Chapter Nine

The next day, Simba surprised Kiara by telling her that she would be going out for her first solo hunt. Kiara could hardly contain herself. Indigo nuzzled her, giving her some pointers on what to do. Then Simba announced to the pride that they should all line up outside to wish Kiara good luck. Everyone was in a good mood. Needless to say they were shocked that Simba was allowing Kiara to hunt on her own, but they were happy.

Sarabi and Sarafina were exceptionally happy. Nala had some worries though, not about Kiara, but more so about Simba.

“Mom...what if he decides against it last minute? You know how irrational he can be.” Sarafina hugged her daughter. 

“Don't worry sweetheart, just be there for him. Assure him that she'll be fine.” Nala gave a nod. Simba came into Pride Rock, and smiled at Nala.

“Ready love?” he asked. Nala smiled back at him and followed him down, where the pride was awaiting for them on either side. Nala looked over at Indigo and gave her a reassuring nod. Indigo took a sigh of relief. It seemed as though Simba was following through, and neither Indigo or Nala could be any more happier.

Simba and Nala stopped at the bottom to wait for Kiara. Nala leaned over to whisper to Simba.

“You sure are making this very special for her.” she said. Simba laughed.

“Yes well, it isn't every day your daughter goes on her first hunting trip.” Nala nodded, and nestled into Simba's mane.

Kiara came down, and all the lionesses praised her and wished her luck. Indigo gave Kiara a playful wink which made her grin widely. Indigo knew that she could do this, she was proud of her niece.

With some final words, Kiara ran off into the distance, looking for some easy prey. When everyone was all talking together though, Indigo noticed Simba talking with Timon and Pumbaa. They sneaked off in the same direction Kiara went, and Indigo shook her head disappointingly. Simba didn't fully trust Kiara after all. What would it take to make him trust her? 


A few hours later, Simba had begun to panic. This made everyone else edgy as well. Nala, Indigo, Sarafina and Sarabi were all at the base of Pride Rock, quietly talking with themselves.

“Where's Simba?” Indigo asked, looking around.
“At the top of Pride Rock with Zazu. He's worried about Kiara...poor thing.” Sarabi said. Indigo didn't know if she was saying 'poor thing' about Simba or about Kiara, but she assumed it was about the latter. Nala sighed, then all at once, Simba hurried down Pride Rock, his fur standing up.

“Simba! What is it?” Indigo asked. 

“Fire! I told Zazu to fly ahead. I never should have let Kiara go by herself!” Indigo looked in the distance, sure enough, thick smoke was rising over the horizon.

“Nala and I will come with you. Mother, get the others together, be on the lookout for Kiara.” Everyone nodded and set off to what they were told to do. Simba and Nala ran with Indigo in the back. Thank goodness Indigo was a quick runner.

“It looks like it's coming from past the river.” she said. Nala nodded.

“It won't reach Pride Rock thank god.” she said. Indigo looked up and spotted Zazu flying towards them.

“Zazu! What's going on? Where's Kiara?” Simba asked. 

“A lion is dragging her in the river! He looks like a rogue!” Simba roared angrily and sprinted towards the river. Nala and Indigo ran after him with Zazu flying above them.

When they came up behind Simba, they noticed that Kiara was fine, in fact she was in perfect condition. As for the rogue, it turned out he was no rogue, he was Kovu. Indigo was shocked, especially when he mentioned that he wanted to join the pride. Indigo thought that Simba would definitely turn him away, perhaps even kill him. But to her surprise, and Nala and Kiara's he said that he would let Kovu temporarily join the pride, then pass judgement later on. 

They all headed back, everyone was exhausted and just wanted to get some rest. But Indigo was buzzing. She stayed behind and went out into the savannah. She stretched out and closed her eyes, feeling the cool night air in her fur, hearing the crickets in the distance. She breathed in when she heard strange noises coming from behind her. Quickly, she jumped up and turned around, giving the air a sniff. Something was out there, but she couldn't tell what.

“Who's there?” she asked, keeping her voice low. “Come out or I'll come find you.” she demanded. Then, she saw a shadowy figure walk up to her. She growled, her claws coming out.

“No, no. I don't mean any harm.” a voice said. A male voice.

“Who are you? What are you doing here?” she asked. She could see his eyes glowing, and as he came out from the shadows, she noticed that he was young, perhaps a few months younger than herself. Certainly not a cub, but not a fully grown lion. 

“My name's Silas. I come from the Arid Lands.” he said calmly. The Arid Lands? Why did he come so far away? Indigo remembered her father telling her that the Arid Lands was basically like a large desert and very difficult to sustain life. Yet there was this one pride that had been there for generations, and they thrived. No other prides had wanted to take over because there was no point, the lands were too harsh.
“Why are you here?” she asked, he seemed to be avoiding the question.

“My pride had gone through a pandemic. An illness has wiped out almost everyone.” Indigo stepped back, cautiously.

“Are you carrying the disease?” she asked. He shook his head.

“No. It seemed to have avoided me, for what reason I'm not sure. But I am weak. I came out looking for food or for help, and my search has led me to you it seems.” Indigo sat down. Silas didn't seem like he was a dangerous lion. Then she remembered about Simba, and about Kovu. Simba had spared Kovu's life, but she wasn't sure that he'd do the same for Silas.

“Stay here however long it takes you to strengthen up. But keep out of sight. I'll come check on you from time to time.” Silas gave her a curtsey. Indigo blushed slightly, she was thankful that it was dark.

“Thank you mi'lady.” he said. Indigo turned to leave but was stopped by Silas.

“Can I have your name?” he asked. Indigo thought about it, and decided that there was no harm in giving her name.

“Indigo.” she said softly.

“Indigo.” Silas repeated. “Well, it's been nice meeting you Indigo. And thank you for your kindness.”


Indigo left back to go to the Pride Rock. She wasn't quite sure what had happened, but she felt a strange feeling go through her, like electricity. She quietly snuck past Kovu, who was sleeping against a rock, and then she made her way inside to her little corner of the cave. She closed her eyes, but it took her a while to get to sleep. Her mind was racing. Tomorrow morning she would have to check on Silas, if he was still there.