Chapter 2

Kion woke up the following morning to see Kiara and the rest of her Guard having a small meeting just outside the layer. She was apparently giving Kovu and Amani a quick rundown of things before they head to Rafiki's tree. What surprised Kion however, was the fact that Ono was with them. Kion laid his head back down and pretended to still be asleep, as he listened in on the conversation going on.

"While me Tiifu and Zuri are gone, you two are in charge, keep up the standard patrol as usual. I know you two will have no trouble anyway," Kiara said to Kovu and Amani who nodded in response.

"We will be back as soon as we can, but how long we will be gone for is unknown. It all depends on how well Kion's healing goes," Kiara clarified.

"No problem, take as long as you need. Like you said, we will have to trouble here," Kovu replied with Amani once again nodding in agreement.

"Alright good, I'm glad we are all on the same page. Tiifu, Zuri, Ono, make sure every is ready for us to go, I'm going to wake Kion," Kiara said as she stood up and started walking to the layers entrance.

"Affirmative!" Ono answered as Kiara entered the Guard's layer.

What they did not know however, was Mzingo had been flying over head and heard everything. "So, half the Lion Guard will be gone for a while? This could be just the opening Zira was looking for," he spoke to himself as he took off back toward the Outlands.

Kiara entered the layer to find Kion still 'asleep', walking over to him she gently shook him with her paw to wake him up.

Kion acting sleepy simple rolled over and murmured, "a few more minutes."

Kiara rolled her eyes before shaking him again. "No, your getting up now. We have a long journey and you need to get up."

With another murmur Kion answered, "alright, alright, I'm up," as he got up and rubbed his eye with his paw.

"The others are outside and waiting for us, you ready to go?" Kiara asked now that Kion was awake.

"As ready as I'll ever be, I guess," Kion answered as the siblings walked out to get the others.

The pair existed the layer to find Tiifu, Zuri and Ono waiting for them.

"Kovu and Amani left to inform your father that we are leaving and then start patrol," Zuri informed Kiara.

"Good. We are all ready, so I say lets get going," Kiara told the group as they set out on their trip to Rafiki's Tree.

The group had been traveling for several hours and their destination was in the distance, it would only be another hour or so before they would arrive.

"We'll take a short break here and rest. We will reach the Tree by evening," Kiara said to the group as they sat down.

"I'll get us something to eat with Tiifu," Zuri said as she and Tiifu got up.

"And I'll find us some water," Ono added taking off into the sky.

This left Kion and Kiara together. The siblings sat in silence for a while before Kiara decided to say something.

"You doing okay Ky?" she asked.

Kion didn't answer right away, but eventually responded, "What do you think?"

The response caught Kiara off-guard a bit, but only made her huge her brother.

"It will be okay, everything will be okay. We are getting you the help you need, Rafiki will be able to help you and you be just fine," Kiara spoke softly to him.

"I know, Kiara," Kion replied quietly. "But even with his help, I still will never be the same. I wish I could just go back and change it all."

"So do I, I wish things could have turned out for the better, but the past does not define us, its who we choose to be going forward." Kiara said trying to give him some conform.

Kion sighed, "I guess, but that's easier said than done when everyone says your a monster and should be dead. Maybe I should've been executed, at least then I wouldn't be a burden to you and your Guard..."

"Don't say that! That's not true! Look at me, you are not a burden. You were given a chance to show you've changed, don't let that chance slip by," Kiara said as she hugged her brother even tighter.

Kion was about to respond when Zuri, Tiifu and Ono returned. Tiifu and Zuri had a small Zebra that they set down for everyone to eat, while Ono told them where the nearest watering hole was.

After they had finished their meal and were rested up, they began the final stretch of their journey.

The sun was just setting over the horizon when they finally reached Rafiki's Tree.

Rafiki's Tree was big and had an opening at the bottom that was big enough for two animals to fit inside with room to spare, and could fit up to three or four depending on size.

Kiara called out to Rafiki who was sitting at the top of the tree painting something on one of the branches. "Hello? Raffiki? Are you up there?"

The Mandrill looked down and responded almost instantly, "Ah, princess, glad to see your journey here was safe and swift."

"Wait, you weren't at Kion trial, how did you know we would be coming?" Kiara asked the Mandrill.

"Ah, Rafiki knows a great deal princess. Thee Great Kings informed me of your upcoming arrival," Rafiki answered in his usual manner. The Mandrill then turned to Kion, "I know you have been through much, but the Great Kings are not done with you yet. You just have to believe in yourself and let those you care about you, help you."

"I know, that's why I'm here, so you can help me," Kion replied.

"While that may be true, I can only help you so much," Raffiki answered back. "Look at me, Kion, your redemption will not be an easy task. There will be lots of hardships, but never forget that there will always be someone there to help you."

"I know, Kiara has told me that a lot lately," Kion said as we glanced over to his sister to returned the glance.

"Come, I have prepared a place for you to stay in the Tree." Raffiki said as he ushered Kion into the tree. Then he turned to the rest of the group, "As for the rest of you, there is a cave on the other side of that hill, you four can stay there."

"Thank you Rafiki, we will see you tomorrow" Kiara said before leading the group to the den that Rafiki had prepared for them.

As they group went to sleep for the night, Kiara could only hope that Kion would receive the help he needs and be the brother she remembered from their cub hood. With that final thought, Kiara laid her head down and join the other in some much needed rest.