Nala was running through the Pridelands, looking for something, anything that would give her a hint as to the whereabouts of Simba. There was a deep sinking feeling in her heart that she desperately tried to ignore while the young lioness tried to pick up his scent. However, she picked up a different scent; a scent that caused her heart to stop and dread to fill her entire body. When she composed herself and looked up, she saw Hasira grinning with malice in her eyes. Before she could say anything, something was…licking her?
Startled, Nala awoke from her nightmare. This was the second nightmare in a week that involved losing Simba. The licking sensation was still there. Looking around, she saw Simba nuzzling and licking her with a huge grin on his face. "You didn't, did you?" Nala asked, excited that her friend finally stood up for himself.
"I did! Although, I think she was close to tears."
"That was really brave of you. I'm proud of you," Nala replied, returning the nuzzle. However, upon looking around at the sleeping lions in the den, Nala realized that something was wrong, very wrong. Hasira was gone but her cronies were still sleeping in the den. Scar was also missing, but there was nothing that unusual about him running off. Mufasa and Zazu were also out, Nala guessed, doing their daily rounds.
"Let's go back to sleep, I'm tired," Simba tried to suggest but a huge yawn took over his face. Within minutes, the two young lions were soundly asleep, right next to each other.
From her hiding spot in the shadows at the edge of the cave, Hasira outwardly displayed disgust at the young lovers but deep down inside, felt lonely. Her two friends would ditch her at a moment's notice. Her mother was never around and she had never meant her father. No lion loved her the way Mufasa, Sarabi and Nala loved Simba. Strangely, she felt as if she was being lifted off of the ground. When she looked down, she was being lifted off of the ground by some unknown lion.
-%-^-%-
After sending Zazu away, Mufasa went back to Priderock, intent on finding out the truth about Hasira. He saw the young cub hiding at the edge of the main cavern below Priderock, watching the other lions sleeping. Quietly, he walked over until he was standing over her. She was so deep in thought that she did not even notice the change of light over her. Mufasa picked Hasira up by the scruff on her neck and quietly walked away.
Hasira was terrified. She was not having a good day. First Simba had her near tears and now she was being cubnapped by an unknown assailant. Finally, after walking several minutes, she was released and sat down on a small rock. When she opened her eyes up, she was looking straight into the eyes of the king. Mufasa was the lion who had cubnapped her.
"Speak. Why do you take out your loneliness on my son?" his voice was gentle, yet it carried so much power and authority in every syllable.
"I…don't…know," for the third time this morning, Hasira was at a loss for words.
"Is it because of your mother?"
"I guess"
"Ever since Zira started mating with every rogue lion she could get her paws on, I knew something like this would happen."
"Oh, so now I'm a 'something'?" Hasira questioned, annoyed at Mufasa's attitude towards her.
"No, you are a lion. Zira is an excellent hunter but she is way too young to be a mother. She was not mentally prepared to have you when she did and because of that, you have suffered. What family you were born to is not your fault. Because of that, I am giving you a second chance. Do not disappoint me Hasira. Become a better lion than your mother is."
"I will try. Thank you sir."
-%-^-%-
Zira circled around, annoyed that he was late. He was always late. It truly was a wonder how he managed to get anything done, but she still did love him. Scar was the first lion that she had actually fallen for. But his chronic lateness would have to be dealt with. At least the hyenas provided decent company, most of the time. This morning was not one of those times. The trio was nowhere to be seen. Gradually, she was able to discern two voices walking towards her. One was Scar's and the other was Shenzi's.
"You know Scar; if you didn't want your conversation with that cub to be overheard, then why did you have right next to where we sleep?"
"No lion dares enter the Elephant Graveyard because of the lovely decorations you have put up."
"Except her," Shenzi said, using her head to point to Zira, who was lurking not far off, "I guess I'll leave you two alone now."
As Shenzi was turning around to leave, Scar said, "Remember the plan for tomorrow. Don't screw it up."
"We won't."
Once Shenzi was out of sight, Scar ran towards Zira and nuzzled her. "Soon, my dear, the plan will be complete. The kingdom will be ours. Your daughter has played her role superbly."
"She is no daughter of mine. I do not care what you do with her once Mufasa and Simba are dead. Exile her for all I care."
Scar's response was to nuzzle her on the neck, while he thought of the various ways to get rid of the lion cub. He knew that she would bring trouble if she was not dealt with quickly.
-%-^-%-
Scar and Zira did not return to Priderock until the next afternoon. Mufasa had kept a close eye on Hasira who was trying to fit in with the rest of the lion cubs by being nice to them. Most of the cubs had taken to this new and improved girl, with the exception of two: Uvumi and Doa. They had actually turned on Hasira when she did not join in on mocking Nala for the bath her mother had given her. When Mufasa saw Hasira helping Nala instead of hurting her, he felt that there was actually hope for her.
However, Scar saw this as a betrayal. She would have to be dealt with quicker than expected. Up until now, she had played her part perfectly but now, now she was tearing down months of hard work. His opportunity came several hours later when Hasira was walking towards the watering hole. Scar snuck up behind her and used his massive paw to bat her to the ground. "Stupid girl…"
"I've changed. I don't want to follow through with the plan," Hasira proudly said. She continued, "It turns out that Simba and Nala are actually nice once you get to know them."
"You have left me no choice. Run away, Hasira. Run... Run away and never return. If you ever return, I will kill you. If you screw up my plan any more, I will kill you."
She ran faster than she had ever ran before, while crying like she had never cried before.
-%-^-%-
"Hey Uncle Scar, what was that? Was that Hasira?" Simba questioned as he came up behind Scar, curious as to what the two lions had been talking about.
"Oh, don't worry about it. Hey, Simba, your father has a surprise for you down in the gorge. We had better get going or you'll be late."
-%-^-%-
Well, that's it. I hope you enjoyed it - Oh, look, a House marathon on USA. I know what I'll be doing for the rest of the day.
XO9, singing out, not wanting school to start up again next week. :(
