Well here it is people, chapter 2! I hope it doesn't disappoint after that pilot! I love all of my readers, you guys motivate me to write more! So without further ado, I give you... your... chapter...2...

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Her honey colored fur glowed gold in the warm light of the rising sun. She padded along gracefully, a true beauty. Dust blew gently around her, blades of grass danced in the gentle breeze. The sky was a strong steel blue, the sun just reaching it's height in the center of the sky. All was peacefully quiet aside from the occasional croaking of frogs in the watering hole nearby. Nature was a beautiful thing to behold, but it was nothing compared to the lioness before him.

"Kovu!"

He snapped out of his daze.

"huh!"

She giggled looking over her shoulder at him. She had obviously been trying to get his attention for several moments.

"What're you staring at?"

He replied in his smart Alec voice, his head lowered in a predatory position.

"You"

She smiled and laughed a bit more, stopping to sit in front of one of the flowers growing out of a patch of grass. The flower was beginning wither, but it still retained it's beauty.

"They're still so beautiful"

He sat beside her and glanced at it briefly but his attention was fixed on her.

"Nothing is as beautiful as you Kiara"

She turned her head and gave him a kiss on the cheek, leaving his expression to melt into a dumb smile, his mouth hanging open. The tall grass around him waved in the wind, dust blew past carrying the pleasant aromas of the Savannah. Her touch always melted away the ice around his heart. Being around her brought peace to him and serenaded is worries. She was a calming beauty.

She truly has made me a better lion.

She flicked his thigh with her tail gently as she turned to resume her pace, knocking him out of another one of his dazes. Her voice was filled with laughter.

"What is with you today?"

"I dunno"

An ecstatic smile spread across his face.

"It's like I've rediscovered life!"

He stood and stretched

"I feel so alive!"

Kovu quickly caught up with her, purposefully brushing up against her, but her tone became solemn.

"Well we can't put it off for long."

"Huh?"

He turned to her, his muzzle hanging open slightly in confusion.

"We need to tell daddy, better sooner than later."

"Oh great"

He rolled his eyes and turned his gaze once again forwards, lowering his head.

"Better we tell him then he find out on his own"

"I can here him now, yelling about how we didn't ask his permission or something stupid like that"

There was a coarse silence that lasted for quite a while, dread building in each of them as they neared pride rock. Kovu had hoped the walk home would last forever; the thought of dealing with her father stressed him out like nothing else did. They were soon taking their first dreadful steps up pride rock. Kiara finally broke the silence.

"You're not ashamed of this are you?"

"Absolutely not!"

He was quick to reply.

"I don't regret anything that happened last night."

Kovu was just about to set foot into the cave when she stopped him.

"Wait."

He looked to her as she threw her foreleg in front of him.

"Let me tell him by myself"

He frowned

"Don't you think we should do this together?"

"If you come with me to tell him, he's just going to take it out on you."

His expression saddened even further. She was right. He would never take his anger out on his "little girl", but he was another story all together. While he and Simba had grown much closer since he had joined the family, this would definitely be enough to set Simba off, and he would be the perfect target.

"Ok"

She gave him a faint smile.

"he'll get used to the idea Kovu I promise."

She turned and took her first dreadful steps into the both, metaphorical and literal lion's den.

An expression of relief and joy covered Simba's face as he saw his beloved daughter enter the cave.

"Kiara! Where have you been? You and Kovu, we've been looking for you two."

She smiled, happy that her father was pleased to see her.

"I'm ok daddy, I just got caught out in the rain last night."

"Was Kovu with you?"

She nodded.

"Yes he was."

"Good"

There was an expression of concern on his face.

"I don't want you going that far out by yourself"

"There is..."

She was nervous and almost fell quiet.

"...something I need to tell you"

He smiled and approached her, sitting down directly in front of her.

"You can tell me anything sweetheart."

Simba spoke to her in his gentle fatherly tone, a tone she knew he would drop as soon as she managed to spit out what was on the tip of her tongue.

"Daddy..."

She swallowed nervously.

"...umm..."

"What is it?"

His smile was warm, ignorant of the knowledge he was about to be passed.

"I... I-I'm Pregnant"

Kovu, who was lying at the mouth of the cave, cringed as Simba's shouted.

"WHAT!"

He didn't expect much less of him; it was just like Simba to overreact to things like this.

"Whe- Bu- It- You-!... Where's Kovu!

"Well he's-"

"Why isn't he here with you!"

"Well we kind of thought you might react like this so-"

"React like what! Concerned! I can't believe-"

"Simba!"

Nala stepped in making her way inside the cave.

She looked over to Kiara.

"Run along Kiara, and take Kovu with you"

She quickly turned around and ran out of the cave bringing Kovu along with her.

Simba quickly turned to his mate.

"Hey! Don't undermine me! I wasn't done with them!"

"Simba? What did you expect them to do? Ask you first?"

"Well I-"

"They are one remember? Rafiki preformed the ritual himself. It was up to them to decide when they were ready, not us."

"I'm just scared for her, she's too young for this!"

"That's not for us to decide Simba."

Simba inched his face closer to his mate's.

"And how isn't it! I am still king, and she is still my daughter!"

Nala did not flinch or move.

"You are still king? So what? You can't control her life Simba."

"I am the king; I can do whatever I want to!"

"You sound like your uncle..."

He froze where he was standing, his mouth hanging open in shock. He tried to reply but couldn't find the words. He collapsed to the ground and put a paw over his eyes.

"ooooooh..."

A simple moan was all he could muster; he was deeply ashamed of himself.

She's right...

She placed a paw on his back.

"I'm sorry Simba I didn't mean-"

"No you're right. I'm sorry."

He sighed and removed his paw from his face.

"I'm just so scared for her, what if she doesn't know what she has gotten herself into, what if she isn't ready?"

"Well I suppose we're going to have to wait and see, help her however we can. Giving Kovu a stomping isn't going to fix anything; she was probably just as actively involved in this as he was."

Simba pushed himself to his feet.

"I need to talk to him about this"

"Then go talk to him but be gentle, it's probably stressful for him too"

Simba sighed.

"I'm not going to hurt him, we just need to talk"

Simba walked off out of the cave leaving Nala to only hope he wouldn't do anything rash.

Kiara nuzzled her cheek against her mates.

"I promise Kovu, he'll warm up to it, you've just gotta give him ti-"

"Kovu!"

Kiara jolted startled.

"Oh great"

Kovu was in no way happy to notice that Simba was approaching from afar.

"Round two"

Kovu rolled his eyes and turned to face the approaching father of his mate. Kiara braced herself for the conflict she was sure would ensue.

Simba could read the underlying anger on Kovu's face he approached.

"I just want to talk."

Kovu turned and took a few steps to the side, his eyes fixed on Simba.

"It certainly doesn't seem that way"

"I'm... sorry... for whatever you may have overheard"

Kovu paced angrily towards him

"Why must I overhear? We share everything, or have you forgotten? we are one!"

Simba held his tongue. Although he did want reprimand the young lion for his disrespect, he did not want to set into motion something dreadful he could not stop. In his pause he tried to think about how he would feel in the young lion's position.

"I understand the point you're trying to make... I'm sorry."

Kiara could feel the tension building. She could here it in her fathers voice.

Kovu grimaced.

"Somehow I doubt it."

"Kovu stop it!"

Kiara stepped in to try and prevent things from escalating. She walked over and sat next to her father.

"Thank you daddy."

Kovu's expression changed from irritation to a saddened awe. He felt betrayed. Kiara saw his face and knew what was going through his head.

"You're taking his side now?

She had to think quickly. Then she remembered what the lioness had said to them the night before. She walked over to her mate.

"Daddy can you give us a minute?"

"Sure"

Simba's face was firm but solemn as his daughter walked away from him, past Kovu.

"Com'on Kovu."

Kovu gave Simba a glare and turned to follow his mate. Kiara led the two of them out of earshot of Simba.

"I can't believe you're pulling me to the side like I'm some sort of cub!"

Kovu whispered loudly.

"Kovu, I pulled you to the side so we can discuss this, together, as one. You can talk first if you want too."

She nuzzled into his mane to try and calm him, if only a little, with affection. He began to say something but closed his mouth as she burrowed her muzzle into his chest. She spoke as he fell quiet.

"Please don't think I don't love you Kovu. I do so much."

His voice softened.

"I know"

Kovu rested his neck over hers and sighed heavily.

"I'm sorry. His attitude just really frustrates me. I mean he acts like he owns you.

"Well he is my father Kovu, you can't expect him to not be protective of me."

"I know but we're mated, it shouldn't be any of his business what we do together."

"I know and I'm with you on that. Just, please, talk to him. He's trying hard to be nice. Why don't you go on a walk with him like you guys do."

She could tell he was reluctant to follow her request.

"You two are usually so close."

He knew she was right, they were. Having no fatherly figure to look to, Kovu was drawn to Simba. They had bonded quite a bit, but there were conflicts between the two of them that would sometimes get ugly. In these times Kovu would be almost sure that he never liked Simba in the first place; his grudging and pride would blind him to that affection. The fighting was usually over where Kiara's loyalties first lie, with her father and king, or with her mate. The squabbling was usually left between the two of them as Kiara would rarely give a straight answer to such a heavy question. Despite these spats, Kovu and Simba remained close for the most part and were nearly inseparable in their good times.

Now however Kovu's spite was putting the thought of getting along, way out of mind. He remained silent.

"Kovu, please, just talk it out with him and then we can put this whole spat behind us."

He pressed himself further against her and took a deep breath.

"Ok. I'll talk to him."

He turned and walked back in the direction of the patiently waiting Lion, Kiara close behind.

"Done?"

Simba was speaking primarily to Kiara, expecting Kovu to either be aggressive or give him the silent treatment. Kiara however looked to Kovu to reply.

"Hey..."

Kovu spoke in a much calmer tone than Simba expected.

"Maybe we should take this on a walk..."

He motioned his head towards Kiara.

Simba smiled, getting his point.

"Alright then"

The two Lions turned and walked off, Kiara heading back to pride rock to let the two sort things out.

Kovu held his tongue for a while, Simba waiting for him to speak.

"I'm sorry... I guess I sort-of lost it there for a while..."

Simba gave him a supportive smile, and spoke to him in a warm sincere voice.

"I think we've both had our outbursts today. So, where are we walking to?"

Kovu let a small smile show, his affection for Simba seeping back into the forefront of his mind.

"I was thinking around the termite mounds."

"The outlands?"

Simba looked to Kovu surprised.

"Yeah, I... kinda wanted to see how home's been doing since I left."

Simba laughed warm heartedly

"Alright, just don't lead me into another ambush"

Kovu smiled. It filled him with joy that Simba was able to truly forgive and even laugh at the event that had caused such strife between the two of them.

"I'll try not too"

Kovu shot him a glare still smirking.

"But hey you never know, this could all be part of my great elaborate plan"

He chuckled.

Simba looked Kovu in the eyes sarcastically.

"Yeah... So then what's the goal of this master plan?"

Kovu's expression went blank.

"Uuuh... I dunno. Maybe I'll bring back the hyenas and usher in another golden age."

Simba's face became glazed with intrigue.

"I'm curious, what were you told about Scars 'golden age'"

"Probably no more than you'd expect, it was told to me that it was a time of glorious prosperity and equality; prosperity that could have lasted but was ruined by the lionesses' failure to hunt properly. It was undoubtedly their fault for over hunting and overindulging, or so it was told."

Simba sighed.

"Sounds about right, you don't believe that, do you?"

"Of course not. Nothing Scar said was ever true. The hyenas are scum, they don't deserve equality"

Simba could tell Kovu's arrogance was directed at pleasing him so he threw him a curveball.

"I think they deserve a level of equality"

He caught Kovu quite off guard.

"Well I uuuuh-"

Kovu's eyes shifted as he frantically searched for a reply.

Simba chuckled.

"Why don't you tell me what you really think instead of just telling me what I want to hear? What do YOU think Kovu?"

"I... really don't know what to think."

Kovu let his head sink.

"Between what I've been told in the past and what I'm being told now... I guess I sort of accept what you pride landers tell me as more true, but I've never really had a chance to develop any opinions for myself."

"Well"

Simba started off again.

"I think that they would deserve some sort of equality if they could be trusted, but from my experiences with them I'd say they're nothing but backstabbing scavengers."

Kovu looked over at Simba as they walked.

"Yeah, I guess it's too bad we can't hear their side of it."

"They tend to migrate to where the prey is easy; they used to live around the elephant graveyard because Scar kept them fed. I haven't seen one around here since he died."

There was a silence as the two continued to walk side by side reaching the outlands. Various termite mounds and animal bones were scattered around. Aside from that there was nothing to be seen but the vast empty desert.

"Well... Kovu, I guess I've been beating around the bush. I think you know what I really want to talk to you about"

Kovu turned his head off slightly to the side trying to avoid eye contact.

"Kiara..."

"...Riiight... so... Umm"

Simba's gaze fell to the ground as he tried to find the proper words and the right way to ask the questions. There was a brief thick silence that set in.

Kovu tried to alleviate the tension.

"Yeah..."

It was quite obviously just as awkward for Simba as it was for him.

"Do you... love her?"

Kovu jerked his head back around towards Simba.

"What kind of question is that?"

Simba flinched backwards ever so slightly.

"Right... bad question"

"yeah..."

Kovu muttered to himself quietly and turned his gaze forwards drooping his head slightly.

"I'm sorry, it's just, she'll always be my little girl, I just want to keep her safe."

"Well don't you think I do too? She means everything to me."

"I know she does Kovu, I should really do a better job of trusting you. I'm just worried you've gotten her into something she can't handle."

Kovu lowered his head.

"Right..."

"Did you two... talk about it... first?"

His head hung lower, veering off to the side again.

"Sorta..."

Simba made no reply, but Kovu could still feel his eyes fixated on him; fixed on the back of his neck waiting for him to elaborate further.

"We both agreed that we were... ready"

He barely managed to choke out the last word, embarrassed. He felt Simba's silence patronizing him.

"I see, well-"

"Look."

Kovu turned around and sat down in front of Simba, locking eyes with him.

"I did what I did out of love."

Kovu stated his point firmly and fairly aggressively. He shook his head questioningly.

"Need I tell you anything else?"

Simba paused in front of Kovu who had blocked his path.

"I'm ready and I want to take care of her, and a cub."

A smile spread across Simba's face.

"That's all I needed to know"

Kovu kept his eyes fixed on Simba, nearly shaking from the tension.

Simba motioned with his head back the way they had come.

"Com'on. Let's head back. Nala should be organizing a hunting party soon."

Simba turned and set off in the opposite direction, Kovu quickly catching up beside him, feeling affectionate towards the large lion.

He's so thick headed.

Though he was thick headed, he was so because he cared about his pride, and everyone in it, including Kovu himself. It was a mutual affection, they had become close family, Simba was something similar to an uncle to him, yet somewhat different. He hadn't grown up with him but to an extent he DID look up to him, and he certainly had a desire to bond with him. It was part of his desire to not only be accepted by his mate, but to be embraced by her family as well.

Well between that and an uncaring cold father like Scar, I guess I'd rather her have a loving knucklehead like him...

The rest of that day was peaceful, aside of course from the hunting. Prosperity in the Pridelands had left tensions low, and with this final conflict being solved, there was nothing but affinity to be felt throughout the pride.

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And remember to review and help me become a better writer! thanks guys! hope you enjoyed!