Chapter 7: Uncertain Thoughts
College... why are you so merciless with my schedule? Though in all fairness, I have periods of time in-between classes and work to write, though I really should use those opportunities for homework more than this. Still, this story is never far from my thoughts, though lately deciding how I should present the characters and give them time to develop while still progressing the story along has been an issue of laying down and deciding upon lately.
SOOOOO all I ask of you readers is this, if there is any characters that you would like to see have more story time or character revealed, or if there is something you really would like to see the story head into, like an addition of a villain, a possible crisis, or just an nice, tender moment between two or more characters, let me know in the comments below. I love hearing from you guys and seeing what theories and the like you come up with.
Enjoy the chapter!
As Kiara made her way towards the watering hole at a casual trot, her neutral appearance was sometimes interrupted by a small hop to her step or a wide grin poking out. The excitement of making some progress with Zira was a much anticipated event.
For the past couple of days spent with her, it had appeared that she had made no connection or breakthrough behind the lioness' cold, viscous exterior, but what had just transpired indicted that there really was some change taking place. Finally, after enduring grueling training sessions, stinging remarks and cold dismissals, it would appear now that she could finally begin to understand the lioness behind the cruel, psychotic, ex-queen's barrier.
The gleam of the water's surface came into sight and the grass begun to break into the soft, yet pebble-filled earth that then led to the muddy and stone shores surrounding the waterhole. As she began to trot down the hill towards the pool, her ears twitched and she paused as she sensed more creatures nearby. Looking over her shoulder, she smiled as two familiar figures scurried down the hill to her position.
"Hey Kovu. Hey Vitani," she called out as they fell into pace beside her. A warm feeling of relief and comfort came over her, as in the past couple of days she had not interacted with either of them as much as she had hoped.
"Hey Kiara," Kovu greeted, his tone neutral, yet friendly enough at her as they reached the edge of the waterhole. Vitani merely chuffed in response. Shrugging her shoulder, Kiara knelt and dipped her muzzle into the shining, clear water below and took a sip of the cool liquid as the others did so as well.
As they drank, Kiara's mind wandered back to the previous discussion with Zira that day and her furious tirade and explanation of what the Outlands were like to live in. The two lions beside her seemed to almost hesitate before drinking in gallon-fulls of water. The notion of living with days on end without water, and even then on filthy, murky water at that, really made the tale Zira made seem more plausible and believable.
Eventually, the siblings beside her broke up for air, inhaling deeply with water vapor circling their muzzles as the thirst in their throats was overruled by the fresh water given and the need to breath. As they slowly bean to relax, they quickly turned to each other with a questioning expression. They then simultaneously nodded and turned back to the still drinking princess.
"Kiara," Kovu asked, causing her to still and look up from her position. "Um, uh Vitani and I were... have been meaning to talk to you about something." His eyes betrayed his deep concern despite the sheepish smile he tried to put on. Noticing this, she politely stepped away from the water, turned towards him and sat down with a reassuring smile, giving them both her full attention.
"Of course, what would you like to talk about," she asked, giving the most easing tone she could give. Her actions seemed to relieve some of the tension he was exerting and he inhaled deeply before starting.
"H-how's... how's things been for you the past couple of days," he said. Her eyebrows rose a bit in response, but her eyes softened at the easy question.
"Well busy for one. I have been told I have been making some progress with my hunting skills, but Zira has told me that I still have a lot to work on before I'm even ready to attempt hunting again. However, I do feel that I have been getting stronger and I am learning more things about proper technique and-"
"Mm hmm, that sounds good. Anything else that's been going on in the last-". His speech was halted as Vitani's paw came to press against his lips as she moved forward.
"What he means is that we've been meaning to talk to you about our mother," Vitani interrupted, stepping closer to her as her eyes scanned over the princess, searching as if for any injuries or wounds that might have come up in the past couple of days.
Kiara was stunned silent. Her first thought was to inquire what she meant by that, perhaps reveal an undercover ploy beneath it. Though looking at Vitani's and now Kovu's concerned and almost frightened expressions, she decided to go the more open route.
"What about her," she asked, attempting to keep her voice neutral and calm.
"How's she... been over the past couple of days," Kovu replied.
"You're moth- Z-Zira, she's... been...". She inhaled deeply, trying to recompose herself. "While things have been kind of difficult over the past few days, I feel that some progress is being made. She's..." she turned up, offering a small smile, "I think I'd might actually be getting to her."
The two siblings stared at her, faces portraying feelings of confusion, shock, and disbelief. Kovu was the first to speak up.
"Kiara... I know this might be difficult for you to take in but... she might be lying to you." Her eyes narrowed slightly and her form tensed, yet she remained still.
"Kiara, you don't know what it was like growing up with her. Heck, we've only recently been remembering life growing up under her rule with an outside pair of eyes but believe us when we tell you that she might be just doing this to get to you, okay? Growing up was never easy and under her strict eye-"
"You all were miserable. You were never safe living out there, especially under someone who was trying to use you until you were useless," Kiara interrupted. Her eyes gleamed with a power neither of them had ever seen. Any words in their throats died as she stood up straight and glanced down at them, her expression mostly neutral, yet still irritated.
"In don't know what it was like growing up in the Outlands or with her as a mother. I am completely clueless on what it must've felt like to struggle to get through each and every day out there with little food or water, with barely any shelter. I don't know what it was like! And I most certainly don't know, or will know, what it must've felt like having her for a mother!"
All was silent as the two stared at her as she slowed her heavy breathing and recomposed herself.
"But what I do know is that everyone has a story behind them, of how they came to be this way or why they chose to act this way. And that's what I see in your mother. I truly believe that something happened to her to cause her to be like this, since no one was every born like this. Regardless of what she has done, I do truly believe she deserves another chance, just like how I gave you both a chance."
"I just want to see if I can get rid of the hate she's been holding onto for so long and give her another chance at living."
The two siblings were utterly silent. Despite their respect for her in preventing an all out war between their prides and instead had united them through peace, they had still always assumed that there a more naive side to her personally. But now every single doubt they had seemed to crumble as they now realized that under the sweet, trusting side that they would've assumed as gullible was actually intelligence mixed within a kind, compassionate heart.
Still, out of all the lions she had chosen to help, their mother...
Kiara's head was facing down as she panted out the last of her frustration. A shudder passed through her as she felt a paw press against both of her shoulders. Looking up, she took notice of the both of them staring at her, each offering a small, but slightly hopeful smile.
"Do you really think she-... our mother is worth saving?"
In an instant, Kiara had reciprocated their action, planting her paws on one of their's. Their eyes locked as a a gleam of determination shined across her eyes as she gave a single, firm nod. She then broke of and stepped away a few feet.
"If it makes you feel better, she has agreed to meet with me at sunset to have a personal talk about her past. Hopefully, I should get some insight of who she was before all that we currently know of her." She paused, then offered a soft smile. "Hopefully, this should be the beginning of some noticeable progress."
The two nodded, though their expressions hadn't changed much. However, it quickly shifted to surprise as they felt a warm body grasp between them and pull them close by their necks.
"I promise that I'll do everything in my power to save her and that I'll always keep my guard up regardless."
After stiffening for a moment, they slowly embraced her back, feeling a bit awkward though due to a lifetime lack of physical displays of love or comfort. However, soon the warmth spreading from Kiara's body and the soft feeling of her fur and concern wormed through and they adapted pretty quick.
"We- I trust you Kiara," Vitani murmured, squirming a bit to get the best position in the hug.
"I do too," Kovu agreed. After a moment, he added, "Sunset you said."
"Mm hmm. Anything wrong with that?"
"No... just that it's almost now. Where did you say you were going to meet with mother again?"
Kiara's eyelids suddenly shot open as her head threw up to take a good glance of the sky. Sure enough, the world around her was darkening as the normal sapphire sky was shifting into a warm colors of reds and oranges. A chuckle escaped the two as they let her go, still staring up at the sky with an increasingly worried expression.
"Oh dang it! Uh, sorry guys, but I need to go. I'll see you later, bye," she swiftly said before darting off to her destination. The two were still laughing as they watched her disappear over the hill.
As soon as she had vanished from sight, their giggles had grown quiet and they once again were left standing beside one another. Vitani as the first to speak up.
"I trust Kiara and all, but do you really believe mother is worth saving? After all that's all happened?"
Kovu's gazed still remained fixed on the spot where Kiara had last been, yet his deep exhalation alerted her that he was still listening.
"I'm still a little skeptical, but I do know that if anyone can find the good in anyone." He turned to face his sister, a hopeful expression in his eyes. "It's her."
And hopefully they might be able to fully convince themselves someday.
My apologies for not including more of these two sooner. Aside from really exploring the enigma that we know as Zira, it's nice ti take some time to examine how her slow reformation is effecting those in lose proximity with her , particularly how her two children are taking it. if anything, I really want to develop these two and examine more on their perspectives of this entire ordeal, seeing that this is their mother who's going through all this and as being the one who has shaped their entire development from cub to adulthood, has now been exposed as the cruel, insensitive mother and leader that she is, and now is having this time and energy put in to change all of that.
Anyways, I'm also sorry for not posting sooner. I swear I'm not falling into my previous patterns of posting only after an indeterminate, long period of time, but again, college. Aside from that, hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please leave a like, a review, any personal thoughts on how you think this story could be improved by, and I will see you next time. Sincerely, v.t.7
