a/n well folks here we are at the final chapter. I appreciate the reviews and alerts. Happy Independence Day my fellow Americans! Hope everyone has a safe and fun day. enjoy ch 24

Ch 24 A Bittersweet End

Utata and the others looked over and saw Simba looking back at them, a smile on his face. "Dad!" Utata and Kion cried out, running over to their father and nuzzling into his mane.

"Daddy!" Kiara cried out as she too ran to her father and nuzzled into his mane.

"Oh Simba we were so worried about you," Nala cried out, nuzzling her mate.

"Yeah we thought you were a goner!" Bunga exclaimed, running over to Simba and hugging his neck.

"Easy there Bunga," Simba said with a slight groan. "I'm still not healed."

"Sorry about that," Bunga said, jumping back a guilty look on his face.

"Its alright Bunga," Simba said with a smile. "I'm glad to see you too. I'm glad to see you all. But I couldn't help but hear what happened to Asha. I'm so sorry Utata. I should have done more to stop Janja. I.."

"Dad its alright," Utata said, giving Simba a gentle nuzzle. "It wasn't your fault. There was nothing you could have done to prevent what happened. And I know that Mom would say the same thing if she were here."

"But wait I'm confused," Fuli said, looking at Rafiki. "I thought you said that Simba was on the verge of death."

"He was," Rafiki confirmed with a nod. "But de body is a mystery. It sometimes does tings dat I cannot explain. Dis is not de first time someting like dis has happened. I am just thankful dat it did."

"I think we're all thankful for that," Nala said, giving Simba another nuzzle. "I just wish it could have been the same in Asha's case."

"I think it was Mom," Kiara said, causing Nala to look at her in surprise. "I mean she was in a coma too. But she woke up and saved me, Zuri and Tiifu. If that hadn't happened then we'd be dead for sure. So I think that counts as a miracle."

"It sure does!" Makini exclaimed, putting her arm around the Princess.

"I never though about it like that," Utata said, a smile going across his muzzle.

"Things always have a way of working out the way they're supposed to," Kion declared.

"But if you all are ready we should have a proper funeral for Asha," Makini said, her expression somber.

"Honey are you ready for that?" Nala asked, nuzzling her oldest boy.

"I'm just ready to get it over with," Utata said, letting out a heavy sigh. With that Utata began to pick up Asha's body. But a stabbing pain in his side prevented his from doing so.

"I got her," Beshte said, getting underneath Asha and picking her up. With that the group headed out of the cave to have Asha's funeral.

TLKTLKTLK

A little while later Asha's funeral had been done. Simba had sent word to King Kamili and Queen Merembo of the Water view lands to let them know what had happened. "I hope Aunt Merembo is alright," Utata said. "I know she was really sick before all of this happened...and her and Mom were really close. I just hope this isn't too much for her." Utata let out a shaky breath when he said this last part.

"Honey I'm sure your Aunt will be fine," Nala said, giving her oldest a comforting nuzzle.

"I hope so Mom," Utata said with another sigh.

"Hey Utata do you feel like going on patrol with me and my Guard?' Kion asked, trying to get his brother's mind on other things.

"Really?" Utata asked, surprised at his younger brother's offer. "You want me to come?"

"Of course I do," Kion said with a smile. "But if you don't want to I understand. I mean you did get hurt."

"No I want to," Utata said quickly. He quickly turned to Rafiki and Makini and said, "Its alright if I walk around isn't it?"

"As long as you do not over do tings," Rafiki said. "And take tings slowly."

"I will," Utata promised.

"Then lets go!" Bunga exclaimed as he climbed on top of Utata's head. Utata smiled and let out a slight laugh before heading out on patrol with his brother.

TLKTLKTLK

A little while later Kion and his Guard were heading back to Pride Rock. There was no signs of Zira or Janja and all was pretty quiet. "Thanks for this Kion," Utata said with a smile. "I needed the distraction."

"No problem," Kion said with a smile of his own. "I'm glad it helped Utata."

"Boy did it ever," Utata said, still smiling. "And its Kopa now. I've regained most of me memories so I feel like I'm back to me old self."

"Glad to hear it Kopa," Kion said, giving his brother a nuzzle. "I never though I'd be glad to have another older sibling but I'm really glad you're back."

"Thanks little brother," Kopa said, gladly returning his brother's nuzzle. "That really means a lot to me. But I think I'm going to get some sleep. Its been a Hell of a day."

"Good idea," Kion said with a nod. "Lets head back." With that Kion bid his friends good night as he and Kopa headed to get some much needed sleep.

TLKTLKTLK

A couple of weeks past and things were getting better at Pride Rock. Kopa had received word from the Water View Pride that his Aunt Merembo was going to make a full recovery although she was devastated to hear the news and upset that she's unable to come to the Pride Lands. Kopa decided to visit his Aunt and Uncle as soon as Simba was well enough to run the Kingdom again. Kopa had been helping Kiara run things as well as Nala. Luckily for the Princess the animals were respecting her decisions as they would Simba's. Simba was getting stronger and stronger everyday and Rafiki had told him that he should be able to return to his Kingly duties in a couple of weeks. But the even better news was that Zira and Janja hadn't been seen or herd from in weeks. But Kion and his Guard were keeping an eye out for them or Reirei and her jackals. But for the time being Kion was enjoying the down time. He was spending all of it either with Zuri or getting to know his brother better. Kopa had been catching up with all his family and he had regained the majority of his memories. Kopa missed Asha everyday but he knew his adoptive mother wouldn't want him to be sad all the time so he was enjoying his time with his re-found family and he hoped these peaceful times would last for a long time.

The End

a/n well folks this story is finally complete. I hope you all enjoyed it. Anyways I hope everyone stays healthy, safe and secure during these unsure times we're in. Love to all and I'll be back soon with a new story.