Chapter Nine
"So mom, how did you get away from Tano?" Kani asked as they walked over to Michael's unconscious form
Kiara shook her head in frustration, "I can't remember Kani, I don't remember anything."
Kani looked down at Michael, he was out cold and he had a small cut over his eye from where Kiara had hit him, but other than that, he would be fine
Kani seemed confused, "You don't remember anything?" he asked in disbelief, looking back up at Kiara
"It's all a blur, I remember bits and pieces, like the fact that I was mated at one point, I don't remember his name though." Kiara said
A tear unexpectedly rolled down Kani's cheek, "You don't remember dad?" he asked as though the words hurt him
"Sorry to break this undoubtably happy moment up, but what just happened?" Michael asked, slowly opening his eyes and wincing in unexpected pain
Kani laughed and helped Michael to his feet, "My mom packs a wild right." he said
Michael looked at Kiara, "So, you're Kiara, Simba's daughter, I heard you were dead."
Kiara sighed, "That's been the general response to my presence, but as you've felt, I'm alive."
Michael rubbed the top of his head, "Don't remind me."
Kiara looked over to the wildebeest, "You tried to steal the kill I got for my friend Sara." she said unapologetically
Kani's eyes widened, "Lea's mom is alive?" he asked
Michael swatted Kani on the back of the head, "I told you that already." he said taking offense to Kani acting like it was new news
"So, what's our next move?" Kani asked Kiara
Kiara grabbed the kill and began dragging it away, "I'm going to go help Sara, I could use your help."
"No problem mom, let me go get Lea first." Kani said, heading back to where the trio was camped out
Kiara shifted impatiently, "Hurry, Sara is in bad shape."
Tano had literally followed the trail of blood right to where Sara laid, she rolled over in her near-comatose state and looked Tano in the eyes
"T-ano? wh- are you doing here?" Sara asked drowsily
Tano smiled, "Sara, I'm here to pull a thorn from my side."
Sara backed up slightly, "Wh- do you- mean?" she asked, fighting unconsciousness away
"Sara, isn't this what you've always wanted? to escape? as you said 'In the flesh...or in the spirit.' well you've had your fun in the flesh, time to become a spirit."
"But- wha- about Uasi?"
"The little one? I'll make sure he's just like his daddy."
"You...Bastard..."
"Words, never an effective weapon, even when wielded by the most charismatic."
"Why- don't- you pick on someon- who...fights back?"
"Sara, I'm an opportunist, I think you of all lionesses should've figured that out by now."
"What you are...is a monster...cold and soulless..."
"Again with the meaningless insults, I loved all of the 'Time' we spent together Sara, a damn shame that it'll be just me and the cub after this."
"I hope...you die- the mos- painful death..."
"I am already dead Sara, Simba and his pride made sure of that."
"We...had nothin- to do with- Simba's decision..."
"Simba damned his entire pride on the day he left me!"
"You've damned...yourself by killing us."
Tano snapped the dying lioness' neck, "No, I've cleansed myself." he said
Nala couldnt sleep, she stood on the face of Paradise Rock that faced the Pridelands, "My son, why have you done this?" she asked aloud
"I saw so much good in you when you were young, did Simba abandoning you really take all of that away?"
"No matter, Kani will soon be in his rightful place, and you will be dead."
"Nala? who are you talking to?" Vitani asked, approaching her from behind
Nala shook her head, "He was such a good little cub, how can he be so evil?" she asked
Vitani looked out to the pridelands, "Mother always used to say that when you expect something and it's not given to you, you must claim it, no matter what the means you use to do so." she said
Nala sighed, "It was never about the throne for Tano, he wanted Simba's pride to suffer."
"Kovu and Kiara's pride."
"Don't say her name Vitani, I could've saved her."
"No, she had a time, as we all do."
"But why has everyone I've ever loved had their time before me? It's not fair."
"Nala, you should know by now that life is not fair."
"Why can't it be though?"
"Only the kings know the answer to that."
"To hell with the great kings!"
"Nala, I understand that you're hurt, but this won't help."
"How can you not feel the same way? Kovu died in the attack too..."
"How did it happen?"
"Zira killed him before he could make any sort of move."
"Ra said he went down fighting, why would he lie to me like that?"
"It's not my place to reason for someone, go ask him."
"I think I will."
"Thank you for listening to what I had to say Vitani."
"Thank you for saying it Nala."
"Go easy on Ra."
"No, he's had it easy for too long already."
"Well don't kill him at least, he's still of some use to us."
A/N: Told you it was nowhere close to being over! Chapter 10 is looking pretty interesting indeed, keep an eye out for it soon.
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