Chapter 15: Home

They all gathered at Pride Rock that morning. It was a clear, sunny day as a cool breeze set in and the majority of Simba's pride slept soundly. Hasira was gone. His attempt to destroy Simba and his family had failed and he would threaten them no more. As upsetting as this had been for his former friends, they could not deny that it needed to happen. They would remember him fondly, as he was before their home was taken, before he lost himself to the darkness.

"You know you're welcome to stay as long as you'd like," Simba reiterated as the Badlanders gathered outside. They were preparing to leave. The journey back home would be long and tiring, but they would make it together and at the end, they would finally have a home to call their own. The beautiful paradise Hasira took back was once a place of peace and love. It could be again, if given the chance. The Badlanders needed to return there, to make sure it remained peaceful. If left alone for too long, others may take over again and spoil it. That could not be allowed to happen.

"We really appreciate the offer," Malkia told him graciously. "Especially given the circumstances. I'm not sure we deserve your forgiveness. But we must be going. Our own home awaits."

"I understand," Simba told her.

"The journey will be long," Nala weighed in. "I hope you'll all stay safe. There's no telling what dangers may lie out there."

"Thank you," Yama began, "but we're well aware. We will have no trouble, don't worry. It will be a much safer journey with the four of us. Together." Indeed, it was nice to see these four friends reunited as a family once more, considering Hasira had driven a wedge between them. His darkness almost destroyed the relationships they had all built together. They were fortunate to have this opportunity to start over again.

"You're always welcome here," Simba told them warmly as they prepared to leave. "You know that?"

"Of course," Malkia replied as Yama nuzzled her gently. During the fight, he had been quick to jump in and defend her from harm. While it was safe to assume he would have done that for anyone, Shuja could not help but notice how close Yama and Malkia had grown during this time. It warmed his heart to witness their budding relationship. "Thank you, Simba. For everything."

"Don't mention it." They both gave him one last approving nod before descending from Pride Rock and starting towards the Outlands. Tamu looked on, eager to follow but also saddened that she had to leave. She had grown quite fond of both the Pridelands and Simba's family. Back home, it was rare other lions, or indeed other animals of any kind, appeared from outside lands. To know that this entire kingdom was here made Tamu quite happy.

"I'm going to miss this place," she told them. "I really am. This is…quite the home you have here, Simba. It's impressive what you've accomplished here."

"Well, I didn't do it alone," he admitted. "We all worked hard to make this place what it is. And now…you've helped us keep the peace. Especially you, Tamu."

"Me?!" she asked, surprised. "How?"

"You were the one who convinced the others to turn on Hasira," Nala reminded her. "That was your own idea. Without that…you might not be travelling back home today. And we might not be standing here." Simba placed his paw over hers at that. The thought that he might have lost her yesterday was terrifying. The fact that she was still here was something he was eternally grateful for. And he owed much of that gratitude to Tamu and her plan.

"I don't know about that," Tamu told them modestly. "But…I appreciate that." With that, she turned and descended also, following the other two towards home. Only Shuja remained, now. He would follow his own family too, when he was ready.

"Quite the experience we've had, huh?" Simba joked as the two lions walked to the edge of Pride Rock together.

"You could say that," Shuja agreed. "It's been strange. I never thought it would end up like this. After everything…I know that couldn't have ended differently. And I'm not even sure if I wanted it to. But I'm glad it's over. I'm glad my actions didn't cause your family any more pain."

"Nonsense, Shuja," Simba scolded him. "None of this was your fault. I promise you that." They were silent for a time, then, watching over the land below. The Pridelands finally had peace, after all this time. It was quite a sight.

"I suppose I should be going," Shuja said then as he made his way towards the edge of Pride Rock.

"You know you're welcome to visit?" Kiara piped up. "Like my daddy said, our home is open to you."

"After everything we've been through, we'd be glad to see you again," Nala concurred. Shuja couldn't help but smile at that. It was overwhelming to see such kindness in these lions and lionesses that not long ago considered him a stranger.

"That mean a lot," Shuja told them. "I'm sure I'll be back, some day. I hope to see you all again. Take care of yourselves, alright?" He gave them one last familial smile before leaving them there, taking off after his own family. Tamu rushed to meet him as he tried to catch up to the others.

"Do you really think they'll be back?" Kiara asked as she, Kovu, Simba and Nala all stood at the edge of Pride Rock.

"Not for a long time," Kovu admitted. "They've got a long journey ahead."

"But they will be back," Nala suggested. "I'm sure of it." Simba looked up to the bright, shining sun and smiled. He was sure of it, too.

"We'll see them again," he agreed. "Some day." The breeze blew in over the four of them, sifting through the manes of Kovu and Simba. It was a gentle breeze, one that had been passing through the Pridelands all morning. Now, it came to a halt not far from Pride Rock, disturbing the fields of ash to reveal signs of life growing once more, from the ashes.