Thanks for all the buzz I have been getting on this story! I hope it ends up as a finished work, atleast that is how I plan it to be XD Keep up the reading and reviewing! It helps!

She had made her way to the Eastern border, but the patrols there were heavy. She, however, had no trouble passing them. Once she made it through went to the place she and Mkali had met.

"Vitani! It's about time you showed up!" he said as he ran up to her.

"Sorry," she said apologetically. "I tried to make it out here earlier, but I kind of overslept."

"That's alright, but" he paused, "how did it work out? The battle, I mean."

Vitani just looked up at the significantly larger lion, and tears began to form. "Nuka, he is nearly gone. He was found alive, but Rafiki told me not to hold out much hope."

"Oh, I-I'm sorry." he said quietly, "And what about Zira?"

She quieted her sobs and said, "Nothing of her. She has been dead to me for a long time. Now its just final."

Her words were like ice. And here eyes, which were usually a soft violet around Mkali, had turned into needles that bore into his fur.

"You don't mean that 'tani." he said truthfully.

"Maybe I do."

"No, you don't. I know you better than that. Do you remember when we met here two years ago? When we were just adolescents, and your mother was ill?"

She nodded, "How could I forget?"

Flashback

"Mkali?" said the young Vitani. "A-are you here? I don't have much time."

She sat down and waited, but as time passed she realized that he probably wasn't coming. Her only friend had forgotten about her, and she began to cry as she got up to leave.

"W-wait! Vitani! I-I'm sorry, honest. I didn't forget." he yelled as he ran up to her. "I-I would never forget you." he blushed.

After hearing this, Vitani sniffled and wiped away her tears.

She looked at him and smiled, "I would hope not." she giggled.

"So," he coughed after a moment of silence, "Why do you have to leave?"

"My mother is sick, and I want to be with her." she muttered.

"Oh, but, I thought you hated your mother." he sounded confused.

"I do, I mean.. I don't know. I guess I love her, but it's all very confusing. I have all these feelings with no outlet for them."

"That's not true, you want to be with her while she is sick, that is some way to show her you love her, so go and be with her. I can wait to be with you until tomorrow." he smiled.

"Really? I'll see you tomorrow." she said as she went up to him and nuzzled his side.

End Flashback

It was true. She did love her mother, but the wall she has put up around herself had protected her from being hurt; even if it did prevent her from showing her feelings. She looked at the ground feeling slightly ashamed.

"See, we all need a shoulder to lean on; even the strongest of us." he said quietly. "I just want you to know that I am here for you."

She smiled at the ground, "Thanks Mkali."

"Now, how much longer can you stay out here?" he questioned.

"I don't even know. Kovu will be really worried if I am out to long."

"You're a grown lioness. You can make your own choice as to what to do," he laughed. "Besides, what's the worst he can do?"

"I don't know, but he will probably drive that poor bird crazy. Or send out the whole pride to look for me."

The two laughed about Kovu, and they hadn't realized how much time had passed. The sun was setting an everything was quiet. For once since her cub hood, the sound of growling stomachs, and crying cubs had vanished.

"Silent as stars," Mkali muttered under his breath.

He looked over to his side at Vitani. He pawed at her side, but she had fallen asleep. He sighed, and decided to let her sleep, so he put his head in his paws and drifted into a deep slumber.

When Vitani awoke the next morning, Mkali was still sleeping. She stood up and went over to the nearest tree to sharpen her claws. She didn't know why she did, because there was no more fighting. After some time, Mkali trotted up to her.

"Still sharpening those claws of yours?" he said grogily.

"Yeah, force of habit I guess."

She stopped and went over to him, muttering something that only he could hear. The two laughed at what she had said, but after some time Vitani had to leave.

"Do you really have to go?" he pouted, "Can't you stay a little longer?"

"You sound like a sad cub Mkali." she laughed, "I will see you tomorrow, if not later today."

She went up to him and nuzzled his fluffy mane.

"Good-bye."

She didn't bother sneaking back into the Pridelands because she knew that the bird had seen her.

"Ms. Vitani! I must say, you have really worried the whole pride! Especially that brother of yours!" Zazu shouted from above her.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm on my way back, that's all that matters." she muttered.

When she made it back, Kovu was waiting for her with a smug look on his face.

"Where in the savannah have you been?!" he beamed at her.

"Well, your highness," she said grumpily, "I do believe that I don't have to tell you everything I do."

Once the royal family had disbanded, Kovu ran up to her and said, "Listen Vitani, I know you weren't alone last night. I can smell another lion on you."

"Very good! Your nose works, and as you can tell, I didn't even bother masking his scent."

"His?!" he shouted, "You mean to tell me you spent the night alone with a male"

"Yeah, you wanna meet him? He is great."

She sounded completely okay with the situation, or at least the 'okay' that Kovu knew.

"Yes. I want to see him, and give him a piece of my mind."

"Geez, look who the protective little brother is." she luaghed. She was going to have fun teasing him about this.

"Great, I will allow you to have breakfast and then you take me to him?"

"Allow me? And not nescessary, I already ate."