A/N: I'm baaaaack! Sorry everyone, I know it's been a while. This one here took a while cuz I was having massive writer's block. But it's over so woot! Hope you enjoy!

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Salvation by the Kings

Kamau just stared up at Kovu, his eyes bearing no look of fear or shame. He gasped several times for breath, but made no struggle against the other lion's hold. It was his time, he concluded. The Kings were bringing him to them. He smiled inwardly. It was no loss. He had accomplished his task and found his brother, there was no need for more. He realized he had no fear of death, only a pang of regret that he could not get to know Simba, or Nuka for that matter, any longer than had been permitted. His gaze met Kovu's, and suddenly he saw a flash of hesitance in the young lion's green eyes.

Kovu swallowed hard, a sharp glare showing down on Kamau. He raised his paw to deliver the final blow. Suddenly his paw began to tremble. He gritted his teeth. Could he really kill this lion? Would he really kill the only person that saw any good in him, who taught him of goodness and blessed him with the names of his parents? The lion who perhaps saved him from himself?

"What are you waiting for, Kovu?" Zira hissed. "Do it!"

Kovu's jaw began to tremble as he looked into Kamau's emotionless eyes, staring back up at him with no hint of anger or betrayal. He sealed his eyes shut and gritted his teeth, trying desperately to make up his mind.

"DO IT NOW!!" Zira roared loudly.

One tear slid down Kovu's cheek as he looked sadly down at Kamau. He took a breath, and let his paw fall softly back to the ground, concealing his claws once again. He turned to Zira, a look of plain fury washed over his features, a slight breeze carrying his short mane over his diamond, blazing eyes.

"No."

Pure rage filled Zira's heart and indescribable hate washed over her, blazing in her fiery orbs and shining in her ragged sharp teeth. She roared loudly and charged at them, all the while her eyes glowing with hate and vengeance.

"IF YOU WON'T DO IT THEN I WILL!" she shrieked.

Kovu turned and unsheathed his claws, baring his teeth.

"I said NO!"

He shot towards her in rage and just as the two were about to make contact, an orange flash jumped between them, making them screech to a stop. It was Kamau.

"STOP!" the young lion cried. "Let it go, Kovu," Kamau said, turning to Kovu with a pleading look. "Let it be. Let them be."

Kovu glared angrily at Zira, but concealed his claws again and turned his back on them.

Zira was snarling furiously, her claws unsheathed and her teeth shining in the light of the moon.

"You filth," she hissed in menacing, demonic rage. You ungrateful little wretch! I could have let you DIE after Scar was killed! I could have left you to rot! But no, I took you in and raised you, taught you all of which you were born to be, and you betray me! You disgusting little bastard."

Kovu said nothing. He just stared at her, every fiber of his being screaming at him to leap at her and tear out her throat. Watch her blood shine under the stars. Throw her into the chasms of hell and hear her agonizing cries bleed through the earth and play as music to his ears. But he didn't budge, he only stared in plain fury.

"Stay with them, you belong with them," Zira snarled. "Though you won't be there long. Await the day, young ones. Await the day that the pride of the Outlanders will rain forth upon the Pride Lands, burying an old legacy into the ground, and reviving the glorious era that was Scar's. Wait for it...."

With that, Zira grunted at Vitani, and the two slunk back into the Outlands, tails twitching in agitation and rage.

Kamau turned to look at Kovu, who stared idly after them. He sat on his haunches and just stared in the direction they passed, saying nothing and giving no hint of his emotions.

Kamau sighed deeply, and looked to the east to see the sun begin to rise. The fiery disc was just visible over the high mountains, and began to paint the skies in a warm lavender. A slight breeze wafted his mane, and he could feel the warm embrace of Yetunde wash over him. He inhaled the sweet smelling air and smiled. Then turning, he looked at Kovu."

"Hey," Kamau said sitting next to him. "I think that was...very noble what you did. Very brave."

Kovu gave a slight sarcastic chuckle, not removing his stare from the ground. He smiled slightly.

"Brave eh? What's your definition of brave? Betraying your only home and family and putting yourself on their hit list?"

"No," Kamau smiled. "Doing what you believe is right, regardless of what others may tell you or expect of you. Standing up for truth and righteousness, and facing death with ease and calmness. That's bravery."

Kovu chuckled. "That's what you think of me?"

"Yes, in fact," Kamau replied. "You saved my life, Kovu. That's a debt I will be obliged to repay someday."

Kovu raised his head to look at him. "No, Kamau, it was me who was repaying a debt."

Kamau looked at him confusedly.

"Kamau, the night you found me alone on the border, I made the decision that I was gonna go to the old gorge. I decided that I didn't want my life anymore. One step over that cliff would end my suffering and give me peace. You found me, and you told me things that made my eyes clear again. You inspired me to keep going, and that I can do anything I choose to do, I'm not obligated to Zira's will."

Kamau smiled.

"I'm sorry, Kamau," Kovu said sadly. "Forgive me for what I did. Please."

Kamau smiled and looked Kovu in the eye.

"You acted on pride alone, Kovu. You did what you thought was expected of you. You have redeemed yourself. You discovered that you are under your own jurisdiction, not under the demand of others. For that, even the Great Kings have forgiven you."

Kovu smiled. "Salvation by the Kings..." he whispered under his breath.

The two heard a rustle, and turned to the brush. They saw a golden lion emerge, and Kamau smiled to see Tanabi.

"Ah, Tanabi!" he exclaimed. "You're just in time! The sun's about to rise! We can all watch it together."

Tanabi pinned his ears and narrowed his eyes. "I'd rather not sit around with an outsider," he replied coldly.

Kovu pinned his ears shamefully, and turned to head out. It was foolish to stay where he was not wanted. Perhaps he could find a suitable place to live....

"Wait," came Kamau's call.

Kovu stopped and turned to Kamau. Kamau looked over at Tanabi and brought them together. As he did so, he pulled over a small gourd, revealing it to the two lions.

"What is this Tanabi?" Kamau asked, pointing to the gourd.

Tanabi cocked his brow. "It's a gourd...."

"Yeah. What's it look like?"

Tanabi was quite confused. "It's round and hard. Doesn't look real appealing."

"What's inside it?"

"A juice. It's very sweet and tasty. Kinda makes up for the hard exterior you have to get through."

"Ah hah!" Kamau exclaimed. "See Tanabi? A gourd is hard and difficult to get through. But when you do, it's really satisfying isn't it?"

"Yeah," Tanabi replied.

"Tanabi, when you look at Kovu, all your taking the time to see is the hard exterior. You aren't paying attention to what's inside, nor are you taking the time to try and get to it. Look at Kovu for what he is, not what he looks like. Look at him, and tell me what you see in his eyes."

Tanabi turned and looked into Kovu's diamond green eyes, searching them. In his sad stare, Tanabi found remorse and regret. He pinned his ears shamefully.

"Forgive me, Kovu," Tanabi said sadly. "I'm sorry for what I said. I should have trusted you."

Kovu smiled. "It's alright. Thank you."

Kamau smiled at his friends. He walked between them. "Let's go up to that knoll, it's so relaxing just to watch the sun rise."

The three of them trotted up to the knoll, smiling and laughing. Tanabi began to wrestle with Kovu, but Kovu was quick and pinned him at the top of the knoll. They laughed heartily then calmed, watching the lavender sky evaporate into a fiery orange. Kamau sighed deeply, and rested a paw on Kovu's shoulder. Kovu smiled and looked over at Tanabi, resting a paw on his shoulder. Tanabi placed a paw on Kovu's shoulder and smiled at Kamau.

"Hey," Kovu said breaking the silence. "I say we take an oath."

"What kind of oath?" Tanabi asked.

"The oath of brothers," Kovu replied. "Let's vow to stick with each other and be loyal. Like brothers."

Tanabi and Kamau smiled.

"I think that's a great idea," Kamau said with a smile.

Smiling and nodding, Kovu took each of their right paws, and made a small cut in the center. A droplet of blood shown from each cut. Kovu was the first to raise his paw.

"Put your paw on my paw Kamau," Kovu said.

They touched paws together, and repeated the same procedure with each other. Tanabi smiled as did Kamau when the process was complete, and they all laughed.

"So we're brothers now?" Tanabi asked.

"Yeah," Kovu replied. "By blood and loyalty, we're brothers."

They all smiled at each other, then turned to face the sun which had now fully risen over the eastern hills. They watched it for a short time, in great tranquility and happiness, if only for a short while.

From the brush, Sarabi sat smiling, looking up at them. Her heart filled with love and pride as she watched them, and she looked into the skies.

"Thank you Mufasa. Thank you for watching over them."

With that, the lioness turned and headed back to Pride Rock, a new serenity borne into her heart and bringing a peaceful smile to her muzzle.

But from the other side of the knoll, another lioness sat watching. Vitani growled in anger at the display, and with a sharp snarl, turned and headed back to the Outlands. Zira would be enraged to hear this.

A/N: Ok I know that was sort of cheezy but I liked it. Hope you did too! Go ahead and review, telling me what you think!