I just wanted to give a shout out to all the awesome people who have left reviews on this so far. So, cookies and many huggles to: Patrick, BeeKay84, WhiteTiger xx Nag, CEE18, Grievous daydreamer, and The Ligerion Emperor. Thanks so much guys, your comments and feedback is greatly appreciated!
Well, anyways -- onto the story. Sorry if you find this chapter a little bit sad, but I wanted a lot of strong emotion in it. Hopefully, I'll be able to update soon -- there are 6 more chapters to go! Just bear with me guys. Enjoy!
The sun climbed slowly above the trees, its warm light casting small shadows across the land. Time had passed, and now the young Prince Kimoni had grown into a mischievous cub, eager for adventure and constantly in trouble – as most young cubs are. Yawning, Kimoni sat up in the cave and looked around him. The pride was still fast asleep. Smirking, the prince bounded over to a sleeping lion, and jumped on top of him. Trying his best to roar in the lion's ear, Kimoni suddenly tumbled off as the lion climbed to his feet.
"Father, are you going to take me and show me the Pride Lands today?" Kimoni asked, excitedly bouncing up and down. Around them, the lionesses were beginning to wake, and nearby, Kiara let out a big yawn.
Kovu smiled at his son, and glanced over to the mouth of the cave. The smile left his face however, as he saw Simba slowly make his way out of it, and begin a descent down the rocks. Glancing over at Kiara, Kovu opened his mouth to speak. Kiara however, now Queen of the Pride Lands, knew what he was thinking.
"Kimoni," she called, "I think you're forgetting something."
The young cub stood for a moment, trying to think of what it was. Then out of nowhere, he felt his body being lifted up into the air.
"Your bath silly," Kiara told him, chuckling. As Kimoni struggled to get free, Kiara nodded to Kovu. He and Simba needed time together.
Stretching, Kovu made his way out of the cave and down the rocks towards the base of Pride Rock. As he went, he looked around him. Since the ceremony in which Simba had passed his throne on to Kovu, the dark lion had felt differently living in the Pride Lands. The animals looked to him with respect, and trusted his judgment. He never had to deal with disagreements or animals breaking the laws. Kovu ruled with fairness and wisdom, and the animals looked to him as their chosen King.
As Kovu wound his way through the grass, he saw Simba at the waterhole, taking a drink. Standing near a rock, Kovu realized that they were both in the same places they had been when Kovu had first joined the pride. Looking down at the ground, Kovu paused, as he stood exactly where he had years before – ready to attack the king and claim the lands as his own. Stepping forwards, Kovu marveled at how he had changed. Once he had begged for forgiveness, Kovu had still found it hard to find it in himself. For a long time, he had continued to blame himself, and was never able to move on. But now, as he had been taught by Simba and guided by the Kings, Kovu felt different. It was in the past now, and he had taken that moment, and changed who he was then.
Smiling, Kovu approached the old king. Simba looked up from where he was lapping and smiled to the dark lion. Kovu suddenly realized how old Simba looked.
"What are you smiling for, Kovu?" Simba asked, turning and waiting for the king to join him.
Kovu thought for a moment. He couldn't really describe it in words. Searching desperately for the words, Kovu looked over at Simba finally and shook his head.
"There are so many things," he began, but Simba silenced him.
"I know just how you feel. You forget that I had things from my past that haunted me as well." Kovu nodded, and the two lions walked in silence, their pace slow. Finally, the golden lion stopped and lowered his body to the ground. Kovu noticed that Simba's breathing was fast and heavy, quite like it would have been after a long hunt. They had only been walking, however, and the king suddenly felt alert and worried.
"Simba, is something wrong?"
The old king smiled. "I am very tired Kovu. We all receive our calls to continue on with the circle of life."
Kovu stood for a moment, puzzled. Then, it occurred to him what Simba meant. Moving closer to where Simba lay, Kovu looked deep into the old king's eyes.
"You're not going to die, Simba. I won't let you."
Simba smiled, closing his eyes for a moment. "Listen to me Kovu," he said, his voice soft, unlike the deep voice Kovu was used to. "There comes a time for all of us. The Kings choose it." He swallowed, taking a deep breath before he continued. "Come closer," he whispered.
Kovu stepped forward, bending his head down to the old king's. Dark met with red as his mane brushed against Simba's. Peering closely at Simba's face, Kovu followed where his eyes were going. Simba was looking at Kovu's front paw. Kovu lifted his paw, and from underneath, a small bud rose up again for being bent. Kovu remembered his first talk with Simba, when he had shown him a similar bud, growing up out of the ashes of a fire caused by Zira.
"You see," whispered Simba, "I gave you the chance. And look what you did with it." The old king smiled. "Kovu, I'm so proud of you."
Closing his eyes for a moment, Simba sighed. Kovu leapt to his feet.
"Simba, you must wait!" he cried. "I have to fetch the others." Simba looked up at the king, their eyes meeting one last time. He nodded.
"I'll still be here."
Turning, Kovu ran with all his might back to Pride Rock. Bounding up the rocks, he stormed into the cave. Glancing up, the lionesses knew what was happening. Leaping to their paws, Nala and Kiara turned and ran out of the cave, the other lionesses following close behind. Kovu picked up the shocked Kimoni and hurried out after them.
When he neared the spot where he had left Simba, he saw Nala and Kiara crouching beside him, talking in soft whispers. Gently placing Kimoni on the ground, he watched as the young cub went over to the group. Kovu stepped back, standing near his lionesses. He had spent his time with Simba, now he was giving the old king the last few minutes with his mate and daughter.
Time passed slowly, but to Kovu it seemed to take hours. Rafiki approached the group at one point, but acknowledged Simba's claim. There was nothing the baboon could do. Finally, a deafening silence set over the lands and a soft rain began to fall. Nala and Kiara stood, stepping away to comfort each other, as the other lionesses slowly stepped forwards to pay their respects to the fallen king. Kovu bent his head as the tears began to fall from his eyes.
"You were like a father to me," he whispered.
After a while, Nala left the group to go spend time by herself, and Safiya stepped in to comfort Kiara. The orange colored lioness had left the Outlands and joined Simba's pride at the approval of Kovu, who had then been learning from Simba. As time passed, Safiya bore her cub – a pretty light colored lioness she named Azmera. Nearby, the two cubs, Kimoni and Azmera, stood in silence as they watched the lionesses say their final goodbyes to the wise old king.
Once the pride had finished their farewells, and the animals of the Pride Lands had viewed the body from a distance, the lionesses gathered together and carried the body of the old king back to Pride Rock, to be buried next to his father. As the procession halted at the base of Pride Rock, ready to lay Simba's body to rest, the storm stopped and a few rays of sunshine broke through. As the sky cleared, a glorious rainbow stretched across the sky. The lionesses gasped at its beauty, but Kovu remained silent. He saw it as a sign from the kings – a tribute, to a new Great King.
About a week passed before the Pride Lands slowly made its way back to normal. Some animals still mourned, but most saw it as part of the circle of life, which, although it was sad at times, was necessary. It was late one evening, when Kovu was walking through the Pride Lands with Kiara that he stopped at the sound of approaching footsteps. A group of weary lionesses came from out of the thick grass, and stopped in front of the couple. It only took Kovu a moment to realize who they were.
"Vitani!" he exclaimed, rushing forwards. Looking around him, Kovu recognized other lionesses, such as Nailah, who had left the Pride Lands to live under Vitani's rule. It was a happy reunion for the king, to be able to see some of the lionesses he had grown up with. As he glanced around, he noticed that many of the lionesses, including Nailah and his own sister, had young cubs huddling close to them. Kovu sighed. How did Vitani think they would all survive in the Outlands?
Stepping back from Kovu, Vitani bowed with respect. She and her lionesses had witnessed the day Kovu was named king, and they knew everything that went on in the Pride Lands. Looking up at her brother, Vitani spoke softly.
"King Kovu, we have lived for a long time in the Outlands. You know why we left. I beg now, that you allow us back into your lands and your pride once more." She fell silent, waiting for the king's answer. Kovu felt torn. Of course he wanted to welcome his sister and their friends back. He was King! He could do whatever he wanted! But a part of him called to deny Vitani's gentle request. They had left because they could not face living under Simba's rule. Simba – the lion Kovu had grown to love and respect so much.
Feeling lost, Kovu glanced up at the sky for a moment. It was getting quite late, and now he could see the glimmering stars far above them.
Let Kiara choose.
Kovu glanced around, but no one else had heard the soft whisper. The Kings were there for him, he knew, and Simba would guide him to do what was right. Turning to his mate, Kovu lowered his voice.
"I want you to choose their fate Kiara. This is your decision."
Kiara looked in shock at Kovu for a moment, before turning to eye the lionesses. As she looked at their tired cubs, and worn out expressions, Kiara's heart softened. Kovu had told her the reason that they had left, and although she had been hurt by it, the kind Queen wasn't about to hold a grudge.
"Welcome to the Pride Lands," she told them. "This is your home as much as ours."
Vitani bowed again. "Thank you, your highnesses," she told them. Kiara smiled and the group headed off towards Pride Rock.
At Pride Rock, it was quite the reunion. Safiya ran forwards in joy as she recognized Vitani and Nailah. Soon the group was happily talking together, and their cubs were being introduced for the first time.
Leaving the happy group, Kovu and Kiara went up to the peak of Pride Rock. Once there, Kovu sat looking up at the stars. Kiara sat beside him, following his gaze. Then she spoke.
"Kovu, why did you choose for me to make that decision today? It should have been yours as King."
Kovu smiled. "I was faced with the same decision once. But Kiara, I didn't choose you. The Kings did."
Kiara looked in amazement over at Kovu, and her heart soared. She knew from his expression that he was right. The Great Kings were watching over them both.
"I'm so glad Kovu," Kiara whispered, leaning into his soft, thick mane. "I love you."
Kovu smiled, feeling a warm glow inside him. "I love you too Kiara."
And together, they sat in peaceful silence under the stars.
Far off in the jungle, a dark figure looked out over the Pride Lands. As time had passed, more and more black shadows began to lurk in the trees. Now, Vengeance's pride was large in number, and strong in force. Every day they waited for the right moment to come – the time when they would begin their reign of terror.