I.
Early morning…
"It can't be true." Nala said.
"It is!" Zazu told her, looking frantic. "They're not going to stop until they have control of the Pride Lands. I've heard it from my sister and she would never lie. Well, at one time…"
"Whether it's true or not, we can't risk our prides' unity or Kiara and Kovu's cubs. If they saw Nunka and Tanabi, Shani and Chaka would instantly assume that they were Kovu's."
"They're Kirijah's children!"
"It doesn't matter," Zazu intervened. "The warning has been made clear. They're going to group with others eager to overthrow any Outlanders living here. We have to stop them."
"We have to get the children out of here." Nala reasoned. "They're in mortal danger."
"You and I will rally part of the Pride Lander lionesses and go into hiding."
The former queen peered down at the podium of Pride Rock. "What about Kiara?"
"We can't tell her just yet," Simba explained. "It would be too much for her to handle."
"If telling me is wrong, then maybe it's too much for you all to handle."
Kiara appeared from behind her parents with a determined look.
…
"I knew something wasn't right." Kovu practically growled inside Pride Rock.
"What?" his wife said sarcastically. "That they survived the river that should have killed them." Kiara had called together her pride to speak with them; especially for her infants.
"There's only one thing we can do," Her husband told her. He then looked out to the rest of the lionesses, "We're going to have to go on the offensive. Simba and Nala can take the children into hiding, but we have to be the ones to protect our home. If just deter them."
"No!" The queen rushed to his side. "Kovu, you could be killed! All of you could be."
He kept his head down for a moment to think before meeting her eyes. "Think a moment about the children." Kovu leveled with her. "Chaka is out for blood. Trust me, I know it."
"Kiara, you were the only Pride Lander to see good in us," Dotty approached the younger female, "You've given us a better life through your kindness. Let us do the same for you."
"By dying." She cried.
"By protection," Vitani said. Her blue eyes drilled logically into Kiara's. "It's time to face facts, Kiara. You're in no shape to do this, come to think of it, we're the ones who have the most experience at training for battle." She shared a knowing smile with her brother.
"I feel so unoffended." Kiara rolled her eyes.
"If it's a brother sister assault, then it makes more sense for me and Vitani to protect the borders of the Pride Lands." Kovu tried to further convince his wife. "Someone needs to stay and take care of home base." he looked away like he wasn't even convinced himself.
Suddenly, Kiara appeared under brown chin. She nuzzled into the hollow of his neck.
"Just be careful."
The lion closed his eyes sadly and nuzzled her back. "I will."
Timira looked up at her sister with a smile. "Guess that means no seeing Shani again."
Aisha sighed in disappointment. "Yeah, too bad. She always did give great tongue baths."
To be continued…
~ Lavenderpaw ~