Hello, again!! Yay I have more than 20 reviews!! I am very happy now gives all reviewers a virtual hug. Anyway as promised here is chapter 5 and we have returned to Pride Rock, where they have noticed Zazu's disappearance.

Chapter 5

It was early in the morning, very early actually and the sun had just started to rise. All the lions and lionesses were in deep slumber… all that is, except one. A very tired Simba sat on the point of Pride Rock his, gaze focused on the sky. He had been there almost all night. His gaze caught sight of a tiny speck in the sky that seemed to be flying ever so gradually towards him. For a second his face brightened up and he stood up wanting to greet the flying creature but then as it got closer he sat back down and let out a deep sigh. It had been a hornbill but not Zazu. He continued to watch the bird until it flew over Pride Rock.

"Still no sign of him huh?" said a familiar voice behind him.

"No, not yet," he said turning around to face the lioness "Nala you really shouldn't be up, you need your rest."

"Simba, I'm pregnant, not disabled"

" I know, but it's not long now. I don't want you to exhaust yourself"

" Don't worry, I know how to look after myself," said Nala walking up to sit next to her mate. "I think Zazu the one we should be worrying about right now," she added, looking up into the heavens.

"He should have been back by now."

"Maybe he just felt tired after the long flight, and decided to rest at the oasis for the night?"

"I don't know, he and Timon have never been exactly friends plus I don't know if Zazu would agree to put up with Pumbaa's stench all night."

Nala gave a small smile at this.

"Well, there are lots of trees there, he may have built a nest somewhere," she suggested.

"It just seems a bit out of character for him to make a sudden decision like that," said Simba lying down.

Nala didn't want to worry Simba, but she knew he was right. She had known Zazu her whole life; they even suffered through Scar's reign together. Occasionally Scar would order Zazu to run messages to other prides and hyena groups. Things were bad then, but Zazu always returned promptly, even when he was exhausted and thirsty. Nala had always admired him for not taking these chances to run away. He had always said his duty was to obey the ruler of pride lands, whoever that ruler may be.

"Maybe we should send someone to the oasis, to see if he got there ok?" inquired Nala.

"I was thinking that too, but the meerkats only know a few of us, I was thinking of sending Kovu or Vitani but they might scar them. We need Kiara here, as she has been leading the hunting party in your absence," Simba looked into Nala's eyes with a hint of guilt in his expression, "I don't want to leave you, but I think if Zazu's not back by sundown today, tomorrow I will have to go looking for him myself."

"No! Let me go instead," said a voice from near the entrance of the cave.

Simba and Nala turned around to see their daughter coming towards them. They didn't know how long she had been there, but she had obviously heard Simba's plan.

"Kiara what are you doing up? You've got a big hunting day today," said Nala giving her a good morning nuzzle.

"I heard you two talking, so I decided to get up and see if Zazu had returned yet."

"Sorry to have woken you," said Simba.

"It's ok, I'm worried about him too," she assured her father. "Daddy I heard your plan, and I can't, I really just can't, let you do it, not now anyway. Your place is here with Mum and the Pride," she said firmly.

"It's ok Kiara. I understand why he must go, plus we need you here to lead the hunting party," explained Nala.

"Vitani can lead the hunting party. Trust me, she is much better at it than me…"

"Don't be hard on yourself Kiara," said Simba.

"It's ok Daddy, I know it's true. Her and Kovu have practically taught me everything I know, and she does come up with most of our attack strategies. Please give her a chance to lead the hunting party. A lioness of her skill deserves a chance to be the leader, just as I deserve a chance to help a friend."

"Well, ok," said Simba.

Kiara looked very excited and almost like she was about to bolt off to the oasis right there and then.

"Don't get too excited," said Nala with her paw on her daughter's tail as if to stop her from rushing off. "Nobody's going anywhere until tomorrow, for all we know Zazu could be on his way home right now."

The family then sat together and watched the sunrise, hoping that Zazu would make his return that day.

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Another short chapter I know (sorry) but at least you can all guess who the next visitor to the jungle will be. I honestly don't know where the next chapter will be set hmmm oasis or rock? Maybe both!! Feel free to make suggestions as to the location of the next chappy!!