A/N: Wow, it's been forever since I last posted a new chapter, huh? Sorry for delaying! I just got DSL and I'm so happy! Enjoy!

Chapter Five: Kovu Again

Two days passed since the incident that Kiara had caused. Although her parents forgave her, she still felt a bit depressed about not being able to see Kovu again. Or so she thought.

The evening sky was a rosy color and stars could already be spotted. Kiara lay on her belly across the top of a flat rock, ears drooped. Zazu, her father's major domo, was perched beside her, trying to console her.

''Is anything troubling you, young Mistress?'' he asked, though he knew she wasn't going to respond.

Kiara sighed and said, ''Nothing, Zazu.''

For a moment, the two were silent. Kiara thought of the lecture she received from her father a few nights ago; what he was saying about Kovu being an outsider. Although he didn't exactly say that, he made it seem that way.

''Zazu?'' Kiara said.

''Yes Kiara?'' Zazu replied.

''What does my dad have against Kovu and the other lions?'' Kiara inquired.

''Well, I'm not sure if I'm the right one to tell you that, young Kiara. We'd better get going, your mother will probably be wondering where you are,'' answered Zazu, spreading his wings to take flight.

''Alright,'' Kiara said, sighing. She hopped down from the rock and started for home, Zazu flying a few feet ahead of her. She hadn't gotten far when the grass nearby rustled and startled her. She stopped in her tracks, perked her ears, and listened for any peculiar sound.

All was silent. No rustling or anything whatsoever. Kiara continued walking, fully alert. She looked up at Zazu, but it was as if he hadn't heard anything at all.

Suddenly, the grass rustled again, but much closer to Kiara than before. She gasped and jumped back.

''Who—who's there?'' Kiara stammered in a low whisper.

But instead of receiving an answer, her stalker crept out of the grass, his bright green eyes glowing.

''Kovu!'' Kiara exclaimed in surprise.

''Sssshhh!'' Kovu hissed.

''Oh, sorry,'' said Kiara. She looked up to make sure that Zazu wasn't close by. Fortunately, he had continued to fly ahead, and hadn't noticed anything.

''What're you doing here?'' she asked, happiness and excitement sprouting inside her.

''I came to see you,'' said Kovu, a hint of unease in his voice. He wasn't even smiling.

''Really? I didn't think I'd ever see you again! How'd you find your way here?'' said Kiara.

''Nevermind that, I found this really neat place where we can hang out every day and no one will ever be able to find us there,'' Kovu said in a low tone, as if someone was nearby listening to them.

''Oh...you did? Where is it?'' asked Kiara. She wasn't so sure about sneaking away from home every day, especially since Zazu was appointed by her father to follow her everywhere.

''I'll show you. C'mon!'' said Kovu, ready to take off. But Kiara didn't move.

''Umm...now? It's kinda late. How about tomorrow?'' suggested Kiara reluctantly. She'd find a way to escape Zazu's watchful eye.

''What're you, a 'fraidy cat? Let's go now!'' sneered Kovu.

''O-okay,'' Kiara gave in.

As she followed Kovu through the grass, she thought of how strange he was suddenly acting. He seemed slightly different from when she first met him. And he called her a fraidy cat, which she certainly wasn't.

Pride Rock became more and more distant as she followed her mischievous friend, unaware of the dangers ahead of her.

A/N: See the 'go' button next to 'submit review' down there? Please click it now and type down what you think! Thanks for reading my crap!