(A/N: Back with an update! Everyone's just about back together. Wonder how this will go. :))

Sinking down from the sky like a heat-dried leaf, Tojo's messenger met them by the oasis's edge. Bron hopped onto Muna's shoulder and directed them through a muggy-aired thicket of mossy trees and damp earth to a clearing where Kiara and the others were. Before entering, Bron called them to a stop.

"Wait here." Bron hopped from Muna's shoulder to the ground and fluttered off through the trees.

Kovu stared at the ground and heaved a sigh that made Chaka glance his way. Kiara and Tanga's reactions were unpredictable. Heart throbbing rapidly, Kovu closed his eyes to steel his nerves.

If I can apologize to Chaka, I think I can survive this, too.

When they were called to move through the foliage, Kovu's eyes widened at how the pale gray light filtering through the leaves over his head gave an edge to Timon and Pumbaa's aged faces. The edge to Tanga's face, too, was startling. After Chaka embraced Tanga and told her how he was glad she'd returned safely, they all formed a rough misshapen circle in the middle of the clearing. The only stiff words spoken at first were business related. Kiara was shielded on her sides by her daughter, Timon, Pumbaa, Suki, and Chaka. Muna sat with Kenyi, and Kovu sat nearest to them. Kovu tried ignoring the suffocating mood of exhaustion and impatience, and imagined himself looking down at the ring of weary predators from the canopy like one of the small animals he could smell but not see, as he helped Chaka relay their side of things.

I can't stand how Timon is glaring at me. Kiara won't even look my way. Why'd I kill Sauda? Why'd I abandon Asuma and Tanga when Natin was dying? This situation could go so many ways... but we have one thing in common- helping Asuma.

Then Tanga filled them in on her side of things. When finished, her voice was sharp and determined, her chin raised. "I can lead the way back in the direction I came." She spoke up after everyone for the most part was caught up on matters… matters that excluded Kovu's dreams and the way in which Natin had survived the stampede. Tanga had visibly perked up when she'd heard of Natin's survival and when she'd heard that the threat of being attacked by the lionesses had been real. "Asuma needs everyone's help now. I'm sure everyone understands..." Then the words tumbled from her mouth. "After everything he'd done I thought he was lying to me but he was only trying to keep me safe when I thought he was being cruel and I couldn't stand it anymore and left. I-"

"It's all right," Kovu assured her, shaking his head sympathetically. "If you'd stayed, the lionesses would've found you, and there would be no help. Asuma knew what he was doing. You did nothing wrong."

Tanga blinked. He was the last creature she wanted comfort from. "If you hadn't..." She trailed off, clearly angry. Her head turned.

Kovu lowered his ears guiltily. He muttered, "I know and I'm sorry. I should've controlled myself."

She muttered back harshly, "Tell Asuma that when we find him."

Kovu's face flushed. Did I expect openness…? Did I give any thought to how she'd treat me, or was I too focused on Kiara? The secrets are out now, she's seen me in action, and has no reason to fake adoration like before. He recalled Natin saying that she'd begged him to understand that talking and forgiving were better than killing. Something had gotten through, since Natin had done nothing but talk. Now he wondered if Tanga could ever live by her own words again, even if she did not depend on murder to solve her problems. She was hurting for her brother and mother and sympathizing with their traumas-that much he was certain of. For now, he wasn't her ally, much less her father.

Kiara moved her paw closer to Tanga's, letting them touch as they sat side by side. At this, Tanga gave her mother an unreadable glance that possibly expressed gratitude.

At least it looks like she's made up with her mother somewhat after having the truth hidden from her...

"-first priority is to find Asuma." Chaka's voice burst through Kovu's thoughts. "Tanga, are you strong enough to guide us back to the last place you saw Asuma?"

"No less than you today after fighting off those scavengers." Regardless, Tanga glanced inquiringly at her mother, who remained silent with an anxious and slightly apprehensive expression, before she looked at the ground and replied, her tone resolute, "I want to find him. He can't just stay out there alone..." Her eyes then went to her father. "He has to come home. His life isn't out there even if he thinks he's got one."

A hot wave of embarrassment rushed up Kovu's neck and filled cheeks.

"He will come home," Chaka stated matter-of-factly. "There's no more ghosts for him to chase in the wilderness. He's made his point."

Yes, he certainly has... I guess I can't fault him for sticking to his convictions for so long... It seems that nobody has been able to change his mind really... that could be a problem when we find him...

Tanga was nodding. "We have Asuma's reason for leaving."

Kovu looked forward, into space, forcing himself to retain his composure. He felt like bait. He was thankful when Muna spoke up, taking the conversation away from his daughter and Chaka.

"When do we start?" Her tone was diplomatic.

"How tired are you?" Kiara asked, speaking for the first time. "I know time is working against us, but..."

"We could leave between mid-night and dawn," Muna replied. "I think that'd be best."

Kiara nodded, though the glint in her wide brown eyes made her seem anxious. "That seems fair..."

Kovu swallowed hard.

I'm sorry you're going through this, Kiara... I must be causing her so much discomfort...

Very lightly, Suki cleared her throat. She remarked softly, "With everyone working together, we'll find Asuma and help him. The Great Kings are looking after him. They'll help us."

Kovu looked at his paws, and everyone else did the same. He wondered if prayers and pleadings were being sent to their ancestors for the missing prince. The Council had sworn they'd help as much as they could... but so far even though he'd been able to warn his son and in turn his daughter, Asuma had practically rushed to meet the lionesses; and, even though his nephew had protected him, Natin had been injured so that all he was good for was running at the mouth. Kovu was trying his best to fix the situation, but every gift from the Council had made the situation worse. He truly hoped the ancestors had something better in mind...

But... Kovu then thought, Maybe the problem of freewill and their limited ability to predict the future really was why they were hesitant to do anything... and they were trying to warn me, and I didn't understand that at all... Is that it? Is that partly why little has work out?

"-anyone needs to hunt," Kiara was saying, "please pay attention to your surroundings. The meerkats know we're here, so be respectful of them."

"They'll be grateful when they hear how they were protected today." Timon grinned at Chaka, who gave a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "They hate scavengers!"

The others started to move around. Stomach growling at the mention of hunting, Kovu watched Muna and Kenyi talk for a moment before Kenyi took off alone. Tojo's messenger stayed with Muna. The others formed a small group and talked briefly before Chaka left alone as well. Suki followed him with her eyes, but didn't move. Kiara was also surrounded by Timon, Pumbaa, and Tanga, and they talked quietly among themselves.

"Don't just stare at her all evening."

Kovu jumped. Muna had moved to his side. She had a smirk on her muzzle, her eyes were half-hooded, and her head was tilted to the side. Bron was sitting tiredly on her shoulder.

Through pursed lips she said, "Go talk to her."

He whispered back probably too sharply, "No, I can't."

"Well, word is... you're making apologies to those you've wronged," she replied in an almost conspiratorial tone. She even leaned in a little.

Kovu raised a brow. "Huh...? Word from who?"

"I overheard you talking with Tswane when you first arrived. And when you were making your good-bye's to Natin, Chaka was muttering about traveling with someone who'd made one unbelievable apology to him."

Kovu sighed. "Does that mean unbelievable-crazy... or unbelievable-didn't-think-I-was-being-honest?"

"Who'm I to say?" Muna half-smiled and shrugged. "I don't know enough about pridelander business, but I've heard stories... epics, really..." She then gestured with her eyes to Kiara. "She does what? Say no? She looks like she wouldn't trade an apology for blood. Unlike Chaka."

"I doubt my daughter would appreciate it."

"Well, you can apologize to her later, too."

"It's... more complicated than that."

Muna shrugged. "Fine. Talk to her. Don't talk to her. You won't be making the most of what could be the last peaceful moment we have for a while."

Kovu grimaced. He hadn't expected to find any amount of companionship on his mission to bring his son home; yet, here he was, talking to someone who he'd only known existed for hardly two days. Having Suki around hadn't been a bad thing, either, but she'd kept her distance from him and had stuck closer to the more familiar Chaka. Kovu didn't know why Muna kept bothering to talk to him, probably as a favor to Tojo, but he was grateful for it, and she was right... the worst Kiara could do was to tell him to leave her alone, which he'd already successfully done. Unfortunately, he could consider the unhappy look on Kiara's face more promising than the scowl on Tanga.

"Just be cool about it. You're encouraged face looks a bit creepy."

Kovu shot Muna a glare. "What does that mean?"

She rolled her eyes. "Hey, when you normally look sulky or pissed, hopefulness can, well, look... odd."

"Don't you have a filter?" Kovu hid a smirk as he looked over to where Kiara was standing with Suki and Tanga. Timon and Pumbaa had disappeared.

"Life's too short to be shy."

Kovu heaved a sigh. "If you insist, I guess..."

His heart was racing as he walked up to Kiara. Tanga saw him first and whispered something into Kiara's ear, causing all three lionesses to turn to him. His paws were heavy and he begged himself not to trip on them. He stopped in front of them and saw Kiara try to smile while she swallowed hard. Tanga and Suki, who flanked her, watched him. Tanga's gaze on its own was plain aggressive.

She couldn't protect her brother from me so now she'll do everything to protect her mother.

"C-could we talk...? If it's not too much to a-ask..." He hated how his voice shook. The trembling sound sent him back to the nightmare with Asuma when he'd called him a coward. He felt the strain on his eyes while he kept eye contact.

A corner of Kiara's mouth pulled down uneasily and her body seemed to shrink up a little. "Well, I was going to hunt with Suki…"

"It's okay, Kiara," Suki spoke up unexpectedly, glancing apprehensively at Kovu. "Tanga can help me. We won't be gone long." At this, she gave Kovu a timid warning look.

Is she actually on my side? Or does she know Kiara has something to say to me?

Kiara looked more worried when she heard this, and Kovu's chest tightened further. Disappointment. He wouldn't force Kiara to talk to him, but he had to speak with her, even if all he said sorry. He looked at his paws.

"Mother, maybe you should wait to talk," Tanga remarked, giving Suki an almost mutinous look. "You've got other things to worry about."

Kiara looked from her daughter to Kovu two times, obviously caught in a mental debate.

Finally, Suki stood up, almost bouncing on her toes. "C'mon, Tanga, help me find something?" Suki asked, starting to walk away.

Tanga hesitated, frowning at Suki before meeting Kiara's gaze, making sure that she was all right. "Mom?"

For a second Kiara looked like she was having second thoughts. "It's fine. Go hunt," Kiara finally replied, smiling a little. "We should get... this out of the way."

Tanga gave her father a look of warning.

"I just have a couple things to say," Kovu assured her, keeping his voice level.

Tanga was dubious. "Ooookaaay..." she said, however, before following Suki into the jungle.

Now Muna was the only one left. She was grooming herself. Kovu didn't know when Kenyi or Chaka would return. Not looking Kiara in the face to make her more nervous, he asked, "Do... do you want to talk here or somewhere quieter? I just have a few things to say."

Kiara blinked and nodded. "Yeah... ummm... I'd rather have some privacy... This way." She turned and started to lead the way. He heard her heave a shaky breath.

Kovu swallowed, his heartbeat starting to quicken again. Great Kings... If nothing else goes well... don't let me say anything stupid to make this worse...

"Tanga, are you okay?"

Tanga was concentrating on the ground, trying not to trip on roots or small ferns. She nearly bumped into Suki, who was walking ahead of her. Looking up tiredly, Tanga saw the worried arch of Suki's brows.

Tanga's last time seeing Suki had been from below Pride Rock, when she'd been put in charge of helping Neo. Familiar irritation set in, and Tanga was reluctant to confide in Suki.

"I'm fine," Tanga replied, hoping that Suki would be too considerate to press further.

"Okay..." Suki said uncertainly, but nodded and halfway turned around. She perked her ears and started to listen to the jungle, shifting on her paws.

Pretending to listen, too, Tanga couldn't get her mind off her mother and father. She hadn't been able to since the conversation with her mother after Bron had brought his news back from home. Her mother couldn't have looked any less ready to face Kovu. Had Suki thought nothing about encouraging them to talk? Tanga was surprised Kovu'd had enough guts to come over- although, his nervousness had been obvious. In the moment, her frustration with him had completely overshadowed the flame she'd tended in hope that he'd return to sanity, morality, and honor. Now that it appeared he had returned, she was unsure what to think...

How much did I build up that flame to begin with when I was busily yelling and cramming my morals down throats?

"Are you sure you're okay?"

Blinking, Tanga turned to Suki. "Yes." She had to stop herself from gritting her teeth. "I am fine, Suki. Let's just hunt."

Suki lowered her ears and murmured, "Tanga... you don't seem fine..."

Tanga frowned, but Suki didn't look away. As the moment drew on, Tanga noticed how Suki had a quiet strength about her. She recalled how when the other lionesses in their pride came back from hunting, Suki had never uttered a bragging word; since the upheaval, Suki hadn't made the mistake of giving her the strange, vaguely sympathetic, unexplainable look that some of the others had given her; and although Suki had come from the same war-torn pride as Kovu, even though she'd been young when the merge had occurred, she didn't seem to have one mean bone in her body.

Now that she had Tanga's attention, Suki lifted her chin a little.

"I am fine," Tanga repeated less stubbornly.

Suki's face softened. Quietly, she asked, "Would you listen to some advice?"

Tanga sighed, but nodded.

"You can be mad at your father like everyone else," she said, but then shook her head, "but you can't let them see it."

Tanga raised a brow. "Well, how else is he supposed to know?" she scoffed, half-joking.

Now I'm starting to sound like Natin, too? I wonder how he's doing... How he was able to let Father bring him home... he must have been in terrible shape...

"You didn't appear very... dignified... during the meeting." Suki gave Tanga a brief, disapproving look. "I mean no disrespect, Tanga," she added calmly, "but you are a princess... and you should lead by example..."

She hadn't talked to Suki much in the past- let alone listen to her give a lecture. Since Kovu had left home, Suki had just been a presence at her mother's side. "Do you really think anyone is looking to me for anything?" Tanga asked, bitter. She looked at her paws. This felt like something her mother should have been talking to her about.

Suki was nodding. "Of course they are... And anger isn't in short supply around here..." Suki looked away and sighed. "I wish there was less of it."

Tanga tilted her head to the side, thinking of what her mother had mentioned about Chaka. So far, he hadn't acted any differently than before she'd left, but now she had to wonder and would have to watch. She realized how much it had disappointed her to hear that Chaka was acting so pettily... even though she understood him completely.

"When Asuma needed his family, I shouldn't have asked Kiara to have you help me with Neo," Suki remarked regretfully. "I didn't know... But right now... we need your help to rebuild our pride." Her voice grew in strength. "Do you understand? Please understand. You are our next generation."

Tanga was taken aback. She couldn't remember the last time she'd felt like a princess, let alone ever feeling like she was being looked to as a leader. She closed her mouth, which had fallen open. Guilt reared up inside her almost like a reflex, and her ears lowered. She suddenly felt like a hot beam of sunlight had fallen on her, taking her out of the shadows.

"Tell Asuma that when we find him... We have Asuma's reason for leaving."

What did Mother think of me when I said that... what would Grandmother Nala, or even Great-Grandmother Sarabi think? I told myself that I need to grow up, but I've been too upset to do so... I wish I didn't feel so resentful... I wish...

Suki finally looked away and shifted on her paws again. "I thought that was something you should hear..." The breath she huffed through her teeth puffed out her cheeks. "Only you know how you feel about what's happened to you... I can't say." She shrugged, almost embarrassed as her energy dimmed. She looked exhausted now. "I just wanted you to hear it." She raised her paws and lowered her head to anxiously rub and clean her torn ear.

Cringing when Suki winced, Tanga felt one corner of her mouth pull down. She half-muttered, "Don't... don't feel bad, Suki. I... can tell you didn't mean to make me feel worse..." She looked down and started pawing at a thin, brown vine that snaked over the ground between them. It felt rough and solid against her paw pads. "I'll... try to be more... dignified."

Eyes widening in relief, Suki left her ear alone and beamed happily. She dipped her head forward once. "I've heard the stories about your grandmother. Sometimes you remind me of Nala... a lot, actually."

The compliment lifted Tanga's mood a little. "I miss her a lot..." she said, then added, speaking hesitantly, "When you said the Great Kings were going to help us... do you really think someone is looking out for Asuma? Like... my grandfather and grandmother?"

Suki beamed again. "Of course. They'll always be there to guide us."

Tanga looked to the side. She still wasn't sure what to think. She did really hope someone was looking out for her brother, though. He needed it.

When we find him, I'm never leaving him behind again.

She looked up, expecting to find stars. Instead she saw a shifting ceiling of leaves.

"Tanga, are you ready to hunt?"

Tanga lowered her gaze. Suki was heading deeper into the jungle, and the worried expression was back on her face.

"Yeah, let's go find you something to eat." Tanga smiled, walking forward. When Suki turned away, walking, Tanga's smile faded and she looked back over her shoulder. She hated how at times the jungle was so thick she couldn't see past her nose; she could see for miles on the savannah. Her mother and father were somewhere in there.

I really hope Suki didn't push you to it too soon, Mother...

Awkwardness penetrated Kiara's overwrought and drooping body. Self-conscious, restless Kovu wouldn't look at her unless he had to, and for no longer than he had to, but she was as guilty of avoidance as he was. They sat across from each other, not too far away from the clearing, but definitely out of earshot. Kiara's stomach was wrestling her heart and her mind. Her mouth made her think she'd gone without water for days, even though she'd shared a small puddle a few moments before with Kovu. He'd greedily drained the puddle, and she'd been close enough to glimpse scratches he'd gotten from the scavengers he'd fought that afternoon. Night was starting to hang in the darkening branches. At that moment, she realized that she was threatened by what was possibly in his heart… but knew she was clueless to what was there unless he spoke. One water drop clung to one of his whiskers as he told her everything that had happened since they'd last seen each other.

"...so... I'm sorry I was a disappointment... I didn't mean to inflict pain... but that's what ended up happening. I am sorry."

Kiara heard the words coming from his mouth and understood most of them... but the parts of his long story that he'd hidden from the others confused her... His apology provoked both a lump to form in her throat, rendering her mute, and rolling visions of the last time they'd been face to face...

Shrieking... Chaka and Kovu roaring and rolling over and over and I couldn't break them apart... Mother shaking her head, staring Kovu down... saying that I should ask Kovu about what had happened... Kovu glaring at his bloodied paws, not meeting anyone's eye... I really, really didn't wanna ask, but I had to hear it from his mouth. Had to hear that Chaka was the liar and not him... But then he talked about Zira begging forgiveness and how he wanted to prove something to Father-

Kiara blinked hard. Her muscles were tensing.

Thinking about all that won't help at all, she scolded herself, so stop it!

Kovu sniffled. "I know... we aren't like we were when we first met. We've grown up. I don't expect you to care about me anymore. You really didn't turn on me... I-I did just about everything possible to betray your family. I've asked for and taken too much from you already."

She lifted her head slightly when his voice cracked. A small, fragile part of her did care about him, but the other half yelled at her to keep her distance-at least until they found Asuma.

That could take days... months... years... maybe never...

"Kiara..." he murmured gently. "I made a mistake. I was stupid and angry..." He paused for a moment, swallowing and blinking. "I couldn't tell you that you'd hurt me in front of everybody. I'm sorry I hurt you and our family... your mother and brother... I gave up too easily on you and our children. But I was just trying so hard to protect my family from her. From that wretched, murderous creature that didn't deserve to live and ruin every-"

"Shhh..." she whispered, seeing how he clenched his jaws, how his paws shook, how his shoulders broadened and seemed to take on a more menacing posture. "She's not here. She's gone."

Kovu continued grinding his teeth, but his paws stopped shaking. He whispered coldly, "I still can't... what I did to her... Kiara, the details won't fade..."

Her eyes widened. To hate your mother so much you'd turn to murder?

He sighed. "I shouldn't have said anything about that, but..." His shoulders slumped. "Sorry I said anything. I'm sorry I let you down. That's what I wanted to say. I won't keep you." He abruptly stood up, turned away, and started to walk back to the main clearing.

Watching him walk away was harder than it had been to actually listen to him. The words came out quickly before she could pull them from her tongue and toss them back down her throat.

"Kovu, wait a moment?"

He turned back, surprised, and she tried hard not to see him as the very young and very confused lion from the night she'd fallen in love with him... The one who had acted strange when Chaka had returned. The one who'd acted like nothing was wrong when she'd come to him with her concerns about their son's repeating dreams. Kovu should've been in the prime of his life, but his own mistakes had beaten him down.

But she'd made mistakes of her own, too, and she thought he wouldn't mind if she was more than just a pair of ears listening to his apology.

She lowered her eyes. "Can... you listen to me now?"

He nodded slowly, his brows arching in concern. "Yes." He came back and sat in front of her again. "I'll listen."

She hoped the shaking in her limbs wasn't too obvious. There's so much I need to say to you... There's so many things that I can't share with anyone else. Chaka can't even understand how I fell for you to start, my relationship with Tanga is already too fragile to add to... and I didn't feel like I could burden anyone else...

"What is it?"

Kiara sighed. "It's been really hard on everyone since you left. Chaka being paranoid. Everyone lying to Tanga. Asuma lost in his own world. Natin causing trouble... My mother wasting away in sadness..." she confessed. She swallowed. "Most of the time I don't know what I'm doing, and I've tried hard, but nothing I do seems to work out, and I don't want to lose our cubs or myself. How can I be a strong leader for others if I'm struggling to be strong for myself?"

He lowered his ears and there was empathy in his eyes. "I'm sorry I've brought this on you, Kiara... Is... is that why Tojo was at Pride Rock? To help you? I mean... I talked to Tswane a little, but I only understood that he and Tojo were concerned about Chaka killing me."

Kiara looked down at her paws. "It's... Kind of... Tojo's helping Chaka, who originally wanted anyone he could get to be a battle ally." Her voice dropped. "I had to beg Tojo to help Chaka with his anger instead. My brother wouldn't listen to me, so I thought he'd listen to another king."

Kovu's voice was quiet. "I'm sorry... I was wondering why Tojo was there and why Chaka was acting so strange around him... Almost like a cub being scolded by his father."

Kiara's head was still lowered when she looked up at Kovu. "Really?" Without meaning to she gave an amused smile.

He nodded, smiling back a little. "Yeah, when we first arrived, you should've seen him when Tswane and Tojo were scolding him for attacking Natin."

Kiara lowered her ears. "Oh."

"Sorry... Sorry, I shouldn't have reminded you about that... It was just surreal and... Natin and I still aren't on the best of terms, especially right now... He doesn't think we'll find Asuma alive."

Kiara flinched.

"Probably shouldn't have said that, either..."

He was trying to comfort her, she could tell, but it didn't feel right. This was too painful. She was tired, and knew Kovu needed the rest, too. There was one thing she knew she needed to ask him.

"Kovu?"

"What is it?"

"Why didn't you come to me when Zira was trying to persuade you? Were you that afraid of me then?"

The corners of Kovu's mouth turned down and he looked away in dread.

Kiara felt a flush of frustration when tears fell from her eyes. She croaked, "Sometimes I feel like I never knew you. Sometimes I think that the others are right; that you are just a monster. I took pride in knowing that you weren't just a monster and that I was the one who understood you. I feel like holding out hope for you is keeping me from being a good daughter, mother, sister... queen... I don't want to be a walking grudge. I know what that does. The pride hasn't let your actions go yet, and I know they hold them against me. I fell for the enemy. I was fooled by the enemy, so shame on me. How can I earn their respect when they disapprove of something that I couldn't and can't help?"

Kovu moved closer, and when she didn't flinch away, he rested his paw on hers. She thought he dared only that much. His muscles were tense, but he offered her a small, apologetic smile. "I couldn't be happier that you held out hope for me... but Kiara... I think... I think..." He pursed his mouth and arched his brows. "If you have to let me go... It's more important that you help your pride and your family than me."

Her breath hitched. At that moment, the idea of letting go was more frightening than knowing what Kovu was capable of.

"Yes, I was afraid of you. I wasn't thinking clearly. I just wanted her gone. I should've come to you immediately, but I didn't. I was only thinking that she had to go away and that Simba had to see that he had nothing to worry about." Kovu paused, wrapped in his own thoughts.

"Tanga asked me if I'd forgiven you," Kiara blurted, and her face immediately flushed.

Kovu blinked and gave a half smile. "She wanted Natin to do the same... and Asuma, too... She's hurting, isn't she?"

Nodding her head, Kiara confessed, "I couldn't protect my cubs from anything... Tanga's not a cub anymore, she's made that clear, but why am I not allowed to keep her from getting hurt or killed? She's still my child. I wish she didn't have to come with us to look for Asuma. She's still recovering."

Kovu pursed his mouth again. "You... You remember how much you hated how your father tried to shelter you. She's recovering no more than the rest of us."

Kiara looked at the ground and sighed and confessed, "Yeah, well, I didn't know what this world could do to someone."

"...Are you thinking of asking her to stay behind? She's our guide, remember? I might be able to be the guide if she gives me directions, but..."

"No." Kiara thought for a moment. "Yes... No-I don't know... Saying no, I doubt, would even slow her down if she wants to help Asuma. And she'll lose even more respect for me...She hated me for lying to her."

"Does she know why you did what you did for her...?"

Nodding, Kiara replied, "Yeah... now, but that didn't make it right. I feel like I keep doing the wrong thing."

"Well... if someone as loving and as brave as you can face a whole river of crocodiles, resist my temptation to run away from home, convince me to race into a battle against Zira, and have the compassion to try and save Zira, I know there's nothing you can't do..."

She looked up at him, her eyes watery. "But what if that's not who I am anymore?"

He gave her a slight smile. "I don't think who you are has changed... I haven't been a very good mate or king to his queen, but you haven't let yourself change, and if you have, it's for the better. I'll help you through this, though I know nothing compares to what we've been through in the past. You're strong and will see this to the end. You're stubborn like that."

Kiara knew what he was saying to her sounded vaguely familiar, and she remembered she'd said something similar to him a day or two before she'd exiled him, when they'd discussed the dry condition of their homelands.

Then Kovu's soft, sympathetic expression became serious. "We'll find Asuma. We will bring our son home. He will be safe again, and we'll help him come to terms with everything. I know he will come out stronger for this, and he will be a good king."

Kiara recognised his honest and honourable attempt to lighten her spirits. She missed their friendship. To her surprise, when she lowered her head, he briefly and sweetly nuzzled the top her head before removing himself once more from her personal space.

"I'm sorry I let my anger and fear take me away from you..."

She lifted her head. Denying that his betrayal hadn't hit her hard would only cripple her further. Was this when she was supposed to forgive him? Like he'd said, they'd both grown up. Holding onto her anger and pain so she wouldn't be hurt again felt... childish.

She took a deep breath. "Kovu, thank you," she began, her voice trembling, "for apologizing..."

Is that it? I'm just gonna thank him? Can't I just say, 'and I forgive you, too'? What's wrong with me? Don't I know better? It's not like I'll forget what he did...

Regardless, Kovu seemed happy with her response. He wasn't going to force her into saying those words. He nodded solemnly, and there was a hint of satisfaction in his mood that chipped away at the dominate shadow of unease that he projected.

She gave him a small, sympathetic smile and nodded, too.

Time I guess will have to work on my heart...

Kovu broke off eye contact as he stood up. "We should go back... We both need rest and..." he hesitated. "And I need to talk to Chaka about something."

Kiara flinched a little as she stood. Chaka, like Tanga, was barely tolerating Kovu, from what she'd seen. "You have to talk to him?"

He nodded, but didn't explain what needed to be discussed. He wouldn't talk to Chaka unless he really did need to.

She shrugged and started to walk back the way they came. "All right... if you have to. Good luck."

Kovu sighed and rolled his eyes. "Right... I need the luck. Good luck for everything."

Eager to finish hunting and get back to the clearing, Chaka snatched up the first rainforest rat he saw, tore into it, and dashed back, only to find Muna and Bron alone.

"Where's my sister?"

The look Muna gave him was hard, but her eyes were gentle. "She's with Kovu," she said smoothly. "They're talking. He's apologizing."

Chaka rolled his good eye and shuffled to the other side of the clearing with his head down before he spoke rudely to Muna. Indignation overshadowed his surprise.

Each time leaves rustled, he tensed up. Kenyi brought Muna a huge rat that shamed the rat in Chaka's troubled belly. Suki and Tanga, tongues grooming their muzzles, returned as the light in the clearing dimmed. Chaka knew he needed to sleep, rest up, but he couldn't relax for as long as he was alone with Kiara- probably spilling his guts for all he was worth. They finally returned after what felt like half the night.

He hoped Kiara had just taken the apology.

Paw steps pattering on the ground, they wordlessly settled in for the night. He heard one set stop, but the other set only grew closer and heavier.

"Chaka?"

Chaka opened his eye and frowned, chin on foreleg. He hissed flatly, "What d'you want?"

The resolute expression wavered on Kovu's face, and Chaka guessed he was thinking twice about whatever he wanted to say. But instead of giving up, Kovu stepped closer. He said lightly, "We should talk, don't you think?"

"Didn't we already?"

"We were interrupted."

"She put you up to this?"

Kovu shook his head. "My idea."

Chaka sighed and laid there. When Kovu didn't hurry away, he sat up. "Fine. You wanna talk? Fine with me."

After squinting over his shoulder at the others, Kovu turned back and whispered, "Not here."

Chaka's brow lifted. A corner of his mouth quirked up. "Obviously." He then whispered almost inaudibly, "Do you reallllly trust me?"

To this, straight-faced, Kovu whispered back, "Natin warned me about turning my back on you."

Chaka watched Kovu walk off into the jungle without checking if anyone was following.

Is this some kind of trick...? Or is he just that stupid...? Or does he just have that much faith in me that I won't just drag him off and...

Chaka shook his head to stop the last thought from fully forming. He sat up. He couldn't keep thinking that way, but he couldn't resist. He kept thinking that Kovu's behavior was too repentant and too sincere, but as he stared at the spot where Kovu had disappeared, a very small idea infiltrated his suspicion that questioned every move that Kovu made.

If I want to become more than someone who trips over himself at any chance I get to inflict pain, why can't he change, too?

Chaka frowned.

Do I forget that Kovu's head isn't quite right...?

Not that his was 'quite right' all the time, either.

He looked around before standing up. Kiara was the only one awake, and he glanced down at her as he trotted past her. She opened her eyes and gave him a serious look, one that was probably meant to let him know that, if he acted stupid, he wouldn't be able to talk himself through an acceptable apology. He hesitated for a heartbeat before moving on, keeping his expression neutral and trying to calm his nerves. The fur along his spine started to rise when he walked into the lush foliage and found himself alone.

"Over here," Kovu called just loud enough for Chaka to hear.

Frowning, Chaka followed the sound. He crept quietly, his posture on alert. A pensive looking Kovu was sitting a few lengths away in a small clearing, eyes on his paws. Trying to banish his edginess, Chaka smirked at Kovu as he stood facing the rogue.

"So here we are." Chaka looked above him at the dark canopy of leaves. "Unbelievable, wouldn't you say?"

Kovu nodded in the dim light.

Chaka sat down with a soft grunt. His legs were sore, and the tender scratches on his body itched. "So why'd you wake me up?"

Kovu rolled his eyes, seeing through Chaka's lie, but making no remark about it. "The search starts tomorrow." He turned his head, his profile thoughtful. "We don't know what or who we're gonna find. We should talk about what we might do if the worst happens."

"What we do if we can't help entering a violent situation, you mean? With the lionesses?"

Kovu nodded again. "They'll tear us apart..."

"Maybe just you," Chaka quipped, but then heard his voice turn serious. "We can't bring that on the others. I know."

"They aren't fighters. Muna maybe can hold her own, but I don't know about Tojo's son." He grimaced. "Now that's all we need... to kill two lions from Tojo's pride and have no leaders for Pride Rock."

"Natin's still alive," Chaka remarked casually, watching Kovu's worried expression get a little more irritated in the dark.

"We're getting away from the point," Kovu replied. "We need a fail-safe."

He sure didn't think his fail-safe through when he brought my father to his mother...

Chaka felt himself tense.

No... Calm down... Focus. Focus. Focus on the plan and not who you are planning with.

"Kiara mentioned not wanting Tanga to go."

Chaka blinked. "She's our guide. She's needed."

"I know." Kovu shook his head in conflict. "But, she's scared for her."

"Kiara protecting andlyingto Tanga and Asuma was what made this mess. Don't tell me she hasn't learned anything!" I'm talking to the enemy, and Kiara hasn't changed!

"Well, I advised her against it. I'd rather not put Tanga in danger," Kovu replied, "but it has to be done. She's our guide and she's upset and she's not going to be told to do anything she doesn't wanna do."

"Oh." Chaka heaved a breath. "Okay, then, back to the fail-safe. Do we have one?"

"Staying alert... running faster than Fola's lionesses...?"

"Not much of a plan."

"You're the one who asked me."

Chaka's lip twitched in irritation. "We've got no fail-safe then."

"Fail-safe is to avoid the lionesses at all costs."

"And what if by chance they've got him and he's alive? What're the chances of that, dream speaker?"

Kovu averted his eyes. For some reason, Chaka was reminded of his first day at Pride Rock, when he'd seen Kovu in the den alone, separated from the rest of his pride, hiding something from the others. He also remembered how miserable Kovu had looked before and during the family meeting. When Kovu spoke, his voice was clear and calm. "Promise me... you'll keep Kiara safe. Whatever happens when we find Asuma. She's really scared for him."

"I said too long ago that all I wanted in return for saving your son from those wild dogs was that I wanted to bring him home safe. The same goes for my sister, his mother. And your daughter."

Kovu blinked. "Thank you..." He nodded, assured. "Even before you knew who they were, you cared about them... Are you worried we might see them?"

Chaka raised a brow. "Who?"

"Sorry... Fola and the others... They were you family after all..."

The sudden question caught Chaka off guard, and it didn't seem to even completely register until Kovu eyed him expectantly. He glowered back. "I know where my loyalties lie if that's what you're gettin' at."

Ears lowered, Kovu muttered, "Er... no, I wasn't."

Chaka relaxed slightly. "Oh..." He inspected the jungle around him, listening for a moment to the night sounds of crickets and frogs. What was Kovu getting at if it wasn't about his loyalties? Was he actually asking a straight question? Finally, he replied, lifting his chin, "Course I'd be worried- They're furious and dangerous."

And don't even think about what Fola would think if she sees whose side I'm on... if she even remembers me...

"I hope Asuma's all right..."

Kovu was staring at his paws again.

"Natin thinks I'm too optimistic," he confessed quietly, his voice slightly angry. "Maybe he thinks I won't be able to handle the disappointment if..."

Chaka's ears perked up. "If...? What?"

Kovu shifted his weight slightly and looked back up at Chaka, his expression vaguely guilty. "Please know that if... we can't get to Asuma in time, that if I do or say anything stupid, or rash... that I don't mean it."

"If we can't get to Asuma in time...

"If I do or say anything stupid...

"I don't mean it."

Chaka narrowed his sight. He ran Kovu's words through his mind again. He said slowly, "I s'pose I'm the last to say that I can't honor that. Even if sometimes I do mean what I do."

"Was growing up with Fola and the others really that bad?"

Even if Kovu had been at the very center of war training, Chaka knew that Kovu was only asking because he'd had a similarly brutal upbringing.

"Hard. That's all I can say, really."

Kovu hesitated. "The Council tried to convince me that I wasn't bad to begin with. I was shaped and beaten until I did what was first nature for Zira... It's hard to undo that, isn't it?"

Chaka's mind blanked, but then restarted with a vengeance. Why the questions? Was Kovu scouring for a weakness- not that Chaka couldn't deal with that with physical strength- or was he trying to understand him and... heaven forbid... relate to him? Chaka bristled. He thought it was an accomplishment just to tolerate Kovu's presence. He knew this reaction wouldn't have gone over well with Tojo. Kovu was still owed an apology.

Chaka's back stiffened. "I won't talk about this. Not with you."

Kovu, slightly crestfallen, didn't argue. "I understand."

Chaka nodded once. "Good. I think we've made as much progress here as we can." He shrugged when he felt a throb of uncertainty in his gut. "I guess we'll have to improvise."

A disgruntled frown creased Kovu's jaw at the last part. "What's the chain of command? We can't fight over a decision like we did in the des-"

"We let Kiara lead," Chaka blurted. "Sound good? And we won't fight over who she listens to, either, right? In fact, our mouths stay shut and we let the lionesses take charge."

Kovu nodded. This would take them both out of the equation and give power to someone who would hesitate to use brute force over cunning.

Chaka beamed at his compromise, but then stopped. I hope Kiara's up for that much responsibility... it's not like she wouldn't understand why.

"Now we're finished here?"

Chaka nodded and stood up with Kovu. They didn't take their eyes off each other until Kovu led the way back to the clearing. Kovu might have been trusting enough of Chaka, but Chaka didn't share the same sentiment. He did, however, give Kovu the courtesy of walking in his line of vision next to him.

"Do you like Suki?"

Chaka raised his eyebrow. "What? Why would you ask that?"

Kovu still looked forward. A shadow of a smirk. "She jumped at the chance to come and you looked disturbed when she hurt her ear..."

"Don't read into it." Chaka rolled his eye.

"Just curious..." Kovu looked away. "I need something to eat. You go on."

Chaka paused, one paw lifted, and watched Kovu veer off into the jungle. After a moment, Chaka resumed walking, and thinking.

Truthfully, Chaka hadn't really given Suki much thought. He had a cluttered, occupied mind. He liked her, but not in the way he thought Kovu was implying. He did admire how calm she was, how she cared about others, and how she willingly aided his sister when the other lionesses just watched from the sidelines- how couldn't he? But sometimes he wondered if he scared her, and usually when she was helping Kiara, it usually was in a situation that made him into the bad guy- which, granted, wasn't hard, but it didn't help the situation. He'd been surprised when Suki had so eagerly volunteered to leave home after she'd been lying low since her children were away at Tojo's pride. She'd defended and praised him a couple of times. He told himself that she was coming mostly for his sister and her children and, that it was only logical that he be concerned after Suki had been hurt. She was a member of his pride and potentially the mother of a future queen if Asuma was found. His job was to watch out for her.

Everyone in the clearing was still sleeping peacefully. Chaka went to the head of the clearing and laid down on his belly, chin resting on one foreleg. He closed his eyes, hoping that he'd be able to fall asleep quickly after having very little rest over the past two days.

No sooner, though, had he closed his eyes that the others were waking up to begin the hunt for Asuma.

(A/N: 5 days ago, this story had it's 3rd "B-day". I just have to say, thanks you guys for hanging on this long! Things are really wrapping up now. In the meantime, I have started classes again, so updates may be a bit slower. I do have a decent amount written for the next chapter, though.)