Disclaimer: I do not own any TLK characters. This story (and my characters) are © to me, please do not copy or steal. Thanks.

Chapter 2: Drown

"You'll live, Feruzi", said Rafiki sympathetically. He was kneeled at the lioness' side, smearing a purple liquid over her wounds.

"Although dis bite looks painful, it won't scar; it is just a bleeder. But your eye…I'm not so sure. It might scar."

Feruzi groaned and reached up to feel her face.

"Great, now I will bare the mark of the ugly Scar himself. Har, har. I can't believe he tried to pull something like that. If my head wasn't hurting so badly, I would have really torn his sorry throat right out of his pitiful little neck."

Sarabi sat, rubbing her paw lovingly on Feruzi's. Well, at least one thing could be said. Nothing could damage Feruzi's spirit. She however, couldn't help but feel worried about what Scar would now do to her. She could not forget the chill she got from his voice. She shook her head. Now was not the time to be thinking about her. Feruzi was hurt now and that was more important. Sarabi would worry about Scar later.

"It'll be okay Feruzi", said Sarabi, "You'll still be a beautiful lioness. You're still you."

Feruzi managed to crack a small smirk.

"Right you are Sara- OUCH! Rafiki, could you please be a little more careful?"

Feruzi flinched as Rafiki moved to her wounded eye. Rafiki smiled, not bothered in the least by her outburst.

"Okey Feruzi, I will try to."

He observed the her eye, which was swollen shut. Reaching back into his 'bowl', Rafiki gently rubbed the medicine into her scratches, which were starting to scab. As he moved upward, towards her forehead, he could feel a lump.

"OW! Can you remotely TRY to be somewhat gentle?"

"Fer…" warned Sarabi.

Rafiki's look turned into one of puzzelement and concern.

"Feruzi, I think dat you might have a concussion. A big bump on de head. You will have to rest for awhile, just to be sure."

Feruzi snorted and muttered under her breath as Rafiki continued to treat her cuts.

As Rafiki was gathering his things to leave, he paused at Sarabi, and put a hand on her shoulder.

"You are doing a great job. You are still de queen of de Pridelands in my heart and in yours too. I can sense it. Be strong for de pride, Sarabi. Be strong for yourself and Mufasa."

Sarabi nodded, placing her paw on Rafiki's hand.

"Watch Feruzi, she needs to let her wounds heal. No hunting for a week, I do not want her scratches to rip open again. Also, I think dat she may have a concussion. Let her cave-rest for the next three days. I know dat is hard. Ferzuri is a strong-willed lioness, but she does need recovery. "

Sarabi nodded.

"Yes sir, I shall."

They embraced and parted. Sarabi watched him sadly as he walked away into the distance. A roll of the thunder echoed in the distance, and she felt hopeless. She wished more than anything that her mate and her son were back here, with her. She felt something break inside her when she thought of her son. He was too young to have died. Why couldn't it have been her? Why Simba? Why Mufasa? She started to cry again. She cried about the death of her family, she cried for her pride, and she cried for the Pridelands, which seemed to be doomed. As she sobbed, she felt a paw on her shoulder.

"Sarabi!"

Sarabi hiccupped softly as she opened her eyes. Behind her, she saw Nala, her eyes very wide. Sarabi gave her a weak smile, and wiped her face.

"What is it Nala?"

Nala blinked, and Sarabi could tell that now she was worried.

"Nala, I'm fine…just was thinking about…Mufasa, and Simba, and all that has happened since that terrible accident…"

Sarabi's voice drifted off, and she felt her eyes fill up with hot tears again. She started to weep again, aware that Nala was there. Sarabi knew that she should be strong, not let her fellow pride members see her in a lesser state. Nala leaned in and nuzzled Sarabi's cheek. She was worried about the old lioness. Sighing, Nala began to speak after Sarabi seemed to calm down.

"I'm sorry to tell you this now, but Scar wants to meet you in the back caves now. He says it's urgent."

Sarabi looked up at Nala. She wondered if he was there to deliver her punishment for speaking out against him. Lowering her ears, Sarabi sighed, tears still rolling down her face. She patted Nala's head and spoke.

"I'll go now."

Sarabi got up and licked Nala's head. Then she started down the rocky slope towards the small caves in the back of Pride Rock. Many thoughts were rushing through her head. She just kept thinking about what Scar could possibly do to her now.

Sarabi managed to squeeze through the small entrance of the cave. She immediately wrinkled her nose at the musty smell of the caves. They were rarely used by lionesses, however it did seem like hyenas would sleep in here every once in awhile. In fact, Sarabi was surprised that she could neither smell nor see Shenzi, Banzai, or Ed. There was no sign of Scar or his guards.

"Scar…?"

Sarabi listened to her voice echo throughout the caves. She heard shifting noises coming from her left, and she saw Scar sitting on some animal bones in the corner. He narrowed his eyes at her, his expression still that same blank look, even as he spoke.

"Have you been crying, Sarabi?"

"Why do you ask Scar? Why do you care?"

"Of course I care about you Sarabi. How could I not?"

Scar lifted himself off the floor. His pushed his mane back and watched Sarabi, who looked at him, nervously. She did not like the way he was looking at her. It was much like the way he had looked at her when she was first married to Mufasa. Sarabi knew that Scar had always liked her in their youth, but she had though that feelings had died away over time. She was stood up, and looked away, off into the distance.

Scar walked around her, his tail lightly touching her body. Sarabi tried hard not to flinch, and to ignore him. Her back stiffened. Scar beamed at her, a low purr in his throat.

"You were always so beautiful Sarabi, I'd like to ask"-

"Sir!"

Scar looked annoyed as he glanced towards the entrance. Angavu, one of the lionesses, was leaning in. Her eyes were as large as moons, shining with sadness. Her chest was heaving, her brown eyes were pleading. Scar snapped at her.

"What is it, Angavu?"

Angavu seemed not to respond to the fact that Scar had just snapped at her, and was now frowning at her. She shook her head again.

"My king, Sarabi…Sarafina has disappeared!"

…

Thank you for the reviews and suggestions. I've fixed the first chapter, so hopefully it is better and easier to read. Third chapter should be up soon. :)

-Shady