Hey guys! Hope you all are doing well! Thank you to those who left reviews; they help a lot in making this story the best it can be for you guys. A massive shout out to Fire Lord Zuzu for informing me of the formatting error which I have fixed, thank you very much for that. With that said let's begin Chapter 2!

Chapter 2: Consumed by Fear

Matthew was sitting down, back inside that hut. Unlike the delirious state it was in when Kovu found him the room was seemingly repaired. No cracks or holes in the room with all the furniture back to the usable condition they were in. It seemed peaceful, the sounds of wildlife outside quieting down. He looked down to see he was wearing his old clothes; that striped shirt and his black shoes. He lifted up his shirt quickly expecting to see his body covered in those new and old scars. But there was nothing. The child closed his eyes and took a deep breath to relax as he rested his head on his knees. Was the whole thing with Kovu a dream? Was everything with the storm all in his head? The boy gasped happily as he stood up with a realisation. There was sound outside the door. Was his parents about to enter through and scoop him up into their open arms? His father's smile. His mother's loving gaze.

No sooner than that breath was taken, the shuddering sounds of thunder and lightning crashed bring the boy back to the ground. The crackling and booming echoed inside the almost empty room, threatening to engulf Matthew in its cresending ensemble; the child shuddering in fear. He looked around as the walls began to tremble as if the storm outside was putting pressure on the structure. The walls and the pottery gradually became cracked and chipped; the latter out of nowhere exploded into shards of hardened clay. The boy brought his arm in instinct to shield his face as pieces scattered around the boy like flower petals.

With every passing second, the room began to slowly twist and morph into the room Matthew was more familiar with. The weather boomed in intensity forcing the child to his knees, covering his ears in hopes of blocking out the monstrous sound. He began to cry, terrified of the raging forces of nature. This was a terrible feeling of deja-vu.

"N… No… S… Stop…"

Against the backdrop of rain and wind the child heard cries from outside. Screams of pain and agony and suffering.

"Save me…"

"Save me please…"

"The pain… I… It hurts…"

Shaking his head in denial, the little infant curled up tighter as he collapsed to the floor. "Stop it…! Stop it please…!" Rivers of tears flooded those hazel orbs with shuddering hands catching the drops. The voices got louder in pitch and lower in touch, forcing their ghastly cries into the little boy's fragile mind. They screamed to be saved. Begging to be rescued. But rescued from what? And what could he do? The sounds of the storm slowly became fuzzy and distorted like static on the radio, very slowly changing in frequency until it became deafening screeching roars. The force sent Matthew trembling, screaming for his parents over the overwhelming audio bombardment.

The screams mixed and weaved with the beastial roars and became more corrupted as they merged. The humans' cries became more desperate and more agonising. Scraping and slashing rebounded off every single cry of terror and it brought the child deeper and deeper into despair. He was so scared he couldn't even speak. His skin, all of a sudden, became ice old. Those hazel eyes bulged as his breath became laboured and halted. Two voices were familiar amongst the chorus of screams.

"Son… Son… Help me…"

"D… Daddy?"

"My baby… Please help… I… I can't breathe…"

"M… Mama…?"

Matthew was confused and horrified with legs like stone, unable to budge an inch. He didn't want to be tormented with his parents like this. The sound of utter despair itched and scratched inside the child's mind. He begged for it all to stop. The door suddenly bursts open with a loud "BANG!" sending shockwaves throughout the room sending the child backwards. He looked up and the pitch black night stared back; howling winds and torrential rain greeting him. With a quick flash a shadowy figure was standing as if unaffected by the conditions of his environment, staring back at the child with unseen eyes.

A big flash of lightning illuminated the darkness and revealed a familiar face. Those green eyes that the boy was so used to now were dull and lifeless; a deep growl leaving that muzzle. It was Kovu.

"K… Kovu…? W… What's happening…?"

The lion said nothing, growling as the feline got into a hunting pounce, slowly moving in for the kill as his claws emerged from his paws and clacked on the wooden floor. As Kovu snuck ever so closer, those screaming voices and the storm got louder, each flash showing off the lion's ferocious face.

"Night night… Little one… You shouldn't have trusted me…"

The voice wasn't calm and loving; it didn't soothe his worried woes. It was dripping in malice and oozing in malicious intent. Before the boy's brain could fully process the situation the last thing Matthew saw was Kovu running up and pouncing at him. The piercing green eyes bulged with the feline going for the kill as those claws aimed around the boy's face and neck…

Before suddenly silence. And complete darkness…

Matthew suddenly jolted up awake drenched in sweat, his vision foggy with tears. He breathed heavily as he felt his skin crawl, that horrible dream sending shivers up and down his spine. Looking upward, he saw the sleeping Kovu with a soft smile on the lion's muzzle; his paws gently keeping the child close. Matthew froze as Kovu manoeuvred a paw to tuck him against his warm stomach; feeling more uneased than ever before. He knew it was too good to be true. Why did he ever trust a lion? The thought of Kovu about to consume the child made him shudder. Matthew carefully stood up from within the lion's embrace, slipping out from Kovu's paws. He had to get out of there.

Walking to the entrance of the den, he saw it was slowly reaching late afternoon; the sky beginning to turn from a deep blue to a soft golden hue. The trees were softly blowing in the gentle breeze showering the child with cold refreshing air. The shivering barefooted human briefly looked back at his lion protector, sleeping away happily. He looked more peaceful than in his dream but instead of feeling relief Matthew felt fear. 'Kovu might be tricking him, making him let his guard down'. The dream replayed in the child's head over and over again; the hut… the screams… his parents… Kovu…

"What are you doing outside?" Kovu spoke softly.

Matthew's head turned to see the lion now up, looking at the man-cub with a worried gaze. He wasn't sure whether to sigh in relief of seeing those calming green orbs or to be scared by the memory of the dream Kovu attacking him. He looked back towards the shimmering setting sun.

"I… I'm sorry if I had woken you…" The child spoke softly, almost whispering. "I… I needed some fresh air…"

The brown lion exhaled in a soft melodic hum, approaching the child in worry something would come out of nowhere and attack the poor boy. "My ears were more alert. All lions that have cubs need to be in order to keep them safe." He chuckled softly with a loving tender smile on his muzzle. "Now why don't you come in?" He requested with a mix of worry and seriousness. "It'll get cold soon."

"But I'm not your cub…" Matthew sighed, his mind continuing to lament on his dream. Even though his head screamed at him to try and make a run for it his legs disobeyed; the child retreated back into the warm darkness of the cave. The light of the vanishing sun faded from Matthew's scarred skin. Kovu caught up with the boy and pressed his cheek to the child's, softly nuzzling away as calming purrs rumbled in his throat.

"I know you're not… But I'll be looking after you until I can reunite you with your parents. I don't want anything bad happening to you… I wouldn't know what I would do…" Kovu sighed softly, wondering what was ailing the child's mind. "I know the love and comfort I can provide won't be the same. But I want to be here for you. I want to be there for you until you can be reunited with them..."

Kovu's tender voice only made Matthew remember his dream more and more, feeling himself tense up as those screams returned to his mind. The feline looked up at the golden sky from the safety of the cave; watching those white clouds slowly drift on by. The lion laid down to watch the sky at a better angle, breaking the child from his inner demons if only temporary. "What a view… The sun is just about to set." Kovu chuckled for a brief moment not before noting how much the child's expression had changed ever since he saw him awake by the cave's entrance. "Matthew… If there is something wrong… You can tell me."

Matthew had trouble finding the words, his thoughts getting caught in his throat. The child retreated into his pulled up legs, hugging himself tightly for comfort amongst the lion's brown fur. "I… I didn't sleep very well…"

"Shhh… It is alright little one. Did you have any bad dreams?" Kovu hushed the child and softly pressed his forehead against Matthew's, humming as he brought the boy closer into his warm fur.

Matthew nodded silently. "Mmhmm… Yeah…" The child hugged his legs more so, hiding his face to try and escape his problems, not wanting to look his guardian in the eyes. He was worried he would see the scary green eyes from his dream look back.

Kovu's ears flattened gently as he let out a soft exhale, looking down upon the man cub. He brought his muzzle downward to gently nudge the boy's side. "Matthew… Would you like to talk about your dream? It may help you feel better."

The child shook his head declining the offer but quickly changed his mind, nodding when he saw the worried and caring look on Kovu's face. "I… Those past events… At that hut… Before we met… It just kept on repeating… On an endless loop… Over and over again…"

"Would those be the same events that led you to end up stuck in that village alone?" Kovu queried.

Matthew nodded, taking a deep breath to try and hold back the tears. "Yeah… When my parents vanished without a trace… I heard screams… Their screams… T… there were growls within that storm…"

He looked down at the man cub with care, allowing him to lean against his foreleg; hushing him gently. "You don't need to say anymore, little one. I understand. You went through a lot of trauma…" Kovu smiled sympathetically and nuzzled the infant. The feline was both curious and nervous about these "growls". Did this cub hear what attacked that village? Hopefully if Simba accepted Matthew into the pride, he could talk with the king about these growls to see if this was an upcoming threat to the Pride Lands.

Matthew interrupted him with torrents of tears running down his face. "I… I know but… I don't know what happened to them… Why did they vanish…? T… They couldn't have left me… T… They wouldn't have b… but I… I… I'm so scared Kovu! S… So scared…!" Matthew broke down, clinging to Kovu's furry body with his shaking hands. "I want my Mummy and Daddy!"

"O… Oh… Little cub…" Kovu saw the tears that had bloomed on the child's face quickly turn into rivers; placing a paw on his head. He leaned down to softly nuzzle him as he allowed Matthew to cry into him, hugging the child tightly. "I know they wouldn't have left you purposely that night… I know they love you with all their heart… I assure you we will find the answers. I won't rest until we do." Kovu cooed, pressing the sobbing child close into his warm fur. "I'm sure that my family will be happy to help us find them too."

Matthew looked up with wide eyes still glossy and wet; his cheeks soggy with tears. "Y… Your family…? B… But a… aren't they lions…? W… What if they try to eat me…? Or worse…?" The sniffling child began to panic, whimpering coming from his coughing throat as his panicked mind took hold.

The lion bent his head down to meet the sniffling cub's gaze with one of the most caring looks the child had ever seen. "I'm sure they won't. They are as understanding and loving as I am. I'm sure once they get to know you they will help you find your parents. Do not fret, little cub. I will only take you up to them when you feel most comfortable".

"O… Okay…" The infant nodded and with a sob moved closer to Kovu, seeking shelter in the lion's front paws, hiding his face in the warmth. He felt a paw softly raise his head to see those warm green orbs he was more familiar with. With a soft brush of a paw Matthew's hair was parted and his tears cleared. The lion opened those front paws wider allowing Matthew to snuggle even deeper, pressing his face into Kovu's mane. The child nuzzled away against the soft and lush fur, those soft coos soothing him, with only soft sniffles and coughs occasionally breaking the silence. He felt slightly more at ease now that he was able to let out what was ailing him. "I… I miss them… Kovu…"

"I know you do, little one… I know… Shssh… Shssh… It's all going to be alright…" Kovu slowly felt the child shuffle to wrap those small arms around his neck as he heard a soft voice in his ear. "T… Thank you, Kovu…" Kovu beamed with happiness, gently licking Matthew on the forehead tenderly as he cuddled the boy close. He leaned his head close to the child's ear and gently replied with a soft smile. "You're welcome, little cub…"

"Kovu…?"

"Yes, Matthew?" Kovu replied, a soft smile on his muzzle as the lion heard the tiny voice coming from his mane.

"C… Could you please call me little cub?"

The lion nodded joyfully and kept the boy close. "Of course… Little cub…" The two laid there for a long time, happy to be in the other's embrace. Kovu felt the soft movements inside his fur as the child got more comfortable. He chuckled, bringing his paws in to keep Matthew nice and nestled. A paw began to slowly massage the infant's bare back, being careful with the scars, softly humming to keep the child calm.

The two laid there for a while, the sun just beginning to descend beyond the mountains. Both the child and the lion froze as a deep rumbling suddenly echoed in the rocky darkness. Matthew looked down at his own stomach and blushed. He was hungry. "Heh heh…"

Kovu chuckled as he carefully patted the giggling child's head, still in his embrace. "Oh little cub… You're hungry. Let's get you some food." With those soft melodic tones he leaned down lower to allow Matthew to climb on top. He slowly raised back up to prevent the boy from falling off, allowing those small hands to softly cling to his mane. "Are you ready? Are you holding on tight?"

Matthew nodded, hiding his face in Kovu's warmth; feeling even more relaxed by the lion's calm soothing voice. It was deep and gruff yet gentle at the same time. Made him feel a little safe in this rather dangerous landscape. "Yes Kovu…"

The lion left the cave looking around the area; up to the tall surrounding trees and to the low ground and everywhere between. "What do humans eat, little one? I am unfamiliar with what you eat. Do you eat meat like us lions do?"

The infant shook his head, explaining that while humans did it would have to be put onto a fire to make it safe otherwise he would be sick.

"Well that won't work… This is very worrying…" Kovu spoke with concern in his voice. He didn't want the child to get sick but he didn't want him to go hungry either. He looked at a certain old mandrill's tree, wondering if he should go and introduce the child to Rafiki; he may know of other foods the child might eat. "I have an idea! Hold on tight!" The lion joyfully began sprinting towards the shaman's home, feeling Matthew cling on tight. "K… Kovu…? Can't we slow down…?" The feline chuckled in response. "You'll be fine, little cub. Raise your head and feel the cool breeze. It'll soothe your mind and your heart."

Matthew hesitated still keeping his body low but with enough encouragement the child's head slowly raised up and the fresh Summery African wind flowed through his hair and past his skin. It was as if he was escaping the worries clinging onto his mind, feeling them get blown away temporarily. "T… This feels amazing…"

Kovu chuckled as he went, his mane dancing in the wind. "See, little cub? I told you." Kovu smiled as he heard the child giggle, those soft laughs warming his heart. He wanted nothing more than to see the child happy and safe. As he ran, the lion looked up at the glowing sky thinking about the child's parents. He just hoped wherever they were… They were safe and sound. Thoughts danced around Kovu's head, the parental love he had for Matthew running through his veins; his face becoming more stern as he felt himself run faster. He had made a promise to this child. This precious, vulnerable, and defenceless little cub. He promised he would protect him. He made a vow. To return this child to his parents. And he was determined to keep it.

'I will bring him to you. I will bring your child to you. Safe and sound and well. I swear it. I swear on my life. I will not rest until I see that he is returned.'

'... And that is a promise…'

"...Kovu… Kovu…?"

Kovu got brought out of his deep thoughts as the voice of Matthew entered his ears. The child was clinging to his mane, his voice desperate and dripping in concern. His eyes were glazed over and there was a slight hic to his voice. He must have been calling out his name while he was in deep thought. Poor thing, must have been worried. "I'm sorry, little one." Kovu chuckled nervously. "I was just in deep thought".

The child questioned why, looking up at the part of the golden sky that Kovu was staring at. "But why were you looking up at the sky? Did you see something?"

The lion chuckled. "Oh no.. I was in deep thought. I want to do the best I can to help you find your parents." He smiled as soft purrs rumbled his throat, blushing softly as the child hugged him from behind.

"Thank you Kovu.. I… I'm glad I met you…" The child nuzzled into Kovu's mane, his body untensing as he felt the warmth from the feline's fur wash over him.

The feline's blushing grew stronger, his furred cheeks glowing a deep red. "U… Uhhh… T… Thank you, little cub." An old baobab tree came closer into view, grabbing the lion and the human's attention. Kovu coughed a little to regain composure. "That's where we're headed. An old friend of the family lives there. He should know more about humans and what they eat. Hopefully he can help us find something you can eat. How does that sound?"

"I… I don't know…" Matthew retreated into Kovu's back fur, hiding in the protective warmth it gave the child. "I'm worried something bad may happen…"

"Don't worry, little cub." Kovu assured the boy with a smile. "I'm here… And I won't let anyone hurt you…" The lion smiled happily, letting out a big goofy grin on his face. Seeing the child giggle warmed his heart and made his paternal instincts bloom. He needed to get to Rafiki. He had been gone for a long while. He wondered if Simba, Kiara, and the others were wondering where he was.

As Matthew watched the African savannah rush by him on Kovu's back, flashes of stills from his dream appeared in his mind, like a paused scene from a film. He then thought back to how Kovu comforted him and hugged him tightly. Those ever so soothing tones calming him, that velvet-like fur. While he was still not fully trustworthy of Kovu, his best chances of survival and seeing his parents again was to stay with the lion. What other option did he have? He knew nothing about living in the open wilderness; especially alone.

"We're here, little cub". Kovu proclaimed happily as he snapped the child out of his thoughts, laying down so Matthew could slide off his back. The tree towered over the two, the green leaves swaying in the breeze. "I hope he's home.. Rafiki! It's Kovu! Are you there?" The lion jumped up at the tree's base, arching his head high as he continued calling for the monkey.

Matthew looked around at the surrounding area, the seemingly empty expanse sending shivers down his spine. He hated wild open spaces. It scared him. Something could attack him out of nowhere. He cowered close to Kovu as if steadying himself for danger to strike.

"Well I never thought I would see a human with my own eyes!"

A joyful shrill voice suddenly bursting from the treetops sent the child to the floor in a shriek, looking around to try and see where the sound came from. Leaves on top of the baobab tree rustled strangely with a suspicious aura. "W… Who said that?"

"I did of course, little human. Who else could it be?"

Kovu immediately recognised the voice, moving away from the tree to wrap a comforting paw around the human's shaky frame. "Rafiki. We need to speak to you about something important."

"Ahh! I know! I have heard of this poor little man-cub's problem." The mandrill chuckled as he appeared from the canopy to stand in front of the duo.

Matthew couldn't believe his eyes or ears. This talking monkey, whom he had never seen before in his life, knew about him being separated from his parents. The slender monkey watched him eagerly, holding a thin stick adorned with fruit which reminded the boy of a walking stick. Just how old was this monkey? The whole situation was making the child uncomfortable with this crazy mandrill.

Kovu was shocked that Rafiki knew about the child's situation. "Wait? Y… You knew? About his parents? Why didn't you act sooner? D… Do you know where his parents are?" The feline asked, mixed emotions dancing in his head.

"That I sadly do not know. But I do know that you Kovu are very important for this child's future. The rest of the king's pride are too. You are all connected in the great circle of life." Rafiki added, chuckling as he wiggled a finger, clearly knowing more than he let on. He was about to return to his tree when Kovu stopped him.

"Wait! Do you know what humans eat? He's hungry, and he can't eat fresh meat like us lions can. I don't want him to get weak by not eating or ill from eating what the lionesses hunt." Kovu's voice was dripping with concern, keeping the child close to his chest protectively until a stick thwacked him on the head. "Owww! W… What was that for?"

Rafiki chuckled as he brought his stick close, rubbing the tuft of hair under his chin. "You worry too much, Kovu. The child will be fine. Humans can eat fruit from the trees just like us monkeys can. They can also eat meat although special preparations would have to be done to make it safe. But I doubt the king would allow such preparations to be made." His head lowered as he rubbed the back of his head sadly. So fruit would have to do.

The mandrill suddenly cackled happily as he disappeared into the treetop, the leaves rustling as a bunch of fresh baobab soon rained down around the two waiting below. "There we go. That should be enough for the young one for a few days, if not more. If you need more, Rafiki will happily await your return." The monkey added before his voice vanished from the canopy.

Kovu sighed as he shook his head, feeling both satisfied and likewise unsatisfied with the answer the mandrill shaman gave him. "What a crazy monkey.. But a smart one nevertheless." Smiling, he helped the child collect the fruit on the ground, making sure the child held onto them tightly. "You have them, little cub?"

Matthew nodded, also feeling unsure about the knowledge the wise mandrill left him. If he knew then why didn't he help back then? Maybe he would still be with his parents right now. The child looked down defeated. He wanted answers but all he got was more questions.

"I know what you're feeling, little cub." Kovu clarified as the two walked away from Rafiki's tree, wanting to have a chat with the boy. "I am not satisfied either with his answers. Why does Rafiki know I do not understand, and maybe I never will. But knowing me and my pride are important can give us hope in finding your parents." The feline saw the unease return to the child's hazel orbs, his scared gaze unable to look the lion in the eye.

"I… I don't know, Kovu… I… How can we trust him?" The child looked up at Kovu, his worried eyes meeting the feline's caring green orbs. The two returned to the den they rested in earlier with Matthew feeling relaxed now in the safety of the dark and warm cave. A paw gestured the child close, who snuggled into Kovu's warm and soft chest for comfort. The child's panicked breaths became calmer and his tense body relaxed and became loose.

Kovu smiled and slowly stroked his head as the golden sky now slowly became a beautiful hue of purple as evening set in. "Shhh… You'll be alright, little cub. Everything will be alright." He chuckled as the child snuggled into his paws, beginning to eat the fruit. Seeing the little one begin to eat calmed his nerves. At least he won't risk starving. Then suddenly the thoughts of whether to introduce the child to his pride flooded the feline's mind. He knew Matthew was still uncomfortable with the aspect of meeting the other pride landers. But he knew the pride landers would get very worried if he didn't report back. Especially his family.

"Kovu? Kovu!"

A worried female voice rang outside the den, making Kovu instantly look toward the entrance as he recognised the voice. It was Kiara. His mate. He became worried of what to do with the child in his paws now scared of the unknown voice, shuddering in his fur. The lion hushed him gently, stroking his back in a soothing circular motion while muttering sweet words into the boy's ear. "It's going to be alright, little one. It's just my mate, she won't hurt you."

The voice called out again. "Kovu? Where are you?"

Kovu took a deep breath. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place. He swallowed and steadied himself. "I'm in here, Kiara."

A golden furred lioness rushed into view, panting. She had a stern look on her face, her reddish-brown eyes glazed with tears. She walked up to Kovu and gently nuzzled him, unaware of the little human that now hid in the male lion's belly fur. "W… Where were you? Daddy had sent you when the sun was at its highest. The sun was barely visible behind the mountains and you still had not returned. I thought something bad happened. We all did. Daddy was about to send out a search party. I… I thought I had lost you…"

Kovu felt the stinging pain of guilt rush his body. His face lowered, unable to look his mate in the eyes. "I… I'm sorry Kiara. Something came up. Something… drastic. I found the source of the screams. It came from a human village deep in the forest of the outskirts of the Pride Lands. But it was abandoned. Everything was destroyed."

Kiara didn't understand, confused by her mate's tale. "But, if this village was destroyed, then those screams? Where did they come from?" Her eyes then suddenly bulged as she caught something rustling inside Kovu's fur. "Kovu? What have you got there?"

"I don't know what caused those screams, Kiara. That's what I'm still figuring out myself." Kovu let out a deep sigh as Kiara caught Matthew as he was trying to get comfortable, feeling him freeze up as he was found. He realised what he now had to do. With a gentle paw, he revealed the shivering child to his mate that now clung to his fur as if for dear life.

Kiara was speechless, looking at the young child nestled in her mate's paws. Those hazel eyes gazing up at her as he shivered heavily. He looked so scared as if something traumatised had happened. With all the questions bouncing around in her mind, only one question seemed to form words.

"Kovu… Where did you find this human child? What happened out there?"

And that is Chapter 2! Hope you all enjoyed it. Kiara has found out about Kovu and Matthew. What will happen with this discovery of a human in the Pride Lands? How will Kovu respond? Find out in Chapter 3! Thank you so much for reading everyone and I will see you all in the next Chapter. Bye bye! ^^