The sun broke out over the Pride Lands and Vitani woke as she felt its warmth settle on her. Opening her eyes, she looked around her. Some of the other lionesses were waking now as well, and Vitani felt uncomfortable. Getting up, she climbed down the large stones and wandered off towards the waterhole. She hadn't walked in the Pride Lands for so long, it felt strange. As she reached the waterhole, Vitani sat down in frustration.
Although Simba's lionesses had welcomed them the night before, she knew it was only because he had chosen it. Their looks were full of suspition and doubt, and they had slept in the cave, away from the Outlander lionesses. Vitani clenched her teeth as her thoughts moved onto her brother. She was happy for him to have found love, but in him meeting Kiara, Vitani knew she had lost the Kovu she grew up with. He would change now, and nothing would ever be the same.
But out of all her thoughts and murmurings, the thing Vitani disliked most about the situation was living under Simba's rule. She remembered when she was a tiny cub, and he exiled her mother and her family. Because of that, she grew up as a warrior and a hunter in the barren Outlands. Vitani sighed. She was glad the war was over and they could live in peace now. But that didn't mean she needed to live under Simba's rule.
Vitani's thoughts were disturbed as she heard someone approaching. Looking up, she saw two lionesses who had come with her to the Pride Lands, Nailah and Safiya.
"We were looking for you, Vitani," said Safiya.
Nailah sat down beside Vitani. "This isn't right. We're not really welcome here."
Vitani sighed. "You can feel it too?" The other two lionesses nodded. "Does anyone else feel this way?"
"Almost all of us," said Nailah. Glancing down at her belly, she continued. "I don't want to stay here. Not like this."
Vitani nodded. She too, carried a cub. "Gather together the rest of the lionesses. Everyone who wants to go shall be free to come. I'll go speak to Kovu."
Vitani made her way back to Pride Rock. As she arrived, she saw animals gathered from all over the lands, standing below the peak. Standing there, Vitani watched as Simba and Nala stood together, and presented Kovu and Kiara as the Prince and Princess.
So that's it then, she thought to herself. He really has chosen them over us.
Turning, Vitani went back to the waterhole. It didn't matter now. They would just leave. Glancing around her, she smiled as she saw the group Safiya and Nailah had gathered. They would return to the Outlands together, and live under their own rule.
Vitani stood and looked carefully at the lionesses for a few moments. There were eight in total. Then she spoke.
"You understand that if you leave now, you are choosing freedom over luxury. I will not tolerate complaining or arguing."
The lionesses nodded.
"Don't worry Vitani," said Nailah softly. "We've spoken to them. They all want you to be their leader, not Simba."
Vitani's felt cheerful for the first time in as long as she could remember. Then, clenching her teeth, she stood like a true leader and started back towards the border.
Atop Pride Rock, Kovu and Kiara stood together after the announcing ceremony. Kovu still wasn't used to the way they did things in the Pride Lands, but he had quite enjoyed roaring his name beside Simba. Rubbing his head against Kiara, he suddenly felt her stiffen.
"Kiara? What is it?"
Kiara looked down in dismay across the lands. "There is a group of lionesses there, Kovu. They're going back to the Outlands."
Kovu turned and saw that she was right. "Vitani!" he cried, bounding down the stones.
Kiara looked up towards the sky and tears pricked her eyes.
"Why?" she called out to it. "Isn't that what you tried to teach us? That we are one? Why now are you letting them go?"
"Kiara, is everything alright?" spoke a voice from behind her. Kiara turned to see her father standing nearby, his face worried.
"Oh father," she cried, rushing towards him, "Vitani and the others, they're leaving."
Simba sighed. He felt troubled. What should a King do now?
Far below them, Kovu ran across the grassy fields towards the moving group of lionesses. Finally, he caught up to them and skidded to a stop in front of Vitani.
"Vitani," he said, "what are you doing? You've been offered a home here. Don't throw it all away."
Vitani bowed her head. "I'm not like you Kovu. I have nothing to keep me here. Can't you see it? How unwelcome we all are? We cannot stay living here. Perhaps one day we will return, but we will never live under the power of Simba."
Kovu's heart sank. He was afraid that Vitani would feel this. He too felt unwelcome, but she was right. He had a deep love for Kiara; one that would haunt him forever if he left.
Nodding, he forced a smile. "Take care of yourselves then," he said, as he watched Vitani and turn and lead the others across the border. Once they had gone, Kovu began to walk back towards Pride Rock. As he went, he noticed that the animals crept away from him. The whole trip was filled with silence. The dark lion sighed. Although Simba had renounced his claim against Kovu, he knew that many of the animals still didn't trust him. And glancing up towards Pride Rock, where the King stood with his daughter, Kovu began to wonder if even Simba trusted him yet.