Kovu looked out at the rising sun bleakly. "What am I going to do?" he asked himself. Vitani got up, looking at the extra guards Husudu had posted after he, Ndume, and Kiara had left. "We have to figure out something soon." Vitani whispered as the guards looked back at them…
Kiara yawned, opening her eyes. Ndume walked over to her. She glared at him. "Why did you follow me last night?' she demanded. Ndume grinned. "Cause I had nothing better to do," he joked. Kiara sighed angrily, turning her back on him. "Kiara," Ndume pleaded, stepping beside her. She looked at the floor. "Why did you follow me?" she repeated.
"I heard you leave. I was worried about you. I still am," Ndume explained. Kiara looked at him questioningly. "Why would you worry about me? Do you not trust me?" she asked, her feelings mixed.
"I do trust you Kiara," Ndume insisted, then he faltered, "it's just…I don't want you to do anything you'll regret," Ndume tried to explain his feelings for Kiara.
"I would never regret helping Kovu and Vitani," Kiara exclaimed. Ndume suddenly looked hesitant.
"Kiara, will you please take a walk with me? I want to talk to you," Ndume pleaded, hoping Kiara would accept. Kiara looked at him skeptically, part of her wishing things could just go back to they way they had been. "I'll give you one more chance," Kiara mumbled begrudgingly. Ndume grinned, leading the way out of the den. Kiara followed him somewhat hesitantly. Ndume gazed at her as she looked at the flowers that bloomed under the trees that dotted his home. Kiara glanced at Ndume, slightly annoyed.
"Kiara, you know I really do care about you, don't you?" Ndume asked, stopping and turning to her.
"I know you would risk your life for me Ndume! But you have to trust me when I say Kovu would do the same!" Kiara suddenly exclaimed angrily, heading for the shade of a tree that shaded several white flowers. Ndume followed her, hoping he could tell her how much he really did care about her. Kiara lay in the flowers, swishing her tail on the ground. Ndume laid next to her, trying to think of something to say. He looked around noticing the flowers. Leaning down, he picked up one in his mouth, offering it to Kiara. Kiara turned her head as she felt Ndume, seeing the flower. She looked at Ndume, her eyes filled with mixed emotions
"Kiara, what is bothering you?" Ndume asked, hurt and concern in his voice. "If you're still angry at me, why did you agree to come with me?"
"Because I know that you're still good, even if that part of you is hidden from those you care about most!" Kiara said, wondering if it was actually true. She was seeing less and less of the Ndume she had cared about like a brother when she was a cub…
Kovu's head shot up as he heard a large lion enter the cave. "Husudu," he growled as Vitani got to her paws, showing her fangs. He barely glanced at her. "Come with me, now," he ordered, Kovu not budging. Husudu smirked, two of his lions coming to join him.
"We can take them, Kovu," Vitani whispered determinedly. Kovu looked uncertain, then shook his head. "No, I don't know where Kiara is," Kovu mumbled, standing down. Vitani looked defeated, knowing she could not take Husudu and his lionesses by herself. Husudu grinned. Kovu slowly made his way over to Husudu, glaring at him defiantly. "What do you want with me?" he asked fiercely.
"You'll know soon enough," Husudu replied grimly. Kovu glanced at Vitani, who was watching Husudu suspiciously. "What are we waiting for?" asked one of the Fertilanders, looking at Kovu with hate. Kovu growled, turning his head toward the lion. "Silence," Husudu commanded, the lion looking away. "You will stay here," he ordered the lion, the other guards as well. Kovu looked at Husudu suspiciously. Husudu growled at him, leading them out onto the plain. "This way," he said gruffly, abruptly changing directions. Kovu trailed behind warily, waiting for Husudu to do something. "I'm not going to hurt you," Husudu called without turning around. "Why would I trust you?" Kovu replied bluntly, not making any move to get closer to Husudu. "Because your life is in my paws. You would want to stay on my good side," Husudu said smoothly, looking over his shoulder at Kovu, who glared at him.
"The first thing I was taught was to trust know one," Kovu stated.
"Zira taught you well, and your entire pride from the way my pride has had to fight for their lives against your demon sister," Husudu said with mock respect.
"I can see why she would spend her time with you," Kovu shot back angrily. Husudu growled, his claws unsheathing. "You said you won't hurt me," Kovu reminded him, Husudu able to hear the small satisfaction in his voice. Husudu glared at the ground, growling. "Get moving," he barked, moving forward…
Kiara lay her head on her paw, waiting for Ndume to say something. She felt something on her other paw. She looked at her paw, Ndume's paw covering it. She looked at Ndume, ready to object. He locked eyes with hers, all of his feelings for her swimming in them. Kiara looked away. "Ndume, if you really loved me, you would want me to be happy, wouldn't you?" Kiara asked gently, trying to not lose her temper for once.
"How long will that happiness last, Kiara? Till Kovu takes the throne?" Ndume asked seriously, but trying to be gently.
Kiara looked at Ndume, her eyes flashing…
Kovu looked around him as the sides of the ravine above him. "Why did you bring me here?" Kovu asked, his voice echoing eerily off the rock. Husudu remained silent…
"Ndume, I love Kovu. He's my mate, and I want to spend the rest of my life with him!" Kiara exclaimed, starting to run. Ndume easily caught up with her.
"RRROOOAAAR!"
Kiara and Ndume stopped dead in their tracks. Kiara perked up her ears, hardly able to believe them. "Father!" she exclaimed, She broke into a run, remembering what Mufasa had told her. Ndume rang along side her. "What's going on?" Ndume asked, trying to hear any sounds. "I have to find Kovu!" Kiara shouted. Ndume suddenly tackled her, pinning her down. "I can't let you go to your death," Ndume said as Kiara struggled. She suddenly locked eyes with Ndume. "I'm sorry!" Kiara exclaimed as she freed her paw, slashing Ndume across the face with her claws. Ndume let out a roar of pain as he fell off of Kiara. Kiara broke into a run, not looking back.
"Kiara!" Kiara heard as Vitani came rushing up to her. "Our pride's here! We're going to win this fight once and for all!" Vitani exclaimed.
"Where's Kovu?!" Kiara asked suddenly, panic rising within her. Vitani's expression changed from one of triumph to panic. "Husudu took him awhile before Simba and Nala got here!" Vitani explained. Kiara suddenly ran away, Vitani following her. "Where are we gong?" she asked urgently.
"Hurry! Kovu's in trouble!" Kiara shouted, running faster than she ever had before…
Simba looked for Nala as he beat off another Fertilander. He saw her fighting against two lions. Roaring furiously, he charged into the battle, knocking one lion away, Nala finishing the other. They nuzzled, having been separated when the fight started. "Where's Kiara?" Simba asked, Nala looking panicked. Simba roared as a lion bit into his back, he and Nala being forced back into the battle…
Kovu looked up sharply as he heard roars ring furiously off of the rock walls. He turned, seeing Husudu in his way. "Move," Kovu said, crouching down. Husudu watched him carefully. "Kovu!" Kovu heard Kiara yell from far away. He turned his head, and Husudu seized his opportunity. Roaring furiously, he brought his paw down on Kovu's head, Kovu falling limp as Husudu heard the oncoming roar of water in the distance. He looked at Kovu's unconscious body. "Good bye, Outlander,"…
Please review this chapter! I left the giant cliffhanger on purpose, and I'm not sure if this is one of my best chapters...again. Please review :)