"I kissed a girl (And I liked it)"

By: Gabriel LaVedier

Here we come to the second chapter of this most unusual series. The protagonists grow up a little bit. Age gives Kiara beauty, and gives Vitani… Naught but regrets. Note: The poem which Vitani recites, titled during the pre-writing step "Vitani's disgust" is a heavy modification of the first eight lines of G. K. Chesterton's poem "The Donkey." Essentially, she uses a similar self-depreciating tone as the donkey in question, without the later triumphant coda. Also, can anyone point me to any really good fan work of these two together? Stories or art? I don't think there's any on Lion King Source, but I haven't looked because it might be just like Balto Source: Once home to some now devoid thanks to management decisions. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. I have nothing. I claim no infringement.

Chapter Two: It felt so wrong…

"And what will you do?" Zira grinned with manic glee as she looked upon her son, now grown and ready for his most important mission.

"I will kill Simba…" Kovu repeated his often-stated vow with emotionless precision, looking straight ahead unwaveringly, even as the Outland lionesses roared their approval. All but one Outland lioness.

"I will kill Simba…" Vitani repeated mockingly, under her breath. "Yea, right. Like he'd ever get close enough to do that." Age had hardly been kind to the former cub. She had grown like the rest of the exiles. Long months of privation and desperation had made her scraggly, thin and drawn. Her once-beautiful features had been nearly strangled out of her. Her eyes were still a brilliant blue, but now diminished in notability and sitting within the sallow yellow sclera ringed by natural darkness. Though it galled her that this was what she had become, it was her only body, her only identity. She had to live with it.

"Vitani! Nuka! Come here. I have a job for the two of you." Zira motioned with her head to her two children, a devious grin on her face.

Nuka was delighted to be addressed by his mother, trotting over gleefully. "What do you need, mother? Just name it and I'll get it for you. Don't worry about anything I'm…" He was silenced by his sister, who had slunk up beside him without much enthusiasm.

Two sticks were scooted to the two lions by their mother, who leaned in conspiratorially. "Take these to the elephant graveyard. Light them on fire with the natural flame pits. And then burn the grassland. There are supposed to be Pridelanders about today. Make certain the fire washes over their territory, and engulfs whoever is foolish enough to be about."

Nuka very quickly grabbed one of the dry sticks but Vitani hesitated. Kiara was a Pridelander. She couldn't do such a thing to her. "Mother, how can we do this? The fire could spread into our territory. And you've sent Kovu out there. He may be caught in the blaze." Vitani put on her best serious face and spoke with a confident, yet cautious, tone.

"Don't worry, my child, I've thought it through completely. Kovu will stay away from any part that looks dry enough to burn, and I've ensured that there are trenches around out territory. We will be safe here, and Kovu will be safe out there."

"But…" Vitani began a second protest but was stopped by the mad fire burning in Zira's bloodshot eyes. "Yes, mother." She meekly submitted at last, picking up the stick with her mouth and running after Nuka, who had started off and then paused, to wait for her. She took a last look behind her at her cruelly-grinning mother, before she ran on with all speed, head down and mind busy.

- - -

"Are you alright?" Later in the day, after the fire had been set, and had burned much of the dry Pridelands. Amid the smoke and noise, Kovu found himself looking down at Kiara, whom he had just saved, legitimately. Though with foreknowledge that Vitani and Nuka would be burning everything. Once again, he had used his sister to look good.

"Y-yes…" Kiara looked up weakly at her savior, her eyes half-closed. In the darkness and swirling smoke she only saw a shape. She saw no details and filled in what she thought was there. She thought she saw blue eyes in the choking cloud. But a moment longer revealed she was mistaken. It was a lion. With a thick mane, and familiar face. "It's you. That lion from… Oh it's been a long time."

"It's been an eternity without you, princess." Kovu kept his insincere smile, and used his best fawning voice. Every detail honed to perfection playing his mother and the other exiles. Except for Vitani, who hated him too much to fall for his trickery. The heartless wretch. "Can I help you up?"

"No! Ahh… No, I can manage." Though slow, from fatigue and bruising, Kiara slowly ros eback to her paws, swaying slightly. "There. I'm fine."

"If you say so, princess. But you inhaled a lot of smoke out there, and you took a bit of a beating while you were running for your life." Kovu leaned up against Kiara, ostensibly to support her body, but adding a subtle motion to rub his form against her own.

Kiara coughed a few times, the words reminding her just how sooty her throat felt. She shook her head after her cough, leaning more firmly against Kovu. "I just… I need some water and a rest. That's all. I'll be fine."

"At least let me escort you home. It's still pretty dangerous out here…" Kovu's smile gleamed with smooth imitation concern, and his eyes traced possessively along Kiara's tawny form. His victory was simpler than he had thought. And so much sooner than he had ever assumed. It would be only a matter of time until…

"Kiara! There you are!" From seemingly nowhere came a voice. Kiara looked over, enthused, pulling her body away from Kovu's support, a light in her eyes and smile on her lips. Kovu cursed as he heard it. He knew just who the interloper was, and had hoped he wouldn't have to deal with her interference. Vitani finally climbed to the top of the hill Kiara and Kovu occupied, pressing herself against Kiara instantly. Her lithe, starved figure rubbed sinuously against Kiara's lush and healthy frame, the two females rubbing muzzles gently. "I was so worried when I saw the fire sweeping over the Pridelands. I tried to get in and find you but I was blocked by the flames!"

"Oh, you didn't have to worry. I can take care of myself. I'm a big lioness now, and I've learned a few things about how to survive." Kiara perked her ears and turned at the sound of a cough, to see Kovu frowning at her. "Oh, and Kovu helped me out when I was too overcome. But I'm sure I could have made it without him."

"Trust me, Kiara, you can always manage without him. I've done it my whole life." The smile Vitani gave to her brother was smug and self-confident. She had every right to it, with Kiara gleefully rubbing her face in against the Outland lioness' neck.

"Shouldn't you be getting home, Vitani? With this fire mother is going to be worried about how you're doing." Kovu stalked up to the pair of females, firmly inserting himself between the two and ending Kiara's welcoming head-rubbing with his firm shoulders.

"She'll be more worried about you, Kovu. You're her favorite, after all. Shouldn't you be getting back home?" Vitani casually circled around her bother and sat down beside Kiara.

"I think we should both go home. That way we can spare mother the worry." Kovu made his statement from between clenched teeth, trying with all his might to make it look as though he was sincerely smiling.

"An excellent idea. Don't worry, Kiara…" Vitani leaned in to place a small peck on Kiara's forehead before rising to join Kovu. "I'll come back and see you when things calm down around here."

"A-all right…" The Prideland lioness found herself speechless and shaken, as she had been back when she was only a cub.

"And I'll be back to see you, too, princess. After all, it's only fair that the one who saved you should check in to see how you're doing." With a wink, Kovu turned and started walking away, Vitani at his side.

"Very smooth, chosen one. How long were you planning to wait before she found you on her back?" Vitani growled low, leaning in to speak with Kovu as the two of them walked slowly away.

"Stuff it, Vitani. You interrupted a perfectly legitimate hero's reward. Don't forget, this time I really did save her life. It was you who put it in danger. You're the one who should have anger hurled at you, not me."

"I only did it because mother made me. I tried to stop it but… I couldn't disobey her. Besides, Nuka was the most enthusiastic about it. And don't you forget, hero, that you KNEW full well this fire was coming. Mother told you about it in great detail and explained just how you could use it to your advantage even if it failed to kill anyone from the Prideland side. You were just waiting for this disaster to happen so you could act like a hero, you disgusting scavenger."

"I've never seen you refuse a carcass, sister. Watch who you're calling what. And who cares if I knew it was coming? I didn't know where it was coming from. I didn't know exactly when. I was in danger the whole time. You were comfortably behind the fire. All you needed to do was start it, so I could look good."

"Once again I find myself in the unique position of having to apologize and to swear that it will not happen again. Not in this way, at any rate. I'm not here to help you trick your way into that girl's status. I'm not here to help you at all."

"Really now? I'm sure mother would think differently."

"You're the one who said you'd mate her just to spite me. I will do as our mother commands because it is part of my duty to obey her. But as much as I can, with as much skill as I can muster, I will find ways to keep those orders from giving you any significant benefit."

"You're welcome to waste your time and effort, Vitani. In fact, I encourage you to do that. Waste all your effort, run yourself ragged and wrack your brain until it breaks to try and keep me from my goal. I'll do as I promised, and I will leave you in the cold. It will just makes things all the more entertaining and satisfying if, in the process, I burn you down to a cinder."

- - -

Several days later, after the ash had settled and the clouds cleared away the Pridelands were safe once more, and all creatures were free to roam the grasslands. Including Kiara.

She stalked imaginary prey through the patches of burnt grass, and dodged imagined ambushes that came from every angle. Even though she had only the barest inkling of how to actually stalk and defend against such things, she still made the effort, simply to keep her powerful, lush body limber.

"Looking good, princess." From the cover of low grass, the voice emerged suddenly, and brashly. "You definitely have the makings of a truly great huntress in you." Kovu slowly rose from behind the tuft of brunt grass he had been using as a hiding spot, his dark coloration allowing for proper blending.

Kiara stumbled back a little bit, truly caught off guard by Kovu's sudden appearance. "Ah! Oh, hello again, Kovu. Do you really think I have what it takes? I've done a lot of practice and I know I'm just perfect for it. But my parents say that I still need more training."

"Well… Parents can be a bit overprotective at times. That's their job. If they didn't, how would you ever manage to get frustrated with them?" A small laugh followed, Kovu getting a good deal of humor from his own joke. "But really, everyone needs practice and training. That's how you get better, and stay good. You train and exercise and make sure you know everything there is to know."

"But how? Both my parents are busy, being regal. All the huntresses are busy hunting. I'm expected to know how already. My uncles are of no help, even though they try."

"I'll tell you what. I can teach you. I'm already an excellent hunter. I had to be, in order to survive my situation."

"Would you really do that for me?" Kiara looked up to Kovu, a hopeful smile on her face.

"Princess, it would be my honor…" Kovu responded, a slick grin on his own face.

- - -

"No, no! Again! But this time keep yourself straight!" Kovu barked out his command with a stern and serious face, eyeing the object of his attention like a hunting hawk.

Kiara sighed loudly and pulled herself back onto all fours. She had been performing a pouncing drill for what seemed like hours. No motion was good enough. Her body was curved to one side of another, her arc was off, her claws weren't out enough. It was making her crazy. B ut she agreed to these lessons, and she was determined to keep with it. So she dug into the ground with her claws, gave the biggest leap she was capable of and let out a booming roar. She described a perfect arc, her body straight, her back arched just slightly, forepaws out and forward with the claws fully extended. When she hit the ground, marked with a simple set of scratches to show where her "prey" was, there was a terrific thud and the casting of dust as her claws ripped into the dirt. "Ha! Perfect! My form was flawless, my execution ideal and every little bit of it went exactly as it was supposed to."

"Well, yes. Except you started out in the open, rather than from the tall grass. You won't get many chances to make a kill by just being out in the open." Kovu wandered up to his charge and bumped her playfully. "But you're learning."

A little laugh came from Kiara's mouth, though she tried to hold a disgruntled frown. Trying to, anyhow. "That was… Quite a workout. Think we can cut it short here? I want to get back to Pride Rock and rest."

"Sure. But I'll have to work you twice as hard tomorrow."

"Would you really?"

"You want to be a good hunter, don't you? Impress your parents with your skills?"

"My parents…" Kiara looked down suddenly, her body slumping as she thought of her parents. And their expectations.

"You know… It takes more than just hunting to impress parents."

"What do you mean? What else is there besides being able to provide?"

"Well, you know… There's a stable family life. A mate." Kovu looked over at Kiara with a serious expression. "Cubs."

"O-oh… I see what you mean. But…" Kiara slowly scratched at the ground, leaving light, shallow furrows with her claws. "I mean I don't really… I just… It's not something…"

"Everyone feels hesitant. And it's not an easy thing to decide. But keep this in mind, parents like it when their children join in their responsibilities. Grow up, have families and continue the traditions. Especially when you're a princess in line to rule. What would happen without an heir? Chaos." Kovu's paw lashed out, ripping a ragged divot from the ground. "Destruction!" Another swipe tore out another hunk of ground. "Madness!" He clawed at the ground wildly, casting dirt in all directions and forcing Kiara to step away. He stopped suddenly, panting and looking over at Kiara with huge, intense eyes. "That's why cubs are important."

Kiara was stunned, to say the least. Her look was dumbfounded. Her jaw hung open, her breath caught in her throat. "You make…" Her words were just barely audible, hardly a breath able to get through her tight throat. "A good point. I understand the reason. But I don't feel it."

"Everyone says that. But that's just one of the things you learn to overcome. Eventually, you do feel it. And it's beautiful. Trust me, I've seen it before and I just know it will happen to you. And really, would a courtship and mate-ship with me be so bad? It worked for your parents."

Kiara had no words for that. Responsibility, sensibility, maturity. It was all closing in on her. Like the jaws of a huge predator she was being slowly crushed to death by all the factors she couldn't deny. Every piece of her, though screaming that it was not what was right, was silenced by the inexorable press of guilt and tradition. She had to answer. She couldn't put it off any longer.

- - -

Vitani cursed as she finally made it into the Pridelands. She had worked hard to escape her mother's evil eye, and slip past the lionesses watching the borders with different excuses. She was, allegedly, going to spy on Pride Rock, and see how Kovu was proceeding. Though he told all, the paranoid Zira always liked a second bit of news.

She wound her way along circuitous paths, always hiding her trail with double-backs and paths through water. Zira's paranoia was all-encompassing. She didn't trust those who brought her news of those she didn't trust. Even despite the precautions, she still made good time to the heart of the Pridelands, and found what she had been hoping to find. Kiara, alone, looking contemplative in the sun. With a smile of genuine pleasure, Vitani trotted towards the princess. "Good day, Kiara. I'm sorry I haven't been around to see you often. It's just very busy in the Outlands."

For a time, it seemed as though Kiara had heard nothing. She remained there, sprawled out on a rock, brow furrowed. She stared off at nothing, barely blinking. At long last, after a fair interval of time, she looked over at Vitani and gave a half-hearted, though sincere, smile. "Oh, Vitani. Hello…"

"Something the matter, Kiara? You look pensive."

"What? No. Nothing's the matter. Truth to tell I'm very, very happy. It's just that I've had a long day. Lots of hunting practice and talking about how to impress my parents. It's very important to me. I mean, I love them with everything I have. I respect them highly. I know they want what's best for me. And what's best is… Well, Kovu explained it all."

Vitani's hackles rose, and a hateful fire came into her eyes. "Kovu? And just what did my brother say, hmmm?"

"He finally made me realize that it's more than just being good at hunting, important as that really is. It's also about undertaking a normal life. Settling down with a mate, having cubs and continuing the circle of life though becoming a parent. That's just the peak of it." Kiara kept her eyes low, and her voice quavered as she spoke the last three lines.

"What? What are you talking about? You don't need to take a mate and make cubs to have a normal life. Or a good one. You just have to be happy with your life. That's the most important thing. Your life is your own. No one has the right to dictate to you how to be happy."

Kiara slowly turned herself around, to look towards Pride Rock, a small shiver running through her body. "But I need to make my parents proud of me…"

"Why?!" Vitani ran to Kiara's front, pushing her muzzle up close to the other lioness' face. "Why do you have to do that? And how will this do it? Have you asked?"

"I have to because they raised me, Vitani. I lo-love them. And I'd do anything for them. Having a mate and having cubs is important, especially to royalty. It's hard to understand when you're not…"

"Not what? Royal? I don't need to be to understand this. Your own happiness should come first. You should decide how you want your life to go before you let someone dictate it. Parents or not, they don't own you, Kiara. No one does."

Kiara said nothing. She looked away from Vitani, chewing pensively on her lower lip, and lightly scratching a the ground. "I need to. It's part of my responsibilities. As princess of the Pridelands it's my duty to produce an heir, who can take over after my time as Queen is done. I can't just think of myself, as much as I dearly want… I can't."

"Kiara… Kiara please. Please just… I…" Without warning, Vitani dipped her head in and planted her lips against Kiara's. Her breathing was hard and irregular, her body shuddering with long-missed sensation. Soft lips, tender and uncertain trembling from the princess, her green eyes wide and filled with surprise at the start. But as the kiss went on her eyes slowly drifted halfway shut, a pleased purr just barely rumbling through her chest. She stare deeply into the blue eyes she remembered. The form was different, all thanks to life. But the feeling, the warm comfortable feeling of tenderness and sweetness was still there. Though it seemed to go on forever, the kiss ended at last, with a small gasp from Kiara, and a deep, aching pant from Vitani. "I love you…"

Kiara stood there, on weak legs, her head thrown back, staring sightlessly at the sky, still feeling the rush of sensation from the long, deep kiss. The purr rumbling in her chest slowly died away, and her head came back down to look at Vitani. There were tears threatening at the edges of her eyes, and it was clear she was trying to keep them there. "I'm sorry. But… I'm not a cub anymore, Vitani…" With that strained and pain-filled statement Kiara walked away, trying to keep her pace as steady as possible, on her path back to Pride Rock.

Vitani was left all alone. She didn't dare move from where she was, her back to Kiara's retreating form. Unlike the princess, she didn't stop her tears. They poured from her wide, unbelieving eyes, as she drew in shuddering breath after shuddering breath. "But…" She whispered, to no one at all, "Kiara… Neither am I…"

- - -

Vitani wandered back to the border of the Pridelands and Outlands in a daze. All her hopes. All her dreams. Dashed to pieces by her brother's convincing lies, his preying on Kiara's insecurities and desire to please. She had been outflanked. That cursed wretch of a brother finally had his way. His deceit and duplicity had paid off for him. He had taken the ugliness and disgustingness of the Outlands and used them to get what he wanted. To spite her.

Back on the Outland side of the border Vitani stopped to drink from a pool of water, to cool her throat, scratched and raw from her sobs. She looked down into the water, gazing into her own reflection, occasionally distorted by the last remnants of her tears. Looking at what time and living in squalor had done to her, she began to whisper.

"When hornbills crawled and grasslands walked

And acacias had no thorn,

When the air was dust and the moon all blood

Then my sick soul was born;

With ugly face and monstrous voice

And eyes of evil shade

Some demon's breathing parody

Of every right thing made…"

She slashed at the water with a snarl, rending her images into a thousand rippling distortions, her rage-filled visage twisted and broken a thousand ways, making her appear, if only for that moment, exactly like the monster she felt she was.

She ran from the border deep into the heart of the Outlands, to the termite mounds, the seat of her mother's evil ambitions. She was finished with avoiding things. Done with thinking she could escape the permeating horror of her home.

She dashed into the mounds, past the guardian lionesses and the lounging ones who conserved what energy they had extracted from their meager meals. To her mother's raised dais, from where she regularly spit hatred and derision towards the Pridelands. All because of what they did to Scar. Zira was there, scheme. On seeing her daughter coming in what looked like a rage, she raised a sharp eyeridge. "My dear Vitani, what is the matter?"

Vitani gazed up at her mother, the tears gone from her eyes, the red rawness making her gaze look as evil as she had always been assumed to be. She opened her mouth, her ragged voice echoing darkly in the cathedral-like mound. "Mother, direct me. Order me as you will, to perform any act you desire. Let me be the instrument of your rage. Your chosen fury. I will be part of your vengeance." She thought of Kiara's rejection, and the decision she made to be normal, even though she knew inside what she truly wished. "Let me help you destroy the Pridelands…"

--

To be continued…