Hi, I'm back. I'm so sorry it's been a long time since I've updated. Anyway, I own nothing, but Kim, the plot twists, and any other characters that don't appear in the movie. I hope you enjoy.

Eeh = Yes

Nini jiri = What happen(ed)

Malkia = Queen

Huduma = Help

Last time

My heart skips two beats. Is he playing some sick joke one me? He has to be lying. How does he know my child's name…unless? I shake my head; it hurts too much to think of it. After a moment, Scar begins to walk over to me. I try to move, but his eyes lock with mine and I can't look away.

My eyes scream that he must be lying, but he shakes his head. "Kimaria…your son is alive."

Now onto the story:

It has to be a dream! The whole thing is a nightmare. Yet, my mind seems to be blank, except for his words circling around me. It…it can't be what he is saying. How does he know Abdalla's name? What does he mean that my son….? I shake my head, unable to think about it. My knees buckle beneath me and I collapse onto the ground. Everything around me spins as his words echo in my mind. Could it be a trick of some kind? Why is Taka torturing me like this? I blink and hold my hand to my forehead, trying to relax. I blink twice and look over at Scar. His bright eyes flash with a mixture of both sympathy and pain. A shiver crawls down my spine and I hug myself for warmth, but I still feel the icy chill. Questions race through my mind, but I cannot find the right the words. My throat feels raw red and salvia burns my throat as I swallow. How can he be telling me the truth? A millions words are perched on my tongue, but only one escapes my lips. "How?"

Scar shakes his head. "I…I don't really know, but I know where to find him."

Again, my heart beats faster and I feel heat rising in my cheeks. "But…Simba said that Zira killed him."

Scar shakes his head. "No, she didn't."

I search his face for any traces of a lie, but his eyes shine with truth. I gulp again and stare at the lion before me. He regards me with a truthful stare and I shiver. My wet cloths cling to my body even as I try to keep myself warm. Still, Scar does not lower his eyes from me and he takes a step toward me. I scramble away from him, my eyes narrowing for another attack, my teeth clenching together. He pauses and sits back on his haunches and continues to look at me.

"Do…you want to find him, Kimaria?" He asks softly.

Does he even need to ask? What type of mother would I be….I shake my head. I'm not a mother. I feel the pain of losing a child, but I'm not like Nala. I have not raised my own child and now Scar says he is alive. Again, the very thought of Abdalla being alive makes my heart beat faster. For a moment, my gaze drifts up to the sky, but the mountains hide the stars. I lower my eyes back onto the dark lion and he repeats the question.

I feel my mouth open, but a question escapes me lips. "How do you know he's….?"

"I've seen him and I've been watching out for him"

I grit my teeth. "When have you ever watched out for anyone other than yourself? You never cared about me or my son."

"Do you remember when you came back to Pride Rock? I asked Sarafina for their hunting party hoping there was food. When she told me no, I grew desperate because I knew you needed food for the cub inside you," He says.

I blink as his words run around my mind. Can it be true? Has he been trying to protect me all this time? I shake my head and look over at him. Taking a deep breath, I ask, "Where is he?"

Scar's head shifted and looked back east. My heart plummets into my stomach as I follow his gaze. Will we have to cross the Pride Lands? How will Scar be able to travel without being seen? After Scar's reign, Simba has appointed a few animals to survey the borders of the Pride lands. I remember him saying it was for the hyenas and then later for the Outlanders, but could it have been for someone else? Could Simba have lied to me about…? Once more, I shake my head; no Simba will not do that. I look back over at Scar and our eyes lock. I take a deep breath and look away from him as his question races through my mind.

After a moment, I look back at him and nod. "Eeh."

"Yes, what?" Scar asks.

"I want to….I want to find my…my son," I say. My voice barely sounds like my own as I repeat the last two words. How can it be possible for me to be able to see my little boy? Where is he? Scar looks up at the sky and begins to silk back toward the mountain's shadows. I open my mouth, but he shakes his head. A gentle breeze blows around me and I shiver as I turn to look out across the river. I blink and turn back to look at him, but he has almost disappeared. His emerald eyes glint through the shadows as he watches me.

"Tomorrow night, Kimaria. Morning will be here soon and you should get back," he says.

"You tell me my son is alive and-"

"I will take you to him, I swear, but not now. Go home now," He says calmly.

I open my mouth to protest, but his words are true. Again, I look over to the east and sigh. He will never cross the river and remain hidden from the pride. The breeze picks up and I shiver, rubbing my hands up and down my arms. I glance over my shoulder, but he has disappeared completely…like a ghost. No, he is real! My fingers run across the scars on my arm from his surprised attack and I shiver. At times, I forget that I live among dangerous animals. I push those thoughts back and turn back toward the river and plunge in. The salt seeps into my open wounds and I force myself not to scream. It feels like a thousand knifes ripping at my skin and I force myself up. Breaking the surface, I let out a loud scream and push myself toward the opposite bank. In the distance, I hear a cluster of voices running toward me. I feel sharp teeth curl around my shirt and pull me up upon the bank. I lie down and blink up into the faces of two lionesses and an antelope. Concern shines in their eyes as they stare down at me.

"Nini jiri?" one of the lionesses asks.

I open my mouth, but cough up water. I sit up and cough again. After a few minutes, I say, "I just went for…a swim. I'm fine"

The other lioness shakes her head. "You're not fine, my malika, look at the blood upon your body."

"Well…" I bite my lip trying to find a solution. "I got tangled in some branches and cut myself."

"But what were you doing in the river at this time. The sun has only just broken over the horizon," the antelope says, looking down at me. "Why didn't you come and talk to us?"

I blink and stare up at the three of them. "Are you…are you pat of the siril petrol of the Pride Lands?"

All three of them nod. I gulp and glance back across the bank before turning to the first lioness again. "What…what did you see?"

The first lioness's eyes squint in puzzlement. "Only you in the water and we heard you scream, but nothing else."

"Was there something else?" the antelope asks, lowering his head.

"…No, nothing I was just swimming. I'm sorry if I disturbed you," I say.

The antelope looks over at the lionesses, but none of them say anything. Yet, their expressions say everything, all concerns and disbelief. I bite my lip and push myself off the ground. I sway on my feet, but the lionesses come on either side of me and keep me up. My fingers brush against their fur and I thank them. Neither of them say anything and I remember that it is their job to protect me. After a moment, I feel myself being hosted onto one the lionesses' back before we turn and head back toward Pride Rock. I curl my fingers into the fur to hold on, but glance over my shoulder. Scar's words echo in my mind and I sigh. The longing for night already setting in my heart. For a moment, I glance up at the sky, the last traces of starlight glint in the sky. Closing my eyes, I send a prayer to the Great Kings for Scar not to be lying about my son. None of the animals or I say anything as we return to Pride Rock. A gentle cool breeze swirls around us while the sun continues to rise. Fresh grass peeks up through the ground. Birds fly overhead and sing as they search for food. Other herds of animals have begun to wake and eat. Cubs run around their and under their parents, excitement for a new day shining on their faces. I can feel their stares as the small group passes and I force a smile. I watch them and again feel that wish for nightfall. Small calls of good morning echo from herd to herd as we pass, but I barely notice.

Back inside the cave at Pride Rock, I slide off the lioness and onto the floor. The cool stone feels nice against my cuts and I lie there for a moment, content. In the distance, I hear other lionesses discussing something, but I can't make out their actual words. Something brushes against me and I look up to see Sarabi staring down at me, concern and relief filling her eyes. She leans down and licks my face. I wince, but force a smile up at her.

"Oh thank the Great Kings you're all right, Kimaria. What were you thinking?" Sarabi asks, her voice hovering between concern and scolding me.

I gently push her back and sit up. "I'm fine Sarabi. And I'm not a little kid…cub anymore."

Sarabi smiles and nuzzles me. "You and Simba will always be my children. No matter how old you two become or Simba as our king."

I nod absentmindedly and begin to look around the cave. Again, Sarabi looks at me with concern and I smile at her. Nodding, I say, "I know we are Sarabi." I hug her and feel her purring. After a moment, I pull back and ask, "Have you seen Simba anywhere?"

"He, Zazu, and some the hunting party went to do their daily routine in checking the food and other herds who have entered the Pride Lands."

I sigh. "Do you know how long they will be gone?"

"No, but they should be back for lunch why do you want to know?" Sarabi asks softly.

"Uhh…nothing I was just wondering," I say. "And don't worry I was only out for a swim this morning."

Sarabi looks unconvinced at my explication, but only says, "I would change and get those cuts checked out. I will call for Rafiki."

"Oh no I'm fine, really," I say.

Again, Sarabi looks unconvinced, but she says nothing. I watch her turn and return the other lionesses' further inside. I sigh and run my fingers through my hair as I stare out toward the entrance of the cave. How long are they going to be gone? Scar's words echo in mind and I frown. My mind races with unanswered questions of trust and loyalty. I remember Simba telling me that Zira had killed my son, but now Scar claims otherwise. Closing my eyes, I see the little cub, Taka, able to hit into my arms and my best friend as a child. Who do I trust and if there is even a slight possibility that Abdalla is alive… I shake my head, not allowing myself to get too excited. Slowly, I lie back down onto the ground, curling my arm underneath my head as a pillow. I lie there until I slip into my dreams.

Darkness surrounds me on all sides. The hair on the back of my neck stands up and I shiver. An icy breeze fills the vast void as I start to run toward something. I hear someone crying out for help, but I can't make out any particular voices. Each cry merges with the last as I keep running. Out of the corners of my eyes, I see flashes of light of yellow and orange. Soon, a ring of fire spreads around me and I jump back. Cries for help grow louder as my eyes squint against the fire's light. Lionesses faces appear inside the flames and I jump back again, but flames hiss around my ankles. I look back at the sorrowful faces and gulp.

"What…what can I do?" I ask, my voice cracking.

"Save us!" came the unison reply.

"From what?" I ask.

The lionesses only repeat their cries of help. Yet soon, a new small, male voice creeps through the flames. I blink, but the figure remains hidden within the fire. I call out for an answer and close my eyes, waiting for a reply.

"Huduma, mwanamke" the voice cries.

"Where are you?" I ask, desperation filling my voice as my heart begins to beat faster.

"Follow Taka," the voice says, his voice fading back into the fire.

Again, I call out, but the flames begin to enclose around me until I feel them along my skin.

My eyes snap open as I bolt upright. Sweat drips down my forehead while my heart pounds against my chest. I blink three times, trying to remember where I am. Sunlight stretches across the entrance of the cave and I recoil from it, remembering the flames in my dreams. I feel a headache forming and I press my hand against my forehead. How long had I been asleep? I glance over my shoulder, but the lionesses are gone.

"They must have gone out to hunt," I mutter to myself.

I close my eyes and try to remember my dream, but it's fading fast from my memory. Yet, I can still feel the flames lapping around my ankles and I shiver. The last nightmare I had with fire was months ago. I thought it was a vision of the fire during Kiara's hunt, but what was this new fire. Nothing makes any sense. What do any of them mean? Again, I take a deep calming breath and push myself up, using the wall to balance myself. Slowly, I walk back to our normal sleeping area and change my cloths.

When I get back to the entrance, I hear Zazu and Simba's voices just outside. A tiny smile forms on my lips, but it falters as Scar's words still whisper in the back of my mind. Shaking those thoughts away, I walk over and wave to them. Both lion and bird smile and run/fly over to me.

"Where were you, Kamaria?" Simba asks, looking up at me.

I open my mouth, but Zazu cuts me off. "Yes, we were quite worried when you didn't come back last night."

"I went out for an early swim that's all. I…have a lot on my mind," I say slowly.

Zazu's eyes grow wide in curiosity, but he says nothing.

Simba's eyes narrow in confusion. "Like what?"

"Oh…I…well just stuff, but…" I pause and look beyond Simba out toward the horizon. "Sim, you made the siril petrol to protect us against the Outlanders right?"

Simba nods.

"But then…. Why are they still around when we have Kovu staying with us?" I ask, looking back at him.

"Zira and her pride may still try something and I want us to be prepared in case something shoulder happen, no matter what time it is," Simba says.

I nod in understanding but say, "But…when did you have the petrol set up?"

"Kamaria, why all these odd questions?" Simba asks, laughing softly.

"I'm just wondering," I say, biting my lip nervously.

"I set them up after I banished Zira for her crimes," Simba says, before walking past me. "Now come it's almost time for lunch."

Without another word, he walks back into the cave. I glance over at Zazu, but again he says nothing. He bows his head and flies off, following his king inside. I sigh, biting my lip as a breeze picks up around me. Slowly, my eyes drift over toward the west, the mountains cast in shadows. The promise of tonight swirls in my mind and I sigh. How long will this day last? Will I really see my son after all this time? Taking a deep breath I turn and walk inside the cave with the others. Yet, my thoughts were far away Pride Rock, across a river with a scared lion and a hopeful promise.

Well what did you think. I know a lot of people must likely wanted Kim to look for her son in this chapter, but don't worry it will come. :) And please review. Thank you and I hope I will be able to update more regulerly now. (Fingers crossed) Anyway please review.