Author's Note: I'm really sorry that it has been ages since I've updated. But I have not forgotten about it! Who knew life could get so busy? As I was reading my last chapter, for the life of me, I could not recall where I wanted the story to lead! Thank goodness I'm the kind of person to write everything down, haha.
Oh, and a HUGE thanks to everyone who took the time to write me reviews. They really help me get back on my feet with this! Thanks again and much love to you all.

Well I hope you enjoy. And again, so sorry for the loooong delay! I hope this really long chapter makes up for it! - Rae

Chapter XV: Running Somewhere

Nala looked at Lisani with heavy eyes. Not ever had she felt this desperate to escape.

"Lisani, we can leave now. We can forget all of this and put it in our past. If we stay, neither of us will have a future," Nala begged, hoping Lisani would care to at least help her.

Lisani looked at Nala. She was troubled. She was in need. He wanted to help, but he was scared. Nala had always thought he was just stubborn, but he had actually always carried a fear with him.

"Nala... What are the possibilities? Scar will send for us. Chances are that they will find us. It's… not worth it."

"But you said we had to have hope," Nala shot back. "You said that. And, I don't have any hope here. But I have hope, I have hope out there!" She gestured her head to beyond the boundaries.

Lisani was at lost for words. He could not explain; how he didn't want her to get hurt. How he wanted to protect her. How if she stayed here, it would mean so much for them to be together. But she would be miserable.

"Nala… you go."

Nala's eyes grew wide. Alone? Without him? Not only was it something she hadn't thought of, but it was so unlike Lisani.
"What?" she said, softly, thinking maybe she hadn't heard him right.

"You go," he repeated, avoiding eye contact with her and keeping his gaze locked onto the ground. "It's safer if one of us goes. And this means more to you than me. Go and get help. I know you can do it."

"But Lisani," Nala interrupted. "I don't know if I can do it alone."

"I believe in you Nala, you can do anything you put your mind to. And I know you have more hope for this place than I to." He broke his gaze with the ground and looked up at her, cracking a bit of a smile for her.

Nala was in disbelief, but never in her whole life had she been this grateful for him. She looked at him and smiled back, then put her arms around him and gave him a tight hug. Lisani was surprised, but hugged back. He did not want to let go of her.

But they both broke from the hug and stared into each other's eyes one last time before Nala turned around and started to run away from the Pridelands.

When Nala was almost gone, Lisani let one solitary tear slide down his cheek before turning to walk back to Pride Rock. Now, time to take care of Scar.

Lisani approached the huddle of lionesses awaiting the birth of the new heir, each one of them whispering. Some with excitement, and some with dismay.

Sarabi put her paw on Lisani's shoulder and turned him gently to face her. "Lisani, where is Nala?"

Lisani could say nothing, thankfully, before Scar angrily walked out of the cave with a sour look on his face. Immediately, everyone became quiet as their king scanned each lioness, looking for a certain one.

"Where is she?" he demanded.

The crowd of lions began to whisper again, startled at this question. Something must have been terribly wrong if he wanted to see her, and something must have happened if she wasn't there.

"Where is she!" he nearly roared. Everyone remained quiet, but Scar happened to notice Lisani was looking at the ground.

"Lisani," he said. "Do you know where Nala is?"

"No, your highness…" Lisani responded quietly. "Is something wrong?"

Scar frowned. "Wrong?" he repeated. "I'd show you, but I wouldn't want to hurt him. Your new prince is not healthy. In fact, a cub could snap him in half!" he yelled. He took a few deep breaths and then proceeded. "So, Lisani, where is she?"

"I told you, your majesty, I do not know."

"Lies! Lisani, where is she?"

Lisani said nothing. He looked at the ground and coughed.

"She's gone, isn't she, Lisani? I know she is. I know you let her run away. I know that she wanted to, all this time; these years I've been king. Why are you doing this to me, Lisani?" he paused. "These years, I have treated you like a son! I took you in. I raised you. And this is the thanks I get?" Scar scorned.

Lisani said nothing. He kept his head down.

"Why did you do this, Lisani?" his frown curled up into one of those evil grins of his. "Ah, I see… I know why. It's because you love her, don't you?"

Again, Lisani said nothing, as whispers flew among the lionesses.

"But we can put this in the past, now can't we? And move on to the future. Don't worry, Lisani, I have just the punishment for you." He dismissed everyone with a jerk of his head and returned into the cave.

Lisani stood still as the rest dispersed. He sighed and looked up into the bleak sky. "I came through for you," he whispered. "Now, just promise you won't let me down," he pleaded, before collapsing onto the ground, burying his head under his paws.

Nala stopped to take a breath. She could barely see Pride Rock from here. It was the first time she looked back, because she knew if she'd looked back earlier, she wouldn't be able to pull through. Curiosity ran through her entire body, wondering how the newborn came out, what was happening to Lisani now, and what everyone was thinking. But it was time to move on to the future. She should start running again, in case Scar would send out any of his hyena henchman to come after her.

Looking back at Pride Rock was not pleasant. It was the only home she had ever known. Once flourishing, it is now dead and gray and cheerless. Pride Rock depended on her. Her family depended on her. She swallowed and turned again, heading further away from Pride Rock, where she could feel the light shining down on her more and more with every step she took.

Author's Note:I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Like I said last chapter, not too long until it's time to wrap this story up. But don't worry, for there will be a sequel! Yahoo (:

Well I'll be on vacation for a week, so don't expect any updates for at least a week. I'll try not to wait a few months before the next update, haha.