Author's note: Once again, the characters written about are not mine. Also, sadly, this is the final chapter to Danger to the Pride. I hope you enjoy.
Chapter 4
Fillay saw it and her ears pulled back and mouth opened in alarm.
"Kovu!" she shouted at him desperately. "Watch out! Duck!"
Everything was in slow motion. Kovu's head had turned to see who was calling. The bullet was still whizzing in the air at three hundred metres per hour and rapidly heading for Kovu's shoulder. Will he obey Fillay's advice?
Then he flopped down, belly touching the ground.
He could feel the cool wind blow in his ear as the bullet rushed past him.
Quickly, he scrambled back on his feet.
"Watch out Fillay. Grab the gun. Grab it!" he cried. But his voice sounded mumbled as he held the keys.
Fortunately, Fillay understood.
"Trying!" she said. "Trying."
She used her paw to bat at Ambrose's hand hard and he released the gun. Then she rushed to carry it away while Rei attempted to subdue him.
Rafiki had already begun to climb the Ute and heading towards the cage holding the 3 unconscious lions prisoner.
Kovu ran towards them, stretching his giant cat body.
"Here," he said as he dropped the keys from his mouth.
Rafiki gracefully held the key in his hand and concentrated on inserting it in the lock. The heavy lock gave way.
He opened the door.
"Quick! They are getting away!" Ambrose said. " Get them."
Ambrose continued struggling against Fillay and Rei with increased power due to his frustration.
"Sir. It is too late. Leave them!" Tim said as he too, wrestled with Sobiki and Kamia. But he was losing enthusiasm was fighting only because of defiance. "Just leave them."
"No!" Ambrose said. But amazingly, Fillay and Rei had succeeded in holding him down. For now.
Using there jaws, the 3 lions carefully dragged the corpse-like bodies outside. Kovu supported Simba limp and heavy body by his own. Valeeni carried Kiara while Lara carried Zia. He allowed himself to escape to a safe distance before giving the final order.
"Hurry! Let's go," Kovu said. "Retreat! Quickly! To the bushes and back to the Pride Lands."
Rei, Fillay, Sobiki and Kamia let the men go and dashed away. Running away before the men could shoot them.
Ambrose, defiantly, lumbered over to the bushes to discover his hidden gun, shot and aimed one last time. But missed.
The other lionesses nudged at Kovu, Valeeni and Lara trying to help them carry their burdens. They trudged on throughout the night until they arrived back at Pride Rock.
It was almost dawn again. Kovu had collapsed outside the den as he gently laid down the body of Simba inside, exhausted.
Nala had heard them arriving, awoke and instantly walked over to her mate and licked his jaw sadly.
"What happened?" Nala said to Kovu as she looked down as him.
"Simba was shot," Kovu said plainly. "By a dart. He should wake up, but we can't be sure."
"How could you," Nala said. "How could you let this happen?"
"We tried Nala," Kovu said. "We tried."
Nala just turned and sped back to the cave. She stifled growls that threatened to escaped from her mouth and she put her head down in her paws, as though a human was crying and grieving. She continued to nurse Simba.
Kovu, sighing, crawled to the other side of den and found Kiara, lying like she was dead. Kovu rubbed his large lion ear against hers. Her body was still warm but she has not moved.
"Oh Kiara," he said. He used his paw to nudge her side. "Wake up. Oh please wake up."
Too tired to do anymore, he lied down beside her and fell sound asleep.
"Kovu?" a soft feminine voice whispered in his ear. "Kovu?"
Kovu yawned and turned. He bolted up in surprise.
"Kiara?" he said to the orange brown shape in front of him. "Can it be you? Am I dreaming?"
"Kovu," she replied in her lively voice and her lips pulled back, like a cheerful human grin. "No. You're not dreaming. It's me. It's really me."
"Kiara," Kovu said, almost not believing his eyes. He stepped over to her and allowed their heads to rub together again. "I thought you'd die…"
"Well – you can't get rid of me that easily. Cats have nine lives remember?"
"I guess so," he stopped and gazed into her eyes. "I was so worried for you."
He couldn't help it but rubbed cheeks with her again, glad that she was alive and well.
Then he remembered Simba.
"Simba is fine," Valeeni's voice said answering the question forming on his mind. "He woke up just a little while ago. Nala is with him now in the nearby cave in the den. He moved over there where it was quieter."
"What about Zia?" he asked as he glanced around and could not see her.
"Oh. Kamia and Rei and Fillay are with her. She is regaining consciousness slowly."
"Good," he said to himself as to everyone nearby.
"Simba wants to see you," Nala said as she appeared in his field of vision.
Kovu looked at Nala's eyes but looked down quickly as he did not know if Nala was still angry with him.
Kovu's head lowered as he stepped in this separate cave. He allowed for his eyes to become adjusted to the dimmer surroundings.
"Kovu," a voice called from the darkness. "Come."
Kovu walked in, slowly. Then he saw Simba lying down and grinning at him.
"I'm very proud of you," Simba said in his fatherly voice. "And Valeeni as I heard she helped you greatly."
Kovu felt strange, suddenly being praised by the great lion king.
"I have decided that you will be heir to the throne and succeed me. Now, I'm very glad you have joined us Kovu. You are one of us and you risked your life for us. You have shown great loyalty and friendship. The kingship will be your reward."
Kovu, still stood, silent as he absorbed those words.
"Of course," Simba added. "You still have some way to go. I will have to teach you ways of being a wise king. But Kovu, if you act as you did, you will be a good king."
"Thank you," Kovu's head was lowered in respect. "I feel quite honoured."
Simba smiled. He was glad for this growing lion to take his throne. At last, he can ensure that his future pride will be looked after. Kovu, after a period of silence, bowed and exited.
Kovu was heading back to the cave, still pondering the great king's words when a young lioness stepped in front and blocked his path. He almost bumped right into her.
"Hey Kovu," Kiara greeted him again with her tail raised. "It's almost night time. Time for a hunt. You coming to teach me?"
"Okay Kiara. Let's go off together. Are you sure your father does not mind after the incident?"
"I asked him before and he has agreed. But he says to be careful."
Kovu also smiled. "I'm sure you will. After that incident."
"Yeah," Kiara admitted. "But in our care, let's have some fun in the Pride Lands. Come on."
Kiara scampered down the hill and giggled once again. Just like the old times.
Things are going to be okay now Kovu. Come on. Have some fun.
"Hey! Wait for me," called Kovu as he bounded after her.