I don't own any canon characters.
"Kiara," Simba said sternly, "what did you think you were doing? You could have been killed today."
"But Daddy," Kiara protested, "I- I didn't mean to disobey-"
"I'm telling you this because I love you," Simba said. "I don't wanna lose you."
"I know..." Kiara said.
If something happened to you," Simba said, "I don't know what I'd do. One day I won't be here... and I need you to carry on in my place. You are part of the great Circle of-"
"Circle of Life," Kiara said, from rote. "I know."
"Exactly," Simba said. "And you need to be careful. As future Queen-"
"But what if I don't wanna be Queen," Kiara asked "It's no fun."
"That's like saying you don't want to be a lion," Simba explained. "It's in your blood... as I am. We are part of each other." At this point he pushed her off the rock she was sitting on.
Simba grinned down at her, and they nuzzled, as he began to sing
As you go through life you'll see
There is so much that we
Don't understand
And the only thing we know
Is things don't always go
The way we planned
But you'll see every day
That we'll never turn away
When it seems all your dreams come undone
We will stand by your side
Filled with hope and filled with pride
We are more than we are
We are one
Then Simba stopped, and Kiara began to sing
If there's so much I must be
Can I still just be me
The way I am?
Can I trust in my own heart
Or am I just one part
Of some big plan?
Then Kiara stopped, and Simba started up again
Even those who are gone
Are with us as we go on
Your journey has only begun
Tears of pain, tears of joy
One thing nothing can destroy
Is our pride, deep inside
We are one
We are one, you and I
We are like the earth and sky
One family under the sun
They started to run back to pride rock, with Simba in the lead
All the wisdom to lead
All the courage that you need
You will find when you see
We are one
"As long as you live here," Simba said, "it's who you are." He hugged and licked her, then, when she still seemed unconvinced, said, "you'll understand someday."
"Hm," Kiara said, then asked, "hey dad, why did you bring Kovu back with us?"
"He'll be better off here," Simba replied, "a lot better off."
"Why are there lions in the Outlands," Kiara asked.
"It's complicated," Simba said, stalling for a moment, then said, "now, it's your bedtime."
"Aaw," Kiara protested, "daaad."
"None of that," Simba said, "and you can introduce me to your little friend." He then picked his daughter up by the scruff and loped back to Pride Rock.
When they entered the cave, Simba moved over to Nala, and placed the now sleepy Kiara in her forepaws. "How's the little adoptee," he asked.
"See for yourself," Nala replied, nodding at her belly. Simba looked over, and smiled at the small, dark, cub curled up against his mate's much lighter pelt.
"Cute," Simba said, "real cute."
"Yeah," Nala said, "but I'm still not sure about it."
"Nor am I now," Simba replied. "Could you watch them tomorrow," he asked after a few seconds thought.
"Why," Nala asked, "you think Zira will come for them?"
"I'm not sure," Simba replied, "but I think she might."
"Okay then," Nala said.
"Good," Simba said, "only..."
"Yes," Nala asked.
"Could you make sure to stay out of sight," Simba asked, "at least, try not to let anyone know you're there?"
"Sure..." Nala said, wondering what Simba was planning.
"Thanks," Simba said. He nuzzled Nala for a moment, then lay down beside her.
"Come on Nuka," Vitani said. They'd set off before dawn, and were now in the Pridelands, watching the sun rising over the horizon.
"Okay, okay, I'm coming," Naka said. He was loathe to enter the Pridelands now, even though it was a paradise in comparison to the Outlands. This was due to the fact that he had had a part in Zira's failed attempt to kill Simba, and from what his mother said, the king was not the type to forgive or forget any time soon.
"You're scared," Vitani said accusingly.
"Just a little," Nuka replied.
"Why," Vitani asked, "we're only going to get Kovu."
"Yeah, well, let's be careful," Nuka said.
"Gonna be easy," Vitani said, "I mean, we did it for the presentation."
"Yeah," Nuka said, "but we were just looking for the runt there, not trying to grab her."
"Why're you scared," Vitani asked.
"You don't want to know," Nuka replied.
"That bad," Vitani asked, "why, what did you do, try to kill the king?"
An embarrased, angry, silence unrolled. "Oh," Vitani said, "erm..."
"Let's go," Nuka said, angrily. He took off for Pride Rock, and Vitani followed.
"Hey mum," Kiara said after breakfast, the remains of the carcasses the lionesses had brought in the day before, "can I show Kovu around the Pridelands?"
"You'll have to ask Kovu if he wants to go..." Nala replied.
"Okay," Kiara said and raced over to where Kovu was. "Hey Kovu," she asked, "wanna go check out the Pridelands?"
"Wh-wha," Kovu asked, coming back to reality, "what did you say?"
"Wanna go check out the Pridelands?" Kiara asked again.
"Oh," Kovu said, "er..." He was still confused and scared, though a little less than last night. He'd been allowed more food at breakfast than he normally got in a day, and it was better than he normally got, healthier and better tasting. The lionesses were far nicer and more tolerant than he was used to, though he still used the submissive posture if any of them got too near.
Before he could say anything further though, Nala came over, and picking Kiara up by her scruff, and saying, "but first things first little lady, it's time for your bath."
"Aw, mum," Kiara said.
"No arguments," Nala said firmly.
"But Kovu's not having one," Kiara protested.
"I said, no arguments," Nala repeated, "and Kovu will be getting one soon enough."
"Hey hey," Timon said, as he and Pumbaa arrived, though they were more subdued than usual.
Refusing to meet the gazes of the lionesses, the pair moved over to Nala just as she'd finished bathing Kiara. "Reporting for duty," Timon said.
Kovu spotted them, and his eyes went wide. He tried to back up, but was scooped up by Nala, who then proceeded to give him a bath. When she finished, she released him, and turned to Timon and Pumbaa. "As much as you are friends" she said, "I'm sure I don't need to give you a warning about watching Kiara and Kovu."
"No," Timon replied, "we'll be really careful this time."
"Good," Nala said, then turned to the cubs, "and I want you both on your best behaviour."
"Yes mum," Kiara said, while Kovu remained silent.
Nala smiled, then said, "well, go on then."