Kovu crouched low in the tall grass. His tail still, his paws barely touching the ground as he stalked forward. The gazelle in front of him was happily grazing away. It was unaware that with each step Kovu took, it's end came closer. When the lion king reached the edge of the tall grass. He bunched his muscles under him and prepared to leap. But just as he was about to spring, the sounds of excited voices echoed through the Pridelands. The gazelle raised its head and the predator and prey met each other's eyes for a heartbeat. The gazelle let out a sharp bay and took off. Kovu sighed, getting to his feet.
There goes dinner, He thought. Suppose I'll just have to eat whatever the lionesses caught.
Curiously, Kovu turned and began walking toward the voices that had scared away his meal. It wasn't long before he saw a group of animals stalking across the plains. In the lead was… Shujaa?
Kovu squinted his eyes as the animals got closer. All of them had the mark of the guard on their shoulders….
Oh, no. He sighed to himself. She pulled a Kion.
"Shujaa!" He called. The king walked over to the young ones. They all gasped and ducked their heads in an awkward bow. Except Shujaa and Nguvu. Shujaa puffed out her chest and gestured with her tail to the other animals.
"Daddy," she said. "Meet the Lion Guard."
Kovu gave each animal a quick smile. There was a fox, a leopard, a cheetah… and Nguvu. It actually wasn't the worst looking Lion Guard.
"Nice to meet you all." He said. The leopard he recognized. One time, after Kucha had just invaded, he and the Ex-Lion Guard had gone down to the border of the Backlands to make sure he had really gone. There, he had met a very young Leopard cub who had been living in the Pridelands. Of course, he had given her permission to stay. She had been very helpful and respectful to them.
As for the rest of the Lion Guard… he didn't remember ever seeing the fox. He did vaguely remember seeing the cheetah racing across the Pridelands…
"So," the king purred. "You decided to go a different route with the guard, eh?"
Shujaa looked up at her father with wide eyes.
"You don't mind?" She whispered wearily. "Do you?"
Kovu shook his head. He rested his muzzle against his daughter's cheek.
"Of course not, little leader." He said. "I don't care if you use lions or not. As long as you know this guard is what's best for the Pridelands."
Oh, Kovu. His mind sneered. Could you imagine Zira's face if she could hear you now?
"It is!" Shujaa purred. She pointed to the guard. "Nguvu's the strongest. Kupanda is the keenest of sight. Mfalme is the bravest. Haraka is the fastest." She drew her lips back in a grin. "And I'm the fiercest."
Kovu smiled at Nguvu. The young cub was pawing at his mane, which must have fluffed up while he and Shujaa were running around assembling the guard. It was nice that the Ex-Backlander cub would now play such a roll in the circle of life… Kovu had a feeling he had been through a lot, it was only fitting that he should get to enjoy life a little now.
"Ok," Kovu said. He turned to his daughter. "You'd best start your patrol. And remember, this isn't a game Shujaa." He eyed his youngest with worry. "Please be careful."
"I'll watch over her, Sir." Nguvu piped in. Kovu gave him a smile.
"I know you will." He said. "But make sure to look after yourself too."
With that, Kovu turned and started back to Priderock. All the way there, he had a terrible heartache. His baby was growing up… she was the leader of the guard now. And Koda… he would never be able to have a close relationship with his son. He had waited too long.
"Kovu!" Kiara greeted as he climbed up Priderock. He purred as she brushed her head under his chin. A few lionesses were sleeping on the rock around them. Kovu frowned when he noticed his sister was nowhere to be found.
"Where's Vitani?" He asked. Kiara sighed and gazed up at him with tired eyes.
"She…" the Queen paused and licked at a paw. "She's been feeling kinda useless now that Shujaa has the roar."
Kovu sighed.
"She is taking it pretty hard, isn't she?" He murmured. Kovu cared very much for his sister. Growing up, they had actually been rather close to one another. They had fought together, trained together, played together… she even defended him from Zira and Nuka when he had been younger. He knew it had hurt her deeply when he had betrayed the Outsiders… he was glad she was able to see truth in the end. Zira was one thing, losing Vitani would have been soul crushing.
"I'll talk to her." He promised his mate. "When she gets home, I'll try to cheer her up." He noticed Simba and Nala were also missing from Priderock. "Are your parents out hunting too?" He asked. Kiara chuckled.
"No," she said. "They went out for a walk together."
Kovu nodded. Kiara yawned and stretched out her paws.
"Well, I'm going to relax with the others." She meowed. "You should try to get some rest too."
Kovu smiled.
"In a bit." He said. "I want to ask Rafiki if he can do something about this tick behind my ear first. Where is that crazy monkey?"
Kiara, who had laid down and was already half-asleep, flicked her tail tip toward the lion guard lair.
"Down there." She mumbled. Kovu started to walk back down Priderock. He yelped as something grabbed him by the tail.
"Dad?" Koda whispered. The cub took his paw off his father's tail. "I need to talk to you."
Kovu swallowed and shifted his paws nervously. He couldn't answer questions! What if he said the wrong thing? And messed his son up?
"I have to go to the lair." He said stiffly. "Why don't you ask Simba when he gets home?"
Koda stared at his father with pain shining in his blue eyes.
"Dad," he whispered. "Please, I need to talk to you."
Kovu shook his head. He couldn't bear to look his son in the eyes as he walked right past him. I'm so sorry Koda…
"I have to go." He said over his shoulder. "Ask Simba."
Kovu had his back turned. He didn't see the look of pain in his son's eyes shift to one of dark anger.