Under the scar

The sun was up in the sky, illuminating his kingdom and giving him and all his subjects a warm and comfortable feeling. The lionesses were preparing for the hunting, and he saw his mate, Sarabi, giving them a few advices for the hunt. The Lion King felt his heart full of pride seeing the serenity his kingdom was living in. Zazu had arrived and given him the morning report a few minutes ago and Mufasa was glad to hear that there were no hyenas trespassing the lands that once belonged to his father. That wasn't the only thing that made the King happy. A few days ago, his firstborn, Simba, was born. He had the same fur colour as his own and the same red eyes full of joy and kindness his mother possessed. As the days went by, Mufasa learned his son didn't resemble to his parents only, but his uncle as well.

Mufasa couldn't help but let a low growl escape his lips. Scar. He missed Simba's presentation, and the Lion King couldn't get over it. It was a lack of respect to do such a thing. He knew he and his brother started to lose the good relationship they shared as children as Mufasa was chosen by Ahadi to be the next king. But he knew that wasn't the only reason; he started to act differently when they received the news. At first, Mufasa thought Who could blame me? Anyone would be as excited as I was! but then he sighed and knew that wasn't enough reason to treat his brother as the underdog of the family. Mufasa knew Scar was so much more than that, he knew he had the potential, the brains and all that was needed to resolve any problems the kingdom could have in a future… But, as the years went by, and especially, after that day, Scar started to lack the noble heart he was known of. It was true he never was very sociable, but anytime Mufasa needed help Scar was there. For a long time, his brother was a shoulder he could cry on, the keeper of his deepest secrets and insecurities… Mufasa extended his claws unintentionally every time he thought about it. He lost a best friend, an adviser, a brother, just because a mistake, a thing he shouldn't have said in a million of years…

He heard a little "mew" and he looked down. His son was smiling at him, looking at him with curious eyes and pure admiration. He wouldn't fail this little miracle his mate had given him, he would take care of him, make things differently. That was a promise Mufasa was sure he was going to fulfil. The King gave his son a serene smile and sat down next to him; Simba, full of energy and happiness, started to play with his father's mane and run around him. Both lions laughed and then Simba curled up next to his father, feeling the warm feeling of unconditional love Mufasa was always giving him along with infinite protection. Yes, Simba was just like his brother. Not the isolated soul Scar was, but the lion who was once known as Taka. That cub was always curious, cunning, adventurous… And cunning. Simba inherited all the good qualities his uncle once had, and Mufasa couldn't be most proud of it. If only Scar could see it, if only he could make his brother remember who he truly was…

"You just can't help it, huh?" asked a female voice with a happy giggle.

Mufasa turned around and saw his mate, Queen Sarabi, was by his side. A big smile on her face, both eyes shining with happiness and joy.

"Huh? What?"

"Any time you look at our son you can't help but smile" answered Sarabi nuzzling him with affection.

Mufasa let a small laugh escape his lips while he returned her the nuzzle.

"It's impossible not to" he said.

"I understand you" said Sarabi giving her son a quick glare. "He's just our little treasure" she added licking his son's head. "I'm going with the girls to hunt lunch. Do you want me to look for Zazu?"

"Not necessary, I'll watch him" said Mufasa seeing how his son was exploring the cave… again.

"Sure?" asked his mate with a raised eyebrow.

"Of course. There's no hyenas and if something happens, Zazu will come to inform me and I would leave him with Simba" he explained.

"As you wish" said Sarabi with a funny smile. Then, she nuzzled him again.

"Good hunt" was the farewell Mufasa gave to her.

He watched her as she joined the other lionesses and all of them disappeared of the entrance of the cave. Mufasa suddenly felt all the sleep his son had kept from he and Sarabi the last nights coming to him at once and the King yawned.

"Well, Simba, how does a little nap sound like?" he asked turning his head… only to find an empty spot. "Simba?" he asked with a frown.

Mufasa got up from where he had been sitting and started to look for all the cave, calling his son's name. He felt his heart beating fast and the panic appearing. His son wasn't there!

"Zazu!" he called running out of the cave. "Zazu!"

At the second call, his best and most loyal friend appeared in front of him.

"Something's wrong, sire?" asked the hornbill a bit alarmed.

"I kind of… lost Simba" admitted the king. "I didn't watch for a second and then… he was gone!"

"Alright, don't get panic" said Zazu, trying to think properly at the sudden explosion of emotions that was happening inside his little chest. "He couldn't have gone far, sire, for sure he's still around Pride Rock" he said.

"Yes, you're right" said Mufasa shaking his head. "Zazu, fly over Pride Rock, and if you see him let me know" he ordered as he ran out of the cave.

"Yes, sire!" said Zazu flying out of there.

Saying he was upset was less than appropriate. He felt the blood boiling in his veins, hatred and resentment raising in him like crazy. Scar, the dark lion and forgotten prince of the royal family hit a wee pebble out of his way in frustration. Why? He was so close, he was the first in line… and then that darn hairball was born and ruined everything for him! And then, for make that day more perfect, his adorable brother had to come, going ballistic because he didn't go to that stupid presentation. For what? For being more ignored than ever? For pretend he was happy for his brother and that snobbish queen of his? No, thank you. Instead of that, he spent all the day in his cave, and after the "fight" with his brother, he decided to spend the rest of the dreadful day in the cave where his mother and he used to see the peace and harmony the kingdom always live in. Scar let himself fall to the ground with a sigh of frustration.

"Life is not fair, is it?" he said to the air, looking at the ground with his green eyes, shining with thirst of revenge.

He still could see the figures of the lionesses in the distance, hunting, so he knew he would have to wait a bit for eat. He refused long ago to eat anything that lionesses hunt, he could get his own food with nobody's help. That was the way he was raised and it was a habit he didn't want to change, less to give a certain presumptuous brother the satisfaction of seeing him beg for food, as he was some kind of rabble… He closed his eyes, deciding to take a small nap that would be enough to give him strength to go hunting and also it would give him no chances to have to face any of those conceited lionesses…

"Mew!"

Scar's eyes opened immediately at the sound of meowling and looked behind him. A small cub was trying to climb the entrance of the little cave where he was trying to rest. A scowl and an expression of disgust adorned the dark lion's face.

"Oh, goodie…" said Scar with sarcasm.

He saw his nephew climbing successfully and entering the cave. Then, Simba started to sniff around him and looked every thing that was surrounding him; his red eyes shining with curiosity and innocence. That only made Scar's disgust grow bigger. He rolled his eyes and prayed in his mind that that brat would disappear from his sight as soon as possible… But luck never was on his side…

"He-lo" tried to say Simba, stopping in front of his uncle.

Scar looked at him closely. Without doubts he was a photocopy of Mufasa when he was just a cub… That only made Scar angrier. Remembering the old days just infuriated him, and helped him to hate the child without apparent reason.

"Hm… You're so ugly that I even feel pity of you" said Scar with a wicked smile.

Simba didn't seem to understand what he had said and just titled his head to the left side. He felt the small cub looking at him over and over and it was starting to get on Scar's nerves… Suddenly, an idea occurred him. The other cubs didn't want to be near him because he seemed to be "dangerous" and they were afraid of him… It didn't help that the useless of their mothers told them stupid and false stories about him. Scar's evil smile grew and all of a sudden he bared his teeth at the cub and roared a bit at the cub. He stayed with his teeth bared a bit, seeing how Simba was looking directly at him, with a raised eyebrow. Then, the cub started to laugh loudly.

"You funny!" he said when he stopped laughing.

"… … … I hate you" said Scar with a frown. Then, he got up and walked away from him. "Stupid hairball…" he added.

He sat at the end of the cave, hoping the child would be too scare to follow him in the darkness. Again, luck was never on his side. He saw Simba running as well as he could towards him, and when he was in front of him he smiled at his uncle widely.

"Oh, for god's shake…" mumbled Scar angry. "Go. Away" he said aloud and with a frown.

Simba just tilted his head again in confusion, this time to the right. The cub got up and Scar smiled thinking he was going to leave him be finally, but the smile faded away when he saw Simba was getting closer to him.

"No. No! Go away, you little brat…" said Scar shaking his head, his words falling in deaf ears. "I'm serious, kid: go aw…!"

Scar stopped at the middle of the sentence when he felt his little nephew nuzzling his mane affectionately. And the dark lion started to feel something he thought to have forgotten long ago, a warm feeling invading his chest. He looked at his nephew a bit more, with wide eyes, as the child seemed to just knew to nuzzle him while he let a few "mews" let out his mouth. With a shook of his head, Scar seemed to return to reality and he offered the kid another scowl and low growl. He got up, making Simba fall on his noses. Scar laughed mentally at the sight and thought: Let's see if he understands the message now… but he stopped at his tracks once again when he found Simba in front of him, again with that silly smile. But, how…?

"Get out of my sight, child" warned Scar with a husky voice.

This time, the smile faded away and Simba showed him a sad face. Thinking finally that unbearable brat understood him, Scar closed his eyes as he raised one paw to start walking again. But he stopped when he felt a small being hugging his left paw. He looked down, seeing Simba hugging him as well as he could and Scar rolled his eyes for the second time that day.

"I don't like children!" said Scar irritated.

"Up, up!" said Simba letting go of his paw and jumping.

"No" said Scar, sharp.

"Up!" said Simba once again, jumping non-stop.

And, for the third time that day, Scar rolled his eyes. Sighing, he took Simba with his teeth and put him on his back. He felt the cub climbing up his head. Scar looked at him with a raised eyebrow whilst Simba looked at him with a frown.

"You got a boo-boo" Simba said.

"What?"

"A boo-boo" said Simba with a worried tone in his childish voice.

Then, he felt him trying to lick the scar he had in his left eye.

"No, no, stop" said Scar a bit nervous.

He lifted his head, making his nephew go down his mane. Simba made a sound of complaint and Scar sighed, starting to feel tired. This time, luck was nicer to him: he heard his nephew yawning and could feel him making himself comfortable in his dark mane.

"Let's go home" said Scar, walking out the cave.

The way from the cave to Pride Rock didn't seem as much as he once thought. Maybe it was because all the thoughts Scar had in mind in that moment… He had had his chance, the kid was alone, nobody seemed to be looking for him and everybody knew Scar was always alone in that cave of his and didn't know his nephew. He could have taken him away from the Pride Lands and then get rid of the problem once and for all. But he found himself unable. He couldn't raise a paw against a cub… And Scar gritted his teeth, thinking he was being really weak with that kind of thoughts…

When he arrived at Pride Rock, he saw Mufasa talking to that insufferable hornbill, Zazu. He could see his brother was nervous and that majordomo of his was trying to keep him calm. A smile crossed his face and thought of make his anguish longer… But Simba had fallen asleep and he wanted to get separated from him as long as he could…

"Looking for something, brother?" he said with amusement in his voice.

Mufasa turned around with a raised eyebrow, not expecting to hear his brother's voice.

"Or may I say someone?" he added turning his head and taking little and sleeping Simba in his teeth.

"Simba!" said Mufasa with a smile.

The king ran to both lions, with Zazu flying over him and also showing he felt relieved. Scar let Simba on the floor and Mufasa nuzzled him.

"Don't ever scare me like this, Simba! Ever!" said Mufasa with a nervous yet relieved tone.

"Lion funny" said Simba looking at Scar.

"This lion is your uncle Scar, Simba" explained Mufasa with a tone of voice that showed his amazement yet his happiness.

"Wotch is uncle?" asked Simba a bit confused.

"I'll explain it to you later, son…" answered the king with a soft smile. "Now, go back inside and get some sleep, you look tired. Zazu…"

"My pleasure, sire" said the hornbill, guiding Simba to the entrance of the cave.

"Bye-bye, uncli Scar" said Simba with a yawn, following the bird.

"Yes, whatever…" said Scar turning around.

"Scar, wait" said Mufasa.

Now what? Scar thought. He turned around and instead said: "Yes?"

"I… I wanted… Well…"

Now, that was a sight worthy to see. The great King Mufasa stammering! Scar tried hard not to smile at his brother's behaviour.

"I want to thank you for watching my son" he said after a long sigh. "And… also for bringing him back"

"You should be more careful, Mufasa… Something could happen…" said the dark lion not showing so much interest.

Seeing his brother wasn't going to say anything more, Scar turned around and started to walk away. He was starting to feel strange. The way Simba looked at him, the way he talked to him… It made him remember things; things that made him weak, and that was something he couldn't tolerate. Scar made that mistake not so long ago and only gave him suffering and pain. No, this time he was going to be smarter than that, and that meant no feelings allowed…

"Oh, and Scar?" he heard his brother calling him again.

Without turning his head, he answered: "Yes, Mufasa…?"

"Do not tell this to Sarabi, please…"

This time, Scar did turn around to face his brother. For the first time in a long time, the dark lion agreed with his brother: what happened today, his moment of weakness, didn't have to be known. So, with a small and fake smile, he answered:

"Of course, brother. It will be our little secret"