A/N sorry this took awhile, after Christmas and a new computer I didn't have a whole lot of time to work on it...anyway, I hope this is good, although it's little shorter than I'd hoped.

Many thanks to my reviewers: neosun7, Pichooi, KariGilmore, jla2snoopy, and SunRise19! You guys rock!

xxx

Max proved right, she was stuck with them. Or at least, that's how it seemed to Hadiya. Not once had she been allowed a moment alone. It wasn't that she didn't appreciate them looking out for her, it was just frustrating. She eventually gave in and now sat swishing her feet around in the waterof the river that wound through the oasis. Evening had come and the fireflies were beginning to venture out, giving the area a tranquil atmosphere. Pumbaa was floating lazily out on the water, but Timon and his mother were sitting next to her, conversing quietly. They glanced at her every so often. Finally Osono cleared her throat and turned to her.

Timon was shaking his head at her, but she ignored him and smiled warmly at Hadiya. "Dear, can I ask you a question?" Hadiya nodded, smiling as Timon gave andefeated "Oy!" Osono didn't seem to notice. "Hadiya...how long has it been since your mother passed?"

"Ma! Do you think she'd really want to talk abou-"

"It's been about a year." she interrupted. Osono appeared surprised, as did Timon.

"That long?" he asked, his eyes wide. "You made it on your own for that long out there?" he waved vaguely to indicate the outside world.

"You did it, didn't you?"

"Well, yeah, but I at least had Pumbaa with me!"

"What were you doing all that time?" Osono asked. Hadiya turned away, concentrating on Pumbaa as he floated past. "Hadiya?"

"Just sort of wandering around, you know, from colony to colony...looking..." she trailed off, seeing Max step out of the foliage on the opposite bank, motioning to them. Osono got up with a shrug.

"I'll see what he wants." She left the two to finish their conversation. Timon scooted to his mother's spot, closer to Hadiya.

"What were you looking for?"

"Actually, it was someone." she paused uncertainly. This was the first time she had ever mentioned this to anyone but Flinchy...she'd never even told her mother. "I used to have this friend...I told Flinchy I was too young to remember so he wouldn't ask alot of questions...But I wasn't that little. I was old enough that I really liked him."

Timon chuckled. "Puppy love?" Hadiya elbowed him, pouting.

"Are you going to listen or not? You did ask after all."

"Sorry...so, uh, what was his name?"

"That I really don't remember. I can't remember what he looks like that well, either. But since this is where me and mom came from, I'm sure to find him, don't you think?"

Timon looked out at the water hesitantly. No, I had hoped...ah, what was I thinkin'?

"Timon?"

"Listen, I think I'm gonna turn in. I'll talk to you tomorrow, okay?" He got up and made his way into the leaves. Unaware that she was watching, he paused and ran a hand through his hair. "Well, if it wasn't obvious before it certainly is now..."

xxx

"Now what is it that you're so worked up about?" Osono asked. Max glanced around them shiftily before leaning close.

"He's not here."

"Who's not?"

"Pazu! I've been through the entire colony today, no one's seen him since yesterday when he told them about Kesi." Osono brought her hands to her mouth in a small gasp.

"So you know it was him?" Max nodded grimly. "What should we do?"

"Keep a good eye on Hadiya. Pazu isn't the kind to forgive easily..." they returned to the river, hoping to get her to go home. Osono gave a tiny shriek. Pumbaa had managed to fall asleep and had been beached on the sand, but no one else was to be seen.

"Where is she!?"