It was a sunny morning as Simba walked alone through the Pride Lands. He was deep in thought and didn't notice the approach of Rafiki until the baboon was standing right in front of him. Simba wasn't sure how, but Rafiki always had a way of making the king feel as if he was still a cub. Looking down at the blue face, he noticed Rafiki's scowl. Simba tried to smile, wondering what on earth the baboon was so angry about.

"Oh Simba," said Rafiki, shaking his head and poking the king's chest with a long finger. "When will you ever learn to stop fighting the Great Kings?"

Simba looked in astonishment at the baboon.

"What are you talking about?"

Rafiki shook his head, turned and began to walk away. The golden king bounded after him.

"Wait Rafiki! What do you mean, I'm fighting them?"

Rafiki stopped and looked up at Simba. "The Kings have chosen Kovu as your heir to the Pride Lands. How will he ever lead them if you do not teach him how?"

Simba sat down and paused for a moment, trying to word his answer. Sighing, he realized he could only tell Rafiki the truth.

"Because I don't trust him."

Suddenly Rafiki jumped up and threw his stick on the ground. Screaming, he began to stomp on it. "I…give…..up!" he shouted as he stomped. "Of all the silly lions I've ever had to deal with, you are the worst!"

Glaring down at Rafiki, Simba stood tall and his fur bristled. "Well, I've ALWAYS hated monkeys," he snarled. Rafiki took a deep breath, ready to continue his rant.

"Silence!" Spoke a deep voice, and both animals fell still. Rafiki bowed to the ground, and Simba hung his head. Both knew who the voice belonged to.

"Now face me, both of you," said the deep voice once more. Rafiki and Simba looked up to see the towering form of Mufasa, stand before them. His fur shone with the light of the sun, and the air shimmered around him.

"Rafiki," began the Great King, "you will have to develop more patience. You have served the Pride Lands well, but even you still have lessons to learn." The baboon nodded and bent to pick up his stick. Shaking the dust from it, he bowed once more. Mufasa nodded, dismissing him. Waiting until Rafiki had gone; Mufasa turned and began to slowly make his way through the grass – the blades seeming to part for his every step. Simba followed him, soaking in every second of the glorious vision. Finally, his father spoke.

"Simba, I can understand what you're going through. You are worried that Kovu will betray you at some point, or that he will not be a good king as you wish. But I assure you – his path is far different than that of Scar's. Kovu will be able to rule with fairness and honor – if you let him."

Simba nodded. "I'm sorry Father."

Mufasa smiled. "You seem to forget that I was young once as well. I was faced with many hardships. You have done well, my son. Now, give Kovu your full attention to the end. There is much he can learn from you."

"Yes Father," said Simba, stepping closer. He just wanted to touch the great lion, to know that it was all real. Rubbing his head against Mufasa's shoulder, he sighed. It was true. "I will do my very best."

The Great King smiled. "I know, Simba. Teach Kovu well, for we are waiting for you. Your time is soon."

And with that, a cloud crossed the sun and the image faded. Simba looked down at the grass and noticed the blades slowly rising again, as they do after something heavy has been resting on them. Looking up to the sky, Simba sighed. His father was right. His time would be soon. Simba realized that he was beginning to feel the weight of his years. Standing, he turned back towards Pride Rock. He needed to start now.

Entering the cave at Pride Rock, Kovu looked around. Many of the lionesses were out lying in the sun or walking. Seeing Nala and Kiara sitting together, Simba spoke.

"Where is Kovu?"

Kiara looked with worried eyes at her father. She knew that Simba still didn't trust her mate. Nala, however, smiled. Rafiki had spoken to her earlier that morning and she knew of Mufasa's visit.

"He's at the peak."

Simba nodded and left the cave. Kiara moved to follow him, but Nala held her back.

"Let him go. It'll be alright."

Kovu was sitting, looking out over the stretching lands when he heard the king's heavy pawsteps behind him. He stood, turning to leave, but something in Simba's face made him sit again. For a moment, there was silence, and the only sound that could be heard was the soft wind, and the animals on the prairies. Then Simba cleared his throat.

"Kovu, I want to appologise. I haven't treated you the way you deserve. I want you to know that I'm sorry."

Kovu looked in surprise over at Simba.

"Don't ask questions," said the king, chuckling slightly. "There is much I must teach you."

Kovu nodded and settled down to listen as Simba began to tell him the stories of the Pride Lands and about being King. For long hours, the two lions sat together, as Simba shared everything important to him, with the one he had once exiled. As the hours passed, the sky began to darken and the glimmering stars started shining down upon the lands. Simba paused in his talking, and looked up in awe at them, remembering that morning.

"Thank you Father," he whispered.

Kovu looked over at Simba with curiosity, but he didn't ask. Glancing up at the stars, he was almost overwhelmed by their beauty.

"A long time ago, Kiara told me that all the Great Kings of the past are up there," he said, looking out of the corner of his eye at Simba. "She said that they give help and guidance to the leaders of the Pride Lands."

Simba nodded. "They do. What are you asking, Kovu?"

Kovu sat in silence for a moment. "Well, forgive me, but for a long time you judged me as a traitor and you didn't trust me." Simba opened his mouth to say something, but a look from Kovu silenced him. He couldn't deny the truth.

"Will the Great Kings ever assist me? Or will I be forced to lead the Pride Lands in darkness?"

Simba smiled. "Kovu, I know for certain that the Great Kings have chosen you to be heir to the Pride Lands. They will guide you – just as my father guides me."

Kovu looked in wonder at Simba, but the King shook his head. "You will have your own experiences with the Kings, I promise. Now come – we've done enough for today."

The two lions stood and stretched. Just as they moved to climb down the rocks, a sound came up from below them, and Kiara bounded up to greet them.

"Is everything alright Kiara?" asked her father anxiously as he noticed Nala appear behind Kiara.

"Yes daddy," replied the Princess. Then she turned to Kovu. "Kovu!" she exclaimed, nuzzling her mate. "We're going to have a cub!"

Kovu's eyes widened and he licked Kiara. It was a very exciting thing for both of them. Nala smiled, and then turned to her daughter. Kaira nodded, and the two of them started back down Pride Rock. As Kovu turned to follow, Simba's voice stopped him.

"Kovu, I think you will be a great father – and King – one day."

Kovu stood motionless as he watched the king pass by him and follow his mate and daughter down the rocks. As he stood, the dark lion glanced up at the stars and smiled. There was something different about them – something that made his heart feel lighter. As he watched them, a soft breeze passed by, and he almost thought he heard whispers being carried on it. And then, a tear rolled down his dark fur. Blinking fast, Kovu gulped. Even when he had been exiled and he believed he would never see the one he loved again, he hadn't cried. So why was he now?

A sound caught his attention. It was whispers that he had heard before. They seemed closer now, and his heart leapt as he was able to hear what they were saying.

"Kovu…we will always be here for you…"