A/N here it is. The last one. I'm sorry if it seems like a weak ending or anything like that, but I really couldn't decide what to do with it.

Thanks for reading everybody, especially those of you who've been with me awhile, i couldn't have finished it all if you guys hadn't liked it and kept comig back.

Here's the last reviewers: Fiona Fargazer, Pichooi, jla2snoopy,SoulSingerJenna, Nala5,SunRise19, and KariGilmore

Thanks especially to Morpheus Dreamer and Bloodshy Testament, you uys are great!

The first chapter of the prequel is also going up tonight, but there's no title yet. You should be able to find it through my profile/bio page thingy.

Thanks again to all of you!

x x x

Hadiya wandered along the path, her steps somewhat stiff from being unused to walking. It had taken her a few days to convince Osono to let her take a walk, despite Max declaring several times that she was perfectly fit now. She appreciated their taking care of her, but what she really needed now wasn't healing, it was time.

For the first time since she had awoken she was really thinking about what had happened. She had lost control of herself. Throwing herself from a tree, what on earth was she thinking? It had gotten rid of Pazu, but was it worth the pain she nearly caused to everyone?

She stepped off the path, at the same cliff where she had fallen asleep while she was talking to Timon just a few days earlier. Glancing around to see she wouldn't be bothered, she settled herself onto the same stone. She was very glad Pazu was gone, but in the back of her mind she realized it.

She had done the very thing he'd said she would.

"He was right..." she murmured, burying her face in her hands. A rustle moved through the grass behind her and she glanced at him silently as he joined her.

"No he wasn't." Timon said softly. She didn't look at him, but crossed her arms looking slightly angry.

"I feel so dirty. Timon...I killed somebody."

"You had to do it." his voice was stern, so unlike him that she turned to look at him, quite surprised. He looked down and concentrated on his hands, realizing that he had sounded a little too much like his uncle. "What I mean is...you were defending yourself. If you hadn't done it, there's no telling what he would have done. Besides, if you hadn't done it, I probably would have killed him myself."

"You couldn't have done that, you're too kind." Hadiya frowned, her gaze set on the waterfalls that made up the middle of the oasis.

"I could too...didn't you see it? I fought!" he pouted, and a smile crossed Hadiya's face. It didn't last long.

"Timon, what if he was right? I know it was self defense, but...what if really am a..." Timon scooted closer, slipping an arm around her. She didn't seem to notice and kept her gaze on the distance. "I know I have a temper, but to have actually hurt someone...even someone like him..."

"Hadiya, you're not." she pulled away, sniffling.

"But what if I am?" she said a little angrily. "I know, I had to, but the fact remains that I still did it. Timon, I don't know if I'll ever be able to forget this." she sighed and went quiet for a moment. "Maybe...maybe I should just go..."

"What?"

"I need to get away from here. Once the colony finds out what happened, it'll be worse than it was before. I won't be able to stay here."

"That's not going to happen." Timon said. She turned her head to look at him, wondering vaguely what he meant by it.

"Timon, I don't want to cause you guys any more problems."

"What problems?" he shrugged, as if the idea was absurd. "Look, Max has already decided that we're going to keep this from everybody who doesn't already know. So far everyone thinks he was watching for us and fell out of the tree on his own." this didn't seem like a very believable thing, but some meerkats have a tendency to believe what their leaders tell them, believable or not. Hadiya was suddenly hopeful at the prospect of staying.

"So, no one's going to bring it up?"

"Nope."

"And what about Amani?"

"She's been let off on account of being forced into it. And no, she's not telling either. You're free to mingle with society without worry."

"You're sure?"

"Absolutely."

"So...so you think everything will be okay after this? I mean, all that stuff he spread around?"Hadiya asked, biting her lip worriedly. Timon smiled.

"They'll forget it all soon enough." she brightened instantly and this time the smile stayed. "It'll be great, just like home!"

"It is home!" she jumped up, pulling him with her and they began dancing together around the tiny clearing of the cliff edge, spinning about and laughing. After a moment they stopped and Timon pulled Hadiya to him. "So, you're staying. With me?" he asked. With a laugh she kissed him and hugged him closer.

"Of course."

"That's what I was hoping you'd say." neither of them spoke anymore. After all that had happened it was enough that they were there together. The setting sun cast a warm glow over them. Hadiya smiled into Timon's fur.

Things had never felt more perfect.