Husudu looked at his son disapprovingly. Ndume hesitantly approached Kiara. "Kiara..." Ndume began. She turned to face him, her amber eyes burning like fire. "I didn't mean for it to go this far," Ndume went on gently, attempting to nuzzle her. Kiara backed away before they touched. "Don't touch me!" she exclaimed, her gaze intensifying. Ndume stayed where he was, hurt in his eyes. "Are you afraid of me?' he asked quietly. Kiara shook her head. "I don't trust you Ndume!" she snapped, barely able to believe she could feel at twinge of sympathy for him. Ndume's suddenly became expressionless, Kiara unable to tell what he felt.
She glanced at Husudu, who had been sitting outside the cave, watching for Rafiki. Ndume suddenly turned to the remaining lioness. "Go find the Outlander," he said. He didn't have to say which one. The lioness nodded, and left the cave. Husudu stopped her as she left. He and the lioness then walked off, Husudu glancing back at his son. Kiara's gaze shifted back to Ndume. "Why did you send her to bring Vitani here?"
"I want to talk to you," Ndume confessed. Kiara glared at him. "I'm not going to forgive you that easily," she remarked angrily. Ndume closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. Kiara glanced uneasily back at Kovu. "Please wake up," she pleaded silently...
She turned to face Ndume as they left the cave. Rafiki had arrived and asked for them to leave so he would have room to work. "What's this all about?" she demanded, sensing Ndume was keeping something from her. Ndume looked at his paws, suddenly hesitant. Kiara let out and angry huff. "What is he keeping from me?!" she thought furiously.
Ndume lifted his head again; his eyes determined "Kiara, I..." Ndume was cut short as they heard something gasp in pain behind their backs. "Kovu!" Kara exclaimed, running into the cave. "Wait!" Ndume called urgently. He raced after her. He found her nuzzling Kovu, Rafiki looking at Ndume with a stony gaze. Rafiki suddenly brought his stick down on Ndume's head. "Ow!" Ndume exclaimed, glaring at Rafiki as he left the cave. Kovu's eyes snapped open, Kovu letting out a low growl as he saw Ndume. Ndume growled back. Kiara quickly stood between them. "Leave him alone!" she said defensively to Ndume. She turned back to Kovu. "You're in no condition to fight," she whispered soothingly as she glanced back at Ndume, who had let out another growl.
"Is he jealous?' she thought incredulously. Then she remembered what she had been thinking about before she came here. "Maybe I should just ask him..." Kiara wondered, and then quickly decided against it. "It would only make things worse for Kovu," she thought, pushing her curiosity aside for now.
"Ndume," Husudu called. Ndume turned around and saw his father standing outside of the cave with the members of their pride that would accompany them, and Vitani. "Kovu!" she called out worriedly, trying to get to him and Kiara.
"I'm fine," Kovu responded, Vitani only quieting down a little. Ndume glanced worriedly back at Kiara, who glared at him. He shot one last spiteful glance at Kovu before he went to join his father. "Guard Kiara," he mumbled to two of them, although he was pretty sure Kiara could guess what he was saying. They nodded, one of them ushering Kiara back from Kovu, while the other one kept Kovu from going to Kiara. Kiara looked at Ndume. "I don't even know who you are anymore, Ndume!" she shouted furiously. Ndume turned to face her. "I only want you to be safe,' he said affectionately.
"If you really cared about her, you wouldn't be here right now!" Kovu added his voice to the argument.
"I care about her more than you can imagine!" Ndume shot back, shocking Kiara to the bone. "The way he said that..." Kiara quickly shook her head, driving the thought away. "I'll have to ask him sooner or later," she reminded herself grimly.
Husudu stepped in front of Ndume before he could say anymore. "All of you silence yourselves!" He commanded, his gaze burning into Kovu more than anyone else. "You have no right to judge anyone in this cave," he remarked coldly to Kovu. Kovu glared at Husudu. "I never thought I would feel this kind of hate again," he stated angrily.
"You've never stopped feeling that hate," Husudu said emotionlessly. He turned and left the cave before Kovu could say anymore, Ndume following him closely...
"You're really going to yell at me for attacking him?!" Ndume exclaimed.
"I don't want Kovu murdered..." Husudu said.
"I don't either!' Ndume exclaimed, although he wasn't sure if it was true.
Husudu gazed patiently at his son. "I want him and the rest of the Outlanders to see what they made life like for me and the Pridelanders for so long...why do you think I haven't forced them back to the Outlands?" Ndume felt his anger subdue. He looked down at his paws uncomfortably. "I'm sorry" he mumbled guiltily.
"It's alright, I might have done the same thing in your place," Husudu said understandingly, "but understands this Ndume, if this happens again, there will be a consequence." Ndume nodded...
Kiara glared at the lionesses, who gazed calmly back at her. "Who do you think you are?!" she shouted angrily. "Don't bother, they won't listen!' Vitani shouted to her. "I don't care!" Kiara shouted back. She leaned back on her haunches, a growl rumbling in her throat as she prepared to fight her way to Kovu. Kovu saw this and got to his paws, ready to fight his way to Kiara.
"Neither or you move," they heard a Husudu bellow as he made his way into the cave. Ndume quickly came to stand behind Kiara. She faced him angrily. "Let us go!' she shouted. Ndume nuzzled her. Kiara reeled back. She barely fought down the impulse to hit Ndume as hard as she could. "Kiara, Kovu can't love you!" Ndume said forcefully. "How would you know anything about that? You barely let him get a word out before he's fighting for his life against you!" she spat back. Ndume lowered his head. "Please, think about what I said, I'll talk to you later," he said gently. He turned to go. "I'm not done with you!" she called to his back. He turned around. Kiara, surprised, remained silent. Ndume stared back at her. He suddenly whispered in her ear. "Come with me when we arrive at the Fertilands, I need to talk to you," he said quickly. Kiara simply glared back. "I won't go anywhere with you," she spat. "We'll see," Ndume said as though he couldn't tell Kiara was seething with anger at him. Kiara didn't bother to respond as they turned their backs to each other, Husudu appearing beside Kiara. "You have to give him a chance,' he muttered in her ear understandingly. Kiara let out a sharp gasp of disgust and confusion. Husudu turned to Kovu. "Let's go," he barked as he turned from them, Kiara staring at him with defiance and confusion, Kovu glaring at him.
'Ndume glanced back at Kiara. "She needs time to herself, she'll come with me..."
Sorry this took so freakin long! I know you guys probably expected more, but I was in a writer's block for awhile, and one suddenly came up when I was writing the last few paragraphs or so. I'm pretty sure this isn't one of my best chapters, but...once again...I have let you guys be the judges of that. Please review :.)