Here is Chapter 5. Thanks for reviewing, Starzinmieyez. =)

~5~

An evil smile widened on Vitani's face as she peered closer at the alien. Once she had ordered the young cub to go back home, she had made it her mission to get rid of these foreigners once and for all. Little did she know, the cub had taken cover behind a large rock and peered over to witness the fight.

"Someone help!" Jeanette cried on the top of her lungs.

With the base ½ a mile away, it would take a miracle to help her in this situation.

"Get her Aunt Tani!" Doli cheered with her tail flicking back and forth excitedly.

"I said go home!" Vitani shouted.

She returned her attention to the quivering brunette in between her forearms that she didn't notice another one coming towards her with a foot long blade. He emitted a shout before he tackled Vitani and pierced the lion in her side with the jagged knife. He showed no mercy as he attempted to penetrate the blade to its maximum despite her painful cries.

"Make a run for it, Jean." he said as he checked the neck for any signs of life.

He pulled out almost immediately after that statement, as the lioness fell with a thud. Her chest was heaving in effort as she drifted in and out of consciousness. Doli watched in horror as Vitani lay lifeless in a pool of blood.

"A-a-a-ndrew…" the copper haired human quivered. "You killed her…"

"Come on, you're safe…" Andrew replied as he hoisted her arm over his shoulder.

The two creatures walked away, the female still shook from the experience, could barely walk straight. When they were gone, Doli scurried towards the lioness. She placed her tiny paws on the lioness, looking for a hint of life.

"Aunt Tani!" she wailed. "Please wake up!"

She buried her head in her pelt, trying to get her to stand.

"You can't die! Please! Oh Aunt Tani!"

She broke into helpless sobs as she hugged her one last time before she rushed home to get help.

"Mom!" she bellowed as she rushed towards the mighty rock she called home. "Someone!"

Everything was a blur. Millions of thoughts gathered in her head as she made a mad dash to the pride. She nearly slipped as she lifted herself onto the rocks one by one. She was still too small to travel up the rocks as efficiently as the adults were. At last, she paused and took time to recollect her breath.

"Doli, what's the matter?" she heard.

"Uncle…Kovu!" she exclaimed in a mixture of relief and angst. The King and the predecessor looked down at the terrified cub, wondering what could have shaken her up so badly. "Something's wrong with Aunt Tani. You have to come quick!"

The first thing that came to Kovu's mind was the hunters.

"No…" he uttered. "NOOOOOOOO!"

His cry echoed throughout the cave, silencing the lionesses, which were usually buzzing with conversation. Faint murmurs were heard between the lionesses.

"Doli, where is she?" asked Simba.

"Follow me!" she exclaimed as she hurried back to the horrid scene.

"Vitani…"

That was all he could say. His only sister, so tough and courageous, yet understanding and witty, was barely clinging to life.

"I'm so sorry, Kovu." Simba said as he looked down at the lifeless lioness.

"Simba, go get Rafiki or Nefu." he ordered.

The golden lion headed to the mandrills' baobab tree.

"Is she gonna be okay, Uncle Kovu?" Doli asked as she brushed her tear-stained cheek against his forearm.

"I hope so…" Kovu responded as he stroked his sister's pelt one last time before he supported her upper body on his and made his way to Pride Rock.

Incapable of carrying Vitani's lower body, Doli let loose several more tears as Vitani was dragged back to Pride Rock.

The pride went silent when they saw Vitani. Her face weakly squinched in pain as Kovu softly dropped her.

"What happened to her?" Efia spoke, breaking the almost haunting silence.

"Poachers…" Kovu muttered sinisterly.

He ran off, leaving the group in a deathly silence.

"Kovu!" Kiara called.

"Let him go." Simba insisted. "He'll cool off."

Nefu ran a finger over Vitani's wounds, a trail of crimson dripping from his finger.

"She's been stabbed." he exclaimed. "By de poacher's blade."

"Is she going to be alright, Nefu?" Doli asked in melancholy.

"Tis too early to tell." Nefu responded. "But itz very unlikely she will perish from deez wounds."

"Can I stay with her?" questioned the cub as she brushed the tip of her paw against Vitani.

Nefu nodded as he walked away. Doli buried her face into her arms, wiping away any evidence that she had been crying.

"I'm so sorry, Aunt Tani." she wept. "It's my fault those creatures hurt you. If I'd never went outside, this would've never happened."

"Doli, it's getting late." Efia said softly, taking consideration of her daughter's gloom.

Shani was hanging from Efia's mouth, stretching her paws towards her sister.

"Is it okay if I stay with Aunt Tani tonight?" Doli asked as she looked back at her.

"Vitani needs her rest, Doli." Efia explained. "You just can't—."

"Please?" Doli pleaded once more.

"Alright," Efia said with a sigh. She set down Shani for a minute as she gave Doli a good night lick. "Sleep tight, kid."

"Good night, Mommy." Doli said.

Shani toddled towards her big sister, pressing her muzzle against her cheek.

"Good night, Shani." Doli laughed.

Though her family had killed some of her depression, she was still overcome with guilt. She nuzzled Vitani slightly before curling in a ball next to her and falling asleep.

"She hasn't left her side since…." Zula whispered, trying not to stir the sleeping lions.

Zazu sighed. Doli got on his nerves frequently. But seeing this cub in such a deep depression made his heart drop to the floor.

"It's getting late. We better go." Zula suggested as she struggled to find her spot, blinded by the pitch-black darkness that gradually seeped into the deathly silent cave.

"Kiara, please, get some sleep." the queen's mother begged.

"I can't…" she replied. "I can't sleep knowing they're still out there. And Kovu—what if he got killed?"

"He'll be fine." Nala assured, giving her daughter a good night lick before heading to her usual sleeping spot next to her aging husband. "If anything, he's probably heading home right now."

"You're right." Kiara said with a hesitant smile. She followed her mother and nuzzled her cubs, which were already asleep.

Morning finally arrived. Kiara's worry about her mate impeded her ability to sleep. She opened her eyes, and noticed her father at the entrance of the cave. He seemed to be talking to someone. When she peered closer, she realized he was talking to Kovu!

KIARA'S POV

"They just disappeared?" Daddy inquired.

"Not a trace of them." Kovu responded.

"How do you know they're gone for good?"

"I've looked all night, not even a paw print."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive…"

I sighed with relief knowing Kovu was fine, but I was still angry with him for jeopardizing his life and the lives of our cubs. I noticed the two pad into the cave, and tried not to blow my cover. It worked! Kovu, who was oblivious to my eavesdropping, approached me, nuzzling me.

"Kovu…" I muttered.

"I'm sorry about yesterday." he said before lying next to me, his muzzle still brushed against my neck.

Now that I knew Kovu was safe, now was a great opportunity to get some well-needed rest. However, I was jolted once I heard an excited, high-pitched squeal, which woke up nearly half the pride.

"Doli?" Kovu questioned.

The cub scampered out of the den where she fell asleep with great news.

"It's Vitani! She's awake!"

"Vitani?" he questioned.

I followed him, as did the other awake lionesses.

THIRD PERSON NARRATIVE

"Tani, I'm so glad you're okay…" Kovu said, on the verge of tears, as his sister smiled weakly. "I don't know how I'd live without you."

His comments slightly intimidated Kiara, but she brushed it off, knowing Vitani was the closest thing he had to a friend since cubhood.

"Aunt Tani, I'm so sorry." Doli apologized, her eyes watering. "I could've killed you…"

"Don't worry about it…" Vitani insisted. "It wasn't your fault."

"I love you, Aunt Tani…" Doli sniffled, burying her face in her pelt.

"I love you too, kid." Vitani replied, stroking the cub as she cried.

Short chapter, I know. I felt it was kind of rushed (ironic…huh). Anyway, the next chapter should be coming in a matter of days. No more than a week. I'm sorry for the long update. School was hell and I got the summer free. (: No job. :[ But whatever. If anyone is still reading this, haha, your r&rs are greatly appreciated. Happy Summer!