A/N A Special thanks to jtgil, Dinoman193, FairyofLight21, mimoo01, Salunatic, 22teamplayer, kate, Goatman, WTF123, Gojiraja, TRON0602, and thingsareweird for their reviews. Here's the next chapter of my story and as always see ch 1 for disclaimer. Enjoy.

Ch 21 Ending it All

"Mom!" Kopa and Kovu cried as they raced to where Nala and Zira had fallen over the cliff's edge. The two brothers looked over the edge and saw Nala hanging from the sides. "Mom!" Kovu cried out jumping down the side of the cliff using his claws to slow his fall. Once he was almost to where Nala was Kovu found a small ledge that he could sit on. He then leaned down and held his paw out, "Mom grab my paw!" Kovu cried.

Nala strained and reached out as far as she could but she couldn't reach Kovu's paw, "I can't!" she cried. "It's too far!"

Kovu leaned down as far as he could and reached for his mother again. Nala reached as far as she could but before she could grab Kovu's paw she lost her grip and began to slide farther down the cliff. But before she could get to far Kovu somehow managed to grab Nala's paw and with all of his strength he pulled her up to the ledge. Once she was close enough Nala climbed the rest of the way up the cliff, with Kovu right behind her. Once the mother and son reached the top Kopa ran over and embraced his mother, "Mom I'm so glad you're ok," Kopa said with relief.

"Me too," Kovu said panting for breath.

"Kovu you didn't have to save me," Nala said. "But thank you."

"I couldn't let you fall," Kovu said embracing his mother. "You're my mother. I had to save you." Just then Kiara came running up to Kovu along with Malikiah. "Oh Kovu that was so brave," the dusty orange lioness declared giving her boyfriend a nuzzle. "But what happened to Zira?"

"She fell into the river," Nala responded breathlessly. "She tried to grab the sides like I did but she couldn't hold on. And with those rapids I doubt she survived."

"Good," Kiara said after taking in the information. "I'm glad she's gone." Just then the group was joined by Kinta, Jayla, Vitani and Sarabi. Vitani ran over to Kopa and gave him a nuzzle saying, "Kopa thank goodness you're ok."

"Glad you're ok too 'Tani," Kopa said returning the nuzzle.

"Yeah I'm ok," Vitani said, rubbing her head. "But I'm gonna have a hell of a headache tomarrow. Hey Kovu how's your eye?"

"I had almost forgotten about that," Kovu declared wiping his eye with his paw. "It's still bleeding. I'll have to have it looked at."

"At home I hope," a voice said. Kovu turned and saw Simba walking towards them along with Nuka, Cusmo and Mheetu. "Dad!" Kovu cired out running over to his father and embracing him. "You're ok."

"Yeah just take it easy ok son," Simba said with a slight wince. "I'm a little soar."

"Dad I'm so sorry," Kovu said. "I'm ashamed of my behavior. Please forgive me."

"Son there's nothing to forgive," Simba said with a smile. "After all it was your mother and my actions that drove you to do such things to begin with."

"So Zira's really gone huh?" Mheetu said quietly.

"Yeah she is little brother," Kiara said giving her twin a nuzzle. "But don't worry we'll be ok. We've got each other."

"You got us too," Vitani piped up. The tan lioness looked at Nuka, who nodded then she continued, "Nuka and I still consider you guys to be our brother and sister."

"Yeah we'll stick together," Nuka said putting his paw around Mheetu and giving Kiara a nuzzle. "Always."

"Yeah I don't think we're gonna exactly be welcome here," Mheetu said, looking at Simba and Nala. "Not after what we did."

"You two were mislead," Sarabi said. "And I'm sure that my son and daughter-in-law will both agree that you've learned your lesson and should be welcome into our pride. Isn't that right Simba?" The former Queen looked at her son when she said this last part.

Simba looked at Nala who nodded then he said, "Of course you both are welcome."

"Thank you King Simba," Kiara said with a small smile.

"Yeah thanks a lot," Mheetu said. "But what about Windi and her mother? I don't want her to be left out. After all she is my girlfriend."

"Windi and Cala will both be welcome as well," Simba said. "As well as anyone else from Zira's pride. As long as they can accept me and Nala as their King and Queen." Just then Alzu came onto the scene along with Cami and Jani. "King Simba Zira's pride has surrendered," the golden brown lion said, blowing a strand of his brown mane out of his eyes.

"Yeah as soon as they heard that Zira was dead they just gave up," Cami declared with a smile. Then the sandy brown lioness noticed that Kinta was there. "Oh Kinta thank goodness you're ok," Cami cried giving her son a nuzzle.

"Yeah bro we were worried about you," Alzu said also giving his brother a nuzzle.

"Well as you can see I'm fine," Kinta declared.

"Malikiah what in the world are you doing here?" Cusmo asked giving her son a nuzzle. "You could have been killed."

"I though I could help," Malikiah said. "I'm sorry Mom."

"He was trying to protect me," Kinta declared.

"Yeah but he was the one who ended up protecting me," Malikiah declared smiling at Kinta.

"Really?" Cusmo said with surprise.

"It was the least I could do," Kinta said with a smile. Then the sandy brown lion turned towards Cusmo and said, "I owe you a huge apology Cusmo. I've been doing a lot of thinking these last few months and I am truly ashamed of my behavior. I also realize that what I felt for you wasn't love. It was lust. But now that I'm in love with Jayla I humbly ask for your forgiveness although I don't expect it. I just wanted to say my peace."

"Oh Kinta," Cusmo said with a sigh. "You really have changed haven't you?"

"Yeah being on your own will make you grow up real fast," Kinta declared.

"Tell me about it," Kovu muttered.

"And don't worry about Malikiah," Kinta said looking at the grey cub with a smile. "As far as he's concerned he's Nuka's son. Not mine."

Cusmo looked at Nuka, who looked at Kinta. Then the brown lion spoke, "I believe him Cus'. I really think he's sorry."

"Yeah me too," Cusmo said. "Ok Kinta I forgive you."

"Really?" Kinta said, shocked that Cusmo said this. "Thank you Cusmo. That really does mean a lot to me."

"But I don't think we can be friends," Cusmo said. "Not after everything that happened. It would be too ackward."

"I understand," Kinta said. "That's why I won't be coming back to Priderock. There's just to many males there anyways. Jayla and I will be just fine here on our own."

"What?!" Jani said shocked to hear that her daughter was leaving. "No. Jayla you can't just..."

"Mom I'll be fine," Jayla said giving her mother a nuzzle. "But Kinta and I will come back to have a mating ceremony. But don't worry we won't be leaving the Pridelands. And we'll visit often. I promise."

"Well ok," Jani said, giving Jayla a nuzzle. "I still don't like it. But you're almost two years old. I can't keep you forever."

"Thanks Mom," Jayla said.

"But would it be ok if I saw Malikiah sometimes?" Kinta asked.

"If that's ok with him," Cusmo said looking at her son.

"Sure it is," Malikiah said with a grin. "It'll be like having two Dads."

"Yeah," Nuka said with a laugh. "It sure would be." Then the brown lion let out a yawn and said, "Boy am I beat."

"I think that right now we all could use some rest," Simba declared. "We should all go back to Priderock and get some sleep. Then tomarrow we can have a mating ceremony for Jayla and Kinta."

"Uh Dad do you think we can make it a double?" Kovu said, looking at Kiara. "I'd like to make Kiara my mate tomarrow too. If that's ok with you Ki'."

"Of course it is!" Kiara said leaping for Kovu, tackling him to the ground and licking him. "But I just turned a year old. It'll be at least another year before we can have cubs."

"Oh that's fine by me," Kovu said. "Is it ok with you guys Mom and Dad?"

"Of course it is honey," Nala said giving Kovu a nuzzle.

"Yes I think that Kaira will make a fine mate for you," Simba said. "Not to mention a fine Queen."

"Queen?" Kovu said. "You mean..."

"That's right," Simba said with a smile. "I'm going to make you my heir. Kopa and I discussed it a while ago and he said that if you ever came back he'd be more than happy to let you be King."

"You sure you're ok with this bro?" Kovu said looking at Kopa.

"Sure I am," Kopa said. "Being King is too much responsibility. It's all your bro."

"Yeah besides I think Kiara will make a much better Queen than me anyways," Vitani chimed in.

"Well then it's settled," Simba declared. "Tomarrow there will be two mating ceremonies. One for Kinta and Jayla and one for Kovu and Kiara. Now shall we return home to get some sleep." With that the group headed off towards Priderock to get some much needed sleep.

A/N well there you are folks ch 21 complete. Ch 22 will be the last chapter. Hope you all enjoyed and as always please review