missed you and I’ve always want to see this place. Daddy was quite proud when I asked to come,” Kiara replied brightly, her eyes sparkling

“I wasn’t expecting that answer,” Kopa laughed

“Imoo… I’m sorry about Zira and Nuka,” Kiara said looking directly at her cousin. “Daddy told us everything. It doesn’t change anything for me, I don’t care you’re Scar’s son.”

   Kiara’s voice ran with almost heart-breaking sincerity that caught in the throat of the leopards and brought a tear to Imoo and Kamaria’s eyes. Imoo looked at her with compassion that burned brightly from his heart.

“Hearing you say that means a lot to me Kiara,” Imoo replied, his voice breaking. “Mother once told me Nuka would be willing to die for her cause. I told her the day would come when she would regret those words. They could not escape the past, I pray they can rest in peace.”

    Tears fell freely from his eyes, the grief overwhelming him for despite what Nuka and Zira had done they were still his family. Seeing his pain Kamaria put her paw around him, his head coming to rest on her shoulder.

“You and I need to have a long chat,” Kopa said softly turning to Kiara. “All this is hard to take in added to the fact you are engaged to our cousin’s half-brother.”

“Kiara has grown up Kopa. You will be tired from your journey, rest for a while,” Bakari said gently.

          Laying in a hammock of vines suspended between two tress Kiara slept the morning away. At the same time Kopa and Imoo lay in tress thinking over what the news meant for them. Laying alone Kopa felt a sense of dread at the coming days knowing full well his life was about to change.   

     In a different tree Imoo tried to make some sense of what had happened. Everything had come as a complete shock. In fact he was finding it hard to believe what had taken place. All his hopes and fears had come true in the same moment. The grief was almost overwhelming despite knowing for years this day would come.    

___________________________________________________________________________

       At sunset Kiara and Kopa headed out for a walk unknowingly retracing their parent’s steps exactly. Walking across the rocks under a waterfall the pair took a running jumping into the water, managing to catch vines and swing in. Surfacing they splashed each other with water, their laughing ringing throughout the jungle. Reaching a log in front of a waterfall they laid down, their tails dangling above the water.

“This place is beautiful, I can see why you stayed here so long. Kopa is something wrong?”

“I’ve just struggled to get my head around everything that has happened, especially your betrothal to Kovu,” Kopa sighed looking into the water.

“Our pride is still having trouble with that. I know we are too young to get married…I just hope things can get better.”

“The hardest thing is how much you’ve changed, you’re almost an adult.”

“I wish Daddy and the pride could see that, they still treat me like a cub. I’m not like you Kopa, I’m not a leader,” Kiara replied sadly.

“Kiara you’re not fully grown yet, just give yourself time. The pride grew up during a time of turmoil where as you grew up during a period of relative peace. All you lack is confidence.”

“You’re the smart one Kopa. You’re the one who should rule, I’m not fit to be queen.”

“I’m not sure about that anymore Kiara, a lot of things have changed since I’ve lived here,” Kopa replied shifting from paw to paw. “Anyway enough about me, tell me more about what happened.”

    Listening to Kiara’s tale Kopa felt a sense of dread, anger, regret and sadness wash over him. Feelings of duty long forgotten surfaced once more. A heavy weight descended onto his heart as he realized what was to come.

___________________________________________________________________________

     While brother and sister were catching up in a different part of the kingdom Imoo and Kamaria stood in a valley where two waterfalls plunged down onto pools before the water merged into a might river. The light of a new moon was reflected into the pool of both waterfalls.

“Kopa and I had chance to talk earlier. We both know we have to do as Simba has requested and return to the Pridelands. Once he had talked to Kiara that will be even clearer to him. We both miss our home,” Imoo began softly.

“I understand if I would do the same thing. You are involved. You need to go back to help set things to right. I love you if going back will make you happy then that is fine with me,” Kamaria replied with a sad smile.

“You are amazing Kamaria. I love you with every fibre of my being. Come back with me, come back with me and we can make a life there together.”

“Come with you? Are you sure?” Kamaria gasped in shock.

“With all my heart. Without you my life would be meaningless,” Imoo replied his eyes shining with sincerity.

“Would the pride accept me? After what happened with my father Malka……..”

“They would accept you. They accept me despite my earlier life. I know them, they will see what I see.”

“I love you part of me is just scared to leave,” Kamaria replied, a note of fear on her voice. 

 “There is no need for you to fear. I always felt like something was missing in my life until I met you know I realized you were the missing part,” Imoo replied kissing her.

“Imoo since you we met I have been happier then I ever thought possible. I will go back with you, life without you would be empty.”

“Kamaria you have made me the happiest lion in the world, nothing will ever part us,” Imoo replied.

        Under the star filled sky two cubs of the night took each other as their own. The light of Kamaria (meaning moon) had illuminated Imoo’s dark world. Imoo’s darkness had allowed Kamaria to truly see how brightly her white fur shone.    

___________________________________________________________________________

         The following day Kopa, Kiara, Imoo, Kamaria and Bakari assembled by the river. It had been a long night for all concerned. In the pale light of day it was time for some serious decisions. After a long night of thinking Kopa moved to speak.

“I’m going back home.”

“You don’t need to explain that land is your home,” Bakari replied kindly.

“I and Kamaria will be joining you,” Imoo said.

“I’m happy for you. All of you will be sorely missed, it has been a pleasure having you here. Kamaria I am glad you have true happiness,” Bakari said smiling widely.

“I could not live without Imoo,” Kamaria replied smiling gently.

“We’ll never forget our time here Bakari,” Kopa replied, placing a paw on his shoulder.

“All of you should stay for a few more days at least to tie up loose ends.”

“Good idea Bakari, we can’t go without say goodbye,” Kopa replied smiling sadly.

“I agree. This has been our home for over a year. Despite what happened here I have had some good times here,” Kamaria replied.

       With that statement the gathering broke up, Imoo, Kamaria and Kopa heading off to tie up their affairs and tell other friends of their plans, leaving Kiara and Baraki alone. Alone for the first time the pair looked at each other. When Bakari had lived in exile Kiara had fallen in love with him he is turn had come to see her as sister.

“Kiara come with me I want to show you my home,” Bakari said smiling softly.

“I’d love that more than anything,” Kiara replied.

     Walking along the river Bakari began to show Kiara his home. As they past other leopards he introduced her, many of the older ones seeing her resemblance to Simba. With smirks and sly grins they related tales of adventures had by Simba and Bakari’s father Tafari. Many of the tales involved the pair getting up to all sorts of mischief causing their children to laugh with delight.

         Walking deeper into the jungle the pair passed gorillas, elephants, monkeys and hundreds of chattering birds. At their feet stunning flowers in brilliant colours grew and burst from the foliage. Together they climbed high into the jungle canopy. Breaking through a roof of leaves Kiara gasped as they pair found themselves in the midst of a nest of butterflies, each one displaying a different set of dazzling colours. On gossamer wings the butterflies fluttered over to them, some landing gently on their bodies while others put on an acrobatics display. In formation they formed the outlines of a flower, a bird, a star and a lion. Leaving the butterflies the pair walked through the tress until they reach the edge of a cliff. There the entire kingdom was stretched out before them. Laying on thick branches they watched the world go by in peaceful silence.

“Do you remember the last time we met?” Kiara asked breaking the silence.

“I do. I told you about love. I have that with my queen Zuri.”

“I thought about what you said when I met Kovu again, despite what he

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