A/N: Heeeeeeeeeeeeereess Chapter Thirteen!! Yay! This has to be my favorite chapter. You guys'll see why if you bother to read it. Enjoy!

Kiara32: Thanks for the chapter title! You're awesome! 

Now on with the story!

Chapter Thirteen: Change of Heart

When Kiara opened her eyes again, she was surprised to see herself lying upon green grass which spread out everywhere around her. She was lying in the shade of a tree and a gentle breeze blew by, rustling the leaves and cooling her off.

But what happened? She remembered being in a lifeless landscape then she heard her father calling her. She remembered wanting to run to him, then…. Nothing came to her mind. She figured she must've been hallucinating and afterward fainted. But how did she get here? Was she dreaming?

''So I see you're awake.''

Kiara turned to see Kovu approaching her. She gasped and jumped up, ready to defend herself if she had to. How did he find her? And where was Zira and the others?

''How-how did you find me?'' she asked, scowling fiercely.

''Let's just say you have a strong scent,'' Kovu replied.

''But…how did I get here?''

''I knew you'd ask that next. Well, I followed your scent as far as I could until I found you in the desert. I saw you pass out so I carried you here on my back,'' Kovu explained, looking smug.

''You carried me?'' Kiara asked.

''You're not that heavy, as scrawny as you are,'' he retorted.

''Where's your mother? Aren't you going to make me go back?'' she wanted to know. She was ready to fight him; she wasn't going to let him drag her back.

''I actually have no idea. We split up to look for you after we found out that you escaped. And as for taking you back-''

''Forget it you're not making me go! Just kill me now if you'd like but-''

''Relax, I'm not taking you back,'' said Kovu casually.

''What? You-you're not?'' asked Kiara, her frown melting away. She relaxed her muscles and sat down. Was he for real or was he up to something?

''No, I'm not.''

''I'm not sure if I should believe you,'' Kiara said haughtily.

''You think I'm a liar?''

''Well anyone would if they followed you into that ambush you setup.''

''Look, I'm just trying to make up for that, okay? Can you just give me a break?''

''You mean, you're really taking me home?''

''Yeah, I am.''

''Oh…'' Kiara looked down at the ground, not knowing whether to believe him and feel guilty or just walk away while she can. Maybe I should trust him just this once. But I won't give in to his stupid 'kind words'. He doesn't deserve my good side. ''Fine, lead the way. But you know, this doesn't change the way I feel about you; you're still a big jerk,'' she retorted.

''Fine then, I'll just take that as a compliment,'' said Kovu. He turned his head toward the horizon, his eyes scanning the wide plains. ''We should set out right now if you want to get there soon. We're at least two or three days away from the Pride Lands.''

''Two or three days? How far across the world did you take me, Kovu?'' Kiara exclaimed in disbelief.

''Very funny. C'mon.''

''Wait a sec, I just want to get a drink of water over there,'' said Kiara, nodding her head toward a small watering hole a few feet away.

Kovu followed her to it, feeling thirsty himself. As Kiara bent down to lap at the refreshing water, she thought of how much Kovu had changed. He seemed so different from when he was a cub. He didn't smile often, much less laugh. She certainly missed that Kovu. But she was still confused about what made him this way, besides his mother, that is. And the night before he mentioned something about her father murdering someone. This really offended Kiara. Her father never killed anyone and never would unless he really had to. However, it still wouldn't hurt to ask.

''Kovu?''

Kovu looked up at her, surprised by the softness in her voice.

''What was that you said last night about my dad killing someone?'' Kiara asked, sitting back onto the grass.

''Oh…that. Just forget that I said that, okay?'' said Kovu, avoiding her eyes.

''No, I can't. If my dad murdered someone-I'm not saying he did-I should have a right to know,'' Kiara stated sternly.

''Then why didn't Simba tell you himself?'' asked Kovu.

Kiara was speechless. She had to admit it, he was right. But what if he just made it up?

''Yeah, I thought so,'' Kovu said, walking around the waterhole and past her. ''Now c'mon, let's get going. We've got a long way to go.''

Sighing, Kiara followed behind him. She'd keep asking until she got her answer, no matter how much he refused to tell her. But what she was really concerned about was if she could trust him.

A/N: Well, there it is, my fave chappie. Thank you all for all the wonderful, inspiring reviews!! I love ya all!!

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: Well, it seems I'll be going out of town for an entire month so I won't be able to update for a looooooooooooooooooooooong time……PSYCHE! I just wanna mess with you people. Okay, lemme stop.

The real important announcement is that I WILL BE WRITING A SEQUEL FOR THIS STORY. I'M NOT TELLIN' WHAT IT'S ABOUT, OR WHO'S IN IT OR ANYTHING. I JUST WANNA PUSH YOU GUYS BUTTONS! BUT I'M FOR REAL-THERE WILL BE A SEQUEL.

BYE!