mane.

"I just came to say goodbye."

Kubwa smelt the smell of death, mixing with the comforting scent of his grandfather, masking it. Suddenly he heard footsteps behind him.

"Kubwa."

It was Kovu.

"What are you doing?" asked Kovu.

"I-I just came to say goodbye to Grandpa."

Kovu smiled gently at the cub, whose eyes were filled with tears.

"Dad?"

"Yes, Kubwa?"

"Is it true that Grandpa will watch over us from the stars?"

"Yes."

Kubwa thought for a moment.

"Then he's not really there, under the tree, is he?"

"Well..."

Kubwa didn't give his father time to answer, before he spoke again.

"He's watching us, Dad."

There was an odd tone to Kubwa's voice, a faraway look in his green eyes. Kovu stared intently at his son. Kubwa sighed and looked at Kovu as a tear streaked down his face.

"Let's go home now."

A/N: Like it? In the next chapter - "King Kovu" - Kovu and Kiara become the new leaders of the Pridelands!