Ok, I'm really nervous about releasing this because this is my first piece
of fan fiction ever.  I am by no means a writter but upon seeing TLK2 I
felt compelled to write a story based on the character of Vitani (whom I
adore).  This is the first chapter of a bigger story dealing with Vitani's
travels outside of the Pride Lands.  This is based on Simba's Pride so if
you haven't seen the movie yet you may not want to read this as it may ruin
it for you.



Sojourn : A Rogue's Tale


Chapter 1 : Departure

by

Danny Elliott




	A warm evening breeze swept across the Savannah as Vitani and Kovu
slowly made their way up the gentle slope leading to one of the many cliffs
overlooking the Pride Lands.  It felt good to spend some time alone with
her brother, Kovu was usually with Kiara when he wasn't out patrolling the
Pride Lands with Simba.  Now Vitani didn't resent Kiara for this.  Her
brother was truly in love and she was happy for him, but seeing them
together created sharp pangs of loneliness deep within her soul.  To make
matters worse, Simba was starting to treat Kovu more and more like the son
he never had.  It wasn't just that Kovu was married to his daughter, he was
also the adopted son of his uncle Scar and because of this Simba felt a
sense of kinship towards him.  Seeing this developing bond between Simba
and Kovu made Vitani feel even more isolated within herself.

	As they neared their destination, Kovu stepped out in front of
Vitani, blocking her path. "Grrr, Hey Sis, wanna tussle?"  He said with
that mischievous lop-sided grin on his face.

	Vitani chuckled, "Don't even try Termite, you know I would have you
pinned in a second." But her smile quickly faded as her mind returned to
more somber things.

	After a few moments of continuing on in silence, Kovu spoke up.
"What's wrong Sis?  You seem so quiet this evening, like your mind is
elsewhere."

	No reply.

	"You've been keeping pretty much to yourself these last few
months." Kovu continued on as they reached the plateau. "It's as if you
were withdrawing from the pride."

	Vitani walked over to the edge of the cliff and allowed herself a
few seconds to take in the beauty of the plains before them.  The moonlight
reflecting off the wind-swept grass seemed like a rolling sea before her in
which she could drown her sorrows.  She often came up here when she wanted
to be alone.  Being here allowed her to think and reflect,and besides,
living with roughly thirty other lionesses tended to interfere with ones
privacy.  Without removing her gaze from the plains Vitani spoke up, "Do
you miss mom?"

	After a pause, Kovu replied. "Yes, I think about her alot." Then
hesitantly he added, "I wish I could have saved her."

	Vitani thought back, as she continued to look out over the Pride
Lands and beyond, to the day their mother died.  Over a year had passed
since the great battle between Zira and Simba's prides.  Over a year since
they had returned to once again live with their fellow sisters at Pride
Rock.  Over a year of Vitani constantly wondering who she really was.  "Her
hatred destroyed her long before she fell into the river." Vitani said. "I
know that living with her was never easy, but she really did love us.  She
was just blinded by her hate."

	The two lions sat in silence, staring out to the horizon.  The only
sound to be heard was the rustling of the wind, until Kovu broke in.
"You're leaving, aren't you?"

	Vitani finally turned her head to stare directly at her brother.
The sadness in her eyes was enough to confirm Kovu's fears.  Vitani spoke
anyway.  "Yes, I can't stay any longer."

	"But why?"  Kovu sighed.

	Vitani shook her head.  "Kovu, you've been able to adapt to this
peaceful life here at Pride Rock, and that's great.  We were brought up
knowing only danger and hatred.  Our mother didn't teach us how to play,
only how to fight.  Let's face it, our cub-hood was a hostile one at best."
She coolly chuckled.  "It made me sick when mother was training you to be
like Scar.  I knew it was wrong.  You wanted only to make friends, not
enemies, like the day you first met Kiara."  With a touch of bitterness in
her voice, Vitani turned her head away and added, "But mother had to turn
you into a hate-monger like the rest of us.  Thank the stars you met Kiara."

	Angrily, Kovu shook his head.  "Look, I know you've had a rough
time adjusting to life here at Pride Rock, but that doesn't explain why you
have to leave."

	Vitani could tell that this was just as painful for her brother as
it was for her, but she had to go through with this.  "Everywhere I turn I
see what I don't have - family.  Both Mom and Nuka are dead, and even
though you're here, you have Kiara and her family."

	The sound of thunder rumbled softly in the distance.

	Kovu didn't like this one bit.  His last remaining blood relative,
the one he had grown up with, the one who always stuck up for him as a cub,
was walking out of his life.  His voice was noticeably louder and tinged
with panic now.  "But the pride is your family."

	"No, it's not."  Vitani shot back.  "Most of the Outlanders grew up
at Pride Rock.  Since coming back, they have been able to mend old wounds
with family and friends that stayed with Simba.  But we were born just
before the Exile, I knew nothing of Simba's pride except that they were the
enemy."

	The thunder was getting closer now as dark, ominous storm clouds
began to obscure the stars overhead.

	How fitting, Vitani thought as she looked up at the sky.  How could
she make Kovu understand that this was the right thing to do?

	"So you're running away from your pain, is that it?"  Kovu bit out.
"I always thought you were stronger.  I guess I was wrong."

	With a snarl forming on her face, Vitani glared at her brother.
"Are you implying that I'm a coward?"  She said with icy calmness."  "You
arrogant bastard, how dare you?  You have no idea how hard it is for me to
leave.  We have been together our whole lives."  Her voice started to break
as she finished her retaliation.  "During our time in the Outlands, you
were my one ray of light."  Then, she broke down and wept.

	Kovu could only stare at his sister, mouth opened, and in awe.
This was the first time he could remember seeing her cry.  To him, she had
always seemed the tough one; certainly tougher than Nuka, even tougher than
him.  Another roll of thunder sounded, drowning out Vitani's sobs as the
first drops of rain fell, staining the parched ground.  Kovu moved close to
comfort his sister by gently rubbing his head against her cheek.  She
responded by nuzzling him with her muzzle, just beneath his chin.

	"I'm not trying to escape."  Vitani continued as she began to
regain her composure.  "I need to discover who I really am, see what lies
beyond the Pride Lands.  Please tell me you understand."

	Kovu knew that it was over and that nothing he could say would make
Vitani stay.	 "I don't like it."  Kovu murmured, a sad smile creeping
onto his face.  "But you are my sister - and I love you.  I know you'll do
what's right."

	With her face buried in her brother's mane, Vitani softly replied.
"I'll return one day, I promise."  Then, with one last nuzzle goodbye, she
bounded down the hill, disappearing into the rainy darkness.

TO BE CONTINUED...




______________________________________________________________
Danny Elliott
ICQ# : 19525171
Email : delliott@dc.smythe.nbcc.nb.ca
             d_elliott@usa.net