A/N A special thank you to SweetChinMusic115, Cinnamon for Ella, 22teamplayer, Robert Downey Jr94, Salunatic, jtgil, WTF123, kate, Dinoman193, thingsareweird, and TRON0602 for reviewing ch 12. Ch 13 coming at ya. Enjoy and as always see ch 1 for disclaimer. Also be sure to check out TRON0602's story "A Tale of Two Kings" it's a very good fic.

Ch 13 Dark Realizations

As Kovu entered the Pridelands he saw Simba heading in his direction. But to Kovu's surprise he saw Sarabi with the golden King. When Simba saw Kovu a smile came across his muzzle. "Kovu," Simba said approaching his son. "It's so good to see you. How are you?"

"I'm fine," Kovu said in an even tone. "I heard you were looking for me. Why is that?"

"I heard from Kopa what happened between you two ealier," Simba explained. "I just wanted to make sure you were alright. This past month has been very hard on me without you home. I'm just glad to see that you're doing ok."

"Well now you've seen me," Kovu said. "Now if you'll excuse me." With that Kovu turned and began to walk away. But Sarabi quickly spoke up, "Kovu dear we wanted to do more than just see you. We want to bring you home with us."

"Oh really?" Kovu said rasing an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

"Yes it is," Simba declared. "Kovu I never should have let you leave to begin with. That was my biggest mistake. You belong home at Priderock with your family."

"So I guess if I come back to Priderock then Nala won't be there," Kovu said. "I mean you can't really expect me to go back to living with her again can you?"

"Kovu your mother feels terrible about what she's done," Simba began.

"Oh please," Kovu said rolling his amber eyes. "I've heard that one before. She always says she feel terriable and that she's sorry but does that change anything? No it dosen't. She still goes back to treating me like crap. Well guess what Simba? I'm not going to be a sucker this time. I'm not buying it."

"Kovu..." Simba said shocked at hearing his son call him by his name.

"No I mean it!" Kovu growled. "I won't be Nala's little toy that she can bat around anytime she get angry. No sir. Never again."

"Kovu dear," Sarabi began gently. "I know how harshly your mother has treated you in the past but I truly believe she means it this time. Losing Sarafina has been a life changing lesson for Nala. It made her realize how precious time is especialy with you children. She realizes that she was very wrong for treating you the way she did. She wants you to come home."

"If she wants me to come home then why didn't she come tell me herself?" Kovu asked, his tone softer with Sarabi.

"She wanted to," Sarabi said. "But we felt that given your history with her it would be better if we went instead."

"Kovu come home," Simba pleaded. "Please we really miss you, son."

When Kovu heard Simba call him 'son' he felt a sudden urge to give in and go back. But the brown eleven month old quickly shook off those feeling and said instead, "If I go back does it mean I'll still be the heir?"

"Kovu I already made Kopa my offical heir," Simba said. "I can't just change that."

"I figured you'd say that," Kovu said. "I mean why would you choose me over your blood son? After all I am the son of Scar. Hell I even look just like him. Who would want me as their King anyway?"

"Kovu that's not..." Simba began.

"You know what just save it!" Kovu roared, causing both Simba and Sarabi to jump. Both the mother and son were shocked at the roar that came out of Kovu. Then they realized that he wasn't a child anymore, but a nearly full grown adult. But Kovu's anger towards them was an even bigger concern. "I'm out of here!" Kovu growled turning and walking away form Simba and Sarabi. "Kovu wait," Simba said, almost begging. "Please don't go son."

"I'm not your son!" Kovu roared. "I stopped being your son the day you choose Nala over me! Goodbye Simba. Take a good look because this is the last time you'll ever see me." With that Kovu turned and left leaving a shaken Simba behind.

"Come on honey let's go home," Sarabi said gently. "There's nothing more that can be done." With a sad nod Simba turned and began to walk bak to Priderock, dreading having to tell Kopa that his brother was never coming back.

TLKTLKTLK

Once Sarabi and Simba returned to Priderock they were met by Kopa and Nala, both of them looking anxious. "Simba what happened?" Nala asked. "Did you see Kovu? Where is he?"

"Yeah Kovu is coming home isn't he?" Kopa asked hopeful that Simba's answer would be yes.

"I'm sorry Kopa," Simba said with great sadness. "I tried to convince Kovu to come home but he's so full of anger now he just wouldn't listen."

"Then it's up to me," Nala declared, turning to walk out.

"Nala I don't think that's such a good idea," Simba said. "Given the state Kovu was in I think that if he saw you it would only make things worse. He might even attack you."

"Simba I have to at least try," Nala insisted. "Kovu's my son I have to try to do the right thing by him and if he attacks me in the process then so be it. I deserve it. Afterall it was my violent behavior that caused him to leave to begin with." With that Nala turned and walked down the side of Priderock. Simba silently watched his mate leave knowing it would be pointless to argue with her. He just hoped that Kovu wouldn't do anything drastic.

TLKTLKTLK

A little while later Nala was searching the Grasslands for any sign of her son. But the creamy Queen found no trace of the brown Prince. After searching for what seamed like hours Nala let out a sigh. "It's no use," she said to herself. "Kovu's gone. He probably won't be back. I may as well go home." With these thought Nala sadly turned and headed back to Priderock, not knowing that Kovu was hiding in the bushes and had seen Nala come and go. "I should just finish her off right here and now," he thought with a growl. "But that'll have to wait until I'm fully grown. But once I am I'm going to take great pleasure in thaking down Simba and Nala. And if Kopa stands in my way then he'll be destroyed as well. I hope that won't happen but I'll do whatever I have to in order to get my throne back." With these thought Kovu turned and walked back into the Outlands, revenge on his mind.

TLKTLKTLK

Another month past and it was time for Kovu's first birthday. "Hey Kovu," Kiara said bounding up to her friend along with Windi and Nuka. "Happy Birthday."

"Thanks Kiara," Kovu said with a smile. Then after a couple of seconds he said, "Hey isn't this the day when you and Mheetu turn six months old?"

"I'm surprised you remembered that," Kiara said with a grin.

"I'd never forget an important day like that," Kovu said giving Kiara a small nuzzle

"Meh it's not so important," Nuka said. "It's not like it's her real birthday or nothin'."

"Ah shut up Nuka," Kiara said sticking out her tounge at her brother.

"Watch it twirp," Nuka said swipping at Kiara but missing. Kiara burst out laughing when her borther let out a frustrated growl and tried yet again a swip his sister.

"Geeze why don't you grow up Nuka?" Windi said rolling her chocolate brown eyes.

"Ah who asked ya pipsqueak?" Nuka said with irritation.

"Hey don't take it out on Windi just because you're mad that Cusmo hasn't been around anymore," Kiara said with anger.

"I told ya I don't wanna talk about Cusmo," Nuka said between clenched teeth. "So drop it why don't ya?"

"Ah Kiara don't waste your breath on him," Windi said irritated. "He's been nothing but grumpy ever since Cusmo dumped him."

"I told ya to shut up about Cusmo didn't I?" Nuka said his voice a growl.

"Ok ok sheesh don't have a melt down," Windi said. "Geeze sorry I said anything."

"Anyways," Kovu said trying to lighten the mood. "Since it is my birthday and all why don't we do something fun for a change."

"'Cause Mother won't allow it," Nuka grumbled.

"Yeah she never lets us have any fun," Kiara said sitting down with a sigh.

"Well she's not here right now is she?" Kovu asked looking around for the tan lioness.

"Nah she and my Mom went with some of the other lionesses to try to hunt," Windi said. "Like that'll happen."

"Then let's go for a walk," Kovu said standing up and stretching shaking out his black mane in the process. "Maybe it'll help break the boredom." After agreeing the two lions and the two female cubs went for a walk, venturing into the Pridelands. However once they got ther they were surprised to find Vitani already there along with Kopa. When the golden Prince saw Kovu approaching his blue eyes lit up. "Kovu!" Kopa cried out running over to his brother. "I'm so glad to see you. I thought you were gone for good especially after the fight you and Dad had last time."

"Well Kopa it seams that I just can't get enough of the punishment," Kovu said, the sarcasim dripping.

"Huh?" Kopa asked, confused.

"Never mind," Kovu said shaking his head. "Now if you'll excuse me." With that Kovu turned and began to walk away form his brother.

"Hey Kovu wait!" Kopa cried out casuing his brother to stop and turn around. "I didn't forget what today is. Happy Birthday big brother."

"Yes well thank you Kopa," Kovu said with a slight smile. "I'm glad to see that at least one person in my family remembered."

"Mom and Dad remembered too," Kopa said. "I heard them talking this morning. They really miss you 'Vu. I do too and so does Grandma Sarabi."

"Kopa I really don't want to get into that argument again," Kovu said with irritation. "Nothing you can say will convince me to come back to Priderock.

"But..." Kopa began looking around. Then it dawned on the golden Prince that Kovu had Kiara, Nuka and Windi with him. "Hey home come you're hanging out with those guys?" Kopa pointed towards Kiara and Nuka when he said this last part.

"Because they're my friends," Kovu said simply.

"I don't understand," Kopa said wrinkling his brow in confusion.

"Oh come on get with the program will ya?" Windi said rolling her chocolate brown eyes. Then the grey brown cub contiuned. "Kovu here is our friend. He's been living with us in the Outlands for months now. Sheesh how dumb are ya anyways?"

"Kovu why would you do that?" Kopa asked his blue eyes wide "Are you on Zira's side now?"

"What do you think little brother?" Kovu asked with a sly smile.

"How could you do that?!" Kopa shouted anger flashing in his blue eyes. "How could you betray Dad like that?!"

"Simba betrayed me first," Kovu declared with a growl. "He choose Nala over me. That was the ultimate betrayal."

"But Kovu..." Kopa began.

"Oh will you wise up ya little runt," Nuka snapped impatiently. "Your old man isn't who you think he is."

"That's a lie!" Kopa shouted getting right in Nuka face despite being only eight months old. "My father is the greatest lion to ever live! Unlike yours who was nothing but a murderous lair! Not to mention a coward! He.." But before Kopa could continue Nuka's paw colided with his face sending the young Prince sailing to the ground, where he hit his head on a rock knocking him out cold.

"That'll teach ya to run your mouth ya little fur ball," Nuka spat out.

"Kopa!" Vitani cired out running over to her friend. "What did you do?!" Vitani's voice was full of rage and the ten month old cb advaced on her brother, her teeth bared.

"Hey he deserved it," Nuka declared. "Thinking he's better than us. Well I showed him whose the better one. Besides what do you care anyways 'Tani?"

"I do care!" Vitani shouted. "Kopa is my only friend!"

"He's a Pridelander," Nuka pointed out. "Just like Cusmo. It would never work out between you two."

"For your information stupid Cusmo has a very good reason for doing what she did," Vitani growled. "Kopa told me."

"Oh yeah?" Nuka asked. "And why's that?" Vitani opened he mouth to respond but before she could the group heard a loud roar. They looked and saw Simba and some of his lionesses heading towards them.

"Oh crap we better get out of here!" Kovu shouted. With that the ground high tailed it back to the Outlands before Simba could see them. Simba arrived at the scene and saw Kopa laying there unconsious. "Kopa!" the golden King cired out running over to his fallen son.

"How bad is he hurt?" Cami asked walking up beside Simba.

"Hopefully not to bad," Simba said gently picking Kopa up and placing him on his back. "We have to get him back to Priderock so Rafiki can check him out." With that the group headed back to Priderock hoping Kopa wasn't to seriously injured.

A/N All righty then folks ch 13 complete. What did you all think about it? Let me know in a review please.