Kovu stared at his sister, totally numb. He sat, his body trembling from head to tail. He was stunned. Dumbfounded. It had to be a dream. He had not heard correctly.

            "A… a what, did you say?"

            "A twin brother," Vitani repeated, forcing herself to look at the king. "He— he was the firstborn, and supposedly Scar was to choose him to follow in his paw prints. However, when he came to see him a week after we were born, he noticed that he was very small, even smaller than me, who was the youngest. He feared that this difference in size might be a sign of weakness, so he chose you instead."

            "And then, what happened to him?"

            "He was taken away that same night. Scar wanted to kill him because he didn't want weak blood in his pride, but our father begged him to let the cub live, so it was agreed that both should leave the lands and never return."

            "Our… our father?"

            It was the first time Kovu had heard anything about his real father. He had always wondered why, Zira being Scar's mate, he wasn't son of Scar, like Nuka. Only once had he asked this to his mother, only to be ordered to shut up and continue his training. However, Kovu had felt Zira's sharp remark hadn't been made out of anger, but of pain, as though the memory of this hurt her. It was the only time he had sensed weakness in his hardened mother. And he had paid dearly for it too, as his training had intensified to the point that every mistake he made was paid with blood. 

            Kovu shook his head. He had long since learned that dwelling on memories was a waste of time. He stood up and looked at his sister, who had crouched beneath him with her eyes staring at the floor, apparently afraid of how Kovu might react upon receiving all this information. Vitani felt his stare and, still in this humble position, looked up. To her astonishment, he was smiling.

            "So, sis," he said, nudging her to make her stand up, "where do you reckon we can find our children?"

*  *  *

            "How dare you accuse the king like that!"

            Kiara was bearing down on Dejani with her teeth bared and a hint of a roar on every word she said. Behind her, the rest of the lionesses watched the scene with fear in their eyes.

            "I-I'm sorry Kiara," stammered Dejani. "I shouldn't have said that, I didn't mean to—"

            "Oh yes you did!" growled the queen. "You've been saying things like that for quite a while now, do you think I haven't heard you? And frankly I'm quite tired of it, so if you're not going to tell us what your problem is I suggest you start changing your attitude and be more cooperative."

            "Yes, Queen Kiara," said Dejani, tears suddenly filling her eyes. Apparently, whatever her problem was, it wasn't just a question of attitude. She lowered her head and retreated to a corner where she curled up into a ball and cried silently while the rest of the pride turned to continue with their plans.

            "Ehm," Kiara felt her anger ebbing away at the sight of Dejani, but she pushed her feelings aside while she concentrated on more pressing matters. She now addressed the rest of the lionesses. "So… we now know we can't trace the kidnappers. It seems we will have to search for them in different directions. I think the best would be to send emmisaries to the prides that live beyond our borders. Someone might have seen something."

            "We should also send small groups to scan the deserted areas, you know, in case they may be hiding there."

            "Yeah, it's a good idea, how about three per group? I don't think we—"

            "That won't be necessary, Kiara."

            The whole group turned around. Kovu and Vitani had reentered the cave unnoticed and were now sitting near Rafiki, who had also kept quiet.

            "Kovu! I didn't realize you had returned."

            "Why do say it's not necessary to send the groups, Kovu?" asked the lioness who had suggested the idea. "You don't think they might be there?"

            "Well, for one thing it would be hard for them to hide there with three cubs, as there is no food or water," answered Rafiki, even though the question hadn't been for him.

            "Yes," added Kovu, "but also it's not necessary because Vitani and I think we might know where they are."

            Everyone stared at him in amazement. They all waited for him to continue his explanation, but instead they saw him walk towards the corner where Dejani was lying. Tears still rolling down her cheeks, the lioness didn't move until the young king's shadow was over her. She lifted her head and, seeing Kovu, she cowered further into the corner, expecting some other reprimand.

            What she didn't expect was the king to lick away her tears and smile at her.

            "There's no need to cry, Dejani," he said in a soothing voice. "I might be a bad father, but I'm about to rectify my mistakes. You're one of the best trackers and I will be needing you. Will you help me?"

            Dejani looket at those green eyes in confoundment for a moment before she heard herself speak. "Yes. I'll help. And I'm sorry."

            Kovu smiled yet again and turned to face the pride. "What I'm about to tell you will sound strange, and I'm sorry if I can't explain it all, as I don't know half the things myself. But Vitani and I have gathered enough to get started, and in time we may be able to find all the lost pieces of the puzzle."

            "Very well," said Rafiki, who alone of all the group seemed not to be surpised at Kovu's actions. "Tell us your story."

…………………………………………………………..

I'm sorry if this chapter is a bit boring, especially the second part, but I haven't had much time to fix some details on the plot and meanwhile I wrote this. Besides, I needed to introduce a little of Kovu's past and also give some mention to Dejani, who will later be an important character.

I won't be updating for a while, I really need to focus on some other stories I should have posted by now, but I haven't had the time. But as soon as I can I'll be back.