Note: Hey! I watched Mufasa a few days ago, and it rekindled an old flame. I was obsessed with The Lion King as a kid, like I imagine you were if you're still checking this fandom. I used to daydream about these characters and even though I don't remember the details of those childhood ideas, I do remember what captivated me the most: in the end Simba chose to welcome Kovu into his family despite Kovu carrying Scar's memory. So, I typed this up today, I hope it brings a smile to your face. Enjoy! :)

Breaking the Cycle

Kovu stood at the edge of Pride Rock, his emerald eyes scanning the vast horizon. The herds stirred awake, birds took flight in lazy arcs, and the golden light stretched long shadows over the land. The world felt peaceful.

And yet, his chest was tight.

For as long as he'd been alive, he looked at the Pride Lands as a place he was meant to conquer. Now, it was his home. But his family wasn't the same. His brother was gone. His mother.

The sound of paws behind him pulled him from his thoughts. He didn't need to turn to know who it was.

Kiara nudged his shoulder, and when he met her gaze, her amber eyes shimmered with adoration.

"You're thinking again."

He cracked a smile. "I do that sometimes."

Kiara grinned and brushed her muzzle against his. "It's a good look on you. What's on your mind, hm? You worried about losing to daddy today?"

Kovu let out a scoff. "Please. He's the one who should be worried." He raised a brow, squinting an eye. Time to see who she was rooting for. "Do you think I'll out-hunt your dad?"

Kiara laughed. "Oh, I hope you do. He could use a little humility."

Kovu chuckled, and as Kiara leaned into him, he let himself relax. His heart swelled with love for her.

But the weight in his chest hadn't fully lifted.

While Simba had accepted Kovu after the battle, they still hadn't truly gotten to know each other yet. To Kovu's surprise, Simba was the one to invite him to a friendly hunt. Instead of the lionesses who usually handled the meals, they were going to do it today. But it was about more than that. It was about seeing which of them was the better hunter.

Time to find out.

The sun climbed higher as Simba and Kovu walked side by side. The earth was soft under their paws. Golden grass swayed around them, and in the distance, a herd of gazelle grazed, unaware of the competition about to unfold.

Kovu flicked his tail with a cocky smirk. "Don't worry in case you can't keep up with me. I won't tell anyone."

Simba let out a hearty chuckle. "I'll pretend I didn't hear that."

"Or if you need a head start—"

"Alright, alright." Simba rolled his eyes. "Let's define the rules. First one to take down a gazelle wins."

Kovu crouched low, his eyes gleaming with challenge. "Loser has to admit the other is the better hunter."

Simba scoffed before also dropping to the ground. "You're going to regret saying that."

Moving into position, each focused on a separate target. Kovu could feel the tension in his muscles. Anticipation surged through his veins. Time to prove himself.

"On my count," Simba murmured. "Three… two… one!"

The two lions bolted.

Kovu was faster. His body was honed by years of surviving on his own. He zigzagged through the grass, his eyes locked onto a gazelle at the edge of the herd. He pushed harder, paws pounding, closing the gap…

Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Simba make his move.

Kovu lunged too, claws drawing.

But Simba was already there.

A blur of golden fur, a precise strike, and within seconds, Simba had his prey pinned. The herd scattered, hooves thundering as Kovu skidded to a stop. He stared, catching his breath. Frustration flared in his eyes.

Simba looked up, grinning. "What was that you said about me being too slow?"

A snort was the only response he got.

Simba stepped back from his catch before turning to Kovu again. The teasing glint in his eyes softened just slightly. "You're fast, Kovu. You would've won if you hadn't hesitated."

Kovu lifted his head proudly. "I didn't hesitate."

Simba gave him a knowing look. "Didn't you?"

Kovu opened his mouth, but no words came.

The truth was, he had hesitated. Because his victories had always been for someone else's approval. For his mother. For Scar's legacy. And at that moment, in that split second when he was about to strike, he felt like a weapon again. And he just shut down.

Simba must have sensed his turmoil because his voice was quieter when he spoke again. "You remind me of myself, you know."

Kovu blinked. "I do?"

Simba nodded, glancing toward the horizon. "When I first came back to the Pride Lands, I thought I had to erase everything Scar left behind."

Kovu pressed his claws into the soil. "I don't understand how this—"

"—I was struggling. Truly." Simba stepped closer, his golden fur brushing against the tall grass as he watched Kovu carefully. "If it wasn't for Nala and my mother and everyone else, I don't know how I would have got through it. I can see you're struggling too."

Kovu's ears flattened. His tail twitched behind him. He forced himself to meet Simba's gaze but could only hold it for a second before looking away. Silence waited for him to say something. "I harbour so much hate inside me," he admitted, "and it used to be directed at you. I don't know what to do with it anymore."

Simba lowered himself beside Kovu with a soft sigh. "After I reclaimed the Pride Lands, I thought I had to hate Scar. I thought I had to hate everything that came from him. But you know what? Even Scar wasn't born the way he became. Hate is taught. And it can be unlearned."

Kovu swallowed, his throat tight. He thought of his mother. The venom she planted in his heart. The way she shaped his entire existence around revenge. That poison still lingered within him. How was he supposed to unlearn it?

"You don't have to live in the shape of someone else's expectations," Simba continued and smiled. "Not Scar's, not Zira's, not even mine. You get to choose who you are."

Kovu let out a slow breath, feeling something shift inside him. The weight of old ghosts remained, but it no longer felt as heavy. For the first time, he felt truly seen. Understood. "Thank you."

Simba nodded slowly, smiling down at him. But soon after, the smile shifted into a smirk, breaking the moment. "Now that we have that settled, I believe you owe me something."

Kovu blinked, then groaned. No. The bet.

"You're really going to make me say it?"

Simba grinned.

Kovu exhaled sharply, glaring at the ground like it had personally offended him. "Fine," he muttered. "You're the better hunter."

Simba beamed. "Louder, please."

Kovu shot him an exasperated look and Simba nudged him playfully.

"Come on, say it properly."

Kovu sighed, relenting. "You're the better hunter."

"Thank you," Simba said, tail flicking happily as he rose to his paws. "It just wasn't your day today, Kovu. Next time."

Note: Please like and review if you enjoyed it :) A question-would you like to read more? I wrote this as a standalone short, but today I came up with a plot bunny of where I could take this, and now I'm tempted to explore further.