Chapter Six: You Played Me for a Fool

Hunter305414: It will be revealed when Kiara made this change, no worries, however, it will be a little while down the line…and yes, evil little bitch. Exactly explains Kiara lol.

RusherWolf: I love doing the unexpected. SWERVE MAN, SWERVE!…. got a little carried away lol. Kiara, like Kibuluu, will get what they deserve, however, there might be a devastating path it their wake. Thank you for reviewing and yes, JJ's just a sweetie :)

Guest: Yup it's officially happening. Kiara's gone to the dark side of the force, damn it anyway. Be very glad you're not Kovu when Vitani finds out. Enjoy the chapter.

Whoa it's Fandoms: *Nala appears* Kiara's already been taken care of, Riri. Take a breath. Lol enjoy the chapter.

CSIMentalistTLK Lover: I LOVE EVIL KIARA! Honestly, it has so many more possibilities than the Kiara we saw in the movie lol :) and Kovu, you dumbass. Little Chaka's just adorable, isn't he? Enjoy the chapter :)

The months passed and Chaka became a beautiful little five-month-old cub. JJ, now almost a year and a half old, often resigned to watching Chaka alongside Amri. JJ had gained the beauty of a near-grown lioness, and her form had gone from cub-like to sleeker, more muscle than fat, a true hunter's body. Amri, on the other hand, had just grown an orangey red mane high on his chest, and his muscles rippled beneath his creamy gold fur. His teal eyes were as keen as the moon in the dark.

JJ found herself in love with Amri. She loved him for all it was worth. To her, he was perfect for her. Amri thought the same of JJ.

Perfect by nature

Icons of self-indulgence

That day, however, JJ and Amri were free of Chaka and they were walking through the Pridelands. Vitani trusted that Amri could protect JJ should worse come to worse. The near-adult lions were running, playing, and just being young. They walked to the waterhole and Amri got a drink. JJ, being playful, pushed her mate-to-be into the drink. Amri let out a yelp, and then he glanced at JJ with a happy look in his teal eyes. JJ stepped to the water's edge.

"Amri, you're not supposed to be in the water if you only want a drink!" JJ laughed. Amri got to the water's edge and pulled JJ in with him. Amri laughed as JJ struggled to swim, but quickly gained her footing. JJ glared at Amri.

"That… wasn't funny." JJ said.

"It was to me." Amri licked JJ's cheek. JJ blushed and nuzzled Amri's thin mane. Amri purred.

"I love you." Amri said. JJ looked into his teal eyes, noticing them darkening. JJ smiled.

"I love you too." JJ said, her blue eyes bright. Amri nuzzled JJ, then JJ licked Amri's cheek.

They were too lost in what they were doing to care as Amri placed himself closer to JJ. The not-quite adult lioness blushed.

"Amri…" JJ said. Amri smiled.

"C'mon. We're going to be together anyway." Amri said softly.

"Amri, we're young enough… what if I get pregnant and don't survive the birth?" JJ asked. Amri's teal eyes brightened a bit.

"You have a point…" Amri said.

"But… I… won't stop you. Not because I'm submitting, but because I love you." JJ said. Amri smiled.

"I'll be as careful as possible, I promise." Amri said.

*+-/_\-+*

Meanwhile, Kovu and Kiara were panting alongside each other in the tall grasses. Despite Tojo's warning, Kiara and Kovu kept their affair going. Kovu eventually lost all guilt in cheating on his mate, deceiving his children and his family, and lost himself in Kiara. Kiara nuzzled Kovu.

"I love you." Kiara said.

"I love you too." Kovu said.

"I… I have something to tell you. You won't get mad?" Kiara asked.

Just what we all need

"No, you could be sided with Kibuluu and I'd follow you." Kovu said.

"Well… I am with my father in this war. You'll still follow me?" Kiara asked. Kovu nodded.

More lies about a world that

Never was and never will be

"To the end, Kiara. To the end." Kovu said with a nuzzle to Kiara's cheek.

The pair didn't see the pair of crimson eyes or the dark gold pelt of Kweli, who growled.

Oath breaker… Kweli thought. Vitani crept up on her little sister.

"Kweli?" Vitani whispered, in case Kweli was hunting. Kweli looked to Vitani.

"Tani… umm… look ahead. You're going to hate it." Kweli whispered. Vitani glanced ahead, seeing Kovu and Kiara nuzzling. Vitani's electric blue eyes widened and turned into pure flame in anger.

Have you no shame?

Don't you see me?

"He's… been with her?" Vitani whispered.

"I wouldn't confront them now, sis. It might be best to wait until tonight." Kweli warned. Vitani nodded, agreeing with her sister.

In front of the entire pride, Vitani would emasculate Kovu, and rip the title of "King" from him.

You know you've

got everybody fooled.

*+-/_\-+*

Sarabi had decided she wanted the day to spend with her first great-grandson. The elderly lioness played with Chaka a bit, never getting out of hand. The creamy brown five month old outran Sarabi too easily, but always let her catch up. Sarabi nuzzled Chaka.

"I think it's bath time." Sarabi said. Chaka smiled.

"Ok, Grandma." Chaka said, placing himself between Sarabi's forepaws. The old lioness started to bathe the new Prince, and Chaka purred. Sarabi was amazed. Simba and Tama hated baths, but Chaka, Tama's grandson, loved them. He was such a good little cub, never out of sight, always patient, and had a heart of gold.

His father hadn't been too present in his life, Sarabi had noticed. Kovu seemed too indulged in another occupation to deal with his son. Sarabi noticed when Kiara walked up to her. Sarabi smiled at her adoptive granddaughter.

"Kiara, how are you?" Sarabi asked. Kiara smiled, almost evilly. Sarabi felt uneasy and stood up, placing Chaka behind her.

Look here, she comes now.

Bow down and stare in wonder.

"Hello, Sarabi." Kiara's voice was cold. Sarabi growled.

"What do you want?" Sarabi asked, a snarl on her face.

"I'm here to tell you I'm here for the brat. He has to die." Kiara said. Chaka whimpered behind Sarabi. Sarabi growled.

"No chance in hell. You were pretending this whole time, weren't you?" Sarabi asked.

"Not the whole time. My father showed me the way. And Chaka has to die for my brother to take his place." Kiara said. Sarabi reached out and slapped the dusky gold lioness, her claws ripping into her face. Kiara roared in pain.

"You'll pay for that." Kiara lunged at Sarabi, and the elderly lioness fought back with all she had.

"Run, Chaka!" Sarabi yelled to the Prince. Chaka nodded and ran. Kiara glanced up.

"You incredible bitch!" Kiara roared. The dusky gold lioness ran for Chaka, but Sarabi held her own and used her weight to hold Kiara back.

Oh how we loved you

No flaws when

You're pretending.

"You were pretending the whole time! You were out for one thing and that's Vitani's blood! You're no better than Kula!" Sarabi roared. She used her back legs and flipped Kiara onto her back. Kiara roared.

"You're going to pay for that Sarabi!" Kiara snapped.

"You'll never get Chaka! I'll kill you and report to Vitani." Sarabi said. Suddenly the elderly lioness was knocked off of Kiara and looked into emerald orbs. Sarabi gasped.

"Kovu?" Sarabi asked so softly her voice was near inaudible. Kovu smiled. It was cold, calculating, even murderous.

"You had no right to interrupt my mate's plans." Kovu said. The mahogany lion lowered his head to Sarabi's exposed throat. Sarabi whimpered.

"Kovu!" Zira's voice sounded. Kovu and Kiara turned to the dark beige lioness. Sarabi was relieved to see Zira and sighed. Kovu snickered.

"Coming to help your dear old aunt Sarabi?" Kovu sneered. Zira roared. Even with her advanced age, Zira still was formidable in a fight.

"You know better than to fight your mother, Kovu. I was the one that trained you." Zira reminded her son. Kiara's claws became extended.

"But I don't!" Kiara roared as she leapt onto Zira, fur and blood flying between the two lionesses.

But now I know she

Never was and

Never will be

Sarabi had managed to stand, and although her legs were shaky, she was able to jump Kovu, knocking him onto his back.

*+-/_\-+*

Chaka had run to the waterhole, where JJ and Amri laid in the hot sun, drying off. JJ saw as her little brother ran. JJ, despite her bliss, felt fear as she saw tears falling out of Chaka's eyes. The young lioness stood up and ran to her little brother, and Chaka clasped onto his sister and sobbed.

"Easy, tiger, what's wrong?" JJ asked. Chaka sobbed and looked up to his sister with his electric blue eyes.

"Aunty Kiara tried to kill me! Gramma is in trouble!" Chaka sobbed. JJ gasped. Amri got up and ran, hearing Chaka's words. The young lion nuzzled Chaka.

You don't know

How you betrayed me

"Easy, little man, breathe now." Amri said soothingly.

"Where's Grandma?" JJ asked. Chaka pointed back in the direction of which he came. JJ nodded.

"Can you stay with Chaka?" She asked Amri. Amri nodded.

"Of course," Amri nuzzled her, "be careful." Amri whispered. JJ's claws became extended.

"I will be…Kiara won't." JJ ran at full speed in the direction she found Chaka's scent trail. JJ saw as Kiara and Zira fought, and saw Kovu on Sarabi. JJ's eyes widened, then she took the shock in stride and the Crown Princess roared as loud as she could, running to Kovu and reopening his scar with her claw, the wound going deeper. The mahogany lion roared. Kiara stopped fighting Zira and went to Kovu, licking the blood from his new wound. JJ saw what was going on.

And somehow you've

Got everybody fooled.

"You want Chaka dead." JJ whispered to her father, her blue eyes wide. Kovu snickered. JJ roared in anger and pounced onto Kovu, her claws flailing and ripping into the King's skin. Sarabi watched as her great-granddaughter ripped new wounds that would scar into her father, all in protection of her brother. Zira almost felt pride, then remembered that it shouldn't be this way.

Finally, when JJ's red haze ended, she got off of her father, and started breathing heavily. JJ had blood dripping from her claws, all of it her father's. Kovu moaned and stood up, his legs shaking. Emerald green met light blue in disharmonious tones. Kiara tried attacking JJ, but Kovu put up a paw to stop the dusky gold lioness. Kiara looked at Kovu in wonder.

"You both… you want us dead. You want me dead, you want Mom dead, you want Nuri, Chaka, Tojo, Simba, Kopa, anyone who stands to inherit the throne upon death of another relative, you want us all dead." JJ whispered, anger dripping in her voice.

"You're sharp. I never should have doubted your abilities. I shouldn't have doubted Chaka would find help." Kovu said, his voice still strong despite the wounds inflicted by his own daughter.

"You will never do so. As Crown Princess of the Pridelands, you both will face judgment, of which one punishment can be death." JJ said. Zira and Sarabi stepped next to JJ on either side of the young lioness, both prepared for anything. JJ roared as loud as she could, nearly shattering the earth around her. Within moments, Muujiza, Myota, and Nuka, who were apparently all patrolling in the area, appeared.

"Where's the fire, Jay?" Myota asked.

"Escort these oath breakers to Pride Rock. If you see my mother along the way, tell her they are to face judgment." JJ said. Myota looked to Kiara, and saw Kovu covered in blood and claw marks.

"What happened?" Nuka asked.

"Kiara tried killing Chaka, and apparently these two have been adulterous." Sarabi said regally. Myota growled.

"That's why… that's why! You've been spending too much time with my brother!" Myota said. Zira growled herself.

"Myota, he's not your brother. He's not our Kovu." Zira said. Myota looked resigned.

"Take them away." JJ said. Myota, Muujiza and Nuka flanked Kovu and Kiara while Zira and Sarabi lead them. JJ stood still for a moment. Amri walked up with Chaka.

"Jay?" Amri asked. JJ's legs shook and the beige lioness fell down, keeping her head up. Chaka stepped in front of his sister. JJ nuzzled her brother and brought him into a close hug.

"We'll be okay. We'll be fine. Dad's the bad one. Kiara is too." JJ reassured herself. Chaka looked to JJ.

"Dad's bad?" Chaka asked. JJ shut her eyes tight, and then opened them, tears brightening them.

"Dad's bad. He wanted you gone, Chaka." JJ said. Chaka's electric blue eyes became bright with tears and JJ pulled Chaka close. Amri leaned down, nuzzling them both. JJ and Chaka both sobbed, fear and betrayal running through their hearts. Amri finally pulled them close to him, and let himself be there for his mate to be and her little brother; for now he was one of the only trustworthy males they could lean on.

*+-/_\-+*

The sun had started to set when JJ, Amri, and Chaka returned home. Vitani and Moyo both were pacing when they saw the three pass over the ridge home. Vitani ran to JJ and Chaka, pulling them close.

"Where's Nurisha? Please tell me she's okay." JJ said, her voice shaking.

"Shhh…. Nuri's fine. She's fine. Damu's with her. She's fine." Vitani said. Chaka sobbed into his mother's leg. Moyo held her son close.

"You scared me. I thought you and JJ had been hurt." Moyo said. Amri shook his head.

"No, I'm fine Mom. Can… we get the judgment over with for Kiara and Kovu?" Amri asked Vitani. Vitani nodded emphatically.

"Of course!" Vitani said, leading the group back to Pride Rock, and JJ noticed all the animals had gathered. It was a typical judgment, only darker…

Kovu and Kiara were at the base of Pride Rock. Kovu's wounds had salve on them, but he looked weak. Vitani walked to the tip of Pride Rock. JJ stayed back with Tojo, who held his granddaughter close to keep her comforted.

Kovu wore a mask of indifference. Vitani sighed heavily.

Without the mask

Where will you hide?

"You are being charged with the crime of attempting to kill Prince Chaka, and former Queens Sarabi and Zira. You have Crown Princess Jolina as the witness and the one who stopped King, excuse me, Prince Consort, Kovu, from killing Sarabi." Vitani said.

"That's a load of lies!" Kiara said. Vitani growled.

Can't find yourself

Lost in your lies.

"Fine then, I was going to let the adultery charge go… but let's add that. As Queen, I give final judgment." Vitani said. Kovu looked up to Vitani.

"Vitani, please, I love you. Please… please let me make it right." Kovu begged. Vitani heard the faux of his voice and roared.

"SILENCE! You will attempt to kill any Royal you come across, therefore I must give you two vow violators the worst of the worst." Vitani said. She looked into Kovu's eyes and knew the truth. She didn't love him, not anymore. She loved the lion he was and now he was horrible and willing to kill his own cubs.

I know the truth now

I know who you are.

And I don't love you anymore

"I order exile and imprisonment in the River Pride. Queen Amani will do with you what she sees fit, even murder you. I also see that since you both broke your wedding vows, you are both free of your wedding ties to be together." Vitani said.

"You can't be serious!" Kiara roared. Myota stepped up and ran to Vitani's aid.

"The Queen said exile, and now GO!" Myota roared.

"What about my daughters?" Kiara begged.

"Your daughters? I'm their father. You cannot see them." Myota said, walking away into the cave. Kiara sobbed. Vitani heard the genuine hurt, but stayed firm.

"EXILE!" Vitani screamed. The animals chased off Kiara and Kovu into the waiting paws of two River Pride guards. Vitani turned away, walking to Chaka, JJ, and Nurisha. Nuri looked up to her mother with bright white eyes.

"Mom? Would Dad have tried to…?" Nurisha trailed off. Vitani licked Nuri's forehead.

"He won't have a chance to try. You'll be okay, darling." Vitani said. Kweli walked up to her sister, followed by their brothers and father.

"Are you okay, sweetie?" Tojo asked. Vitani nodded.

"I'm… okay. I hurt. I loved him, once." Vitani said softly. JJ nuzzled her mother.

"He had us all fooled, Mom." JJ said. Vitani nodded.

Never was and never will be

You don't know how you betrayed me

And somehow you got everybody fooled

"He fooled us all. Now what we had never was, and never will be. We know the truth, now and we know who he is." Vitani said.

"I'm sorry, Vitani." Muujiza said. Vitani looked up, her eyes sure.

"Not Vitani. Vitani was the fool who was played by Kula and Kovu." Vitani said. Tojo stepped back, observing.

"Then…you're…" Kweli began.

Never was and never will be

You're not clear that you can't see me

And somehow now you're everybody's fool.

"Ashaki, the lioness that never was played for a fool by Kula or Kovu. Who I was supposed to be, not what a faux heir wanted me to be." Ashaki said, her blue eyes bright. JJ had a hint of a smile on her face. Chaka looked to his mother with awe. Nurisha nodded in understanding.

Vitani was no more. The lioness rose by Kula and fooled by Kovu was gone, the stronger Ashaki, the daughter of Tama and Tojo, reigned.

A/N: A good soul in Kovu, forever tarnished by "love." Vitani is no longer, Ashaki reigns. I planned to switch Vitani back to Ashaki at some point… just couldn't get there so this seemed like a good spot to do so… and a young love budding between JJ and Amri. I also kind of apologize for the darkness we have here… I'm being unlike Disney and taking a dark theme and running with it. At least no one died in this chapter, though.

Sarabi: She did actually originally kill me in a few drafts of this chapter, but found it better that Zira saves me.

Zira: Well, you are family, Sarabi.

Me: I can't kill Sarabi violently. Libya died protecting JJ, but having Sarabi do the same would be just so… bland.

Sarabi: Please tell me my death is peaceful.

Me: I don't know yet. You never know. *Smiles and hugs Sarabi*

Zira: Hey! I want a little love *joins the hug*

Ashaki (Vitani): well, seems I'm wrapping up the chapter, so review and stay tuned!