Kiara pouted. "It's not fair! Why can't I see Kovu? You wouldn't know what it was like, Mother!"
Kopa frowned at her. "Beat it, kid," he growled.
Kiara continued, oblivious to her older brother's warning. "YOU had playmates when you were younger! You have no idea what it's like!"

Nala shot to attention and glared at her daughter through a huntress's eyes. "You're right, my dear," she snarled. "I did have playmates. I had many. Tama, Kula, Chumvi, Malka, Tojo and of course, your father. Your grandfather was murdered, and we were lead to believe your father was too. My friends were murdered in front of my own eyes. So was my mother. It was just Tama and myself for a very long time. When Scar tired of her, he killed her to show us he was in charge. He took me prisoner and every day had his way with me until I had to run away or face insanity. But yes, I did have playmates. So I mustn't know what you're going through."

The words had the desired effect on the snooty princess. Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped, staring straight ahead but not seeing anything. When she finally turned to look at her mother carefully, Kopa brushed her aside.
"Don't be stupid, girly," he warned. "Get out."
Kiara was too afraid to look back and ran to the safety of her father's mane.

Kopa moved to sit back down beside Nala. Luckily for Nala, Simba preferred the possibility that Kopa was his son, than the certainty he was not. Luckily for Kopa, he bore so much resemblance to King Mufasa, that Simba was satisfied. Luckily for Simba, Kopa was wise and understanding, nothing like his tyrant father.

For everybody, it was easy to pretend.