The Lion King 3:

Kovu's Reign

Part Five

Vitani watched as the new pride-leaders wandered through the dark, wet world they had been plunged into made their way to the den.

"Greetings, king Kovu," Vitani whispered.

"What are you talking about?" he demanded, looking intently in his sister's face.

She sighed, her eyes pooling with tears. "Sauda found Simba and Nala dead...she'll take ya to 'em..."

They disappeared into the den to join the already mourning pride. And for the first time in her life, Vitani wept.

She cried her eyes out, then looked up. The sun was just beginning to rise, and its reflection glistened on her tears.

"So," she said, adressing the sky. "So now you an' Nala are up there, with the rest of the dead. Tell Scar and Baridi I said hi..."

She started weeping into her paw. "Tell mom that I'll still love her...even if she'll never love me again...and tell Nala..." she started to sob, "tell her she's lucky to have a daughter like Kiara...okay?"

And then she buried her face in her paws and wept.

She started when a paw draped itself over her back. She lifted her head and found herself staring at a strangely familiar grey lion with a full black mane. But she knew who it was when she gazed into the familiar brown eyes.

"Baridi!" she cried, leaping up to see him.

"In the flesh, more or less," he replied with a grin.

She nuzzled her head into his mane, purring like a kitten. "I've missed you..."

"I noticed."

He sighed, a motion that ruffled Vitani's bangs. "I have to go."

"Well, bye..."

"Bye," he whispered, before disappearing.

"So there's hope," Vitani said with a grin. "Aiheu never harms his children."

END PART FIVE