The Journey of Love

[LeopardessGracie]

Yay ^-^ Glad to know you're gonna be posting another chapter pretty soon. It is an enjoyable read.

[Awali]

Hakuna Matata. Like I said, I'm patient.

[Arani]

Chapter 4

Vitani arrived back at Pride Rock well after nightfall. The moon was almost directly overhead as she headed for the dens. She soon found Kiara, Kovu and Kopa in one of the smaller, unoccupied dens, obviously discussing the happenings since Kopa's disappearance. Kiara noticed Vitani hesitate at the entrance.

“Hey Tani.” Kovu and Kopa looked to her as well. “Come join us.” Vitani walked in and sat down next to Kiara. “Kopa was just telling us about his reasons for leaving.” She explained.

“Oh?” Vitani wasn't surprised. “Well then I don't want to interrupt, please continue.” Kopa nodded and continued his story.

“After Zira caught Tani and I playing together, she was outraged. She cornered me some distance from Pride Rock where I was waiting on dad for a pouncing lesson. She tried to kill me, but I escaped using the river that used to flow past the Eastern border. Zira assumed I would die from the rough currents, but I managed to climb ashore right before the worst of the rapids. When I was finally able to see strait, I had no idea where I was and I couldn't find my way back. I was a rouge ever since. I know one thing for sure, there aren't any Prides out past the Eastern border.” Kiara, Kovu and Vitani were speechless. After a few moments, Kiara cleared her throat.

“That's uh... wow, quite a story.” She cleared her throat again. “So... what are you gonna do now?” She asked him. He hesitated.

“Well...” He glanced at Vitani. “I was kinda hoping I could stay here for a while, and... you know, figure out what I want to do next?” Kovu and Kiara smiled at him.

“Of course you can stay.” Kiara said, also glancing at Vitani, who wasn't smiling. She was looking at the ground. “Stay for as long as you need to.” Vitani stood and started walking out.

“Where you going Tani?” Kovu asked her in concern.

“Bed. I'll talk to you guys in the morning.” She walked out into the cold night. She settled herself at the back of the main part of the den. She closed her eyes. “I don't know why, but I don't believe his story” She thought to herself. “He's my friend, I can trust him... right?” She fell asleep with that question.

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Kopa lifted his head as the morning sun reached his face. He yawned and groggily stood. He shook away his tiredness and left Pride Rock's den. He looked around. Most of the Pride was awake and outside. Some were at the sunning rocks, while others mingled around the entrance of the den or in the shade of larger rocks on Pride Rock. He soon spotted Kiara and Kovu lounging under a tree near the sunning rocks. Their cubs were next to them. They played tag, running circles around their father. At one point, the cubs both jumped on top of Kovu. They laughed as Kovu grabbed hold of one of the cubs and nuggied him on the head. The other cub took this opportunity to jump on top of his father's head. Kovu shook his head a little bit, causing the cub to roll off of his head and onto his back. Just as the cub was getting up, his brother tackled him. They got engaged in a wrestling match. Kopa walked up.

“Morning.” He said. Kiara and Kovu looked at him.

“Hey Kopa, morning.” Kovu said. The cubs starred at Kopa for a moment, then retreated behind Kiara. Kiara laughed.

“Please boys, is he was a threat your father here would have him half way across Africa by now.” The cubs hesitantly poked their heads out from behind their mother. “Kopa, these are our cubs, Atsu and Dumisa.”

“Yes, Vitani told me about them.” He smiled at the two cubs, who were growing curious of him. “Hey there you two.” Both cubs jumped.

“Boys, meet your Uncle Kopa.” The cubs starred at him for half a second, then grinned. They both came out from behind their mother.

“Hi Uncle Kopa!” Atsu said cheerfully. Dumisa lingered back a little bit.

“Sleep good last night?” Kiara asked Kopa

“Very good, actually.” He replied. “I've been noticing that no one here really recognizes me, though.” He admitted.

“Give it a few more days, they'll catch on.” Kiara smiled.

“AUNT VITANI!!!!!” The cubs suddenly squealed. They both ran over to Vitani, who was coming towards them. She stopped, starred at Kopa for a second, then turned her attention to the cubs, who were happily bouncing around her feet, both talking over each other. Vitani tried to keep up with their conversations.

“As you can see,” Kiara quietly said to Kopa “the cubs are very fond of Tani.” She chuckled and looked back at the cubs. They continued to bounce around Vitani as she made their way towards the group.

“These two rascals here want me to go out and watch how good they've gotten at pouncing later. Do you mind?” Vitani asked, laying down next to Kovu.

“No not at all.” Kovu replied, nuzzling both of his cubs. “Even I have to admit that they've gotten pretty good at pouncing.”

“Of course, Kovu's been doing all the teaching. One time I went in to help and BAM! Took two steps back in their lessons. Apparently I'm a very confusing teacher.” They laughed.

“We'll go out right after lunch, alright boys?” Vitani said. Atsu jumped atop her back and climbed up to the top of her head. Dumisa stayed on her back.

“Lunch isn't soon enough!” Atsu said, positioning himself comfortably on her head. Dumisa jumped off of Vitani's back and started trying to grab her tail. She noticed, and deliberately moved around her tail so that he had to chase it.

“You know we've got to go on the afternoon hunt.” Vitani said patiently.

“But...!” Atsu started.

“No but's.” Vitani said. Atsu blew out an annoyed breath.

“Fine.” Vitani smiled. Dumisa ran over to Kovu and jumped onto his back.

“Hey dad, can we go play with Nirah and Kima?” He asked.

“Can you be back by lunch?” He asked Dumisa.

“Yes.”

“Alright then, go ahead.” Kovu said. The two cubs ran off to burn energy.

“Those two are so cute.” Kopa said as they ran off.

“Cute until they get to that age where they want to do to many dangerous things.” Kiara said, rolling onto her side.

“Well obviously I wasn't taught anything about danger because I was doing dangerous stuff all the time.” Kopa smiled at the memories.

“Ya, and you dragged me into it.” Kiara grinned at him. “Nearly gave me a heart attack when you almost fell off that cliff. Crazy cub running to fast along the edge.”

“Okay, I was not running along the edge. I was walking peacefully and tripped on a rock.” Kopa contradicted.

“Ya, right.” They all laughed. Vitani turned her head. She noticed Atsu and Dumisa running back towards the four of them. And by the look on their faces, something was very wrong.

[LeopardessGracie]

Wow, nice chapter ^-^ You ended it amazingly, I need to read more! Really well written tehe

[Awali]

D'aww, cliffhanger! Good chapter, Arani!

[Arani]

Lol thanks you guys! Don't worry, next chapter is coming soon!

If you guys want to see what Atsu and Dumisa look like, go here: http://www.mylionking.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=38&p=646113#p646113

[LeopardessGracie]

No problems ^-^ I've added you on MSN by the way.

[Arani]

^ Sent you a PM back. ^^

This Chapter's for OriginalLelis, Happy Birthday! This chapter was a bit rushed *Glares at Lelis* But I hope it's good enough! xD

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Chapter 5

Kiara, Kovu Kopa and Vitani looked at the two cubs as they ran up to them, gasping for breath and extremely worried.

“Mommy, Daddy. Nirah, Kima, Tulues and Alaba are missing!” Atsu gasped. Kiara rolled back onto her belly to face the cubs.

“Where? What happened?” Kovu asked them.

“No one knows! They weren't at the sunning rocks like normal. We asked the other lionesses where they were. Last time anyone saw them was yesterday evening when they went for some water at the waterhole, and they never came back!” Dumisa exclaimed. “No one has any idea about what happened. I'm really worried! We've gotta go look for them!” The adults were all standing now.

“Alright, calm down boys. Listen, I want you both to go to Niah and tell her what's going on. You both stay with her until we figure out what's going on, alright?” Kiara said. The cubs nodded and ran off.

“I don't want to worry the Pride any more than we have to.” Kovu said. “Lets just the four of us go and take a look around first, see if we can't find them. If we split up we'll cover more ground.” They nodded. They quickly left Pride Rock. Vitani went North, Kiara went East, Kovu went South, and Kopa went West.

Vitani looked high and low for the group. In every little cave, under every tree. She thought of the worst that could happen. “What if they drowned in the waterhole? What if they were attack be some rouge lion? What if they were crushed under a stampede...?” Vitani shook her head to clear the images. None of it matter. Finding the group was the only thing that she should be thinking about. It took her a long time to reach the border after searching everything she thought could be a hiding place. She stopped. Where should she look next? What was left that she hadn't looked over? Did she miss something?

“The gorge.” She thought aloud. “There are plenty of caves along there.” She ran off. After a long sprint, she arrived at the gorge, completely out of breath. She found the quickest path to the bottom. “So many memories...” She thought to herself. “My mother died here...” She blocked out the memory and started walking down the length of the gorge. She looked inside every cave and crevasse. “Where could they be? What could have possibly happened? I don't understand!” She screamed inside her head. Three cubs and one lioness completely vanishing? How was that possible?

“Vitani!” Someone called. Vitani snapped out of her thoughts to see Kiara running towards her.

“Kiara?” Kiara stopped and took a few deep breaths.

“I finished in the East so I thought I'd search here. I guess two great minds think alike.” She almost pulled off a smile. “No luck?” Vitani shook her head sadly.

“It's all so strange.” She said. “How could they just disappear like that?” Vitani closed her eyes. Kiara looked around nervously.

“Vitani? Vitani, I think we should get out of here. We're way to close to the Elephant Graveyard. Remember what the scouts said a few days ago?”

“Ya, they said they spotted some hyenas in the Elephant Graveyard...” She gasped. “Oh no, this is bad. This is really really bad.” She went on high alert.

“Okay, lets not freak out. We'll be fine unless...” Laughter suddenly echoed through the gorge. Kiara turned in fear. “Unless they're able to smell us.” She backed up a few small steps. “Vitani, lets go.”

“What's the hurry?” A female voice called. Vitani and Kiara froze. A very large pack of hyenas were spread out before them. Three of them walked to the front, strait up to Vitani and Kiara.

“Shenzi? Bonzai, Ed? What are you doing here? You were all exiled!” Vitani growled.

“Hey hey hey, take it easy. All we want is out land back.” Banzai grinned.

“The Elephant Graveyard?” Kiara growled as well. “Well you can just have it. Now you and your pack, get out of here right now.”

All of the Hyenas laughed at once. “No no no, I don't think you understand our request, your majesty.” He said mockingly. The Hyenas started to advance on the Lionesses.

“You see, last night we had some fool of a lioness run into us. Some lioness with 3 little cubs.” Shenzi said.

“Alaba?” Kiara growled even louder. “What did you do to them!?”

“We didn't do anything, honest! All we did was send them back at messenger. If they never showed up, well, that's their problem.” Ed laughed. The Hyenas came closer. Vitani and Kiara backed up.

“Vitani.... I think it's time we got ourselves out of here...” Kiara whispered.

“Yes, I do believe you're right. RUN!” Both lionesses sprinted at full speed down the length of the gorge. The hyenas were in hot pursuit. “They're gaining on us! Go faster Kiara!” Vitani yelled.

“I'm trying, I'm trying!” Kiara screamed back. The hyenas continued to gain on the pair as they started to run out of breath. Then, Vitani spotted their way out.

“Climb up onto that ridge!” She yelled. “We can get to the top from there!” Kiara immediately saw what she was talking about. They both headed for the ledge. Unfortunately, Vitani's estimation skills weren't very good, because it was higher up that she thought it was. “Climb the wall, hurry!” She let Kiara go first. Vitani bore her teeth at the pack of Hyenas and struck down those who were foolish enough to get to close. Once Kiara was safely on the ledge, she called,

“Hurry up Tani!” Vitani growled one more time, then jumped onto the side of the wall. There were many holes in the rock wall, making climbing a little easier. Suddenly, she roared in agony. One of the Hyenas had grabbed hold of her read end, scratching her with it's claws. She kicked him off. Blood streamed from the cuts. “Come on!” Kiara reached out her paw. Vitani took it. Kiara pulled her up. They both breathed heavily. “Alright, lets get out of...” A loud noise his their ears. “here...” The Hyenas ran off in a frenzy. Kiara and Vitani looked around in bewilderment as the sound grew louder and louder. That's when Vitani saw a glimmer of what looked like water in the distance. And it was headed right for them.

[Awali]

Finally. Thanks for the bday present. c:. I'm satisfied for now, take your time. Thanks for not leaving it at a cliffhangar. . Nice chapter, though, really!

EDIT: Totally not subscribed to this topic, by the way.

[aloobah]

Water?! *starts running around in circles*
IT'S THE END OF THE LION KING UNIVERSE!!!!!!!!!