Reviews:

CandyCane21: Vitani is pretty damn awesome. She's in my top three favorites of The Lion King. You'll be hearing more from her. Yay! And you'll also be glad to hear that I considered your idea for Nyota's cub if you don't mind. I love it!

Chihiro1088: DundunDUN! It's Moyo's turn I belive. Hope you're enjoying the story. Love the name, btw ;)

Chapter XXI

Vitani tossed and turned her second night with the Pridelanders. Not that it wasn't comfortable, it was way better than being bitten by termites while she tried to sleep, she could tell you that. She was just worried. This guy, Moyo wasn't as nice as he seemed. He lashed out on here a lot when she tried to get to know him, that left her very confused. Another thing that worried her was that she knew Zira must've already found out she'd left the Outlands and most likely assumed Vitani stayed in the Pridelands. The lioness was afraid her mother would plan a surprise attack out of anger, but that wasn't going to happen since Askari was there. He'd stop her and fill her head with some common sense, and she needed lots of it. Then again, there was always the possibility….no. Vitani needed to get her mind off of this.

She sat up and looked around to see if anyone else was still up. Her younger brother's girlfriend had been kind of awake. Yeah, her eyes were closed, but Vitani could tell she was having trouble falling asleep. She felt bad for her, but she also felt guilty. She could've tried to stop the lion from hurting the poor girl.

Vitani sighed and made her towards to den entrance. Unfortunately, her path was blocked before she could make it out. "Where are you going?" Moyo growled quietly. She forgot about her guard dog.

The Outsider rolled her eyes. "I'm just gonna get a drink. It's not a big deal. Now move." Moyo got out of her way and let her walk past him. Seconds later, he trailed behind her. Vitani froze, whipped around, and snarled. "Stop following me."

"I don't want to follow you, but I have to."

"Um, I thought you said you were perfectly fine with watching my every move." She raised an eyebrow.

Moyo thought for a moment. He shook his head. "I don't have an ans- look, do you want to go to the water hole or not?"

"I was on my way-"

"Then start moving!" Vitani was a bit surprised at his outburst, but she kept walking. "You know, we could head back sooner if you sped up."

The lioness tried to keep it together. The last thing she wanted was to be exiled from the Pridelands for the second time. But this guy, Moyo, was making it difficult. Though, there was something about him that felt familiar. Vitani couldn't help but notice that he looked a bit like Kopa. She wanted to start asking him questions, but she felt like it wasn't her place to do so. She was still an Outsider, and Moyo seemed to be an important Pridelander by how he looks. He was pretty well built with well defined muscles; a couple of scars here and there; had a full, rich brown mane; and she had to admit, he was really handsome. Sadly, her curiosity took over. "So, do you do?"

Moyo blinked a couple of times before he realized she was talking to him. "Uh, what do you mean."

"I mean you're a Pridelander, so what's your job? Do you hunt, guard the borders?"

He hesitated. "I….I'm new here, so I just do the hunting with the lionesses."

Vitani frowned. She was really confused. "Wait, you're not a Pridelander? But you smell exactly like them."

"Well, yeah. I've been around them for a while."

"My little brother has been with them, too, and he still smells like an Outsider."

Moyo shook his head. "Look we're at the water hole. Drink up so we can head back. And it's really none of your business." Vitani rolled her eyes and brought her head down. The clear liquid tasted amazing! Way better than the little she had to share with the rest of her pride. It was only a minute later when she brought her head back up and grinned.

"That. Was extremely refreshing. Gods."

Moyo smirked. "It's just water."

Vitani turned around. "Right, and you're just a stranger that smells exactly like a Pridelander. Even more like royalty."

The lion's jaw dropped. "Well….I-I-"

"You're lying to me," Vitani noticed. "Why?"

"You're an Outsider. I don't….I don't trust you. Hell, I barely know you."

The lioness glared at him. "Again, the lies. Look, I know I'm not meant to be trustworthy because I'm one of them, but please," she begged, "I hate being lied to. My life has barely been filled with the truth."

Moyo sighed. "Vit….I'm sorry for being hard on you, but things are very difficult right now-"

"Don't call me that," she growled.

"Vitani, just listen. I'm being harsh on you for a reason that I can't explain."

"That sounds like abuse."

The aqua eyed male started to get impatient. "It's not, gods. I'm not hurting you physically, am I?"

Vitani gave him a small pout. "You're hurting my feelings. My little heart feels like it's been clawed from my chest."

"I'm surprised you even have one," he muttered.

In this case, Vitani would've either picked a fight or would've said 'Excuse me?' But, the way he said it sounded like….well, like he wasn't saying it at all. Sorta like it was meant for no one. He said it just because. Vitani sat next to him. Moyo didn't move away. Instead, he got closer to her. She barely knew him, but she did. Or at least that's how she felt. She knew there was something too familiar about him. Was it the way he said that certain nickname? His looks? His voice? The way she got lost in his eyes when they weren't arguing about something stupid, and he got lost in hers? She didn't know, but she wanted to. She needed to. After a long silence, Vitani spoke up. "Do you….do you hate me for some reason?"

Moyo looked at her as if she was insane, his eyes wide. "No! Why on earth would I hate you?!"

"Well, you rarely talk to me, and when I try to talk to you, you get mad and act like I did something bad to you. Did I?"

Moyo looked at her and sighed. "Did you what?" He was trying to stall the conversation.

Vitani didn't seem too keen about finding out because she needed to keep here cool, but she was. "Hurt you in any way? I couldn't have. At least, not that I remember. We only met two days ago-"

"You didn't do anything. I hurt you."

The Outsider frowned. "Clearly, I'm not on the same page as you."

Moyo sank his claws into the grounder deeper than they already were, trying to fight the urge. But, his feelings got the best of him. He leaned in and gave the lioness a quick lick on the cheek. He immediately regretted it when she looked like she was about to assassinate him "What. The. Hell?"

Moyo swallowed hard. "Vit, I'm so sorry-"

The air was knocked out of him and he found himself with his back against the grass. "The hell you kiss me for?!"

He couldn't keep lying. Especially to her. "Vitani, it's me."

"I can see that."

"No. Me as in Kopa-agh!"

She sank her claws into his shoulders and snarled. "Don't you dare mention him. You don't know a thing about him!"

The male used his strength to switch their positions and held her down. "Vit, it's me. Kopa. I wouldn't lie to you."

"You just lied to me a whole bunch of times!"

"And I couldn't keep on doing that to you. Listen to me! Please." He looked into her eyes and she stopped struggling. "It's me, Vit. It's really me. And I love you. I can't stand seeing that hurt look on your face."

She stared at him. "...Kopa?" He let her up in nodded. She breathed heavily. "No….no. You're….he's dead! I-I saw y-him! His bloodied body….the grin on Zira's face when I returned…." She shook her head and the lion walked towards her cautiously.

He pulled the Outsider closer and embraced her. "I'm here," he whispered, his voice cracked a bit. "I'm alive." He breathed in the familiar scent he'd missed for so long.

The prince let her sob into his mane. "Kopa," was the last thing she said before she broke down. They held each other tightly for as long as possible. Neither one wanting to let go.