After a few moments of everyone checking that they were all okay, Kasi locked eyes with the king of Pride Rock, making her way toward him. "Your majesty," she said, getting everyone's attention. "While I and my tribe are indebted to you for coming to our aid, I have to ask: why did you? We were no longer in the Pride Lands when Makucha, Mjinga, Hofu and their followers surrounded us."

"You're not wrong, Kasi," he responded. "The Backlands are not part of the Pride Lands, so we don't have any authority here. However," his eyes shifted toward the cub, who had finally stopped hugging Fuli, "my son raised two very valid points. The first being that, despite the decision made last night by the herd leaders, you and your tribe are allies to the Pride Lands, now and forever."

This brought a smile to the king cheetah's face. "Thank you, your majesty. What was the second point?"

"Well, after all that she has done as part of the Lion Guard, and the many contributions she has made to-"

"What he's trying to say," Kion interrupted, turning to his friend with a smile, "is that we owe you. You mean too much to us for us to just… let you die. We couldn't let that happen."

"R-really?" He nodded to answer Fuli's question. "Even after…"

He nodded again. "Whether you're right here in the Pride Lands or on the other side of Africa, you'll always be part of the Lion Guard, and you'll always be our friend."

She did her best to resist crying again, holding back the tears. "Thank you." She then turned to the rest of the Guard. "All of you. I'm so grateful you got here when you did."

"We're glad Mjumbe found us when he did," Ono explained. "As soon as he told us what was happening, we headed straight here."

"Yeah, you should've seen Kion!" Bunga recalled. "He ran so fast, we couldn't keep up with him! He ran almost as fast as you could!"

"I did?" As he registered this, he felt his legs starting to shake, causing him to sway a bit until Fuli stood there to support him. "Thanks. I, uh… guess the adrenaline wore off."

She couldn't help but giggle at the joke, but before she could say something about this, another thought came to mind that caused her to frown. "So… what happens now?"

Kasi gave a sigh. "Well… we still need to find our new home," she pointed out. "That means we need to continue on our way, so… this is goodbye again." She saw the frowns that appeared on the faces of the Lion Guard, none deeper than those on the faces of Fuli and Kion, so the mother approached her cub. "Fuli… you don't have to come with us. If you would be happier in the Pride Lands, then please stay there. Don't come with us if you're going to be miserable."

"I…" She looked back and forth between Kion and Kasi, trying to make up her mind, but it only caused her thoughts to become more infuriatingly mixed in her head. "I… I don't know! I thought I did, but... urgh! I don't know how to decide!"

Simba and Nala could only watch on in pity. "This is horrible," the queen lamented, shaking her head. "I couldn't imagine putting Kiara or Kion through this."

"Me neither," her mate sighed. He wanted to say something, but two things stopped him: he couldn't find the words to say, and he heard someone behind him clear their throats. Turning around, he saw that it was Swala. "What are you doing here?"

"Forgive me, your majesty," she said, gaining the attention of the cheetah tribe's leader.

"Swala! Is your friend alright?"

The gazelle nodded. "She is. I got her back to my herd, and thanks to you, we're both fine."

"I don't understand," Simba stated, to which Kasi began to explain.

"One of the wild dogs found them not far from here, and he was going to attack them."

"But you saved us," Swala added. "Even after the herd leaders and I voted you out of the Pride Lands, you saved us."

"It was the right thing to do."

"Well, we're both very thankful. I wish there was a way to repay you."

Kasi shook her head, biting her lip to prevent her frown from showing. "I appreciate the thought, but that won't be necessary. We'll be heading on our way in a few moments."

"Right… of course…" After a few seconds of looking down at the ground, she turned to Simba. "Your majesty, may I speak to you for a second?"

Though he was surprised by the request, he nodded and walked up to the gazelle, the two beginning to talk, with everyone else unable to hear and only able to watch on with piqued interest. "What's going on?" Fuli asked.

"I don't know," he replied with a shrug. "I couldn't even guess."

Fortunately, he didn't need to, as the two eventually broke their conversation, with Swala heading back towards the Pride Lands whilst Simba turned to the others. "Ono? Would you come here for a moment?" He asked, to which the Egret obliged. "I need you to find Zazu and give him a message. Ask him to gather the herd leaders at the base of Pride Rock."

"Right away," Ono replied, taking to the skies as the king turned to the others.

"Everyone else, follow me." He saw Kasi open her mouth, so he quickly added, "all of you."

Understanding what he meant, Kasi looked to her tribe and said, "you heard him. Let's move."

As everyone began to follow the king, Fuli looked to Kion. "You gonna be okay?"

He nodded back to her. "Yeah, I'm okay now. Let's go see what dad has planned."

It was maybe a couple of hours later when Makuu arrived at Pride Rock, meaning that all of the herd leaders were together once again. "Alright, I'm here," he said as he pushed through Bupu and Vuruga Vuruga, "what's going on?" He then caught sight of the cheetah tribe, and sighed. "I thought we already had this meeting."

"You would be correct, Makuu," Simba replied. "However, it was Swala that asked we gather here, and that Kasi and her tribe be in attendance." He turned to the gazelle in question. "I'll allow you to explain."

"Thank you." She stepped forward to face the other herd leaders. "Yesterday, we voted on whether or not Kasi and her tribe should join the Pride Lands, and we voted in opposition, eight to eleven. I was one of those eleven that voted in opposition. However, after earlier today, when Kasi saved myself and one of my herd from being attacked by a wild dog, I believe that we reached the wrong decision, and that we should allow them to join." She turned to Kasi and gave her a smile. "I am officially changing my vote. I vote in favour of them joining."

The smile that appeared on Kasi's face was only outmatched by Fuli's. "Thank you," they both told her, to which she nodded.

"I have to say that this is a waste of time," Bupu interrupted. "We already voted, so we should honour the original decision."

"I disagree!" Swala argued. "If we have a chance to make things right, then we must take it."

"Swala is right," Nala agreed, stepping forward before any arguments could take place. "With her changing her vote, it will only take one more of you to change their vote for the overall result to change. Before that, is there anyone who voted in favour that would instead like to vote in opposition?"

"I can't think of a reason why I would," Basi spoke up.

"Basi is right," Ma Tembo concurred. "Kasi and her tribe are wonderful animals, and should be welcomed to the Pride Lands."

Fuli's smile only grew as she saw Muhimu, Laini, Mbeya, Mjonga and the leader of Ono's flock all nod as well. What surprised her, however, was that Makuu also gave a nod. "You voted in favour?"

"I'm not sentimental," the crocodile explained, "but anyone who can beat me fairly in a fight is okay in my book."

"Well, I stand by my decision," Bupu interrupted again. "It's nothing personal, but the Pride Lands does not need more enemies, and I would rather not see those wild dogs return."

Fuli looked around, seeing Big Baboon, Vuruga Vuruga, Masikio, Mbuni, Twiga, Tumbili, Muhangu, and the leader of both Thurston's herd and Baby Baboon's troop all seem nervous as they looked amongst each other, showing to her that they silently agreed with what he was saying, which made her smile and her hope fade. "Oh…"

Kion saw out of the corner of his eye how her head hung low, and he knew he had to say something, so he stepped forward. "Please," he spoke, gaining everyone's attention. "I know that this is a big request, but I'm begging you, any of you, to change your mind. Not only are Kasi and her tribe great fighters, like Makuu mentioned, but they are kind and helpful creatures, and they are more than deserving to be part of the Pride Lands. I… I don't know what it will take to change your mind… but please…"

Everyone could see that this meant a lot to the cub. Some were surprised while others were sympathetic, and those who were close enough to him knew that he was being completely honest in his plea. "Kion…" He turned around when Fuli said this, both seeing tears brimming in their eyes again. "It's okay. You don't have to do this."

The herd leaders all saw this, and while some were indifferent, one in particular was upset at seeing this. 'There has to be someone,' Swala thought as she looked at the rest of the herd leaders, before eventually making eye contact with the giraffe. "Twiga."

She was a little startled by the mention of her name, but the giraffe gave a frown. "I don't know, Swala. I'm sorry, I have to think of my herd first."

"I know you do, and I understand this is a lot to ask, but allow me to say one thing. Think about Juhudi for a second. If we force Kasi and her tribe to leave the Pride Lands, then we either force Fuli to say goodbye to her mother, or leave her home behind so she can be with her. Could you ever imagine putting Juhudi in that position?"

She opened her mouth to respond, but found that the words just weren't there at first. "I… I hadn't thought of it like that…" She looked to the cheetah cub, who was looking at her with pleading eyes, and one look to the cub's mother saw that she was doing the same. "I… I mean…"

Bupu gave a grunt. "It's clear this is going nowhere, so let's just end this meeting so we can return to our herds."

"Allow her to speak, Bupu," Nala scolded, before giving a soft look to the giraffe. "Well, Twiga?"

"…" She gave a sigh, ducking her head and closing her eyes, before reopening them and giving a smile to Fuli. "I vote in favour of Kasi's tribe joining the Pride Lands."

The cheetahs all realised what this meant, and began to celebrate this. Fuli, meanwhile, could hardly believe it, until she heard Simba make the announcement official. "In that case, with ten votes to nine, I officially declare that Kasi and her tribe are now part of the Pride Lands!"

The smile that broke on her face stretched almost ear to ear, her heart racing with joy. She ran up to Twiga's leg and began to nuzzle it. "Thank you so much!" Before Twiga could say anything, she ran up to Swala and gave her the same affection. "Thank you, Swala, thank you!" She then locked eyes with Kion and ran over to him, both with beaming smiles on their faces. "Thank you, Kion."

"You're welcome, Fuli," he replied. "I'm so happy for you."

"Thank you." She then turned to her mother and embraced her, the tribe leader kissing her daughter on the top of her head. "This isn't a dream, right?"

"No, Mpenzi," she replied, her own elation clear in her voice. "We're home."

After the meeting was over, and the herd leaders made their ways back to their herds, Kasi talked with Simba for a bit longer as the Lion Guard celebrated with her tribe. Eventually, they returned to where they had slept the past three nights, which had become their resting grounds. The sun now setting over the horizon, and while most of them chatted about what they might do now that they were Pride Landers, Kasi and Fuli had gone for a walk to the Watering Hole, both sitting by the water's edge and looking at the sky. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"

Fuli nodded at her mother's words. "It sure is," she replied. "A while back, I might not have even sat down long enough to enjoy it."

"That, I can believe." Fuli gave a playful butt of her head into Kasi's shoulder, both laughing together before giving peaceful sighs. "I never thought in my wildest dreams that we would be able to share a moment like this again, the two of us reunited. I know he can't be here too… but I imagine your father is smiling down on us, happy to know that we are together again."

"I do too, Mama." She started nuzzling into Kasi's side. "What do you think he would say?"

"He'd probably start gushing over how much you've grown and how fast you've gotten." Her smile then turned slightly wistful, but still happy. "You know, it was only after he passed that I started calling you Mpenzi." Fuli looked up, curious to know more. "He used to pretend to get jealous if anyone else ever called you that, saying that it was his special word for you… but when he was gone, I wanted you to know that he still loved you, even if he couldn't tell you himself, so I started calling you that. For both of us."

"Do you… still miss him?"

"Almost every day, especially after I left the Pride Lands. What about you?"

"A little. I don't really have any memories of him, but I do wish he could still be here."

"Me too, Mpenzi. Me too."

As they sat there for a little longer, Kasi saw Kion approaching the Watering Hole a short distance from them. He saw her looking and gave her a smile, which she returned before he turned his attention to the water. "Fuli… I want you to tell me how you really feel about Kion."

"Didn't you ask me that yesterday at some point? He's my best friend, that's all."

"Is that what your head is telling you or your heart?" She turned and saw that the cub was confused by the question. "Fuli, I think he means more to you than you are willing to admit, and I am certain that he thinks the world of you. He might not be your kipenzi yet, but I truly think he might be the one you are destined for. Go to him."

"Mama, I don't-"

"Trust me on this, Mpenzi." Though she wanted to argue, Fuli knew her mother was where she got her stubbornness from, so she gave in and nodded. "I'll give you some alone time. Just talk to him, and you might figure out how you really feel. Come to the resting grounds when you're ready, and make sure you tell me everything."

A small blush appeared on Fuli's face. "O-okay." She gave Kasi a quick nuzzle before she walked away, leaving the cub to head towards the lion. She suddenly felt a little nervous, but she refused to let it stop her as she walked up to her teammate and best friend, who quickly realised she was coming and smiled. "H-hey, Kion. Can I sit here?"

"Sure, Fuli," he replied, allowing her to do so. "I didn't want to interrupt you and Kasi. I'll imagine you two will want to spend as much time as you can together, now that you have the chance."

"Yeah, but I've still got to make time for you and the others… I suppose." He gave a chuckle, which in turn got her to giggle, the cheetah now suddenly too shy to maintain eye contact. "Um… I wanted to thank you, again."

"For what?"

She gave him an incredulous look. "You really don't know? If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be here right now. I wouldn't still be with my mother, I wouldn't still be in the Pride Lands… I might not even be…" She shook that thought away, not wanting to think about it. "The point is, it's all thanks to you."

"You know that's not true. It was Swala who convinced Twiga to change her vote, it was Mjumbe who found us when you were in trouble, not to mention that-"

She cut him off when she moved towards him, her muzzle just inches away from his. "Kion… can I ask you something?"

He wasn't sure what was happening, but his heart felt like it was rushing, his eyes now unable to look away from hers. "S-sure…"

"What do… wh-what do I… mean to you?"

"Fuli… I-I… when I asked if you wanted to go with your mother, I didn't want you to go… but I wanted you to be happy more than I wanted you to stay. I tried my best to keep it inside, but… my heart felt like it was breaking. You mean so, so much to me, Fuli. I can't even put it into words."

"Really?" He nodded, and her cheeks heated up even more. "I'll be honest, Kion. When I originally chose to go with Mama, I thought I'd experienced everything in the Pride Lands, and that I would never get a chance to see her again if I didn't… but when we left, and she asked if I was sure… I wasn't. I've experienced a lot in the Pride Lands… but that makes it harder to leave it behind." She blinked the tears out of her eyes. "And what it would have been hardest to leave behind… was you."

"M-me?"

She gave a small giggle at seeing his cheeks heat up. "Yeah. I don't know quite how to put it, but… but…"

And then, in a moment of impulse, she moved her head towards his and pressed her lips to his. His eyes initially shot open, but they quickly shut as he melted into the moment, the two of them feeling a flourish of feelings in their mind but neither wanting to let this go. When they did eventually part, their gazes immediately locked, though this time, they new it was different.

"I, uh," Kion attempted to speak, his mind still processing what had happened. "That's one way to… wow…"

Fuli giggled, though she was feeling the same way. "Yeah…"

"So… I think it's safe to say we both feel the same, then."

"Yeah."

"So… what now?" She opened her mouth to answer, only to realise that she didn't have an answer for him, but he only smiled more as he nuzzled his head against hers. "It's okay. We'll figure it out."

She smiled, returning his affection. "Together."

The two were unaware that Kasi, rather than return to her tribe, had instead stopped far enough away that she wasn't listening in, but close enough that she could watch for herself, and her heart melted at the sight of her daughter and her best friend nuzzling together. Where they went from there remained to be seen, but for now, all was right for them in the Pride Lands.

THE END

(A/N: and that, dear readers, is where the story ends. Almost four years ago, I published my first fanfiction on this sight: a one-shot for the Lion King fandom, titled Pride Lands Love. Since then, you guys have been reading and responding to my work, and it's helped me to grow as a writer. While this was currently the last planned story I had for this fandom, I am not saying no to ever publishing any more Lion Guard related stories. If I get the right ideas, or any of you make the right request (if I reopen requests), then I would be more than happy to write more stories for you guys, whether it be just one-shots or possibly even a multi-chapter. For now, I just want to say thank you, deeply and truly, to everyone who has ever read my stories and to those that have left reviews, favourited and followed, and all round helped me to adapt my craft.

As they say in the Pride Lands, asante sana.)