A/N: Wow! Yay! I have more readers! AWESOME!! Anyway, before we begin, I have a few things to say to a few people:
Sulkenwolfpup: Hey-you're so sweet, thanks. I do need to use more constructive criticism instead of just insulting people though. Thanks for saying those nice things about me! Oh and I read your fic-I forgot the title-it's about the lioness Seneerie interviewing various Lion King characters. Oh my God, it's hilarious! I love it, please update!
Moonjava: Wow-I don't think I've ever had an adult read my fic! Thanks, I'm glad you chose mine out of all the others-though I must say, there are a lot of Lion King writers WAY better than me out there. You should try and read others-you just might like 'em too. I also read the first and only chapter of your Spider-Man fic, and it's UNBELIEVABLY AWESOME!! PLEASE PLEASE UPDATE SOON!!
Happy New Year Everyone!!
And now on with the story…
Chapter Twenty-Five:
Kiara sat alone on the other side of the river, still unable to believe what had just happened. Kovu's own family wanted to kill him, just because he'd done the right thing. Well now he was gone, down to the bottom of the river, without being given a second chance. And Kiara was just beginning to have new feelings for him.
She didn't even realize she was in the Pridelands until she turned away from the river-and neither did Zira. The villain was too occupied with saving her son to notice that Kiara had safely gotten across. Kiara gave the river one last glance before making her way to Pride Rock, her heart as heavy as the rock formation itself.
Nala lied in her usual spot on the pinnacle of Pride Rock, watching the morning sun rise. It was going to be another long day for her; joining the hunting party for the morning chase, helping every other mother take care of their cub, and teaching the adolescents hunting techniques, all without her typical, vivid attitude. Everyone in the pride consoled her and encouraged her to have another cub, but Nala rejected. She wanted no other; she longed for her beloved Kiara back.
As the sun lit up the limitless, green lands, Nala noticed a small, tan-colored figure walking towards Pride Rock. It turned out to be a young, but thin, strong-looking lioness.
Could it be….no, she must be a rogue, looking for a place to stay. Since it was her duty to see to female wanderers, Nala stood and climbed down the sloping rocks to meet her. As the lioness drew closer, she couldn't help but think of how unmistakably familiar the color of her coat looked; a soft orange-tan shade.
When Nala came face to face with her, it took only one look into the lioness's amber eyes for her to recognize who she was.
''Kiara?'' she asked for confirmation in a low whisper.
''Mom?'' Kiara said, observing her face and sky-blue eyes. It was her own mother, alright.
''Oh my—Kiara! I always knew this day would come! You're alright!'' Nala exclaimed, nuzzling her long lost daughter.
Kiara broke into tears, her heart bursting with various emotions. She was crying for so many reasons: for finally seeing her mother after so long, because of the anger she held for Zira, and for the loss of her best friend. The tears slipped down her cheeks one by one as she nuzzled her mother back.
''Ssshh, it's alright, my sweet. I'm here now,'' Nala reassured, though tears were welling into her own eyes, but for the joy of having her daughter back.
When Simba returned home from his business later that day, Kiara cried all over again. She broke into a series of apologies for 'disappearing' for two whole years, but Simba and Nala immediately forgave her. Now that she was back safe and sound, it didn't matter to them anymore. Both her parents stayed close to her for the rest of the day, trying to get her to talk about her experiences. However, Kiara had no desire to converse; anything that reminded her of Kovu pained her terribly.
''She'll be ready to talk to us one day,'' Nala assured her husband late that night while Kiara slept fitfully. ''She just needs some time. Remember that she has been through a lot.''
In the following days, things went back to their usual order. The king and queen were busier than ever, planning a ceremony for Kiara's awaited return, while the lionesses carried on with their duties as well.
Nala,who was more than ecstatic to have her back home, tried bit by bit to get Kiara used to Prideland life all over again. But it was hard. Even though Kiara guaranteed her mother she was glad to be home, she seldom showed it. She hardly ever smiled, laughed, or communicated. When the day was fit for doing anything, Kiara stayed cooped up inside Pride Rock's interior. She didn't let anyone know what she felt inside. She kept the memories of Kovu and the incident to herself; it would give her a heartache to talk about him.
But she also had a secret. During these past few nights, it was hard for Kiara to sleep peacefully like everyone else. So when she couldn't fall asleep, she would sneak off in the middle of the night. She'd stealth over to the West River and lye atop the large boulder that rested on the bank, waiting for Kovu as if he'd appear out of nowhere. Kiara ignored the fact that it was ridiculous-not to mention dangerous-thing to do. But she couldn't help hoping he'd come back. She refused to believe he was dead.
A/N: Okay, alright! Kiara's finally home, yay! But what-what's this? She's not HAPPY? WHY? Will she be in the next chapter? Find out!