Another night has passed and both cubs met each other again.
"Hey Kovu!"
"Hi Kion!"
"How are you?" Kion asked.
"I'm great! You really helped us out with that gazelle. I was allowed to eat most of it since I caught it!"
"Good to hear! I'm glad I could help you."
"Me too. But I didn't mention you to my family. I wish I could, but I can't." Kovu looked a bit disappointed.
"You're keeping our meetings a secret too, huh?"
"Yeah, I know mother wouldn't allow me to meet up with you."
"Same here. Some of my friends found out about it though."
"Really? How did they react?"
"Well they were pretty hesitant, but one of them accepted it because, uh..." Kion was about to tell his feelings for Kovu, but he didn't know how.
Kovu raised his eyebrow. "I didn't expect anyone would accept us."
"Well, I told Fuli and Ono about you, that you're not a bad lion, but that you're actually really smart, brave and kind." Kion blushed a little.
"Oh, uh... Thanks!" Kovu didn't know what to say.
"And then I realized I... I like you, Kovu. More than just as a friend." Kion's heart was racing. He had no clue how Kovu would react.
Kovu was stunned. He didn't expect Kion to feel the same that he does. He was so happy, but also scared at the same time. "I feel the same." he finally said.
Both lions didn't know what to say next. They were blushing and feeling awkward about this scene. Kion then decided to get some distraction.
"Let me show you something." Kion said.
He then gestured to Kovu to follow him and started walking in the direction of the Pride Lands.
"Where are we going?" Kovu asked.
"You'll see." Kion replied. He was smiling the whole time.
They made their way to the Pride Lands, but weren't exactly crossing the border. Instead Kion walked near the border towards another place. Kovu had no idea where they were going, but followed the yellow cub anyway.
"Alright, it's not much further. Close your eyes." Kion said.
Kovu looked at Kion with a confused look.
"Trust me." Kion added.
"Okay then." Kovu said, before closing his eyes.
"Just keep walking."
Kovu did what he was told. He had no idea what to expect, but he trusted Kion. He kept walking with some guidance from Kion and not long after, they were at their destination.
"Okay, you can open them now."
Kovu opened his eyes and gasped from what he saw. They weren't in the Pride Lands nor the Outlands. There were large trees everywhere, beautiful flowers and everything looked so green.
"Welcome to Hakuna Matata Falls!" Kion said.
"Wow. It looks amazing!"
"Come on, let me show you around!"
Kovu followed Kion and showed him some of the most amazing places to be here.
"Luckily there aren't any animals around here, except for Bunga and his uncles. But right now they're hanging out in the Pride Lands, so we have this place for ourselves." Kion said.
"Lucky us indeed." Kovu chuckled.
There was a small waterfall Kion and Bunga used to hang out. Kion climbed upon the waterfall with Kovu behind him.
"Wanna go for a dive?" Kion asked.
"Uh, I'm not sure."
"It's really fun. Just do what I do."
Then Kion walked backwards before charging towards the waterfall. He jumped and landed in the water beneath them. Kovu stared at the water below him and searched for his friend. Then Kion's head appeared from the water.
"Your turn!" he shouted from beneath.
Kovu smiled. That really looks like fun! he thought. He also charged and jumped into the water next to Kion. Luckily the water was pretty deep. Kovu swam up and started laughing. "That was amazing! You're right, this really is fun." he said.
Kion laughed as well. "I know!"
They both swam towards the edge to the dry land and both shook the water out of their fur.
"Come on! You gotta see this." Kion said.
Kovu followed again and they were climbing upon a hill. It was pretty large and it took some effort to get on top of the hill. Eventually they managed to climb up the hill and Kion sat on the edge of it. Kovu sat next to him.
"Look." Kion said, before pointing out their view in front of them.
"Wow."
From here, you could see almost every single bit of the Hakuna Matata Falls. There was a large waterfall in the distance, a river that would lead to the mountains in the distance, trees everywhere and everything looked so beautiful. This was the most beautiful place Kovu has ever been. He was so happy to be here with Kion.
Then, something unexpected happened. Kovu felt a paw touching his own left paw. He looked to the left to face Kion, but Kion had flattened his ears, looking on the ground smiling. It was clear that Kion was very nervous about holding Kovu's paw. Kovu got so many butterflies in his stomach and all he could do was smile.
Kovu got closer and nuzzled Kion under his chin. They were rubbing on each other's pelt with their heads and upper bodies, feeling their love for each other. It felt like time had stopped and they were the only ones in the world. They nuzzled each other for a long time. But then, Kovu stopped, looking a bit shocked.
"What's wrong?" Kion asked.
Kovu turned away from Kion and faced the ground. He lowered his ears. "There's something you should know..." he began. He felt tears coming out of his eyes.
"Hey, it's okay. I'm here. What's the matter?"
"I... It's just... I've been training..." Kovu started to sob.
"Yeah?"
Kovu took a deep breath and looked Kion in his eyes before he continued. "Mother had a plan for me. I've been training to kill Simba to become king of the Pride Lands. But I really don't want to! I don't want to be a part of her plan. You have to believe me. I want to be with you!"
Kion opened his mouth of disbelief. He went quiet for a bit to progress what the sobbing cub just told him. Kovu decided to stay quiet as well.
"You... You were about to kill my dad?"
"No! I mean, that was part of the plan, but I promise I won't hurt anyone!"
"Is this part of your plan too? Get close to me so you get close to Simba? Is that what you are trying to do?!" Kion's voice got louder and almost yelled. He was so angry. How can he do this to me? Kion thought.
"No! Please believe me! I don't want to be a part of mother's plan. I want to be with you because I love you!"
"I thought so too, but you used me instead. Get out."
"That's not true! I really love you."
"I said, get out!"
"Please, Kion... Can you ever forgive..."
"GO AWAY!" Kion screamed.
Kovu saw the sun disappearing in the clouds. The clouds became dark and moved aggressively above Kion, as if Kion was about to roar out of anger. This got Kovu terrified and ran away to his home as fast as he could.
When Kovu was out of sight, Kion collapsed onto the ground. The dark clouds disappeared and the sun was shining once again. Tears were running from Kion's cheeks. He felt betrayed and used. He had no idea what to think of Kovu. But only the idea of Kovu killing his dad to gain power, was horrifying for the yellow cub. He's just like Scar. Kion thought.