shoulder.

“I felt like admitting that would be letting you down.”

“Never be scared to speak to me. If you had told me sooner I could have helped you.”

“Can you help me now?”

“Of course I will help you. Perhaps we put too much pressure on you. I never considered how much you had changed. There has been a lot to deal with, Kiara was a cub when you left but you return to find her all grown up. I should have remembered how different life in the jungle is. I’m sorry Kopa, if I’ve placed too much on you.”

“Dad that means a lot to hear you say those things.”

      Kopa’s eyes shone with pain and relief, glad he had been able to share his feelings. Time had eased the pain of giving up Enitan, distance allowing him to see what they had would never have worked in the Pridelands. He cared for Aketch yet that had not developed into love. The thought of becoming a father was terrifying, something Kopa could not see himself being.

         Standing side by side Simba and Kopa looked at one another. Before either could speak the loud screeching of birds brought them back to the savannah with a jolt. Looking around the pair spotted Nassor and Vitani talking to a pair of buzzards. Both sets of s eyes narrowed with concern and suspicion.

“Something isn’t right between those two,” Simba said, a look of displeasure on his regal face.

“Aketch is fuming and Kovu isn’t pleased they spending so much time together. Imoo seems to be fairly calm but I’m a little worried,” Kopa replied.

___________________________________________________________________________

          That afternoon the lions were spread out around Pride Rock, many of them gathering in the woods. Simba, Timon and Pumba sat chatting and joking. Nala, Tabia and Kula laid nearby gossiping. Other members of the pride sat dotted about gossiping or dozing. Under a rocky overhand Nassor and Vitani sat whispering together. From his spot under a tree, Ni suddenly got up and walked over to them, a look of displeasure on his face. Seeing him approach the pair tensed and narrowed their eyes.

“Enough of this whispering. I demand to know what you are both planning!”

“Who says were are not planning anything?” Nassor asked innocently.

“I am not a fool Nassor. All the time you are spending with Vitani. If there is something going on between you…”

“So that’s the issue,” Nassor replied rolling his eyes. “I thought you’d be happy I’m getting on with a former Outsider.”

“Nassor it would save us a load of trouble just to tell him,” Vitani whispered rolling her eyes.

“Tell me what? Nassor as your father I demand to know what you are doing!” Ni shouted angrily.

“Vitani and I are planning to leave the Pridelands to find Majani and Zola,” Nassor replied, defiance and anger in his voice.

      Ni stopped his tracks, his planned words dying on his lips. The pride gazed on in amazement, Nala and Aina shooting each other a look full of concern. Aketch’s eyes filled with anger, Kopa’s wide with surprise, and Kula’s eyes were filled with anger.

“I shouldn’t be surprised, I wish you had told me sooner what you were planning,” Ni said in a voice full of emotion. “You have my blessing.”

“Nassor don’t be a fool,” Aketch said walking over.

     Turning away from Ni and Aketch, Nassor and Vitani looked at the latter’s family who had so far remained silent. A mixture of reactions was visible on the former Outsiders; understanding on the part of Imoo and Aina, sadness from Kamaria while Kovu’s face showed pure anger.

“Vitani please, don’t leave. Looking for Zola won’t change anything. If she is anything like Scar and Zira…” Kovu began.

“The ghost of Zola always overshadowing how Mother treated me. I have to meet her,” Vitani said, pain in her eyes.

“Then what happens if you find her? If she accepts you and answers your questions, what then? Are you going to stay or come back?” Kovu asked, desperation in his voice.

“I haven’t though that far ahead. Why are you getting so angry?”

“Because you’re making a mistake! Chasing after a lioness we have never even met, who has been doing Great King’s knows what! A lioness whose presence will only cause conflict were she ever to return! What is she decides to take revenge for what happen to Scar and Zira?”

“I’ll take that chance!” Vitani screamed.

    With tears streaming down her cheeks Vitani sprang away from her brother, running away through the trees. Watching her go anger boiled up inside Nassor at Kovu’s disregard for his Vitani’s feelings.

“Nice going idiot,” Nassor snarled.

“Vitani was fine until she started hanging out with you,” Kovu snapped. “What’s your game Nassor? Are you trying to divide me and her in some twisted revenge for me and Kiara?”

“You arrogant self-centred son of a hyena! You think everything comes back to you. Can’t you see how much pain your sister is in or has your ego obscured your view?” Nassor snarled mockingly.

“Don’t you dare…Until you got involved Vitani was....”

“Hiding her real feelings. At least I took time to listen to her unlike you who treated her feelings with complete disregard. Vitani has been suffering for weeks. You are her brother but you ignored her,” Nassor snarled his eyes alight with anger.

   Turning tail Kovu stalked off in the direction of the Elephant’s Graveyard leaving the pride in stunned silence. Eye turned to Nassor who looked at them coldly, with a flick of his tail he stalked off to a different part of the rock.   ___________________________________________________________________________

    Far away in the Outlands and utterly unaware of the conversation between her friend and brother, Vitani sat on the skull of an elephant looking down into the river. Her reflection stared back her mockingly as dark thoughts swirled around her mind. Kovu’s words had broken her heart.  

“What went wrong with us Kovu? When did we go from being the unbeatable team to enemies?”

___________________________________________________________________________

    At that same moment Kovu stood in the Elephant’s Graveyard, in the exact same spot from which Scar had watched the hyenas march below him. He raged and blamed Nassor for what he viewed as interference. Try as he might Kovu just couldn’t understand Vitani’s feelings.

“Vitani what is the point of trying to find Zola? That will only bring problems we can all do without. Besides Zola has been gone for years. If she cared about this land at all she would have come back. What are going to do if Zola does accept you? Vitani…I…I couldn’t bear to lose my best friend,” Kovu said, whispering the final few words.

    Kovu was so lost in his own thoughts that he didn’t notice Kiara until she was right on top of him. For a while they stood silently side by side.

“Kovu there was nothing you could have done. Vitani has made her own choice.”

“Is it or has Nassor manipulated her?” Kovu asked with a hint of suspicion.

“I know you and he don’t get on but I’ve been friends with him my whole life. He isn’t the type to trick others. No matter he may think of you he wouldn’t hurt Vitani out of spite,” Kiara replied softly.

“I wish I could believe that.  Zola turned her back on this place years ago. What good would it do dragging up the past? We’ve already seen how much trouble that can cause.”

“Vitani doesn’t see this in that way. I think she feels Zira raised her as a replacement for Zola.”

“Kiara that’s crazy!”

“Is it? I’ve heard it said by other former Outsiders that Zira raised you to replace Imoo as heir.”

“Mother wanted to fulfil Scar’s plan that’s all. Mother loved both of us. Vitani and I have always been a team. I don’t want to lose my best friend.”

“Then try to accept what she is planning. If Zola does welcome her Vitani is more likely to come back if she knows nothing would have changed between the two of you. Being angry could be the thing that forces her away.”

“You are so wise Kiara. What if after hearing about what has happened Zola decides to attack us?” Kovu asked, fear evident in his voice.

“We can deal with that if it happens. Mother thinks Zola knew her parents would be killed one day yet despite that she chose to leave.”

     Smiling softly Kovu licked Kiara’s cheek. Not for the first time Kovu was amazed at how insightful Kiara was. Side by side the pair sat together on the rocks utterly unaware of the significance of the place.

       As the sun began to set Kovu and Kiara walked home. Passing along the edge of the Outlands they stopped, Kovu raising a paw in the air as he caught Vitani’s scent on the wind. For a moment he stood there weighing up his options. Watching him Kiara held her breath praying he would do the right thing. Then he turned away from the Outlands, the anger he felt overruling his love. Walking at his side

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