Kovu was slow to follow Kiara, head hung low. He didn't want Simba to see the scar and think of his uncle, not after what had just happened with Zira the night before. Not that there was really anything Kovu could do about it. Simba would see what had happened eventually.

The black-maned lion smiled when Kiara almost pounced her dad like a cub would, and couldn't help but laugh a little at how excited she was to see him okay. Timon and Pumbaa were nowhere in sight, though it smelled like they had just been here--the warthog's scent wasn't exactly easy to miss. Kovu couldn't smell any fresh blood on Simba either, which meant that he really was all right now.

Still...Kovu hung back. This was their moment as father and daughter. He had no right to be part of it.