Chapter 5: 'Stalkers'

The young princess moved through the streets of the City, which surrounded the Royal Palace. The streets were not crowded, but were not empty either and young Kiara moved through the beautiful streets, unnoticed. It was common, in the past, for young Royals to walk the streets of their City, so common that they nowadays went unnoticed (especially among the older citizens). Kiara had loved exploring the vast city ever since she had first left the confines of the Palace and she never got bored of it, as there was always something new to discover. As she was walking, she passed two men leaning against a shop wall with books in front of their faces, one was slightly overweight, and the other rather thin, and both were wearing light brown trench-coats. After Kiara had passed them they lowered the books, "She's going to notice us," said Timon.

"No, she won't," replied Pumbaa.

"Yes, she will."

"Come on," insisted Pumbaa, "Look," he covered his face with the book he was holding and faced Timon.

"You're right," said Timon, "We're like a military stealth unit."

"You see?" said Pumbaa, satisfied, "I told you."

"We're like a military stealth unit who wear sun-glasses that emit a light as bright as the sun, and wear big signs on our heads saying: 'We are not a military stealth unit.

"Just trust me," insisted Pumbaa.

"Fine, but I know I'm going to regret this in about thirty minutes."

They continued to follow Kiara through the packed streets, passing into different streets and stopping at various stalls. It was when they came particularly close to the city gate (which was the entrance all the merchants used) that Kiara stopped to gaze beyond the city walls and began to daydream about life beyond the borders. Pumbaa had not noticed her stop, and accidentally bumped into her, "Oh, sorry…".

Kiara turned around and was amazed to find Timon and Pumbaa, "Uncle Timon? Uncle Pumbaa?"

"Excellent, Pumbaa," said Timon and looked at his watch, "16 minutes and 22 seconds. You owe me five credits."

"Did my daddy send you?" asked Kiara, suspiciously.

"No," they both replied, as if they had been insulted.

"We were just reading," said Pumbaa, "And walking along, me reading my newspaper and Timon reading," he grabbed Timon's book, "The Romantic Tragedy of Maria and Rodriguez?"

"Don't read my books," said Timon as he snatched it back.

"Anyway," recommenced Pumbaa, "We were walking along, and Timon alerted you…"

"Me? What about you?"

"What about me?"

"You bumped into her."

"It's your fault."

"Is not."

"This exactly what happened with Baby Earl."

"Baby Who? Oh, great, now I remember, I had blocked that out completely now it'll take me forever."

They continued to argue and did not realize little Kiara slip away and sneak out the gates…thus did she set in motion the events that would change the history of the Kingdom.