~Chapter 9~
A week goes by since Kovu first informed Simba about the Outsiders plan. Simba gave orders for all lions of the pride to double their patrols and keep an eye out for any unusual activity no matter how small. No chances could be taken. Kiara kept her protest up by staying with Kovu outside the den, but it didn't take Simba long to ease up a bit, finally inviting Kovu into the den. He didn't like his daughter isolating herself with this lion he barely knew and any association he had of him was with Zira. It was hard and while Nala encouraged him to look beyond his prejudice, it was a struggle, but it was important to try especially for Kiara's sake.
Simba tried his best to be patient with himself and Kovu. He wanted to rid his mind of his prejudices and give Kovu a chance, but something deep down inside him resisted that chance. As a king, he wanted to make the right decision, but even more important, his choice as a father. One morning, Simba stirred early from a nightmare involving the Outsiders waking Nala in the process. After he woke, he noticed Kovu was already awake and slipped out of the den himself. Simba slowly got up hoping to go after him. Kiara was still sleeping soundly and this was as good an opportunity as any to talk to him alone. Nala tilted her head up yawning widely exposing her teeth as she curiously glanced at Simba.
"Where are you off to this early?" She asked.
"There's something I need to do." Simba replied, walking back over to Nala nuzzling her sweetly, "Go back to sleep."
Nala did hesitate, laying her head back down closing her eyes. Simba crept outside the den and found Kovu running a few laps around Pride Rock. Simba watched curiously wondering if this was exercise or a drill. One. Two. Three times around the outside of Pride Rock before stopping at the nearby watering hole for a drink. This was his chance. Simba approached Kovu from behind as Kovu lapped up water vigorously.
"Good morning." Simba greeted.
Kovu nearly choked on the water in his mouth coughing drastically surprised by Simba's sudden appearance. Simba raised a curious brow.
"Kinda early for such rigorous activity, isn't it?" Simba asked.
Kovu couldn't even tell if Simba was only teasing or maybe even judging him. It could have been either.
"My whole life I'd always wondered what life would be like on the other side of the border. Now that I'm here, it's still surreal getting used to all the...luxuries. I hope I didn't wake you, your Majesty." Kovu awkwardly bowed his head.
"Ease up, Kovu." Simba nodded, "No need for formalities. You've been here a little while and I think it's time you and I had a talk alone. My daughter hardly leaves your side, so I thought this was an opportune moment."
"S-Sure." Kovu stuttered trying to remain calm.
He considered himself a strong lion with all that Zira had trained him and ingrained in him all his life, but one brief moment with Simba, king of the Pride Lands, was enough to make any lion who knew his name feel nervous. Simba told Kovu to follow him as they walked away from Pride Rock.
"I assume you know the story about Scar and how toxic he was to our family?"
"He wasn't my father, if that's what you're getting at…" Kovu replied.
Simba sensed his nerves.
"Be still, Kovu. I know that."
"He wasn't my father, but after I was born, Zira took me to him and he helped raise me just before hatching his plan to take the Pride Lands and plotting against Mufasa."
"Scar's hate and greed drove him and in the end, those desires destroyed him."
"Zira always told me I was his heir even though we weren't blood and I hate being judged by any association to him. I know I'm not him, but the only lion that I met that agreed on that fact was your daughter."
Simba paused hearing the deep hurt in Kovu's voice.
"Each passing generation always has a chance to make right from the previous one. Though ultimately it doesn't define you. Every lion has a choice. Zira has made murderous choices all her life starting with the death of my firstborn son, Kopa."
Simba's voice trailed off, even after all these years, it was still hard for him to talk about.
"Don't pain yourself with bringing that up, Simba. Kiara told me about her big brother when we were cubs." Kovu nodded.
"Really? I see." Simba muttered.
Simba then realized how close Kovu and Kiara were even back then. This closeness wasn't just from adulthood, but even younger. He wasn't sure if he was frustrated by that fact or glad Kiara found a lion who she could share those things with.
After the two talked for a bit, Simba felt a little better about Kovu and that gave him a little more peace about the situation. There wasn't full trust for Simba yet, but hopefully in time there would be. Kovu put his best paw forward and asked Simba if there was anything for him to do to help Simba trust him more. Simba made a plan to meet with Kovu alone once every five days just like this in the morning outside of Pride Rock. Kovu agreed and the two began doing just that. Nobody knew that they made this plan, not even Nala or Kiara.
Kovu also suggested another plan that he hoped Simba wouldn't judge him for. Kovu knew the Outsiders still trusted him and he would have to keep putting up a facade, which meant crossing back over the border and reporting to Zira. She or any of them couldn't know about his altered allegiances. After Kovu explained his plan, his ears fell.
"Though after I cross over the border again, will you allow me to cross back over in between?" Kovu asked curiously.
"You've done right by the Pride Lands so far...including your friendship with Kiara. In time, you'll have my trust." Simba nodded, "Though I am curious about something."
"You can ask me anything." Kovu replied.
"If you knew Zira wasn't your mother or even a good mother, why haven't you tried to leave the Outsiders sooner?"
"And be a rogue lion with no home or family?" Kovu asked, "No thanks. Besides, what was I going to do hide as a refugee in the Pride Lands living in fear of being found and killed on sight for being an Outsider? I took my chances with Zira's cruelty." Kovu shrugged.
"I see, well, thanks for your honesty." Simba nodded, "Begin your plans to keep Zira in check, but we all best stay on our guard."
"I best get back to Kiara...she'll be awake soon." Kovu replied turning around toward Pride Rock bounding off quickly. Simba sighed heavily walking over to a small baobab tree nearby sitting quietly to himself. Zazu was flying overhead and soon swooped down perching himself on a branch above Simba's head.
"Morning sire, shall I begin the morning report?" Zazu greeted.
"First Zazu, we need to double or even triple border patrols if we have any lions available to do so."
"Right away, sire." Zazu nodded, "Do we not trust this Kovu?"
"Just being cautious. I've already lost a member of my family to an Outsider. I'm not going to let it happen again. I feel like Kovu is genuine, I'm just being cautious."
"And rightly so, sire. I'll rally some lions for patrol on the double." Zazu said and promptly flew off. Simba gazed up at the sky with his eyes downcast with worry.
"Father, I need your strength to trust. Please, help me."
Over the course of several days, Kovu put his plan in motion returning to the Outlands and buying time with Zira. He would give her updates and legitimate delays that initially infuriated her, but she knew they were necessary for her plan to be successful.
"The Pride Landers aren't as naive as we thought. They are starting to trust me, but Simba is hard to convince, let alone predict." Kovu would tell Zira.
"Simba…" Zira growled, "Always a constant thorn in my side. Though Kovu, you have adapted into their family well." Zira said sweetly.
"It's my cover." Kovu shrugged.
"Or is it more?" Zira glared, swiping at him, which he dodged.
"Don't be ridiculous!" Kovu spat, trying to maintain composure. Immediately worried if Zira had found out something or that Vitani had possibly exposed him. Zira laughed cruelly.
"I'm only teasing, Kovu. Good tactics, throwing your enemy off guard, which is precisely what you're doing. Keep it up."
Was this praise? Kovu felt like he was going to be sick. Zira had never shown him this kindness during a mission before. This was good because it showed him that she believed to have the upper hand. Arrogance would be her downfall.
"It's getting late, I should get back to Pride Rock before they suspect…" Kovu urged heading for the exit to the termite mound.
"Not so fast. I have plans for tomorrow." Zira said.
"Oh?" Kovu replied.
"Bring Simba to the borders where the fires stopped. All the dead grasses and burnt trees will be a perfect grave for his majesty."
"You're planning to ambush him alone?"
"We'll outnumber him in an easy attack. He'll be gone before his family can even say goodbye. It will honor Scar. Tomorrow Kovu, in the morning." Zira ordered.
"I'll lead him there." Kovu nodded.
Kovu hated that he was privy to such knowledge, but at least now, he could return to Pride Rock and warn Simba and the others about Zira's plan. Surely he would have Simba's trust after this.
Kovu returns to Pride Rock and sits down in front of all the lions of the pride so everyone can be on the same page. Simba and Nala listen eagerly as both Kiara and her brother Kion look nervous.
"Dad, you'll be okay, right?" Kion asked.
"Just fine, son." Simba replied.
"Once Zira learns of your betrayal, there will be a target on your back from the Outsiders. You won't be safe."
"It's a risk yes, but I'd gladly accept it to protect innocent lives and stop anymore bloodshed on the Outsider's account. You know what I am by blood from my parents...I trust you've talked with Rafiki about it..." Kovu said, looking at Simba.
"I have." He nodded.
"Then you know why I want to do this and we have to do this. For the benefit of everyone involved. You and I will go to that place that Zira requested, but we will have a secret contingency plan that Zira will not expect."
"Let's do it, Kovu." Simba nodded.
The following morning, Kovu and Simba leave Pride Rock alone heading to the area with the aftermath of the fire. Such a drastic change from green grasses and thriving plant life to dead branches, decay, and ash. The morning was misty and ominous almost like the weather was setting the mood for what was to come. Kovu and Simba walked on casually, but equally focused. Then maniacal laughter began to echo from the mist. Zira approached Kovu and Simba from the northeast with her clan of Outsiders behind her including Vitani and Nuka.
"Oh my, it's unusual for a king to be so alone without anyone to watch his back." Zira sneered, "Well done, Kovu, you played your part well."
"What?" Simba growled trying to play up the part, glancing at Kovu giving him a wink.
Zira cackled as she ordered the Outsiders to attack. Three of them ran forward with claws extended raging to harm Simba. Kovu stepped in front of Simba quickly as the Outsiders approached to attack.
"Kiara now!" Kovu yelled.
Seconds later, multiple lions from the Pride Lands including the entire royal line emerged surrounding the Outsiders. Zira looked around growing panicked realizing she was not only surrounded, but outnumbered three to one. Zira glared at Kovu putting things immediately together in her mind.
"Kovu, have you betrayed your family? Scar? What a disappointment!" She growled.
Kovu took a confident step toward her, but maintained a safe distance. He knew what she was capable of in desperate times.
"You and I both know you were never my family. I have found my family." Kovu said confidently. Zira growled feeling infuriated, but she was smart enough to know that this was a fight that she wouldn't win today.
"Vitani, Everyone, retreat." Zira ordered.
Vitani glanced back at her brother, but then followed her mother's order. Zira turned to join them, but looked back at Kovu.
"You have sealed your fate, Kovu." Zira growled, and quickly turned disappeared with the rest of the Outsiders away out of sight. The Pride Landers cheered their easy victory and Kiara ran over to Kovu licking his cheek feeling much relief that the situation was over. Kovu didn't share her optimism. He knew Zira's threat was real and that he was in danger.