It was the following day, Simba and Kovu were early to resume their journey back home. They were nearly home, only a few more hours were needed. Simba had noticed that Kovu has been really quiet lately, not even asking what will their next move be. He assumed Kovu was just plotting something that could turn the tables for them. But he couldn't know for sure. Kovu on the other hand really was plotting, but it was something Simba couldn't agree on. He was willing to put his life on the line for everyone in Pride Rock, for his pride, his family. And so he kept his mouth shut.

"You alright?" Simba broke the silence.

"I'm fine... I'm just thinking." Kovu answered.

"Don't worry, it won't be long until I get up and running again. Then I'll throw Makosa off the throne."

Kovu remained silent.

*sigh* "I know it's been rough lately, but I don't want you getting hurt. You don't deserve that kind of beating. It's my duty as parent, and as a father to keep you safe. Besides, I don't know what I'd do if I lost you, especially for Kiara." Simba spoke sincerely.

"Don't worry, I'm passed that." Kovu replied with smile.

"That's the spirit."

Of course it was only according to Kovu's plan, making him convinced that he won't be going anywhere. But he was morte than willing to go and fight Makosa alone, even if he dies in the process. It's worth the shot.

Meanwhile back at the Pridelands, around Rafiki's tree. Kiara was just waking up, she was rather surprised to see Timon still dozing off right beside her left paw. It was odd, but it did put a smile on her face. She was in a better mood for today, certainly better than yesterday but she couldn't help but feel the anxeity build up once again. She couldn't stay in Rafiki's forever. Her mother will be worried about her absence, more so for the tyrant back at Pride Rock.

She lifted her head from the ground and let out a small yawn. At the same time Timon awoke by the movements of Kiara.

"Good morning." Kiara said in a positive tone.

"You too, Kiara." Timon replied.

"Slept well last night?" Timon inquired.

"I did fine, felt like I had company."

"I thought you needed it, so I slept beside you."

"Thanks, Timon."

A few seconds later, Kiara stood and stretched her body, preparing herself for the new day. She didn't plan to stay any longer so she informed Timon for her departure.

"I guess I better get going."

"Now? Don't you think it's a little bit early?"

"It's alright, I gotta get back somehow or mom's gonna get hurt. Makosa will think that I ran away, and he won't like it."

"Well, good luck then."

Kiara departed from Rafiki's tree. On her way back Pride Rock, she remembered the deal that she and Makosa had for today. It scared her, she needed something to get it out of her mind. Luckily as Pride Rock closes in, she saw Vitani with the hunting party with their daily hunt. She wished to join them.

"Kiara?" Shika noticed from a distance.

"Kiara! Where have you been? You disappeared yesterday, we thought something must've happened to you." Kiburi exclaimed.

"It's alright guys, I'm doing fine. I just needed to get away from someone."

"It's getting worse isni it." Shika asked.

Kiara gave a short nod with a look of fear and concern.

During their meeting, Kiara noticed that Vitani was silent the whole time. She thought to interact with her friend.

"Vitani, you okay?" Kiara spoke in a calmly manner.

"I'm fine. I've just been thinking."

"About what?"

"Ways on how I can kill Tamaa."

"Okay that took a rather dark turn. Why don't we get it on with the morning hunt, to clear our minds for second." Kiara said.

"Yeah, it's our job anyway." Vitani chuckled.

And so they set off on a trek around the Pridelands hunting grounds to hunt for the entire Pride. Kiara was rather surprised that alot has changed ever since Makosa's group came in the Pridelands. Vitani's hunting group were forced to hunt nearly three times a day since Tamaa had been threatening them for the food they've hunted. It had been a nerve wracking journey for the other members, but Vitani was more agitated rather than afraid.

Kiara thought that her participation would get thw anxeity off of her and hopefully get more distance from Makosa.

Meanwhile, back at Simba and Kovu, as the day struck noon, Rafiki's tree was well within their view, Simba sighed in relief to be home at last. Kovu felt the same but the thing he's plotting blocked the sensation. Timon and Pumbaa have caught the two felines in their line of sight and proceeded to greet them.

"Simba! You're back! Oh we're saved." Timon exclaimed.

"So where's the army? Huh? Got them large lion groups as backup?" Timon sarcastically said with high expectations.

"Well, we couldn't convince them. Sorry." Simba said in a calm yet depressing manner.

"Oh no, isn't there anymore prides that you can ask help for?" Timon inquired again.

"I'm sorry, Timon. If the Highland Pride aren't willing to help, so will the other prides."

"But you can't know that for sure right?"

Pumbaa asked.

"We're out of time here, by the time I visited all of our neighboring prides, the Pridelands would've already fallen. So I'm sorry, there's nothing we could do but wait."

Timon, Pumbaa and Rafiki's expectations were demolished when they heard the announcement. They frowned upon it and so did Simba, putting himself to shame. Kovu on the other hand disliked the negativity, he then try to cheer Simba a bit.

"Why don't you try to get some shut eye? We've been traveling for a long time. It's better if we get some rest." Kovu intervened.

"You're right, we need to rest." Simba smiled after replying.

As Simba lied down with the heavy feeling of failure, Timon came in to ask once again.

"So what now?" He aksed in a calmly manner.

"We wait."

"Wait for you to get back up and fight him again?" Timon predicted.

"Yeah..."

"Are you sure? He beat you up last time you were against him."

"I'm absolutely sure. It is my duty as king to take back my kingdom and protect the pride. I can't just let it slip away."

"Well... That's gonna be a long waiting game."

Kovu settled down for a moment, keeping his patience, he waited untill Simba falls asleep, after that he would make his next move. His heart raced, expecting the things to come if he returns to Pride Rock, expecting the consequences. But what are his options anyway. He has no choice, he's willing to risk his life for the family he currently has. Even if he knew that death would be evident in his scheme, even if it is considered a foolish idea, it's worth trying.

A few hours passed, the sky wasn't clear prior to earlier. It was cloudy that afternoon. The sun had been completely blocked by the clouds and it was expected for rain. Simba had already fallen into a deep sleep out of exhaustion. Kovu pretended to be asleep and it was time for him to make his move. Walking silently passed Simba, Timon came up and startled Kovu.

"What are you up to kid?" Timon said in a monotone voice.

"Going out hunting." Kovu lied.

"You're gonna fight Makosa aren't you?"

Timon's answer put Kovu to a halt. He remained silent and quickly thought of a viable excuse.

"Well, that's what I thought. You'd end up fighting him one way or another." He nonchalantly said.

"But what choice do I have? It's better to act now than later."

"He didn't let you do it, did he?" Timon asked, refering something specific.

"What do you mean?"

"Simba didn't want you to fight." Timon cleared up.

"Yeah, he's very worried about me."

"It's because he loves you, kid. Like any father, he wouldn't want you to get hurt." He continued.

"But it would seem that everything has been narrowed down to one option. Go. Do what you gotta do."

And so, Kovu sprinted away on his way back to Pride Rock. He knew this was a death sentence for himself, but that didn't stop him. It's now or never.

Meanwhile back at Pride Rock. Vitani, along with Kiara were coming back from their third hunt for the day. Kiara could empathize with Vitani at this point, feeling the rage towards Makosa's members for being overworked. Their third catch was a large buffalo, and along the way, Makosa was returning from his recent patrol of the Pridelands borders.

Makosa came to visit the hardworking huntresses and congratulate them for a successful hunt. But all of it was just a ruse, his intentions are directly towards a certain someone. Kiara tried to have no eye contact whatsoever but Makosa kept forcing himself to Kiara, making it alot more harder for her.

On their way back, Kiara and Makosa walked side by side. Makosa even went as far as nudging Kiara's rear end and it made her absolutely uncomfortable. Everyone in the group could sense the tension but they had to refrain as he is the king.

Upon arrival at the foot of Pride Rock, Makosa tried to isolate Kiara from the group.

"Great hunt everyone, you all deserve the buffalo." He continued.

"But I would like a word with Queen Kiara in the den... Alone."

Kiara knew where this was going and she hoped she was wrong. Kiara and Makosa came up Pride Rock and into thier den. Kiara's heart was racing on what she expects. The den was completely empty, a perfect place to have some privacy.

Later on, Makosa surprisingly pinned Kiara to the ground. Sniffing and forcefully licking Kiara's face, Makosa was seducing her.

"I thought we had a deal up until tonight?!" Kiara spoke.

"I'm sorry, darling I couldn't wait." Makosa seductively replied.

"Please... Don't do this." Kiara said with a cracking voice as she was driven to tears.

"Put yourself upright. If you scream I'll cut your throat." Makosa threatened and prepared himself to mount onto Kiara.

Moments after, Kovu was sprinting through the fields and to Pride Rock as fast as he can to challenge Makosa. Three of Makosa's members saw a charging animal heading straight to Pride Rock, so they quickly intercepted him without question.

Kovu was met with three tyrants, all of which are larger than him. And so they started a short battle. Uchoyo had tried to swipe Kovu but he managed to dodge his attack and land a hit of his own to him, pushing him aside. Tamaa was the second, he tried to aim for Kovu's legs but failed to do so. Kovu managed to bite Tamaa's tail in return. The third was Hasira, being able to land a successful and devastating swipe at Kovu fazed him for a moment.

Kovu put up a good fight against three other lions. It would seem that his training had paid off. But unfortunately, a three against one situation had the victor quite clear. After sustaining a reasonable amount hits and scratches from the three lions, Kovu had been pinned down to the ground. Uchoyo and Hasira pinning both of his front paws and Tamaa at his back ready to rip out his spine.

"Who are you and why have you come here?!" Tamaa menacingly asked to Kovu.

Kovu remained quite with clear expression of hate on his face.

"Not taking eh? Let's see you open your mouth." Tamaa then bit Kovu's rear neck, and made Kovu loudly roar from pain.

Inside the den of Pride Rock, Makosa was alarmed of the unknown roar, and Kiara was relieved to be saved in the last minute. The roar sounded familiar to her so she came to the edge and looked to see who it was and so did Makosa.

"Kovu!" Kiara called out.

"Kiara! You sick animal, what have you done to her?!" Kovu angrily said.

The commotion had every Pridelander look to see what was happening, including Nala and Vitani.

"Ah, what a nice surprise to see you, Kovu. I haven't done anything to her... Yet." Makosa mockingly said.

"Now, what do you want? Make it quick, I've got business to attend to."

"I want to challenge you!" Kovu said, along with grunts as to being pinned to the ground.

*Chuckles* "That's so brave of you. You? Challenge me?" He mockingly said.

"You heard me! I want to challenge you to a fight!"

"Yeah that's not gonna work, also you'd have to be worthy to challenge a king, and you're obviously not." He confidently said.

"So were you."

"I'm done, here." Makosa lost interest about it and turned his back on him.

"Coward!" Kovu exclaimed to get his attention.

"For a king who rules four prides you're pretty stupid to back down from a fight!" He insulted.

Makosa was aggravated by those words he just said, so he turned his attention back to him.

"So much for much for a king who rules four prides. What, you afraid? You afraid to lose or are you afraid of me? What a weakling." Kovu mocked.

"You got a big mouth for someone with a small head." Makosa retorted.

"Fine. Here's your chance to be a hero. Name your venue for the challenge." He nonchalantly said.

"The ravine."

END OF CHAPTER