Kovu first met Kiara as a cub. After both worked together to escape from crocodiles, they became fast friends. However, this didn't last long as they're separated by their feuding parents. Years later, Kovu, who has been brainwashed into hating Simba, merely saved and got close to Kiara so he could kill Simba. As the days pass, Kovu and Kiara begin to spend more times together. From Kiara, Kovu learned how it feels to have fun and just enjoy himself. Kovu gradually falls in love with Kiara and decided to abandon his mission to kill Simba. When Kovu was exiled after Simba falsely accused him of setting up the ambush by Zira, Kiara is heartbroken and immediately leaves to find Kovu. When the two of them are reunited again, Kovu suggests they elope and form their own pride, but Kiara convinced him to try reuniting their prides. After they stopped the war and reunited the two prides, Kovu and Kiara are happily married.