SPARTAN-626: Don't worry, we'll have some Kopa/Vitani moments.

KingKopa19: I've found a way to work the roar into the story, I hope you like this chapter.

Simba stood beside his mate, dreading the part to come.

It was the day Kiara was to do her first hunt and Simba felt nervous. The last few years had been good to them. Kion and his friends had named themselves official protecters of the Pride Lands, helping with problems in which Simba could not.

Kion and Bunga still remained as close as always and he and Fuli, even closer. Simba was proud of his youngest cub for he was shaping to be a fine lion. With rusty red fur was sprouting from his chest and along his neck, he was looking more like his father every day.

Kiara was looking beautiful like her mother with the same golden pelt as her father's. Her lessons continued and Rafiki agreed that she was going to make a very fine queen. Simba never chose to betroth her to anyone, feeling as though she would make a fine ruler on her own.

Then there was his oldest cub, Kopa. The teen had grown into a fine lion with a nearly full brown mane. Unlike Kion, Kopa was mischievous, always ready for a joke with a smart comment to follow, but he was still as kind and as loyal as he was as a young cub.

Rafiki smiled as the princess walked out of the den, her pelt shining on the sun.

She smiled as she passed through the rows of lionesses, each one congratulating her. Soon she came to stand by Kion. "Good luck, sis." Kion said. Kaira smiled as she nuzzled him and walked up to her older brother.

Kopa bowed his head, slightly. "I expect a good meal when you return." He said.

"Count on it." Kiara smiled.

Then she walked up to her mother who nuzzled her. "You'll do fine."

Kiara nodded before looking to her father. "Daddy, you have to promise to let me do this on my own. Promise?"

Simba sighed before smiling. "I promise."

Kiara beamed as she nuzzled her father before starting off, unknown to her was that her father had Timon and Pumbaa follow her.

Kion smiled as he watched his sister lwave before his friend Ono flew by. "Kion, there's trouble by the waterhole. Apparently Makuu is having trouble with a herd of water buffalo."

"Heading there now." Kion said as he followed his friend.

Kopa nodded as he snuck off, leaving his parents alone.

"Do you think she'll be all right?" Simba asked.

"I've taught her all she needs to know, she'll be fine." Nala assured.

Simba frowned, unsure.

TLK

Kopa smiled as he raced to the Elephant Graveyard. It had been a few months since he last saw Vitani, due to her training and never finding time to meet him. He prayed that she would be there today.

His prayers were unanswered.

Once again, he found himself alone. It had been so long since he had seen her, that he was worried. What if something had happened? He remembered the last time they met...

"This is for me?" Vitani asked, staring at the leg of a zerba that Kopa held tightly in his teeth. It was late one starry evening and the two were meeting up once more.

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"Well, because you're my girl, right?"

Vitani smiled. "Yeah and you're my lion."

Kopa smiled as he placed the leg down and the two started to feast. "This is amazing." Vitani said.

"Yep."

"How'd you get it?"

"I hunted for it myself." Kopa said, proudly.

"Won't they notice it's missing?"

"Nah, the scavengers will be grateful for a meal that they don't have to wait for."

After the two were finished, they stood and went for a walk.

The night air was cool and the stars shined like they were dancing. Vitani sighed, smiling. It was rare that she got a moment to herself and time to sneak away. Her mother's training were getting harder each day. Her brother, Kovu rarely got a moment to take a breath. His heart was steadily growing harder and hate was starting to cloud his mind.

"Look, Vitani, a shooting star!" Kopa said.

Vitani looked up as it passed.

"Make a wish." Kopa said.

Vitani closed her eyes, wishing for the night to never end. Once she opened them, she saw Kopa staring at her, his turquoise eyes staring into her purple.

"I love you, Vitani." He said, suddenly.

Vitani's widened. "R-really?"

"Yeah."

"I-I love you, too, Kopa."

The golden lion smiled as the two nuzzled.

Kopa frowned. That seemed like so long ago.

He was beginning to worry, fearing something might have happened to her.

He had just gotten back into the Pride Lands when he heard someone approaching and he whipped around to see Kion rushing towards him, Fuli beside him.

"Hurry, Kopa, there's a fire in the Pridelands, near where Kiara is hunting!"

"Great Kings, come on!" Kopa cried as he and the younger two followed.

"Fuli, go assist the guard in helping the herds affected by the fire, Kopa and I are going after Kiara!" Kion said.

"You got it! Be careful!" Fuli cried as she raced off in an opposite direction.

With their paws pounding against the ground, the two brothers raced across the land, ready to help their sister.

They were soon joined by Simba and Nala who were equally as worried.

"Kiara!" Simba cried, his voice laced in both worry and anger. Kopa and Kion followed after him and soon saw the reason for anger.

There Kiara stood, a dark lion beside her, his green eyes blazing.

"Kiara!" Nala cried, running to her daughter.

The young lioness frowned. "Father, how could you break your promise?"

"It's a good thing, I did. I almost lost you." Simba argued. "No more hunts for you, not ever."

Kopa frowned. "Dad-"

"But I was doing fine!" Kiara said. "Even before Kovu-"

But Simba interrupted. "Kovu?!" He growled as the dark lion snarled back.

"Simba." Nala said, clearly shocked.

"Hey!"

The group turned to see Rafiki standing upon a rock. "How dare you save the king's daughter?"

Kopa raised an eyebrow. "You saved her? Why?"

Kovu cleared his throat. "I humbly ask, to join your pride."

"No!" Simba said, immediately. "Your pride was banished."

"I've left the Outsiders. I am a rogue. Judge me now, for who I am." The dark lion then crouched low. "Or am I to be blamed for a crime I didn't commit?"

Simba growled as he paced.

"Simba, you owe him your daughter's life." Nala said.

Zazu cleared his throat as he landed before Simba. "Yes, sire, clearly we are in his debt and royal protocol demands that all debts be paid."

"Though in this case, you might want to make a exception." Kopa snarled.

Simba smirked at his son before turning to Kovu. "My father's law will prevail, for now I reserve judgment. We'll see who you really are." With that, the king walked away.

Zazu puffed up before following. "Riff raff." He uttered.

Kovu smiled as he turned to Nala and Kiara, but his cheeky smile soon disappeared as Kopa walked in front of them with Kion beside them.

Kopa nodded his head and the group started off towards Pride Rock.

TLK

As they were walking into the den, Kovu was stopped by Simba who gave a a small growl as he walked in to the cave. Kovu scoffed as he backed away, right into Kopa.

"Watch it," Kopa growled. "You may have saved my sister, but that does not make us friends."

"Did I say I wanted to be friends?" Kovu snapped.

"Watch your tongue, Outlander. Try anything funny with my sister and I will rip out your throat."

Kovu swallowed as he looked over the older lion, for once, he was afraid.

As Kopa walked passed him, Kion approached. The young lion glared as he followed his older brother.

Kovu let out a breath he hadn't known he had been holding as he walked towards a lonely rock.

In the den, Kopa noticed that his sister had not followed and peaked out the cave to see Kiara speaking with Kovu. Simba also noticed her absent and called after her to which she replied she was coming.

After a few more moments, she arrived.

Kion frowned as he approached her. "I don't trust him, Kiara." He said.

"You worry too much, Kion."

"What were you discussing?" Kopa asked.

"He's going to teach me how to hunt."

"Are you out of your mind?" Kopa growled. "Dad will be furious!"

"Dad doesn't have to know."

"We have to tell him, Kiara." Kion said.

"Please, guys, you're my brothers. Please do this for me. I'm not a good hunter, I know, but he can help!"

Kopa frowned before he sighed. "All right."

"Thanks, Kopa."

"But if he hurts you, we're feeding him to the crocodiles." Kion said.

Kiara giggled as she nuzzled her younger brother. "Okay."

That evening, once he was sure his family was asleep, Kopa snuck off, in hopes of meeting Vitani. Quietly, he snuck passed Kovu who was sleeping soundly.

It was hard to believe that this lion was the brother of the love of his life. Glaring, he continued on his way.

The Elephant Graveyard was dead silent as Kopa walked through. Suddenly, he noticed a familiar lioness standing on a tusk.

Kopa smiled as he raced up. "Tani!"

Vitani turned and smiled as she leapt down and nuzzled him.

"It's been so long!" Kopa said. "I thought you were hurt or worse."

Vitani nodded. "I'm fine, Kopa." She said.

"Why haven't you been meeting at our spot? I haven't seen you in months."

"Things have been getting complicated in the Outlands."

"Yes, your brother left. He's at Pride Rock now." Kopa explained. "Why'd he leave?"

Vitani shrugged. "He didn't want to be a part of our pride anymore." She said. "Look, I really don't want to talk about, he didn't leave on good terms."

Kopa nodded. "All right, let's talk about something else."

"Like?"

"How about that burn mark on your shoulder?"

The question caught Vitani off gaurd as she whipped her head to see the burn herself. Sure enough, there was a singed part in her fur. She must have received it whilst tossing the burning branch away after...

"Were you in the Pridelands?" Kopa asked.

Vitani thought quick. "Maybe, I...was following Kovu when the fire started."

"I don't suppose you know how it started?"

"No."

Kopa stared at her, knowing full well she was not being honest. "You're lying."

Uh oh, Vitani thought, glancing away, avoiding his hardening gaze.

"You were trying to kill Kiara weren't you!?"

"No!" Vitani tried to defend herself, but if she revealed the truth for why the fire had started, she'd be giving away Zira's plan.

Kopa backed, the shock and horror was plain on his face. But that quickly turned to anger. "Tani, I can't believe you."

"Kopa-"

"Why would you do that?"

"I had no choice!" Vitani cried. "Mother made me!"

Kopa growled. Kovu must have been in the right place at the right time. The Outlanders must have started the fire in anger, in hopes of getting revenge on Kovu, Kopa thought. "You nearly killed the future queen."

"I didn't want to!"

"Silence!"

Vitani winced at his tone.

Kopa growled as he crouched low. He loved Vitani very much, but her mother had too much power over her. By courting her, he had put not only himself, but his family in danger. He cursed himself for not seeing in sooner. He had no choice. "Get out." Kopa growled.

Vitani's eyes widened. "What? Kopa."

"GET OUT." Kopa snarled, louder this time.

"Kopa, please," Vitani tried, but Kopa refused to listen. Turning away, he growled deep in his throat.

Vitani swallowed as she looked away, tears threatening to fall. What have I done? With one last glance towards Kopa, she left, racing out of the skull they were standing in.

Kopa swallowed hard as he watched her leave. "I'm sorry, Vitani..." He whispered. "But I must protect my family."

TLK

It was early morning by the time Kopa had returned back to Pride Rock, having spent the night in the skull alone. He knew his decision was the right one, but still...

Suddenly, he noticed his father walking away from the waterhole.

"Hey, Dad."

"Kopa, what're you doing up so early?"

"Nothing much." Kopa said. "Dad, why did you let Kovu stay?"

Simba sighed. "Because... we owe him."

"That's a lame excuse."

"I know. But it's true. Do I trust him? No, but my father's law will prevail. Let's just give him time..." Simba then lowered his voice. "If you see him, make sure to keep a close eye."

Kopa nodded as his father turned and headed off to deal with some business.

Suddenly, he heard the familiar roar of his sister, followed by what sounded like Kovu's. Snarling, he raced off.

As he raced over the hill, he came to a halt and raised an eyebrow as he noticed Kiara and Kovu racing down the hill, following Timon and Pumbaa as they chased off some birds.

"Yee haw!" Kopa heard Kovu shout and he couldn't help but smirk. This was possibly the only time he's ever had fun.

He watched as they raced around a corner where screams could be heard shortly after. Kopa started down the hi before he saw the two younger lions, meerkat and warthog race around. Kopa yelped as he noticed the reason they were running and quickly turned as rhinos raced towards them.

"Oh, hi, Kopa!" Kiara cried as they raced away.

Kopa led them into a small cave to avoid the thundering hooves that passed. After a few seconds, the group burst out laughing.

"What a blast!" Kovu cried.

"Oh, sorry." Pumbaa said, making the group laugh more.

"You're okay, kid!" Timon said, ruffling the lion's tuft of fur.

"Hey!" Kovu said.

"You're okay!"

Kopa smiled as Kovu seemed to relax. They grunted as they all moved out of the hole.

Kiara smiled as she locked eyes with Kovu who shyly smiled back.

"Hey! Are you three coming or what?" Timon cried.

The three lions smiled as they followed.

"So, Kiara, how'd the hunting lesson go?" Kopa smirked.

Kovu frowned as he turned to her. " You told him?"

"Don't look so shocked, she tells me a lot of things."

"Must be nice to have siblings you can trust." Kovu said, quietly.

Kopa frowned, his thoughts immediately turning to Vitani.

"Kopa and Kion have always been someone great to talk to." Kiara said, smiling.

"You look like you were having fun." Kopa said, glancing at Kovu.

Kovu cleared his throat, awkwardly making Kopa laugh. "Don't look so afraid. You act like I'm going to bite your face off."

"Aren't you?"

"No!" Kopa said. "That's Kion's job."

Kovu's eyes widened before Kopa laughed. "Chill, just a joke."

Kiara rolled her eyes.

"Anyway, come on, we'll show you some real fun." Timon said, as he motioned the group to follow.

The day was mostly filled chasing more birds and playing in the waterhole. Kopa was able to get to know Kovu and felt that he had misjudged the younger lion.

Kiara was happy that Kovu was enjoying himself and was beginning to open up. She moved to hear him laugh as Kopa joked.

"Say, Kopa?" Kovu asked.

"What is it?"

"Last night, about the friends thing...? I-"

Kopa laughed as he ruffled the younger lion's mane. "It's fine, kid."

Late in the afternoon, Timon and Pumbaa said good bye and left for Pride Rock. Kopa smiled as he said his own good bye and watched Kiara and Kovu walk off together, with plans to star gaze.

The older lion smiled as he stretched, thinking what he should do. He was about to head back to Pride Rock as well until he saw Kion walking by.

"Hey, little brother, where have you been?"

Kion smiled. "With Fuli." He said.

"Ah, my little brother got a girlfriend!" Kopa said.

"Shut up, she's just a friend!"

"I wonder what your cubs would look like?"

Kion growled as he playfully leapt onto his brother, pinning him the ground.

"Yeah, get him, Kion!"

"Do all boys fight like this?"

The two brothers looked up to see Bunga and Fuli staring at them.

Kion cleared his throat as he stood. "Just teaching Kopa a lesson." He explained.

"Please, I let him take me down that he wouldn't feel weak." Kopa said.

Bunga laughed. "Ha, Kion take Kopa down? That's hilarious"

"Hey, Kion can take anyone down." Fuli said.

"Yeah, if they're two times smaller them him." Kopa joked as he ruffled his brother's tuft of fur.

"Speaking of taking someone down, have you seen Kiara? I haven't seen her since last night."

"Yeah, I was just with her and Kovu a while ago."

Kion raised an eyebrow. "Kovu?"

"Don't worry, Kion, I hung out with him and actually had a good time. He's a good lion."

"Yeah? So was Scar until the hyenas changed him."

"That was a long time ago, little brother."

"But-"

"Kion, don't worry. If Kovu tries anything, Kiara will tell us. She's a tough lioness."

"All right, if you're sure." Kion replied.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going back to Pride Rock." Kopa said.

Once he was sure he was out of sight, the older brother snuck off, going another direction. Peering through the darkness, he walked quietly through the land until he came upon his target.

A herd of zebra.

Crouching low to the grass, Kopa made his way to the eldest of the herd. Taking his paw, he placed it over the zebra's mouth to silence it whilst he bit into the neck. Once it was dead, Kopa carefully started dragging it away.

The Elephant Graveyard was as quiet as the dead that lay. Kopa quickly brought the zebra to the skull where he and Vitani often met. He knew that she would return tonight, in hopes of speaking with him, but Kopa wasn't ready. He loved her more then he had ever loved a lioness and he knew that her love for him had not gone. Hoping that she would understand that zebra was an apology, Kopa left.

He arrived back at Pride Rock shortly before Kovu and Kiara returned. The older lion was sleeping close to the mouth of the cave as the two walked up; they were humming a strange tune and whispering upendi.

Kopa smiled as they nuzzled each other good night. He then closed his eyes as Kiara walked in. Simba had been watching as well and made his way out of the den and towards Kovu.

The dark lion picked up his head as the king smiled.

"It's kinda cold out tonight, huh? Come on in." He smiled.

Kopa smirked as Simba returned, Kovu behind him.

TLK

Early the next morning, Kopa awoke to movement and opened his eyes to see Kovu walking out of the den. Curious, he stood as Kiara met him at the mouth of the den.

"Kiara, I need to talk to you." Kovu said.

"Kiara," Simba interrupted. "I don't want you talking to him."

Kopa raised an eyebrow.

"I want to talk to him." Simba then winked as he and Kovu walked out.

Kiara smiled as Kopa approached her.

"So, how'd it go?" Kopa asked.

Kiara sighed. "It was wonderful."

"Kovu...He seems like a good lion."

"He is. He's been through a lot."

"I'm sure." Kopa replied. "Come on, let's take a walk."

Kopa led Kiara to the waterhole where they grabbed a quick drink.

"Kopa, do you think I'll make a good queen?" Kiara asked.

"I think you'll make a great queen. Why?"

"I feel like I'm stealing from you..." Kiara replied.

Kopa laughed. "I stepped down on my own account."

"But why?"

"Because I felt that it wasn't my destiny to rule over the Pride Lands." Kopa explained. "Grandfather Mufasa has, I feel, bigger plans."

"Bigger then being a king?"

"Bigger then being king of the Pride Lands." Kopa corrected.

"Oh, so you think you're too good for the Pride Lands?" Kiara smirked.

"No!" Kopa cried. "I was merely saying my life does not lie in the Pride Lands."

Kiara laughed. "I'm joking, brother."

Her brother smiled as he playfully away his paw, missing her muzzle. "I knew that."

"Knew what?"

The two turned to see Timon and Pumbaa walking up.

"What are you two doing here?" Kopa asked.

"Looking for you." Zazu said as he flew over head.

"What's wrong?" Kiara asked.

"We wondering if you knew where your father had gotten too. There's a little problem in the gorge and Kion has asked for his assistance." Zazu replied.

"He left to speak with Kovu this morning." Kiara answered.

"Well, shouldn't they be back by now?" Pumbaa asked.

"You know Simba, once he gets to talkin', he can go on for hours." Timon said, waving his hand.

Suddenly, a scent caught Kopa's nose and his mood quickly turned to worry.

Blood.

Hope you guys liked this chapter! And don't worry, Kopa and Vitani will make up soon.

Don't forget to review!