Nala

The hunting party and I are crouching below the tall grass stalking a male zebra.

"Okay, Aliya you go right and Duni you go left. Everyone else go to your normal main positions. I take the center, my favorite. Alright let's go!" I order.

I was the first to walk forward. Once I got close enough to the male zebra, I growl and pounce into the air. The zebra and his herd startled ran quickly away.

"Go, go, go!" I tell the lionesses.

Aliya who's on my right had sprint ahead followed by Duni on my left. They were able to catch the male zebra by scratching and biting on his legs. The zebra stopped running. The other lionesses closed in. There's no where to escape now. I come in licking my lips.

I'm always chosen to make the kill. Duni and Aliya held the zebra down after he tried kicking me in the face multiple of times. I wrap my furry arms around his neck and bring my mouth closer to the throat.

"Sorry buddy. It's the circle of life!" I said.

One strong bite on the throat crushing the wind pipe and it was instantly over. The zebra fell on his side. Duni and Aliya let go. Blood covers my muzzle and nose.

"Good job all of you. Now let's carry him home."

They all nod. Together we carried the zebra back to Pride Rock.

Pride Rock...

"Nala, Nala!"

I walk up Pride Rock with the hunting party close behind me. I see my mother rushing forward with a panic expression on her face.

"Mother, what's wrong?" I ask.

"It's Kiara, she's in trouble!"

"What?!"

Mother nod. "Simba and Zazu had just left. They went to the hunting grounds to go save her. A fire is there!"

My eyes widen. "No..."

"You need to get the lionesses together fast before its too late."

I turn around looking at the hunting party. "You five stay here. I'm going to go get the rest of pride."

They nod after sitting the zebra down.

I rush behind Pride Rock and told everyone the sudden news. They got up quick on their paws and follow me in front of Pride Rock where my mother and the hunting party are. I see Kion talking to my mother.

"We're all set mother. Be back later! Everyone lets go." I said, after letting out a loud roar.

I begin my walk down Pride Rock.

"Mother, what's going on? Where is father??" Kion ask, running up to my side.

"Your sister is in trouble. There's a fire in the hunting grounds. We must hurry and hope to make it there in time before it's too late." I replied, worried.

"Now can I get with the Lion Guard team?"

"Yes, go son. Be careful!"

Kion gave me a smile. I returned it. He watch me ran the rest of the way down Pride Rock with the pride lionesses behind me. Kion went the opposite direction.

The sky is now fully covered with black smoke hiding away the sun. The smell is strong. I started coughing as I got closer to the hunting grounds. The green grass is burnt low to the dirt and some trees had fallen over. A few animals didn't make it out the fire. I gasp with shock seeing their dead bodies.

"Kiara?" I call out.

Please be alive...

The lionesses broke into teams going in opposite directions to find Kiara. I stayed where I am trying to think where could she be.

"Kiara!"

That's Simba's voice...

I sprint off following Simba's voice. He's not too far. I found him standing in front of Kiara growling angry at another lion.

She's alive!

I rush up to her side and nuzzle my head against hers. "Kiara! You're alright."

She smiles nuzzling me back.

Kiara then frowns at Simba. "Father... how could you break your promise?"

"It's a good thing I did. I almost lost you. No more hunts for you; not ever!" He said, serious and angry.

"But I was doing just fine! Even before Kovu--"

"Kovu?" He roars at the lion.

Kovu?

No way...

Im surprised at Simba's ferocity. "Simba?"

Simba glares at me.

Rafiki is standing on the hillside behind Simba.

"Hey! You! How dare you save the King's daughter?" He said.

Simba concerned turn away from Kiara and look at Kovu. "You saved her? Why?"

"I humbly ask to join your pride." He bows.

"No! You were banished with the other Outsiders."

"I have left the Outsiders. I am a rogue. Judge me now, for what I am... or am I to be blamed for a crime I didn't commit?"

Simba snarls and paces around.

I look hard at Simba. "Simba...you owe him your daughter's life." I said.

Zazu flies down and sit in front of Simba. "Mmm... yes, sire. Clearly we are in his debt... and royal protocol demands that all debts be paid. Though in this case you might want to make an exception."

Simba paces a few moments more, then comes to a decision.

"Hmmm. My father's law will prevail. For now, I reserve judgment. We'll see who you really are." He said.

Kovu smiles inwardly and look sidelong at Kiara, who smiles back at him. Zazu turns his back on him.

"Hmph! Riffraff."

He flies off. All make their way back to Pride Rock, with me walking close to Simba's side.

"Mother, father!" A voice call.

It's coming from behind. I look over my shoulder seeing a cheetah, bird, hippo, honey badger, and lion come running fast forward. It's Kion.

"Kion?" Kiara stop walking and look over her shoulder with a large smile.

Kion laughs. "Kiara your alive!!"

The two run up to each other and hug. Me, Simba and the rest of the pride stop walking.

"I thought I wasn't going to ever see my sister again." Kion said.

"Kion, I'm not going any where." Kiara says, head budding him.

The pride watch the two Royal siblings with warm smiles.

"How did you escape? Those flames were incredibly high! Father saved you?" Kion asks.

Kiara shook her head and look at Kovu. "No. He did!"

Kiara stand aside so her brother can see Kovu. His eyes scan him up and down. His once happy smile changed to an angry look. He growls at him.

"You..." He said.

Kiara look at them both confused. "You two met before?"

"Oh yes, I remember Kovu. The one who said when he's King, he'll come back and get rid of me. Why is he back in the Pride Lands and saving you?!"

Kovu growls loudly at Kion.

Simba steps in between them. "There will be no fighting or arguing between you two. Kovu is staying with us based on judgement. He claims that he's a changed lion who is no longer an outsider. I do owe him for saving your sister's life..."

Kion growls. "Making him stay in the Pride Lands is an reward? No! Father, I'm sorry but I do not trust this outsider. He is the son of Zira following Scar's paw prints."

I now step in seeing where this is headed.  "Kion, listen to your father and watch your temper. Your father knows exactly what he is doing."

"Whatever..."

Kion begins to walk away. He bump his right shoulder hard against Kovu's. Kovu growl at him again. Kiara roll her eyes.

"Please ignore him." She said.

Kovu roll his eyes and start following the rest of the pride towards Pride Rock. Kiara leaps behind him like a cub.

What a day...