Kiara smiled as she spotted Kovu walking out of the cave.

Kovu smiled back at her.

"Dad's finally letting me hunt!" she giggled, glad to take place in such event.

"That's great, just don't scare off the food."

Kiara stuck her tongue out at him, laughing. She pranced off to the rest of the lionesses, getting ready for the hunt.

Kovu looked back at the cave, shook his head, and watched Kiara talking to Nala.

He had to get Anni out of his mind.

So, as the lionesses went off hunting, Kovu decided to take a walk.

Kovu walked around the watering hole; that has been the place he spends most of his thinking.

The sun was starting to set, and stars began to appeared, indicating night was approaching.

I wonder if Anni ever star-gazed before?

Kovu slashed his claws through the dirt. Why was he thinking of Anni?

It seemed he couldn't stop thinking about her. Yet, when was it an option to start thinking about her?

He barley knew her, and more importantly, he had Kiara.

So, why was he thinking of Anni when he had Kiara?

"Kovu?" A deep voice interrupted his thoughts; it was Simba, who seemed to have appeared out of thin air. "I'm going to Rafiki's, he might have something that can help Anni. Can you check on her, make sure she is okay?"

"She's not a cub, she can go five minutes without being checked on."

Actually, Kovu fancied the idea of seeing Anni, but, that's why he fought it.

"She's ill," was Simba's reply.

Kovu rolled his eyes, trying to act like he didn't want to check on her. Even though, he felt the need to see her.

"Okay, I'll see how she's doing."

And, with that said, Simba nodded and walked away.

Sighing, Kovu walked back to Pride Rock, and entered the cave.

"Hey," he causally said.

Kovu was glad to see Anni in a sitting position, that meant she regained some strength.

"Hi," she muttered.

"How are you feeling?"

"I feel like dying," then, shortly after that said, she laughed.

Kovu couldn't tell if she was kidding or not, but by the way her lips curled into a devious smirk, he decided to drop the subject.

Scooting closer to Anni, he smirked, "death isn't the only way to relive pain, you know."

"I know," Anni said, "but it's the only way to get rid of my past. Forever."

Kovu felt a wave of sadness wash over him, he didn't like the fact Anni was... suicidal.

"So, what happened?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, why are you so...?" Kovu trailed off, trying to find the right word.

"Morbid?" Anni offered.

Kovu laughed, "I was going to ask, why do you want to die so badly?"

Anni hesitated to answer, could she trust him?

Of course not, she didn't even know him...but, she felt, a connection...as strange as it seemed. Eyeing the ground, she pondered her choices.

"I'm sorry, you don't have to tell me," he gave her a soft smile. "I know the past can hurt, I've had my fair share of pain."

Anni sighed, "how did you get that scar?"

As quickly as she blurted it out, she regretted it.

But, Kovu didn't mind the question. "Long story," he said, "and I have my mother to thanks."

He snorted after that comment, indicating to Anni that he had to no thanks to his mother at all.

"I'm sorry."

"About my scar? Don't be."

"No, about your mother."

Silence.

"It's...it's okay." Kovu finally replied.

Anni hesitated again, before saying: "Have you ever thought of death? Like...to escape it all?"

"No," Kovu said, a little too quickly.

Anni's cheeks flushed, "I guess I'm just...crazy."

He nuzzled her, "nonsense."

And, to his pleasant surprise, she nuzzled back.

"So, did you meet Kiara yet?" Kovu asked, still nuzzling her.

"Who?" Anni questioned, pulling away from him.

Kovu smirked.

"Nobody," he murmured, then nuzzled her some more, "I hope you feel better, soon."

Author's Note: two chapters in one night. :D I feel so accomplished. Haha, anyways...I hope this chapter is good... :) Review?