Hurrah for a quick update!
I do not own The Lion King.
"Zee, you have got one devious mind in that pretty head of yours." Nala complimented the dark lioness with a satisfied nod. "Why Scar doesn't prefer your attentions, I shall never know."
"Oh, don't be silly Nala." Zira replied, flicking her ears in embarrassment. "You're the pretty one, that's why Scar likes you so much."
Nala shrugged uncomfortably. "I'd trade with you any day. I can't stand that tyrannical sleazeball – no offence to your soon-to-be-mate."
"Ah, it's okay. I don't really mind." Zira replied with a shrug. "He is a bit, but yet for some reason I'm still crazy about him."
"Yeah, you must be crazy." Nala said with a smile. "So, when should I take off?"
"As soon as possible. Just make sure that you don't act suspicious in any way, shape or form. In fact, pretend that you're starting to accept Scar's advances, although don't be all over him. Then, as soon as you get the chance, sneak off. Skirt the edge of the Outlands, and you should be fine."
"Great! I'll go tell my mother right now-"
"No!" Zira gasped, shocked by the seemingly intelligent lioness's stupidity.
Nala narrowed her eyes. "What are you saying? That my mother isn't trustworthy?"
"No." Zira shook her head. "But the more lions that you let in on the plan, the more likely it is that you're going to be overheard."
"With a brain like yours, it makes me wonder how is it that you're such a lousy hunter."
"Hey!" Zira protested, laying her ears back. "I thought you said I wasn't a lousy hunter!"
"Cool it honey, I'm only kidding." Nala replied, flicking her new friend with her tail. "Now, let's catch something and head back."
"I'm surprised that you managed such a good kill. You just lack confidence when hunting, Zee." Nala commented while Zira carried her kill proudly.
"Ree-lee?" Zira replied, her mouth full.
"Yep. If you just believe in yourself, you should be a fine hunter."
"Nala!" called a male voice.
It belonged to Nala's brother, Mheetu. The lion was young, and his mane was only just starting to come in. He was pale, his fur almost the same shade as his mother's, with his mane coming in a light chocolate colour.
"Nala! Nala!" Mheetu's voice was urgent, as he scrambled down the rocky slope towards them.
"Mheetu, what's the matter?" Nala asked, her ears pricked forward.
"The king wants to see you. And Zira too!"
"What for?"
"I don't know."
"Zee, let us help you carry your catch. We can't keep the King waiting."
Zira nodded and dropped her catch obediently, readjusting her grip so that Nala and Mheetu could also get a grip on it. Then, the trio began sprinting up the rocky slope towards the Priderock cavern. What they found waiting for them was not a pleasant sight.
The lionesses had each been spread out through the hyena clan, at least three hyenas separating every lioness. Scar was perched upon a large boulder, his green eyes narrowed angrily. At the base of the boulder sat the hyena clan matriarch, Shenzi, smirking.
"Leave your kill and enter the circle. Mheetu, your task is done. Return to the place I assigned you." Scar commanded. His voice was angry. Nala had her head held high as she stepped into the circle's centre, but Zira's head was lowered. This could not be good.
"What is it, King?" Nala asked, the word 'king' said with a tone of disgust.
"Treachery in the Pridelands!" Scar announced. This caused an uproar of hyenas cackling and lionesses trying to communicate with each other. "Two lionesses guilty of treason stand before us!" Scar's sharp words silenced everyone instantly. Then, he looked down his nose at them when they remained silent. "Well? Have you anything to say for yourselves?"
"I haven't any idea what you're talking about." Nala responded, staring up at the king defiantly. The way she was standing was so reminiscent of Sarabi's regal stance that she looked as though she herself should be queen. Beside her, Zira seemed to shrink, although she'd plastered a look of confusion upon her maw.
Shenzi cackled and stepped forward. "Oh sure you do. You were just talking about it. Blue eyes is going to take off as soon as she can, and ugly over here is going to comfort the king during his time of loss. One lioness gone, another there to take her place."
"TREASON! TREASON!" Shenzi's mate, Banzai cried out, while his brother Ed dissolved into hysterical cackling.
Scar snarled angrily, his green eyes flashing as he leaped down from the boulder and stalked up to them. "Do you deny this?"
"No, you won't deny this because you're guilty!" The lionesses were not given the chance to answer. Scar raised his paw and slashed his claws across Nala's pretty face. Four lines now decorated the side of Nala's formerly flawless jowls. The lioness's blue eyes were defiant and she had her teeth gritted, her breathing was heavy. Zira however, was not so lucky. She moved her head slightly when Scar aimed his paw at her, and it caught her ear, slicing out an arc-shaped piece of her ear.
The lioness shrieked, then fell silent as blood ran down the rim of her ear. Above, thunder crashed suddenly, and the skies opened, water beginning to pour from the heavens.
"I permit you to join my pride, and this is how you repay me?" Scar snarled, advancing on Zira. The lioness did not back down now. Her teeth were gritted, preventing her from wailing out again because of the pain from her ear. Instead of dipping her head and apologizing profusely, as she might have before, she now stared back at him, her red-brown eyes narrowed. Scar's teeth were bared and Zira's new-found courage seemed to be angering him even more. "I will not have treachery in my pride!"
"Exile us, then." Nala said, staring at the King with hatred in her eyes.
"Oh, that was my intention." Scar informed her. Then he smirked. "But not you, Nala. You must learn some respect for your King and some obedience."
Nala lashed her tail in irritation. "And how exactly do you plan to make me stay?"
"Well, if you leave, I'll kill your mother and your ever so beloved baby brother." Scar responded, and Nala gasped.
"Don't worry about me, Nala! Go!" Mheetu exclaimed, before he was silenced by several hyenas snapping at him.
"Zira, you are no longer welcome in the Pridelands or the Outlands. If you are found within the boundaries of my kingdom after sundown tonight, you will be killed." Scar decided.
"Scar, you can't do that! It's almost sundown now!" Nala replied, and several onlookers gasped. Seldom had anyone dared to call the king by his true name.
"Well then, she had better get a move on now, shouldn't she?" Scar answered smugly before turning to face Zira for the final time. "Zira, may your treachery follow you into your exile!"
Blood, diluted by rain, was staining the side of the lioness's face. She took a step forward, a growl rising in her throat. Her red-brown eyes flashed as lightning lit the skies above. "I hope that you get what's coming to you." And with the flick of her tail, she whirled and was gone.
"Now that we've cut that cancer from our pride, I will need to have a word with young Nala. The rest of the pride is to go to the Shadow Cavern, while Nala and I will be having our discussion in the main cavern." Scar decided, using a flick of his tail to divide his hyena guard. The hyena guard would have two duties tonight; corner the lionesses and trap Nala, preventing any chance of escape.
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