Disclaimer: It's still not mine. Nothing has changed in that way since the last chapter.

A/N: I thought it would've been obvious when I said the words 'cliche plot' but I'm sure this chapter will spell it out for you. Still, I'm going to try make this plot as twisty and... turny, I guess... as I can before reaching the finale. -Cracks knuckles- I have been real Lion King-y, instead of... Harry Potter-ish. It's quite strange. But, I do enjoy playing animals. Animals and Harry Potter are my specialty. Role-Player, I am.

Tekani

Kovu gazed over the Pride Lands, his eyes absorbing the vision, a small smile on his face as he did so. He remembered seeing it as a cub, from far off. Zira also looking at it with hate, yet longing. Longing to control it. To think he had been under her control, and he had turned from her so suddenly. After all those years of training each day, his wisdom increasing, and his strength as well. The goal just a while ahead, until he would be the next destined ruler.

But, now, he was in exactly the same place. He needn't of gone through the training. He could've stopped the evil long ago, and still ended up there. But perhaps it was better this way? Zira was now gone. She wasn't breathing down his neck, threatening him, frightening him. He was free to do as he wished to now. And now he was a future King of the place he had looked up to from the Out Lands all his life.

He remembered first meeting Kiara, how they had both wandered from their homes, from where they were meant to go. One under the watchful eye of her father, wishing for her not to be harmed. The other under the glare is his mother, who now hated Pride Landers for exiling them, and hoping for her son to think the same, through and through.

'Well, too bad, Zira' Kovu hissed under his breath, some of the sounds sounding very defined on his tongue, 'I am a Pride Lander now... You never would've been.' His black mane ruffled as a breeze floated past him, a veil of leaves twirling in the air, like an exotic dance. The lion watched with a smile on his face, sighing. He loved this place. He loved Kiara. And he loved his daughter.

His head raised, and he glanced about again, looking rather suspicious, before his eyes soon rolled, and he muttered under his breath. 'Where has she gotten to now?' he wondered aloud, standing up from his formerly seated position, and walking forward across the rock, the surface smooth on his paw.

His eyes soon lay on a golden-brown lioness, who met his gaze with a smile. 'Is something wrong, Kovu?' she questioned, curiously, her head tilting to one side slightly.

'I was just wondering where Tekani was' he replied, bluntly, glancing around, 'Did she run off again? Or is she off playing? I-I'm just wondering... Not trying to be too over-protective...' He said the last bit in a vague mutter.

Kiara continued to smile at him. 'Don't worry... She can wander around the Pride Lands. There is no danger, Kovu. You're starting to sound like my father, when I was but a child. I don't want my cub to have to go through the same experience.'

Kovu nodded his head, before lying down on the rock, the sun warm on his back. 'You're right. There's no point in worrying. No dangers in the Pride Lands...' he agreed, 'I understand you perfectly.' And, after that, he was silent, only his breathing heard, as he relaxed.

xxx

A playful growl escaped the cubs throat, followed by a soft laugh, as she batted at the grass with her paw. She had received her fur colour from her mother; A creamier version of the usual males, though pretty much a golden-yellow/brown colour. Her amber eyes were observant of the scene before her. The grass bending in the wind, bowing low, and the breeze danced around, almost invisible, besides the ruckus it caused behind it. Another laugh exited her mouth, before she bounded forwards, tail flicking in the air.

She was, at the moment, all alone. She wasn't entirely sure where the other cubs were at the moment. They could be playing, just on the other side of Pride Rock, or they could be resting, or relaxing with their parents, bored, or tired. She didn't mind she wasn't with them, as social as she may be, she just didn't exactly... fit in. There was just something strange about them that she didn't exactly like to hang around often. Though, she did know them, and had talked with them, and played, of course. It wasn't them, exactly. It was how she felt about them. A bit uneasy, like how they talked to her was forced. Maybe they were just trying to respect her because of the whole Princess business? That is what she had expected all this time.

Her paws brushed against the grass, tickling her as she walked. The smile on her face had never disappeared since she had run off from Pride Rock, feeling her mother's eyes following her, until she disappeared. She wasn't entirely sure where she was going, or what she was going to do. That was until she heard a sound, that made her glance around, curiously. It was a rather sad sound, like someone crying. Was someone hurt?

Her ears perked, and she slowly followed the sound, as it kept getting louder. Sometimes, she could hear words blended in with the cries, but it was mostly just the sound of sobbing. A sympathetic look crossed her face, though she hadn't even seen the one who was causing the sound yet.

The grass slowly began to shorten, before it was just dirt beneath her paws. She wondered where she was, though, when glancing back, she still saw Pride Rock. She had wandered nearer to the borders than she expected, and wondered if this was still part of the Pride Lands.

But that wasn't something to worry about at the moment. She could hear the cries now, loudly. She could hear the words 'Mum' and 'Dad' blending in with it, as well. Was something wrong with the lions parents? Or were they just wishing they could seek comfort from them?

Finally, she saw him. Golden-brown fur, though the tassel of fur on the end of the lions tail was brown. She edged forward. The lion was hunched over, his head bent in despair, his shoulders shaking with each sob that exited his mouth. The female's brow furrowed in concern, as she continued her walk forward, until she was just behind him, surprised he hadn't noticed her presence.

'Hello...?' she said, softly, as not to startle him too much. Unfortunately, it did. The lion's head instantly rose, and he leapt to his feet, turning toward the Princess, looking utterly surprised that someone was there. There was tear-stains running down his fur like rivers, and his topaz-yellow eyes were shining, wet. His head slowly shook.

'Go away' he snapped, with a sniff, making the female cub before him frown. He lay down, scowling.

She decided to ignore what he said, and forced a smile on her face, and spoke, straining to keep it on. 'I'm Tekani' she said, 'Who are you, and why were you crying?'

He paused, wondering whether or not to answer her, and it was like a debate was going on within his mind. He soon sighed, before glancing up at Tekani. He did recognise that name from somewhere, but he wasn't sure where from exactly. 'Hello, Tekani' he said, with a gulp, 'I'm Zephyr... And... I'd rather not bore you with a sob-story...' He could see the female was concerned, and curious, but he preferred not to answer.

'But– Oh, well... Okay then... Nice to meet you, Zephyr' she added, 'Do you have a place to stay, or would you like to come live with my Pride? I'm sure they wouldn't mind a new member. They took in Dad, after all. I've heard his story. He changed a lot, and it doesn't look like you have to... I'm sure they'll let you in!' She nodded her head enthusiastically, trying to persuade Zephyr to answer positive.

Immediately, he knew this cub would bug him until he said yes. How she rambled on like that, it was like she was trying to persuade him, and he knew how that could be. He knew he would give in to it some time, so, he decided to just cut the boring bit. 'Okay, okay, Tekani, I will' he said, rolling his eyes slightly, 'Where is your Pride?'

She grinned, turning in the opposite direction, and beginning to walk back toward Pride Rock. 'Over here' she answered, 'Toward the big pointy rock that stands out... We're going to the Pride Lands, Zephyr! That'll be your new home!'

Zephyr glanced at the large rock in awe. He had always wanted to take a trip there. He had heard quite a lot about it. And now he was, hopefully, going to actually live there, if what Tekani said was true! Brimming with excitement, though still shocked by his parents death, he marched behind Tekani slowly, his head a bit lower than usual. Tekani glanced back, and frowned. Why won't he tell me...? What happened to him? How did it make him so sad? She hoped the questions would be answered soon enough... This cub was mysterious, and held her curiosity at the moment. All she really knew was his name...