Chapter Nine: Kiara's first hunt
Two years have passed, and there was no confrontation between Zira or Simba's Pride. For two years, nothing. Kiara and Kovu grew, and became adults during that time. Asante also left the Pride Lands sometime, during those two years. She couldn't handle being in the place where she met Kopa. So, she left. Nala often missed Asante. Asante and Nala became good friends, and would always remain so. No matter the distance between them.
Today was a special day for Kiara. She was going to go on her very first hunt. This was always a rite of passage for a lioness. When a lioness must prove her self to the pride. Nala and Simba stood near the stepping stones, that led to the promontory and den of Pride Rock.
All the other lioness stood in two rows each, one on Nala's side, the other, on Simba's. Kiara stepped out of the den, and took a deep breath, was nervous. Being this her very first attempt on hunting prey. She began to walk down the stepping stones, and the other lioness whispered to each other, also wishing the princess the best of luck.
As Kiara got closer to her parents. Nala walked up to her daughter, and nuzzled Kiara's neck, purring. Kiara purred in return. Glad to have Nala as a mother. Nala could feel that Kiara was nervous.
"You'll do just fine." Said Nala, to reassure her daughter. Kiara looked to her mother, and smiles. Kiara turned to her father, walking to him.
"Daddy? You have to promise to let me do this on my own. Promise?" Asked Kiara, seriously wanting to do this on her own. To show that she can take care of her self, and prove to her pride that she can be of use to them, during a hunt.
Simba looked at Nala, almost as if he was looking for her, for an answer. She smiled lightly, raising her brows, knowing full well, what he should do, with out his queen telling him.
Simba purred, and smiled warmly at his daughter. "All right. I promise."
Kiara smiled happily, nuzzling her father, then she stopped, walking away from her parents, and she admired the Pride Lands, looking at it, with determination.
She looked back at her parents, with a happy smile, then back to the lands she grew up in. She ran, anxious and nervous, but very happy.
Nala smiled proudly as her daughter went to do her first hunt. Nala turned, and headed back into the den. Nala was very proud of Kiara. She sure has grown up to be a beautiful lioness, and had shown signs of being a great queen.
Kiara though, had a lot to prove, if she was to be a queen of the famous: Pride Rock. Nala decided to take a small nap, she had a few restless nights, and needed to rest. Being a queen isn't easy. She lowered her head, and closed her eyes. Glad to get a moments rest.
The nap was cut short. Nala woke to the sound of Simba shouting. Nala got up quickly, and ran outside. Fear gripped her heart, as she saw a large plume of smoke in the distance of the Pride Lands. She feared for Kiara's safety.
Zazu arrived, flying to them, saying that a rogue lion was carrying Kiara through a lake, and she seems to be unconcious. Nala and Simba did not waste any time, and followed Zazu.
It took minutes to finally reach Kiara's location. Simba and Nala saw Kiara weel, and standing on all fours, talking to the rogue.
"Kiara!" Simba called out, firmly.
Nala ran to Kiara, and nuzzled her. Simba roared at the rogue.
"Kiara, you're all right." Said Nala, purring.
Kiara quickly returned the nuzzle, but turned her attention to her father.
"Father, how could you break your promise?" Kiara said, feeling utterly betrayed and embarassed. Kiara lost her dignity as a lioness, because her father had Timon and Pumbaa secretly keep an eye on her. This was her first time, to prove her skills to her pride, but Simba ruined it for her.
"It's a good thing I did. I almost lost you. No more hunts for you. Not ever." Simba replied. The death of Kopa still stuck with Simba, the main reason he was overly protective.
Kiara frowned, wishing her father could just give her a chance. The rogue still remained, listening to the conversation.
"But I was doing just fine, even before Kovu..." Kiara began.
Simba and Nala thought the rogue looked familiar. It was Kovu.
"Kovu?" Simba said, looking to the rogue.
Simba growled, and roared at Kovu. Kovu took one step back, but stood his ground, and roared back, both of their ears pinned back.
Nala couldn't believe her mate's actions, and she tried to put him back in check, she said softly but firmly.
"Simba!"
"Hey! You! How dare you save the King's daughter?" Said Rafiki.
Nala, Simba, Kiara and Kovu see Rafiki, sitting on a small hill very close to them.
Simba then looked back at Kovu.
"You saved her? Why?" Simba began, not trusting Kovu at all.
Kovu stood tall, and took a deep breath.
"I humbly ask ask to join your pride." Said Kovu.
Simba walked to Kovu, and got right in his face.
"No! You were banished with the other Outsiders." Said Simba, a small growl at the end of his words.
Kovu moved backwards from Simba's aggressive approach. Then stopped, as Simba gave him some personal space.
"I have left the Outsiders. I'm a rogue. Judge me now for who I am. Or am I to be blamed for a crime I didn't commit?" Said Kovu.
Simba growled in utter annoyance and anger. Trying to figure out what to do with Kovu. His trust with anyone outside the pride was clearly shaken.
"Simba, you owe him your daughter's life." Said Nala.
Zazu flew down, near Simba's paws.
"Yes Sire. Clearly we are in his debt. And royal protocol demands that all debts be paid. Though in this case, you might want to make an exception." Said Zazu.
Simba turned his gaze toward Kovu.
"My father's law will prevail." Said Simba, while walking away from them all. "For now, I reserve judgement. We'll see who you really are." Simba concluded.
Nala and Kiara smiled, perhaps Simba would start letting go of the past, and no longer let it hold him down, clouding his mind. Zazu flew near Simba, and when no one was looking, he smirked at Nala and Kiara.
Nala, Simba, Kiara and Kovu walked back to Pride Rock. Both mother and daughter entered the den, Simba was walking slowly, hasn't even reached the den, Kovu was ahead. Kovu with almost reluctance, began to enter the den. Simba growled, and ran, cutting in front of Kovu. Simba bared his teeth, and this was a sign that he had to sleep outside. Simba then walked in the den.
Later that night, Simba had another nightmare about his father's death. He sighed, groaning, and got up slowly. Many things on his mind. Being a king wasn't so easy, as he once thought. He decided to get some air, hopefully to clear his head. He saw that Kiara wasn't in the den, and quickly ran to the entrance. Kovu wasn't sleeping outside. He sniffed the air, and followed their scent.
Simba ventured through the Pride Lands, and finally found them. Simba was on top of a hill, and they were on the bottom, but they didn't even notice him. Kiara nuzzled Kovu, and Simba sighed, he could see that she cared for Kovu.
Simba needed help, he looked to the night sky.
"Father. I am lost. Kovu's one of them. Scar's heir. How can I accept him?" Simba said, wanting the most help he could get. He clearly wanted to try and trust Kovu, but it's easier said than done.
"Simba?" Called Nala, her voice soft and gentle. Nala walked up to his side, and emitted a purr.
"I was seeking counsel from The Great Kings." Said Simba.
Nala noticed Kiara and Kovu on the bottom of the hill, and smiled a light smile, but looked to Simba.
"Did they help?" Asked Nala.
"Silent as stars. My father would never..." Simba began, but Nala nuzzled his neck and purred.
"Oh, my Simba. You want so much to walk the path expected of you. Perhaps Kovu does not." Nala said, licking his nose, then pointing her maw towards Kovu's location.
Simba looked at her, trying to say he had no idea he and Kiara were down there.
"I can see them down there, just as easily, as you can. Get to know him and see." Nala concluded.
After that, she gave his cheek another lick, and turned around, heading back to Pride Rock. Simba took Nala's words of advice, to heart. He then soon followed her back home.