Chapter Four

Lectures

Kovu watched his mother pace back and forth in front of him as they sat in the dim sunlight of their den. He knew that any second now he would get a scolding.

''You're in big trouble,'' teased his sister Vitani, as she so often did. Zira turned to Kovu, snarling, and said, ''What were you thinking, Kovu, when you introduced yourself to the enemy's daughter?''

''I-I didn't know who she was, Mother, and she--'' Kovu tried to explain.

''I don't care if she's nice or not! You concentrate too much on foolishness when you need to focus on your future!'' scolded Zira.

''But we were just playing,'' said Kovu, while looking down at the ground, his ears drooped.

''You brought her near our territory, Kovu! Do you know how much trouble you could've gotten your own family into? Simba and his entire pride is our enemy, especially after what he did to Scar! That is why I'm training you to be a fighter! To get revenge! Bringing the enemy to our home would--'' but whatever the enemy would do, Kovu didn't find out because Zira stopped there and smirked.

Kovu blinked curiously at his mother. She was no longer frowning, but grinning, a mischevious glint in her wild eyes.

''That's it!'' she exclaimed. ''That's how I'll get my revenge on Simba! I'll create a trap then lure him to it, and I know just how…''

Kovu's heart sank. Of course he despised Simba for murdering Scar, who was important to him, but he certainly didn't want to hurt Kiara, even if she was his daughter. He just knew that his mother's evil scheme contained her.

''Now Kovu, listen closely. This is what I need you to do...''

Simba looked long and hard at Kiara without saying a word. They sat on the summit of Pride Rock under a night sky. Nala sat beside Simba, lost for words. Finally, Simba spoke.

''Kiara, I thought I told you to stay at the Waterhole while I left for a few moments,'' Simba lectured.

''But Dad I did! I was waiting for Timon and Pumbaa but they never showed up!'' Kiara argued.

''Then you should have come back home, Kiara, it was the safest thing to do instead of wandering around,'' Nala spoke up.

''Your mother's right, Kiara. Do you realize how much danger you could've brought to this Pride? You're supposed to protect everyone in your family,'' said Simba.

''But Kovu was nice!'' Kiara protested.

''He might seem nice now, but when he grows up, what do you think will happen? How do you think he's being raised?'' said Simba. Kiara was silent. She looked down at her paws, her eyes blurred by tears. How could her father accuse someone of being so bad? It just wasn't right.

''We're glad you're safe now. You really worried us, Kiara, I hope you know that,'' said Simba softly.

''Now go inside and get some sleep.'

Kiara turned and trudged into the dark den where her family and other lionesses slept. As she lay in her usual spot on a smooth flat rock, she listened to the murmurs of her parents' voices. Though she couldn't make out what they were saying, she knew they were talking about her. She curled her body into a tight ball, thinking of her first and last time playing with Kovu. She knew that she'd never be able to see him again. Pretty soon, the soft breathing of the other lionesses and her parents' whispers lulled her to sleep.