Chapter 1 - The Dream

"Kiara." A voice whispered in a singsong tone, "Come out to play." The voice continued.
"No!" Kiara cried out, her orange eyes wide and terrified. "Leave me alone!" She yelled. "I don't know you!"  She continued. There was the sound of soft footfall behind her and Kiara spun around only to come face to face with a large lion, he was golden in colour, his eyes a dark red. and a thick mane fell around him, a majestic russet mane. "Who are you?" Kiara demanded, backing awaya as the lion started towards her, his gaze locked on hers. "What do you want?"
"To play." The  lion replied calmly.
"I'm not a cub, I no longer have time to play, I help mother and father protect the Pridelands."  Kiara replied, her eyes wide and terrified.
"Oh come now Kiara just one game, it's fun... worth your time."
"No!" Kiara yelled, she turned to run but found herself on the edge of a large, bottomless cliff. She was trapped between two dangers. The lion laughed and dived, swiping his paw across Kiara's face knocking her back, she felt the ground leave her feet and she was falling. She had just enough time to grab onto a lone branch with her teeth, leaving her hanging in midair, completely vulnerable. 

The lion cackled and appeared on the edge, looking down on Kiara, "Help me!" She cried. "Help me and I'll play with you."
"No." The lion replied, "I won't help you because we're already playing the game." He laughed again and Kiara watched in fear as he melted away, like a tree smouldering in fire. The laugh however remained. "Help!" She screamed. Somebody! Anybody I need-" But she couldn't finish because the branch she was clinging onto let out a ripping sound and she was falling, falling to her death. The lion's cackles could be heard all around her as she continued plummeting into nothing.

The golden lioness woke with a start, looking around with a terrified expression she found she was lay between Simba and Kovu, Kovu's paw was stretched out towards hers and Kiara, panting allowed a weak smile to pass her lips. She was safe. It was just a dream. Deciding she couldn't sleep in this state she carefully stood up and crawled out from between her family, skirting the cave walls so as not to disturb the still peacefully resting pride she padded softly out into the morning air. Sighing she lowered her gaze and padded to the edge of Pride Rock before settling on her haunches and looking out over the Pridelands. It had been a month since the outsiders and pridelanders became reunited as one. All thanks to her and Kovu. She smiled as a cool breeze blew around her ruffling her fur, Grandfather Mufasa was proud of her. She could tell, she raised her gaze to the sky where a single star glistened in the morning sky. 

"Kiara." A rough voice behind her announced their presence and she turned to see Kovu walking towards her, wearing the smile he reserved for only her. 
"Good morning Kovu." She greeted standing up and padding to him, meeting the dark coloured lion halfway. Kovu grinned and rubbed his head against hers, a low purr passing both their lips.
"How come you're up so early?" Kovu asked after their moment of affection.
"I couldn't sleep." She replied dismissively. 
"Bad dream?" Kovu asked her knowingly.
"Same one as usual." Kiara replied as the couple padded back to the edge of Pride Rock and stood side by side. "I just wish I knew who that lion was." She moaned and Kovu licked her cheek.
"If it  gets too much, you should go to see Rafiki, he may be able to help you." Kovu suggested and Kiara shrugged.
"I might." She murmured, turning her gaze back to the sight before her, the first signs of life were starting to show their presence, a low hum of insects going about their daily routine and slowly a chorus of birdsong could be heard. "Vitani and I are going out patrolling shortly, do you want to come with us?" Kovu asked, looking down at Kiara.
"No thank you." She murmured, shaking her head. "I may just go see Rafiki anyway." She continued.
"Are you sure?" Kovu asked and Kiara nodded. 
"I've had this same dream everyday for the past two weeks. I think it's time I spoke to someone." Kiara replied slowly.
"Well... Okay then, I'll be here to listen when you get back." The always understanding Kovu told his mate and Kiara nodded, nuzzling him lovingly before she set off down the side of Pride Rock. Leaving Kovu watching after her with concern plastered across his face.

Kiara padded along, her mind spinning, the lion. He looked so familiar, like she'd met him before, but where? She let a frustrated cry pass her lips as she stood alone amongst the grass when she heard a laugh nearby, causing her to stiffen up in fear. "Good morning Kiara, can I help you at all?" A voice called and Kiara looked up to see Rafiki hanging from a tall accacia tree watching her curiously. "Oh Rafiki, it's just you." She said in relief.
"Who else would it be young Princess?" Rafiki grinned dropping down from the tree and landing in front of her. 
"What I want to talk to you about." Kiara replied and Rafiki cocked his head on one side.
"Oh?" Rafiki asked, "Come, come." He said, rattling his stick and trotting off. Kiara sighed deeply before following him quickly. "So, something is bothering you no?" Rafiki said conversationally.
"A dream."
"Ah, dreams... So full of truth, history, secrets. Yes, yes dreams are incredible things."
"Not this one." Kiara said as the baboon spoke of dreams.
"Why not?" Rafiki asked in surprise.
"It's a bad dream." Kiara replied. 
"Is it now, tell me. Let's see what I can make of it," Rafiki said, sitting on a rock cross legged, watching Kiara intently.
"Well-" Kiara began before explaining the dream to Rafiki.

Rafiki, much to Kiara's relief listened to her closely, not laughing or judging anything she said. "It sounds-" Rafiki began once Kiara had finished, "That something is frightening you, or you've seen something that's led to this, any ideas?" Rafiki asked and Kiara thought for a moment,
"I saw Zira's death, she fell in a similar way to in my dream." Kiara said slowly and Rafiki, crossed his arms and nodded.
"What about the lion who keeps doing that to you?" Rafiki asked.
"That's what confuses me most of all. I feel like I know him, he looks so familiar but I just don't know where from." Kiara whined.
"Describe him to me again." Rafiki commanded and Kiara obeyed, the ape tilted his head to one side, his expression unreadable.
"Well?" Kiara asked slowly.
"From what I can make out, it seems that he's someone who you have a history with, someone you love who hurt you. That is why it is this same lion. The fact he keeps telling you to come and play could mean that you will be seeing them soon." Rafiki explained wisely, "Is there any male you love other than Kovu, in any way at all?"
"Daddy of course." Kiara replied, "And grandfather Mufasa even though I've never met him."
"Anyone else?" Rafiki asked, Kiara thought for a moment before shaking her head.
"No." She replied. Rafiki sighed and nodded.
"Well soon, you dream should be explained." He said and Kiara nodded.
"Thank you Rafiki." 
"You're welcome, goodbye Princess." He called as Kiara turned and set off back to Pride Rock. Unaware that there was in fact two pairs of eyes watching her, not just Rafiki's.