The morning had gone by quickly after talking with the giraffes, and with the sun still up in the sky Simba and Nala returned to the Pridelands, both satisfied with the results of the meeting.

Pleasantly surprised with how smooth things were moving along Simba couldn't help being in a very good mood. The animals kept coming back one by one, the smallest patches of green grass could be seen growing back and the lakes were slowly filling up once more. It was all going better than expected, perhaps his concerns were for nothing.

"So far all the animals I've talked to have been very reasonable. At this rate it won't be long before everything goes back to normal." Simba smiled.

"Yes, things are finally turning around." Nala agreed with a content sigh.

Though everything around them still lacked the vibrant green of vegetation Simba saw nothing but potential. He was sure that as soon as the greenery regrew the last of the animals that left would definitely return. Even then the Pridelands looked way better than when he first arrived to fight his uncle.

"Is that someone waiting for us?"

Nala's voice snapped Simba out of his thoughts, and as they approached Pride Rock he noticed that the figure of a lioness could be seen waiting for them. When they got close enough the lioness decided to not wait anymore and walked towards them.

"Simba, welcome back." Zira smiled.

"Ah, thank you." Simba replied confused, not recognizing the lioness in front of him. Could she be one of Scar's followers?

"I'm Zira, sorry we're meeting just now." Zira continued, almost as if reading his mind. "But well this third pregnancy hasn't been that easy on me."

So that was Zira? The same lioness that Nala told him was awfully close to Scar and even tried to be his mate? To actually think she was talking to him with so much ease surprised Simba beyond belief, but he wasn't going to complain either.

"Oh that's no problem, I hope you're doing well." Simba smiled at her, letting go of his previous confusion and skepticism.

Still by Simba's side Nala watched in shocked silence how Zira threw uncharacteristically friendly smiles at Simba. Did she lose her mind? This was Zira right? Something about their conversation didn't feel right at all, since when was Zira so polite and friendly to others? Just a few days ago she wouldn't leave Scar's side and now suddenly she was greeting Simba like nothing happened? Something strange was going on.

"You haven't being king for long but I can already tell you're doing a wonderful job." Zira continued. "Looks like the Pridelands will recover in no time."

"Thank you." Simba said with a relieved smile. "I'll keep doing my best until things return to the way they used to be."

"And I'm sure they will." Zira added with a toothy grin. "It was good to finally talk to you Simba."

With an almost unnoticeable bow of her head Zira turned around and walked away the way she came from, smirking satisfied to herself from seeing Nala's puzzled expression during the entire conversation.

When Zira was out of hearing range Simba continued walking to Pride Rock, Nala slowly following behind him.

"So that was Zira huh? From what you told me I thought she'd be completely different, but I'm glad I won't have to worry over Scar's followers." Simba said as he entered the den.

Could it really be her imagination? There was a small chance that perhaps Zira did have a change of heart and got over Scar, but although the probability was there Nala just couldn't seem to believe in it. She was certain that Zira was up to something, but maybe it was best to not mention it to Simba since he was already busy and didn't need any more concerns. Whatever it was that was going on Nala didn't want to get involved anyways.

She couldn't be bothered to give it much thought anyways, because as of late there was one thing in particular bugging her mind. Even though it had been already a while ago since that night that she finally reunited with Simba Nala felt something she had never felt before. She and Simba had gotten closer than ever, and though they didn't verbally say it she was sure he felt it too. It had been the best night of her life, but she had slowly grown impatient when neither of the two mentioned anything about it again to the point she started doubting it actually meant something to Simba. They needed to talk about it.

"If Zira doesn't support Scar anymore then maybe there's a chance that the other followers won't as well." Simba continued excitedly. "I won't lie, I was very worried there'd be quite the conflict with them but now-"

"Simba." Nala interrupted him, sitting down on a corner of the den. "Do you have a minute?"

Sensing the sudden serious tone in Nala's voice Simba disregarded completely what he was talking about and sat by her side, intrigued at what could be in her mind. Nala had been awfully quiet since he talked with Zira; was something bothering her?

"Of course, what is it Nala?" Simba asked concerned.

Suddenly losing her courage Nala cleared her throat nervously. Simba didn't have that long since he became king, he was busy restoring the Pridelands, and he was probably still going through some internal struggles, but despite all of that Nala wanted to talk with him. It had been wandering her mind ever since Scar was defeated, but her fear and Simba's priorities kept her from saying anything.

The longer she stood quiet the more Simba's curiosity grew. A serious atmosphere settled between them, and Simba wanted nothing more than to break it.

"Listen Simba, I-"

"There you are sire!"

Flying to the inside of the den Zazu landed in front of Simba interrupting Nala mid-sentence, not even realizing the lioness was looking at him with an annoyed scowl.

"Sire Aminifu just arrived to the Pridelands with his herd." Zazu panted as he recovered his breath from looking all over for Simba. "But he's not alone, other animals have come along with him."

Though that was great news and he definitely needed to go meet the animals Simba looked between Nala and Zazu distressed, not wanting to leave so abruptly when his friend clearly had something in her mind that she wanted to talk about.

Nala sighed in defeat and smiled sadly at Simba in an attempt to reassure him.

"Go, we can talk later."

"Yeah, thank you." Simba smiled grateful for Nala's understanding, and ran in a straight line out of the den with Zazu swiftly following behind.

As soon as Simba exited the cave Nala sighed sadly to herself. She had been hesitant to talk to him all this time, but the moment she actually mustered her courage they were interrupted. Part of her was disappointed, but another part of her knew that one way or another they wouldn't be able to have their conversation.

Maybe it wasn't so bad that they were interrupted, it was most likely that the last thing in Simba's mind at the moment was romance. The thought probably hadn't even crossed his mind at all.

Hopeful to find something to distract herself with Nala exited the den, only to see that at the base of Pride Rock all of the lionesses were gathered around Sarabi. Nala briefly wondered why she hadn't been called, but knowing everyone they most likely saw her enter the den with Simba and decided to not bother her.

Nala approached the lionesses to listen to what Sarabi was saying.

"I'm pretty sure you've all already noticed that the animals are slowly returning to the Pridelands, including animals of prey."

Some of the lionesses chattered amongst them at the last remark. Since Scar's reign the lionesses had been eating very poorly, only managing to get a few scraps from bones or measly little bugs that barely were enough to satiate their hunger.

"Yes, these are wonderful news." Sarabi continued. "And though that means we can finally have something decent to eat for the first time in years, I'm afraid I'll have to ask all of you to refrain from doing so."

Everyone was thinking the same thing, but no one dared to complain or say anything to Sarabi.

"Believe me, I want to eat as much as you do." Sarabi sighed, earning everyone's sympathetic frowns. "But we need to give the animals the chance to settle in to the Pridelands once more. If we start hunting so quickly we'll surely scare them off and make things worse."

"How long should we wait?" Nala asked, voicing what all the lionesses were wondering.

"As long as Simba asks us to."

Simba was the one dealing with all the animals returning, so it was only logical that he were the one to decide that. All of the lionesses quietly agreed that that was the best choice.

"Until that time comes we'll continue to manage like we've always done so far." Sarabi smiled reassuringly at everyone. "Only this time there will be something to look forward to."

On that last positive note Sarabi walked away and the rest of the lionesses dispersed.

Among the lionesses Zira stood up ready to return to her den, but stopped on her tracks upon noticing Nala was looking melancholically at the distance, right in the same direction Simba had gone off to not so long ago.

Smiling smugly Zira approached her once all the lionesses were gone.

"So one king wasn't enough for you, now you're going for a second one." Zira sighed with a feigned tone of disappointment.

"Excuse me?" Nala scowled.

"Oh dear please you don't have to pretend, it's really obvious what you're doing." Zira chuckled deviously. "First you seduced Scar, but now that he's dead you're immediately going after Simba. Do you want to be queen that badly?"

Nala felt her blood boil in a rush of anger. Was Zira accusing her of deliberately 'seducing' Scar just to be queen? Like she'd ever want to be that monster's queen. She'd rather die first than letting that happen. He was the one that went after her, the one that tried to impose himself onto her so violently and the one that didn't care what she thought on the matter.

"Back then I would have rathered die than being Scar's queen." Nala growled angrily, baring her teeth to Zira. "It's one thing you wanted to be his mate and failed, but it's another to blame it on me that you weren't good enough for that monster. It's not my problem he chose me over you."

Though Zira was dangerously close to losing her composure and jumping at Nala she managed to keep herself together. If she wanted her plan to succeed she needed to not show any weakness or doubt to Nala, she needed to stay strong at all times.

"Then I suppose it won't be my problem either if Simba chooses me over you right?" Zira murmured with a confident grin.

Nala scoffed unimpressed.

"Why would he? You don't even love him."

Zira chortled amused at Nala's words, slowly increasing in volume until it turned into a wholehearted laugh.

"Love?" Zira quoted incredulous. "Who needs love nowadays? You should know that better than anyone considering how close you got last time. Or am I supposed to believe that you actually love Simba?"

Nala glared angrily at Zira, annoyed that the same lioness that had cubs of different fathers was lecturing her on love.

"I do, I love Simba." Nala said confident.

Zira rolled her eyes with an amused smile.

"If you say so."

Deciding she had said enough for now Zira turned around and left Nala by herself.

Nala watched with an unsettled frown as Zira left. Did she hear right? Was Zira going to try to become Simba's mate? But why? Though the previous sweet act she had put up with Simba now made more sense Nala couldn't help feeling even worse. Zira was a follower of Scar, why on earth would she want to be Simba's mate?

Was she supposed to warn someone? Simba? Sarabi? Any of the other lionesses? What would that do? And even if she did there was no telling if they would believe her, all of Scar's followers hadn't done or said anything bad since Simba's return after all.

Nala began pacing nervously. Could Zira even succeed though? There was no way Simba would fall for something so fake and ridiculous. The bond she had with him was special and unique, and no one would ever be able to top that, especially after that night they shared in the jungle. So maybe there was no reason to worry in the first place?

Nala let out a shaky breath as she tried to recover her composure. There was no way Simba would fall for that, whatever Zira's plan was it wouldn't work. Then why was she feeling so scared and helpless?

She wanted to believe she was right, but she couldn't.