A/N: FINALLY! The long awaited Chapter Thirty-One!! Sorry to keep you guys waiting. But don't blame me, okay? Blame work, school, and then yesterday, I had to go to this conference (okay, so I enjoyed it-so what?). Anyway, it's here now, so don't hurt me!! Enjoy!

Chapter Thirty-One: A Truly Happy Ending

''Go for it, Vitani!'' Kiara whispered loudly to her friend.

The older lioness darted after the lone antelope that was once grazing peacefully in the wide field. It's long ears perked when it heard the soft pounding of the hunter's paws against the ground. It didn't wait another second to see if she was nearby; it merely ran for its life as fast as it could. But Vitani was too quick for it. She vaulted into the air and landed atop its back, knocking it to the ground. In one swift bite, it was dead, eyes wide open.

Kiara watched in awe at Vitani's successful catch. She coouldn't have done better. She was a bit envious of the way Vitani could run, quick and silent, not at all like her noisy tromping.

''Great job, Vitani! That was fast!'' she said, praising her.

''It was nothing. I could probably go for something bigger,'' Vitani bragged playfully.

The two lionesses were on their first hunt together for the first time, under the watchful eye of Nala along with a fellow lioness companion, Dawn.

''Excellent work, Vitani. Maybe you could give Kiara here a few pointers,'' Nala teased.

''I agree,'' Dawn concurred. Kiara only rolled her eyes.

''But I'm afraid we'll have to wrap it up and take what we have. It's getting late and, according to Zazu, Simba had something he wants to talk to you about,'' said Nala, to her daughter.

''What about?'' Kiara asked.

''Let's go find out,'' was Nala's only reply.

The small hunting party made their way back to Pride Rock, Vitani proudly carrying the evening kill in her mouth. Though it was heavy, she rejected any assistance offered to her; she preferred to lug it herself.

:::::o:::::

After the pride ate their meal contently, with Kovu in addition, Simba broke the news to Kiara. Full and satisfied, she sat beside Kovu, waiting to hear what he had to say. From the look on Simba's face, she had a feeling that it was something good.

''Well,'' Simba began, ''it seems my little cub is doing well in her hunting and instructing others.''

''Dad,'' Kiara said, embarrassed by the title he gave her, 'my little cub'.

''Your mother and I know that you'd like to carry on in your hunting, but you know that we can't be there to watch over you,'' he continued.

''I know, but who will?'' Kiara asked.

''Well, it seems we found the perfect escort,'' Nala said. ''Someone we already know will protect you and keep out of mischief, just as he had done before.''

Kiara's ears perked up in excitement; she already knew who it'd be.

''So I assigned Kovu to be your courtier. We believe we can trust him enough to keep you safe,'' Simba announced.

Kiara smiled and looked up at Kovu, who wore an impish smug expression. He returned the smile and edged closer to her. Kiara knew that no harm would come to her now, and she was even happier that her parents thought the same. Things couldn't have gone any better for her.

A/N: Aww…anyway, thanks for reading and don't forget to leave a review!!