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Making her way slowly up the slope of Pride Rock, her brother padding along quietly beside her, Kiara had to fight back an exhausted sigh as she looked up at the monstrous climb they still had ahead of them.
Today had gone nothing like Kiara had hoped it would. She’d barely performed any of her queenly duties, had gotten into several arguments with Kion and worst of all, had practically handed herself over as leverage to Janja. She had been so reckless to think she knew better than her brother, Kion really was more experienced than her when it came to dealing with the troublesome hyena and any smart ruler would have taken his advice on the matter.
But nope she’d just snapped and dismissed Kion’s advice as him being stubborn. She’d let her new sense of power along with Tifu and Zuri’s flattery go to her head and it had resulted in her lording her new position over her brother. That morning Kiara really had just been trying perform her royal duties when asking for Ono’s help on the morning report and she had even found Tifu and Zuri’s constant compliments and references to her title uncomfortable.
But after Kion had ignored her advice on the bees (and admittedly, she may have gotten caught up in Tifu and Zuri referring to it as her very first royal decree) she decided that her brother just couldn’t handle having her as queen and was jealous of her position.
And although that still could be true Kiara knew she had been wrong to treat her brother the way she did. In fact the more she thought about it she realised just how unfair she but especially Tifu and Zuri had been to Kion these past few days. Her friends had been consistently rude and dismissive of her brother, often talking over Kion or just flat out ignoring him. And she’d let it happen, even doing it herself and that wasn’t okay.
Thinking about how she could make it up to Kion, Kiara was suddenly shaken from her thoughts by a light but insistent tapping on her shoulder. Turning to face her brother she was met with Kion’s concerned stare, only then did she take in their surroundings. Apparently they had reached the step just below the flat rock outside their den, and from the look on Kion’s face she had been stood unmoving for a while. Shooting Kion an apologetic look, she gestured for him to go ahead.
Studying his sister curiously but reassured that she was now okay, Kion nodded in acceptance and proceeded to hop up the final step. But watching her brother made his was tiredly towards the den, Kiara couldn’t put this conversation off any longer.
“Wait! Kion!” Kiara called, moving to catch up to her brother.
Shocked by Kiara’s sudden call, Kion began to turn when something collided sharply with his side. Shaking his head to clear it, Kion groaned when he finally saw what had hit him. Above him stood Tifu and Zuri; both looking exceedingly smug as they kept him pinned to the floor, their attention solely on Kiara.
“Kiara! We’re so glad your back!” Tifu cried.
“Yeah! What took you so long?” Zuri whined
Watching in disbelief as her two young friends called out to her, seemingly ignorant to the fact they’d pinned Kion to the floor. Kiara finally felt her patience snap.
“Are you kidding me!?” she exclaimed.
Glaring angrily at her two friends, who upon hearing her outburst proceeded to look in Tifu’s case confused and Zuri’s offended?
“What’s wrong Kiara?” Tifu said.
“Yeah, why are you yelling at us?” Zuri sighed seemingly annoyed by Kiara’s way of addressing them.
Meanwhile Kion was completely confused, he knew he should have trusted his instincts. It was clear from her silence and how she spent the entire walk home zoned out that something had been bothering Kiara. But to have this reaction to Tifu and Zuri, when his sister was usually so patient with them? It didn’t make sense. Heck he’d been expecting Kiara to roll her eyes at them or maybe even laugh that they had managed to pin him. But now Kion didn’t know what to think.
Taking a deep breath Kiara tried to calm her growing anger, today had been long and stressful and although she’d had enough with Tifu and Zuri’s behavior, she didn’t want to yell at her two young friends.
“Tifu. Zuri. Let Kion up. Now.” Kiara said. Her tone much more even and controlled though still with an edge of anger to it.
Lowering their ears, eyes widening in shock at the order. Tifu and Zuri finally seemed to realise just how upset their friend was. Stepping off Kion’s chest, the two backed away silently as Kiara moved forward.
Rolling onto his stomach, Kion blinked up in surprise. Seeing her brother’s shocked expression, Kiara felt the pit of guilt in her stomach widen. Leaning down Kiara gently nuzzled her brother, licking his forehead as she tried to convey how sorry she felt.
Blushing, Kion tensed briefly stunned by his sister’s sudden affection. But sensing the genuine care behind Kiara’s gestures, a small smile graced Kion’s face as he began to gently nuzzle her back. Feeling Kion nuzzle her in return, Kiara released a sigh of relief. She’d been so worried that her brother wouldn’t react to her gesture.
Glancing over at Tifu and Zuri, noting that their shock had increased as she nuzzled her little brother. Kiara felt her resolve hardened. Playfully butting her head against Kion’s once more, Kiara turned to face the two.
Feeling Kiara’s gaze, Tifu and Zuri cautiously lifted their heads both trying to gage their friend’s next move. Seeing their uncertainty, Kiara smiled reassuringly at the young lionesses.
“I’m sorry I yelled at you both…” she said, making Tifu and Zuri both breathe a sigh of relief.
“But…” Kiara continued. Causing her friend’s facial expressions to fall once again into confusion.
“I need to talk to the two of you about your recent behaviour, but especially in regards to how you’ve been treating Kion.” Kiara said firmly.
Upon hearing his name, Kion’s eyes widened in shock. Moving forward to address his sister, he was cut off as the air filled with the indignant cries of her two closest friends.
“How dare you!” Zuri snapped.
“We haven’t done anything Kiara! Really we haven’t!” Tifu cried.
“You can’t just accuse us of things we haven’t done Kiara! What kind of queen are you!” Zuri fumed.
In their hysterics the two lionesses had moved forward. Zuri practically nose to nose with the future queen, while Tifu was on the verge of tears and snivelling at her feet. Surprised at her friends two very different but extreme reactions, Kiara knew she was doing the right thing. Meeting Zuri’s glare head on, Kiara stayed strong waiting for her friend to back down before turning her attention to Tifu. Nudging the other lioness gently back to her feet, Kiara paused waiting for the pair to calm down before responding.
“I’ll tell you what kind of queen I am Zuri. The kind who will not let my subjects disrespect each other, but especially when it’s me and my friends disrespecting my brother” Kiara said.
“But-“Zuri tried to protest.
“But nothing Zuri” Kiara stated.
“All day you and Tifu have been nothing but rude to Kion. If you weren’t being disrespectful then you were ignoring him and that isn’t okay”
“But Kiara like you said, you’ve been doing the same thing…” Tifu piped up quietly while still avoiding eye contact with her older friend.
“And that’s exactly why I will also be apologising to Kion. But now it’s yours and Zuri’s turn” Kiara said calmly.
Stepping aside and gesturing towards Kion with her head. Kion on the other hand still didn’t know what to think staring silently as Tifu and Zuri eyed him. And while Tifu appeared to consider what Kiara was saying. Zuri was giving him a look that could kill. Not one to back down from a challenge Kion met her glare with a fiery stare of his own.
“Guys…” Kiara said sternly.
Finally breaking her glaring match with Kion, Zuri turned back to her friend pouting as Kiara’s stern look intensified.
“I still don’t get why we need to apologise, I mean it’s not like anything we said was untrue. You are the future queen, so everyone should listen to you.” Zuri stated as though it should be obvious.
Eyebrow raised, Kiara stared blankly at Zuri. Trying convey how hypocritical her friend was being.
“Well obviously I don’t mean me and Tifu, we’re your advisors. The rules don’t apply to us.” Zuri continued.
Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, Kiara sighed loudly in exasperation. “This is exactly what I’m talking about guys. I might be the future queen but that doesn’t mean I’m automatically right about everything. And just because you’re my friends does not make you my advisors or immune to the Pridelands rules.”
“Of course it does!” Zuri exclaimed, Tifu nodding along beside her.
“No it doesn’t!” Kiara cried “Real advisors challenge their leaders, they offer their opinions to help them come to the best solution. Yes advisors can be friends of the monarch, just look at my dad with Zazu and Rafiki. But they don’t use their position to give themselves titles or ignore the rules.”
“I guess that’s true.” Tifu said.
“It is. In fact Kion was trying to be a real advisor today, but at every turn one of us shot him down.” Kiara said, looking sadly at her brother who was wearing an expression she couldn’t decipher.
Pulling her imploring gaze back to her friends, Kiara continued “This has to stop. You two are not my advisors. But if you someday want to be, you have to learn to listen. To be able to admit when you are wrong and apologise. So make the right choice because I can’t go on like this.”
“What do you mean Kiara?” Tifu asked.
“I mean I don’t want to be this. A rude, inconsiderate bully who surrounds herself with people who think it’s okay to act like that and if that’s really who you two want to be then I don’t think I want to be friends anymore” Kiara said plainly.
“What!” Zuri, Tifu and Kion exclaimed simultaneously.
“Over this!?!?!? But…but we’re your best friends Kiara!” Zuri stuttered.
“We’ve always been your best friends!” Tifu cried.
Moving to stand in front of his sister Kion also spoke up “Kiara you don’t have to do that for me, its fine really I-“
“No Kion it’s not fine. We were wrong and you deserve an apology, but I’m not only doing this for you Kion. This whole experience has also shown me who I want to be and how I want to rule one day. And if Tifu and Zuri only care about the status they gain by being friends with a ‘future queen’ over who I really am. Then I guess they really weren’t my best friends to begin with”
Mouths dropped open in shock Tifu and Zuri eyes darted to look at each other and back to Kiara before clearing their throats to speak. But before either could utter a sound, Kiara moved past her brother, lifting a paw to stop them.
“Don’t. Don’t say anything unless you truly mean it.” Kiara said watching as her two younger friends considered her words carefully.
Stepping up beside his sister Kion’s eyes flickered nervously between the three. Seemingly coming to a decision at the exact same time the two young lionesses looked up, eyes locking with Kion.
Clearing her throat Tifu moved forward first “I’m so sorry Kion” she said.
“Same here” Zuri said moving to stand beside Tifu “really sorry” she continued.
Staring into the pleading but sincere eyes of his sister friends Kion smiled slightly as some of the hurt that had been weighing him down over the day lifted.
“Thank you, for apologizing” Kion said, head turning from the two of them to smile at his sister.
Smiling warmly at Kion in return; Kiara turned her head, her smile widening and relief dancing in her eyes as she looked at Tifu and Zuri.
“Thank you girls, it means a lot and I am so proud of you” said Kiara.
Upon hearing their friend’s words of praise Tifu and Zuri beamed proudly.
“You were right Kiara, we shouldn’t have been so rude to Kion and I’m glad we apologised. And I’m really sorry we made you think that we only care about you because you’re the future queen” Tifu said, sighing as the knot in her stomach began to untangle.
“Me too” Zuri declared smiling “but Kiara I have to ask, what was different about today?”
“What do you mean?” Kiara said her brows furrowing.
“I mean yeah today we really did go overboard flaunting your royal status in everyone’s faces. But I’ll be the first to admit this isn’t the first time we’ve all been rude to Kion, so how come today made you so angry?” Zuri said plainly as Tifu raised her eyebrow curiously. Curiosity overwhelming him as well, Kion tilted his head to better look at Kiara as he eagerly awaited her response.
Looking between the three sadly, Kiara could feel her cheeks flushing red with shame “The truth is Zuri, I haven’t been happy with how I’ve been treating Kion for a long time or how I’ve let my actions influence how you and Tifu treat him.” Watching as the three cubs in front of her nod to show they were listening, Kiara shifted her focus onto Kion.
“I know we fight over silly things all the time, we’re brother and sister but somewhere along the way that changed and I began holding my future status as queen over you and I don’t like that.” Kiara stated pausing for breath before continuing. “So to answer your question Zuri, there was nothing different about today. I got so angry because…I finally got a glimpse of what the future could be like if I keep treating Kion this way. I don’t want us to be so caught up with trying to outdo each other that we put the kingdom at risk. As future queen and leader of the lion guard we have to be able to work together.”
Sensing her words were starting to sink in, Kiara locked eyes with Kion speaking her final point directly to him.
“But more importantly than a potential future is that Kion’s still my baby brother, I love him and I don’t want to lose him” Kiara said softly, watching as Kion blushed at her words.
“Aww that’s so sweet Kiara!” Tifu exclaimed.
“So basically you went all protective big sister on us? Huh at least we now know what happens if we mess with Kion again don’t we Tifu?” Zuri smirked.
“Totally Zuri” Tifu giggled.
Sensing Kion’s growing embarrassment at Tifu and Zuri’s teasing, Kiara sent them a non-threatening glare. But knowing her friends meant no real harm she smiled.
“That’s enough you two, besides I’ve kept you long enough. Your mother’s will be back from the hunt by now and probably wondering where you are” Kiara hinted. Eyes cast towards the setting sun.
“Fine” Zuri groaned. Moving towards the path that lead to the lionesses sunbathing rocks, while smiling good naturally at her friend.
“See you tomorrow Kiara!” Tifu chirped hurrying to catch up to Zuri, leaving brother and sister alone once more.
Watching her friends head off for the night, Kiara felt her nerves from earlier return. In front of her friends she’d felt brave, still on a high from getting them to genuinely apologise, Kiara hadn’t hesitated in telling Kion the truth. But now with her brother sitting silently across from her, Kiara had no idea how Kion truly felt about all she’d said.
Sensing a growing unease in his sister,
Kion tried to put on a comforting smile. But honestly the younger sibling was at a loss. Kiara’s honesty and openness towards him had been shocking to say the least. His sister hadn’t spoken like that to him in the longest time. When he was smaller, she used to say she loved him all the time. But that was years ago and they had drifted so far apart since then. And as Kiara’s training for queen intensified and he found his role in the lion guard the chasm between them had only widened.
Yet through her whole speech just now and her behaviour towards Tifu and Zuri, Kion had seen glimpses of his old big sister. The one he used to follow around everywhere, who would yell at anyone who dared say something unkind towards him. The sister who would come home and spend every night telling him stories of her adventures in the Pridelands when he was still too little to leave the den. And honestly Kion had missed her and until today he hadn’t realised just how much.
Shaking his head to clear his nostalgic thoughts. Kion was surprised to see Kiara had yet to move, her gaze still trained on him. Eyes full of worry mirroring the very look he’d given her earlier.
“Kion”
“Kiara”
Speaking at the same time brother and sister couldn’t help but smile before descending into laughter.
“You go first” Kiara giggled smiling warmly at her brother.
“Not it’s fine what where you gonna say?” Kion asked.
“Well look I know I’ve just spent last hour or so talking nonstop but in all that time I don’t think I actually said the words I’m sorry to you” Kiara stated.
“Kiara there’s no need honestly after everything you’ve just done? You just shouted at your two best friends because you weren’t happy with how they were treating me. You stood up for me and that means more than words can say” Kion said reassuringly.
But Kiara shook her head, eyes full of unwavering determination.
“While I appreciate that Kion, I need to apologise. Because it wasn’t just Tifu and Zuri it was me. I was arrogant and dismissive of you the whole day. You tried to give me advice multiple times and I ignored you what kind of sister does that make me!” Kiara exclaimed.
“You’re a great sister Kiara! Look today we both made mistakes! I ignored you about the bees and questioned every order you gave me and the guard. And that’s not my duty! As leader of the lion guard I’m supposed to help the king or queen. But you’re my sister! I should want to help you regardless! And I didn’t so what kind of brother does that make me!” Kion protested.
“What are you talking about Kion? You’re a wonderful brother! And maybe if Tifu, Zuri or I had listened to you, I wouldn’t have needed rescuing today. We steamrolled you every time you spoke up and all you were trying to do was help” Kiara said sadly, eyes trained on the floor.
“That’s not exactly true…” Kion sighed.
Eyebrows furrowed in confusion Kiara tried to respond “Of course it is-“
“No it’s not” Kion interrupted. “The whole day I acted out of jealousy! I wasn’t trying to be a good brother or advisor. I stubbornly thought that just because I’ve been leading the guard longer than you’ve been queen that I shouldn’t have to follow your decrees. It’s no wonder you didn’t trust my judgement on Janja. Heck maybe if I’d been more supportive instead of trying to one up you all day, I could have actually advised you about the meeting and you wouldn’t have been in danger. I’m just as much to blame for what happened today” Kion said, his head bowed in shame.
Seeing her brother looking so guilty, Kiara couldn’t stay still a moment longer. Moving forwards, Kiara bent her head under his chin, nuzzling Kion gently in reassurance. Relief flooding through him at his sister’s unwavering signs of affection Kion felt himself relaxing as he placed his head atop Kiara’s nuzzling her in return.
As brother and sister embraced, Kiara felt a sense of peace engulf her. It was reassuring to know that no matter how much they fight they were still there for one another and always would be. Pulling back from the embrace Kiara smiled warmly at her brother.
“I truly am sorry Kion, for everything. Because even if you were a little jealous of me it doesn’t excuse all I’ve said and done today. You’re the best and I don’t know what I do without you.” Kiara said softly.
“I forgive you Kiara and for the record I’m sorry too. I know whatever the future brings we can face it, together.” Kion said his eyes shining with pride.
“Of course we’re an unstoppable team” Kiara grinned.
Kion smiled in return before butting his head playfully against Kiara’s and turning to face the den. Following her brother’s gaze Kiara could see many of the other lionesses turning in for the night. Spotting Tifu and Zuri retiring to bed with their mothers Kiara sent them both a small smile which the two returned, before Kiara turned back to her brother.
“C’mon it’s getting late and we need to be up early to greet mum and dad tomorrow” Kiara said as Kion let out a long yawn.
“Whatever you say, you’re the boss…” Kion said.
“Exact-“
“For now” her brother carried on cheekily.
“Oy! Just remember Kion! You’ll always be my baby brother!” Kiara said laughing as Kion’s only response was to blush and stick his tongue out at her before heading towards the den.
“And I wouldn’t have it any other way” Kiara finished quietly. A peaceful smile on her face and she followed after her brother.
And as the sky above turned to darkness and the first stars could be seen from behind the clouds so too could the face of the great king Mufasa as he smiled proudly down at his grandchildren.