Theme: Falling Star
Summary: One night, Kiara and Kovu go Star Gazing, and Vitani decides to follow them. She watches from a distance, listening to their laughter and happiness, when suddenly a star streaks across the sky. One-shot.
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Awakened by the sound of paws knocking the pebbles of the den loose, the lioness raised her head, half-open eyes gazing around to find the cause of the noise.
She turned as a lion's tail disappeared around the den entrance, and with her curiousity invoked, Vitani rose and followed this late-night wanderer. Outside, the stars shone like pinpricks, lighting up the dark Pridelands. In the distance, a long dark shadow marred the land, the reminder of the terrible reign of the lion Scar, and his hyena followers.
She found her way down the rocks, landing on the sandy ground below with almost no noise. Ahead of her, the two lions walked, side by side. Kovu and Kiara.
It wasn't hard to make out the forms of her brother and his mate, and she followed silently behind them, occasionally crouching behind a rock or tuft of grass when Kovu would cast a glance in her direction.
A single thought stayed in her head: 'Where are they going?' It was, after all, rather late at night, and the lands were almost empty except for the occasional nocturnal animal.
They were talking ahead, about what she could not tell, but their voices were low and laced with happiness. That, Vitani figured, was probably due to Kiara's growing stomach.
Although the announcement had not been publicly made, it was obvious the lioness was with cub, and Kovu would surely be excited. Perhaps that was why this late night stroll had occurred, to talk about the coming cub.
Whatever the reason, the trio soon found themselves at a long, grassy field, where Vitani watched as Kiara batted at Kovu with a paw before taking off into the field, a radiant smile on her face.
Kiara was beautiful, and that was no lie. Even Vitani, the tough girl tomboy of the pride, felt the occasional pang of jealousy at seeing the two lovers together.
She herself would probably never experience the joy they felt together, with her rough attitude and matching appearance. Although, since she had arrived in the pridelands, the former outlander's fur had lightened considerably, and she had softened more than she would admit.
Seeing that they probably wouldn't be moving for awhile, Vitani made herself comfortable amongst the tall grass, watching her brother and his mate as they lay on their backs, side by side, laughing and talking, and occasionally pointing up at the sky.
If only she could know what it felt like to be as deeply loved as the young lioness lying with her brother was, Vitani would be happy.
And up above, a star, brilliantly bright, streaked across the sky, leaving a trail of dust behind. And the lioness shut her eyes tight, and made her wish: for love.
