(A/N: hey, guys. Like I said to my Loud House readers, I'm currently done with assignments until the next semester, so over the next week or so, I'm gonna try and get as much writing done as possible, and try to get back on a regular schedule. I appreciate you guys sticking with this, so thank you all for reading, and enjoy!)

Once everyone had made their way to Pride Rock, they had found most of the herd leaders waiting for them, all having been gathered by Zazu and Ono under the king's orders, some more willing than others, with only a few of them absent. After apologising to them for the late gathering, Simba explained to them that the Lion Guard had returned- a fact that Bupu had curtly pointed out that they could see for themselves- and they had successfully escorted the cheetah tribe back from Kushangaza. Kion then stepped forward to thank them for stepping up to look after the Pride Lands, letting them know that they had done a great job in protecting their home and that the Lion Guard would be resuming their usual patrol and duties in the morning.

When that was out of the way, Kasi stepped forward to introduce herself. She started by telling them about how she had lived in the Pride Lands before, both before its reformation and after, and how she left to protect her daughter, before telling them about how she met with her tribe, and how they found their home in the rainforest. When Makuu challenged her by asking why she and her tribe suddenly decided to move from there- a challenge that Kion had to hold Fuli back from snapping at him for- she explained to him about how many other groups, herds and tribes had tried to take it from them, and how they decided it was time to leave. When then asked about why the Pride Lands, one glance to Fuli was all it took for Muhimu to understand, being a mother herself.

Another quarter of an hour of introductions, chatting and explanations later, the groups dispersed. Simba had decided that it needed to be a majority decision from the herd leaders, as well as for Kasi to agree to the terms of their relocation, which they would begin discussing the next day. He gave the herd leaders two days to think about it, and in the meantime, the cheetahs were official guests in the Pride Lands, so he allowed them to stay at the plains near the Watering Hole. As night fell, and the cheetah tribe began to fall asleep, Kasi noticed Fuli sat upright, her head lifted upwards. Curious, she walked up to her daughter and saw that she was looking up at the night sky, so she sat down beside her and did the same.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" She spoke, both to herself and her daughter. "Stars are beautiful, no matter where you are… but they always seem that little bit more magical out here."

"I know what you mean," Fuli responded, her eyes transfixed on the dark canvas above her. "It's like they're more alive here."

A soft chuckle came from the adult of the two, her head turning to smile at the cub. "I think you might be right about that. So, shouldn't you be getting some sleep? You have patrol tomorrow."

"I know. Just wanted to look at the stars for a bit before I went to sleep."

"I see. So, did you enjoy the journey?"

"I did. Kushangaza was beautiful… but, I'm looking forward to what's to come." Her smile dropped a little. "I know things might not work out, and you might have to…" She couldn't even finish that thought, gulping to hold back the tears. "But I just have this feeling that things will work out, and I think I can trust that feeling."

"I think so too, mpenzi. I know I can't guarantee anything, but I will do whatever I can to make this work, and no matter what, I love you. So, so much."

This got Fuli's smile to perk up again, the Guard member leaning into her mother, her head resting against her chest and nuzzling into her fur. "I love you too, mama."

"I know you do." She lowered her dad and placed a gentle kiss on her daughter's head, before telling her, "now, let's get some sleep."

Fuli nodded to agree, the two of them lying down together in the soft grass, the mother holding her close as she closed her eyes. Their rhythmic breathing lulled them both to sleep, smiles on their faces as they rested up for the day to come.

When the sun eventually rose over the Savannah, the Pride Landers woke one by one and began to go about their day. They found food for the day, visited the Watering Hole for water, stretched, walked- whatever it took for them to get ready for the day ahead. At the plains by the Watering Hole, Kasi had been awake ever since sunrise, but decided not to wake Fuli straight away, as she found it soothing to watch her sleep. A part of her attributed it to the fact that she had missed out on seeing her daughter sleep for so long, but she couldn't deny that she looked adorable like this.

Whilst the other cheetahs were still slumbering, Aliye yawned and smacked her lips, her eyes fluttering open before she turned her head and saw the former 'queen' smiling as her daughter slept. "Someone looks happy," she remarked, getting Kasi to look back at her.

"Good morning, Aliye," she greeted to her friend. "How did you sleep?"

"I slept good, though obviously not as well as you have." Though Kasi rolled her eyes at the statement, she gave a small chuckle too, unable to deny that she had indeed slept well. "She sure seems peaceful."

"She really does…" The motherly love was clear as day in her eyes, the smile on her face warm and caring. "It's funny. Even after everything that's happened, it still feels like before, when she was very young. Back when Shahidi was still alive, and the two of them would play for hours on end, neither knowing who would tire out first. Back when I could fit her in my paws, and she would mew as she slept. It was so long before I could hold her like this again… and even after all this time, all the time we've spent apart, all the time that she's used to grow without me… it still feels like we can be a family."

"Of course you can." Aliye sat down opposite her leader, meeting her gaze. "When she and her friends came to Kushangaza, and we sent those wild dogs running, the embrace she gave you told me that she still cares about you. That she was happier than anything else to see you again. That, after everything, she still wants you around. You are still a family, and nothing will change that."

"You always know what to say, don't you?" The two women chuckled, neither noticing that the rest of their tribe were starting to wake as well. "Thank you, Aliye."

"Anytime. I can see how much this means to you, and honestly, I've never seen you happier than you have been these past few days."

"I can't say I'm surprised. I've felt a lot better these past few days, like I finally feel complete again."

"I can tell, you're practically glowing!"

Kasi laughed softly again, just as she saw some of the other cheetahs waking up. "Looks like it's time for the hunt."

"You know what? Let me take the hunt this time. You should stay here with her."

"Are you sure you don't mind?"

"Nah. Besides, me and Penda have a bet to settle."

She rolled her eyes again, before telling her follower, "alright. Thank you." Aliye nodded, before walking over to one of the other cheetahs. After a moment of talking and a nod to each other, they walked away, just as Kasi felt movement against her chest. Looking down, she watched with a smile as Fuli let out a loud yawn. "Good morning, mpenzi."

"Morning, mama," she tiredly greeted back, tilting her head back to look her mother in the face. "Have you been up long?"

"Not especially. The sun hasn't been up that long. I would've woken you, but you were too cute as you slept."

Fuli rolled her eyes, giving a giggling moan of "mama" as Kasi nuzzled her.

"I'm sorry, but it's true. You are cute when you sleep." The cubs cheeks blushed faintly beneath her fur. "Besides, it was nice waking up like this. Back here, with you by my side."

"I'm glad I could wake up like this too," Fuli admitted, giving her mother another nuzzle before getting to her feet. "I was gonna go for a run before patrol. Is that okay?"

The mother gave a bit of a chuckle. "Fuli, you don't need to ask me that. In fact, I might join you." Her smile turned to a smirk as she added, "that is, if you think you can keep up with me."

Fuli gave a fake shocked gasp. "Is that a challenge, mama?"

"I do believe it is. Besides, we have some time to kill before Aliye and Penda return from the hunt. What do you say?"

"You're on. Though, they don't call me the fastest for nothing."

"Alright. From here, we'll run towards Pride Rock, make one lap around it, then race back here. Ready?" When her cub nodded, they assumed their starting positions, eyes aimed directly at Pride Rock. "Tatu… mbili… moja…"

"HUWEZI!" And they were off.

Back at Pride Rock, the royal family were enjoying their morning meal, a succulent gazelle carcass dragged back by the queen with one of the other lionesses. As they do, they happily conversed with each other. "So, Kion," Nala asked her son, "are you looking forward to going back on patrol?"

"Actually, yeah," the prince admitted. "The trip to Kushangaza was pretty cool, but I kind of missed patrolling a little. It's become such a big part of my routine now."

"Yeah, well, you're lucky," Kiara argued with a grin. "Being on the Guard means you can go pretty much anywhere, and I never see anywhere outside of the Pride Lands."

The king raised an eyebrow to his daughter. "Kiara, he doesn't leave the Pride Lands for vacation," he reminded her. "He only leaves when he and his Guard have a duty that requires them to, and he always goes with the rest of his Guard."

"Even we don't leave for the sake of doing so," Nala added. "We only do so for official business as king and queen."

"I guess… still sucks."

Kion couldn't help but chuckle. "One day, Kiara." He then turned his sights to the king. "So, dad, you're gonna be starting discussions with Fuli's Mom, right?"

"Yes, Kion, that is the plan. Before that, however, we need to visit all of the herd leaders with her, so that she can build an understanding with them, and so they can learn more about her. She was able to speak with many of them last night, but there are some who weren't able to attend, and they only got to briefly introduce themselves last night. All the while, we will be discussing with her some of the terms in regards to her and her tribe making a permanent immigration into the Pride Lands."

"Okay. Just… promise you'll give her a chance, okay?"

"Kion, I understand your concerns, and I will do my best to make this work, but it takes more than just my approval to allow a new group to join our kingdom."

"I know…"

Seeing her son's head hang low, Nala lowered her head and gave him a caring smile. "Kion?" She spoke, getting him to look at her. "I know this means a lot to Fuli, and I know this means a lot to you."

"I wonder why," they heard Kiara snidely comment, to which Kion rolled his eyes before allowing the queen to continue.

"You don't need to worry about this. Just continue with your patrol, and I will do what I can to help speak with the other herd leaders."

His lips twitched into a smile again. "You mean it?"

"Of course. Besides, your father isn't the best speaker. There's been more than a few times where your father would have been useless without me."

"Excuse me, but the feeling is mutual," Simba said with disdain, only to be met with silence.

"Wait…" Kiara eventually spoke. "So, it's mutual that you'd be useless without mom?"

"No, that- that's not what- what I meant was-" He stopped his stuttering when he realised that his children and his wife were laughing, the first two more so than the latter, but he smiled and rolled his eyes at this. "Whatever."

"I hope we're not interrupting anything," they heard a voice speak, turning to see Kasi and Fuli approach them, the adult of the two bowing to the royals. "Your majesties."

"It's nice to see you, Kasi," Nala greeted. "How was your first night back in the Pride Lands?"

"It was good, thank you. For as many places as I've been, the Pride Lands still feel like home to me."

"That's good to hear."

"So, we need to get going," Fuli told her mother. "I'll see you after patrol, okay?"

"Okay, mpenzi," she replied, then looked to Kion. "You watch after her, Kion."

"Mama!"

"It's okay, ma'am," Kion assured her, ignoring Fuli's indignation. "We watch out for each other, and that's why we work so well together." This satisfied the former queen of Kushangaza, who simply smiled and nodded in response as he turned to Fuli and said, "let's go."

She nodded and the two kids went on their way. "So, Kasi," Simba spoke, "shall we be heading on our way as well?"

She stepped to one side and said, "by all means, lead the way." He nodded, and the king and queen began their descent, with his wife and the cheetah leader in tow.