The Guardian and The Warrior

by IxoxoheartoxoxNuka

Part 3 of my AU series. Thinking his family is dead, a prince makes his journey to the homeland of his mother. While at Pride rock Simba copes with the death of his family while continuing to rule his Kingdom. Unaware of the fate of two of his cubs thought to be dead. What fate awaits them under the guidance of the ghost of whom?

25. Chapter 24

Chapter 24

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The sun was mid-high in the sky, with the animals descending upon the watering hole for their early morning drink. Mist hovered inches upon the dew covered grass. Among the herds, the early morning risers began to wake their young to greet the day.

Tiny heads lifting groggily, then turning to shield their squinting eyes from the morning sun. The sky as the shadows of the night were chased away, was blue in colour, promising a fair day for those who lived among the Pride Lands.

And what a fair day it would be for the pride. Whom from the late night had woken to the sounds of one of their own in pain. A pain that was long and painstakingly awaited. For you see, this pain was all for something and that was to bring the newest member of the pride into the world.

The labour had lasted from when the moon was high in the midnight sky to when the sun began to peak over the horizon. The den at the back of Pride Rock was all but crowded with the lionesses that had roused to help the young awaiting first time mother.

The sun had barely peaked to wash the land with its warm glow when the loud squeal of a cub broke the silence that hung over the hushed crowd.

A young lioness wondered if it had been like this when she was born. Kiara did not know how she was born had gone. Only that they had been away from the pride when her mother had felt the need that they were in danger and wanted to protect them. But she still wondered if this was how she and her siblings had been greeted when they had come into the world?

Standing behind the crowd that was cooing and awing, Kiara was attempting to push her way through the masses. Apologizing to any whose paws or tails she stepped on. Princess she may be. Did not excuse her from the looks they gave her if she rudely stepped on any part of them in her hurry to get through the crowd to the new mother.

Her father had insisted that she stay in the royal den when the word had gotten out that the mother had gone into labour. Claiming Kiara to be too young to experience the pains of a lioness in labour and the miracle of birth. But also that she was so inexperienced she would probably end up getting into the way of those who were there to help with the delivery.

"Leave it to the older more experience lionesses, Kiara." He told her much to her chagrin.

The young princess barely slept the rest of the night. It was hard too, when you could hear the cries of your friend in labour and you wanted to help. But no, she had to stay in the den, because her father still treated her like a baby. It was an annoyance she wished she could live without.

Her grandmother assured her that her father did not mean to be over-protective, but with the way things had gone with their family. It was understandable. Well understandable to everyone BUT Kiara. It made her desperately wish more and more that her Mother was still around.

Yes, she had never met the lioness, and therefore knew nothing about her. Aside the stories she was told by her father and some of the others whom had known her within the time frame that Zuri had been Queen.

It was through those stories that Kiara pieced together that her mother would be more open and more strict to her father if she thought Simba was being too protective. Then again much to her disappointment she heard from Nala that her Father had indeed once been less lenient than he was now.

Why couldn't he have stayed that way?

Oh right. Her mother and siblings had to be killed, and he had to become so protective lest he loose her next.

All that was beside the point.

Being protective where she had to have someone watching over her or friends with her at all times. Was one thing. It was another to treat her like a cub when it came to wanting to help her friend out with the birth of her first cub. Something that Kiara thought she deserved to learn about. Wasn't she supposed to have cubs too one day?

Lately she had been hearing about how her father and King Jozi had been communicating about the idea of combining their prides through the acts of an arranged mating pair in the future. And the only way to truly cement such a thing would be through the union of two royals.

And Simba only had one remaining offspring left and Jozi the same unless his mate were to have another. But there were others aside from Jozi's son that were royal in the Eastern pride. There was Jozi's two brothers and their cubs.

The young lioness made a face at the very thought of it.

It was not that she did not love her friends. But that was it...ONLY as friends.

When she had brought it to the attention of her grandmother. Sarabi had given her a look of sympathy. Shaking her head, the older lioness had told her that some times what someone who was royalty had to do was make sacrifices and sadly sometimes that was the heart. As unfair as it might sound, it was the way things were at times.

If Kiara found someone that she truly loved, then Sarabi knew her son well enough that Simba would consider that for a mate for his daughter. After all he had gone through the same thing. Having been arranged to mate Nala one day. Only to find that he had fallen for another and would not give up that certain someone just for an arrangement his parents had made back when he was a cub and had no say.

However as a Princess, Kiara did have to consider an arrangement could be in her future.

Not that it was certain.

Simba did not seem like the one who wanted to push something like that upon his only living offspring. Claiming that his mate would have his tail if she could only hear what they had discussed.

The sounds of a squealing cub brought Kiara back to the present. Making her way to the forefront of the crowd. The young princess stopped and peered around the last lioness blocking her line of sight. Stopping when her eyes landed on a squirming caramel coloured cub that was nestled in the paws of its mother.

"He's beautiful my dear."

Kiara's ears perked and her eyes went to Sarafina who was peering over her daughters shoulder. A loving look on her face while she looked upon her first ever grandcub.

Nala, looking up from the cub in her paws, returned her mothers smile. Then the two rubbed their heads against one another in a show of love and in Nala's case thanks for her mothers kind words.

Two months prior Nala had gotten word from Rafiki that had surprised her. Having gone to the shaman when she had started feeling a bit under the weather. Only to have the quirky mandrill deliver upon her the news that she was expecting.

Nala had been so shocked at the news. That she could barely speak at first. The shaman only had patted her back, and then had climbed back up into his tree. The young lioness had kept the news to herself for three whole days. Not entirely sure how to approach the pride, her mother much less...Onani with the news.

However she found that she really had nothing to fear. The pride had been ecstatic at the news that she was expecting. Her mother had been over the moon. Though none as much as Onani when she had gone to see him. He was still staying with the Eastern Pride. Having decided to stick around the closer that he and Nala got.

One for developing feelings for her, two for the fact of the first reason for him sticking around, was the fear of Zira and if she should try something against the prides around them and possibly end up hurting Nala. And then when she came with the news that she was expecting. Then Onani knew there was no way anyone could drive him away now.

He wanted to be around for his cub.

Which he admitted, like it was for Nala, it was his first cub also.

And so for the last two months, they had been waiting patiently for the cubs arrival.

Now that it was here...no, now that HE was here. Nala could not stop looking upon her bundle of joy. Her son.

Not yet named.

Nala was waiting for Onani to arrive for them to pick out a name. They had been stuck on more than a few. Having discussed it a few times. However seeing that there had been no certain way for them to know what the sex of the cub would be. They had given up and decided to wait to see when the cub was born, to find out what it was and then decide from there.

Smiling at her son who squirmed in her boys. The boy was the exact colour of his fathers mane. The thought made her laugh to herself inwardly. It was cute, she thought.

With the boys eyes still sealed closed they were yet to know what the boys eye colour would be. Not that it really mattered to her. Nala was only relieved and happy that her son had turned out healthy.

"Where is Onani?" Nala lifted her head to look at her mother.

With a gentlemen smile, Sarafina laid her paw on her daughters head. Giving it a little stroke. "Simba sent Zazu to the Eastern pride with the news. I am fairly certain he will be here soon enough." The older lioness could not stop cooing at the sight of her grandson. It did her heart good to know she lived long enough to see her daughter have a little cub of her own.

There were moments where she feared that she never been a grandmother. And often envied Sarabi. Though tried not too given the circumstances of what had happened.

Now that she had a grandson. Sarafina was over the moon with pride for her family and warmth in her heart for the little life that her daughter had brought into the world. At first Sarafina had not known what to think of Onani as her daughters mate. Wondering if he would stick around or would he be like all the other rogues who would mate a lioness and move on.

Of course she knew this was the way with many. Having been heartbroken on the other hand by Nala's father when he had carried on his way shortly before her daughter had been born. What he had left her with, had made up for it all. Sarafina would not trade Nala for anything. That she was certain of. And now she would not trade anything for her grandson either.

Back on the matter of Onani, she was happy the lion had decided to stick around for her daughter and his cub. Believing the lion did care for her daughter. Which over all made her happy, and relieved that her daughter finally had someone.

Movement caught Nala's eye and she turned her head to witness Kiara peering around one of the lionesses watching them. Putting a smile on her face. Nala waved for the princess to come and join them. "No need to stay back there Kiara. Come and see...well he has no name at the moment." She chuckled along with the others present.

Taking a step out from the crowd. Kiara padded over softly to the new mother and cub. Trying her best not to spook the cub before realizing the cubs eyes were closed. Then remembered the things her grandmother and the other lionesses told her about cubs and how and what they were like when they were born. Having become curious about it when Nala had announced that she was expecting.

"He's so small."

Soft laughter behind her sounded.

"So were you at that age Princess." Binti smiled from where she sat among the crowd. She along with the other lionesses. Were happy to see another cub born into the pride. They did however wish there were more. And were sad to think that there would have been if it had not been for them catching onto Zira's plans too late.

Spotting the looks in the eyes of those around her. Kiara decided not to say anything. Knowing those looks all too well. They got them whenever their minds would wander to what the pride had lost. And Kiara really did not want anything ruining the birth of Nala's new cub. It was to be a happy day.

One she thought they all deserved.

"So what is his name going to be?" Kiara decided to strike up the question. This of course caught the others attention. They too wanted to know what the name of the new cub to the pride was going to be. It still came as a surprise when Nala announced that she had been expecting.

Not that they weren't happy. Surprised, but happy.

Chuckling, Nala looked down at her son. Smiling at him as he sniffed blindly in her paws. Looking upon him, she could not wait until he opened his eyes. Hoping she will be the first thing he saw. Well her and Onani. "I am just waiting..." No sooner had the words left her mouth did a large shadow appear in the entry way.

Those present took steps out of the way when Onani made strides to Nala and more importantly meet his son. When the Pride Lander's majordomo arrived with the news of his cubs arrival. Onani had come running. The bird hadn't told him what Nala had, a boy or a girl.

Neither really mattered. He was however in a hurry from his excitement to find out whether he had a son or a daughter. For months now he'd been nervous. Onani couldn't believe his own ears when Nala had first come to him with the news that she was expecting. Why was he nervous?

What sort of father would be be, for one.

After all he was a rogue. Onani did not know how to settle with a pride. He slowly been doing it over the months since he had met these two prides. On top of that, meeting Nala. Onani would be the first to admit that Nala really wasn't his first...well...fling. The word made him cringe when used in context toward her.

All others in the past had been exactly that. And at first that was what he thought Nala would be.

Only a fling.

That all changed when he found that Nala was unlike any of the other lionesses he had met in his life. Why was that? Onani wished he had an answer. The thing was...he had none.

Not a single answer.

There was just something there. All he knew was, that now that he had that in Nala. Onani was determined to keep it. This cub just made his decision more solid than it had previously been.

All that was the reason why he was nervous. He'd never had cubs before. Onani knew nothing about how to be a father. Something that Jozi, Simba and the other males within the area told him was the same when they became Fathers. None of them knew what it meant nor what it would take to be a Father. It was a learning process, he been told.

The same thing it would be for Nala.

Only difference was between him and Nala.

Was that Nala had helped out with the past, and now present royal cubs.

His heart pounded in his chest with each step closer he took to Nala. To his cub. His eyes picked out the small squirming sniffling bundle that was held securely in his mates paws. He grinned seeing the caramel colour of the cubs fur. Almost wanting to laugh that his cub was the colour of his very mane.

Stopping just short of Nala. Onani bent his head down to associate himself with his cubs scent, and for the cub to do the same with him. To allow the cub to know just whom their father was.

"What is it?" The cubs scent was too washed out from Nala's to tell him whether or not it was a boy or girl.

Lifting his eyes to look into Nala's. He watched the smile come over her face when she announced to him. "You have a son."

A son...

He had...a son.

A grin spread inch by inch on his muzzle.

A son.

"I have a son." He whispered. Reaching out to lay his paw on his sons head. Gently of course. Seeing as his paw engulfed his sons head. No need to squish his newborn cub and have Nala and no doubt the rest of the Pride Landers chew his head off and he had no intention of letting that happen.

The two parents watched their young son turn his head in the direction of the new voice and scent. A mew escaping the cub when his fathers paw landed atop his head. A tiny nose poked up against it. Taking in the scent.

Onani smiled like only a new Father could smile.

"Did you pick a name yet?" Eager to hear the name of his son. Onani pulled his paw back so that he could sit properly beside his mate and look upon the both of them.

He heard whispers from the others present and from what he could pick out. Not even they knew the cubs name. Made him wonder if Nala had come up with a name or not. Onani would admit that he was at a loss. Having never had to come up with a name for a cub in the past. Not that he knew Nala ever had too either.

Yes, they had talked it over a couple of times. Neither had come up with a name and had long since given up. Nala hoped it would just come to them when the time came.

"I thought I'd wait for you." Nala looked at him sheepishly.

Chuckling, he ran a paw over his mane brushing it back. Not that it really fell into his face much. He had that short of mane that many males he knew poked fun that it always looked like he had it slicked back for the ladies. He wasn't even immune from Nala poking fun at him for it when they first met.

That was perhaps what attracted him first to her. Aside from her beauty. That she wasn't afraid to stand up and poke fun in playful jest. Nala didn't take...well shit...that's what he liked about her the most when they first met and he got to know her personally.

The looks on both new parents faces earned laughs from those that were gathering. Kiara was now sitting along side her Father who had come in to see the new arrival after checking in on a few things in the Pride Lands. The King was thrilled for his childhood friend. And relieved all the same.

Simba wouldn't openly admit that, he held some guilt over the time he had seen Nala again. He had pondered a few times how he might feel for her, if Zuri was not in the picture. That question was answered for him after his mate died. Whether he and Nala were betrothed in the past or not. At the time he had last seen his friend...that was all he had ever seen her as.

A friend.

It was hard to see anyone that you did not grow up around for years, knew nothing about anymore, they had lived two completely different lives that had shaped them differently. Whereas he had grown up with Zuri. Knew her inside and out. And most importantly, he had CHOSEN her, rather than have her chosen FOR him.

It was one of the reasons why he was borderline on arranging anything for Kiara.

Agreeing that such a pact would perhaps no doubt strengthen the alliance he had built with the Eastern Pride. In the end, Simba would leave that up to his daughter. If she felt that she wanted to go through with such an arrangement. Simba would have no choice but to see it through. It wasn't his job as a father to talk his daughter out of things she wanted for herself.

Knowing he would not want someone to do that to him. And so he would not do the same with his child.

Then there was the matter if she did not want it. To which he would support her just the same.

However things would be different if such an arrangement would be made. Kiara would grow up knowing the cubs from the other pride. Already she was friends with quite a few of them. A relief to him, he must say, for his child to have some friends in her life. And given there were a number of males in the Eastern Pride.

Far more than there was in the Pride Landers.

There was a bigger chance of her finding love...perhaps.

There were some moments when the King did not wish to think on such matters. Kiara was still young. Having not even had her first solo hunt yet to demonstrate to her pride how her hunting skills were coming along. And not so well he heard. Sadly his mother told him Kiara was quite clumsy and did not show the same skill and strength her mother did before her in her hunting.

They of course kept this to themselves.

Wishing not to upset the Princess who wished nothing more than to hold herself to her mothers standards. Even if those standards were only stories told to her about how her mother had been in life.

Nala was certain that Kiara would get better in time. Not everyone started out skilled. It was a trait one had to practice hard at whether they had the natural talent for it or not.

Turning his eyes to Nala. Simba thought for a moment. Then turned to look at Sarafina. "How about you name your first grandchild?"

The whispers stopped. When Simba's thoughts had gotten the better of him. The pride had started whispering names and throwing out suggestions to the new parents. All save for Sarafina. Simba took note of that. Wasn't like the lioness not to have an opinion. He figured she did just did not want to rain on her daughter's parade. It was Nala's cub.

It should be up to the parents to name the cub or least he figured that was what she was thinking.

Said lioness gave him a look, then glanced at all the others who were watching her. Curious to see if she had a name or not. Nala flashed a smile at her mother. "Yes, please Mother. I would very much like your opinion." Looking briefly at her mate, she smiled only more so when Onani nodded.

The lion was at a loss for names. He figured any name would do as long as Nala liked it.

A name was a name to him.

He figured a name did not define a person like some liked to think.

His son was still much too young to show what sort of personality he would later develop in life. So a name had no meaning to him. Other than what to call the cub.

Couldn't just like a cub go around unnamed.

It would bet confused everyone someone called someone by something other than ones name.

"Indeed Sarafina. Go right ahead."

That appeared to be all that Sarafina needed. The reassurance by both her daughter and...son in law. The lioness had sat there watching and listening to others throw out names to her daughter. Watching Nala appear to consider them, but not outright agree to any of the names quite yet. From the look in the young lionesses eyes. Nala seemed quite down that she couldn't pick the right name for her son.

Taking a step forward, Sarafina peered down at her grandson. The cub was nestled against his mothers chest. The voices having spooked him a bit. Not being able to see just yet made the world a bit more scary she supposed. Not that she or anyone she knew could remember what it was like to be so young.

But loud noises would spook just about any newborn.

"Only one name really comes to mind...if you wouldn't mind my sweet one?" Sarafina cast a glance to her daughter. Whom offered her only an encouraging smile to continue. "Imamu...it was the name of my grandfather. My mother only spoke of him a few times when I was growing up. But she said that was the name her mother had told her about the rogue who made her. So...well..." Sarafina trailed off.

Maybe it was silly to want to name the cub after a lion that she had never met. Her mother only knew so much about the lion. He had stuck around for some time. Then his rogue genes had taken over again and he had wandered off. Her mother told her, he would come back now and again. Until they had caught word that he had died during a drought in another land.

"Your grandmother once told me that she wished she had more cubs, like a son, to name after him. But that would never come to past...so..."

Smiling, Nala bumped her head against her mothers. "I get what you're trying to save Mum...and Imamu is a great name." Nala turned to Onani who seemed to ponder the name for a moment.

A curt nod. "Imamu will do." Onani looked down upon his son who mewed loudly almost like the cub too was agreeing with his chosen name.

Earning a laugh from the two other males in the den and coo's from the females who were bending close to get some more better looks at the young cub.

The Pride stayed gathered there for some time after. Then one by one began to file out. To give the new mother and father some space and time with the cub. The last to leave was Kiara and Simba.

The two parents lifted their heads when the King approached them. Both bowing their heads. Only to earn a roll of the eyes in return. "None of that Nala...you mock me well enough already." He muttered the last part. That part of their friendship had never died. The way she liked to tease him only now it was about being King and all the tiresome things he liked to moan about whenever they took up too much of his time or annoyed him in general.

"As for you..." Simba reached out. His paw resting upon Onani's shoulder. "I believe this now makes you part of the Pride."

That caught Onani off guard. The whole time he had been around. He'd been staying with the Eastern Pride.

This had a lot to do with the fact that the Eastern Pride, had a number of adult males. So one rogue did not appear much of a threat to them. Yes, they got to know him. But all the same. He was only one male to a number of them. While Simba was one lion, with a pride of only females after him.

And he was a fair bit bigger in size than Simba was.

So yes, he could imagine what sort of threat he might appear like to a lion like Simba who had lost family just some short time prior to his arrival in these parts.

It was just something that Onani wished to keep from starting up if the King came to think of him as some sort of threat.

Nala of course claimed she vouched for him. Told him that Simba understood and would trust him if she claimed he was not a threat to the pride.

So up until recently he been staying with the Eastern pride. Traveling between borders to visit Nala. Now that Simba was claiming he was part of the pride. This indeed did surprise him and made him unsure of what to think or feel. While yes, he been staying with the Eastern Pride. They had not bothered to welcome him like one of their own.

He was merely a rogue they expected to up and leave one day. So welcoming him as a member would be in a sense be a waste of time if Onani decided to leave one day.

Something he did not fault them with. It was a common thought when it came to rogues. He been one long enough to know how prides saw rogues. Most prides just did not understand that freedom that came with not being apart of a pride. And of course Onani often found himself thinking about that life style. Then there was the other side of him that was thinking about what sort of adventure it would be to live differently for once.

All his life all he had known was the life of a rogue.

To be apart of a pride. Would be something he had never yet experience.

He had to think for some time on how he wanted it to play out. Would he ask to stay with either pride or move about on his way.

With Nala and now Imamu. Onani did not want to leave. Nala would not come with him and he knew she wanted their son to experience the safety of growing up in a pride. Having stolen his heart like she had. Onani would give her what she wanted.

He debated how to approach either of the Kings.

Now with Simba cutting out the middle man. Onani both surprised and relieved. Bowing his head. "I don't know how quite to thank you, your majesty."

Chuckling, Simba patted him on the back. "No need for the thanks. Nala is my friend, you make her happy, and a cub should have his father in his life." Growing up without his had always been rough. Simba could never picture how those cubs sired by rogues got along in life without a father. He supposed uncles or the other males in the pride set examples and protection but all the same. Simba always wished his father had been around.

So he wasn't going to deny Imamu his.

That..."And the extra protection you will provide for the pride is needed too."

"Of course." Onani knew that meant responsibilities he had never had before. But they were something he was willing to accept if it meant he now had a home and a family he could protect in said home.

Relief washed over Nala in that moment. During her pregnancy, when Onani made mention that he wanted to stay for both her and now Imamu. Her mind had wandered to the question of where would he stay? Would he stay with the Eastern pride and move back and forth like he was currently doing.

Would the Kings all agree to let him stay in the Southern lands that both prides had equal rights too now?

Or would he be allowed to stay at Pride Rock, and be there along side her and their side and be able to be near for if she ever needed him for something?

Lifting her gaze to her friend. Nala gave him another smile. "No...really...thank you, Simba."

Grinning that grin of his. Simba bent down and bumped his head against his heads. Then just as quickly, pulled back when she made to bat him with her paw. "Well if you insist on it." Simba grinned then cleared his throat. "I best be getting back to my duties." He spoke the word with his typical roll of the eyes.

Earning a giggle from Kiara.

Waiting till Nala signaled with her head that he was dismissed. The King nodded to the two parents. Gave Onani one last clap on the back, giving his congrats and welcoming him to fatherhood. Simba made his way out of the den, with no time to spare with Zazu landing on his shoulder, and beginning his usual report that he had yet to give, when the King had sent him to fetch Onani.

With her fathers retreating back in sight. Kiara turned to look at the new cub. While of course being older than the cub herself. Quite older actually. And would continue to be so the older this cub got. Not that it stopped her from asking. "When will he be old enough to play?"

Chuckling, looking between her son and the princess. Nala answered, "For some time yet Kiara. First he needs to open his eyes. Then learn to walk and much less run to keep up with everyone else." Nala was looking forward to teaching her son all that. She watched from the side lines while others had done it in the past.

Yes, all right, she helped with Kiara now but it still wasn't the same. Now she would have that proud feeling as a mother to do it. Loving Kiara as a godmother or an 'aunt' so to say was one thing when teaching the young princess. Now she would have a chance to do that with a cub of her very own flesh and blood.

Something that for the longest time, Nala was beginning to fear would never happen.

Imamu's cries of hunger, had her lifting her son from where he had been comfortably nestled in her paws. To a spot against her stomach. Where the cub immediately latched onto his mother, hungrily nursing away. When he first been born, Nala had nursed him straight away.

All the same, her mother would say that cubs tended to cry like they were always hungry. More so in the beginning when they could only drink their mothers milk and needed that to have what was essential to grow strong.

"You're a walking, talking, buffet my darling." Her mother had made in jest.

A joke perhaps. No doubt true nonetheless.

With no other lioness in the pride expecting. Nala knew for some time she would need to keep close to where her son was. So that she could be there when he was hungry. The more experienced lionesses reassured her that there was no need to worry do much about it. But understood that for first time mothers it was always best to let them figure some things out for themselves when it came to what was best for their young.

"Will you still be able to help me out with my training?" Kiara's voice showed her nervousness.

Nala did not need much clearance on what she meant. Kiara wanted to know if she would help out with her training for the first solo hunt she would be taking in a couple more weeks. For the time being, the lioness had been sitting on the side. Giving her pointers wherever she could. While the other older lionesses would teach her what tricks they knew.

Things like this was what the girls mother should be doing with her. Often those thoughts made her sad. And she knew it did the same with Kiara. However there were times that Nala could swear she felt like they were being watched out there and had a feeling it was Zuri watching over them. Don't ask her how she knew, Nala just had that nagging feeling in the back of her mind whenever it happened.

"Yes Princess." Nala smiled at the young lioness.

Smiling, Kiara gave her a quick nuzzle. Took one last look at the cub. Then said that she would see her later. Making her way out of the den soon after that.

Letting out the sigh that she had been holding in. Nala looked at her son, then turned her attention to Onani. "I don't know if they girl is ready for her first hunt yet..."

The lion reached to lay his paw on his mates shoulder. "You along with the others have been doing all that you can to teach her. Like you said, she has a few weeks left ahead of her. Kiara I am certain will be ready for it when the times arrives." He spoke reassuringly. The Princess in his eyes was like any who was first learning to hunt.

And personally he had known many in his life. Both lions and lionesses alike. From his years of traveling across the lands. In his experience. The princess was yes, clumsy, but Onani would say that he had seen clumsier. Heck there were Kings out there that never bothered to try and learn how to hunt. Always relying on their lionesses to do the job for them. He seen the same with some other royal lionesses.

Kiara in the very least. A clumsy as she may be. Tried to rise to the challenge and never let anything hold her back. That was something right there that told him she had the potential to shape up.

Something he knew many were hoping would be exactly that. Kiara was to be Queen. They had no other heir for the Pride Lands. Not that he thought the princess actually wanted to be Queen. Having never actually been a member of the pride till this very day. Onani was still very observing. What he had picked up during the months he been hanging around, was the tell tale signs of someone who was being made to be something she did not want to be.

Fairly certain the pride had picked up on that feeling just the same. Only they were hoping secretly deep down no doubt that it was a phase that she would grow out of.

Whether that would happen was yet to be seen or acknowledged.

Nonetheless, Kiara was still young. The youth were always certain they knew what they wanted for their future until that day arrived and then they were often confused. Seeing what the young princess had gone through in such a short amount of time in her life with loosing her mother and siblings to a beast like Zira.

It was no doubt playing at her mind. The weight of being the last remaining heir to her father. On top of everything else.

This was why Onani never wanted to start his own pride.

The burdens of being "royal" were just too high for him.

Then again, he thought the same about joining a pride in the past. Now that he was actually apart of one. He thought differently. Only he was glad to be a second to the King rather than rule. It was a more...relaxing position, he could say.

Watching his mate. Onani could see Nala was still concerned for the young princess. Moving his body, Onani laid down along side her. In a way that made sure that their son would be nestled between the two of them while Imamu was happily nursing away at the milk his mothers body was providing for him.

Silently reaching out, Onani laid his paw on his mates. "Relax Nala." He persisted. "Today is a happy day." To indicate his meaning. Onani lowered his gaze to their son who was just finishing up his meal. His tiny nose reaching into the air to take in the scent of both his parents so close to him. And the warmth that their bodies on either side of the cub provided him.

Turning his attention back to his mate. Onani relaxed to see that Nala was allowing herself to relax. With the knowledge that yes, today was indeed, a happy day.

One that they should not allow anything else to get in the way.

There would come a time to think about other things. Not today.

Today was for her and Onani and for their son.

Smiling, and then letting out a yawn. Nala listened to Onani chuckle and give her head a gentle lick. Her mate told her to rest. Seeing as she obviously been up much of the night trying to bring their son into the world. So with his mate now along side her, and their son named. Nala figured it was the best time to take a nap and just let her body recharge.

With another yawn. Nala laid out and rested her head on Onani's paws. This was a comfortable she enjoyed. It made her feel safe. Safe with Onani looking over her, and then all the more comfort when his head laid down over hers. Having seen Simba and Zuri lay like this may times in the past. It was something that Nala wished she could have.

Now she did.

And it was a feeling that she did not wish to give up any time soon. Listening to Onani's soft whispers to relax and sleep. Nala closed her eyes to allow herself to rest with the comfort of her mate and her son squeaking between his parents while settling down himself. His tiny body tired now after his tummy was full.

---

"So many boys are born to these prides!" Dinka stretched her body out. Shaking it to rid herself of the access water that clung to her fur. The group of friends were hanging out at the small watering hole in the Southern Lands. Which had in on basic purposes had become their playground.

Of course they were free to play in either lands, but the Southern lands they had the full run of it. As in a sense only their group tended to vacant it the most.

Did they have the occasional adult come and check on them?

Yes.

With the threat of the Outlanders, no one was going to let them run around without any sort of supervision. Now that they were older on the other than, they were given more space. Surprisingly even Simba allowed it. Only for the fact that Kiara was with a group of others who could help defend themselves while also making their way for help.

It would be different if Kiara was alone, that much he told her.

And the princess couldn't be more thankful than the fact that she did have the amount of friends she did. That number grew a lot when more started joining their group. Though in all, Kiara only considered a few of them her closest and most trusted friends. It was Nala that made her not feel guilty about that. Claiming you could have a hundred friends, but only a few good close ones and that was okay.

"And what is wrong with that?" Kodi who had himself laid out across the rocks just above them. Poking his head over the edge to look down at his friends below. There were some in the lands that thought it was strange that a cheetah was friends with a group of lions. Normally the animals kept to their own kinds. Predators at the very least.

Not that he hadn't seen a couple of herds playing with one another.

But oft times it was hard to see different predators playing with one another. Much less close friends.

Yet here he was.

Friends with lions. And his closest friend of all, being the Princess of the Pride Lands at that.

His mother tried to get him to make friends with the other young Cheetah that were in the grasslands. Though only a few actually lived. Many just wandered in and then wandered out. The males especially. Travelling in groups. Brothers the lot of them from the same litters.

They would come with stories of what happened in other lands. One told him the tale of how a place far across the desert was being destroyed by creatures they called Man. They often claimed the Pride Lands and that were lucky. Man did not seem to reach here. Or at least they thought that.

Kodi had never seen such creatures before.

Apes but without hair save for on their heads and a bit on their body.

It was almost too strange to believe. But they said they existed. And to feel lucky that they had never crossed paths with one. That they had things to kill all sort of animals. Even predators.

The red lioness glanced up at him. Answering his question with. "It is because then we have to put up with more lazy butts."

"Males are not lazy!" Kiev looked over at her. "We protect the pride."

"And yet we females do most of the hunting...hell even Kodi here is getting lazy and relying on the hunting party." Kiara waved her paw in Kodi's direction. Said Cheetah shooting her a look which she chose to ignore.

A scoff made the two lionesses turned their heads to look at the other young male. Kiev's cousin Tambo had decided to join them that day. His fur was much the same colour as Kiev's and the rest of the males in his family. His mane however was a combination of red and black. "If you lionesses complain so much about having to hunt for us...then why do you continue to do so?" He eyed the two young lionesses.

Whom seemed to appear as though they did not have an answer for him. Dinka opened her mouth to retort, only to close it. Rethinking what she was going to say.

Kiara too, looked like she wanted to say something. Only to keep quiet.

The boys by this time were roaring with laughter. Earning glares from their two friends. Kiev grinned despite the looks the two lionesses were giving them for laughing at them. "I cannot believe you actually made them speechless." He looked at his cousin and then back at the two. As if expecting for them to come up with some smart ass remark but the two were still trying to contemplate the question at hand.

Slapping her paw against the ground, Kiara scowled. "Because if we did not hunt, then who would feed the young and everyone else? You males?"

"Yeah!" Dinka chimed in with her.

This only earned another round of laughter from the males at the twos try to figure out how they could win that argument over. "Nice try." Kodi grinned down at them.

Dinka rolled her eyes. "Who cares why we hunt. At least we get work done."

"We get work done too." Kiev got up onto his paws. "We males patrol and make sure no stray rogue males come and hurt you ladies." A cocky grin came over his face but quickly lost it as soon as it came with the way Dinka looked at him and replied with...

"You lot haven't patrolled a day in your lives. All the older males do."

Kiara nodded her head in agreement with her friend. It was true. While the Pride Lands only had one grown male to begin with, it also now had Onani who was helping along with the other males from the Eastern Pride. Seeing as the danger against their prides and lands were from a common enemy. They took it upon themselves to help each other out.

However Dinka was correct, the younger generation had yet to help out in that regard. Most of the older and stronger males carried out the patrols.

"Well one day we will!"

Dinka shook her head. Resisting the urge to roll her eyes. Feeling that she had hit on her friends ego and pride too much already. No need to beat one down over it too much. Waving her paw at him, she smirked. "Fine, i'll give you your dignity."

Kiev felt the corner of his eye twitched. It wasn't exactly a win. But he would take it. Even if he felt that sting against his ego nonetheless. Tambo reached over clapping his cousin on the back as the young prince grumbled under his breath while the two females snickered among themselves.

The boys then watched as the girls got up and made their way back to the water. Kodi who jumped down from his perched watched the way Kiev's eyes appeared to follow Dinka. "You ever going to come clean to her?"

Head swinging to his left, the Eastern Prince look at his friend questioningly. Kodi rolling his eyes mentioned. "The fact that you like her."

The cheetah watched with a inward smirk at the wideness of his friends eyes. The sudden intake of breath and then the stammering as the young male tried to come up with something to refute his friends claim. However Kiev stumbled forward as Tambo gave him another clap on the back. "You can't really hide it that much...I'm surprised she hasn't noticed yet."

Kiev felt the skin under his fur burning. While he thought that Dinka knowing that he liked her would be a good thing. The other part of him was fearing it. Because his mind told him that if she already knew and wasn't doing anything about it, meant that she didn't like him in return. A thought that made his ears flatten against his head.

Taking note of this, Kodi snorted quietly to himself. It was no secret among the group of friends that they knew Dinka and Kiev liked one another. Well perhaps for the two individuals involved it was a secret. But not so much to their friends. Kodi was pretty positive even the twos parents were aware of it though mentioned nothing of the sort about it.

Down by the water, Dinka kept shooting glances back at the boys. Focusing a bit on Kiev, taking note of his change in posture and mood. Wondering what was wrong with him, but from the way the other two were acting. Dinka settled with it being that they were teasing Kiev.

Dinka jumped back from her thoughts to reality when she heard someone clear their throat. Turning to look at the Pride Lander Princess, Dinka raised an eyebrow when she saw the look that Kiara was giving her. "What?"

Kiara rolled her eyes. "Oh nothing."

Narrowing her eyes, Dinka gave her a show. "No tell me what is on your mind?"

Giving her eyes another roll, Kiara looked back at Kiev and then to Dinka. "Oh come on Dinka. How much longer are you going to dance around the fact that you like him?"

Dinka would have felt herself blush beneath her fur. However this wasn't the first or even the second time that Kiara teased her about this sort of thing. "Are you ever going to let that go?"

Laughing, Kiara shook her head and looked down at her reflection. "At least you have someone you like."

Dinka shot her friend a look. There were plenty of young enough males around that would like her. That and arrange matings were always a thing for royalty. But her friend never appeared interested in anyone. Not that she thought an arrange mating would mean she had much of a choice. Not that Dinka thought King Simba would truly force his daughter to marry someone that she didn't like.

"As my mother would say, we're still young." Dinka chuckled. In the pride her mother knew of her crush on Kiev. Her mother thought it was sweet but did warn her about loving royalty in case things did not go the way she imagined it would. It was one of the reasons why she kept quiet about it.

Kiara gave a snort and stretched out her limbs. "You should come by and see Nala's cub. He's really cute."

A wide smile came across Dinka's face. She been looking forward to seeing Nala's cub. Dinka had a great love for cubs and often played with those in the pride and would take whatever chance she could to watch the cubs for their parents.

A snicker behind her made her shoot a look at Tambo as he strutted his way over to them. "What is with females and cubs?"

Turning to face him fully. Kiara put her face close to his with a hard stare. "Got a problem with cubs?"

"I have no problem...only that they are a bunch of tail biters." Came Tambo's reply.

"Oh like you weren't one." Dinka smirked at Tambo. "Boys always seem to be the tail bitters from my experience." She would not lie. Having been bitten on the tail on numerous occasions. Saying that, she didn't care all that much. It wasn't unusual for cubs to play with an adult lions tail. And sometimes their own.

Shaking his head, Tambo brushed his multi-coloured mane back from his face. Kiara thought his mane was a bit odd. No one in his pride had that same mane or any multi-coloured mane at that. Kiara had spoken to the pride and they just accepted that Tambo was special in that way when it came to his mane.

Of course that only seemed to spark the young lions pride and ego.

Which of course annoyed more than a few of his friends. But they still liked him. Even if he tugged at their nerves a tad bit here and there.

"I heard there hasn't been much commotion from the Outlands as of late." Tambo made mention.

Jumping down Kodi and Kiev joined their sides. "Where did you possibly here that?" Kiev eyed his cousin.

"Some of us actually pay attention to some of the patrol reports when they report to our fathers." Tambo gave Kiev a look.

Mumbling under his breath, Kiev adverted his look from his cousin. Only to meet eyes with Dinka who flashed him a smile. Immediately he felt his mood pick up. He turned back to look at Tambo. "Did they say anything else?"

His cousin shrugged his shoulders. "They couldn't make sense of it. However they seem to be enjoying the fact that there have been lesser border entries." That of course confused more than a few of the lions. Both the Pride Lands and Eastern ones. They had to wonder what the Outlanders were up too...more importantly what Zira was up too.

Some dared to hope that the Outlanders perhaps came to their senses and decided to move away from the area. None could understand why they would want to live in such a place. A few could only guess it was Zira's insanity. Some more of the patrol guards did hope that maybe the Outlanders turned on Zira riding them of a threat.

This was all wishful thinking.

Anyone who dared to venture close to the Outlands to watch the if they could catch a glimpse of any trouble. They could catch the scent of those who still lived out there. Zira's scent was still there and fresh. It just unnerved them that they hadn't seen them. So they wondered what they were doing. Perhaps they had found other places to get food, which they did not mind.

With the herds on migration they had to spare along their own hunts, it was bad enough they had to share with the other predators that they didn't need to share with the Outlanders as well.

"They did mention the scents of the younger lions there haven't been present for a while." This caught their attentions. They all could remember the encounters that they had with those lions.

Kiara most of all. That one called Zawadi, there was just something about her that she could never understand. Which was odd seeing as there were only ever two incidents where the two had crossed paths. So there really could be no reason for her to feel anything when it came to that particular lioness.

Yet there was just something that Kiara could not shake about her.

Now that she thought about it, she could have sworn she heard Zazu mentioning something like this to father some months back. "My father has our majordomo scout the Outlands from above sometimes." She started. "A few months ago Zazu mentioned he could have sworn he saw the youngest three leaving the Outlands for the desert in the distance."

"Good riddance." Kodi shook his head. "Let us hope they never come back."

The others all nodded their heads. All save for Kiara. She felt saddened for some reason at Kodi's words. Not that she really could explain why. "Something bothering you Princess?" Kodi's voice made her look at him confused and she realized that she had spaced out a bit there for a moment.

"Just thinking and...hoping that whatever is happening out there...that they never cross into the Pride lands again...we suffered enough from Zira." The sadness in her voice made the others give her looks of sympathy. Even Tambo. But Kiara shook off the looks. She didn't want sympathy or any sort of pity for what had happened to her family. Some part of her just wanted justice the other part of her who could remember those stranger dreams with her mother when she was still a cub.

Her mother would not want revenge...or at least not the way that involved taking lives or getting someone seriously harmed. Kiara had to believe that. Not that she thought others believed that. That really wasn't her place to judge however.

Dinka gave a mumble and shook her head. "Enough about the Outlanders. I want nothing to do with them."

"What else is there to do?" Kodi asked turning in her direction.

Thinking for a moment. Dinka then looked out further into the Southern lands. They had explored quite a bit but hadn't seen it all. Plus like Kodi asked, what else was there to do? "We could explore some more."

"Or you boys can catch us while we leave you in the dust." Kiara smirked when she spotted where her friend had looked.

"Like a female ever could out run males. We're stronger than you."

Narrowing their eyes. Dinka and Kiara took that as a challenge and the two were soon off running. After knocking the boys to the ground first.

"That's cheating!" Kiev clambering to his legs to go after him. Tripping a few times over as Kodi and Tambo were trying to get to their paws at the same time. The three stumbling over one another until they got their footing. Then without taking any more time. The three took on after the two lionesses.

Kodi gaining the head in the matter of seconds. Much to Kiev and Tambo's chagrin. This only made them kick up their legs even more to try and gain some distance between them and Kodi and of course the girls.

Who knew once the boys got to their paws. Kodi would be the first to start gaining on them. And so they had split up and headed for some of the tallest grass in the Southern lands. Hoping that the tall grass would be enough to slow Kodi down as they got further ahead. Each going for the opposite side of the grass.

The grass of course they had explored a number of times. The tricky part was the grass as tall as it was expanded much further than many of the patches they had of it in their own lands. And not all of it they had explored.

Kiara kept looking back over her shoulders. Listening for any of the rustling of the grass. Aside from what moved when she made her way through. Trying to be as silent as she possibly could. The downfall of it all was. Kiara knew she wasn't the stealthiest of lionesses. Something that often greatly disappointed her about herself.

Knowing it was something she had to work on, Kiara was deciding to practice it right now. By moving as slowly and as quietly through the grass as she could. While keeping her breath as steady as she possibly could. Which was harder than moving quietly through the grass. Having done all that running. Kiara could feel the need for the well needed air.

On the other hand...it perhaps was not that much of an issue. Doing her best to listen for any sound of movement. Kiara could not pick up any other movement but her own. Not that she stopped to look back all that much. Kiara knew Kodi had been trained by his mother and Gina was as stealthy as stealthy could get. Kiara even tried to get some lessons from the cheetah who had been her nurse maid.

Not that it really took. But Gina kept encouraging her.

So this was why she kept on going despite not hearing nothing behind her. Occasionally glancing back over her shoulder and through the grass for any sign of fur that she would recognize. That was when she noticed the ground beneath her paws was getting rocky and the grass around her thinner.

Then she was tumbling.

Kiara didn't even have the time to let out a single sound when she went tumbling over a small ledge that she had noticed while she was busy looking back over her shoulder. Thankfully, the fridge wasn't that high and she didn't have to fall that much. She did however feel the pain of the rocks she had hit and grunted as she hit each one of them.

And then she bumped on into something larger...warmer...and furrier.

"Why don't you watch where you are going?"

Kiara trying to get her bearings. Scrambled a bit back from the one she had crashed into. From the scent it was a lion. And while she knew some rogues were not that bad. Kiara was still warned multiple times about what could happen if one did run into a rogue and if things went south from there. Her grandmother was always clear to warn her that claiming she was the daughter of a king would not deter the most ruthless and determined rogues.

When she felt her back hit the side of the ridge she had her little tumble over. Kiara took the time to look at herself first. Her fur was a bit dirty but she saw no blood. So that meant she hadn't cut herself. Which was better than the bruises she figure she would end up having. Bruises her father couldn't see. A cut her could. So she counted that a blessing that she didn't have to hear him call her out about it when she got home.

If she got home...

"Hey, are you deaf...I said you should watch where you are going."

The voice reminded her of the situation that she had unfortunately found herself in. Kiara didn't want to answer. Her instinct telling her to get back up over the ridge and into the grass and call for her friends. Surely a rogue wouldn't take on a group of them. Especially so with three males in it.

The pair of brown paws however that she caught from the corner of her eyes. Made her slowly look up at the one she had hit during her little tumble. Brown fur really wasn't all that common around there. Her mother had been brown but she had come from another pride. Her dead brother and sister were brown from what her father and family told her about them.

Then there was that strange lioness Zawadi and then there was...

Amber eyes widened at the face she looked upon. It was larger and somewhat covered in a mane. One that was much larger than what she remembered seeing him have in the past. Then he had but a tuft of fur atop his head. Then there was the eyes. Those were the dead giveaway. Kiara remembered those eyes...

Her breath hitched in her throat.

Her mind momentarily going back to her past where she had been in a similar situation as she was in now...and the Kings above must have a sense of humour as it was with the same lion that she had this exact same run in with in her cub-hood.

"Ko-Ko-Kovu?"

---

A deep scowl covered his dusty face.

Kovu had long since given up on trying to brush it off. For whenever he did. His face only got covered in it again. All her could do now was shake his head occasionally to get the access off and make sure it didn't build up too much on his fur and his mane. Which he was surprise wasn't matted.

It wasn't the dust that had the young lion in a foul mood.

It was the run in that he had with his siblings.

It been months since he had seen them when they had gone their separate ways. And longer months since he had laid eyes on Nuka.

Setting sights on his brother had been quite a shock. It had taken both him and Vitani back in surprise. The lion that was before them did not resemble their scrawny brother in the slightest bit. Neither of them had really none what to say. So of course Vitani had only went on to joke about it. All which Kovu saw his brother take in friendly strides with their sister.

Which did not surprise him.

Vitani and Nuka were always closer. More so since they had started living in the Outlands. Kovu was somewhat wishing being out on his own that his brother would come back a different lion. And it appeared he had come back different in more than one way.

It was surprisingly not his siblings that had driven him off.

But Zawadi...the lioness hadn't been pleased that he hadn't done his part in looking for backup for their pride. A plan that Kovu thought was utterly ridiculous. They already had barely enough food to feed the hungry mouths of their small pride as it was. That having more hungry mouths to feed was all that they needed at the moment.

The lioness however was quick to remind him that it was part of their assignment while out in the wilds.

Kovu had not seen the exact number of those that his siblings and Zawadi had managed to gather. But it made him frown knowing how much they were going to have to scrap and scrounge for now when they got home.

This had led to some arguing and blows had almost been shared between the two. When it was surprisingly Nuka who had gotten in between them. His brother had actually tried to calm him down. But Kovu could not stand Zawadi at that moment. Something seemed a bit different in the lioness. While he wasn't sure what had happened to her out in the wilds on her own.

Kovu didn't care for being insulted for thinking of the consequences of the plan that Zawadi had put into his mothers head. Yes, it was better than the one that his mother had originally came up with. Kovu just saw the flaws that could go wrong. And he hated being insulted for his opinion.

And it was his pride who had made him storm off.

Which had run him straight into a sand storm. Not that he hadn't had his fill of them already. They were pretty much normal to him. But in the Outlands one could take shelter in whatever holes they dug up. Out here it had been another story.

How relieved he had been when he had stumbled upon some green lands. Kovu had caught himself something quick to eat. But there was still dust in this area from how close it was to the desert.

Walking into the deeper part of the land where the he could finally escape the endless sand and dust. This was where he finally took the chance to clear his fur of the dust that collected on it. The first moment he found some water. He got a quick drink and then took the chance to use the water to clean the rest of the filth off him.

It was nice to be clean.

Kovu could not remember the last time he had been this clean. Perhaps when they still lived in the Pride Lands. Getting baths in the Outlands and trying to keep clean was just a waste of time for the most part.

In the past he used to complain about baths.

Now he couldn't imagine that what he wanted was nothing more than to be completely clean.

Taking some time to rest. Then to hunt again. Having really not had much to hunt since they had ventured out on their own. He seemed to appreciate it more when the females brought back whatever they managed to find on their hunts. He had no clue where he was. There was a number of ridges and rock formations that made it hard to look too far into the horizon to get his bearings.

It was however better than the place he had been. He couldn't remember the last time his paws touched grass. The things you never thought you would miss until it was taken from you. He heard brief mentions of where Nuka and Zawadi had been and where his sister had gone, he thought they were lucky to have gotten somewhere out of the desert even if it was brief.

He hadn't found anything like that for months...until now that is.

And now that he found it, Kovu was contemplating on whether or not finishing the rest of his trip out here. Where he could practice his fighting with whatever he managed to cross in the ways of food or any predators he might have to fight off for food.

In the desert he had managed to cross the paths with a leopard. By the time he had fought them and chased them away from whatever kill they had managed. Kovu found it was already half eaten. Not that it stopped it from scavenging whatever he could manage. Scraps were never a thing in the Outlands. You either ate or someone else would have it.

During the next few days, Kovu was giving his mind to think while he had time to adjust to his new surroundings. Ultimately finding the place more to his pleasing then the place he had been.

A half eaten carcass of a antelope nearby. Kovu was cleaning himself up and stretching himself out. While he hadn't hunted much since he gone to live in the Outlands. Fighting against his siblings seemed to prepare him enough to manage to bring down the antelope. The only advantage was this thing didn't have teeth and claws to get back at him with.

Kovu looked off into the distance. When he had ventured further into the land he had found, he had discovered something else.

He really wasn't that far from home.

They had already met up with the hopes of going home before Kovu had stormed his way off.

At first he had found he might have stormed off the wrong way. Not that he really was paying much mind to where he was going. Part of him did not want to admit that Zawadi was right. More importantly what his mother might say if he came back with no new supporters.

He was supposed to be Scar's heir.

Not that he didn't know whether he truly wanted that or not.

Nuka was the oldest and Scar's true son.

Not that his mother seemed to care too much. Even if Nuka returned and revealed how much he had changed. Kovu had without a doubt in his mind that his mother would not change her mind.

Scar had wanted him to be heir.

And so his mother would see to that.

Much to his chagrin.

Looking off toward Pride Rock which could only be faintly seen from this distance. But its structure was something that Kovu would recognize even from his far distance. After all that he been there, his memories of living there were both a haze and clear. There were things he could remember and things that he couldn't.

After some time of living in the Outlands. Kovu came to the decision that thinking of the past was fruitless. It only made living in the Outlands all that much more miserable.

Now thought, sitting there, he was letting his mind drift.

Thinking of the friend he once had that lived there.

He silently wonder what Kopa might look like now.

The thought saddened him.

Kopa just was too young to die.

Kovu when he first heard what happened felt disappointed in himself that he and the others hadn't stayed with Kopa. If they had, maybe then he wouldn't have...maybe...

Letting out a sigh. Kovu let his head hang for a moment.

His ears perked.

Turning in the direction he faintly heard voices shouting. His head too looking in that direction. The shouting was only momentarily then it went quiet again. Thinking maybe he was hearing things. Kovu decided to get back up onto his paws and take his kill back to where he had made his shelter from a set of rocks leaning against one another. It wasn't much.

But it wasn't like he really needed that much after sleeping in termite mounds.

He hadn't turned his back for more than a few minutes when he heard something behind him. Like something, almost a body, he suspected hitting the ground behind him. About to turn to suspect what it was, he felt something crash into him. Startled a moment. Kovu then registered what was that crashed into him.

He was a bit surprised to find himself looking at a lioness.

Whose fur for a moment was faintly familiar to him. Though at the moment his confused mind couldn't fathom where.

"Why don't you look where you are going?" It was the only obvious thing he thought he could say.

The lioness had yet to look up at him. Though he noted that she scrambled away from him. Not that he thought was an unusual thing. Females tendered to be skittish around rogue males.

He grimaced a moment. Reflecting on how badly he might have gotten hit by Vitani and Zawadi should he have made such a comment in front of them. Luckily they were not around to read his thoughts. Not that they could anyways. Though Zawadi always seemed to have a knack to read someone from just their expression.

Shaking his head. Kovu focused back on the lioness. Who had yet to look up at him. And almost appeared to space out a moment. He felt his frustration and irritation begin to grow.

"Hey, are you deaf...I said you should watch where you are going."

This appeared to do the trick. Her head began to lift. Slowly. But lift nonetheless to look up at who she had the unfortunate of falling into.

Kovu wasn't certain what made him hold his friend when the lioness' eyes reached his. Amber eyes locked onto his green ones. He watched them widen. He wasn't sure from what. Perhaps because he was a stranger. Though it confused him when he didn't see fear in those eyes. Rather he was confusion and soon...curiosity?

What was this lioness? A roller coaster of emotions?

He took that time to give her a quick look over now that he could see her face. She was very pretty...not that he had much standards to compare too. He considered the lionesses in his pride like family. Including that annoying Zawadi. Not to mention he knew his brother had his eye on her. Not that he thought the two ever would figure that out.

He had only ever seen the other lionesses of the two prides that lived near his from a distance. And at the time he really had never thought of such things. Those were just things to scout out the enemy.

This one however...now that he got a closer look.

Was indeed rather pretty.

He could slowly feel the skin under his fur begin to warm...then he heard her voice but what she said he wasn't expecting.

"Ko-Ko-Kovu?"

Said lion backpedaled a few steps from this strange when he heard his voice roll off her tongue. How did this female know his name?

Letting the initial shock wear off. Kovu took a even closer look at the lioness. Making note like before how her fur colour appeared familiar to him. Then he looked at those eyes again. Amber.

He seen those eyes before.

There were a few in the Pride Lands that he seen with those coloured eyes...not that it mattered...but seeing how close he was to the lands of his birth. He was beginning to suspect.

Then putting those eyes and that fur together.

No...he shook his head. King Simba would never allow her to venture this far from home. Not with the rumours of how protective he was.

His lips curled in a growl. "How do you know my name?"

---

Kiara wasn't sure how she felt that he didn't recognize her as quick as she did him. The one she had thought to once make her friend. Part of her mind was telling her that she should still run.

He was the son of her father's and pride's enemy.

The son of the one who had killed her mother and siblings.

Yet she remembered how kind and friendly he had been. After they had introduced themselves of course.

Kiara never thought she would see him again. Much less all the way out here away from the Outlands. Then she recalled what Tambo had said and what she had heard from Zazu speaking to her Father about. How the younger lions had gone out on their own. Maybe they had left the Outlands?

Kiara almost felt hopeful.

Maybe she could once and for all prove to her Father that not all Outlanders were bad.

Not an east feat, she would admit. But that hope still lingered in the back of her mind. Her eyes briefly looked around. Her nose sniffing to see if the other younger Outlanders were out here with him. Not a single one of their scents were in the air. Only Kovu's.

So he was alone...

Catching him in mid growl knowing he was going to repeat the question again. Kiara scrambled back onto her paws. "Kovu...it's me...Kiara!"

Kovu didn't let his surprise show on his face. So the protected Princess managed to get out this far. Away from the protection of her father?

Kovu really wasn't sure what to think. Much less say. At first at least.

In the back of his mind he could hear his mothers voice. Telling him how easily it would be to take her out right now. How vulnerable the king would be when his precious daughter never came home. How proud his mother would be if he dragged the princess both alive or dead back to the Outlands for her to see what he had found.

It might make her over look that he didn't bother to go through with the second part of the tasks that she had forced on them.

But were they ready to make the attack yet?

"Kovu?" He heard his voice called again.

Looking back at Kiara, he straightened himself and asked. "Why are you all the way out here Princess?"

So he did remember her! Her face brightened so much at this knowledge that it made Kovu take another small step back. Having never really had anyone look at him in that particular fashion. It made his paws shift a bit uncomfortable with the way she was looking at him.

Smiling, Kiara bounced over to him. "I am out here playing with my friends!"

Friends? Kova asked himself. He didn't remember any other cubs in the Pride Lands. Then he remembered the Eastern and Pride Landers forming their alliance. So it would be obvious that she would have made friends with them. Still it surprised him to see her this far from home. Perhaps her father didn't know she was this far?

After all she had snuck into the Outlands when she was a cub...wouldn't surprise him if she was still that same cub she was before. Only now grown. From the amount of excitement that was rolling off her he was pretty sure she was like a cub in an adults body.

Kinda cute really...He shook his head. No, bubbly personalities were not cute...

"What friends?" He didn't see anyone else in sight. Though he reminded himself he had heard shouting coming from the direction that Kiara had come from. He suspected that the shouting had come from her and her suspected friends.

"Oh they're behind me...wait I'll call for them..." Kiara turned and opened her mouth to shout for her friends.

When a paw reached out and grabbed her snout. Clamping her mouth shut. Kiara's eyes flickered to the owner of said paw confused. Kovu shook his head. "I don't think that would be for the best."

Kiara's ears dropped. Not from the fact that she was disappointed Kovu didn't want to meet her friends. It was from her own mistake at forgetting who and what he was. Her friends would not have liked his presence and would have done everything to try and run him off while calling for the Prides.

"Oops...sorry."

Kovu was taken back again. Then just shook his head at her. "You should not be out this far Princess. Danger is everywhere."

The giggle that came from her made him raise an eyebrow. "My friends had always been safe out there."

"What if I had been someone else?" Kovu asked eyeing her. He smirked when she saw that she actually appeared to stop to think that question over. Not that she really knew that he was contemplating the things that he knew he should do to please his mother and his pride.

Anyone else would have suspected him. Something told him that this princess trusted too much. At least trusted him too much. Something he really could never figure out about her. She should have ran but instead she seemed rather excited to see him.

Kiara seemed to give it thought about if he was somewhat right. In fact she had thought he was someone else at first. And had thought of running away. She would have still ran away if it wasn't for the fact that she recognized him. Perhaps she still should run...he was the son of the lioness whom had killed her family.

But that was just it...he was her son...but was he really like her?

He hadn't been like that when they were cubs. However that was such a long time ago. Was he different now? Did his mother make him to be like her?

All these thoughts were going through her head while she looked at him. Trying to decide if she could run and call for her friends while it wasn't too late. Kiara went through this silent debate for several minutes. All the while Kovu was watching her curiously. All the while also debating with himself what to do with her.

When else would he ever have this chance? Such an easy chance as this?

But was she really his target?

No, his target was the king.

The plan was to get close to the princess in order to get close to the King...

A thought then came to Kovu. One that tore at the two sides of himself. The side that didn't want anything to do with his mother's plans and then the side of him...the side his mother had fought ruthlessly to beat into him...how they were the enemy...they were the reason they were cast into exile. The reason they were fighting every day not to starve to death.

It was that side that won...for now.

The plan was...get close to her now. Make her trust him. There was no guarantee that he could gain it in such little time in the future. His mother was an impatient one. If he could do that now?

But would it work...he had to return home soon...but perhaps he could slip out now and again to meet her. Would it work? Or would he have to tell his mother of his plan? What would she think? Would she be delighted and let him go through with it? Or would she be angry that he left her alive?

No. For now Kovu would keep this plan to himself.

He had to see if it would work first.

He watched her shake her head. "You wouldn't hurt me." She said that with no doubt in her voice. He wasn't sure to be flattered or think that she was a fool. Given what his new plan was. Then the fool she was as well.

"And what if you are wrong?" He questioned her taking a step toward her. Kiara did not tense or step back from him. Rather she appeared relaxed and just continued smiling away at him.

"If you wanted too you would have done so already." Kiara smiled at him. She could be wrong but that was what she was using to make her judgements right now. If he was truly like Zira she figured he would have attacked her by now.

Kovu gave a small scoff. She was only half right. Looking at her, he began to circle her. Throwing the occasional glance to the way she had come. Obviously sooner or later her friends would show up or at least someone looking for her will. And he didn't want to get caught with her during that time.

Kiara watched him closely. Moving in turn with him circling her. Making sure not to turn her back to him. Well that and to keep him in sight. "Why are you circling me?"

"Getting my bearings of you." Kovu grinned at her. "You're still the klutz as ever."

"I am not!"

Laughing, Kovu pointed to the ridge. "Was that not the way you came stumbling in here?"

Puffing out her cheeks, Kiara fought the urge to try and some up with some sort of excuse. Wasn't like he was going to believe her. "I wasn't looking where I was going...so of course I tripped."

"I bet you would trip over your own paws." Kovu put his face close to hers.

Narrowing her eyes in challenge, Kiara held her head high. "Last I checked that day against the crocodiles it was ME who saved you. How can I be a klutz then?" She smirked as he watched his grin vanish to be replaced with a glare. One that didn't scare her in the very least.

"That was nothing." Kovu grumbled pulling back from her. Sitting back on his haunches, he blew his mane back from out of his face.

Rolling her eyes, Kiara shook her head. "Boys you all have too much ego." She covered her mouth to try and suppress her giggle at the dirty look he gave her for that. "All my friends claim you boys are stronger, but when you get in trouble and we help, you all are so stubborn to deny that fact that you weren't all that strong all along."

Kovu could feel the corner of his eye begin to twitched. Her words ringing the words that Vitani and Zawadi had said to him on different occasions. Although unlike Kiara, they weren't teasing but mocking him. Kiara he had a feeling was just teasing.

That again caused his inner debate but the darker side won over once more.

"Do you always enjoy teasing people?" He asked watching her.

Smiling Kiara nodded. "Of course...though I never do it to be mean." She shook her head.

"You sure?" Kovu raised an eyebrow.

Rolling her eyes, Kiara scoffed. "What are you made of? Questions?"

It was Kovu who rolled his eyes this time. "What else am I supposed to do Princess? It has been some time since we have seen one another."

"Fine...why are you out here?" This time Kiara asked him. "Why are you not with the Outlanders?"

Kovu had to think of an excuse for that. What was he supposed to say? Kovu was thinking maybe he should say something that would verify whatever his mother had in the future to get close to the Princess. "I left them."

But where were the others? Kiara asked to herself. Zazu said they had all left. Maybe the other ones had gone their separate ways? But why? Should she ask...

"Why did you leave?" She first asked.

"Me...and the other young ones...we got tired of living in the Outlands...they all though wanted to cross the desert. I really had no wish for that." Kovu shook his head. Putting a look of sadness on his face. Making it look like he wishes he had made the other choice and followed his family out rather than be on his own.

It apparently looked for Kiara's face softened and she looked at him with pity. The Princess would only admit to herself that she felt some doubt to his words. Wondering if that was the real truth. He was an Outlander after all. Her family had warned her that the Outlanders could try and trick her when she had first run into Kovu as a cub.

Then there was the part that hoped he was right...so that she may prove even more to her family that Kovu wasn't like his family.

"How long have you been out here for?"

Kovu shrugged his shoulders. "I wandered around a bit before I settled here...can't really remember hard to keep track when you travel."

Kiara getting to her paws made her way closer to him. Kovu eyeing her closely. His body semi-tense. The Pride Lander Princess smiled at him. "I am happy you and the others managed to overcome your mother's ways and get away."

Kovu wanted to shake his head at her foolishness in trusting him. But if it worked...then it worked. He forced a smile on his face so that she would believe such a thing. Yeah like that would have ever truly happened. His mother would have killed him and the others if they ever thought about abandoning her.

Even if they tried to get away without her knowledge. Kovu did not doubt for a minute, hell he didn't doubt for even a second, that his mother would not find a way to get to them and punish them. And knowing his mother...death might not even be her punishment. It would be too easy of a punishment.

Kovu's ear twitched and turned toward the way Kiara had come from. Hearing voices in the distance. No doubt these friends that she had mentioned that were coming to look for her. And he did not think it was wise for them to find him with her. Jumping to his paws. "I have to go."

Kiara's face fell and her ears dropped. "What? Why? We must found each other again!"

Kovu fought the urge to laugh. She was talking to him like they had ever been friends. While he had thought about that as a cub when they first met. They had not spent enough time with one another to even make any progress on something like that.

Seeing the look he was giving her. He huffed. "You get what I mean!"

Snorting, Kovu turned his head in the way that he heard the voices. Getting closer by the minute. "I think your friends are on their way looking for you...and I have no desire at being seen by any of them." Not that he thought that he could not take them. He was pretty sure none of them quite had the training that he had.

But for his plan to work...he could not afford to be seen. He looked back at her. "You can't tell anyone that you saw me."

"What? Why?" Kiara furrowed her brow in confusion. If he had left the Outlanders there shouldn't be any problem about him meeting her friends. Unless he was afraid of what they may think...Kiara paused to give that thought. Kovu didn't seem like that type of lion. But who was she to judge?

That and the Outlander reputation. Maybe he should be cautious and worried about what her friends reactions could be. Now even she could hear her friends approaching and she sighed. "How can I see you again?"

Kovu had to think about that too. He had to wonder how far did the two pride's patrol? Now that he knew Kiara and her friends came out this far. He did not think that the two prides would let their young wander somewhere that they didn't deem too unsafe.

And then there was the matter if he could get away from his mother and the others once he got home...and convinced the others to keep from being seen by the other prides...Kovu cursed silently to himself but he figured he could come up with some sort of plan in time. He did not think it was often that the little princess managed to get away alone.

"The next time you get time alone...come here...I'll see if I can meet you again." He gave her a reassuring smile. Though even he didn't know if his plans could go completely through with this.

Kiara contemplating his words. Even she had some doubt she might see him again. It wasn't often she got to go off alone. Right at this moment it had been an accident. Having gotten separated from her friends. She looked disappointed. She wanted to know more about Kovu and why he had left.

Something nagged at her that there was more to it than it appeared...but she couldn't wrap her mind around what it was. It just told her that she had to be cautious. That while she wanted to trust Kovu. Kiara knew she also had to be cautious. Hearing her friends again, she looked at Kovu with a large smile and nodded her head. "I'll try my best."

"As will I." Stepping close to her, Kovu flashed her a wide grin. "Until then..." he gave her cheek a lick and watched her tense. "Nice to see you again little princess." Without another word, Kovu darted around her and ran off into the distance. Wanting to put as much distance between him and the group of friends behind him.

Both smirking at coming up with his plan but also nervous about how it might work out...

Kiara watched him run off. Her paw against her cheek. Her skin was so warm beneath her fur that she could feel it radiating through it to her paw. Kiara had to wonder what she had gotten herself into and if she would ever see him again. There was still that doubt about his words nagging at her. And then there was her hope...

"Kiara!" She heard the voices.

"Finally there you are!"

Kiara turned watching Dinka come rushing toward her. Tambo, Kodi and Kiev were on alert she saw. No doubt they had picked up on Kovu's scent. Not knowing if they knew who the scent belonged too. Kiara hugged her friend after Dinka checked if she was okay then made her way over to the others. "It was only a stray rogue guys." She lied.

Their heads swinging around to her. Trying to judge her no doubt. The scent was somewhat familiar to them. At the moment they couldn't place it. So all they had was to entrust in their friend and believe her words. "Did they do anything to do?"

Kiara shook her head. "I am in one piece. He appeared to have left quickly as he heard you guys coming."

Kodi eyed her. The scent in the air was the most familiar to him. It was hinting at something in the back of his mind. He only hoped that Kiara wouldn't be so stupid as to try and get close to an Outlander and then there was the thought of why would one be all this way out away from the Outlands?

So he figured he was just imagining it. "Where did he run?"

Kiara looked figuring they would follow where the scent went anyways and pointed the way Kovu went. "That way...really guys do not worry."

The males each gave a grunt. They wanted to follow to see if the rogue truly got away. But looking at the sky and seeing how low the sun was getting. They figured they had been out long enough and they were far enough away from each of their lands. That sooner or later someone was going to come searching for them if they were late getting home.

"You should have called for us." Tambo looked at the Princess.

Kiara shrugged her shoulders. "I wasn't out here for that long before you came calling. I was hiding in the grass waiting for you lot." Half the truth but no need to worry her friends.

Patting her on the back, Dinka gave Kiara a nuzzle and then she walked back to where the others were. Kiara following in line behind her. The boys waited until the girls passed them and were a good few feet in front of them. Then turned beginning to follow them after giving one last long look the way Kiara had pointed in.

Kodi was still wrapping his mind around it. Then just shrugged and followed along after the others. Dinka calling back to them.

"Hurry up slow pokes! I want to get a chance to see Nala's cub!"

Sharing a look and a groan, the three hung their heads muttering. "Girls..." Then picked up the pace before the two lionesses bit them for going too slow.

---

So much my apologies for the delay in chapter.

Life has been...well...I just been going through things concerning my health. My worries have kept me distracted. I still have no answers yet. Which leaves me very stressed.

So my apologies again.

Hope you enjoy.