A/N: Helloooo again! I've decided to try and update one chapter per day. I know you guys'll be happy if I do just that!

And the more reviews I get from you wonderful people, the happier and more motivated I'll be! Please enjoy!

Chapter Eight: Attempt to Escape

The sound of whispers close by awoke Kiara. She opened her eyes only to see complete darkness, but she could feel the presence of others behind her.

''....and now that we have this little brat, all we have to do is wait for the infidel Simba,'' rasped a familiar voice.

Kiara suddenly remembered who the voice belonged to. It was Zira, the disdainful lioness she and Kovu had encountered a few days ago. And where was Kovu, anyway?

''But what if he never finds her?'' came the voice of a young male lion whom Kiara didn't recognize.

''Oh, he'll find her sometime, Nuka. It may take a while, or no time at all, but he'll turn up, you can be sure of that,'' assured Zira.

Kiara shuddered at the tone of her voice. She then realized that Kovu tricked her last night. He had led her right into a trap and she stupidly fell for it. Now her father was in danger-more danger than she was in now. Simba was right about Kovu and she didn't listen.

When Kiara's eyes soon adjusted to the dark, she could make out the shape of the triangular entrance to the den, which was no longer blocked by the large stone. It was wide open, and she was a few feet away from it.

''Ohhh, I can see it now. Kovu will be fully grown by the time Simba gets here. I can see him now, sinking his teeth into that idiot's neck....'' said Zira.

Sudden anger surged through Kiara, but she had to hold it in. She concentrated deeply on the entrance; all she had to do was dash out as fast as she could. She positioned her four legs as slowly and as quietly as possible. She slid one paw out in front of her, then quietly, she slid one paw out in front of her, then with all the courage that she could muster, she rapidly stood up on all fours and dashed out of the den. Behind her, she could hear frantic yells.

''After her! She's getting away!''

It wasn't long before she could hear the sound of heavier paws pounding the ground as someone ran after her. Her heart beat heavily in her chest as she gained speed, running as fast as her legs could carry her across the wide fields in the dark of the night.

I need a place to hide, she thought, scanning the plains. Her eyes soon spotted a cluster of trees not too far ahead. Behind her, her chaser growled angrily and she didn't dare look back. She soon came to the group of trees and ran into them, jumping over and crawling under twisting tree roots. As she jumped over a tree root as tall as she, her foot caught in a tangle of vines overhead, causing her to fall on her belly. She struggled to get free, but only made it worse; she was stuck and her chaser was only yards away.

Nala rested herself atop a large rock. She, Simba, and everyone else had searched the Outlands, but lost Kiara's scent. Though it seemed hopeless, she still wouldn't give up, even if she had to look for miles and miles. Nala hopped off the rock when she saw Simba coming toward her. She hoped that he at least heard news from anyone he had come across. But by the expression he wore on his face, she could tell that he too hadn't had any luck.

''No one around here has seen her,'' he said solemnly.

''It's as if she just vanished,'' Nala said softly, looking down at the ground. ''We've searched the entire Pride Lands, the Outlands, dens, grasslands-everywhere! Where else could she be?''

''All we can do now is hope that she'll show up after we get back home,'' said Simba.

A long, shaky sigh escaped Nala's throat. Perhaps something horrible did happen to Kiara overnight. Maybe she was attacked, or worse....Tears fell from Nala's eyes; she didn't want to think that Kiara was dead. Purring, Simba nuzzled his nose against hers and licked away her tears. Nala rubbed her head against his and sobbed softly.

''Maybe-maybe we were a little to hard on her,'' she whispered, now crying silent tears.

''Maybe,'' Simba agreed, a sudden pang of guilt burning inside him. Perhaps it was his fault their only cub was gone. Perhaps he should've told her the truth. He was only trying to protect her, but instead of just talking it over, he hid the truth from her and now she had run off-to who knows where. And he knew it was because of him.

A/N: Yes! Another chapter finished. Thanks for all your helpful suggestions to make this better!