-----CHAPTER TEN: The Run Away-----

Simba did not look back but kept going until the oasis of Timon and Pumbaa were no loner insight. He knew he was going to have to travel along way before he even got out of the dessert. But that was why he began running, and he was sure to get hungry along the way. The fact of the matter was those bugs weren't cutting it anymore. Even when he ate a entire colony, it only satisfied him halfway. Which was why, last night he decided to teach himself how to hunt.

Which went over pretty well for the most part, except there were no animals to hunt in the oasis…what so ever. Or at least where he looked. He saw a bird one time and almost caught it, but he sneezed at the inopportune moment and it flew away. So he was now walking north with nothing in his stomach and in the middle of the night. But he felt refreshed as if he had slept for two days. Where that energy came from he had no idea.

But he used as he continued on his way.

Seart paced backwards and forwards in his cave wondering what to do. Nala had flat out said for him not to fight Scar. And for good reason…the last time he had lost…badly. He growled frustrated and scratched the wall in anger. He heard Nala behind him and turned. She looked worried.

"What…is it?"

"Scar…you have to leave. He's coming after you."

"What?" Seart said stunned his mouth dropping open. "How…"

"He…tried… to…" She burst into tears sobbing and Seart quickly wrapped his paw around her. She got up moving away. "You have to go before he finds you."

"Come with me then Nala, we will get help and come back!"

Nala considered it a moment and shook her head. "No…my mother is here."

"But…" He looked suddenly heart broken. "I love you Nala."

Nala blushed, and looked back. "I Love you too, but…I can't leave my family. I would regret it if I did."

"Nala." Another voice said. It was Sarafina.

"Nala." She said firmly. "Go with him.

There was a moment of stunned silence. Nala looked at him then to Sarafina. "What about you…"

"Scar can't touch any of us. Everyone sleeps together. Go both of you."

Nala didn't say anything but instead followed Seart out into the fall breeze and he began to run, then she followed him. She had no idea where he was going, and she didn't think he had any idea either.

Simba wasn't sure if he was even moving. It felt as if he had been running continuously the same route all night. But the environment around him changed from sand, and dry lands to wetlands and grass. Which meant somewhere close there was food! And water!

And sure enough a little ways down a hill there iwas/i a waterhole. And a lot of animals to choose from. Simba now being older had grown more mane but had not fully grown yet so he was not easily spotted by passing eyes.

Having only his fathers technique to go on he slowly crept up on a antelope drinking from the water. But it looked up and around and yelled and everyone around him scattered. If Simba had been any smaller he would have been crushed. But luckily the antelope had stayed in Simba's sights and he ran off after it.

He ran faster catching up with it and leapt trying to bring it down, but a lioness leapt roaring grabbed the neck bringing it down flawlessly and lading on the ground. He only got a glimpse at her face and then spotted another male following her.

The first name that slipped into Simba's head was Nala. But for one she wouldn't be running around with some strange lion. And two she would never leave the Pride Lands. So he only gave one more look back and started to run again.

He ran all night again only to stop for restroom stops and to scrounge food off of some hyenas. After resting for the night in a cave he started out again in the early morning hours.

Finally he saw the mountains in the distance. He didn't know how he ran this far, but he was extremely tired, and collapsed to the floor as it began snowing lightly. He felt the drops run down his mane and down his forehead.

"You! Lion!" A gruff voice said. Simba opened his eyes slowly looking around. A male snow leopard was glaring down at him. The snow had stopped but the ground was lightly covered.

"Who are…you?" Simba asked looking at the leopard.

"The king of these parts, King Lefia. What is a lion doing way up north?"

"Looking for a old friend." Simba said sitting up. It struck Lefia out of nowhere. "Simbaaa!' He said suddenly and boomingly wrapping a paw around him patting his back. "Here to see Li are we?"

"How…"

"She can't stop talking about you." Lefia said smiling. "Come say hi…oh there she is."

Simba had a hard time swallowing. Her fur had come in very well, and her spots were more noticeable she had dark blue eyes that he was starting to get lost in. Then he shook himself, and they said hi at the same time.

"Hi…" Li giggled but then ran over and tackled Simba hugging him. Caught off guard he yelled falling over.

"Nice to see you too Li. You missed me?"

She nodded blushing. "Yes…a lot. Your all I've been thinking about." Simba, flattered smiled but didn't say anything because if he tried it would all come out as dribble nonsense. When he didn't say anything she looked at him expecting him to say the same thing. But, like he thought all that came out was drivel.

"Yesubithoughtaboutyoutoo." He said rather quickly. Li burst into giggles again turning red. Then she grabbed his ear with her teeth. "C'mon Simba, lets go back to my cave and you can tell me what you did."

-------end chapter ten-------