A/N: Chapter Twenty-Two already! Read and enjoy (and review) !!!!!

Kiara32: Yaay! You're back! I didn't think you or anyone would be able to read these past few chapters until after New Year's! Thanks for taking the time to actually read this! 

Rhiannon Aurorafai: Hey, to answer your question, Muslims have two holidays called Eid. We celebrate it by dressing up in our best clothes and going to a prayer with other Muslim communities. After the prayer, we listen to a sermon for about an hour, then close with another small prayer. Then after all this, there's usually a carnival for the kids. We celebrate this for three days with different events like skating, or dinners, or toy giveaways for the kids. It's fun, I enjoy it a lot. Thanks for asking!

Chapter Twenty-Two: Again No Title?!

''This had better be good, Nuka,'' Zira said to her eldest son. After hours of endless searching with no luck, she had settled down for a nap. She had barely closed her eyes when he came running to her, eyes wide and out of breath.

''You-you'll never believe it, Mother!'' Nuka managed to stammer between huffing and puffing. ''You'll n-never believe what I saw!''

''What is it?'' Zira snarled edgily; she was eager to get back to her nap.

''K-Kovu! I-I saw him with the P-Princess!'' Nuka exclaimed. This caught Zira's attention immediately. She sprang to her feet and began to pry more information from him.

''He found her? What happened? Where are they?''

''I saw—he was hiding her!''

''He was what?'' said Zira, a sudden surge of anger swelling inside her. It had to be untrue…Kovu would never—or did he? ''Are you sure of what you saw?''

''Positive! That chosen one lied to us! Some chosen one,'' spat Nuka.

''He lied to me! All this time we thought he was hunting her down, he had been hiding her from me? To help her escape? How dare he betray me!'' Zira said furiously. She was pacing, a sign that she was angry.

''So what're you gonna do?'' asked Nuka.

''We'll have to track them both down, and fast, before they reach Pride Rock,'' said Zira; plotting another attack. ''Vitani!'' she called out.

''Yes, Mother?'' Vitani replied, standing with full attention in front of her Zira.

''Assemble the pride for a meeting. Seems we have to plan something new for Simba….along with his daughter and Kovu in addition…''

It was another cool, crisp morning. Unlike Kiara and Kovu, the sun was barely up. A few stars could still be seen in the wide purple-blue sky. Together they walked across the plains, full of new energy. Even Kovu with his wounded forearm walked a bit faster. No matter how much Kiara urged him to stop, he just resisted.

Kiara kept eyeing her escort, trying not to trot ahead of him. Fortunately his limp was improving, so he kept a steady pace. She noticed that for some reason, there was a twinkle in his eye, but she couldn't determine what it meant. Kovu looked at her from the corner of his eye; he was curious about the expression on her face.

''So you're sure you're okay?'' Kiara asked for the umpteenth time.

''Yes, Princess, I'm fine. You gotta stop worrying about me so much,'' Kovu assured her. He wore a possibly handsome crooked smile.

Kiara smiled back, not that she could help it. His smile was infectious.

''You can stop calling me 'princess'. I have a name you know,'' said Kiara. She didn't really like being referred to as princess unless the occasion called for the title.

''Okay, then, Kiara,'' said Kovu in a sort of teasing manner.

''So, when do you think we'll get there?'' Kiara inquired to change the subject.

''I'd say by tomorrow morning…if we hurry. We're pretty close to the West River,'' replied Kovu.

''Are we really that close?'' Kiara asked, anxiety creeping inside her. She couldn't tell if she was excited or nervous. Maybe both. Or maybe she was beginning to get scared. Thoughts of the worst things that could happen ran through her mind, causing her to feel discouraged. Was she really ready to go home?

''You okay?'' Kovu asked, interrupting her thoughts. ''Lately you've been zoning out while looking kind of pale.''

Kiara blinked, looking at Kovu with a worried expression.

''Maybe you need a drink of water,'' he recommended, nodding his head in the direction of a waterhole close by.

Kiara silently followed him to the pool and absentmindedly lapped at the water. All the while Kou stared at her in concern. He could tell by the uneasy look that something was wrong with her. He was just a little afraid to ask.

''What's wrong, Kiara?''

Kiara looked at him with those troubled amber eyes, reluctant to answer. Would he care? Yes, he would. He'll listen; he's a good friend.

''What if…'' she began, but trailed off. The look of Kovu's face urged her to go on, so she sighed and continued. ''What if my family…doesn't remember me?''

''What? Why do you think that?'' said Kovu incredulously.

''I mean—it's just that it's been a long time…do you think it's possible?''

''It has been a while, but they're your family. They'd never forget you. Who would?'' Kovu guaranteed.

That single statement lifted Kiara's spirits and gave her new hope and encouragement.

''You mean that?'' she asked, now smiling.

''Yeah.''

Kiara took this opportunity to nuzzle her nose against his cheek. She purred softly and whispered, ''Thanks, Kovu.''

A/N: Awwww…not. They're in HUGE trouble and had better stop acting romantic!!