Chapter CXXX: Divided, The Conflict Upon The Pridelands Part VI

Nervously looking around almost trembling inside, Nozomi saw all the hostile and dangerous gazes of the surrounding lions who now caged her and all her friends. But in particular the leader of these lions had her trembling inside the most, his red mane and red eyes reflected the rage that was surging inside him that made her wonder how could be-

Suddenly at that moment "Kiara!"

Turning to look everyone saw a lioness, she was more cream like in colour to most of the other lions that were there and she had beautiful gentle blue eyes, these quickly reflected happiness as she snuggled her head against the princess of the Pride Lands as she said, "you're all right!"

Looking at this made Nozomi feel relieved for at least there was one in this hostile group who was calm and gentle. Then looking at the way this lioness was behaving it was reasonable to guess that this was Kiara's mother.

Comforted and happy feeling the touch of her mother Kiara smiled for a brief moment before she turned and cried out angered,"Father! How could you break your promise!?"

Hearing her as he kept his angered gaze upon the outsiders he responded to his daughter, "and it's a good thing I did! I almost lost you!" Then turning he looked at her fiercely as he told her, "no more hunts for you! Not ever!"

At this Nozomi then spoke her thoughts aloud, "hey!That's way too harsh!"

Then at once the lion king growled at her angrily making her go back on edge, seeing this happen Riku leaned in and whispered to her urgently, "you've got to watch what you're saying here!"

Quickly Mickey also pitched in, "yeah... we're on unsteady grounds right now Nozomi! One wrong move and!..."He then looked at the other lions again who all had their sharp eyes on the nervous keybladers as a few angered growls escaped their throats.

Feeling the intensity in that space Nozomi gulped as she replied, "okay... I got it."

Cait sith on her back knew better too as he kept his gloved hands over his mouth at that moment, for if there was one amongst the group who was the best at getting others riled up it was him!

Kiara immediately intervened for her friends as she said, "don't do that to her father! Besides I was doing just fine! My friends here were helping me! Even before Jona and Kovu-"

"Kovu!?" The king of the Pride Lands asked as he turned his head to the two Out Landers.

Both of them were clearly on edge now themselves, Jona's fur bristled as she stared on with fierce intensity with her golden yellow eyes fixed on him while Kovu himself had his teeth bare as he started to let out a series of angry roars against the king of the Pride Lands as they were both facing each other down.

This was getting clearly worse by the second and Nozomi had to hold herself back from saying anything further lest that a bloody battle should ring out!

Kiara's mother though seeing this behaviour that her beloved was displaying called out, "Simba!"

Calming himself for a brief moment Simba's anger though hadn't escaped him as he continued to keep his sharp teeth bare, but suddenly all at once came a new cry, "hey you!"

Turning at once everyone was greeted by the sight of a monkey? Looking at this individual Nozomi saw an older looking creature with white fur surrounding his chin and making something like hair that trailed over his dark grey covered back. Under his yellow eyes were blue coloured lines of some sort which surrounded a red nose, he was also walking up right as he held a stick in his left hand that held a couple of bottles of some kind.

Nozomi didn't know what to make of this creature as he seemed odd to her but before she could think anything else the monkey spoke out again, "how dare you save the king's daughter!"

At this announcement Simba turned from this revelation as he looked back to Kovu and asked him still with great distrust in his tone, "you saved her? Why?"

Immediately Kovu answered as he told him, "well correction first I need to say, it wasn't just me that saved your daughter, it was also my partner here Jona along with these guys too." To which he then indicated to Nozomi and the others who looked on all perplexed as they were now all put on the spot.

Hearing this Simba first looked behind him as he asked, "Jona?" She in the meantime continued to stand behind Kovu and as the king of the Pride Lands spoke her name a mischievous look entered her eyes as she simply bowed her head and put one paw to her chest seemingly showing respect.

Looking at this gesture with uncertainty Simba turned his attention to the smaller cubs and mouse as he asked them all, "and you all are?"

Feeling on edge knowing she was in the presence of a king Nozomi gulped again as she spoke nervously, "uh? Um... well I'm Nozomi and...uh?" For she had no idea what to add as she still trembled inside.

"And I'm Cait sith! Ya royal lionship! Mate!" He quickly pitched in trying to cover up for her.

Hearing his voice filled Nozomi with relief as finally one more voice made its introduction, "and my name is Riku your royal highness."

At this name Simba was perplexed as he asked, "Riku?"

The king himself then added, "yeah and my name is Mickey your majesty Simba we're-"

Simba as he heard these two names felt a shudder of realisation inside him as his eyes widened and interrupting the mouse king he asked aloud, " Riku...? Mickey? Are you both friends of Sora?"

Blinking at this Nozomi was silent before she asked becoming surprised herself, "Sora? Wait...you know Sora?!"

At this the lion king responded, "that's what I'm asking you! Do you know him?"

Becoming surprised as well inside at how many friends Sora had made in his past travels Riku responded, "yes... yes we do! We're his friends and-"

"I knew it! He was searching for you two! I was there with him during his travels and he talked about the two of you nearly all the time!" Simba spoke as he was amazed he was finally getting to meet the two lost friends his friend and summoner had been looking for all that long time ago.

As Simba revealed these facts Nozomi was amazed now herself but it made her wonder how Sora had met this lion king Simba? But before she could go into any more deeper thoughts about it Mickey then spoke himself, "yeah I know... we were all going through a hard struggle at that time but-"

Simba then interrupted him as he asked, "did you two meet up with him again?"

Hearing the concern within his voice Riku quickly quelled it as he replied, "yeah we did, we all met up again but at this moment we..."

As the small white lion cub paused Simba became curious as he asked,"you're what?"

Nozomi looking at Riku saw a saddened expression come across his face and she felt saddened herself as it was her fault that he'd been separated from his best friend and so she decided then to speak up herself, "they're on a journey with me! We're...we're travelling so that we can meet up with him again at some point."

Quiet as he heard this information Simba digested it as he finally replied, "I see... so now you're all searching for him?"

To which Nozomi responded with a nod as Cait sith then spoke up himself, "yup ya got it bang on there Simba mate! We've been here there and everywhere lookin'! He's trickier ta find then a Moogle's pom pom in a bouncy ball shop!"

Thinking this was an odd example to use Nozomi asked sceptically, "a bouncy ball shop?"

Simba listening though couldn't help but let a small smile reveal itself as he closed his eyes as he replied, "funny... strange how irony can occur in life isn't it?"

At this suggestion everyone was quiet as Simba opened his rich red eyes again as he looked at the group of keybladers and told them all with a smile, "very well then, you all I accept, since I know you're friends of Sora's, I know that you can be trusted."

Feeling a surge of relief inside of herself a sigh escaped Nozomi's mouth as she thought to herself, 'oh that's thank goodness!'

"But!" Then at once Nozomi stopped with the feeling of calm as she had thought too soon! With that she watched on as Simba turned to Kovu again as he asked him, his angry growl beginning to return, "what is it that the two of you want?!"

Everyone was quickly again beginning to become on guard again as the atmosphere was becoming heavy, however not losing his cool to this hostility Kovu answered as nobly as he should, "we both humbly ask to join your Pride."

The answer immediately came from Simba as he became angered again, "no! You were banished along with the other Outsiders!"

Listening to this Nozomi wondered to herself quietly, "banished? Outsiders...?"

Kovu feeling the Pride Lands king's hostility kept himself composed as he replied, "we have left the outsiders, we're both rogues."

Jona then voiced herself as well as she added, "exactly, a dry desolate termite infested wasteland with hardly no food or water? Do you think that's honestly worth staying for?"

Looking at this earring wearing lioness with scepticism in his noble eyes Simba turned to Kovu again as he continued on, "exactly! Please judge us now for what we are! Or are we to both be blamed for a crime that neither of us committed?"

Simba was quiet again as he was clearly frustrated by this! He growled angrily as he started to pace back and forth as the morale debate stirred furiously in his royal law dictated that he be generous for this act of heroism that both this lion and lioness had done for his daughter Kiara and Sora's friends. But the crimes of the past! His Father! His Murder! Scar! The heartless!

Everyone was quiet as they all watched Simba pace back and forth, no one knew what to say to but then the queen of the lands seeing what her beloved king was now doing voiced herself as she told him, "Simba you owe him your daughter's life!"

Then hearing this lioness speak Nozomi then bit her bottom lip as she decided she should say something now herself as well as she said, "and it's not just Kiara your majesty! Kovu and Jona both saved me and my friends too! Please don't hold anything bad against them!"

Seeing what she was doing Riku probably would have under different circumstances interrupted her but he too wanted Simba to be lenient on these two rescuers for if there was anyone there who knew what it was like to have a looming shadow over them, it was him. Turning to their own king he asked him, "Mickey do you think you could say something to him?" For if anyone was going to talk to Simba it should be another member of royalty.

Hearing this suggestion he looked to his white lion cub friend as he turned back to Simba quietly and after a quick deliberation he replied, "sure, I'll try a little diplomacy and see what happens."

Nodding at this with seriousness in his eyes he watched as Mickey hopped on over to say a few words to the lion king. As he was making his way over though a blue bird flew on down as he relayed to his highness, "yes sire, these two did do a heroic act and we are in their debt," he then paused for a moment as he continued putting his right wing out putting the emphasis of the importance of this law, "and royal protocol demands that all debts be paid!" Though quickly scepticism entered his eyes too as he looked in Kovu and Jona's direction as he finished, "though in this case you may want to make an exception!"

Immediately hearing this small bird say this quickly Mickey rushed on over as he interjected and said, "Simba please don't just decide this yourself! Me and my pals and your daughter have a say in this too! Both of them saved our lives! And we're all grateful to them for that! Please... accept them on our request as well as your daughter's!"

Simba hearing this from the small kangaroo mouse was quiet with an intense serious gaze, deliberating still he gazed at him and Zazu, then turning he looked in Nozomi and Riku's direction as they both looked at him with slight worry and anxiousness. Turning again his eyes finally then fell onto Kiara who looked to him with absolute pleading in her eyes as she worded to him quietly, "please..."

After another brief moment he turned his gaze back to Kovu and Jona who both looked at him silently, suddenly a smile appeared across the great king's face as he had come to his decision! Everyone was on edge as they all wondered what he had decided on... the words then came, "my father's law will prevail! For now I reserve judgement, we'll see who you both really are!" With that he turned as he started to leave to lead his pride back towards the rich and vibrant Pride Lands.

Hearing this decision a bright smile appeared across Nozomi's face as she spoke on, "oh that's great! Now we can all go to the Pride Lands together!"

Feeling a huge surge of relief through himself too Riku replied with a smile also appearing on his face, "yeah it is... and it's good there was no unnecessary fighting."

Cait sith concurred as he replied, "ya got that right snow drop lad! With all this drama goin' on it was more sizzlin' then a spit roast barbecue!"

Hearing another odd quote come from Cait sith's mouth Nozomi asked looking over her back in his direction, "you're certainly on a roll today aren't ya?"

"Everyone!" Quickly they all turned as Kiara had left her mother's side and made it over to them all as she was smiling really happy now herself, "isn't this great about Kovu and Jona! It's so hard to make my father change his mind about anything!"

Smiling glad to see that she was happy Nozomi was about to say something when Mickey hopped on over as he told the lioness princess, "yeah it is great there Kiara! Looks like your father will listen when he needs to huh?"

At this she replied with her smile still brimming from ear to ear, "yeah, but I think it's thanks to you all as well! Sticking up for me and them too! That was really brave! Thank you all for that!"

Hearing these words Nozomi replied feeling a little bashful now, "aww! We didn't really do that much Kiara! It's just great that we could help out!"

"And you all did it really well!" With that everyone turned around as Kovu walked on over to them a smile brimming on his face too as Jona was also smiling just as victoriously beside him.

The others were quiet at these words but then the Out lander lion continued as he told them all,"it was good to have some outside support on our side, it really pulled us through."

Looking up to him Riku then told him, "well we only did was right! You both did come in the nick of time during that disaster and I know personally I wouldn't have been able to save everyone all alone... besides you would have done the same for us correct?"

At this Jona told him immediately smiling widely, "of course, of course honey! I mean what are Samaritans for anyway?" Then looking up she saw that the Pride lions were beginning to make some distance and seeing this she told them, "now why don't we all get movin' ourselves? We don't wanna get left behind do we?"

Seeing the lions of the Pride Lands moving away Nozomi spoke up, "oh yeah we shouldn't! Okay guys let's go and follow them!"

With that Mickey and Riku nodded as Cait sith spoke up, "onward and forwards me feline camaraderies!"

With a laugh both Kiara Nozomi laughed as they started to run on forwards together, Mickey smiled himself went to hop after them, while Riku shook his head for a moment his smile still lingering. Then he turned to look at Kovu and Jona and there on their faces he caught an expression on both of them which was not that of happiness but of-

Suddenly though both of them ran past him as Kovu called back to him, "hey you don't wanna be the turtle of the Pride do you? C'mon!" With that they both ran on after the others.

Riku staring after them wasn't sure again if he was imagining things or not but feeling an air of slight caution rise inside him he began to chase after the others and them, for the look he had seen on both these Out Landers... was sinister.

As the lions all journeyed on together into the distance towards the crowning Pride Rock a dark cloud began to loom over them all... as fate could sense the future turmoil that was to unfold upon these Pride Lands.

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It was now later and the darkness of the night was everywhere as the sun had set some time ago allowing the stars to now shine far and high in the sky as the moon had risen providing a pale illumination on all below.

Jumping up upon another rock and then leaping forwards Nozomi finally had her paws upon the strong stone of the Pride Rock, walking forwards she huffed in and out as she spoke out, "wow! I thought we'd never get to the top of this rock!" Then sighing she breathed out loud, "...I'm tired!"

Hearing her say this Cait sith patted her back as he told her, "aww don't worry lass! Not everyone can be as fit and strong as me!"

At this comment Nozomi became irritated in seconds as he'd been sitting on her back the whole time! However she was not in the mood for arguing and so simply retorted, "yeah sure..."

Hopping over having made it first to the rock before her Mickey asked her, "you okay Nozomi?"

Hearing him she didn't want to trouble him and so replied smiling as best she could, "it's all right your majesty don't worry I'm just tired... that's all."

At this response the king nodded his head as he replied, "okay, well I can't blame ya for that! I think we're all pooped! Let's go and follow-"

As he said these words suddenly there was an angry growl and behind them both they saw Simba ward Kovu and Jona away from the entrance from the cave that led to the inner sleeping chambers of the lions of the Pride Lands. Joining his court Simba walked inside as the two Outsiders were left in the cold.

Watching as both of the Out Lander lions were turned away both Nozomi and Mickey became depressed, Cait sith then voiced himself, "well looks like they've still got sore relations between 'em huh?"

Riku now arriving then told them all having witnessed the scene himself, "well that's to be expected though, you can't expect mortal enemies to immediately make up and get along like that can you?"

Nozomi hearing him knew this to be true but looking at Kovu and Jona as they settled themselves under a shadow of a nearby rock she felt bad for them both... for it was just like-

"Hey? Why don't we go over to them both?" Looking up Nozomi saw Kiara now next to them as she had finally arrived now too.

"And do what me lion lassie?" Cait sith asked curious.

Kiara then replied, "well you know? Let's try and make them both feel more welcome! I mean there's gotta be someone out of the Pride to try and fix relations right?"

Hearing her say this Nozomi was glad that the Pride Lands princess was so positive and so she smiled and nodded, "yeah! I think that's a great idea!"

Nodding Mickey agreed as he replied, "definitely! Besides I'd like to try and get to know those fella's a little better too! So why not? Right Riku?"

Looking at both Jona and Kovu silently for a moment Riku still felt that nagging sense of caution inside him but then looking to the others he told them, "yeah, I agree let's do that."

Hearing her friends agree with her Kiara walked on over with them all following behind her and as she made it over to Kovu who appeared to be sulking now she told him, "hey uh? Thanks for saving us today."

Turning his eyes in their direction Kovu didn't move as Nozomi then spoke, "yeah! Um... you guys really helped us out you know! So... don't feel everyone's against you here."

Hearing all this encouragement lying on her side Jona thought to herself, 'these guys are way too nice for their own good!' Then flipping herself over she looked at the band of heroes and then never losing her confident smile she replied, "oh don't worry... we know! We can so totally tell you're on our side."

Feeling glad that they knew they weren't feeling alone made Nozomi feel better but then Jona aded, "besides we couldn't leave a band of unexperienced, amateur hunters to become spit roasts could we?"

At this comment Kiara became annoyed as she replied, "amateur!?"

To this Kovu had to concur on as spoke, "exactly, you guys wouldn't last three days out there on your own! I mean the way you guys were going it was below even an average level! Besides what kind of hunters are you anyway?"

Hearing this comment didn't please Nozomi either as she said, "well you can't blame us for that can you?! I mean we're still young here! You can't expect anyone to do that great the first time round can you?"

Jona at this comment then said, "true I suppose... but I would expect better... especially from a princess!"

Hearing this made Kiara mad again but not wanting to lose her cool she asked, "oh and I suppose you both could teach us!?"

Cait sith hearing this comment asked aloud, "teach? Ya're expectin' our motley crew to do be doin' that? I don't reckon ya could even teach 'em all to catch a field mouse!" This in moments made all three keybladers look at Cait sith with bitter eyes!

At this suggestion though Jona became highly amused as she giggled out loud and said, "ha ha! Oh sure why not! Besides I'd say we'd could teach you all and be given a show with you guys around!"

Hearing this Riku turned and asked, "and what's that supposed to mean?"

Becoming amused himself at this thought Kovu got up and looked at them all arrogantly as he replied, "it means sure yeah! That's what that means!" With that he started to walk a small distance away.

At that moment suddenly Simba called out from within the cave, "Kiara!"

In moments she replied to her father as she called out, "coming!" Then quickly as she saw that the conversation was going her way she became excited and in moments she went ahead of Kovu. Stopping him in his tracks she told him, "all right! You can both impress us! We start at dawn!"

Hearing this Cait sith then said aloud, "wow that early hey? Well I won't mind bein' the tuggin' fur alarm clock!"

As Nozomi heard this though she told him, "if you dare to I'll be dragging you through the dirt by your tail!"

Cait sith smirked as he replied, "if you could even catch me ya daft banshee!"

Hearing these comments though Kovu replied with a cocky smile, "oh don't worry I'll be looking forward to it!"

Glad that she'd got her confirmation Kiara nodded as she replied, "right then!" With that she went back towards the entrance of the cave as Kovu moved away further into the dark distance. As she moved she stopped by Nozomi and the others as she asked them, "hey guys are you going to sleep in the cave too?"

At this question everyone immediately became quiet as they hadn't thought about this at all! Where were they going to sleep? But then Nozomi looking to Jona who was still in the shadow of the rock and then back to Kovu was now sitting some distance away... she came up with her answer, "... no I'll be staying out here Kiara don't worry."

Hearing this comment Riku was surprised as he asked her,"Nozomi you're not going to-"

"I don't feel right being comfortable while these two spend the night out here... it just kinda feels unfair, I mean we're outsiders too in a way so... I just think it's the better thing to do," Nozomi spoke as she relayed her reasons to both Kiara and the others.

At this the Pride Land lioness too was surprised but then she bowed her head and smiled for she too would have done the same thing if it wasn't for her father and his over protective nature and so she told her, "okay then... well I hope you sleep well out here," then looking to Mickey and Riku she asked them, "what about you two? Are you going to stay out too?"

Hearing the question asked Riku looked first at Kiara, then back to the cave, and finally back to Kovu, Jona and their rock... he made his decision too, "well I should stay out too, besides it's as Nozomi says we're outsiders and it's not right to leave team mates alone," then he looked to Nozomi as he asked her, "isn't that right?"

In awe seeing their team spirit flourishing Nozomi then nodded brightly as she replied, "yep definitely!"

Seeing that the decision had been made already for him the king optimistically went with it too as he replied, "well the guys have spoken and I'll be with them too on it! You get some good sleep Kiara! We'll see you in the morning."

Seeing their friendship together made Kiara happy inside and so she smiled as well as she replied, "yeah, okay! I'll see you guys tomorrow!" With that she quickly went on her way but before entering the cave she told them all, "and thanks for helping me again! Sleep well everyone!" With that she went inside to join her father and her fellow lions.

Seeing the princess of the Pride Lands go and now looking at these young cubs and mouse as they approached her rock Jona spoke aloud, "oh isn't this cute? We get sleep over buddies!"

Making his way over to her Mickey waved as he said, "hi there! Um Jona yeah?"

Hearing this small hopping mouse ask her name the earring wearing lioness replied, "bingo mousey! Somethin' you need?"

Glad to see she was friendly to approach Mickey then asked her, "um, well I just want to ask if it's not too much trouble for ya?... could we share the space here under yer rock?"

At this Jona simply smiled away expecting as much and so rolling over allowing there to be more room for three little ones she replied, "sure, be my guest... beside at least I'll have three cute little hot water bottles to keep me company."

Happy to see she was welcoming as well Mickey jumped forwards as Cait sith hopped off Nozomi's back too as he spoke aloud, "well this'll be good to hit the sack! Runnin' around and fire take a lot outta people ya know!"

Riku hearing this smirked as he shook his head as he went over to sit himself next to the king. But then he turned and looked to see Nozomi who he saw was looking in Kovu's direction as he seemed to be staring away into the darkened star lit landscape. As he saw her looking at the dark maned lion he asked her, "Nozomi?"

Hearing him she turned and asked," yeah?"

Riku then asked her, "are you okay?"

Nozomi looking at Riku for a moment told him, "yeah..." then she looked back in Kovu's direction and as she did she decided on something, looking to Riku again she told him, "I just need to go over and ask a question to Kovu a minute... I'll be back in a little bit okay?"

With that before he could ask why Nozomi ran off to where Kovu was and he wondered to himself 'what she could possibly want to ask to him?'

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Sitting by himself as he stared into the distance Kovu wondered quietly if the plan was going to work? True so far everything had gone really well but... well at that point there was no use in worrying. He was going to make his mother and his pride proud of him! He was going to take his revenge for-

"Kovu?"

A voice breaking him out of his thoughts he turned to see the little white tiger cub friend of Kiara's and as he did he said, "ah... it's you, and you are...?"

Seeing that he'd forgotten her name she told him smiling, "Nozomi."

Hearing it he replied, "ah yeah, Nozomi, what brings you out here into the darkness?"

Looking at him for a moment Nozomi then turned her head to look at the dark landscape and as she did she asked him, "I just wanted to ask some questions... is that okay with you?"

Kovu staring down at this young cub as he saw her curiosity reflected in her eyes he told her not minding, "sure... go on ask away."

Glad that this was okay for her to do Nozomi replied, "good okay... um well the first I wanted to ask... are you going to miss your old home in the-"

"Out Lands?" Kovu asked as he looked into the distance now himself.

Nozomi nodded as she replied, "yeah."

Kovu then told her repeating the lie that had been rehearsed numerously, "well as you and your friends know we'e rogues, we no longer belong there nor do we want to."

Quiet at this for a moment as she heard this Nozomi replied, "I see..." then she asked, "what is it really as bad as Jona described?... Was it that tough for you to live there?"

Hearing this question asked Kovu then could at least be a little honest as he told her, "yeah it was... there were even points where we didn't have food or water for three days or so... it's a tough place to survive in."

Nodding at this Nozomi spoke again, "I can imagine... why were you and your other lion pride there then? Why did Simba refer to you guys as Outsiders? Even Kiara-"

"Because we were all banished there," Kovu told her.

Surprised at this Nozomi became wide eyed as she asked, "banished?"

Kovu nodded as he replied, "yeah... we were exiled for the crimes of the past."

Nozomi then asked still shocked a little not expecting something quite like this, "crimes of the past? You mean with Mufasa and Scar?"

Once more Kovu nodded as he replied, "correct."

Perplexed Nozomi asked further, "but why? Why were lions like you exiled? What have you got to-"

Nearly becoming angered at this Kovu told her, "because we were the ones who served and obeyed Scar!" Nozomi froze as she heard the anger in his tone as he continued now looking at her with his rage, "because they believed him to be the one true king! They served him and just simply for doing that we were all exiled into those fierce and hostile lands!"

Hearing this information Nozomi then spoke aloud, "that's horrible!"

Kovu then looked away as he continued, "and because of Simba... and the past we were all made to suffer... even us the young ones who hadn't done any wrong! We were blamed for crimes that we never committed!"

At last having knowing why Kiara and Simba had said the terms, 'Outsiders' and 'Out Landers' Nozomi then could understand what the bitterness was between both sides, once again she spoke, "that is... that's so terrible!..."

Kovu looking away from her seeing her upset face told her, "I know... and because of it that's why me and Jona decided to leave...we'd had enough of suffering."

Nozomi then told him, "I can imagine..."then she shook her head as she finally replied," no I understand."

Hearing this word almost surprised Kovu as he repeated looking back to her, "understand?"

Nodding again Nozomi told him, "yeah... I mean I have a friend who... he was persecuted because he was different and... he came from outside too."

Listening to her Kovu asked, "he was an Outsider?"

Nozomi nodded, "yeah... he came from the outside and because of that he was blamed... he was blamed for any source of bad luck that happened... he and his mama were..." The memories of the past almost made her want to cry as she remembered the taunts and bullying that Wairu had to go through which she had tried so hard to protect him from.

Looking at this little cub as she said this Kovu could feel her pain and realised she spoke the truth. He was quiet as Nozomi looked up to him again and told him, "I'm sorry that you and your fellow lions have had to go through all that!... It's just so wrong! It's wrong you all have been blamed for just that! It's not fair! That's not fair at all!"

Hearing these words made Kovu remember back to when he was a cub himself and when he had asked those very same questions himself about his life and why things were the way they were for him... but looking to Nozomi he told her, "I know it isn't... but that's the fate that was made for us... and we-"

"We can change it!"

Surprising him he looked down to Nozomi who looked back up to him as she told him again, "we'll change that! If we can make Simba see that you and Jona are good lions! Then maybe he might change his mind about the other Out Landers! Maybe... you can all join the Pride Lands again!"

Hearing such an optimistic solution was completely beyond Kovu and he'd never considered that once!... He then laughed out loud as it was too unbelievable to be heard!

Nozomi was puzzled as she asked, "huh? Did I say something funny? I was-"

Shaking his head Kovu then told her, "well all I'll say is this... I've never had a thought like that in my life!" Looking back at her again he then told her, "you're an interesting character!"

Blinking confused still Nozomi asked, "um... okay?"

Then looking back into the landscape he told her,"why don't you go back and get some rest? We've got a long day of training tomorrow."

After digesting this for a moment Nozomi replied, "sure okay... you get some rest too Kovu, and thanks for answering my questions..." with that Nozomi turned on her tail to go back to the others, but before leaving she spoke once more, "good night!" With that she left running into the distance.

Kovu then looking away from her still had a smile on his face but then as he looked into the darkness again he finally saw the sign he'd been waiting for! A flash of yellow light... everything was ready! Then at this realisation a dark smile decorated his face.

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In the darkness looking up after giving Kovu the sign that everything was ready, Pete smiled and laughed as he spoke up, "well looks like that little prince of yer's and Jona have made some fast work huh?"

Zira smiling answered with absolute pride, "oh course! Everything is going absolutely perfectly! Simba fell right for the fire rescue! And now the closer they both to all our prey! The closer they'll get to Simba!"

Smiling brightly at her connivingness Pete then replied, "ohh dangerous and devious! That's the way to show em and then we'll-"

However Zira carried on without Pete as she said, "and then when they both have Simba alone!"

With that suddenly the evil lioness swung her claws! "Agh!" Pete then ducked as a smashing sound was heard, looking behind he then saw that Zira had moved her paw and arm so fast that it had smashed right through the tree standing behind him! Seeing this made him wilt with fear inside! This lioness was not one to be messed with!

Zira though only merely laughed as she then said, "now come!" Let us see the preparations that Hari is now preparing for us!"

With that she ran into the darkness of the night and as Pete looked at her and then back to Pride Rock he was quiet as he saw its enormous silhouette in the darkness but quickly he turned and left to catch up to Zira as they both journeyed to return to the forbidden Out Lands.