A/N: Okay, guys, I'm sorry for keeping you waiting. My PC is infected sniffle and my dad had to take it to the shop like two or three days ago. It's still not back, so I'm at the library in case you're wondering. But alas, I must continue no matter what, so read on and enjoy!

Kiara32: You asked for it and you deserve it for caring about me, so here's your ''square'', or happy face! 

Now let's get on with it shall we?

Chapter Nineteen: Confessions

Kovu was sunning across the wide plains in the dark of the night, fully alert. He could smell her-she was very close. He had been running for a while now, so the pain in his forearm seemed to temporarily vanish.

Kovu continued to run until he came upon a small bunch of tangled brambles. He knew Kiara was hidden inside for sure-he scent was stronger than before, not to mention the rapid breathing he heard coming from between the branches of tangled twigs.

He neared the brush with caution-just in case it wasn't exactly her-and whispered, ''Kiara?''

''K-Kovu?'' replied a timid female voice. It was her alright. He sighed in relief.

''You okay?'' he asked.

''I-I think I'm stuck,'' Kiara said. The bush began to rustle and quiver as she struggled to wriggle free.

Kovu chuckled in amusement, watching the brambles shake as she made no progress.

''My foot-it got tangled and I can't get it loose,'' she complained.

What choice did Kovu have but to help her? He lied flat on his belly and slid into the mess of leaves and twigs. He was surprised to find that his entire body fit inside along with hers.

He couldn't help but laugh at the state he found her in. She was on her belly, one of her legs held up by a stubborn mass of prickly twigs that refused to let her go. Kiara frowned, unable to see what was so funny.

''Hey, are you going to help me out or not?'' she asked in frustration.

''S-sorry. You just look so ridiculous,'' Kovu responded, swallowing his laughter.

He used his teeth to cut at the twigs that held her foot until she was free. Kiara sighed, glad to be free and to be able to move that foot again without getting pricked.

''You find the most horrible hiding places,'' Kovu teased, as he wriggled his way back out.

Kiara crawled out next with greater ease than before. Finally she was out of yet another cramped space after such long hours of being completely still and quiet. Not to mention alone. Deep inside, she felt the smallest tinge of gladness when she heard Kovu's voice.

''So what kept you? Did Zira find you?'' she asked, hoping he'd give her the answer she wanted to hear: that Zira was off track and had no clue as to where they were.

''Actually…she caught up to me,'' Kovu answered. Kiara's heart sank at this.

''So…what happened?''

''As expected, she asked me if I had any idea where you were. So I…''

''You told her?'' Kiara cut in suddenly, afraid of what he was going to say next. They had gotten so far…

''I lied.''

''You…what?'' She couldn't believe what she heard. Kovu actually told a lie to his own mother? To save her? Or could he be lying now?

As they talked, they absentmindedly commenced to walking, but at a slow pace. It was then that Kovu remembered his wound as a sudden pain shot up and down his forearm. It was almost worse than when he first received it.

''Ow!'' he cried, stopping in his tracks. He sat down upon the grass and lifted his throbbing paw.

''Are you okay? I almost completely forgot you were hurt,'' Kiara asked in concern.

''So did I,'' said Kovu.

''You have to get that treated right away-as soon as we get back to Pride Rock,'' Kiara said, without even realizing she did.

Kovu gave her a small but painful smile. ''So you do care,'' he said playfully.

Kiara kept silent but blushed. The look that he gave her made her feel embarrassed. But why she could not tell. So what if she suddenly seemed to care about him? She wasn't that heartless.

''Let's take a rest for now. At sunrise we'll keep going,'' said Kovu, and Kiara was just fine with that.

Together they walked to a spacious area beneath another tree. Kovu carefully settled his body down onto the ground and rested his injured limb so that the pain could die down. Luckily, it hadn't begun to bleed again.

Kiara lied beside him, but a foot apart. She rested her head on her forearms and eyed Kovu closely, observing his frame, then his face. He truly was handsome, but that he would never know. She almost liked the way his bright green eyes twinkled with delight when he was amused.

Kovu met her eyes, but she quickly looked away, pretending to observe the blades of grass poking out of the earth. He struggled to fight back a smile; she really was something else.

Since it was such a peaceful moment-and uncomfortably quiet-Kiara felt that now was a good time to ask him what she had been meaning to before.

''Kovu…can I ask you something?''

''Shoot,'' said Kovu, glad to break the silence.

''What made you change your mind?'' Kiara asked, looking straight into his eyes.

''About what?'' a puzzled Kovu questioned.

''About…bringing me back. Tell me the truth. What made you want to bring me home all of a sudden?''

At first, Kovu hesitated. What could he say? He knew exactly why he wanted to take her back to Pride Rock, but how could he tell her? And he certainly didn't want to lie to her anymore, so he answered, ''Because you dying a scrawny little girl with no future would be on my conscience forever.''

''What?'' said Kiara. What was he talking about? ''Why don't you just stop joking for once and be serious? I just want to know. Is there something you don't want to tell me? I'm listening now, Kovu. Talk to me.''

Now he felt bad. A part of him wanted to confess, while the other commanded him to keep it in. But he was confused. Should he tell her? Her face looked so innocent, so friendly, that it was hard to believe that she was acting like an arrogant brat just a few nights ago.

''It's like I know you, but then I don't know you. You're so mysterious,'' Kiara stated.

Kovu didn't know whether he should take that as a compliment or an insult.

She then surprised him by smiling, which opened up her face to reveal a beauty that was hidden for so long. The effect of it warmed up his insides, and again he was perplexed; when around her he experienced so many different emotions.

Kiara suddenly moved his body closer to his so that they were now less than six inches apart. She brought her muzzle close to his ear and whispered, ''We can always talk if you have something to tell me, Kovu.''

A strange tingling sensation ran through Kovu's body. How did she do that? Go from being naughty to being sweet and making him feel weird? Was he about to fall for it?

''Sure…if you say so,'' was all he could say.

Kiara put her head back down on her forearms, which came very close to his. She let her eyelids shut over her eyes before dozing off into a peaceful sleep, feeling safe with Kovu beside her.

Not too far away, a pair of evil eyes spied on the two, watching their every move. The lurker was shocked of what he saw and immediately ran in the other direction in search of his leader to report the news.

A/N: Man, I didn't think this chapter would be long, but okay. Well, now they're in HUGE trouble!! Oh no! What'll happen. Hopefully I'll get my computer back so I can update really soon!