A/N:CSIMentalistTLK lover-Yeah poor Kiara.
Twists of Fates II
Meanwhile Simba had met up with his father and the two were making rounds around the Pridelands trying to keep the peace between the subjects while at the same time trying to find any information at all on Kiara's whereabouts. While talking here and there. Zazu had turned up nothing so far but had promised to keep trying. Simba let out a frustrated grunt and headed towards the watering hole. When he arrived there he found Chumvi, Mheetu and Vitani there along with Tanabi who was trying to catch a butterfly.
"Hey there buddy how's it going?" Chumvi asked when he saw SImba.
"Not so good," Simba said with a sigh. "Not so good."
"Any news on Kiara?" Vitani asked keeping her voice low so Tanabi wouldn't hear.
"Nothing," Mufasa replied. "I don't understand this. How could Kesi and his whole pride just up and vanish like that? I mean surely someone would have seen something."
"Simba you're doing you best," Mheetu said trying to reassure his friend.
"Yeah tell that to your sister," Simba grumbled. "My best obviously isn't good enough to find their daughter."
"Sim' they know you're doing everything in your power to find her," Chumvi said.
"I know," Simba said sighing. "It's just so damn frustrating ya know. But on a lighter note I see you two have made up."
"Yeah I apoligized for my big fat mouth," Mheetu said giving Vitani a friendly nuzzle. "And lucky for me I have a very forgiving friend."
"You got that right Mewy," Vitani said resting her head on Mheetu's small ginger brown mane. "But it is getting time for the evening hunt. Come on Tanabi let's go back."
"But Mom I want to play," Tanabi whined.
"Ah let him stay 'Tani," Chumvi said. "I'll keep an eye on him."
"Ok if you're sure," Vitani said turing to leave. "Behave yourself Tanabi."
"I will Mom," Tanabi said. "But can I go play with my friends instead."
"I suppose so," Vitani said causing her son to let out a shout of glee and with that the little tannish brown cub took off while his mother walked back to Priderock.
Once Vitani and Tanabi were gone Simba turned to Chumvi and Mheetu and said, "Hey guys' I need to talk to you about something."
"What's up buddy?" Chumvi said sitting next to his friend.
"Ok what I'm about to tell you is very hush hush," Simba said his voice low. "And you can't repeat it to anyone. Not even Vitani. Promise?"
"Sure Sim' I promise," Chumvi said.
"Boy whatever this thing is it must be pretty huge." said Mheetu
"Yeah it is," Simba said softly. "I did a very stupid thing guys."
"What stupid thing?" Mheetu and Chumvi asked looking at the golden lion.
"I mated with Skye," Simba said avoiding eye contact.
"What?!" Chumvi cried shocked at what he just heard.
Mufasa's eyes widen at his son's confession. "I too mated with another lioness"
The young lions stared at the large golden lion in shock.
Simba shook his head before looking at his father. "Who?"
Mufasa took a deep breath before replying. "Nala"
"Uncle Mufasa how could you betray Sarabi like that?! Not to mention Malka!." said Mheetu not sure how to feel about the situation
"I know!" Mufasa hissed. "And I feel terriable. But I'm telling you because you're my friends and son."
"I'm also Malka's friend," Chumvi pointed out.
"Look you can't tell him," Simba hissed. "He has enough to worry about right now. The same with Kula. I'm sure Nala and my father will tell them what happened as well as me and Skye. But now's not a good time for that."
"I guess you're right," Chumvi said with a sigh. "But I still..."
Before Chumvi could continue he was intrrupted by someone clearing their throat. The four lions turned around and saw Amani standing there.
"Mom," Chumvi said. "What are you doing here?"
"Good to see you too dear," Amani said with a smile. "I'm here becuase I found something that belongs to you."
Amani stepped aside to reveal Tanabi standing there.
"Tanabi? I thought you were playing with your friends," Chumvi said then he looked at his mother. "Mom where on earth did you find him?"
"He was on his way to the gorge," Amani replied looking at her son. "It seams that he thought Kesi would have Kiara stashed down there so he took it upon himself to search the area himself."
"Oh buddy you don't have to worry about that," Simba said gently.
"Yeah kiddo let the grownups worry about that," Mheetu said softly.
"But Uncle Mheetu I..." Tanabi began.
"Hey pal I've got an idea," Simba interrupted. "Why don't you come back with me to Priderock and visit with Kopa? I'm sure he'd love to hear your voice."
"Can I?" Tanabi asked looking at Chumvi.
"Of course you can," Chumvi replied giving his son a nuzzle.
"I'll come with you" Mufasa said
Mheetu stretched and stood up. "I'll go back too. I need to talk with Azalea"
Simba nodded with a smile and with that the creamy brown teen, the little tannish brown cub and the golden lions left heading back to Priderock.
"Man that kid is going to be the death of me," Chumvi said shaking his head.
Amani let out a small laugh and Chumvi gave her an annoyed look.
"I'm sorry sweetheart," Amani said with a smile. "I was just thinking about all the times you ran off when you were a cub and how worried I was."
"And now it's payback time," Chumvi said with a groan. "Great. Just great."
TLKTLKTLK
Meanwhile Kiara had been working for hours digging under the rock that blocked her exit. She had hoped to dig a hole that was small enough not to be noticed but larger enough for her to fit into. Suddenly the pale cream cub saw light under the rock.
"Yes!" she thought with joy resiting the urge to jump up and down. "Finally. Let's just hope it's big enough for me to fit through."
With those thought the little six month old cub began to wiggle through the hole. Luckily for her the hole was big enough and soon she found herself on the other side. Looking around first to make sure noone was around Kiara began to run. She had no idea where she was going all she knew is that she had to get as far away from that place as possiable. Soon the little lioness cub found herself completly lost. She was out of that horriable place but she had no idea which way she had to go to get back to Priderock.
"It can't be too far away," Kiara thought to herself. "I just gotta remember which way me and Scarafina came from."
Kiara looked around when suddenly she heard a voice say, "Looks like someone's lost."
Kiara whipped her head around and saw Scarafina standing there with a smirk on her face.
Kiara backed up a step. "Please Scarafina don't take me back there," Kiara begged trying not to cry. "Please just let me go back home."
"Let you go?" Scarafina said rolling her green eyes. "Pssh yeah right. Fat chance there cuz'. There ain't no way I'm lettin' you get away."
With that the rusty brown cub began to advance on Kiara. Kiara backed away scared to death of being taken back to that horriable place. Scarafina pounced but Kiara dodged her causing Scarafina to fall to the ground. Kiara turned and tried to make a run for it but she was weak from not eating and Scarafina quickly got the upper hand and pinned Kiara to the gorund.
"You'll pay big for that little stunt," Scarafina hissed rasing her paw with her claws out.
Kiara closed her eyes and waited for the pain. But to her surprise none came and she heard a grunt followed by a loud shout. Then silence. Kiara opened her eyes and saw Nunzi standing over Scarafina who was knocked out cold.
"Nunzi!" Kiara cried running over to the hyena pup. "Am I ever glad to see you! How'd you find me?"
"I thought about it and I finally remembered where I had seen you and Scarafina go the other day," Nunzi replied. "So I went there hoping to find something. And I found you. Are you ok?"
"Yeah I'm fine," Kiara replied. "Just really hungry."
"I can take care of that," Nunzi declared walking away.
A few minuted later the hyena returned with a small rabbit with him. "Here you go," he said tossing Kiara the kill. "Enjoy."
"Thanks," Kiara said gobbling down the rabbit in two bite.
"Come on let's go home."
With that the two young animals headed back towards the Pridelands.