Lion King - Lost Heir

The Return

Kiara

I pace back and forth around pride rock, waiting impatiently for the return of Mheetu, Vitani, Spotty, and Dotty, who all left a year ago to mark out the edges of the pridelands and learn more about the other prides and rogues that surround our territory. They should be back today, and Zazu still hasn't returned after I told him to see if they were close. 

"Mother?"

I jump, and turn around to see Swala stood behind me, brows furrowed with worry, her tail wrapped in a long leaf to stop the bleeding. 

"Yes?"

"Zazu says the exploration team have returned."

I break into a stupid grin, and Swala cocks her head in confusion, following me as I bound to the bottom of pride rock, to see a tired Mheetu and Vitani, both of them speaking to Nala and Kovu.

"Mheetu! Vitani!"

I bury my head in my uncle Mheetu's mane, and he hugs me back. 

"Missed you too Kiara!"

Then I hug Vitani, who looks taken aback, and takes a moment to hug me back. 

"So how was it?!"

"Kiara, chill out!" jokes Kovu, licking my muzzle tenderly.

Mheetu just laughs, "Well, I sure did miss a lot, but I can tell you that the pridelands are safe, at least for now."

"That's amazing," says Nala. "I can't believe you're all home safe, we must  have a celebration!"

"Oh no," says Vitani. "We don't need a party, spending time with everyone again is definitely  enough."

Nala rolls her eyes, "Well, you'll regret it."

"It's late now anyways, we should probably get some rest."

Vitani nods, "Spotty and Dotty went to sleep early, they were exhausted."

Mheetu laughs, "I'm not surprised!"