A/N: Looks like I've got another chapter completed, so please enjoy! Like, love, hate, either way, let me know how I'm doin!

TWO – A New Life

The sun slowly rose into the sky as morning approached, its rays awakening the various animals of the Serengeti. Several started their day with a drink of water at the watering hole. One young lion exited the den of Pride Rock, stretching his body before breathing in the fresh air of a new day.

Indeed it was a new day unlike any that Kovu was used to. It was the beginning of his second month as the new resident of Pride Rock and it still felt unusual to him. Just weeks ago he was living in the shadows of the Outlands, plotting to kill King Simba alongside his hateful mother.

Unfortunately, her deep hatred for the Pridelanders led her to her demise, she and Nuka, Kovu's elder brother. Had they chosen to switch sides and give up their plan to overthrow Simba, they'd still be here with him. Kovu sighed disappointedly. Although Zira was not as affectionate and gentle as most mothers, she was still after all, his mother. He wished that he could have saved her from her timely death and dark soul but he faced the fact that it wasn't meant to be. To this day he couldn't even determine what made him change his own mind. A part of him guessed that it might have had something to do with a certain lioness.

"Morning!" greeted a cheery voice, startling him a bit. Speak of the devil.

"Hey," Kovu replied with a small smile. He still wondered what kept Kiara so vibrant all of the time.

"You're up early," Kiara said, stretching low beside him. "Ready for the morning hunt?"

"Yeah, let's go," Kovu replied, eager to be out and about. He certainly couldn't complain about his new home, but there were times of the day where he found himself restless and slightly bored.

Kovu was used to his old life with his militant mother, who forced him into training for hours on end every day. In addition to that, there were extra hours that he, along with his former pride members, had to put in for hunting food because the food was scarce in the Outlands. But here in the Pridelands, life was much more different. The food was plentiful and the days were peaceful – sometimes a little to quiet for Kovu's taste.

After hunts and meals, he was invited to join Simba on his nightly walks through the Pridelands. Simba took these times to teach Kovu about the ways of his pride, the laws of the kingdom, the Circle of Life, and so on. Kovu listened and comprehended and even asked questions here and there. But he couldn't deny that he still felt a slight awkwardness when he was around Simba. There was a certain stateliness about the king that Kovu knew he didn't possess and often felt inferior when in his presence.

Even the way the two lions walked were completely different. Simba sidled with an easy rhythm, with his head held high and his eyes focused. It wasn't until Kovu noticed Simba's walk when he realized that his own posture was slouchy and that he walked with his head hung low between his shoulders. Every now and then he tried to mimic Simba's gait, but that only resulted in him being teased by Kiara.

Kovu didn't know what he'd do if Kiara wasn't by his side. He was pleased to learn more about his new companion over the past several weeks, and found himself growing even fonder of her. He was surprised at how easy it was for him to open up to her, which he'd never been able to do with anyone else before. In fact, he had never had anyone else to open up to before she came along. She made him laugh the hardest, he always had the most fun with her, and so much more. There were times when he wondered why and how they were still just friends.

There were nights when he wanted to sleep beside her but avoided the temptation out of respect for her parents. There were days when she would talk on about her hopes and dreams and all he did was listen while staring into her bright amber eyes. He thanked his lucky stars for being in her life.

The two neared the watering hole and took their morning drink, sipping quietly. Kovu watched as Kiara lapped daintily at the water, admiring her features. Although she was beautiful, she was undoubtedly fierce; he knew that her time in captivity contributed greatly to her strength. Kiara looked up and noticed Kovu staring, causing him to quickly look away.

"What's up?" Kiara asked, a hint of amusement in her voice. Kovu was saved from answering her question when he heard the sound of hooves hitting the ground several hundred feet away.

"I think it's time for breakfast," he said, ready for the exciting challenge ahead.

"Then let's go!" Kiara exclaimed, taking off quickly.

"Whoa – wait!" Kovu yelled, running after her. It was so liker her to set off after a herd without thinking twice.

"Hold on" he said while chuckling when he finally caught up to her.

"Why? They'll get away!" said Kiara, attempting to run faster, but Kovu quickly stepped in front of her to block her path.

"What have I taught you?" Kovu scolded playfully.

"Use the element of surprise," Kiara repeated from his former lecture, rolling her eyes.

"Right, the quiter you are, the more you'll blend in with the surroundings. And when you blend in-"

"'They won't suspect you,' I know, I know," Kiara interjected. "I just get so excited, I was so close last time!"

"Close, but not close enough. Should the pro demonstrate for you again?" teased Kovu, with a smug smile.

"I think I can handle it this time," said Kiara, pushing him playfully. Kovu raised a quizzical brow but stepped out of her way without a word.

Kiara waited for the herd to settle into a patch of grass. As they began to graze, she crouched low and crept slowly toward the unaware herd of antelope. Kovu laid in the grass on his belly and watching his pupil. He was soon joined by his sister who walked up and sat beside him.

"How's she doing?" Vitani whispered.

"We'll both find out in a sec," Kovu replied, shrugging. Vitani chuckled lightly.

She and Kiara had no trouble becoming close friends after their differences were put behind them. She even offered to give the princess a couple of hunting lessons whenever she saw that Kovu was frustrating her. To Kiara's relief, Vitani teased her a lot less than her brother did. Vitani looked forward to seeing Kiara's first kill on her own.

The two siblings watched as Kiara crawled closer to the antelope nearest them. When its back was turned, she leapt into action and sprinted toward it. The antelope took off, struggling to escape its fate but wasn't fast enough. The chase hadn't lasted a minute before Kiara jumped and used her claws to attach herself to its back. Down the poor creature went as Kovu and Vitani cheered her on. Taking the now-dead antelope by its neck, she hauled it back to the spot where her two friends sat and dropped it at their feet.

"Pretty swell if I do say so myself, wouldn't you guys agree?" Kiara bragged jokingly.

"Yeah, you did greatfor your first time on your own! I didn't even do that well the first time I tried," Vitani praised.

Kiara grinned widely then looked to Kovu, who shrugged nonchalantly.

"You did okay," he said, smirking. It was when he saw her ears drooping and smile fading that he grinned and changed his tone. "I'm joking, kid. You did great, I'm proud of you," he said, nudging her with his paw. Kiara blushed and her smile returned.

"Thanks!" she said, smiling sweetly, and used her paw to push the carcass toward him. "Now youcan carry it home."

She and Vitani giggled together and began the walk back home, leaving a bewildered Kovu behind them. He shook his head and took the neck of the antelope in his mouth, following the two girls back to Pride Rock.