Chapter 16: A Family Reunion

Hay everyone, I'm here to give you chapter sixteen and a bit of crappy news. My computer is having major problems right now to where it's just shutting itself down at random moments. Because of that, I can't read over and edit my other chapters at the moment, but I was lucky to have finished editing this chapter. I don't think this is just a simple problem for my computer, I think I gotta get a new one since I've had this one for like four years. I'm working on fixing this situation and if things go right I might have a new computer on Monday, but I can't make any promises. So, I don't know when I'll be able to upload next chapter, but I hope you all at least enjoy this one for now.

During their night of watching the stars, Kion and Jasiri had fallen asleep in each other's loving embrace. They woke up a few hours after the sun rose, Jasiri waking up a couple minutes before Kion. When Kion woke up, Jasiri rolled onto her back and lifted up her left back leg, reached out with her left forepaw and grasping her back left paw, and gave him a simple, yet sweet smile, wishing him a good morning. Kion smiled at Jasiri giving him a sexy pose and reached down, gently scratching her chest and than her belly. As Kion did so, Jasiri's other back leg soon started to kick out and her tail wagged.

Kion noticed this and decided to tease her about it.

"Wow Jasiri, I didn't take you for one who kicks out and wags their tail when someone scratches your chest and belly." Kion said.

"What? I don't kick when someone scratches me." Jasiri denied.

"Oh, then what do you call what you're doing?" Kion asked

"I'm doing it on purpose to amuse you." Jasiri lied.

"Hmm?" Kion mused.

Kion started to scratch a faster, which caused Jasiri's back right leg to kick out and her tail to wag more rapidly.

"Okay, fine! I kick out when someone scratches my chest or belly." Jasiri admitted.

"I knew it!" Kion said.

"Hay! It's not my fault it feels so good." Jasiri said.

Kion continued to scratch Jasiri and watch her kick out and wag her tail for a few minutes before letting her up and the two made their way to the volcano. They ate some oryx meat they had left over from the other night before they decided to take a patrol through the Outlands to keep an eye out for anything that required their attention. Before they could leave however, Madoa came up to them and encouraged them to spend the day together since it was just the day after their wedding while she took care of the Outlands. Jasiri tried to turn down Madoa's offer, but Madoa reminded her that it was also Kion's birthday. Reminded that it was Kion's birthday and that his birthday last year had been a horrible one with confronting Rani and the fight between him and Janja, Jasiri couldn't help but feel like she had to take the day off to make it special for Kion.

Jasiri told Madoa that she and Kion would spend half the day alone together and would meet up with her to visit Pride Rock later. Madoa agreed and wished her sister and lion brother-in-law a good day. So, Kion and Jasiri went into the savannah to spend most of the day together. They soon came across a watering hole that nobody was drinking at. Looking at the watering hole, Kion saw that it was big enough to swim in and it had an overhanging rock that served like a diving board.

He challenged Jasiri to beat him to dive into the water from the rock, immediately taking off, not hearing her say it wasn't a good idea. Kion got on top of the rock and jumped off into the water and swam around for a little bit before suddenly getting a pain in his side. Jasiri helped Kion out of the water, saying that she was trying to tell him that swimming wasn't a good idea since they had eaten not even a half hour ago. Jasiri than massaged Kion's side to ease the cramp, which helped. Before moving on, they decided to get a quick drink from the small watering hole.

They drank in silence for a few moments before deciding to move on, well, at least Kion started to. As he walked away, he soon noticed Jasiri wasn't following him. He looked back to see that she was still drinking. He went to go sit by her until she was done, but as soon as he got close enough, Jasiri suddenly turned around and squirted water into Kion's face. Startled, Kion gave a small shout of surprise while Jasiri laughed her head off, saying she had been waiting months to do that.

Kion looked at the water and grinned mischievously at the thought of revenge. Kion used his paw to slap water into Jasiri's face, drenching her mane, causing it to fall into her eyes. Moving her mane out of her eyes, Jasiri tried to get revenge back on Kion, but he pointed out that they were even since they got each other once. Their little prank on each other over, the two headed back into the savannah, running around for a while, doing stuff to entertain themselves or just talking. After doing so for about two hours, they decided to head back to the small watering hole to swim.

They swam there for a couple hours. Before getting out, they met each other underwater and kissed as they resurfaced and held it until they managed to swim back to the bank of the small watering hole. The two feeling exhausted from running around and swimming all morning, decided to take a nap. They got into a sunny spot so that the sun would dry them off. Jasiri asked Kion to allow her to finally lay her head on his stomach, which he agreed to.

The two laid there for a few hours, all throughout the afternoon to late in the day. Jasiri woke up first, stretching out her stiff limbs and smacking her lips. She walked towards the water, looking down at her reflection she saw that her fur and mane were a little frizzy from drying in the sun. She smiled and lightly laughed at her reflection before scooping up some water in her paws to smooth down her fur. When she was done, she walked back towards Kion to lay down with him for a few more minutes before waking him up to meet with Madoa so they could visit Pride Rock.

She was about to lay her head back down on his stomach before suddenly realizing something. She looked down at Kion's belly, remembering telling him about the good hyena belief of tickling a lion's belly and making them laugh out loud made you lucky. Doing so didn't make a good hyena lucky in truth. It was just a prank made up by good hyenas on the contrary of bad hyenas saying there's nothing better than ripping open a lion's belly just as they wake up and laughing once they were dead. Luck granting or not, Jasiri wasn't going to throw away the perfect opportunity to pull that prank on Kion.

Giggling to herself, Jasiri placed both her paws on the sleeping lion's belly.

"Now, don't worry Kion, this won't hurt at all. You're just gonna feel a little tickle." Jasiri mischievously told the sleeping lion.

Jasiri took a deep breath before pressing her muzzle to Kion's belly as well, blowing on it while simultaneously tickling with her claws. Kion's eyes instantly shot open once the tickling began.

"WHAT THE!?" Kion shouted as he woke up before he started to laugh out loud.

Kion looked to see Jasiri tickling him. He tried to yell for her to stop, but he couldn't bring the words out. He thought this was going to go on for at least a minute or two, but it was all over after barley over ten seconds. Jasiri stepped away from Kion, laughing in victory.

"Victory and some fine quality luck is mine!" Jasiri shouted.

"Ah! Why did you do that?" Kion asked.

"Oh, I just told you why I did it." Jasiri said, still laughing.

Kion rolled onto his paws and stood up.

"Ugh. I know you wanted to get some luck from that good hyena belief of tickling a lion, but couldn't you have done it on another day, especially one where I'm not asleep?" Kion asked, a little annoyed by the rude awakening.

"Oh, no that wouldn't do at all." Jasiri said smugly. "It was too perfect an opportunity and besides it's also the perfect day for me to tickle you."

"And why's that?" Kion asked.

"You ever heard of birthday tickles Kion, one for each year of age?" Jasiri asked.

"Pfft. That's for cubs." Kion scoffed.

"Well, it was either four tickles or smacks to your rump. Your rump wasn't exposed enough for me to smack it since you were laying on your back and I personally wanted to get myself some more luck than I already have, because you can never have enough luck." Jasiri explained teasingly. "So, by process of elimination, you get tickled."

Kion grinned as he instantly thought of a comeback.

"Oh yeah, Well, what about birthday kisses?" Kion asked with a sly look.

Jasiri grinned and walked up to Kion, granting him four kisses, one for each year of age. She kissed him on the nose, both his cheeks, and finally on the lips.

"There you go, four birthday kisses." Jasiri said. "And here's one extra one just because you're such a cutie pie."

Jasiri licked across Kion's lips, savoring the sweet taste of the lion she loved so much and her body shivered because of it. Jasiri looked around before she leaned in closer to whisper something to Kion.

"Now Kion, would you like to know a secret?" Jasiri asked.

"Sure." Kion said, intrigued.

"You owe me at least four kisses now." Jasiri said.

"Of course, I do." Kion replied.

Kion leaned in to kiss Jasiri, but the hyena stopped him with a claw.

"You owe me at least four kisses now, because, well, it's not just your birthday today, but it's also my birthday." Jasiri revealed.

"It also your birthday today!" Kion gasped, having never been told when Jasiri's birthday was.

Jasiri nodded.

"Now, about those kisses." she said.

Jasiri closed her eyes and puckered up, waiting for a kiss, but it didn't come.

"Now hold on, hold on. It's your birthday and you want me to kiss you? Now I don't think that seems fair." Kion said.

"Huh, what do you mean?" Jasiri asked, confused.

"You tickled than kissed me and you want me to just kiss you. Now that doesn't seem fair is what I mean." Kion explained.

Kion stepped towards Jasiri, causing her to nervously back up.

"So, it's only fair if I tickle you before kissing." Kion threatened.

Hearing that, Jasiri tried to escape around Kion, but he kept blocking her from doing so. Kion soon backed Jasiri into a tree that she flattened herself against, exposing her belly, which Kion eyed.

"Besides I've just suddenly remembered that we lion's also have belief where tickling a hyena's belly will make you lucky." Kion lied.

Jasiri quickly spun around, hugging herself against the tree and protectively tucking her tail between her legs.

"You just made that up." Jasiri accused.

"Well than I'm going to make it a new official lion belief." Kion stated.

Kion grabbed onto Jasiri's shoulders and tried to pry her off to throw her on her back and start tickling, but she held firm.

"Is it too late to say sorry?" Jasiri asked, trying to talk her way out of this.

"You said the other night that when it comes to tickling, sorry will get you nowhere." Kion said, now trying to pull Jasiri off the tree by her back legs.

For the next five minutes Kion continued to try to pull Jasiri off the tree, but was unsuccessful, which soon got laughs out of her. Feeling burnt out, Kion stopped and sat down in the grass panting.

"Fine, but for your sake, you'd better hope you know how to sleep with one eye open." Kion panted.

Letting go of the tree, Jasiri smiled at Kion and walked over to sit down next to him. Jasiri looked up towards the sun and from its position, she judged that they had about four hours of daylight left. She thought about heading to get Madoa to go take their planned visit to Pride Rock, but she wanted to have a little more fun alone with Kion first and she had just the thing.

"Hay Kion, if you're not still mad at me for tickling your pudgy little tummy, can I ask a favor?" Jasiri asked innocently.

"Hmm, that depends." Kion replied. "What's the favor?"

Jasiri scratched her cheek a bit shyly.

"Well, you're going to think it's silly, but uh, I was wondering if you could… teach me how to roar?" Jasiri asked.

"Teach you to roar?" Kion laughed.

"Not in the whole magical Roar of the Elders type of way, just in the good old-fashioned, generic roar type of way." Jasiri specified.

"You are a very talented animal Jasiri, but for some reason I feel like learning to roar is going to be a very, very difficult challenge for you." Kion said with a playful smile.

Jasiri let out a single 'ha' in response.

"Have you forgotten who you're talking to? I live for the challenge, the tougher the better I say." Jasiri said, proudly holding her head up high.

"Alright, you convinced me." Kion said with a chuckle.

Kion got up and stood in front of Jasiri.

"Alright, let's begin." Kion said in a firm teacher's voice. "First, stand straight and firmly on all four of your paws and hold your head high."

Jasiri copied Kion's stance.

"Now, inhale, puffing out your chest." Kion said.

Jasiri followed Kion's example.

"And finally, let it out." Kion said.

Kion demonstrated, letting out a roar that was so powerful it not only blew Jasiri's mane back, it also made her skid back a few inches. When Kion finished, he looked at Jasiri, whose nose was slightly scrunched up and was waving a paw in front of her face.

"Not to be rude Kion, but your breath stinks." Jasiri said.

"Huh, sorry." Kion apologized.

"No big deal, we'll just wash your mouth out with water and some fruit juices later, but for now just don't roar in my face next time please." Jasiri said. "Now, let me try to roar."

Jasiri followed Kion's steps and attempted to deliver a powerful roar.

"ROAR!" Jasiri shouted.

Jasiri looked towards Kion, giving him a sheepish grin.

"That wasn't very impressive was it?" Jasiri asked the obvious, still managing to give off a laugh.

"That's putting it mildly." Kion said. "When you roar, you don't try to shout out the word 'roar.' Roaring is more of a very loud shout, a battle cry in other words."

Jasiri nodded and tried to roar again, but her attempt to roar just came out as a typical shout.

"Hmm, better, but what you really gotta do to roar is to basically growl and shout at the same time." Kion said.

"Okay." Jasiri said.

Jasiri tried to roar a third time, but it just came out as a strange sounding, not very loud growl. Despite knowing her attempts to roar were hopeless, Jasiri was still getting a kick out of her and Kion's little game.

"Haha! This is fun." Jasiri said, giggling.

"You've almost got it Jasiri, try one more time." Kion encouraged. "Put your heart into it, trying getting angry in a sense."

As one more encouragement, Kion gave off two more powerful roars. Jasiri grinned and gave a determined nod. She carefully followed all of Kion steps and explanations and when Jasiri opened her mouth…

ROOOOOOAAAAAARRR!

Kion's mouth fell open in utter shock as he stared at the hyena in front him who seemed to have produced a roar.

"Jasiri… was that you?" Kion dared to ask.

Jasiri looked at him confused.

"No, I thought that was you trying to play a trick on me to make me think I was actually able to roar." Jasiri shook her head.

"No, now that I realize it, that roar was from far away." Kion pointed out.

"But where from?" Jasiri asked.

Another roar suddenly broke out. Kion and Jasiri could sense in the roar that it was one of pain. They kept their ears focused for another roar to detect where it came from. A third roar soon echoed throughout the Pride Lands and it sounded like it was coming in the direction of Pride Rock.

"It's from Pride Rock." Kion pointed out.

"Is it your dad calling for some sort of gathering?" Jasiri asked.

"No, that isn't my dad's roar." Kion denied.

When the fourth roar came, Kion knew whose roar it was.

"It's Kiara." Kion realized.

"Why would she be roaring and why does the roar sound like she's in pain?" Jasiri questioned.

Kion shook his head, not knowing why, but realized what it was after thinking about it for a moment.

"Oh my gosh, Jasiri it must be time!" Kion said.

Jasiri instantly knew what Kion meant by that and began to run off in the direction of the Outlands volcano.

"If Kiara is giving birth than let's get Madoa and the others for this." Jasiri insisted.

Kion didn't say a word and just followed Jasiri. When they got to the clan, Kion and Jasiri didn't waste any time in saying what was going on and the clan followed them to Pride Rock. When they got there, they could see the pride was at the bottom of Pride Rock, Timon, Pumbaa, and Zazu were also with them. When they got closer, Kion noticed that Vitani and Kasi weren't there, so weren't his mother along with a couple other lionesses who had given birth before, Kovu, and Kiara, who let out another roar from above in the cave. Kion ran towards his father, who was surprisingly sitting calmly on a rock instead of pacing around and worrying about Kiara, though he was anxiously tapping his paw.

"Is what I think is happening, happening?" Kion immediately asked.

"Yes." Simba answered, turning towards Kion. "She entered less than half an hour ago. I sent Kasi and Vitani to get Rafiki and Makini, they should be back soon. Meanwhile, your mother along with a couple other lionesses are up there acting as her midwives. Kovu's up there to, males aren't usually allowed around during childbirth, but Kiara demanded to have us let him stay by her side."

"How is she holding up?" Jasiri asked, coming to stand beside Kion.

"Well, I believe that I did hear overhear Nala telling Kiara that childbirth isn't as bad as everyone might think it is and that she's especially sure after having her and Kion. Then I think Kiara shouted something that sounded like 'screw you, mom, this is…' uh, 'F-wording painful.'" Simba said, sounding slightly amused at the end with a small grin to back it up.

"Oh." Kion said, stopping himself from laughing.

Kion glanced up towards Pride Rock.

"If Kiara wasn't currently giving birth than I bet mom would have pinched her ears for talking to her like that." Kion said amused. "How much longer will it take?"

"Depends. For some it takes mere minutes, hours for others, even a whole day." Simba explained.

Kion and Jasiri nodded and went to sit amongst the rest of the pride and clan. As they turned around however, they could see Kion's friends coming towards them, including Fuli and Binga, who were taking it slowly for obvious reasons. Kion and Jasiri rushed over to meet with them.

"Hay guys! I'm glad you could make it." Kion greeted.

"We started coming as soon as we heard Kiara's roar." Bunga stated.

"And we ran into each other on the way here." Binga added.

"Yeah, literally." Fuli groaned, rubbing her head while giving the others an annoyed glance.

Kion gave a small chuckle at hearing and seeing that.

"Well, Jasiri and I would love to hear that story as we wait for Kiara to finish." Kion invited.

"That'll have to wait later Kion, we might have a problem." Beshte said.

Hearing that, the fur on Kion's back stood slightly on end and he gave off a soft growl. The Pride Lands couldn't have any trouble now, especially when his sister was in the middle of giving birth.

"What kind of trouble?" Kion asked.

Ono came hovering down in front of Kion.

"Just as we were coming here, Ona came up to us. She said that she and her friends were flying around near one of the borders and they saw someone coming towards the Pride Lands from in the Outlands." Ono reported.

Kion got a little paranoid hearing that and could help but suspect a certain somebody.

"Was it Janja?" Kion asked.

"No, Ona said it looked like a brown furred lion." Ono said.

"Brown furred lion?" Kion questioned.

"Was it alone?" Jasiri asked.

"From what Ona and her friends could see, yes." Ono said.

Jasiri looked towards Kion, who seemed to be deep in thought. Jasiri turned back towards Kion's friends.

"You guys tell Simba about this and that Kion and I'll take care of this lion if it means any trouble." Jasiri suggested.

Kion's friends nodded, understanding.

"Good. Let's go Jasiri." Kion said.

Kion and Jasiri bounded around the previous Lion Guard and made for the border that Ono pointed them towards. As they did, Jasiri looked towards Kion, who seemed to go back into deep thought.

"You okay there Kion?" Jasiri asked, concerned for her mate.

"Huh?" Kion responded, pulled out of his trance. "Oh, I'm fine, it's just when Ono said the lion had brown fur, it got me thinking."

"Really, what about?" Jasiri asked.

"I know it sounds paranoid, but it got me wondering if the brown furred lion could be Rani or someone from the Night Pride?" Kion revealed.

Jasiri frowned at the idea of this mystery brown furred lion being Rani. Why would Kion think that and if it was Rani than why would she come to the Pride Lands and what would the point be? If she had come to her sense and saw that what she did was wrong and came for apology, she doubted anyone, especially Kion would let her get even one-word in. Jasiri however agreed with Kion's thought of him just being paranoid and he probably was. They hadn't asked Ono if the brown furred lion was a lion specifically or a lioness and it was most likely a rogue.

Now, weather that rogue was peaceful or not or if it was somehow Rani, they'd soon find out.

"It's most likely just a rogue." Jasiri responded to Kion. "But if it is Rani than she's got a lot of nerve showing her face in the Pride Lands, especially on one of the two days from last year."

"We'll figure out soon enough." Kion replied.

"Oh, and I forgot to say this earlier and I know that now is not the time, but happy birthday you dumb lion, your present is you become an uncle." Jasiri joked

"Thanks." Kion replied. "Dumb lion, huh?"

When Kion and Jasiri were a third of a way towards the border, they slowed down to conserve their strength in case a fight broke out with this stranger. They were just a minute walk away from the border when Jasiri's nose suddenly twitched and she started sniffing the air, catching the unknown lion's scent and it was close. Jasiri pointed towards a group of trees and large boulders, all surrounded by tall grass where the lion would be coming from. Kion nodded, getting Jasiri's plan. Kion hid amongst the trees and tall grass surrounding them whilst Jasiri hid amongst the boulders.

Both were unseen and when the lion arrived here, Kion and Jasiri would jump out and demanded to know why the brown furred lion or lioness was in the Pride Lands and if they came in peace. Two slow moving minutes passed until the silence gave away to some grunting, panting, and the soft sound of grass being shifted around as it was being moved through.

"Oh, thank the stars and spirits, I've finally made it." the voice of the brown furred lion panted.

Kion and Jasiri could finally confirm by the voice that the brown furred lion was indeed a lion, not a lioness, but there was something else about the voice. The voice sounded familiar to Kion, a bit deeper than it should sound from when he last heard it, but it was definitely the voice of someone Kion knew. Kion glanced over to where Jasiri was, who was also looking towards him, knowing that he knew the voice. The voice was familiar to Jasiri to, not as familiar as it was to Kion, but familiar non the less. The lion continued to talk to itself as it got closer, sounding nervous.

"It was probably a mistake to arrive here today or yesterday, but it had to be one of these days. I just hope that Kion isn't mad at me." the lion said.

A chill ran down Kion's spine at hearing the lion speak his name. So, there was no doubt this lion was someone Kion knew.

"Even if he doesn't accept my apology, I hope he'll at least let me try to apologize." The lion said. "Aw, that must be Pride Rock in the distance. I hope he's there, if he isn't than they'll probably turn me away and I'll never get the chance to talk to him. And I really gotta learn to stop talking to myself."

The mystery lion paused for a few short moments before beginning to talk to themselves again.

"I wonder what's happened with Kion since he left. I wonder if he's still single again or if he's found a new mate. I hope he still lives in the Pride Lands at least and didn't decide at some point to leave so that we wouldn't know where to find him to apologize to him. Aaaaaaannnnd I'm talking to myself again. Aunt Nirmala was right, I should have had someone accompany me to talk with." The lion said to himself.

After hearing the lion mention the Tree of Life's lioness healer's name, Kion decided to stop hiding and jumped out, Jasiri following his lead. They both jumped in front of the lion who was about to pass by them, causing him shout out in startlement and jump back. Looking at the lion, Kion and Jasiri saw that he looked an awful lot like Kovu, but with a number of differences. The lion's fur was dark brown as opposed auburn-brown, his dark brown mane was streaked with lighter shades and didn't grow around his ears, he had blue eyes, spots on his cheeks, legs, and rump, the lion was bowlegged, but his most distinguishing feature was the marking of the Night Pride on his right shoulder.

"Baliyo?" Kion exclaimed.

"Kion?" Baliyo also exclaimed before breathing out, looking relieved, but also nervous. "Oh, it's good to see you, Kion."

Baliyo than looked towards Jasiri.

"And uh, you are again?" Baliyo asked.

"Jasiri." Jasiri answered.

"Yes, Jasiri." Baliyo said, remembering.

Baliyo than looked back towards Kion.

"Kion, what are you doing in this part of the Pride Lands?" Baliyo asked, hoping he didn't sound rude.

"A friend of Ono's saw a brown lion in the Outlands making their way towards the border. Ono told us and Jasiri and I came to see if that lion was a threat or not." Kion answered, still surprised to see his brother-in-law in the Pride Lands after a whole year.

"Well, as you can see, I'm obviously not a threat." Baliyo chuckled nervously.

"That much is true, but the question that I want to know is what are you doing all the way here in the Pride Lands?" Kion asked.

The awkward, nervous smile on Baliyo's face dropped, replaced by a sad and guilt filled look.

"Kion, I had been thinking about it for a while now and with it about to be a year since it happened, I decided to make my way to the Pride Lands. I've been traveling for just over a month and a half to speak with you." Baliyo explained.

"And what is it you wanted to talk to me about?" Kion probed.

Baliyo opened his mouth to talk, but no words came out. Baliyo looked away, unable to look Kion in the face. Kion could see that Baliyo was finding it difficult to find the right words that he wanted to say.

"Hay, whatever it is you have to say, you can tell me." Kion tried to say gently. "If it's about last year, despite what happened than, you technically are my brother still."

Baliyo looked back at Kion with sad eyes.

"Yeah, and that's exactly the problem." Baliyo said.

Before he spoke next, Baliyo used a paw to rub away the tears at the edges of his eyes.

"Kion, I came to the Pride Lands to apologize for everything that happened to you last year for the things Rani did and for what I did." Baliyo apologized.

"For the things you did?" Kion questioned.

"Rani wanted me to keep the conversation about her not really loving you between me and her and I agreed to it. You overheard us talking." Baliyo reminded.

"Yes, but I also heard her guilt tripping you into agreeing." Kion stated.

"Yet I still agreed despite knowing it wasn't right and that she was trying to keep me quiet." Baliyo said. "It's like you said, because you married Rani, you and I are brothers now and instead of telling you the truth like true family would, I ultimately decided to keep you in the dark and let you waste away your life by living a lie. It's just so frightening to think of how things would have gone if you hadn't been there that night or hadn't stayed hidden."

"Yeah, I think about that sometimes to." Kion empathized with a slight shudder.

"Rani wronged you and I wronged you Kion and after you left, neither I, my uncle, or Nirmala came to apologize to you for all that. Not a day goes by where the three of us, me especially don't think of that. When it was soon going to be a year since than, we decided it was time one of us made a trip to the Pride Lands to apologize to you." Baliyo explained. "We didn't even bother to think about sending Rani, because we knew she was the last one you or the Pride Lands would want to see and she still holds onto the belief that she was trying to do what's best for the Tree of Life. Uncle Surak and Aunt Nirmala need to oversee the Tree of Life. So, by process of elimination, we decided that I should be the one to journey to the Pride Lands. I agreed, since I wanted to go anyway and especially since I'm one of the ones who should be saying sorry."

"Baliyo…" Kion tried to say.

"I don't expect you to forgive Rani, because if a lioness did the same to me, honestly I probably wouldn't forgive her either. I'm at least hoping that you'll forgive me and not hold it against the rest of us, but I'll understand if you don't." Baliyo said.

Baliyo than closed his eyes and cringed back, fearing that Kion wouldn't forgive him and immediately send him back to the Tree of Life. However, that was not what happened. Baliyo felt Kion's foreleg reach around his shoulders and pull the surprised lion closer into a hug. Though stunned by the gesture, Baliyo raised his opposite foreleg and wrapped it around Kion's shoulders, hugging him back while Jasiri watched the scene with a smile on her face. After embracing each other for half a minute, Kion pulled away, giving Baliyo and reassuring smile.

"If I wasn't willing to forgive you, I'd have told you to get out of the Pride Lands as soon as I saw you." Kion said.

Hearing that, Baliyo smiled in relief.

"Besides, I never really felt anger towards you. I felt bad for you since you wanted to do the right thing, but Rani decided to hit low and use your grandmother's last wish from you against you." Kion explained.

"Yeah, but I still feel bad for allowing her to though." Baliyo said.

Before anyone could say anything else, a distant roar suddenly came all the way from Pride Rock in the distance.

"What was that?" Baliyo asked, looking towards Pride Rock.

"Oh, my sister is giving birth." Kion casually revealed.

"Wow, she's having cubs today… wait, it is your birthday, right, I arrived on the right day?" Baliyo asked.

Kion nodded.

"Wow, becoming an uncle seems like one heck of a birthday present. Congrats Kion." Baliyo congratulated.

"Well, at least you didn't call me a dumb lion." Kion said, glancing at Jasiri.

Jasiri just flashed her teeth at Kion before looking towards Baliyo.

"She's been in labor for almost an hour, if we go now than we might make it back in time before it or they are born." Jasiri said.

"How long does it take for a lion cub to be born? I've seen dozens of births at the Tree of Life, but never with another lion." Baliyo asked.

"Dad said there's no estimated time on it, even if she has just one it could take a couple hours. Anyways let's quickly get back to Pride Rock." Kion said, beginning to jog back to Pride Rock.

"Well, I hope there's some food at Pride Rock. I haven't eaten in four days." Baliyo said, jogging after Kion and Jasiri.

As the three made their way to Pride Rock, Kiara's roars happened less and less until they came to a complete stop.

"Huh, Kiara must have just finished giving birth?" Jasiri assumed.

Baliyo looked towards Kion.

"Hay Kion, if you don't mind me asking, what's happened ever since you came back to the Pride Lands?" Baliyo asked.

"Oh, well, Fuli is also pregnant, Binga to." Kion answered.

"Really, that's great! Have they had their children yet?" Baliyo asked, excited to hear that his old friend was pregnant.

"No, but they got pregnant around the same time as Kiara, but who knows? Maybe they'll have their children later tonight or in the next few days." Kion assumed.

"Oh, I have to make my way back to the Tree of Life soon, but can I at least stay until than?" Baliyo asked.

"Sure, but it is up to my parents." Kion answered.

"Okay, thanks." Baliyo said. "Let's hope your parents won't be mad at me for, well, ya know."

"I'm sure Simba and Nala will be okay with you staying in the Pride Lands for a bit, but if not, you can stay at the volcano with me and Kion in the Outlands." Jasiri assured.

Baliyo looked at Jasiri confused at the exact words of her statement.

"With you and Kion in the Outlands? Wait, so Kion doesn't live at Pride Rock with the rest of the pride?" Baliyo asked curiously.

Kion and Jasiri stopped and looked at each other.

"Oh, we haven't told him yet?" Kion realized.

"Tell me what?" Baliyo asked.

"Baliyo, a lot more has happened in the Pride Lands aside from the girls getting pregnant." Kion said.

"Like what?" Baliyo asked.

Instead of explaining with words, they explained with action. Kion gently placed his index toe/finger under Jasiri's chin to turn her head towards him. He than gently placed a paw on her cheek before leaning down and the two kissed. Baliyo looked at the lion and hyena kissing in front of him, completely gob smacked. Kion and Jasiri pulled and looked amused at Baliyo's shock, Jasiri letting out a laugh.

"No, this isn't a joke Baliyo." Kion said before Baliyo could ask so. "I have managed to find love again and, in a hyena, Jasiri, no one better."

"I bet it's a long story." Baliyo assumed, the look of shock still on his face.

"It is and not a fully good one honestly." Jasiri said.

"How come?" Baliyo asked.

Kion sighed before beginning to explain that part.

"Do you remember Janja?" Kion asked.

"Yeah, I remember seeing him during your and Rani's wedding. He seemed like a nice guy." Baliyo remembered.

"Not anymore." Kion shook his head.

Kion and Jasiri went through the whole story about Janja, how he and Kion got into a fight the night they left, Kion being a heartbroken mess for ten months, Jasiri and Kion confessing love and the plans for the clan's future, and everything Janja did after that. All the while, Baliyo listened intently to the whole story, showing great shock at the most intense parts.

"Well, I'm not one to wish the worst for animals, but I think the guy got what he deserved." Baliyo said. "I can't believe he did those things to try to force you two to break up. What a selfish… Ugh, must control urge to say something vulgar."

Baliyo than suddenly thought of something. If Janja was as irrational and unpredictable as the story made him sound, what if Janja partly blamed his family for this, Rani specifically. Rani not being more careful in keeping her true feelings about Kion a secret was the catalyst for Kion and Jasiri getting together eventually anyway and Janja would want to make her pay for that. Despite what Rani had done to Kion and him, she was still his sister and still loved her as so and didn't want anything bad to happen to her.

"Uh Kion, I understand if you could care less what happens to Rani, but do you think Janja could blame her for him and Jasiri ultimately not getting together and for everything else? That he could come to the Tree of Life and hurt her, like very, very badly, you know what I mean?" Baliyo asked worriedly.

Kion shook his head.

"Even though I'll most likely never forgive her for what she did, I still don't wish anything bad to happen to her and I don't think Janja is stupid enough to try that. I crippled him pretty good, he'd be a fool to try to kill her in the lands of the Tree of Life and think he could get far away enough to not get caught and followed." Kion reasoned.

"Whew, okay." Baliyo breathed, feeling better about it.

The three than continued towards Pride Rock.

"What's your story anyway Baliyo? What happened after we left the Tree of Life?" Jasiri asked.

Baliyo sighed sadly being asked that question.

"Things were bad when you first left. Everyone felt bad for Kion and were angry at Rani for what she did and me for agreeing to keep her lies a secret. Some even suspected that Uncle Surak and Nirmala were in on the whole thing, but they weren't." Baliyo explained. "Some animals that came to us for healing, but chose to stay at the Tree of Life left back to where they had originally come from. Some who came to us for sanctuary, but could afford to go back home even left. Uncle Surak and Nirmala worked for months to get the animals' trust back and they also helped me get the other animals to trust me again. Nobody trusts Rani anymore and never will however."

"We're sorry to hear that Baliyo, truly." Kion said.

"Thanks, you two, that means a lot." Baliyo said. "And since no one trusts Rani, someone needed to step up and take charge and Uncle Surak did so since he's the oldest living relative to my grandmother."

"But he can't do so forever, so how is the Tree of Life going to run if no one trusts Rani?" Jasiri asked.

"Yeah, we saw that. So, it was decided that when the time comes, I'll take Rani's place and become the King of the Tree of Life." Baliyo revealed.

"Really, that's great Baliyo. You're a very nice lion and the Tree of Life and it's animals would be lucky to have you as king." Kion said.

"Yeah, a lion like you really does deserve it." Jasiri agreed

"Thanks, but I'd rather become king by being older than Rani and not chosen to replace her because no one trusts her." Baliyo said.

"Oh, yeah, uh sorry about that." Kion said, feeling embarrassed for being so enthusiastic about it.

"Yeah, sorry." Jasiri also apologized.

"How is Rani by the way?" Kion forced himself to ask.

Baliyo sighed sadly.

"Not too good. She's mopey a lot and keeps to herself and is sometimes quick to anger, so lashes out a lot, not violently though. Like I said, she still keeps firm on that she was trying to do the right thing, but failed." Baliyo said.

Kion gave a small angry growl as he shook his head.

"After a year, I would have hoped she'd come to her senses a see that what she did was wrong, even if it was just a little." Kion said.

"Yeah, Uncle Surak, Nirmala, and I have forgiven her enough to the point where we still try to be a family and pride, but Rani just makes it so difficult most of the time." Baliyo said.

"But they're still doing okay, right?" Kion asked.

For the first time since Baliyo started explaining his story, smiled.

"There is one good thing that has happened since you left though. For Nirmala, it's Aunt Nirmala now, if you catch my drift." Baliyo said.

"Oh wow. I was wondering why you called her aunt a couple times. Well, when you go back home, tell Surak and Nirmala that I said congratulations and that they're welcome to visit me anytime." Kion said.

"Will do." Baliyo said.

Baliyo suddenly gave a tired exhale, lifting a paw off the ground to flex it.

"My paws are aching, are we there yet?" Baliyo asked.

As Jasiri began to tease Baliyo about his paws aching, saying it would help give him muscles fit for a king, Kion looked ahead. They were a hundred feet away and Kion could just make out the pride and clan waiting for them. Kion looked back at Jasiri and Baliyo mischievously.

"I'll race you two." Kion challenged.

Jasiri and Baliyo both gave Kion a look that said they were up for it. They stood with him side by side and got ready to run. Kion counted down from three and they all raced off when he shouted go. Baliyo being tired from walking most of the day fell behind in last place within seconds, soon followed by Kion. Seeing this, Jasiri laughed.

"Come on, I thought lions ran faster than hyenas." Jasiri called out, confidently slowing into a jog

"Well, you're the well rested one." Baliyo argued.

"And the most well in shape, opposed to warthog belly there." Jasiri teased, glancing towards Kion.

Jasiri than went back to running. Baliyo looked towards Kion.

"Why did she say that, other than being taller and having a full mane you look as fit as when I last saw you." Baliyo said.

"Take another look." Kion urged.

Baliyo did so and noticed that Kion did seem to have another pound or two on him.

"All thanks to Jasiri's weight coaching. She even got to lay on my stomach like it was a pillow this after noon when we took a nap by a small watering hole." Kion explained.

Baliyo just continued to look at Kion confused as they ran, having no clue what he just said. Kion and Baliyo finally caught up with Jasiri who was waiting amongst the clan and pride.

"I win." Jasiri declared as they arrived.

"You did, just don't rub it in or try to fat shame me." Kion said.

Kion than looked around and noticed that his mom was amongst the rest of the pride now. Speaking of the pride, they were all looking curiously at Baliyo, not recognizing him, so was the clan and everyone else. Simba got down from the rock he had been sitting on and made his way over to Kion and Baliyo with Nala. Baliyo noticed the curious, but also suspicious looks on his parent-in-laws' faces and looked nervously at Kion.

"Don't worry, they're not going to bite your head off even when they find out it's you." Kion assured.

"You sure about that?" Baliyo questioned.

Kion's parents came and stood in front of them before he could retry to assure Baliyo.

"Kion, is this the rogue Ono told me about?" Simba asked, eyeing the rogue.

"And if so than why would you bring him here?" Nala questioned, thinking he looked familiar unlike her mate.

"I brought him for a good reason and he's not a rogue." Kion answered.

"Who is he than?" Nala asked.

"It's Baliyo and he's come all the way from the Tree of Life." Kion revealed.

Simba's suspicious immediately turned to anger along with Nala and others who heard.

"That's even worse." Simba growled.

Simba pushed past Kion, getting into Baliyo's face, growling.

"You've got a lot of nerve showing your face here after everything you Night Priders caused my son. Especially on a day like today." Simba spat.

Baliyo fearfully backed up.

"King Simba, sir, please, I…" Baliyo tried to reason, but Simba and Nala for that matter weren't having any of it.

"Silence!" Nala demanded.

The rest of the pride along with some of Jasiri's hyenas started to circle Baliyo, staring daggers at him. Kion quickly stepped in, gently pushing his father away from the frightened lion.

"Dad, I assure you that Baliyo isn't here to cause trouble. He came here because he wanted to apologize for everything that happened at the Tree of Life with Rani." Kion explained.

"Oh, well that's funny, because I specifically remember being told this piece of spoilt meat agreed to keeping Rani's confession about her feelings towards you a secret." Simba said.

"And that he wanted to tell me the truth until Rani guilt tripped him into keeping it a secret." Kion pointed out.

"That doesn't change what he did though." Simba argued.

Some of the pride members couldn't help but feel a sense of déjà vu at seeing Simba distrust Baliyo, who looked so much like Kovu and someone defending him. From where he was watching, Timon glared at Baliyo and moved his hands over his upper arms like he was rolling up the sleeves of a shirt.

"Night Priders, ain't nothing but trouble. Manipulating our best pal's son and youngest child." Timon said. "I'm going over there."

Timon jumped off Pumbaa's snout and began to make his way over to Baliyo, but Binga held him back.

"Uncle T, no." Binga said

"No, seriously. I'm gonna go over there and punch him." Timon said, fighting against Binga's grip.

Back over with Baliyo, Kion was still trying to calm his parents, his dad most of all.

"Dad, Baliyo and I talked it out and he is truly sorry about it. Let's please talk about this later or tomorrow and just enjoy Kiara and Kovu's cubs' birth." Kion reasoned.

"Grrr. Fine, we can talk about him and his being welcome to the Pride Lands tomorrow, but tonight he sleeps in the Outlands, away from Kiara and her cubs. Nala says she gave birth to two by the way, both of 'em boys." Simba said.

"Thank you and that's great to hear." Kion said.

With Kion and Jasiri finally back, everyone began to make their way up to the cave to see the newborn cubs. However, when Baliyo tried to come up, Simba firmly pushed him back with a paw.

"No! Not you!" Simba said.

"Dad!" Kion protested. "Kiara and Kovu's cubs are his family to, he deserves to see them."

"He's right Simba, he deserves that much at least." Nala agreed with Kion despite not liking Baliyo being here as much as her mate.

Simba groaned in annoyance, but stepped aside. As Baliyo walked by though, Simba grabbed onto the back of his mane roughly and pulled him back.

"Just stay where I can see you boy. Got it!" Simba asked roughly.

Baliyo smiled nervously and nodded his head.

"And wipe that silly grin off your face!" Simba demanded.

"Dad!" Kion protested.

"Please quit treating him like he's dangerous, he's not." Jasiri assured.

Simba just snorted and let Baliyo pass. With there being no more troubles, everyone entered the cave where Rafiki, Makini, two midwife lionesses, and Kovu were with Kiara, who wasn't awake. Kion noticed this and got a little worried. He stepped forward and nudged his sister's cheek with his paw.

"Kiara, are you okay?" Kion asked.

"Don't worry, she's fine." Makini assured.

"Yes, just passed out from exhaustion is all. Mothers do that sometimes after birth, especially when she's been in labor for over an hour." Rafiki further stated.

Kion gave a relieved exhale, knowing his sister was alright, the constant roars had been worrying him. Kion along with everyone else than heard the soft mewing of newly born cubs along with a sucking sound. Everyone gathered around to look at Kiara and Kovu's two cubs who were sucking for milk. One cub had peach colored fur like Kiara's, but it was a darker shade, so was his underbelly, being more creamy brown in color, it had the smallest of mane tufts, which was a darker red than Simba's mane, and had a pink 'Outlander nose'. As for the other cub, its fur was auburn-brown like Kovu's, but just slightly lighter, a light beige underbelly, it also had a small mane tuft that was brown with a unique patch of dark red shaped like an arrowhead on the front of it, and it had a black 'Pride Lander nose'.

Both cub's eyes were still closed, leaving their eye colors a mystery for around a week. Everyone gushed over the sight of the two cubs, many commenting on how they looked like a prefect blend of Kiara and Kovu's traits and how cute they looked.

"Those two are cute, what are their names?" Baliyo asked Kovu.

"We're waiting till Kiara wakes up to name them." Kovu said.

"Okay. Well, while we wait can someone point me in the direction of food? I haven't eaten for four days." Baliyo said, looking somewhat embarrassed.

Simba stepped forward and opened his mouth to question on why the pride should waste meat that they worked hard for on him when he can get his own. Nala however, while still giving Baliyo the cold shoulder was still more courteous and generous towards the young lion.

"There's still some meat in the back from this morning's hunt. Help yourself, just leave enough for Kiara when she wakes up." Nala said.

Baliyo followed where Nala's paw was pointing. He thanked her followed by a respectable bow of his head and marched off towards the back with Kion and Jasiri following him. As the three walked off, they could hear Simba and Nala begin to get into a small argument.

"Nala, we are supposed to be a team against him." Simba stated, pointing towards Baliyo.

Filled with concern, Kion looked towards Baliyo, who now visibly looked uneasy about being in Pride Rock now.

"I can't really say I blame him, but I at least thought your dad wouldn't be so aggressive." Baliyo said. "During the wedding, I took him as the guy who doesn't have a mean bone in his body."

"Yeah well, my dad can be, putting it mildly, a real big jerk when it comes to problems surrounding his children. Especially when it comes to them getting manipulated it seems, but like you said, you can't really hold it against him." Kion said. "Don't worry about it though, a stern talking to from the more levelheaded members of his family as well as a friend or two and he'll treat you like family."

"I'd like that, especially since I am family." Baliyo said with a chuckle.

Baliyo finally saw the meat in the back of the cave and quickened his pace towards it.

"Oh yeah, here we go." Baliyo said eagerly, licking his lips.

Baliyo bent down and bit into a piece of meat, as he did a scream rang throughout the cave. Baliyo dropped the meat and jerked his head up.

"Uh, since when does meat scream when you bite into it?" Baliyo asked.

"It doesn't." Jasiri said.

The three looked back towards everyone else and saw that Fuli and Binga weren't acting right. When the two shouted out in pain that's when they realized it.

"Uh oh, looks like we're about to have a triple birth at Pride Rock today." Kion observed.

After less than half an hour a being in labor, Bunga and Binga and Fuli and Azaad's children were finally born. Fuli had birthed a son and Binga a girl and everyone was happy to see more young animals being born. Baliyo congratulated his old friend as well as Fuli and asked if they had any names in mind. Bunga immediately jumped in and enthusiastically suggested Bunga Jr. for his and Binga's daughter, but Binga laughingly argued that Bunga Jr. sounded too much like a boy's name. Fuli and Binga decided that they'd come up with names tomorrow and just spend quality time with their children tonight.

Seeing that Kiara hadn't woken up despite Fuli and Binga's labored screaming, Kion and Jasiri decided that it was time they took the clan back to the volcano, Baliyo along with them. They bid the pride farewell and left for home. While there, Kion and Jasiri filled Baliyo in on everything else that happened, that Madoa and Nne and Cheezi and Chungu were in a relationship with each other respectively, which the young adult Night Prider congratulated the two other couples on. Baliyo laughed out loud when Jasiri elaborated on her using Kion's stomach as a pillow, which he had mentioned to him earlier. When Jasiri wasn't around, Kion whispered to Baliyo that despite telling Jasiri she only had a month to enjoy it, he actually thought about keeping the little extra weight he gained just so Jasiri could have her 'Kion tummy pillow,' which Baliyo encouraged.

When Kion, Jasiri, Baliyo, and the clan made their way back to Pride Rock the next day, they ran into Bunga, Binga, Fuli, and Azaad with their children and the rest of Kion's friends. They were told Bunga and Binga had named their daughter Busara and Fuli and Azaad named their son Mbio, which they all liked. Grouping up together, they all made their way to Pride Rock, where Kiara and Kovu were laying amongst the grass with their cubs. Kiara immediately got up to warmly greet Kion, Jasiri, the others, and even Baliyo, who Kiara showed no animosity towards. Kiara took a moment to gush over Busara and Mbio before eagerly leading everyone towards her cubs, who Kovu was making sure did crawl off.

Kiara introduced them to the one with dark peace fur, stating that he was the oldest and had named him Umoja, which meant unity. Baliyo stated that he liked the name and curiously asked if there was a reason, they named him that. Kiara confirmed it, stating that not long after the Pride Landers and Outlanders united and just before Kion came back, Kiara suggested to Kovu that when they have children, they name one of them Umoja in honor of that unity. Kion congratulated them on finally having that wish fulfilled before asking about the other cub's name. Kiara said that his name was a little harder to come up with, saying that they had thought about naming him after their grandfather Mufasa or Kovu's dead brother, Nuka, but felt they just didn't fit.

They went through a bunch of other names that meant things like peace, greatness, blessed, pure, kindness, compassion, heart, hero, savior, protector before settling on the perfect name. Kiara revealed that they had decided to name their youngest son and future leader of the Lion Guard, Gozi.

"Gozi? Wait, Kion, isn't your full name Kiongozi?" Baliyo asked.

"No, I've always been just Kion. My parents just shortened my name to that." Kion explained.

"And so, have Kovu and I, just to Gozi." Kiara said. "He is going to be leader of the Lion Guard one day, which is just as important as being king or queen of the Pride Lands. We also wanted to honor you after all you've done for the Pride Lands, creating the best Lion Guard any Pride Lander could ask for, showing us that it doesn't have to be made up of just lions, and for all the things you went through, the good, the bad, and how happy we are that you're back home."

Kion was speechless and just continued to stare down at the auburn-brown cub who was helplessly crawling around blind, mewing for his mother. Kiara laughed suddenly and rubbed the back of her neck with his paw, somewhat embarrassed.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to go into a dramatic speech there about why we kinda named him after you and I guess it is kinda embarrassing to have a nephew kinda named after you. If you don't like it, I'm opened to changing it." Kiara offered. "Besides I was kinda fond of Amani or Heri or maybe even Sawa in honor of you and Jasiri?"

"Huh? Oh no, no, no, no, no! It's fine, it's perfect." Kion frantically assured. "Gozi is a perfect name for a prince and future leader of the Lion Guard."

"Well, of course it does genius, because like Kiara said, he's kinda named after you and both your names together mean leader." Jasiri teased.

"And I guess that also means when the time comes, Kion will be the one training him to lead the Lion Guard and how to use all the techniques of the roar." Bunga said, nudging Kion in the leg with his shoulder.

"Better than Vitani, because that lady is harsher than Kion ever was." Chungu said.

"And scarier to." Cheezi further stated.

"Well, it makes sense since he's mastered everything there is to know about the roar." Ono said.

"Well, I might be a little rusty since I haven't used it for a long while." Kion stated. "And besides, because of what happened I don't really like to use it anymore, but if it's for Gozi, I'd be happy to teach him, if he'll let me when the time comes."

"Oh, I'm sure he will." Kiara said.

As Gozi and his brother continued to crawl around, Fuli and Binga brought theirs over and set them down amongst the cubs. The four soon found each other and began blindly interacting.

"Well, look at that, they're already making friends with each other." Cheezi said.

"Yeah, they sure are." Chungu agreed.

Bunga looked at Kion and Fuli as the young animals started playing with each other.

"Just look at that, future fiercest, bravest, and fastest members of the next Lion Guard right there." Bunga stated.

Kion and Fuli chuckled and looked at each other.

"Yeah, future members of the next Lion Guard." Kion said.

In the days that followed, Baliyo, backed up by Kion and Jasiri, talked with Simba and Nala about being welcomed to the Pride Lands while visiting. Nala's attitude towards Baliyo improved while Simba's didn't much. He tolerated Baliyo enough to allow him to wonder around freely and acted curtiously towards him since he was still a royal lion of another land, it's new future ruler, and was still weather Simba liked it or not his son-in-law, but was still antisocial with him. Nala assured Baliyo that Simba would warm up to him eventually, even if it took till his second or third visit. At some point, Kion told Baliyo about the good hyena belief that making a lion laugh out loud like a hyena by tickling their belly and asked him to help get Jasiri back.

They found Jasiri napping under a tree and went into action. They turned her over and Kion began tickling Jasiri's belly while Baliyo pulled on her forelegs from the other side of the tree to keep her from struggling too much. Kion tickled Jasiri for much longer than she did him originally since it was a few days after her birthday, so Kion got some well-deserved payback. A week after the birth of Kiara's cubs, they finally opened their eyes. Umoja had emerald green eyes like Kovu while Gozi had the reddish-brown eyes of his mother.

Four days later, Baliyo decided that it was finally time for him to make his way back home. Baliyo said his farewells to the pride and all his other friends in the Pride Lands. Kion and Jasiri escorted him to the far Outlands border that Baliyo had used on his way to the Pride Lands to see him off.

"It was nice to see you again Baliyo, truly." Kion said.

"Yeah, same. You to Jasiri, thanks for being one of those who welcomed me from the beginning without any animosity." Baliyo said.

"Don't sweat it blue eyed Kovu." Jasiri teased.

Baliyo looked towards Kion.

"Is she always like this?" Baliyo asked with an amused grin.

"Only on Fridays." Kion joked. "I know, I picked a good one… even if she wasn't my first choice."

The three soon finally made it to where they'd see Baliyo off.

"Well, this is where you guys see me off, I guess." Baliyo commented.

"Indeed, come visit us anytime you like Baliyo." Jasiri insisted.

"Oh, don't worry I will. I'll come visit every four months if I can, not including how long it takes me to get back home though." Baliyo said.

"At least we'll have something to look forward to, and asante Baliyo. Thank you again for coming all this way despite how hard it must have been to, physically and mentally." Kion said.

"Oh, it was, but I'm glad I did though. I arrived just in time to see your sister's cubs be born, along with Fuli and Binga's." Baliyo said.

"Yeah, I'm glad when I look back on that day and the day before for years to come, it'll be of something good and not of something bad." Kion said.

"It was great to see all those young animals born in the span of one evening, but also kinda sad honestly." Baliyo said.

"Sad? How come?" Jasiri asked.

"Umoja, Gozi, Busara, and Mbio's births show just how much Kiara, Kovu, Bunga, Binga, Fuli, and Azaad all love each other as mates, yet you two will never get to experience that." Baliyo said.

Kion and Jasiri each gave Baliyo a nod of understanding with their faces slightly dropped.

"Ahhh! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make this a bummer moment." Baliyo apologized, mentally punching himself.

"No, it's okay Baliyo. Jasiri and I knew this when we first decided to become mates and we accept it." Kion said.

"Besides, it's not being able to have sex and children that determines animals becoming mates, it's weather you love that animal for who they are is what really matters." Jasiri said, nuzzling into Kion's mane.

"Yeah, I suppose your right Jasiri, but if you could I bet you two would make some cute little lion-hyena kids." Baliyo joked.

That got a laugh out of Kion and Jasiri.

"Yes, that would be great, but it's impossible." Kion said with a sad smile.

"But who knows, maybe we will have a kid someday, somehow." Jasiri said optimistically.

"Oh yeah, Timon and Pumbaa would be proud of us following in their paw and hoofprints." Kion laughed.

"Well," Baliyo cut in. "I've dillydallied long enough, I'm off now. Good-bye for now you two."

Baliyo turned and began to make his way for home, Kion and Jasiri waving him off.

"Bye Baliyo and thank you!" Kion called out.

"See you later!" Jasiri called out.

Kion and Jasiri continued to wave until Baliyo was out of eye sight. Kion and Jasiri than looked at each other and smiled.

"I guess we should be heading for home now." Jasiri said.

"I'm right by your side." Kion said.

"Good, because I didn't want you in front or behind." Jasiri laughed.

Jasiri than started to lightly chuckle as she whispered to herself.

"Though if I had to choose, I'd rather you go ahead so that I could enjoy the view." Jasiri whispered.

"What was that?" Kion asked.

"Oh, nothing." Jasiri giggled.

Kion and Jasiri turned around and made their way for the Pride Lands to meet up and hang out with their friends. As they walked, Jasiri started to think.

"Kion?" Jasiri addressed.

"Yes?" Kion asked.

"What's next for us? Janja is no longer a problem, you and I are married, my sister has got a boyfriend, Cheezi and Chungu are together as well, Baliyo has come and apologized for everything that happened last year, your sister has children as well as some of the others." Jasiri explained. "I know I said we'd take this one day at a time, but I want to know what you think. What's next for everyone, for us?"

Kion looked up at the sky and puffy white clouds with a stoic look, contemplating the future.

"I don't know, who knows what the future will bring." Kion said before smiling down at Jasiri "But whatever it is, we'll face it together, you and I."

Jasiri smiled back and took hold of Kion's paw as the two made their way to the Pride Lands, ready to face the future, whatever it brought them. As they walked, Jasiri started to sing.

(Jasiri sings "The Parting Glass")

And that ends chapter sixteen, making it time for the four part epilogue. I told you all we'd be seeing the Night Pride again and that would be in the form of Baliyo, who has told us what's been going on with the Night Pride back at the Tree of Life. He was the only option really since other than Rani he was the one who had a big part to play in her continued manipulation of Kion by keeping it a secret and he'd want to apologize for it even if he didn't want any part of it and because it's highly unlikely the Pride Landers would let Rani get a word in after what she did, and Surak and Nirmala need to do continued damage control. After eleven chapters we finally got cubs and that means it's time for name meanings. As it was stated by the characters, Umoja's name means unity in Swahili in honor of the unity between the Pride Landers and the Outlander lionesses; a little trivia on Umoja, for those of you who have read my Scarred Pride fanfic will obviously know about Kiara and Kovu's first born in that story, Taka II. Well, back before the story of the Scarred Pride was even created and Taka II was still an only child, his original name was Umoja since because of it's Swahili meaning, it seemed like a name Kiara and Kovu would pick for a cub of theirs. Obviously I ended up not using that name and since this fanfic is a completely separate AU, I decided to use that part of the old concept. Kiara and Kovu's second cub, Gozi, as stated, is part of Kiongozi, meaning leader in Swahili. You see, for some fans, they think Lion Guard would have been a bit better if it was placed after the second movie and Kion was made the son of Kiara and Kovu instead and I kinda agree with that since there were some plotholes and some characters personalities didn't exactly line up with their movie counterpart like Simba not being overprotective of Kiara in the show as he was in the movie, and I could also see Kiara and Kovu naming and cub something that meant leader and so I decided to play around with that concept with Gozi. Just because I mentioned them, the other two names Kiara suggested, Amani and Heri mean peace and blessed in Swahili. Now, Bunga and Binga's daughter, Busara, her name means rational in Swahili and Fuli and Azaad's son, Mbio's name means race in Swahili. Seems like Simba and most of the pride and some of Jasiri's clan aren't big fans of Baliyo right now, but don't worry, their relationship will improve, just off screen, or I guess off page in this case.

Fun fact: That sexy pose Jasiri gives Kion at the very beginning of the chapter, that's based off a piece of art from DeviantArt of Jasiri doing the exact same pose I described her doing. I can't do links, but if anyone wants to see that art it's called "Outlands Beauty" by someone named Specky-Arts.

Well, that's it for this chapter anyone, in the next one we spend some time with Umoja and Gozi. Hope I get to read over and edit that chapter soon so I can share it with all of you, but until than everybody, please leave a review, have a good night or day, please read by other fanfics and review them when you can, stay healthy, and God bless.