Wow….I realize now that it's been forever since I updated! I totally forgot about this story with finals and friends…and well you get the point. I apologize for the late update…

It was night time in the savanna, and all but one creature was having a peaceful rest. Nicole was tossing and turning in her sleep.

Mom dad! Where are you? Nicole called out in her dream

Mitch! Someone! A...Anyone! Please! I don't want to be alone! Then there were visions of people floating around Nicole in a cloudy mist.

Oh, my baby! A woman cried I'll never get to say good bye…

Mom?! MOM! No! I'm not dead, I'm right here! Nicole screamed out at the woman

My little princess...why? WHY! Of all people…why did it have to be her! A man yelled out while holding the woman close

DAD! I'm right here can't you see me? DAD! Nicole looked around hoping to get someone's attention

Why? A young boy choked out between sobs, s-she was s...s…supposed to come home, she promised to take me camping…

Mitch? Oh god, Mitch! I'm RIGHT HERE! Don't worry I'm not dead! Please… hear me…

Oh god, why did it have to be Nicole… a group of girls and boys were saying, some crying and some yelling

Guys? NO WAIT! I'm here! Ayrelle, Claudia, Nic, Dani, Alyssa! DON'T GO! I'M HERE! Nicole screamed while frantically trying to get to them.

Wait don't go! Please! Nicole cried out as the figures began to morph into mangled bodies. The figures begann to circle around her shouting.

Why were you the one to live?! I have my family to get back to! My wife doesn't even know that I'm dead! WHY DID YOU LIVE?!

I don't know I'm sorry! Nicole shouted

Nicole woke up with a start with tears flowing down her face. She grabbed the corner of her sleeping bag and wiped her face.

"It's just a dream Nicole, calm down" The teen whispered to herself. She looked around to find everyone still asleep.

"At least I didn't wake anyone up," she sighed "I need some fresh air, that will clear up my head". As she went to get up she felt something shift beside her. She looked and found Kiara cuddled next to her. Nicole smiled and stroked her a few times before getting up and walking out of the cave.

The full moon was illuminating the savanna with a warm glow. Nicole looked and found a path that lead up to the top of Pride Rock. It has been two months since the pride had found her, and only just a few weeks ago has she been having these reoccurring dreams. After the second night of the dreams she came across the path to the peak of Pride Rock. From the peak you could see the whole Pride Lands, and up there at night was very peaceful.

Once up on the peak she looked around and sat close to the edge so she could see everything. She sighed and looked down at the locket that her family gave her. One side had a picture of her family; the other was a picture of her close friends.

"I miss you guys so much…" Nicole said as she let one tear drop.

"Nicole is that you?What are you doing up so late?"

Nicole spun around to find none other than Simba walking up beside her.

"Oh, I just couldn't sleep." she replied.

Simba sat down and looked her strait in the eye. "I heard you crying out in your sleep"

Nicole looked down and said "Oh sorry, I hoped I didn't wake anyone up"

"Actually I've been hearing you do that for the past few weeks."

"Really?" she said as she looked back up at him.

"Yep"

Both then turned their gaze toward the sleeping pridelands.

"You know," Simba said, "after the battle with Scar, I began having dreams of my father. I tried to save him, but no matter what I couldn't reach him… Then I found this place, and every time I had a nightmare I would come up here and clear my head."

Nicole looked up at Simba. "Really? I thought I was the only one who came up here." Then there was a long silence.

"Nicole, I know it must be hard for you. To be ripped away from your family and friends is a horrible thing. I've experienced it firsthand. So if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm always here." Simba said as he brought a massive paw around Nicole.

She burrowed her face into his mane "Thanks Simba that means a lot to me…"

Simba nuzzled her back in a fatherly way and replied, "I know it does, you're a part of my family now. I know my family will never replace yours, but know that where ever you are we are always looking out for you."

Nicole started to tear up and he pulled her closer and said "I see you play with Kiara, and talk with Nala and it makes me feel happy. I see you now as one of my own. Ijust hope one of these night you can finaly get some rest. So head back down and sleep I'll be right there"

Nicole smiled and hugged Simba and whispered thank you and headed back down to the cave.

Simba looked up at the stars and said, "Father, I know I made the best choice". The wind picked up and blew around Simba which made him smile.

---------------------Next day-----------------------------------

The sun just rose above the horizon; and all but a few animals were still sleeping. Nicole had just woke up to find the young cub missing from her usual spot next to her.

I think she's out by the water hole Nicole thought to herself as she walked out of the cave. She made sure she had her knife and a water bottle with her. As she left Pride Rock her thoughts wandered back to what happened the night before.

So Simba is allowing me to stay with the pride? He even took me in as his own! But….I can't stay here, I'm human. I'll just mess up the balance of nature. I just don't belong…. Nicole thought sadly to her self And besides my family needs me back home. So when ever the chance I have to get home I have to take it. It's probably for the best.

~SNAP~

Nicole stood perfectly still and opened up her senses.

It's probably just some animal milling around for some food, but can't ever be too sure…

Just then an orange blur jumped from the grass. Nicole ducked quickly and turned around in time to see Kiara land flat on her stomach.

"Hehe, oops…" Kiara said as she gave Nicole a goofy grin.

"Jeez! Don't ever do that to me again! I nearly had a heart attack!" Nicole replied.

"But I did good right?"

"Uhhh… well unless hearing you from a mile away is good…then you did great!" Nicole said while laughing.

Kiara just hung her head low, "I'll never be a good hunter…"

"Oh I'm sorry Kiara, I'm sure your mom can help teach you!"

Then Kiara had an idea, "What if you teach me Nicole!"

"Eh?"

"Yeah! I mean you're like my sister now! And my mom is usually hanging out with the other lionesses. Also mom taught you everything she knows on hunting!"

"Well…" Nicole replied.

"Pleeeeaaaasssseeee!" Kiara whined while giving Nicole the puppy dog eyes.

"Well… okay!"

"YES! This is gonna be the best day EVER!" Kiara said while dancing around.

Nicole rolled her eyes, "You say that every day"

A few hours went by in the grasslands and Kiara was doing pretty good, well at least for a cub.

"Okay Kiara, remember relax! If you don't relax then you can concentrate!" Nicole yelled out to the now hiding cub.

"Okay!" came a muffled reply somewhere in the grass.

Uhhh we've been out here for hours and she still can't relax! Well then again she's a hyperactive cub Nicole thought and gave a deep sigh.

Then the air went still, there were no animals or anything. Nicole looked around It's too quiet, somethings wrong.

"Kiara…" Nicole whispered "Where ever you are don't move"

Nicole then stood up hoping to see what was spying on them. She scanned around the area and noticed what look like a figure in the grass. She tried to get a better look, but before she could do anything she was knocked to the ground.

When she hit the ground the air was knocked out of her and she couldn't breath. She looked up to see a pair ruby red eyes staring back. The lioness dug her claws into Nicole chest as she tried to get away. Once Nicole regained some air she screamed…

"RUN KIARA!"

Edited

Again I would like to thank my awesome Beta Prince of Pride! Without him my story would look like crap…

OH almost forgot I wanted to thank Shootingstar Bright for the nice comment! Thank yooouuu!! ^.^

So Prince and Shootingstar you get a cookie from me…

Well the rest of you…

If you give me ideas will have cookies as well…

THANKS!!!