A/N: Heeeeeeeeresssss Chapter Six! I just wanted to give a shoutout:

Kiara32: I'm glad you're really enjoying this and thanks for reviewing.I can tell your fic is going to be a hit.

Now on with the story.

Chapter Six: Darkness

The sun had completely disappeared beneath the horizon and stars stood out boldly in the bluish-black blanket of sky.

Everything was silent except for the eerie sound of chirping crickets.Though Kiara couldn't see very well in the dark,her surroundings felt familiar.Tall grass brushed against her fur and she could hear the faint sound of rushing water.Kovu walked quietly at least two feet ahead of her,not bothering to look back at her even once.

''Umm,Kovu? Where are we?'' Kiara asked.Although she had a feeling she already knew where they were,she still wanted to make sure.

''You'll see,'' Kovu replied,without glancing back.

Kiara remained silent,and uneasy feeling inside her.The echo of rushing water sounded louder and it seemed as if it was coming from.Pretty soon it sounded so close,that it must've been on the other side of the tall wall of grass just ahead of them.Kiara's heart pounded harshly;she suddenly wanted to turn around and run home.She now knew for sure where Kovu had lead her and she couldn't believe she actually had,after what had happened the other day.

She reluctantly followed him through the grasses and down the bank of the West River.The dark waters slowly flowed in one direction.The moon and stars reflected on the surface,making it look majestic and peaceful and free of dangerous predators.

''C'mon,I found a safe way to get across,follow me,'' said Kovu,but Kiara stopped him before he could take another step.

''Kovu...I...don't think this is such a good idea.Remember what happened last time? We could get into big trouble again,'' Kiara pointed out.

''Stop bein' such a fraidy-cat,Kiara! You seemed brave that day.C'mon,it'll be tons of fun once we get across,'' Kovu objected,then ran ahead.

There was no other way she could persuade him not to go.And she hated being called a fraidy-cat,so she hesitantly followed along.

Now that they were clear of grass,the moonlight could be plainly seen than before when they were in the forest of grass.Kiara could see that they had come upon a large boulder at the edge of the shore.Directly across from it was another like it,which was on the opposite side,so it wouldn't be hard to climb it.Kovu vaulted to the top of the rock,then looked down at a worried Kiara.

''C'mon,Kiara! This is easy!'' said Kovu,in a tone that Kiara disliked.Was he taunting her?

She jumped as high as she could and landed safely beside Kovu.

''Now all we have to do is jump across to the other rock,then we'll be on the other side,'' he said.

''We're going to the Outlands?'' Kiara asked apprehensively.

''Duh.Let's just go,'' Kovu said hastily.The tenor of his voice and his disturbing words hurt Kiara.Maybe once they got across,he'd turn back to the Kovu she know before.

One after another,they leaped from the first boulder to the other,then hopped down onto the ground.Kiara was surprised,re-

Levied,and worried that they had actually made to the other side this time.But what worried her was the fact that they were in the Outlands,her restricted zone.

''We're almost there! Let's go! I'll race ya!'' said Kovu,then ran across the dry plains.

''Wait! I-'' shouted Kiara,running after him.But it was no use,he wouldn't stop to listen.

She had forgotten how fast he could run;she could hardly spot him in the dark.But she had a slight feeling that he had disappeared into gap of what looked like a pile of humungous rocks.As she neared it,Kiara realized that it was a den,similar to the one she and her family slept in,only smaller.

Kiara stood at the entrance,unwilling to go in,and called,'' Kovu? Are you in here? Kovu?''

''C'mon in,Kiara,'' Kovu called back.

''But it's so dark...I can't see a thing,'' said Kiara.

''Just come in,it's okay.''

''O-okay...''

I'm not scared,I'll just go in,and everything'll be okay,thought Kiara,as he slowly stepped inside feeling as if she was being swallowed by an enormous beast.But on the contrary,everything suddenly went wrong.A scream escaped Kiara's throat as she felt herself being snatched up into the darkness.

A/N: Oooo,what's gonna happen? Read the next update to find out! Don't forget to review!