A/N: Hope you liked the last chapter, 'cause here's the new one.

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Kasim paced the ground in front of Nalani. "I am so sorry," she apologized profusely. "I didn't know. I just wanted food for the pride."

"I know, Nalani," Kasim said, relatively calmly.

"Don't let her off so easy, Your Highness," hissed Aminah.

"Your Highness," scoffed Nalani mockingly. Aminah whirled around and bared her teeth. 'He's not even King yet,' Nalani thought, ignoring the irritated lioness. "I'll do better next hunt," she said aloud. "I swear."

"You won't have to worry about that," Kasim said, refusing to look at her. "Because you won't be going on any more hunts."

"What?" questioned Nalani, looking over Aminah and the other lionesses' smirks.

"I'm sorry, Nalani," Kasim said. "We just can't take any more risks with you. Now, we are also invited to Pride Rock, so if you wish to attend, you can."

As Kasim turned his back, Aminah said in a low whisper, "As long as you can restrain yourself from killing another innocent guest."

Nalani followed her pride quietly. The other animals had already arrived in the southern part of the Pride Lands. They took their place behind the giraffes and zebras, and awaited the presentation of the young Zaki.

Suddenly, the noise of the animals ceased, and Nalani looked up to see a baboon hold up a lion cub. With that, all of creation sounded their cry to the newborn king.

After the ritual, Nalani's pride stayed behind to greet the family personally. "Kovu!" shouted Kasim, as the two lions hugged in greeting. "It's great to see you again! And it is a pleasure to meet you, Queen Kiara."

"And to think," Kovu began, grinning. "You didn't want to be Queen."

"That was before I met you," Kiara replied, nuzzling him.

Kasim then introduced his pride. Kiara smiled at Nalani, who had a sad look upon her face, forcing her to give a weak smile back.

With a mere nod, Kiara motioned Nalani to walk with her. "You seem different than the other lionesses," Kiara said, as the two roamed around the waterhole. "And it's not just your white fur."

"Do I?" questioned Nalani. "That may be more of a compliment than you think."

"Oh?" replied Kiara. "Why is that?"

"I know this must sound foolish, but the other lionesses – especially Aminah – are really mean. When I hunt, they eat all the kill, and I hardly get any. But it's trivial things like that…no big deal."

"It is a big deal, Nalani. You deserve more respect."

"But what can I do? They overpower me. I cannot take them all on."

"I know what you can do, but it is drastic."

"Oh, I'll do anything at this point!"

"Run away."

"What?"

"I did it, and that's when I reunited with Kovu. It may not solve all of life's problems, but it lets you sort out your thoughts and get in touch with your true self. Trust me."

Nalani nodded. "Okay…I'll try."

When Kasim's pride walked back to their cave, Nalani reflected on Kiara's words. She had to decide the right time to run away, and if it was really worth it.

"So what are we having for dinner?" questioned Aminah loudly. "Oh, that's right – nothing."

"Silence, Aminah," Kasim said harshly, shocking the lionesses. "We may have no dinner, but it's not like we cannot survive."

"We could eat Nalani," suggested one of the lionesses on Aminah's side.

"Nah, she'd just be skin and bones," Aminah replied.

"I said be quiet!" said Kasim, louder than he had ever raised his voice. "Why must you constantly put down Nalani? She has done nothing to hurt you."

Nalani was speechless. Kasim, though impartial to any of the lionesses, was actually standing up for her. For the rest of the way back, the entire pride walked in silence.

They returned to their cave, and Kasim requested Nalani's presence outside. "What is it…Your Highness?" Nalani tried not to stress the words, but it was difficult.

"I'm not King, yet," laughed Kasim lightly.

"Oh, thank goodness," Nalani said, breathing a sigh of relief.

"But I…do hope to become one," Kasim said, his gaze wandering. "Nalani…this is a rather difficult question. W-will you be my mate?"

Nalani took a couple steps backward in surprise. "What? I…I can't do that."

"Why not? We would be so right for each other. That way, I could be King, and the other lionesses wouldn't dare tease you as their Queen."

"Yes, I realise that, but…you just want your crown."

"What are you saying?"

"You don't love me. You want to be King."

"Th-that's not true, Nalani."

She turned away. "You know it is. I…I gotta get out of here."

Nalani took one last glance at Kasim and ran off in the other direction. She could hear her name being called by Kasim becoming fainter and fainter as she loped closer to the horizon.

Suddenly, when she felt that she was far enough, Nalani slowed down. Panting slightly, the young lioness looked behind her. A single tear slid down her cheek.

"No," she said aloud, shaking her head. "I'm on my own, now. I'm independent. I don't need anyone."

But little did she know, she soon would. That night, Nalani slept under a tree, barely sheltering her from the cool night winds of Africa.