Sandra awoke in the morning but she didn't get up. She just smiled and glanced out of the corner of her eye at Kyoya, who was sleeping beside her. She was about to close her eyes again when she heard someone call her. "Sandra!" Sandra looked to see Leonora with the others all around her. "Come here for a minute."
Sandra, careful not to wake Kyoya, got up and went over to the others. "What's up?"
"Is that who we think it is?" Gingka asked, looking shocked.
"Depends on who you think it is," Sandra answered.
"Is it Kyoya? Scar's son?" Masemune questioned.
Sandra nodded. "Yes, it's Kyoya, and he's not loyal to Scar anymore."
"Are you sure?" Madoka asked.
"Absolutely," Sandra answered with no hesitation.
"How can you tell? You heard about all the lies Scar told. Are you sure he's not lying to trick you?" Zeo questioned.
"He wouldn't do that! He loves me!" Sandra snapped.
Most of them looked shocked but Leonora just smiled. Sandra rolled her eyes at the rest of them. "Come on! It's not impossible!"
"But he's..." Masemune began, but Sandra cut him off.
"He's like my father when he was the same age," Sandra growled. "Kovu was raised by Zira and he gave up power for love. I believe Kyoya would do the same for me."
Sandra then turned and walked back over to Kyoya, who was just waking up. "What'd they want?" Kyoya asked.
"Nothing," Sandra lied, not wanting him to know what they were talking about. "Want to go for a walk? Or go for a hunt?"
"Whatever you want to do," Kyoya replied, licking her cheek. Sandra smiled.
"Come on," Sandra led the way out of the cave and down toward the water hole. They stopped and got a quick drink. Sandra looked up at Kyoya and smiled. He smiled back at her and he went back to drinking. Sandra smiled and backed a little ways away from the water. Kyoya narrowed his eyes in confusion. Sandra ran and leaped into the water. She then swam over and pulled Kyoya in with her. She laughed when he came up. He smiled and splashed her. Sandra tried to dunk him back under but he dodged and dunked her instead. Sandra then got out and shook out her fur, glancing back at him. Kyoya got out and shook out his mane, but it puffed up and this made Sandra laugh again. She then dashed off with Kyoya right behind her. Kyoya tackled her and pinned her. He licked her cheek as she giggled.
"Kyoya, can I ask you something?" Sandra asked.
"Sure," Kyoya nodded.
"What are we going to do about your brother? He's obviously not going to give up and he'll kill us all if he gets the chance," Sandra pointed out.
Kyoya looked down at his paws. "We'll just have to kill him first."
"Are you sure that you're ok with that? He is your only brother," Sandra reminded him.
"I know, but he's after you and your family, and I'll die before I let him kill you," Kyoya replied.
Sandra nuzzled him. "You don't have to do this alone, Kyoya. You've got me now, and the whole pride. We're all family, and we take care of each other. Nobody is ever alone. Even when you feel like you are, you aren't. If Vashon attacks one of us, he attacks us all."
Kyoya nuzzled her. "I promise, as long as I'm around, you'll be safe."
And you'll be too, Sandra thought. We'll stop Vashon together.
Please R&R :)