Coming Together, Soon enough

"Vitani, NOW!" Zira shouted. Kovu had turned against her, and she would make him pay, but was taken aback by the response to her order.

"No mother" Vitani shouted back. "Kiara's right." She walked over to join Kovu and Kiara's side. "Enough." Everyone around was taken by surprise at the disobedience of Zira's right hand lioness.

"Vitani, you're turning your back against me! Against your pride! Against Scar!"

"No mother. Scar was never a part of this! This whole thing is about you! You wanted to avenge Scar! You wanted me to play a pawn into your little plan, praising my obedience, and beat me when I was anything otherwise. You're the reason we ended up in the Outlands. You killed Kopa! This is above any of us with you! You're always wanting more! You're never satisfied, never 'One for all' with you. It's only 'One for me'. So, I draw the line..." She turned to walk away, leaving her mother fuming in her words. A moment of silence passed, everyone waiting for a reaction, when finally one was given.

"Fine. If you will not fight with me, you will die as well" Zira said, seeming impartial to killing her own daughter to get what she wanted. She had, after all, been right in every word she had said, and Zira knew it. She did only see her children as ways to win back the throne. She gave what she had to for them to live, and faked love to earn obedience. She valued two children over the other one, using his death as a way to further drag her lionesses into anger and war-readiness. Kovu, she'd used as a pawn since his birth, plotting a way to use him, being healthier than Nuka had been at his age, to take the Pride Lands over. Vitani, she'd trained till her paw pads bled as a defensive precaution. Gasps and scoffs came from all around her. She glanced around, seeing the disgust on the faces of her followers, who had now learned she'd personally kill her daughter if it meant gaining power. Slowly, they all had begun walking over to the opposing side, muttering comments here and there. "What? Where are you going?"

"It's over, Zira. It's time we put this behind us" Simba spoke out, turning to walk away.

"I'll never put it behind me. This is for you, Scar." Zira lunger towards Simba, who had done the one thing he'd sworn to never do. He turned his back on an outsider.

-In the Grass Lands-

"Are we there yet?"

"No."

"Now?"

"No-o.."

"Now?"

"Gods Above, Harakati! If you keep asking, you won't make it there!" Bahati shouted. The journey had taken them far longer than they thought it would have, and their break for the rain hadn't helped. They had all grown tired, besides Harakati of course, and were growing quite frustrated with her having all of the energy they needed so badly.

"Listen, Hara, maybe you should just...tone it down a little?" Pembe asked, thinking of the most polite way to tell her to shut up.

"Oh...OK..." she let her head hang in sadness for a few moments. Suddenly, she picked up a strange scent. "Hey guys, fo you smell that?"

"It wasn't me..."Ajabu said all too quickly.

"Nnnnooo...not that..." Harakati said, raising an eyebrow. "We aren't alone." She suddenly leapt through the air into the tall grasses off to the side.

"Ow!" The others ran over to see what had happened and found Harakati standing over a brown lion with her paws on his chest.

"Why were you following us?" She asked viciously, lowering her face to his. Suddenly, another lioness, matching his color walked out beside them.

"Makin' friends everywhere ya go, aren't ya?" she asked, as if this was a common occurence.

"Well, you know me, darling. Mr. Friendly. Now would you kindly get off of me?" he asked, turning his attention back to Harakati. Reluctantly she backed off of him, growling all the way.

"So who are you and why are you following us?" she asked again.

"Well first off, I wasn't following you. My wife and I were simply on a walk. Second, I am Tojo. These are my lands. Welcome." His tone was a playful sarcasm.

"Tojo? Like King Tojo?" Bahati asked.

"Well yes I-" Tojo turned towards the voice, seeing Bahati for the first time. "Simba?" Bahati rolled his eyes.

"No sir. I am Bahati. I take it you thought I was him because of the resemblance?" Tojo nodded. A smile appeared on Bahati's face, remembering the bet he made with Harakati, a frown appearing on hers. "Yeah, everyone says that. Malka, Chumvi, you..."

"Wait, you've been to see Malka and Chumvi?" Tama spoke up. "How are they doing? How's Malka's cub?"

"Actually, just fine. They all are. Malka and Kula's cub is nice and healthy. Born with a white coat, bright blue eyes. Name's Usafi" Ajabu spoke up, eager to talk about the little cub. Her three friends were surprised at her outburst. She was usually more reserved than that. Tama and Tojo simply continued on as if the white lioness' appearance was nothing, which she found strange. Everyone usually had some input, but they had just kind of accepted it.

"Well, that's good news" Tama said. "Allthough I am curious about the white fur. Both of them are pretty tan."

"Yeah, they said the same thing" Ajabu replied.

"So what brings you to the Grass Lands?" Tojo asked.

"Well, we began traveling, my sister and I and over time, we picked up a few hitch hikers" Bahati said, nodding his head towards Ajabu and Harakati. "As I've said, I'm Bahati, the white lioness is Ajabu, red one's Harakati, and last, my sister, Pembe." Pembe lifted her trunk to wave to the two royals.

"Wait, the elephant's your sister?" Tama asked. The two nodded proudly. "How...?" Pembe stepped forward.

"Well, one day, mother and I were near the river and I found Baha washed up on the shore. He was beaten up really bad so we took him in."

"Well, who taught him how to hunt?" Tama asked.

"I don't hunt. I eat bugs. I even convinced Hara here to join me." Both of the royals jumped back slightly in surprise. "What?"

"Well, Simba eats the same way. Sure, he'll eat meat, but he won't pass up a bug here and there, much to Nala's distaste" Tojo said with a chuckle. "So, why were you so beaten up when you were found? If for don't mind me asking that is."

"Not at all. You see, I actually have no idea. I can't remember anything past the dat I woke up being jabbed in the side by an elephant. Woke up covered in cuts with half a tail and no idea how I got it or how I ended up in the Zuberi. But hey, it happens to the best of us right?" he joked with a slight chuckle at the end. "The only thing I can remember is another cub with blue eyes and a little tuft of hair. Other than that, naddah."

"Hey Toj, wasn't Simba's boy thrown off that cliff into the Zuberi?" Tama asked curiously.

"Yeah, but let's not talk about that now. We have guests. So, if you would follow me, I'm sure you're tired from your travels, especially with the rain" he added lightly.

-back in the Pride Lands-

"OK, everyone, listen up 'cause I'm only saying this once! The meerkat and warthog are off limits! Anyone who violates these rules will be executed immediately! Dismissed!" Simba shouted from the top of Pride Rock to the newest members of the pride below. Nala hit his arm and whispered to him.

"Simba, is execution really necessary? A hearty exile should do, right?"

"Nala, it's a bluff. I don't expect them to do anything, so I can fill them with false fears. Plus, don't I deserve a little fun?" he asked, flashing his signature Simba grin. She rolled her eyes with a slight giggle.

"Fine, but don't get too ahead of yourself. Remember who's really in charge here" she spoke matter-of-factly. He scoffed playfully.

"I think you need to remember that only Nal" he said, nudging her shoulder with his own.

"Remember, Simba. Behind every great king is his queen-"

"Nagging and rolling her eyes" he added with a cheeky grin. She smiled at him seductively.

"Simba, it's pretty comfortable out here, isn't it?" Catching the message, he smiled back with a dreamy face.

"Yes..."

"Ah, good." Her face went into a scowl. "So I know you'll be fine sleeping out here tonight." She turned away with a humph and walked back into the cave.

"Why do I always do this to myself..." he whispered to himself. Suddenly, he heard the padding of paws behind him.

"Uh...S-Simba?" He turned around to see a timid Vitani, exchanging glances between his eyes and her paws repeatedly. He smiled warmly at her and chuckled.

"Yes Vitani? There is no reason to be afraid of me you know..." he trailed off and approached her, taking a seat by her side. He could feel her nervousness and fear. "Vitani, what's on your mind?" he asked in a serious, caring tone.

"W-well, I just, I wanted to...you know...apologize...about my mother's...actions" she said, still avoiding his gaze. Simba's heart skipped a beat and for half a second, he was overcome with rage, disappearing as quickly as it came. Old memories can be hard to suppress.

"Thank you" he said earnestly. "I've put it behind me. I know you had nothing to do with what she...did...and I know it hurt you as much as it did us...you don't have to apologize." His eyes teared momentarily, but he blinked the tears back. "He'd be proud of what you've done today..." he said, placing a paw around her shoulder and into a quick hug. "Now, you should probably get inside. It can get pretty cold out here at night." She looked up at him and smiled.

"Thank you, Simba." She stood to leave, but noticed he had lain himself down. "A-aren't you coming?" she asked.

"Huh? Nah, her highness doesn't appreciate the snarky humor being raised with Timon and Pumbaa gave me. I've been sentenced to a cold night alone out here" he replied with humor in his voice.

"Oh OK?" she said/asked in a confused manner. Slowly, she began walking into the den, nervously glancing around her. She tried to shrug off the eyes on her, but couldn't help but feel the scepticism all around was, after all, Zira's right hand lioness. Growing more and more uncomfortable with every step she took, she spun on her heels and returned back to Simba. "I can't go in there..." Simba had been lying with his head down. He opened his eyes at the sound of her voice.

"Oh? Why not?" he asked with concern.

"I just tried to kill some of the very lionesses in there...I can't just walk in and lie next to them...it doesn't feel right..." she said, her head hanging low.

"Very well. Come on. Join me." She looked at him quizzically. "We're a pride now, we've got to help each other. Just trust me, you'll feel better" he said with a smile. Reluctantly, she made her way over to him and brought herself to her stomach a few feet away from him. Feeling content he had persuaded her, Simba lied his head down once again, closing his eyes to sleep. Slowly and hesitantly, she followed his lead, bringing her own head down, eyes falling heavily, thoughts racing, until she was finally able to fall asleep.

-Not far away-

Kovu watched as his sister slept next to the king on the edge of Pride Rock. Kiara noticed his gaze and his puzzled expression and decided to try providing an explanation.

"Well, they knew each other before...you know...maybe they're catching up?" she offered.

"Yeah...maybe..." he replied in a tone that made it seem as though his mind was elsewhere, which it was. "I just can't believe she's gone. I know she did terrible things...but she's still...a part of me..." he trailed off, closing his eyes and dropping his head down. Kiara felt her heart drop in sadness. Not for Zira, but for her son. She brought her head underneath his chin, sharing a comforting nuzzle with him. Once she felt a low pur rumble through his throat, she smiled, purring back.

Chapter 28. I apologize for the delay. Writers block can bring things to a halt fairly quickly.