A/N: Ok guise. Srsly guise, I'm soooooo sorry. Like srsly.

But really, I am. You can't say I didn't warn you about being a senior; that and my freelance work have consumed my life! But fortunately, it's coming to an end! Graduation is only 2 weeks away, so pretty soon I can scratch that off my list haha.

And, don't kill me, but for some reason this chapter has been done since late September…wow…don't know why I hadn't posted it but I am so sorry. It doesn't even feel like it's been that long.

Anyway, please enjoy. And thank you, thank you, thank you for the reviews. Honestly you all can thank TeamJacob4 for sending me an email a few days ago, DEMANDING a new chapter (hehe, it's cool though, I need an email kick every so often).

readsmanyfavsfew – LOL it never does get old but hopefully I'll get better at that.

R&R!

FOUR – Secrets

Kovu was at a loss for words. He could only stare at what must be the ghost of his older brother Nuka.

"How-how did you—w-where—" Kovu stammered, absentmindedly stepping backward.

"Wondering why I'm not dead?" Nuka spat, taking a wide step toward Kovu so that his face was only inches away.

Kovu almost gasped a third time when he caught sight of his brother's face. It was sallow, his eyes wild and menacing, his short mane even more mangled than before. He truly looked as if he'd risen from the dead.

"No, you c-can't be—" Kovu continued to stutter, his mind racing, searching for a reasonable explanation to this sudden appearance.

"Oh, I'm just so hurt that you aren't happy to see me," Nuka jeered. "I thought you would've missed me."

"Nuka, I'm—I didn't mean for any of that to happen to you," Kovu said apologetically. His voice sounded small and meek to him, like a frightened cub's.

"Don't lie Kovu, you betrayed us! 'Cause of you, Mother is dead and once again, Simba won!" Nuka reprimanded, his voice dripping with an anger Kovu had never heard before.

"I didn't—we tried to save her," Kovu debated, the guilt returning.

"You are such a liar! A traitor! I knew Mother should have made me the Chosen One, but nooo, she trusted you!" Nuka continued then cackled wildly. "Now look at you, shaking like a scared little cub 'cause Simba's not here to back you up. You are so weak!"

Kovu suddenly stood, his attitude altering. He hated being called weak, especially by his own brother.

"I tried to save her! I tried to make everything better for us!" he yelled, a burst of anger surging through him.

Now it was Nuka who took a step backward, but he did not falter. He gazed down at Kovu, sensing the anger and guilt in his tone.

"Tell me Kovu," he began, a condescending smile spreading across his lips. "Did you ever go looking for her, even once?"

Kovu was silent for a moment. He had not thought about searching for his mother's body after the battle. For a while he tried to push her to the back of his mind, not to forget her but to move on. And now his past had returned in the form of his brother, who had been so dedicated to his mother's plan to overthrow Simba.

"I didn't think so," Nuka sneered when no answer came.

"Why have you returned?" Kovu asked, although he could easily guess that his brother wanted nothing more than to kill him.

"Well brother, I'm sure you're thinking that I've returned to dispose of you and finish Simba off myself but I've actually come to make amends with you," Nuka explained, pacing a slow circle around Kovu.

"Make amends? Why?" Kovu asked, frowning and unconvinced.

"Why else? To be reunited with my baby brother and sister of course!" Nuka replied, using a paw to pull Kovu close to him.

Kovu growled and pulled away in disgust. "You're lying," he said.

"Now it just hurts me to see my little brother treat me this way, after betraying his family and leaving me for dead," Nuka said, feigning hurt. He glanced at Kovu and saw it, the glint of guilt returning to his green eyes, and pressed on.

"And now I'm all alone, weak, starved, and cold every night back in the Outlands. I was hoping that my return would mean that we could put the past behind us and just be brothers. Is that too much to ask?"

Kovu sighed, feeling defeated and confused. He still felt as if he were in a dream, seeing his brother here alive after feeling so sure that he had drowned in the West River so many weeks ago. Even though he now felt uneasy being in Nuka's presence, he couldn't deny that it was best to put the past events behind them and reconcile; it's what Simba would have done.

"What do you say, brother?" Nuka asked, anticipating the answer.

"Fine," Kovu gave in reluctantly. "What do you want me to do?"

"Oh, nothing much just…convince Simba to let me join the pride and let me be with my dear siblings," Nuka replied a little too eagerly.

"What? I can't do that," Kovu said, shaking his head.

"Of course you can! He favors you, doesn't he? I'm sure letting your weak, sick, and starving older brother join the pride won't be such a problem," Nuka said dramatically.

"It'll take some time convincing him, and it won't be easy," Kovu said doubtfully.

"Take all the time you need. Just be sure to tell him that I'm on your side now," Nuka assured, pulling Kovu into a hug once again.

"I…alright," Kovu agreed, avoiding Nuka's eyes.

"That's a good baby brother!" Nuka squealed with joy, petting Kovu's head.

"Stop that!" Kovu scoffed, shaking him off, "You're gonna have to stay here, where no one can see you until I've convinced Simba."

"Sounds like a plan! And while you're working on that, could you bring me an antelope leg or two every night? I am just so famished!" Nuka requested, flopping dramatically onto the ground.

"Whatever," Kovu muttered while rolling his eyes and turning to leave. "Just promise me you'll stay out of sight," he then demanded.

"Cross my heart and hope to die," Nuka said, smiling delightedly. To Kovu, he looked even more deranged than before.

Kovu took one last look at him before walking off, heading back toward his new home. He sighed, his mind weighed even more with stressful matters now.

-o-

"Kovu!" called the cheery voice of a familiar female. Kovu had finally returned to Pride Rock after taking his time walking. He was about to climb the structure to the den when he heard his name being called. A wave of relief washed over him when he turned to see Kiara and Vitani approaching. He'd almost forgotten about searching for the two after his encounter with Nuka.

"Hey," he greeted them, grateful to see a friendly face.

"What's wrong with you? You look like you've just seen a ghost," Vitani teased him.

"What? Oh, nothing," Kovu said, slightly blushing.

"If you say so. You should get some sleep," said Vitani, snickering. She sidled past him and went straight into the den.

Once she was out of sight, Kovu turned to Kiara, who was smiling softly up at him, her amber eyes twinkling. He couldn't help but stare into them and almost lost himself there before he realized what he was doing. He blinked and cleared his throat, making Kiara giggle.

"Where are you tonight Kovu?" she asked, sitting closely to him.

"Huh? I'm fine…where did you two go for so long?" Kovu asked, hoping to change the subject.

"Oh, nowhere special, just went for a visit," Kiara answered.

"Really? Who did you visit?" Kovu asked, raising a quizzical brow.

"Someone kinda special," Kiara said dreamily, giggling again.

Kovu frowned, suddenly feeling irritable. Who could she have possibly visited to make her act so weird?

"Okay, so who is this special someone?" asked Kovu, dreading the answer.

"Sorry can't tell ya. It's a secret," Kiara teased coyly. This only frustrated Kovu further.

"Is something wrong Kovu? You seem kinda down today," Kiara asked, her tone sweet but more concerned this time.

"Nothing, just have a lot on my mind," said Kovu, turning away from her. "I'm gonna call it a night."

Kiara watched as he started to walk off, but she stopped him, feeling curious and unsatisfied with his response.

"Kovu?" she called to him. He stopped and turned to look at her.

"You know you can talk to me…about anything," Kiara offered kindly. Although Kovu felt her sincerity, he knew that now was not the best time to discuss his encounter with Nuka.

"Thanks," was all he decided to say, as they walked into the den together.

"Good night," Kiara whispered before walking to her corner of the den.

" 'Night," Kovu replied, settling into his own spot. Several moments passed before he fell into yet another fitful sleep, his dreams filled with confusion, resentment, and painful memories.