[FLASHBACK]
Fuli was running. She was running away from Pride Rock. Clearly, King Simba didn't approve of Kion's friendship with a cheetah. Only a few minutes ago Kion finally brought Fuli to meet his parents, she had known Kion for so long while never meeting them. When Kion started to introduce them, Simba started yelling.

"Cheetahs are tricksters and savages!" Simba yelled. "Kion, she's using you to get to ME!" Kion cowered below Simba's intimidating figure. "Dad, Fuli is NOT a savage!" Kion yelled back. Fuli couldn't believe Kion was talking back, screaming in fact, at his father, the KING, to defend her. "She's my friend! And I don't care if anyone says different!" "This is where you're wrong!" Simba shouted through a roar. "You're just a cub! You don't know anything about staying safe!"

"JUST BECAUSE SHE'S A CHEETAH DOESN'T MEAN SHE'S BAD!" Kion yelled at the top of his lungs. Simba looked at Fuli and growled. Fuli thought he was about to charge at her. Being a cheetah, she quickly outran him and ran out of Pride Rock, very fearful.

Fuli winced at the memory. She was far enough away from Pride Rock, so she slowed down and then came to a stop. What's wrong with me? She asked herself. Why does Simba hate me? Tears made their way down her cheeks.

After an hour or so, she saw Kion run up behind her. "Fuli! Are you okay?!" He asked her. She noticed that slowly but surely, hot tears were making their way down his cheeks. "Are you okay?" Fuli asked him. She had ran out of Pride Rock the moment Simba was about to chase her. Of course she would be okay.

"Yeah, I'm fine... aside from a huge lecture from my dad," he replied. Fuli shivered. She didn't want to imagine what it was like to get a lecture from the King, based on what she'd seen earlier.

"What did he say?" Fuli asked him. Hot tears rolled down his face once more. "I-I don't want to talk about it," Kion told her, his breaths shaky. Fuli knew there was more to it, but she didn't press.

"B-but Kion?" Fuli asked. "C-can we still be friends?"

"Of course," Kion replied. "What makes you think we wouldn't?"

"It's just that... that your dad says we can't be," Fuli told him. "Who cares what my dad says?" Kion asked her. "He can't control who I can be friends with."

"I guess you're right," Fuli replied. "But it's just, why are most of the Pride Landers wary of cheetahs?" What did we ever do?" She asked him, raising her voice. "Everyone in the Pride Lands always judges me! Just because I'm a cheetah!" She yelled. "It's not fair! What did I ever do?!"

"You didn't do anything," Kion told her, "I just wish they could all see what I see."

"What do you mean?" Fuli asked him, confused.

"What I see in you."

(Kion)
I don't care
What they all say
I just know that
Today
We can play
Out in the sun all day
Without a care about what they all say

I know that for some reason
They judge you by what you are
I don't know why this is
And I don't like it by far

I just wish that one day, they would see things the way I do
That no matter what you are
No matter if you came from near or far
Your heart can be true, too

I don't know why
They judge you because of your fur or your skin
I just wish they would all see
What matters is what's within

No matter how different we all are
We are the same in our heart
And we are all a part
Of the circle of life, love, death, and rebirth

We were all born with love to share with others
Like our parents and sisters and brothers

And I wish that this was something we could all share
To say we care

No matter where you come from
No matter your fur or skin
What truly matters is what is deep within

And I know that everyone will say different
But don't listen to them
Listen to me
They don't say who you get to be

And I don't care
Where you're from
I don't care
That your fur and skin isn't the same
As mine
I just want a friend
A friend till the end of time

You're my friend
No matter what they say
We're just best friends
Who want to play all day
And yet they don't see
The bond between
Us
Despite the fact we're not the same on the outside
But we are on the inside
With love to share
And family that cares

I just wish
They could see
What I see
In you
And no matter what they say
I know that your heart is true

I don't see why
They all judge
Just because of your fur or your skin
Or where you come from

But you're my best friend
And that won't change
Despite what they
Say

It doesn't matter where you come from
Neither does your fur or skin
All that matters
Is what's deep within

And I know for a fact
That what I'm saying is true
No matter what you are
I see something special in you

And even if they never see what I see
That this isn't the way things have to be
I will still believe
In you

Kion picked Fuli's head up with his paw. "No matter what, I'll always believe in you Fuli," he told her, passion burning in his voice. Fuli nuzzled him, very happy and grateful to have him for a friend.

"I'll always believe in you too, Kion."

[END OF FLASHBACK]

Fuli blinked open her eyes and rose to her paws. She had been dreaming of a memory from a long while ago. She decided that she should move on, it would be best for everyone.

She saw the rest of the Lion Guard sleeping. She walked over to them and nudged them awake. "Time to go," she told them. "Tree of Life, remember?" It turned out that Anga and Ono were already awake. The others, despite her efforts to wake them up, were still sleeping. She walked over to Anga, watching Ono from a nearby tree. She looked at Fuli.

"I'm worried about him," Anga told her. Fuli was shocked. This was the first time Anga openly displayed her true feelings. Fuli then noticed Ono was sobbing. She heard him say "I can't live like this anymore. I'm blind now, and I'll probably never get healed." Fuli heard the rest of the Guard walk up behind her, apparently they had all woken up.

"I can't watch this anymore," Anga said then flew out of the tree. Ono looked startled at her sudden appearance. "Ono, are you alright?" She asked. Ono shook his head. "No... it's just..." He trailed off. Anga rested the tip of her wing on his shoulder in a comforting gesture. Ono quickly pulled away. "I hate being blind!" He told her, suddenly raising his voice. "And I don't need comfort from you!" He squawked. Anga looked hurt.

"Ono, you don't need sight to truly see," Anga told him. "Easy for you to say!" He told her angrily. "You're the new Keenest of Sight!" Fuli realized that Ono envied Anga. She replaced him on the Guard. He was the Keenest of Sight before he went blind.

"Ono, please listen to what I'm about to tell you," Anga told him, almost begging.

(Anga)
I know that you're now blind
But that doesn't mean you can't see
Trust me and you will find
You don't need your eyes to see

(Ono)
You don't understand
Because you're not me
You don't know what it's like
To not be able to see

(Anga)
Look, I know your doubtful
But listen to me

(Ono)
Why?!

(Anga)
You don't need your eyes to truly see

Look at all the friends around you
You know that we care
You don't need eyes
To be aware
Of that

You sill have friends that care
You still have love
You have compassion
And very much

So close your eyes
Take a moment to believe
That you don't need your eyes to see

So just please!
Listen to me
I know you might not agree
But just take a moment to see
That you don't need eyes to see

Just trust me

Have you ever felt that feeling?
A feeling when you're with family and friends
You have this warm glow around you
And it feels like it will never end

You don't need eyes to feel that feeling
It's felt by your heart

So just trust me
Take a moment to see
That you don't need
Your eyes to truly see

Theres a whole world around you

That can't be seen with your eyes

It has to be felt

With the heart deep inside

And just trust in what I'm saying to you

You don't need eyes to be true

Anga finished singing and Ono looked up at her with his blind eyes. Fuli knew he was doubting what Anga said to him.

"I guess you're right," Ono said. "But... will you be with me, every step of the way?" He asked her. Anga nodded. "Every step of the way," she replied. The two birds then embraced in a hug. Fuli couldn't resist 'aww'ing at them. They looked so cute together!

"Alright guys," Fuli began. "We'll continue the journey to the Tree of Life. And we'll do it together." The Guard nodded their heads in agreement. "Together," they all repeated. "Anga, see if you can scout out the best path out of these grasslands." Anga flew up then flew back down.

"Got it," she told her. "Great," Fuli replied. "Lead the way."

XXXX

Fuli was walking with the rest of the Lion Guard on their journey to the Tree of Life. She tried to move on from Kion, but she couldn't. Kion had became a huge part of her life. She had never imagined that she'd ever lose him. She remembered how he was struggling so much on their journey to the Tree of Life. Oh Kion... You deserved so much more than what life gave you.

"C'mon Fuli, you can't keep feeling sad about Kion forever," Bunga told her. Silence fell upon the Guard. Fuli was disgusted. How could I move on from Kion so fast?!

"No!" She yelled. She let out a low growl. "How can you expect me to move on so fast?!" She growled.

"But Fuli," Gozi interupted. Gozi was currently traveling to the Tree of Life with the rest of the Guard. "Bunga has a point."

"What do you mean?!" Fuli yelled. "I can't move on! He was too important to me!" Fuli meant every word.

"I know but it's not healthy to-"

"Who cares if it's not healthy?!"

"I know how you feel but-"

"NO!" She yelled. She ran over to Gozi and pinned him, snarling furiously. She dug her claws into his shoulder. Gozi yelped. "Fuli stop! This isn't you!"

"Yes. It. Is." Fuli snarled back. She ran her claws down his shoulder. "FULI STOP!" He yelled through tears. "You're hurting me!"

A flash appeared, though it didn't appear to be seen by anyone else. The vision changed. She was pinned by a wolf with icy blue eyes. His fur was like shadows. His claws ran down her shoulder. It quickly faded and was replaced by her pinning and clawing Gozi. Real life. She gasped in horror.

"G-Gozi? I-I'm so sorry I didn't mean to-"

"N-no i-it's okay," he told her, looking down at his paws. He seemed almost... afraid... of her. Fuli, ashamed and devastated, ran away. This wasn't the first time this happened, but it was the first time she directly hurt someone.

I'm going to end up like he did... Fuli told herself. Another flash showed itself in front of her. She was surrounded by cheetahs. She could barely process what was going on and who they were. Then as soon as the image appeared, it was gone.

Fuli shook her head, trying to clear her mind. What do I do? She asked herself. She was so caught up in grief and despair that she couldn't even think clearly anymore. Grief for Kion.

(Fuli)

Love

Something that gets in your way

And every day

You wish that things were different

And grief

Drives you to believe

That everything's hopeless

Everything's hopeless

In the end

I wished that everything would turn out

Okay

But that wasn't fate's way

Oh

How I miss you so

I only wish that you were still here

Losing you was my greatest fear

If only you could have known

How much I loved you

And now that you're gone

I don't know what to do

I'm lost

I don't know where to go

And the cost

Of loving you was so

High

Now I'm deaf

Now I'm blind

And I don't know if I'll ever find

Happiness again

And if so, when?

You were my love

You were my life

When I was with you I could

Forget about sadness and strife

I witnessed the suffering

And I witnessed the pain

And I was wrong when I

Told him that we all recover again

And I

Sometimes

Just wish that

I could have said goodbye

Hugged him one last time

Now he's gone

Now I'm lost

And I can't find my way

And as often as I blink

I think

About him

Love

Something that gets in my way

And everyday

I wish that things were different

I loved (I loved, I loved)

With all my heart

And it broke into a million parts

When you died

And I

Promised to stay by

Your side

I left you

You saved me

It was the hard truth

We weren't meant to be

Without you

My heart was torn in two

And love

Keeps getting in my way

And with each passing day

I wish that things were different

And grief

Keeps driving me to believe

Everything was my fault

Because I decided to run and leave

And I

Cry

As I

Wish I could have said goodbye

Hug you one last time

Fuli sobbed as hard as she possibly could. She tried to face reality, but she couldn't. Her love for Kion was too much.

"Without you, I feel torn in a million pieces."

[FLASHBACK]

"Fuli! Get in the tall grass, now!" Her father told her. Fuli jumped into the tall grass without a hesitation. She heard growling, roaring, and screaming. "Get the cub!" She heard her father shout. Many hours passed before she dared to peek out of the grass. When she did, she saw blood. Her parents were nowhere to be seen. Fuli ran away in horror, not daring to look back.

XXXX

A half moon passed. Fuli was hungry, tired, and scared. She heard a rustle in the bushes. "Who's there?!" She yelled. "Show yourself!"

Out of the bushes stepped a little lion cub, about her age. She growled. Lions had attacked her and her parents. Lions had caused her parents' deaths.

"Lion, whoever you are, I suggest you leave. Now." The lion cub ducked his head, ears folded flat. "I- I didn't know anyone was here. I'll just leave," the cub told her quickly, fear in his voice. Fuli was confused. Is he afraid of me? She noticed that he had a limp on his hind leg. When he tried to walk away he collapsed to the ground. His leg was bleeding badly. She then realized that this cub was the same cub that was with the other lions who killed her parents. This is the lions' cub!

Fuli's mind filled with one thing. Revenge. If she killed that cub then and there, she would have justice. This cub wouldn't be able to fight back because of his injured leg. She advanced towards the cub, her claws shining.

The lion narrowed his eyes. Fuli rushed over and pinned him. The lion tried to defend himself against her but it was useless. She realized what she was doing and quickly got off of him. I can't kill him. I'd be no better than he is if I tried.

I-I'm sorry," she stumbled out. "I-" She cut herself off when she saw the cub tried to run away, but his bleeding leg stopped him. She heard a rustle in the bushes. Fuli hid in the tall grass nearby.

"Kion!" A female voice exclaimed. A pretty lioness with blue eyes walked out of the bushes. The lioness nuzzled the cub. The cub nuzzled her back. "Mom!" The cub exclaimed. The lioness looked at the cub, her gaze resting on his leg injury. "Oh no, no, no," Fuli heard her mutter. The lioness picked the cub up by his scruff and walked towards a large rock in the distance. Fuli followed them.

When they got to the big rock, the lioness called out an unknown word. "Rafiki!" Then, a mandrill rushed out of a cave in the big rock.

"He he! Hello, young Nala. What is it-" The mandrill cut himself off when he looked at the cub, his gaze resting on the leg injury. He shook his head, sighing solemnly.

"Only time will tell." The mandrill told the lioness, sighing sadly. The lioness shook her head and walked inside of the cave in the huge rock. She held the little cub in between her front paws, tears slowly sliding down her face. "This can't happen to him. She trusted me to take care of him!" She wailed. What is she talking about? Fuli wondered but thought little of it. The cub had fallen asleep next to another cub of similar age and size. The lioness got to her paws and walked outside. Fuli quickly rushed away without the lioness seeing her.

XXXX

A half moon later, Fuli was walking around the Pride Lands looking for food. She'd been living off of scraps because she was too small to hunt anything that would actually fill her belly. She heard a rustle in the bushes. She immediately jumped up and got into a defensive stance. She relaxed a little when she saw that it was the lion cub she had met a half moon ago. She then tensed up again. What if the cub's parents are with him?! Luckily, Fuli realized, he was alone.

The cub was obviously surprised to see her. "Um.. well.. I.. uh.." He stumbled out. Fuli saw fear flash in his eyes. She glanced over at his leg, it was still healing. Fuli realized that the cub was afraid of her. If she had attacked him he wouldn't be able to protect himself or run away due to the wound on his leg.

"Are you afraid of me?" She asked. The lion cub eyed her warily, then nodded. "Cheetahs did this." He pointed with his paw to the large wound on his hind leg. Fuli gasped.

"I won't hurt you," she told him. The lion cub held a look of disbelief in his eyes. Fuli approached the cub, being careful not to scare him. "I'm Fuli," she introduced herself. "What's your name?"

"I-I'm Kiongozi," the lion introduced himself. "But my friend Bunga always calls me Kion."

"Nice to meet you, Kion."

"N-nice to meet you too," Kion responded, hesitation in his voice. "D-do you want to be friends?" Fuli asked nervously. "I'm really sorry for what happened before it was just-" Kion cut her off.

"It's okay," he forgave her. "And sure, I'll be your friend, if you want." Then a flash of blue bounces by. "Zuka Zama!" It exclaimed. Kion laughed. The blue thing turned around. It turned out to be a honey badger.

"Who's this?" The honey badger asked, pointing at Fuli. Fuli tensed up for a moment. "This is Fuli, my new friend."

"Nice to meet ya Fuli!" Bunga told her then shook her paw. "Um, nice to meet you too." Fuli looked at Kion uncertainly. He laughed.

"I think that we're going to be great friends," Kion said. Bunga nodded in agreement. "Yeah!" He agreed enthusiastically.

"Heh, I think so too."

[END OF FLASHBACK]