A/N: Hey guys! I apologize…I know you all have been waiting for this update for DAYS but I had TONS of work to do! $$$! Anyway, thanks for the reviews as always and enjoy this chapter! By the way, I changed my name from ''La-Bellisima-Blasina'' to ''La-Bella-Blasina'' 'cause I got mixed up with Spanish and Italian…heh heh. Oh, and here's a shout-out:

Nala5: Yaay! You're back! Where have you been all this time??? I thought you gave up on me for a sec, but now you're back! Enjoy!

And now on with the story shall we?

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Help Me Here You Guys

''No…'' Kiara whispered is disbelief. If that were her mother drowning to her death, she didn't know what she'd do.

Simba turned to Vitani with despair in his eyes and said, ''I'm so sorry.''

Vitani silently lowered her head, a tear escaping her eye. Now she had no one; her entire family was gone. If only her mother had surrendered, then everything would've been alright.

Simba faced his pride and the Zira's ex-posse members. ''Let's go home now, everyone,'' he said to all.

A soundless train of lionesses led by Simba proceeded in the direction of Pride Rock. Kiara walked alongside Vitani, trying her best to console her. She almost knew how Vitani felt about losing someone she cared about-except she lost everyone she loved.

Even though there were more residents staying at Pride Rock than before, there was still plenty of everything for everyone. Hunting down meals were much easier for Nala's hunting party now that she had more recruits. There was even enough sleeping space inside the den. Simba could see that everything would go just fine…

Kiara slept beside Vitani that night, to keep up her spirits. It was before the two lionesses fell asleep that Vitani surprised Kiara with a compliment.

''You know, you're not so bad after all, Kiara. Same with your family. I don't see why we were at war with each other in the first place,'' she said.

''Neither do I,'' Kiara agreed, just before closing her eyes and dozing off.

:::::o:::::

The sun couldn't have been brighter and the air couldn't have smelled sweeter in the Serengeti the following day. Kiara planned to join the everyday activities with everyone else. She would even show Vitani around the Pridelands. Today she would push every memory of the previous day aside and start her life as a future queen. She was with her family now, at home, and at peace with the ex-Outsiders. Everything was perfect.

Well, everything would be perfect if Kovu were here, Kiara thought. But she shook her head, shoving Kovu out of her mind. Nothing would bring her down. Nothing.

''Morning Daddy,'' she greeted her father as he joined her at the summit.

''Morning, Kiara. Nice day, huh?'' Simba said, smiling down at her. He nuzzled her head with his for a brief moment.

''I'd like to show Vitani around the Pridelands, if it's alright,'' Kiara said brightly, her ears perked.

Simba's smile slowly faded at this. He wasn't so sure if he wanted her wandering off alone again.

''Just you and Vitani?'' he asked.

''Yes…''

''I don't know, Kiara. It's not that I don't trust you. It's just that there still might be danger around.''

''But Dad, I'm grown, remember? I'm not a cub anymore. I can do this on my own.''

''You're still my cub,'' Simba said, nuzzling her again.

Kiara sighed in exasperation and pulled away. ''C'mon, Dad, give me a chance,'' she said firmly.

Simba let out a long sigh. Kiara was grown, no doubt about that. Yet, he still wouldn't feel right about sending her off without a proper escort. That's exactly what she needed.

''Sire!'' Zazu cried, interrupting the father-daughter conversation, his tone frantic. Panting, he settled himself down in front of Simba and opened his beak to spill the news.

''Sire, Rafiki requests your presence at the base of his tree. It's very urgent, he claims, an emergency,'' Zazu said.

''Tell Rafiki I'm on my way,'' said Simba.

''Yes, Your Majesty,'' Zazu complied before taking flight.

Simba then faced Kiara, wearing a serious expression.

''I'll be back. You may show Vitani around the Pridelands only if you can get your mother to escort you. But only if she can watch you, understood?'' he said decisively.

''Yes Father,'' Kiara said, sighing irritably. She couldn't believe he was still treating her this way.

She turned then ran down the sloping rocks to search for Nala.

A/N: Booooooooorrrrriiiinnng! Well, I think it is. But it's really up to my peeps, right? Right peeps? Right? Right? Anyway, update ya'll!