Finally, eh? I had some really positive reviews on the beginning of this story, many saying they wanted me to continue. I'm going to try and shorten this story a bit, and try not to make it AS long as the "Lion King 3 After The Peace" story is getting to be. I'm hoping to add on just a few more chapters to that before actually finishing anyway.

Chapter 2

Over the next few days that followed the rescue, Kovu became successful with gaining Kiara's trust (which wasn't very hard to do at all, since Kiara thought he was doing good from the start). Simba even lighted up on him. Though, Kovu couldn't stay there now. He needed to go along with the plan. It was just hard figuring out how he'd do it. After much thinking and no progress, Kovu decided to find Zira and ask on her ideas.

"Hey, Kovu, where are you going?"

Kovu was walking across the plains, not even moving his head to look as Kiara began to tag along beside him.

"Just a walk." He replied calmly, trying to sound as pleasant as possible.

"Can I come?" Kiara asked hopefully.

"Well..." Kovu gazed off in the direction he was walking in, pretending to think hard. "...I'd rather go alone. Maybe some other time, all right?"
"It's just that," Kiara sighed. "Kovu, ever since you came here, you never seemed to have your mind on catching up. I mean, I want to get to know you better. Even when we met as cubs, all I knew about you was that your name was Kovu and that you didn't know how to play tag." Kiara smiled down at her paws shyly. "I...I also thought you took care of yourself in the Outlands without parents."
Kovu flicked one ear in acknowledgement of her words. Annoyance was pricking at him though.

Those days are far over. Why does she like to think back so far?

"So," Kiara jumped in front of him, blocking his way. "let's talk."

Kovu bumped into her, his chest pressed against hers. He pulled away awkwardly, "Really, Kiara, I need to-"
"What's up with you?" Kiara laughed. "Don't you ever just chat with a friend?"
"No," Kovu looked away, hiding the scowl on his face. "I-I don't."

"Well, it could start off with a nice question." Kiara smiled.

"Fine," Past his annoyance and anger, Kovu sat down.

"Now...what kind of stuff did you do in the Outlands?" Kiara tilted her head.

Kovu growled. "Ah, you know," His voice grew slightly higher in pitch, emphasizing his fake innocence. "I'd play-fight with my sister...staying as far away from the border as possible." He let out a lower growl, adding in such a quiet voice that Kiara couldn't hear, "Watching as Mother slapped Vitani for finding her with Kopa..." This memory made Kovu flinch every time he thought of it, yet it would stay with him forever. He had felt such affection for his sister that day, such pity...though Kovu being Kovu, of course, couldn't understand that feeling at the time, nor could he now.
"What was that?" Kiara moved closer to him, thinking she could hear him better.
"Nothing." Kovu looked away, avoiding her soft, reddish-brown gaze.

"Well," Kiara tapped her tail against the terrain. "I liked to star-gaze with my dad." She beamed. "I still do, actually. He doesn't have the time, much, anymore. But I still like to do it," Her head lowered. "alone."
"What does "star-gaze" mean?" Kovu glanced back at her in confusion.

"I'll show you later." Kiara said excitedly.

"Uh..." Kovu shrugged. "...Okay...listen, I really need to leave. I'll be back soon."
"All right," Kiara gave him one last soothing smile before lightly padding off. "Maybe we can catch up more later."

"Eh, yeah..." Kovu slinked away, not looking back, and headed towards the Outlands. As he reached the border, he glanced back once to make sure Kiara hadn't followed to spy on him and hurried off.

I guess she really did keep her word in talking to me later. Kovu realized in surprise.
"HALT!"

A savage voice snarled, jolting Kovu from his thoughts.

"Step aside, Dotty." Vitani's commanding voice comforted Kovu. She pushed past the Outlander lioness and stood in her spot. "Kovu!" She rushed forward and gruffly brushed her head with her brother's. "What brings you here?"
"I need to speak with Mother." Kovu explained quickly. "I've got the Pridelanders right where we want them." He smirked. "Simba doesn't suspect anything."
"Kovu, that's great!" Vitani's violet-blue eyes brightened.

"Yeah, well," Kovu said quickly. "I don't know how I'll corner Simba, though."

"Come on, Mother'll have a solution. She always seems to." Vitani swiftly hurried off across the cracked terrain of the Outlands. Kovu nodded and followed after her. The ground felt rather odd compared to the soft, lush Pride Lands terrain. It shook Kovu that he had grown so used to the Pride Lands, but he supposed he'd need to once he became King.

Each Outsider lioness lifted her head to stare as Kovu and Vitani came past.

"K-Kovu," Nuka hurried from a group of lionesses. "what are you doing here?" When Vitani glared at him, he added hastily, "When-when you could have come far sooner! We missed you, brother!"
"Glad to hear it, Nuka." Kovu hissed, making his older brother flinch and run off.

"Nice one." Vitani laughed.

"Thanks." Kovu smirked.

As they entered the cave, they heard the screeching of claws as they scraped down the cave wall. Zira sat near the back, muttering to herself in strange tones as if she had gone mad.
"Mother has been rather anxious and jumpy since you left." Vitani whispered, then turned back to Zira after Kovu nodded in understanding. "Eh, Mother?"
"Vitani," Zira's scruffy head turned, her blood-red gaze pinned on her daughter. When she saw Kovu, she hurriedly jumped to her paws and ran over, licking him on the cheek. "Dear," She beamed. "you've come back."
"Y-yes, I have." Kovu stiffly nodded.

"With Simba's head with you, I suspect...?" Zira pulled away from him and began sniffing his muzzle. "...Kovu, I smell no blood."
"That's because," Kovu shuffled his paws uneasily. "I haven't done it yet."
"WHAT?" Zira snarled.

"I-I can explain!" Kovu exclaimed.

"You'd better." Zira growled.

"I'm not sure how I should do it." Those words seemed to calm Zira, to Kovu's relief.

"Anyway you can manage, dear." Zira smiled warmly at him, but for some reason, it sent a chill down Kovu's spine. "Unless," She flexed her claws out again. "You wish of me to take part in it?"

"Well, yes...?" Kovu shrugged.

Zira hugged him again. "I knew you'd think of me, dear." She glanced at Vitani. "Go inform the pride."
"The pride?" Kovu tilted his head.
"Of course," Zira nodded. "they'll take part in this too. Somehow, tomorrow, bring Simba to the very outskirts of the Pride Lands, somewhere he can't call for help. Leave the rest to us."

Kovu bared his fangs in satisfaction, "Yes, ma'am."
Vitani chuckled and backed out of the cave, roaring to the rest of the pride.

"Go back, now. Before Simba comes looking for you." Zira growled.

"But wait," Kovu turned to her. "how will I know when you're coming?"
"That wont matter." Zira narrowed her eyes. "You'd probably sense us faster than he could, anyhow. Now, go!"
"Okay." Kovu backed out too and brushed past the other lionesses who called after him encouragingly as he rushed back to the Pride Lands.

"Where has Kovu gone off to?"

Kiara turned to look as Simba sat down next to her. His expression was slightly suspicious, and Kiara was worried that he had lost trust in Kovu already. There were some lionesses in the pride who still didn't trust Kovu much.

"He said he was going out for a walk." Kiara replied to her father absentmindedly.
"I figured you'd go with him." Simba told her, and Kiara was surprised to hear a slightly stern tone to it. Nonetheless, Kiara nuzzled her father reassuringly.

"I'm sure he'll be back soon." She murmured.

"I know I stated out loud that he had grown on all of us," Simba now sounded stressed. "but when he does things like this, Kiara, I just..." He sighed.

"Does things like what?" Kiara pulled away from him, now glaring.

"You never know where he could be going." Simba explained himself slowly.

"I trust him." Kiara said firmly. "I'm not sure about you."

"Now, now, Kiara," Simba nudged her. "there's no need for such tones and words put together like that when talking to me." He looked away from her and down the rocks. "I still trust him pretty well."

Kiara smiled. "Look, there he is now!" She motioned her head towards the dark-brown outline of Kovu making his way across the plains, back towards Pride Rock.
"I told you we could trust him!" Kiara exclaimed, rushing down the rocks. Simba heaved a sigh. He supposed she was right.