Author's Note: Hesistations Of A Forced Decision merchandise is now avaliable and on sale at a local Pride Rock near you! LOL!

P.S. I realise in chapter 7 that the distance between Pride Rock and the Jungle seemed a bit under exaggerated, but that was because I got the idea from the 3rd movie, according to that one, the Jungle was right next to the Gorge. But if you was unsatisfied, I apologize. But I think you might be more happy with the way I've set out the distance this time. Well, at least I hope so. But anyways, lets get on with the story!

Split And Search

Timon, Pumbaa and Simba, had now reached the Pridelands and were now offically begginning their epic search. A day had past since they began there journey home and it was now late afternoon. The sun was getting prepared to set. They sky was pink but the lands were red, it would be difficult to make anything to possibly stand out in this complexion.

"All righty then!" Timon said happily jumping off Pumbaa's back and rubbing his hands anxsiously together. "Where is this little fella?" He added turning to Simba.

"Ok guys, we have to make this quick and I mean it. Night is nearing, so the longer we make this last, the harder it will be to find him. I think it's best if we split. I'll search in the outlands, as I don't think he is one of my pride." Simba explained. "Pumbaa?" Simba asked. Pumbaa suddenly stood bolt up right and put his hoof on his fore head like a soilder at attention.

"Sir!?" Pumbaa yelled.

"You look on the boarder of both the Out and Pride lands." Simba stated, Pumbaa nodded and dropped his hoof. "Timon?" Simba asked turning his attention to the Meerkat.

"Yep?" Timon asked smiling.

"I want you to search the Pridelands." Simba requested. Timon winked and gave the King a thumbs up.

"Ain't a problem buddy." Timon replied.

"Ok guys, we're looking for a cub, round the same age as Kilow with lots of gashes on his body. If you do happen to spot him where your searching, I want you to try and keep him in the Pridelands. Don't do anything pyshical to stop him, because as we know, he is apparently hurt. But try and stall. I'll go alert the lionesses to help. Are we clear what we're doing?" Simba asked to both of them. Timon and Pumbaa nodded in unison and quickly made there way to there given places, leaving Simba on his own. He turned and launched himself towards Pride Rock. Within a couple of minutes he was already at the bottom, steadily making his way up, panting. He got to the top and the first thing he saw was Kovu, watching the sun go down with his daughter, Kilow. Several things raced through Simba's mind. He was desperate for help...but Kovu? Had he'd forgiven Simba for pouncing on him and making a fool out him, and infront of his wife? Of course he wouldn't have forgiven him. Simba shook his head in dissapointment and made his way into the cave where all the Lionesses were happily talking and discussing matters.

"Hey Simba!" Yelled Kovu from behind noticing him. Simba seemed to froze for a few seconds, confused.

"Why would he want to talk to me."Simba thought to himself as he turned around, to see Kovu and Kilow were both giving him an inviting grin.

"Yes?" Simba asked.

"Fancy joining us?" Kovu asked, with his paw out and pointing at the floor, indicating there was a place Simba could sit watch with them.

"Errr...no thanks, but thanks Kovu." Simba replied as he turned round and continued to make his way towards the cave.

"No, wait!" Kovu exclaimed, running up towards him. Simba once again stopped and turned to Kovu who was now standing right next to him. "Simba...I want to say I'm sorry for what happened last night between us. It wasn't right of me to be so disrepectful towards you, and for that, I apologize." Kovu stuttered, obviously slightly embarrased.

"No Kovu, I'm the one who should be apologizing. I understand you was annoyed with yourself, but I had no right to pounce on top of you." Simba replied shaking his head left and right.

"Daddy what's going?" Kilow asked curiously walking over and standing inbetween the two. Both Kovu and Simba looked down at Kilow who was gazing back at them with her cute blue eyes.

"Nothing Kilow, you go and..."

"No wait." Simba said interuppting Kovu. "Kilow?" Simba added bending down to her. "Can you tell me more of what the cub you saw looked like?" He requested.

"Well..." Kilow pondered. "He had a lot of cuts on his body, errr... he had white tipped paws and ears. I think he had green eyes. Oh, and a clump of red hair on his head." Kilow explained.

"Right!" Simba said pleased with his answer, turning round and making his way back towards the cave.

"Wait, when was you with another cub?" Kovu asked looking down at Kilow with confusion and concern.

"Oh not this again!" Simba thought to himself in disbelieve as he stopped and turned back towards the two.

"Kilow!?" Kovu questioned, demanding a answer.

"Err...well..." Kilow stuttered, looking over at her Grandfather in a way that desperately said. "Please help me."

"She was with me." Simba stated. Kovu looked at Simba with a confused stare.

"Why was she with you?" Kovu asked walking up to him looking enraged.

"...She asked me if I could take her to the waterhole for a drink, she didn't want to disturb you when you was sleeping, so she asked me. Seeing as I was awake. I took her down to water hole and she saw a cub with gashes and cuts on his body. We need to find the cub, Kovu. He was begging on the floor for help a night ago." Simba explained. Not daring to tell Kovu she left him without his permission.

"That's awful." Kovu said shocked. "But, as long as she was with you I haven't got a problem." He added walking into the cave. Simba and Kilow both sighed in relief as Kovu left.

"Thank you." Kilow said greatfully. "Why was you gone for so long, Grandpa?" Kilow asked to the King.

"I was getting help." Simba replied. "But I still need some more." He added.

"Can I help?" Kilow asked excitedley. Simba sighed and shook his head.

"Kilow, I'm not the one you need to be asking that question to. Stay here while I go and discuss everything with the Lionesses." Simba stated as he turned his back on her and made his way into the cave. So Kilow did as was told, and stayed put.

"That's not fair." She moaned to herself. "My Father won't let me go...but My Mother just might." She thought to herself. "Perhaps if I ask my Mother first and say that I'm going with Grandpa...she might let me!" She said excitedly. "I haven't got any thing to lose." She said, sounding like she was trying to convince herself. She crept into the cave and saw that Simba was half way through an explanation with the Lionesses who were lying down around him and listening to his words.

"...so that's basically what we need to do." Simba said. Nala got up to her feet and nodded.

"Alright girls, you heard him. Let's move!" She yelled to the other Lionesses who all (except Kiara) got to their paws and walked out the cave, leaving Simba, Kiara, Kovu, Nala and Kilow behind.

"So what are we going to do when we find him?" Kovu asked.

"Mom, can I ask you a question?" Kilow whispered tugging on Kiara's forearm

"Not now Kilow." Her mother replied quietly.

"Well just sure he's ok then, let him go." Simba replied.

"But Daddy, why do we have to get involved?" Kiara questioned.

"Because, last night he was begging for help and now he's out there somewhere. Possibly dying." Simba said loudly, in a way almost angrily. Kiara and Kovu nodded and went for the cave exit, Kiara left but Kovu noticed Kilow. Where was she meant to be in all this?

"Kilow I want you to stay behind." Her father demanded.

"But Daddy..."

"I don't want to hear it Kilow, I'm not risking you getting hurt." He stated before leaving her and not giving her a chance to say anything back. Kilow sat herself down and quietly sobbed. Simba and Nala went over to her and stood either side.

"I'm sorry Kilow. But we've lost enough people in this family." Simba whispered bending down and nuzzling her. Kilow quickly moved her head away from her Grandfather to avoid him and grunted. Nala then bent down to meet her eye-to-eye to.

"Hey I tell you what, how about when we get back. I take you out with you Mommy and we go somewhere nice." Nala stated trying to lighten the cubs mood.

"Where would that be?" Kilow stuttered with tears running down her furry face. Nala leaned over to her ear.

"It's a secret." She whispered. Kilow's face began to brighten up and she slowly cracked a grin.

"Ok." Kilow replied nodding and sniffing back her tears. Both Simba and Nala both stood back up and maked their way towards the cave exit.

"We won't be long hunny." Nala said winking to Kilow, who happily winked back and wiped her trails of wet tears from her face with her paw. Simba ascended to the tip of the rock and looked back at the gathered Lionesses who were waiting for their orders.

"Alright! We have to do this quick!" He yelled loudly so they could all hear him. "The sun will set shortly, if it gets dark, it will get more difficult! He has already been out there for at least 2 days and we can't make him wait any longer! Pumbaa and Timon are covering the Pridelands and boarder! I have told you what he looks like, and I have told you your posistions. Now, MOVE OUT!" He beckonded as the Lionesses all roared loudly and darted off towards the grasslands.

Author's Note: I know it's a shame, but unfortunetley this is where this chapter ends. (Keep in mind I said chapter not story) You will be happy with the next chapter thought, I guarentee it!

Shadow