As Asafa had arrived close to the pride rock, Zazu flew to him.
"Your majesty, where did you go? Are you fine?" Zazu asked in worry.
"Don't worry Zazu, I asked Rafiki for some advise." Asafa clarified
"What have you decided?" He asked.
"I'll wait and speak with him when he wakes up. If there is goodness in him, I'll give him another chance, after all, he did sacrifice himself in the end..." Asada said before turning silent.
"And if there isn't?" Zazu asked nervously
"If he insists on walking in Scars footsteps, then I'll give him the same ending as well." Asafa said in a colder tone.
He didn't want to kill a son of his, but if it was to keep everyone else safe, he wouldn't hesitate.
Two days passed on before Tukufu awoke. No one knew if he would survive or not, but luckily he did. All his siblings were relieved that he seemed fine except for the fact that he lost a foot.
As everyone celebrated, Asafa kept an eye on Tukufu... What surprised him, was that he noticed how Tukufu's eyes had changed...
It used to glint with greed and schemes, he used to hide deep thought behind those eyes.
But now, it seemed to carry heavy guilt and sadness.
'Did he really change?' Asafa wondered.
"He seems different..." Zahara commented as she stood beside Asafa.
He simply nodded.
"I don't know what you're keeping to yourself, but you know we'll be there for you if you need us, right?" Ayana said as she noticed his expression.
Nala just nodded.
Asada understood where they were coming from as they could probably read the atmosphere and understand that Asafa was struggling with something. But this wasn't something he was willing to share easily.
After all, if Tukufu had changed for the better, then it might be better that those that love him aren't aware of his evils deeds. So Asafa had to deal with this on his own until he was sure of what he would do regarding Tukufu.
"Everyone, leave, I need to speak with my son." He commanded to everyone, including his wives.
What he was about to say to Tukufu, and what was about to be revealed, it was better for Tukufu's mother and sinlings to not know.
All of them looked at their father, they had just started celebrating.
A few of them were about to protest but when they saw the serious expression om his face, all of them looked at each other before leaving the cave. They realised that their father wasn't in a state where they could easily challange him.
Asafa walked forward to Tukufu while staring him in the eyes, yet, Tukufu couldn't meet his father's eyes as his eyes fell down in shame.
"Tukufu, I am aware of what happened... Because of you.." Asafa said.
Tukufu looked at his father in horror.
Tukufu had always felt like he should be the next king.
And although he held sentiment to his siblings, he felt like he was superior.
That arrogance led to him slowly corrupting his view of his own siblings. In the end, one thought kept hunting his mind. The thought that if they disappeared, all his problems would be solved.
This was a thought he tried to get rid of for a long time, but the older he got, the stronger the feeling got.
And when they started the battle with the corocdiles. He felt his greed overtake him as this was a once in a life time chance.
His greed and impatience overtook him... Until his plans failed due to unexpected move from a crocodile.
And at the moment he was about to die, he felt something unexpected, he felt relief that his plan failed and that his siblings might survive. After all, even though he held greed, bitterness and arrogance in his heart, there was also a dot of love towards his siblings.
That little bit of love for his siblings decreased by the year, but by this point, it hadn't extinguished yet.
And when he was about to die, he felt a hint of relief that he failed his plan.
He had spent his short life looking down on his siblings, to the point that he had forgotten all the good times they've had, he had even forgotten how dear they are to him...
It was at that moment he realised this.
But the next second, Mohatu jumped in front of him, ready to die to protect him... And it was only at this moment that he came to realise the fool he had been. That was when regret and shame overtook him.
For a second he felt like he was the scum of the planet. Luckily his uncle jumped in and gave him enough time to scan the area.
He made his calculations and pushed both of them into safety, ready to die in their stead.
By doing this he could at least make up for the stupid decision to kill his family, by helping them survives.
This was the payment he had accepted, to give his life for trying to kill his brothers.
But to his disappointment, he didn't die, no, he lived so he could carry this shame, this regret all in secrecy for the rest of his life.
Maybe that was a fate worse than death? Maybe he deserved that? No, it gets worse, the one person he truly looked up to, his father seemed to see through it all.
Although disagreed with his fathers way of seing things and his way of ruling, he still held insitncitve respect and love for him.
"You almost killed tour brothers and the others, I should kill your night here and now." He said in a ngry tone.
Tukufu's head fell down in shame. He couldn't look his father in the eyes.
"What should I do with you? If I banish youx you might come back in the future with more schemes...." He said with a pause, waiting for Tukufu's repsonse to that.
Tukufu seemed to crawl into himself in shame when he heard that.
He realised that if he hadn't come to reason during the battle, and kept being like he was, this was something he might've done for real. That's why he felt even more shame.
Asada smiled in relief seing his son's reaction, feeling that there was still hope for him.
Tukufu hid his face and couldn't see his father's facial expression.
"I can't leave you unpunished for the big crime you have committed against your own blood. So tell me what I should do, Tukufu."
"Death... Is the only punishment fitting for me." Tukufu said almost in a whisper. His tone was filled with shame.
"But I can't do that either, I couldn never kill a beloved son of mine..." Asada said in a soft tone.
Tukufu looked up in surpise, almost not believing what he had heard until he saw the soft smile on his father's face.
"B-but I tried to kill them!" He said in fear, trying to push his father to see how he really felt.
"Mm.... But in the endz didn't you try to sacrifice yourself to save your brothers?" Asada asked back, his tone had changed from the harsh, angry tone to a softer, forgiving tone.
Tukufu looked away, realising that his father might be willing to forgive him, but even then, he felt like he didn't deserve the forgiveness.
"Still you've committed a grave crime, so I should punish you." Asada said as he started thinking hard.
Thkufu sighed in relief, at least the could pay for what he had done.
"I know... From now on, you are to demolish all ambitions you have for the throne!" Asfa said seriously.
Tukufu looked at his father again with side eyes.
"And then, you'll spend the rest of your life, to live as the advisor to your brother when he becomes king, and do your best to make sure that the pride lands prosper. This is your punishment, do you accept it." Asada said a heavy tone that demanded respect and submission.
Tukufu could only start weeping as he realised that his father had given him another chance to better himself.
Before he knew it, Tukufu was dragged into a big hug.
"Tukufu, are my beloved son, and part of me, as I am part of you... As are your siblings, you are.my legacy" Asafa said as he hid the weeping Tukufu in his embrace.
"One day, my turn to turn into dust will come, and you'll continue to carry my legacy. Can I trust you to protect what is left of my legacy when that day comes?" Asada asked seriously.
He felt Tukufu nod his headz but he seemed unable to speak.
Outside the cave, Simba sat down while listening in. He sighedz feeling that it was good that he didn't become king.
'Asafa, I truly couldn't do what you do... I'm sorry I left this heavy crown to you, but only you could do it.' Simba thought in a sigh before standing up and leaving.
If Asada didn't say anything about this matter, then he would have no opinion about it.
That's the trust he puts in his brother.