A/N: Hello to those that have chosen to join me on this AU journey. I will be doing by best to update this story has much as possible. Obviously, my track record with my other stories is not the best representation of my abilities to keep that 'promise', but this story has been flushed out and plotted, which is more than I can say for the other two. I'm excited to see where this goes and what will become of this story.

"The trust of the innocent is the liar's most useful tool."

- Stephen King

The Pridelands had, for most of its history, been a place of safety and prosperity for countless animals' elephants, gazelles, zebras, lions and, once upon a time, the now vicious and bloodthirsty hyenas. Unfortunately, the safe haven would not last, for the greed of others grew to be too much to handle. A reign of terror and bloodshed had ensued, causing the trust that had been built up between predator and prey for eons to crumble and shatter, never to be fully rebuilt again. But even though evil had tightened its grip on the land, a beacon of light had appeared; sweeping out the virus and bringing about the dawn of a new era. The animals of the land, having taken to different territories to survive, began to return, swearing loyalty to the new ruler: Simba. The royal bloodline had been restored and a new generation was beginning to grow.

It was on a day during that reign of peace that the unexpected happened; the darkness creeping back into the lives of those that had thought it to be gone.

The sun was high in the sky, it's tendrils warming the earth as a small, golden-furred cub bounded out from the mouth of the main den situated at nearly the highest peak of Pride Rock. Her umber eyes were bright with excitement as they surveyed the vast grasslands just waiting to be explored. Or, at least, explored as much as was allowed. The lionesses ears flattened at the thought of her restrictions. Her father Simba, the current King of the Pridelands, had kept her under a strict set of rules and regulations ever since she was old enough to set paw outside of the main den. She knew that he only wanted to keep her safe from the dangers that still lurked close to the edges of their territories, but the young lioness wanted a chance at adventure and to be what a cub is supposed to be; carefree and able to enjoy life before the burden of adulthood and duties staked their claim.

Pushing away the concerning thoughts, the young cub spurred herself on and began to trot down the rocky slope leading towards the tall grass. As she prepared herself to leap down towards a large boulder, a large golden paw appeared out of nowhere and hooked her underbelly, pulling her back onto the rock ledge. The young cub, clearly surprised, was plopped unceremoniously onto the hard surface, her breath exhaling quickly. Shaking the confusion out of her head, she looked up and locked eyes with one she had been hoping to avoid.

"Hi daddy." The young cub chuckled sheepishly, a wave of embarrassment washing over her.

"Kiara," Simba chastised. "I thought I made it clear you aren't to leave the den without your mother or I knowing."

Kiara looked up at her father, trying not to shrink under his disappointed gaze. As much as she wanted to disband his suspicions, she knew it would do no good. No matter what she did or how hard she tried, her father always knew what she was up to. It was a habit of his that she had grown to despise in her short existence.

"I know daddy," she began. "But I just wanted to go play. I promise I'll be safe."

"Kiara. You know how I feel about you going off on your own. You could get stepped on or —

"Or hurt, or even lost." The cub retorted, holding back the urge to roll her eyes. "Daddy, I'll be fine. And if I see any strangers I'll come straight home." Kiara stepped closer to her father and curled around his massive legs in an effort to sway his opinion. She tilted her head and flashed him her most innocent smile. "Can I go now? Please."

The King hesitated a moment, wanting to remain true to his convictions, but the look in his daughter's eyes could melt even the toughest of lions.

"Alright." He conceded. " Run along now."

Kiara immediately slipped from under her fathers tread and sped towards the slope for a second time, a squeal of delight escaping her lips.

"And stay on the path I've marked for you!"

Whether or not Kiara had heard him would remain a mystery as she neglected to reply, her thoughts now occupied on other, more important things. Things such as visiting the watering hole or chasing her most known adversaries: butterflies. They had been about the biggest thing she had been able to hunt science she was too young for hunting lessons and much too young to even consider participating in a regular hunt. Her mother had promised that once she was older, she would teach her all she knew, but Kiara had her doubts. Considering the way her father acted when she came home with the tiniest of scratches, she would be surprised if he ever allowed her to even learn the basic hunting crouch. If only her father could simply trust her, then maybe she could breath easier. But until then she would resign herself to her delicate fluttering friends.

Normally the butterflies would hang around near the middle of the path she was allowed to tread, but today Kiara was feeling a bit rambunctious. Taking the time to check her surroundings for signs of other lions and seeing none, she quickly darted into the nearby foliage. Kiara crouched in the tall grass for a few moments. If anyone was to have seen her, she wanted to be as close to the path as possible. When no one came to scold her for her actions she continued on her way, a giddy feeling swirling inside. She had never really strayed from the path before. Kiara had always been afraid of the consequences should she be found out, but there was something different about today. She found herself wanting to rebel. Even if it turned out to be this one time, Kiara wanted to feel like a regular ordinary cub and not the dignified daughter of a royal figure.

o - o - o - o - o

Time passed without too much fuss, though Kiara had been sidetracked by some unwelcome babysitters. But after carefully evading the clearly irresponsible warthog and meerkat, friends of her father, she had been back to exploring the unknown parts of the kingdom. The grass around her was still as tall, but it had begun to grow sparse and yellowed. The ground below her had taken on a more muddy quality and it squelched underneath her with each step. Kiara shuddered at the thought of grooming the substance out of her fur later. The cub started to shake her paws to try and shed some of the mud, but a small flying creature appearing in her periphery stole her attention. Instantly she shifted into a crouch and eased her tiny form towards her target. Kiara bunched her muscles and launched forward with her claws outstretched, but she had misjudged her leap and landed roughly in the mud, some splashing her face as the butterfly flitted farther and farther away. Cursing her luck, the princess scuffed the ground with her front paw in frustration. One would think that catching butterflies would be simple. Apparently it was harder than it looked.

As the butterfly disappeared, Kiara decided to explore a bit more. She pushed through the last few tussles of grass and came to stand before a small river filled with murky greenish water. The land on the other side of the river was vastly different from the Pridelands. Instead of lush grass and healthy trees, the land before her was barren and rocky, not a hint of green as far as the eye could see. A fallen log of a tree that had died long ago was resting across the river, connecting the two lands. Kiara, ignoring the nagging voice in her head and feeding into her curious nature, trotted over and clawed her way to the top of the wood. This must be the Outlands. I wonder what's out there. Kiara, lost in thought, didn't notice the broken branch jutting out of the log and her foreleg snagged it. Startled, she tumbled down the length of the log and slammed into an object just at the base.

Before Kiara had a chance to properly push herself back up, she found herself flung onto her back and the snarling face of another cub, this one with dark brown fur and sharp, emerald eyes, dangerously close to her face.

"Who are you? And what are you doing in my lands, Pridelander?" When Kiara didn't answer, her attacker snarled for a second time, his hold on her firm and stable. "Speak!"

"You're an Outlander, aren't you?"

Taken aback by Kiara's strange and forward behavior, the other cub relaxed his hold just slightly. And it was just enough. Seizing the sudden opportunity, Kiara pressed her paws hard against his chest, upsetting his balance, and slipped out from underneath him. Repeating her actions from earlier in the day, she crouched into a protective stance - at least, what she knew to be a protective stance - her claws unsheathed and her fangs bared. Her eyes were locked onto the other cub. Wherever he moved, she made sure to keep his front in her sightline. This interaction continued on for a few moments, cub against cub, until the stranger suddenly sat down, a confused look crossing his visage.

"What are you doing?"

"What do you mean, what am I doing?" Kiara responded with as much authority as she could muster, clearly confused by the other cubs tactics. If he was trying to mess with her thought process, he would need to try a lot harder. "I'm protecting myself." She watched as the other cub bit back a laugh.

"It looks more like you just got bitten by a termite." He teased, his emerald eyes flashing.

"Well my father always says to never turn your back on an Outsider. You aren't to be trusted."

"You always do what daddy says?"

Kiara was taken aback. Of course she listened to her father, but was she really going to let this mangy cub whom she barely knew accuse her of being a daddy's girl? She really only had two options at this point: continue to let this Outsider mock her or defend herself. She chose the latter.

"No." She spat, albeit a little shaky. "I'm old enough to make my own choices. Thank you very much."

The other cub, now letting his guard down at this clear non-threat, padded forward and around her to stand before the lake near the river she had crossed. She watched, wary, as he hopped onto one of the stones that was close to the bank."I bet you're daddy's little girls. As for me, I do what I want." He emphasized by jumping to another large stone. "An Outsider doesn't need anybody. I take care of myself."

"Really?"

Unable to hold back her budding curiosity, Kiara made to follow the now interesting cub. She hopped onto a stone, almost losing her balance, but managing to remain out of the water, and stared after him. The cub turned around, his mouth open to tease her some more, but the smug look was quickly replaced by that of pure terror. Kiara, sensing the danger, twisted around and almost choked on the scream that ripped from her throat. The biggest crocodile she had ever seen had risen from behind. Water ran off its scales in rivulets and its beady yellow eyes were transfixed on the two of them. She made to hop away on the other stones, but a sudden movement from underneath dashed any hopes she had of escape. The stones that she had thought they were playing on were not stones at all, but instead were other crocodiles lying in wait for other creatures, like herself, who were dumb enough to near the water. Whipping back around to the other cub she watched him mouth a single word.

Run.