~Chapter 4~

In recent weeks, Kovu was sent with Vitani on reconnaissance missions to locate some new sources of water for the Outsiders. A lone antelope got separated from its herd and ended up dying in the Outsider's main water source polluting it. Zira sent a few lions to fish out the carcass, but the decomposition already had done it's work. The stress of it all made Zira more cantankerous lashing out on any lion in the pride who gave her even the slightest hint of bad news.

This day in particular was a cloudy and rainy one. Both Kovu and Vitani couldn't smell out any water since the air was damp and the falling rain kept pelting their noses.

"Of course mother would send us out on a day like today." Vitani growled.

"It's raining hard, we could dig up a spot for the water to pool in." Kovu suggested.

They found a good location at the base of a trio of dead trees not too far from their home. It was a short hike, but at least a place to get some water. As the two began digging as quickly as their paws could manage, Kovu looked up at the horizon. It was nearing the time to meet up with Kiara.

"Kovu!" Vitani complained, "If you don't help me, I'm telling mother you left me alone."

Kovu growled at his sister immediately continuing to dig. The rain started to pool in the hole the two were digging. It was a bit of muddy water, but the Outsiders were used to that kind of quality. The rain eventually began to dissipate. As Vitani kept digging, Kovu's ears perked up to a faint sound of rushing water. As he scanned around, the only thing his eyes could make out nearby was a small cliffside near the border to the Pride Lands. He had to check it out.

"Vitani, keep digging. I think I know where to get more water."

"You're not leaving me to do this by myself!" Vitani complained, "I'm coming too."

"Fine." Kovu scoffed, "Follow me."

Kovu quickly led Vitani toward that cliffside and by the time they got there, the rain had stopped.

"Mother is going to be angry." Vitani said nervously.

Kovu ignored his sister as he peered up the side of the rocky surface. He squinted his eyes spying a slight opening where water was continually pouring out. An idea sparked in his head immediately.

"Here start digging a narrow trench and let's pull it back to our water hole."

"This is stupid…"

"Just do it!" Kovu ordered.

Vitani growled, but ultimately obeyed her brother's request. As she began pulling dirt to the side beginning the trench, Kovu hopped his way up to the top of the rocks. There were a couple of long jumps he had to make, but he got there. Once on top, there was a flowing steam being blocked by the top slab of rock. Kovu wondered if he removed it, would the stream fall into the trench his sister was forming. He had to try. With all his might, he pushed against the rock and after three big pushes and one running leap against the rock, it finally moved out of the way. The water now free to flow down and flow down it did pushing through the trench catching up all the way where Vitani was digging. Kovu rejoined his sister helping her along with the digging and it didn't take long for the stream to be flowing into their makeshift water hole. Both cubs exhausted and laid on their backs catching their breath. Vitani tried the water and it was cool and refreshing on her tongue.

"Nicely done, Kovu. Mother will be proud."

"Wow, I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me." Kovu teased, "Thanks for your help."

"We'd better head back and tell mother the good news." Vitani said rising to her feet.

"I'll catch up." Kovu replied.

Vitani glared at her brother, but just shrugged leaving him behind as she wandered off. There was somewhere Kovu had to be before it got too late.

Kovu hurried to where he and Kiara always met just near the border to the south away from prying eyes. Kiara beat him there today and as soon as she saw him, her tail started swishing back and forth excitedly.

"Kovu!" Kiara greeted excitedly as she purred nudging her friend in the head.

"Hey Kiara!" Kovu replied.

"Is our secret safe?"

"Intact." Kovu nodded, "How's your little brother?"

"Very good, thank you." Kiara nodded, "He's growing so fast. Mom says she'll take him out of the den by the end of the week to run in the grasses. He's still pretty wobbly on his paws."

"Your family is resilient. I'm sure he'll learn." Kovu grinned, "Though I'm curious, I'm not around newborn cubs very often. Do they just show up at your den at random?"

Kiara immediately began giggling.

"Kovu, you must be yanking my tail. Didn't your mother tell you about the Circle of Life and how baby lions are born?"

Kovu's ears fell back as he was immediately embarrassed that he had never been told such things. All Zira cared about to tell him was anything about training, sharpening his claws, and how to pinpoint an enemies weakness.

"Well the more you know...listen, when two lions care about each other very much, their instincts take over and a little while later… a baby lion is born and sometimes more than one…"

After Kiara finished her explanation, Kovu just stared blankly at her.

"I'm never falling in love. It sounds complicated."

"Me neither. All I see in my future is being queen of Pride Rock following in my parents' paw prints.

"I know you will." Kovu smiled.

"Alright, it's getting late. How about a game of tag before heading back?"

"You're on." Kovu nodded.

The two cubs played their game until twilight fell and it was time to part ways for the day. They always hated saying goodbye, but at least it was never for too long. Kiara would return to her lavish life in the Pride Lands and Kovu to his place in the Outlands overshadowed by his controlling manipulative mother.

Upon returning home, Vitani was the first to greet him informing him that Zira wanted to see him immediately.

"She's in a good mood after hearing what we did." Vitani grinned, "You're lucky I shared credit."

"Thanks Vitani."

Kovu hurried to greet his mother standing outside the entrance to their termite mound of a home.

"I heard about what you did." Zira said as Kovu approached.

He could tell by her face that she was pleased, but her tone would say the opposite. With praise or anything, he always felt like he was in trouble with her.

"It's late get to bed."

Before Kovu went inside, his older brother Nuka bounded up looking tired and wanting to sleep as well.

"Hold up, Nuka. I have a job for you." Zira growled, moving to block his entrance to the mound.

"Mother, I need sleep. Send someone else."

"Don't be silly. I only send a lion I trust." Zira replied.

"Zira, my daughter would be happy to accompany Nuka." Another lioness named Daima approached. Behind Daima her daughter approached who was around Nuka's age and her name was Mila.

"Two lions are stronger than one." Daima added.

"An Outsider doesn't need help!" Zira growled, but glared at Daima, "But if you insist."

Zira allowed it and soon Nuka ran out of sight with Mila for their mission. Kovu watched this all transpire and Zira grew angry at his presence.

"Kovu! Bed, now!" Zira hissed.

Kovu ran quickly to the broken tree stump that was his bed and he drifted off thinking of Kiara and the fun they would have tomorrow.

~A Year Later~

Kovu and Kiara had maintained their secret friendship as they continued to grow up together. As adolescent lions, Kovu's mane was beginning to climb down his back and frame his face. Kiara grew stronger every day and soon they would be old enough to hunt on their own. Zira had sent Nuka out with Kovu and Vitani to show them the ropes, but they never went alone. Kiara had watched her parents for years and learned many tips and tricks. She was finally privy to Nala's pin method that had nailed Simba over the years. Kion was growing into a tough lion cub. Traits of curiosity and leadership flowed through his veins. Kiara hadn't introduced her brother to Kovu yet mainly because she was afraid to. She didn't think Kion could keep a secret. No matter, Kion had friends of his own he was close to. A small honey badger called Bunga, a cheetah cub named Fuli, a hippopotamus named Beshte, and an egret bird named Ono. Kiara didn't understand her brother's friendships, but respected them all the same. Simba and Nala were proud of the diverse friendships Kion had. On the other hand, they were worried Kiara had no socialization. Unbeknownst to them, she had Kovu and maybe there would be a day when they could know about the bond she and Kovu shared. The secret had gotten harder to keep as they got older, but the difficulty never kept them apart.

One evening they were out late because they had spotted a cave that was found just on the border between the Outlands and Pride Lands. It was hidden behind a large waterfall that soaked the fur upon entry, but Kovu and Kiara made this their new meeting place. It was private and a secret and became their haven. For hours they would talk about their days and Kiara would talk about her family and whatever antics Timon and Pumbaa had been up to. Kovu found himself a little jealous of Kiara's family dynamic. After all, such memories wouldn't be present for him. He wasn't even sure if Zira truly cared about him outside of being chosen as Scar's heir.

One late evening, Kovu hung out with Kiara later than he intended and he hoped Zira wouldn't catch him returning home late. Upon running at full speed through the grasses, he was stopped by a mandrill hoping down from baobab tree right in his path. Kovu halted just in time to not maul down the stranger.

"Good evening." The stranger said.

"Uh, hi…"

"Be still, young Kovu. I be your friend."

"Do you know where I come from?"

"Oh sure…" He replied circling Kovu grabbing his tail and looking in his eyes.

"You are a Pride Lander. Ah, you have your mother Siri's green eyes and your father Kenta's tough, dark fur."

Kovu's ears fell and he growled getting defensive.

"You know nothing about me, mandrill. Get lost."

"Don't you care to know the truth, Kovu? It is a wild tale Zira has weaved. She is poisoning you, boy."

"And why should I believe you?" Kovu growled.

"Because I met your parents and they are old friends of Simba and Nala."

"What?" He replied in disbelief.

"You follow, ol' Rafiki, he knows the way."

The mandrill quickly ran off, faster than I could have anticipated. I recognized the name Rafiki as an old friend of Kiara and her family. Could he really be telling me the truth? I couldn't believe it, but somewhere deep down, I wanted to. Rafiki took me back in the direction that I came bringing me into my and Kiara's meeting spot behind the waterfall.

"Uh, I think you have your lions crossed." Kovu insisted.

"True friendships are strong and even descend generations. Years ago, Simba, Nala, Siri, and Kenta gathered in this place laughing and playing together. Pride Landers all. The Outsiders were not even a pride. Zira murdered your parents and took you and your sister Vitani and raised you as her own. A mad lioness that one is."

Kovu knew he couldn't disagree with Rafiki there. For a second, it was nice to imagine that maybe he had better and nicer parents, but bringing him to this place didn't prove anything.

"I need to go, but it's nice to put a face to the name that Kiara has told me so many stories about."

"Follow your heart, Kovu. It will lead you along the straight and narrow." Rafiki nodded.

Kovu quickly left the cave splashing his way getting soaked in the waterfall. As he ran home, his head ached from countless thoughts. Questions surged in his mind and he felt sick with uncertainty, but somewhere deep down, he felt Rafiki spoke the truth. If he was able to find out more, he'd have to ask for Kiara's help.