Warm summer wind began blowing through the Pride Lands. Simba, the current Lion King stepped out and sat down, his tail curled around him as he surveyed the huge red disc called the sun rising beyond the horizon.
He smiled.
His daughter, Kiara's head nudged him gently.
"Dad?" she said. "This time you promise I can go on my own? No Timon and Pumbaa now that there aren't any Outsiders to worry about?"
Simba sighed.
"Alright, alright," he said. " I want you to be careful though. I still want you to stay within the boundaries of the Pride Lands. Danger can still be around, even if the Outsiders aren't here anymore. You understand?"
"Daddy, " her head nudged his jaw again, the lion equivalent of a human hug. "I will try and be careful. Okay?"
"Alright. Off you go now," he said. Then giggling, she sprinted off, scattering the wild African birds as she ran down the sloped hill, yelling 'I'm free! I'm free!' as she dashed off into the distance.
Simba's heart still felt uneasy. It wasn't easy letting his precious daughter go.
"Simba?" Nala said as she appeared beside him. "Worrying about her again?"
"I know she tries to be careful but – she is too much like me. It's, like, in her character. She will always be Kiara," he answered.
"Now don't you like that?" she looked at him in the eye. "You have a brave young daughter, Simba. She will be fine. She needs to learn hunting for herself."
"I know. But still – "
"But what? Leave her alone for now. Let Kovu check on her near midday, as the sun rises. " With that, Nala turned back to the cosy cave and lay down.
"Alright," he said to himself. "Kovu!"
Kovu immediately appeared from inside the cave, the skin above his eyes raised.
"I have a job for you."
The now almost full-grown lioness crouched, in waiting, behind the tall prickly shrubs. She was quite skilfully stalking her prey. A small herd of wildebeast.
"This time I'll get them," she muttered under her breath.
"One, two," she counted. "Three!"
With that, she leapt from her hiding place.
And the chase was on!
One of the wildebeast heard a sound and saw the blur of orange beige and panicked.
A stampede began.
But Kiara was hot on their heels. Her body stretching stride after stride.
Look. There! On the left. No – one on the right.
I'll catch that one, she thought.
She hurried to sprint after the singled and fatigued beast and caught up.
Without hesitation, she dug her sharp claws down its flank and dragged down the animal. One forepaw landed on its neck and she bit down.
"Yes!" she breathed triumphantly. "I got – "
Whish! Whoa! A tranquilliser dart in her neck.
Where'd that come from?
I gotta get this out!
Suddenly, her eyes rolled upwards and everything went black.
It was nearly noon.
Kovu was quite leisurely strolling through the Pride Land, when suddenly, his sensitive lion nose picked up a foul scent.
Dead wildebeast smell… maybe Kiara has caught something!
He quickened his steps.
Then he cast his gaze over the prairie. Vultures were already eating the carcass. One of his ears then turned towards to distance to a low rumbling noise.
Where's Kiara? He thought. She should be here…
"Kiara!" he cried. There she was! She was being dragged by two humans onto a – a truck?
No. I can't let this happen… What do I do?
I can't take them down on my own. They could kill me or sedate too and that wouldn't be any help to Kiara at all.
His inner voice was urging him to hurry, no matter what. Time was running out.
She's not dead – yet. But will be soon. If he didn't do something…
Author's note: This is my very very first fanfic. So please read and review!
Disclaimer: The characters mentioned are not mine.