A little late? Heheh... ehhh... sorry. My bad. I promised myself I would finish this during the summer... last summer. So, I promise to do it this summer! For real. So here you go!

Neither exchanged a word as Vitani and Azdgari sprinted northward. There was no shooting the breeze. Their typical banter was conspicuously absent. They were lions on a mission, and both felt the full gravity of the situation bearing down upon them.

But for all the silence on the surface, both lions' minds were aflame with thoughts and passions, and not only regarding the coming confrontation. When they drew near to the outskirts of the Pridelands, Azdgari's nose perked up. Stopping, he sniffed at the air. "They're close," he whispered.

Vitani nodded. "Shouldn't we have some sort of plan?" She queried with a hint of concern.

Plan… Azdgari ruminated, his tail twitching. He rapidly ran through a list of scenarios in his head. Although there were endless permutations, there were two basic possibilities. Either the battle group would see reason, or they would kill Azdgari and Vitani and step over their bodies to Pride Rock. Not too much there to build a plan on, Azdgari surmised. "Plan? I think we're going to have to wing it," he replied with much more bravado than he actually felt. He was about to gallop onwards when Vitani jumped in the way with an inscrutable but determined expression. Azdgari felt his heart jump in anticipation.

Allll… I… Have been doing…. Is… Sprinting!

Kivu actually thought his legs were going to give out. Urgency was starting lose the battle to exhaustion for the young cub. So much had changed so fast, so much had happened. It was overwhelming. A day ago his responsibilities were a speck on the horizon. Now, his dads' hopes, the entire pride's hopes, were riding on him.

He's getting tired, Tama noticed in between her frenzy strides. He's got to stay strong! Her mind raced frantically to find something to motivate Kivu. Suddenly, a mischievous smile crept across her face. Got it. Edging closer to Kivu, she shoved him off course, just enough to make him stumble. "Tama, what the heck?" He yelled.

"Catch me if you can!" She challenged, sprinting even faster. Kivu couldn't help but smile. Just like old times. You won't win this time, Kivu thought with conviction unknown to his old self. With a great effort, he raced forward to catch Tama.

"Do you think Kivu and Tama will reach the others in time?" Kiara panted as the prince and princess dashed towards the western edge of the Pridelands.

Kovu nodded. "They have to," he responded resolutely. "And they will." And Kovu believed it. Never in his life had Kovu been as proud of his son as in the last few hours. I know you'll make me proud again, Kivu.

Kiara nodded, reassured by her mate's confidence. If you believe, then I will. She could feel the determination radiating from Kovu. This was his time. This was his Scar, his Hyenas. Kovu had been ready to lay his life down for his kingdom the second Rafiki crowned him prince. Now it was time to back that promise up. And I will be by your side, Kiara thought. Now and forever. As the pulled closer and closer to the western rim, Kovu stopped them both. He squared himself towards her and gazed past her eyes deep into Kiara's soul.

"Kiara, I love you." There was no more Kopa could say, no purer poem he could compose.

Kiara felt her heart so full of love she thought it might burst free from her chest. "Kovu, I love you too. Forever and ever." They leaned in, touching muzzles in an intimate moment that spoke far past the point where words failed. From strangers to friends to lovers to the future king and queen. Now it was time for them to shoulder that responsibility.

After an eternal moment, the pair parted nuzzles. With no more to be said, they continued their journey.

"Az," Vitani began, "You know our chances here are… pretty long, even for us." She was trying hard to maintain her composure, but she felt her toughness evaporating in the morning sun. "Things might go south. Really south. And…" she paused for a second, closing her eyes. With a breath, she threw caution to the wind. "And I don't think I can let that happen without saying how I fee—" She was cut off mid sentence by Azdgari closing the gap between them in a swift stride and burying his muzzle into her neck. Vitani's eyes grew to absurd proportions just as her heart made a run for it, trying to escape out her mouth. "A-a-az?" she stammered?

Azdgari extricated himself long enough to look Vitani in the eyes. Hers, brilliant, electric blue. His, icy and deep. I always felt… held… by those eyes, Azdgari thought to himself. "I feel the same way," he told her softly. And then they were in an embrace again, with all the energy, the fear and elation and emotion of the coming battle channeled into it. "And we'll be fine. I promise," he whispered into her ear like a secret. She only pulled him closer.

And then it was over. They turned together, facing the outskirts of the pridelands, and, beyond, the land and people they were fighting for. She'd once been jealous that the Pridelands were her brothers' to rule, but now she realized her place in the world. And right now, it was between the Forest battle group and Kovu's pride. With unspoken consent, the pair raced forward to decide their destinies.

Confusion swept across Kivu's brow as the pair of cubs dashed up the steps of an empty Pride Rock. Why is nobody here? The massive monolith stabbed the sky, ensconced in an eery silence.

Tama's face lit up. "Ravi!" she exclaimed.

A cool breeze swept through the Pridelands, dancing through the morning air. Carefree and fearless, it flitted its way over rolling hills, through valleys and across vast plains. As the breeze passed them by, all the creatures of the Pridelands, the striped Zebra, the mighty Wildebeast, and the smallest fly, felt ill at ease. The normally benign gusts carried with them a heavy sense of foreboding that weighed down on everything they blew past. Skittish, the Zebra galloped to their families. The birds fluttered about nervously, perching themselves upon their sky-kissed homes in the trees, seeking safety. Even the mighty Wildebeast was anxious, pawing the ground uncertainly.

The winds of war usher us on, mused Scia as the wind ran through his coat, urging him and his fellow pridelanders forward. The fanfare of the heavens, blowing at our backs as we march to our destiny.

I know, not much action. Just setup, and a chance for me to get back into everyone's heads. Looks like we're on a collision course for next chapter though. I'll brush up on my lion fighting knowledge. Major kudos to anyone who's stayed with me on my... year? Year-ish hiatus. I'll finally reward your patience now.