Guest: Of course, we all need more Nala moments.

The weeks passed peacefully. The Pride Lands became one with those who had been their enemy.

Kovu and Kiara became closer. It wasn't long before Simba asked them if they would like to rule together. Kovu was stunned of course, but with a reassuring smile from Kiara, he excepted the king's offer. The Outsiders found this funny, as if there was some truth in Zira's words of him becoming King.

Kion and the Guard continued their duties, protecting their land.

Kopa and Vitani, now mates, spent most of their time together near the water whole, their love growing deeper each day.

The Outsiders began to feel safe in their new home and became close with the Pride Landers. They assisted with many hunts and learned the ways of the land. For once on their lives, they had clean water, filling food and felt safe while they slept.

Simba and Nala were happy that everything was right in the circle of life once more.

One evening, the king was looking over the land, watching the setting sun. His stomach twisted in guilt as he hung his head. He felt like a fool. His hatred towards the Outsiders and Kovu made him blind to what they could be.

Both Kopa and Kiara's words rang in his mind. His oldest had been right. He was the one keeping Scar alive, not just Zira. He felt especially guilty towards Kovu and his words he had said. The young lion didn't deserve them. None of this was his fault.

"Simba?"

Simba turned to Nala approach. "Everything okay?" She asked as she sat next to him.

The king swallowed. "No, no not really."

Nala nudged him, urging him to continue.

"I've been a fool, Nala. I judged Kovu and his pride too quickly. I should have helped him."

"Simba-"

"Don't tell me it's not my fault. It's a lie, it is my fault. I should have helped him...maybe helped Zira. Maybe we could have changed her, to make her see the good again."

"She was too far gone, Simba, she was crazy." Nala said.

"Well, what about Kovu?"

Nala smiled. "I suggest try talking to him." She then nuzzled him and turned and walked back into the cave.

Simba frowned as he remained where he was, deep in thought. It didn't take much time to decide to speak with Kovu tomorrow.

TLK

The next day, true to his word, Simba went in search on Kovu. He found the young lion resting with Kiara by the waterhole.

"Simba, what are you doing here?" Kovu asked.

"I need to speak with you, Kovu." Then he turned to Kiara. "We'll see you later."

Kiara smiled as she nodded and watched the two walked away.

"Kovu... I never apologized for my behavior or my words."

"You don't need to." Kovu said.

"No, I must say this. Kovu, I'm sorry for the my foolish behavior. Can you forgive me?"

The dark lion smiled. "I already have." He said.

Simba smiled back as he bowed his head. "You are strong lion and believe you make a good and wise king someday."

Kovu bowed back. "Thank you, Simba, that means a lot."

"Well, since we have some time on our paws how about you teach me some of your moves? As you probably saw in the battle, mine are a little rusty."

"Sure, I can show you few." Kovu smirked.

Simba nodded, knowing that if Kovu was to be his son-in-law and since he never had a father, Simba felt that he should show the young lion what it means to have a loving parent.

Not far away, Kopa and Vitani were enjoying a walk.

"It's so beautiful here." Vitani said. "I can see why you didn't want to leave."

Kopa swallowed nervously. "Yeah, about that-"

Vitani smiled. "It's okay, Kopa, I understand. You are a loyal lion. I should have known you wouldn't leave if your family was in danger."

"Don't think that didn't cross my mind, leaving with you. It's just, I couldn't have lived with myself if I had left them."

The tan lioness nodded. "I wonder what it's like to have family like that, one you would die for."

Kopa smiled as he put his nose to hers. "You'll find out." He said.

Suddenly they heard a familiar voice.

"Kopa!"

"Zazu?"

The hornbill panted as he flew near. "Quickly, where is your father. Nala needs him at once!"

"Is Mom okay?" Kopa asked.

"Yes, but a messenger from a nearby pride is in need of our help!"

"Go back to Pride Rock, Vitani you with him, I'll find Dad!"

TLK

Nala paced, anxiously waiting for the arrival of her mate.

"How many are ill?" She asked the messenger, a little blue bird.

"At least all of them, your majesty."

"You're positive its not catching."

"Very." Was the answer.

"Your majesty!"

Nala and the blue bird looked up to see Zazu approaching, Vitani following below.

"Where is Simba?"

"Kopa went after him, your majesty." Vitani said. "What's going on?"

Nala sighed. "This is Kidogo. He's a messenger for a pride we know."

"Nala!" Simba cried as he raced up, Kopa and Kovu behind them. "What is it? Kidogo, what're you doing here?"

"I'm here with an urgent message from Tojo. The Pride is in dire need of your help. A snake has attacked our pride leaving the members sick and weak, including Tojo." Kidogo teared up a bit at this part.

"Is it life threatening?" Simba asked.

"No, sir. But they're vulnerable to rogues. And unable to hunt."

"What about their king?"

"He died."

"So who's leading?"

"Malka has been doing what he can, but the Pride is out of hand. He's been very stressed with the responsibility." Kidogo sighed as he placed his wing over his eyes. "Please, we need your help."

Simba frowned as he thought it over. "Okay, Kidogo, we'll help. Tomorrow we'll leave for your land. In fact, we'll bring Kiara and Kovu, this will be a perfect learning experience for them, as future rulers."

"Can we come?" Kopa asked.

"I would hope that you would have stayed here to keep an eyes on things." Simba said.

"Please, Dad?"

"Simba, who will watch over the Pride Lands?" Nala asked.

"Our pride is larger now, Nala, no lion would want to go against our pride. And we can trust the Outsiders. Can't we, Kovu?"

Kovu gaped before finding his voice. "Of course, Simba, you saved their lives. I've more then once over heard them going on on how grateful they were."

"See, Nala? Plus Kion and the Guard can keep an eye on things." Simba assured.

Nala managed a smile as she turned to her son. "You can come, Kopa."

"We'll tell the Pride about our plans this evening. Tomorrow, we'll travel to the North Lands and help the Pride."

TLK

After they announced their plans to the Pride Lands, the Outsiders went up to Simba and Nala promising that they would keep the land safe.

That night, Kopa was settled beside Vitani when he sensed something wrong. Carefully standing, so as to not wake his mate, he made his way out of the den to see Kiara sitting at the edge, her eyes on the moon.

"It's kinda late to be star gazing." Kopa said as he came to stand beside her.

"You believe Grandfather Mufasa is up there, don't you?"

Kopa tilted his head. "Of course. Remember the stories Dad and Rafiki used to tell us? Trust me, sister, he's keeping an eye on things."

Kiara sighed. "I said something to Dad, after he exiled Kovu... I said he would never be Mufasa."

Kopa frowned as he thought for a moment before speaking. "Of course not, no one will. Dad's who he's meant to be. And you're who you're meant to be. Future ruler on Pride Lands."

Kiara laughed. "There was time when I didn't want to be queen." Then she turned to her brother. "But now I am proud to be next in line."

"We're all proud, Kiara. I mean, you brought together two prides that hated each other and turned them into one pride." The older sibling smiled. "You're going to make an amazing queen." Kopa then yawned. "Come on, we have an early start tomorrow". He said as he led her back into the den.

The next morning, Kopa was awoken by Kiara tugging on his ear, much like when they were younger.

"Wake up, sleepy head! Dad says let's go!" She smiled.

Kopa groaned as he placed his paw over his eyes. "It's not even sun up." He grumbled.

"It's up, you just can't see it because your paw's over your eyes." Kovu said as he approached.

"Thank you, King Obvious." Kopa mumbled.

"Come on, young ones, we'd better get a move on." Nala said as she nudged her son up.

The group made their way outside, stretching as the sun's first rays hit their fur. After a few short good byes, they started on their way.

Kiara and Kovu walked side by side, with Kiara telling Kovu about their land.

Kidogo led the way, exchanging words with Simba and Nala.

"It was Tojo who suggested we go to you. He remembered your kindness during Scar's reign." Kidogo explained.

"They were our closest friends, why wouldn't we help? I would have gone with them, but I couldn't leave my home."

"Malka told us, he said it was very heroic."

"Has anyone had any cubs yet?" Simba asked.

"Not yet. Malka and Tama were trying when everything occurred."

"Where's the snake now?" Kovu asked.

"The old king managed to kill it before he passed, from old age they believe."

"Why did they choose a king in the first place?" Kopa asked. "I thought they left the Pride to strike out on their own. That's what Mom said."

"They did. But they found a land ruled over by a rogue lion. In order for them to live there, they agreed to have the rogue be their leader. Now that the king is dead, they have no one and are vulnerable to other rogues. Malka would take over, but he doesn't want to rule, neither does anyone else, but they agree that they need a leader."

"Why?" Vitani asked.

"It's a big land and they need protection. They were never taught to fight."

Kopa stopped in his tracks as he felt a strange wind pass through his mane.

"Kopa, you coming?"

Kopa shook his head and raced to keep up.

That evening, the group had found a spot to settled in for the night, close to a small stream.

Kopa took a deep breath as he walked over for a drink. After he had his fill, he studied the ripples in the water, that soon revealed his own face.

"Kopa?"

The young lion nearly lost his footing as he steadied himself and turned to see his father.

"You've been distracted the whole day, what's wrong?" Simba asked.

Kopa frowned. The wind early that morning certainly was odd, but he didn't want to concern his father, he had enough to worry about.

"No, just a lot on my mind, what with Malka's pride..."

"That's right, you've only met them once, when you were just born."

"Can we trust them?" Kopa asked.

"With our lives, don't worry, son." Simba took a deep breath as he looked up at the stars. "Malka, Chumvi, Tojo and Tama were a part of our pride once, a long time ago. They left a few years after the land went bad."

"Why didn't they stay? To help?"

"They were danger of being killed. Scar wanted every male killed, so they had no choice."

Kopa frowned as he looked to the stars as well. "You know, Dad, I bet Mufasa would be proud of you." He said.

Simba swallowed. "I'm not so sure Kopa, I've done things that I'm sure my father would not be proud of. Judging others, jumping to conclusions. I nearly lost Kiara to my arrogance. I should have trusted her."

"I'm sure Mufasa made some mistakes in his youth."

"Perhaps. Kiara was right though, I will never be my father. But that doesn't stop me from trying my best." Simba then smiled as his son before turning to go settle in the grass with Nala.

Kopa nodded as he went to settled by Vitani. He smiled as he sighed, happily.

The sun passed by many times before the group became closer to their destination.

Simba aand Nala spent their time explaining to Kiara and Kovu the duties a ruler has to different prides.

Kopa and Vitani spent time exchanging words with Kidogo who told excellent stories.

By the end of the week, the group came to a familiar land. Kidogo flew high before coming to land on Simba's shoulder. "Straight ahead, they are by their den." He said.

Simba and Nala nodded as they started, their cubs behind them. Before they could reach the den, a tan lioness with a small tuft of fur atop her head raced to meet them.

"Thank the Great Kings!" She cried as she raced to nuzzle Nala and then Simba. "I was afraid you had gotten lost."

"Kidogo led us." Simba explained.

"Excellent job, Kidogo, I knew we could count on you." Tama said, smiling. Kidogo beamed proudly.

"How is everyone?" Nala asked as they continued to the den.

"Weak. I managed to catch a deer this morning to help keep their strength up, but one isn't enough for our pride and I don't have enough strength to catch a second."

"Who lives in the pride now?" Simba asked.

"Malka, Kula, Chumvi, Tojo, his birds. We used to have others, but they left some time ago. Here we are."

Kopa tilted his head as they came to the den where they saw a tan lion with a black mane and goatee, lying beside him was another lion with also tan fur and a rusty orange colored mane with three birds similar to Kidogo, sitting beside him.

The black maned lion lifted his head weakly and a smile appeared upon his face. "If it isn't the lost Prince." He smirked.

"Hello, old friend." Simba said as he nuzzled both.

"Knew you were comin'. Kula didn't believe me." The one presumed Tojo said. "Kidogo! Well done, my friend." He said nuzzling the blue bird. The birds brothers smiled as they welcomed him.

Just then, they noticed Kopa, Kiara and their mates standing in the back ground.

"No way, don't tell me this is Kopa! Last time I saw you, I could fit you in my paw!" Malka laughed.

Kopa bowed respectfully. "A pleasure to see you again, sir."

"Ah, quit with the fancy talk, kid. We're friends, not royalty. And this princess must be your lovely daughter, Kiara."

Kiara smiled.

"Geez, we must be old if these are your mates." Tojo said, smiling.

Kiara giggled. "This is my friend, Kovu. I guess, you could say we're... betrothed."

Kovu smiled as he nuzzled her. "Yeah, kinda."

"And this is my mate, Vitani." Kopa said.

"Well, you are all both handsome and beautiful and we welcome you all to our land." Tama said.

And that's this chapter, soon we'll meet Chumvi and Kula, hope you guys liked it, don't forget to review!