Somehow it didn't click before.
Simba: You know the penalty for returning to the Pridelands.
Zira; However, the cub does not. However, if you need your pound of flesh (moves a shaking Kovu in front of Simba), here.
Simba: Take him and get out!
That was just despicable what Zira did! What if Simba had killed Kovu? I know Simba wouldn't have (hopefully), but how did Kovu not freak out from being put into that situation? If Zira really did care for Kovu, she would have threatened to kill Simba if he even TRIED to hurt Kovu. How does Kovu, even from this moment, not realize that he's just a pawn of Zira's?