The Lion Guard: Friends to the End AU

Epilogue: Forgiveness

Forgiveness... Can you imagine... Forgiveness... Can you imagine...
(Hamilton mood again. But I'm not wrong, technically... Anyway, this chapter was planned out by the amazing Cheetahpaw)

Kion stood face to face with his friends again. He noticed Bunga was eyeing him with concern and a hint of wariness. Kion looked down at his paws, he knew exactly why Bunga was wary of him, And he has every right to be... 

His gaze drifted to Fuli, immediately his throat went tight, he felt as if he was back in the tunnels again. He couldn't bear to look at the scars he gave her, let alone make eye contact with her. He knew that she probably still held a bit of resentment towards him. The two locked gazes for a moment, neither of them could read each other's expressions. 

Then, as if on cue, Fuli started to pad towards him, Please don't run...

He took a step back, his fur bristling with fear, fear of what she might do if she got any closer, fear of what he might do. Do I run or  do I fight back or do I let it be...?

Fuli froze in place, Please don't run away again...  

Luckily, Kion stayed put. He closed his eyes and sighed, Lomri's few final words rang through his head. "Well, I've done my part. Now, you do yours." 

Kion lifted his head and opened his eyes, making eye contact with Fuli. And that's exactly what I'm going to do...

"F-Fuli... I..." he trailed off. 

"It's okay Kion," she attempted to reassure him. 

"No..." Kion growled, almost to himself. He was now furious with himself for injuring her, and now she was willing to forgive him! She shouldn't forgive me at all...! "It's not okay, Fuli. I hurt you... I almost KILLED you. I'm dangerous to you and the rest of the Guard," Kion said, his voice breaking. 

 "You're not dangerous!" Fuli protested. "It... It was just your scar. Once we get you to the Tree of Life...-"

"No..." Kion managed to choke out a whisper. "I'm... I.. It's just too dangerous," Kion finally spoke. "I'm too dangerous... " 

"Kion..." Fuli took a step forward and licked the scar over his eye. Kion tensed a little as she pressed her cheek against his in a reassuring manner, her eyes closed. "Please... come with us." 

 "I can't..." Hot tears streamed down the lion's face. 

 "Please. I know you can make it through this. You're not evil. Not now, not ever," Fuli stated firmly, her eyes opened up a little. "I believe in you. We all do..." 

"I recommend that you listen to the cheetah in charge," Bunga added.

Kion looked at him and the rest of his friends, Makini, Beshte, Ono, and Anga. They all held reassuring looks and they seemed to tense a little. They all gazed at him hopefully, as if trying to convince him to stay. Should I go with them? I might end up hurting Fuli again, or one of the others. I might even kill them next time...! 

"Please." Fuli's plea rang once more. "I know you can make it through this. You're not evil. Not now, not ever. I believe in you. We all do..."  

"O-okay," he said in between shaky sobs. "I'll come with you..." 

🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾

Kion couldn't help but purr as Fuli continued to gently lick his wounds. It felt as if he was a tiny cub again, being groomed by his mother. He also pressed his cheek against a moss soaked with ice-cold water for his bruise from Bunga's punch. Cold droplets trickled down from the moss, his fur was damp and the bruise was beginning to feel numb, but Kion didn't care. He was only focused on Fuli's tender, comforting grooming. Nearby, Bunga, Beshte, Ono, and Anga were fast asleep and Makini was just gathering the pulp Beshte helped create by crushing the same herbs she used on Fuli's injuries.