Here's chapter twenty four and please review.
I'd like to thank AMBER, BlackLouie, I.C 2014, balto90, CSIMentalistTLK lover, Asaf, gary2000, Seryyth, Fluffy Hug, and Aggregate Dragon for reviewing.
A few days later it was time for Kiara's first solo hunt. She paced inside the den while everyone was outside waiting for her to come out. She took a deep breath and prepared to go outside.
"Here I go." Kiara thought. "Mom, I hope you're watching me." She felt a warm wind go by her and smiled, knowing it was a sign from her mother.
She stepped out of the den and was greeted by Rafiki.
"Kiara," Rafiki smiled warmly.
Kiara smiled and began making her way to the bottom of the slope where her father was waiting along with her godparents.
As she passed by the Pride members, everyone smiled at her.
"It's your day!"
"Nala would have been so proud!"
"My how you've grown!"
Her friends were standing with the other Pride members and they gave Kiara encouraging smiles.
As she reached the bottom, Shinda and Alex greeted her first.
"You'll do just fine," Shinda said, embracing her along with Alex.
"Make us proud Kiara." Alex said, nuzzling her.
"Daddy?" Kiara asked after a minute. Simba snapped up from where he was in deep thought.
"You have to promise to let me do this on my own, promise?" Kiara asked
Simba sighed and then saw Sarabi giving him a deadly look, daring him to refuse.
"Alright," Simba agreed. "I promise."
With a happy smile, Kiara embraced her father lovingly before heading towards the rocks leading down Priderock. After getting a nod from Simba, she bounded down Priderock and into the hunting grounds.
Simba watched her go and sighed. What if something happened to her? Hunting was dangerous and he couldn't risk losing Kiara.
Timon and Pumbaa came to his side and Simba turned to his friends.
"Make sure she doesn't get hurt." Simba said. Timon and Pumbaa nodded and headed after her.
After a few hours, Kiara had brought down a zebra. Panting, she looked down at her kill with pride. She had done it. She had successfully completed her first hunt.
"I wish you were here to see this Mom." Kiara thought as she began to drag the kill back to Priderock.
Suddenly, she heard an oddly familiar laugh. Kiara immediately knew who it was.
"Hyenas!" Kiara gasped and turned around to see a clan of hyenas advancing on her.
Kiara growled. She couldn't outrun them with the kill and she couldn't bring herself to leave the first kill she had made.
"Oh we're not here for the kill." One of the hyenas snickered. "We're here for you."
Kiara growled dangerously, knowing that she would have to fight. They wanted to kill her not take the carcass.
Just as the first hyena lunged at her, there was a roar. Suddenly, a flash of tanned fur and electric blue eyes whipped past her.
Kiara got a glimpse of her rescuer and she gasped.
It was Vitani! How had she managed to save her on time?
"Touch her and I will rip you into pieces." Vitani hissed. "Remember what I did to you last time?"
The hyenas growled and high tailed away. Kiara watched the scene in awe.
"Vitani?" Kiara stammered out.
"Kiara, are you hurt?" Vitani asked, helping her up.
"No, I'm fine." Kiara said. "But how did you get here on time?"
"I was passing by head the border when I saw hyenas by the border." Vitani explained. "I heard what they were saying so I ran into to find you."
"What about the rest of your Pride?" Kiara asked.
Vitani's face hardened. "I left them. They were just...too much. Nuka doesn't care about anyone and you know how my mother is. I'd rather live alone as a rogue."
"No you won't." Kiara said, getting up. "Come back to Priderock with me. Once my father hears what happened he will surely give you a spot at Priderock."
"No, Kiara I can't." Vitani said. "I'm too ashamed after leaving to do that."
"You were young and didn't know what was happening back then." Kiara said. "It's okay. I'm sure of that."
"Kiara!" Came a voice. Simba ran through the tall grass followed by Sarabi and Sarafina.
"Kiara!" Sarabi rushed up to Kiara along with Sarafina. "You're alright!" Kiara nuzzled both of them before turning to her father.
"Father how could you break your promise?" Kiara demanded, looking at Simba. Sarabi turned to her son and narrowed her eyes at him. She thought that just this once he would let Kiara be free on her first hunt but he hadn't
"It's a good thing I did!" Simba growled. "Those hyenas almost killed you! I nearly lost you! No more hunts for you! Not ever!"
"I was doing just fine!" Kiara exclaimed. ''Even before Vitani showed up.''
"Vitani?!" Simba growled, and let out a roar at Vitani who only backed up.
"Simba!" Sarabi gasped.
"Hey you!" Came a voice. It was Rafiki.
"How dare you save the King's daughter!" Rafiki exclaimed.
"You saved her?" Simba asked. "Why?"
"I humbly ask to join your Pride." Vitani said. "And I still consider Kiara my sister no matter what our differences are."
"How about your Pride?" Simba asked.
"I left them." Vitani said. "They and Nuka were too much for me and my mother...everyone knows how she is. I am a rogue now."
"You chose to leave." Simba reminded.
"I was young back then and I didn't know what I was doing." Vitani said.
"Daddy, please." Kiara said. "Vitani saved me. Just at least give her a chance."
''Simba,'' Sarafina reminded her son-in-law. ''You owe her your daughter's life.''
Simba studied her keenly. "For now I reserve judgment. We'll see who you really are."
He turned and left with Sarabi and Sarafina following him. Kiara gave Vitani a smile as the two of them followed.
Back at Priderock everyone was both happy and relieved to see that Kiara was okay and her first hunt had been a success despite the hyenas.
Kovu came up to Kiara and gave her a nuzzle. "Way to go killer." Kiara just smiled and rubbed her head underneath his chin.
"Kiara!" Zuri and Jasiri bounded up to her. "Good job!"
"Kiara," Tanabi said. "Are you sure about Vitani?"
"What do you mean am I sure?" Kiara asked. "Of course I am. She saved me!"
"I know, but why leave Nuka's Pride all of a sudden?" Tanabi asked.
"Maybe she just got fed up with them." Kiara said. "She's probably tired of Zira and you know Nuka will do anything to please Zira even if it means hurting Vitani."
"I guess." Tanabi sighed. "But I'm still not sure of her."
"Neither am I." Zuri added nodding.
"Well you've always had it for Scar's family anyway!" Kiara snapped, narrowing her eyes at her second cousin.
"Can we not bring up the past?" Zuri asked. "Look I'm sorry about that stuff and I just don't trust Vitani."
"Whatever." Kiara muttered and headed to the resting place to get some rest. Kovu followed her.
Meanwhile, Vitani was thinking to herself. She had known that both Simba and Kiara would fall for the trick and they had. Now she had to be patient to kill Kiara. Kiara completely trusted her but killing her right away would make it too suspicious for Vitani to stay with the Pride. They would suspect something if Kiara got killed only a few days after she arrived.
The next day, Kiara was up bright and early along with Vitani. Kiara found her at the Waterhole.
"Morning!" Kiara said, popping up next to her.
Vitani jumped and nearly fell into the water but she managed to grab hold of herself right on time.
"Kiara don't scare me like that!" Vitani exclaimed. "You never really grew out of that did you?"
Kiara laughed. "No I didn't. Come on, let's walk around."
Vitani nodded and the two of them took off.
"It looks way better than when Father was ruling." Vitani commented.
"Yeah it does." Kiara said.
"Do you miss him?" Vitani asked. "I know he wasn't really your father but..."
"No," Kiara said. "I don't miss him at all. He killed my mother and I will never forgive him for that."
"You were always his favorite." Vitani said thoughtfully. "No matter how much of a bad mood he was in, you would always be able to put him in a good mood."
Kiara smiled as a flashback played in her head. "Yeah I was."
It was around when she was three and a half years old. Kiara was toddling around in the den bored out of her mind. Her mother had left for hunting and she couldn't find anyone to play with.
Suddenly, Scar entered the den and Kiara let out a squeal of joy.
"Daddy!" Kiara ran to her father and clung onto his front paw. "Your back! Play with me! Pleeeeeaaase!"
"Daddy's tired." Scar said, gently shaking his paw free of her and settling down.
"Please Daddy! Please!" Kiara looked at him with bright pleading blue eyes. She gave him a toothy grin and Scar couldn't help but smile.
"I'm tired Kiara." Scar said, resting his head down and closing his eyes. "Where's your mother?"
"Mommy went hunting. And Kopa's playing with Kovu and Hofu." Kiara said.
"Then why don't you go join them?" Scar suggested. "And let me sleep."
"I wanna play with you!" Kiara giggled, pouncing on his head. Scar raised his head irritated and Kiara giggled again.
"I just can't win with you can I?" Scar asked with a smile tugging at his mouth and Kiara laughed.
"Let's go!" Kiara said and pulled him out of the den.
Kiara smiled softly at the memory. She had only been a young innocent cub back then without any worries. She had been content with a loving mother, a strong father and a loyal brother along with the rest of her family. Never had she even thought to think about the future.
"Anyways," Vitani said. "I heard you tried talking to Kopa."
"Yeah I did but there's no use." Kiara said. "He's not the Kopa he used to be. I lost my true brother a long time ago."
"So you don't care about him anymore?" Vitani asked.
Kiara sighed. ''I don't know. He's still my brother and I know that if my mother was still around, she would have never given up on him and I want to do what my mother would have done and I tried. But Kopa…I couldn't believe that he defended Eisha against me. No matter what, I still care about him but it's no use. He's not the Kopa I knew.''
''During the time that we were in the Outlands,'' Vitani said. ''He and Eisha grew really close. I don't know how. He barely played with her when we were young so when they started spending time together I was really shocked.''
''Do you seem him as your brother?'' Kiara asked.
''I do,'' Vitani nodded. ''He sees me as his sister but the way he cares about Eisha…it's the way he used to care about you. It's like he replaced you with Eisha.''
Kiara felt a pang go through her heart. She opened her mouth to say something but before she could, Tanabi bounded over to them.
''Hey,'' Tanabi said.
''Hey Tanabi,'' Vitani said and Kiara gave him a nod.
''You guys just walking around?'' Tanabi asked and Kiara nodded.
''I'll join you,'' Tanabi said. Kiara gave him a look, knowing very well that he was only here because he still wasn't sure of Vitani.
''Did my father send you?'' Kiara hissed into his ear so Vitani wouldn't hear.
''Nope,'' Tanabi murmured with a goofy grin. ''I came just cause I wanted to.''
''Vitani,'' Tanabi said. ''How is my mother doing?''
''She's fine.'' Vitani said.
''Does she talk about me much?" Tanabi asked.
''No,'' Vitani said. ''She doesn't. The few times she does, she's really mad with you.''
Tanabi sighed, ''She was always like that. She's my mother, but she doesn't have the best heart.''
The three of them continued to chat as they walked around. Kiara smiled to herself remembering their times when they had been cubs. Playing, wrestling and talking without any worries. Why hadn't it stayed that way? Why did fate have to be so cruel?
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A few days passed and Vitani gained everyone's trust. She had spoken and acted carefully to ensure that no one would doubt her. Even Simba had warmed up to her and she knew that he trusted her.
Now she had to kill Kiara.
One morning, Kiara came up to her.
''Vitani,'' Kiara said. ''Since I finished my first hunt, my father wants me to do the patrol just once so as the Queen I'll know if there are any threats in the Pridelands. He won't let me go alone and he can't take me right now because he's busy and I can't go later because I have to lead the hunting party. Do you want to go with me?''
''Sure,'' Vitani smiled realizing the perfect opportunity to kill Kiara.
Kiara smiled and the two of them headed towards the border.
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Meanwhile, back in the Outlands, Kopa was resting under a dry tree trying to stay out of the sun. It was another scorching day and after searching around for water with no luck, he had collapsed under a tree, not wanting to waste any more energy.
His thoughts drifted off to Vitani. How was she doing in the Pridelands? He wondered if she had figured out a way to kill Kiara yet. He felt a sick feeling in his stomach knowing that she could be killing Kiara right now and he was doing nothing to stop it.
But he knew that had to be done. It was the easiest way to weaken Simba.
He thought of his mother and how disappointed she would be with him if she was here now. His heart ached knowing the truth but it only fueled his anger for Simba more. He had come into his life, taken away to only father figure he had known and failed at protecting Nala whereas Scar hadn't.
(Flashback)
''Mom!'' A four year old Kopa jumped on Nala's back and let out a laugh of joy when she opened her eyes.
''Mom!'' Kopa exclaimed. ''You're awake! Wanna play with me now?''
''Darling I'm tired right now.'' Nala said, smiling at her son's excitement and enthusiasm. ''Why don't you play with Kiara?''
''But I can't find her!'' Kopa whined. '' Kiara's no fun sometimes. And I'm going to die from being bored if you don't play with me right now!''
Nala chuckled at him. He had only begun talking fluently a couple months earlier and he had quickly added to his vocabulary list.
''Kopa,'' Nala said gently. ''You must remember that in the end, your sister will always be the one there for you when you need it. Don't ever forget that.''
''So you're not going to play with me?'' Kopa asked, folding his ears down.
''I want to.'' Nala said, getting up and giving his face a lick. ''But I have to go hunting.''
''Mom! Kopa!'' Kiara bounded into the den. Nala gave her a nuzzle.
''Play with your brother alright?'' Nala said. She nuzzled them once again before heading out of the den.
''I'm gonna get you!'' Kiara growled playfully and pounced on Kopa, taking him by surprise and pinning him down.
''Oh yeah?'' Kopa laughed. ''I'm the hungry hyena and you look like a good snack!''
Kiara squealed and ran out of the den with Kopa chasing her around. He pounced on her and the two rolled around until Kopa found himself on his belly with Kiara sitting on him.
''I got you again!'' Kiara giggled.
''Whatever,'' Kopa shrugged. ''Lions are better than hyenas anyways.''
''Hey Kopa?'' Kiara asked.
''Yeah?'' Kopa said, looking at his sister.
''We'll always be best friends right?'' Kiara asked.
''Yeah,'' Kopa grinned looking into his sister's sapphire blue eyes.
''And we'll always be that way right?'' Kiara said.
''Right.''
(End of Flashback)
Kopa's heart ached as the memory played through his head. Kiara had trusted him completely and he had betrayed her. He owed it to her to fix that. Maybe he could still avenge Scar but still take care of Kiara.
A thought suddenly hit his head. What if Kiara was already dead? If she was, it was too late to make it up to her. And if she was, Nala's only remaining cub would have died. Sure he was still Nala's son, but he had completely betrayed her too. Kiara had honored their mother's wishes.
''If Kiara dies, Mom's sacrifice will be for nothing.'' Kopa realized.
Kopa looked at the Pridelands with a pounding heart. What if the murder was taking place right now? Was it too late? Should he let Kiara be killed?
''You must remember that in the end, your sister will always be the one there for you when you need it. Don't ever forget that.'' Nala's voice went through his head.
''I won't let Mom's sacrifice be in vain!'' Kopa growled and charged into the Pridelands.
Hope you enjoyed and please review. So in the end, it was Kopa's love for Nala that made him go back for Kiara. Is he too late? Will Nuka and the others kill him for treason? Stay tuned to find out!