A/N: Okay, I know I said I would try and update one chapter per day, but that was when I didn't have so much work to do. Now I do, and A LOT of it. Actually, I should be working now, but I feel like updating. Just don't tell my boss, okay???

Chapter Nine: Broken Friendship

Her attempt to escape failed and now Kiara was back with Zira and her cruel posse. They had caught her the night before while she was struggling to get free of the vines. Now here she was, back inside the den, the entrance guarded by Nuka, the young adult lion who had caught her last night.

It was mid-afternoon the following day and Kiara sat alone in her small den, starved, bored, and miserable. She hadn't had a bite to eat in the past two-and-a-half days and now her stomach rumbled furiously. She didn't dare ask for any meat; she already knew that they'd just ignore her. Sighing heavily, she lied down on her belly and whimpered softly.

I should have never left home, she thought remorsefully. She missed everyone terribly. She closed her eyes and pictured her parents faces; her mother's sky-blue eyes and strong arms that made her feel safe when wrapped in them; and her father's smile and hearty laughter. She especially missed the bedtime stories he told her every night about the great kings of the past. She even missed Timon and Pumbaa.

Kiara was suddenly snapped out of her thoughts when someone gently nudged her arm. She opened her eyes to see Kovu standing over her, a small piece of dry meat hanging from his mouth. He set it down in front of her and said, '' This is all that's left. Actually, I'm not even supposed to give you any food, but I didn't want you to starve.''

''Then why did you leave me here Kovu? You tricked me! All along I thought you were my friend, but you let that mean lioness take me away from my home! That's not what friends do, Kovu! My dad was right about you-you are an Outsider!'' Kiara yelled angrily.

Kovu looked deeply hurt, but Kiara couldn't care less, particularly because he was planning on murdering her father.

''I'm sorry, Kiara, but I-I had to,'' Kovu muttered.

''But why?'' Kiara demanded, now up on all fours.

''Well, your-your dad, he-'' Kovu tried to explained but was interrupted.

''Kovu, get out here now!'' Zira called from outside the cave.

Kovu turned and trudged out of the cave, head hanging and ears drooped. Kiara frowned at his retreating body, full of anger and hate like she never felt before. She wished he hadn't brought her any food and just let her waste away instead of secretly feed her then turn around and plan a murderous attack on her family.

It didn't matter how long she stayed with these treacherous enemies, she would never give in to any of them and she wouldn't give up on trying to escape.

A/N: Man, that was short. Oh well. What do you guys think will happen here? Submit a review and tell me! ;)