New Beginnings

Chapter six

Neema and her son were unlike anything Kiara had expected to see. Khan had a white mane, thick and full with opal eyes and a strong, firm demeanour. Neema had a golden fur the same opal eyes her son possessed and a slim body. Simba and Nala came forward to greet their friend, wide smiles on their faces.

"Neema! I am so delighted to have you here with us, how have you been old friend?" Simba asked smiling.
"I am well Simba, things have been rough after my husband's death, but I'm finally getting my life back on track. Nala, you are looking as beautiful as ever, and your pride seems to have grown since the time we've parted ways," Neema said grinning. Then she turned and introduced her son to them.

"It is an honour to meet you your majesties," Khan said politely. "This is quite the kingdom you have here." Simba smiled and patted Khan on his shoulder. "Thank you Khan."
Simba then turned to face Kiara and Kion, he motioned for them to come over. Kion came over, but Kiara hesitated.

"Kiara come over and greet our guests," Simba called out to her. Kiara stayed right where she was. "I'm sorry it appears my daughter is feeling shy," Simba said forcing a smile. Kiara rolled her eyes at this and was tempted to tell them otherwise, but the look she received from her father made her bite her tongue. Not out of fear, but rather out of respect.

"Kiara, come and meet Khan and Neema," Nala said as she silently urged her daughter to come on over. Kiara shook her head and smiled at Neema who frowned confusedly at Simba.
"Simba, is your daughter coming over to meet us?" she asked. Simba turned and narrowed his eyes at Kiara, the final warning for her to come over. She merely shrugged and pretended not to notice the harsh glares she received from her mother.

"She doesn't look too good, is she okay your highness?" Khan asked looking at Simba.
Before his father could further embarrass Kiara, Kion interjected.
"Uh yes Khan you're right. Kiara hasn't been feeling well," he said stealing a glance at his sister. "She's been a little out of sorts and things have been a little rough for her."

Khan seemed to understand, his mother however looked skeptical.
"Simba please forgive me for saying this, but your daughter doesn't look sick. She looks angry enough to commit murder," Simba laughed uneasily and ushered Neema and Khan towards the pride to be introduced. Diana and Burnt Eboney came first.

"Hello it is truly a pleasure to meet you both. I'm Diana and this is my husband Burnt Eboney. Simba and Nala have been so excited to have you come to the Pride Lands," Diana said smiling in welcome.
"That's nice to hear, I'm Neema and this is my son Khan," Neema said returning Diana's smile. Afterwards Vitani came and introduced herself and Marisa and Andreas.

"You have lovely eyes Neema," Marisa said. "Are they opal green or olive green?" Neema laughed and shrugged good naturally.
"To be honest my dear, I have no idea. I suppose they're somewhere in between. I'm not entirely sure,"
Marisa grinned. "I get my eyes from my mom. I've always loved the colour," 

While Neema spoke with everyone, Khan glanced at Kiara and noticed something in her eyes that relayed a silent message. He figured she would rather be anywhere but here. He felt sorry for her, sure he didn't know what had triggered her rotten mood, but that didn't stop him from sending her a smile.
Kiara noticed Khan smiling at her and had to sneeze to hide the disgusted frown she wanted to send his way.

But she knew all too well what her parents would do to her if she did anything even remotely close to insulting their 'guests' so instead she forced a smile.
Kiara turned and prepared to walk of the platform but her father called her back.
"Kiara, come say hello to Khan and Neema before you go,"

Gritting her teeth in annoyance, Kiara turned and walked towards her father who had the nerve to smile at her as though everything was alright.
"So this is your daughter?" Neema asked cheerfully. As if she didn't know.
"Hello my dear, my aren't you pretty." Trying her hardest to stifle a scoff, Kiara smiled at Neema and Khan and tried to look modest with the compliment.

"Thank you Neema, that's very kind of  you," she managed to say without a hint of sarcasm or resentment. Placing her paw on Kiara's cheek, Neema stared deep into her eyes and her face reflected appreciation as well as what Kiara identified as a smug look. Kiara wanted her face back, but she didn't want her father to find a reason to keep her here a minute longer than she was needed.

She had to get away from here and fast. Moving her face from Neema's grasp, Kiara smiled politely and asked to be excused. "I'm just taking a walk, leave you guys to catch up," she said in a  smooth voice.
Sending Khan a nod Kiara turned to leave, but was once more called back by her father.

"Oh well since you're going for a walk, why don't you take Khan with you? Neema, your mother and I will accompany you and we can show our visitors around the Pride Lands at the same time," Simba said cheerfully
Kiara could have killed him! She was clearly in need of alone time and yet still, her father wanted her to stick around and play tour guide? Not happening.

Smiling sweetly, Kiara explained that she had promised Hasari to spend some time with her today. "Hasari and I haven't had any time to talk over the last few days, and she misses me. I promised her," 

"Hasari is in the cave feeling sick Kiara. She caught a cold yesterday and Rafiki said she needs rest," Nala said pinning her daughter with a look. Kiara was having serious difficulty in keeping her anger intact. How was she going to get away now?
She was just about to come up with another excuse when Kion stepped forward.

"Uh Dad, I have to go patrol our borders now. With all those rouges roaming around, it's kinda hard to stay away from guard duty for long," he said aiming an apologetic smile at Neema. "I'm so sorry but I have some duties that needs taking care of. I hope you enjoy your tour," 

"No problem Kion. Your sister will take them," Simba said.
Kion looked sheepish as he went to his sister and gathered her close. "Gee Dad I'm sorry but Kiara has to come too," he said smiling. Simba raised an eyebrow questioningly  and Kion felt compelled to explain.

"You see, a few days ago, we had a tousle and Kiara and I made a bet. If she won, I'd have to hunt her breakfast every morning for a week," he paused for a minute and winked inconspicuously at Kiara.
"And if I won she'd have to join me on guard duty whenever I asked for a week. Since I won, she has to live up to her promise. Right Kiara?"

Shooting her brother a grateful smile, Kiara pretended to groan in annoyance.
"I'm afraid he's right Daddy. I lost the bet and now I've to face the consequences," she said.
Simba frowned and prepared to object, but Kion was already in the act of pulling Kiara off of Pride Rock. Kiara looked back at her father and caught the disapproving glare he sent her, she glared right back.

When they were safely away from Pride Rock, Kiara threw herself on Kion and hugged him fiercely.
"Oh Kion thank you so much," she said happily. "You actually made Father believe you and I made a bet and I lost, only so I could leave, you have no idea how grateful I am."
Brushing his sister's thanks aside, Kion ruffled the fur on her head and nuzzled her tenderly.

"It's fine Kiara. I know how you feel about them, so don't worry about thanking me. Your facial expressions are hard to miss. You looked mad enough to kill!" 
"But I was mad enough to kill. Father knows how I feel about having another male lion in my life and yet he insists on forcing me to marry Khan. I could've murdered him for trying to set us up!" she scoffed.

Kion shook his head and they continued their walk. Several minutes passed before Kiara spoke again.
"I miss him Kion, I really miss him," she said in a broken voice. "Everyday I sit around wishing he were here with me, and everyday my heart cries out for him." 

Kion sighed and pulled his sister into an embrace, she placed her head on his shoulder and cried softly. Kion couldn't bear to see his sister cry. it hurt him to see her in such a depressed state and he wished he could do something to ease her suffering, if not take it away entirely.

"Shh it's okay sis, everything's gonna be okay," he said softly carresing her back. She sniffed and pulled away, her eyes red and her lips quivering. Seeing her state Kion felt like his heart was being ripped in two.
"I'd give anything to let you see Kovu again Kiara." he thought silently to himself as they strolled though the Pride Lands on their 'guard duty excuse'