I.

The dark golden lion approached the queen warily, a look of appraisal on his soft face. As Nala drew nearer she could not help but to observe a familiarity to this stranger. She approached him in a slow manner, making sure he didn't spring. But when the two met eyes his blue ones twinkled.

"Nala," He said in instant recognition, a warmth entering his eyes and voice, "it's been a while."

"Tojo?"

"The one and only. And of course…" Her childhood friend turned to the curious onlookers that flew up and over to examine her. "some feathered friends as well. Come in, you must be thirsty."

"Very." She admitted sheepishly and walked alongside him, admiring his growth over the years.

The pair entered down into a wide space in a sand dune, as their eyes allowed the sight to part in a shadowy view, the distant sound of dripping was heard up ahead. Nala drew in her breath, long trails of water drops drizzled down the insides of a stoned underground. They sparked as they all ran down to a collection of piled rocks and down into the dark pools. Tojo flashed a reassuring smile before he stepped up to a flat boulder platform, and over to pond-like area that shimmered black.

"It's gorgeous," she murmured as her furry lips touched the night water's edge. "Do you…?"

"Drink your fill."

Nala didn't know how much time passed as she swallowed a throat-full of water, wetting down her dry throat and quenching her intense thirst. When she was down she saw Tojo at the edge of the underground cave's mouth. "So this is where you went when he exiled you?" she asked him.

"No," He turned somber as he looked at her. "This is where I escaped to before I got-."

At her frightened look, Tojo placed a paw over hers. "Don't look so alarmed." He smiled to try and calm her. "I have all I need out here. I hunt desert lizards by night, and rest up by daytime."

Nala smiled as the lion let a big yawn escape his mouth, the way it stretched away from his teeth.

"I can't thank you enough." She went on to say. "I…" Her assessment of him was promising.

"What else do you need?" Tojo nudged her gently with his paw. "Anything for an old friend."

"Would you…" Would you return to the Pride lands and challenge a tyrant?

"Ask me, Nala." He encouraged.

She settled for this. "Would you know of any other rogue lions out there?"

"No, sorry, I know the desert fairly well but the next terrain after this is jungle. Of course…" Tojo let a jolt of inspiration take hold. "You could always try to find another friend of mine, Kurou. He lives just on the outside of the jungle. It's half a day on paw, but you'll make it. I always admired that in you Nala…"

She walked up to him smoothly and licked his cheek, causing a rush of color to cross his face. After the sound of laughing twitters faded off, the young lioness looked back at her old friend wistfully, nodded in gratitude and made her way across the already heating up plains. Clouds seemed to ring around the edges of the dark blue sky, but Nala kept her head held high and her hopes even higher as she started outwards.

"Did she suspect anything?" A voice asked calmly from behind him.

"No, Sarafina." Tojo sighed deeply, wishing more than anything he could go after her. "Nothing."

"Good." She said as she walked up beside him, watching her daughter leave with a saddened look. "Good."

"How's the king doing?"

"As usual he's very weak; we may need to get him some sun."

Tojo nodded and the two went to where a large figure stood hulking just five or so feet from the shadowy entrance. They quietly came up to either side of him and nudged their heads under his arms, all they could do was hope that Nala would fulfill her place in the Circle of Life before the forever ill king passed away.

"I haven't seen her since she was a cub," His voice was weak as he hobbled out on his twisted limbs.

"She's grown quite beautifully." Nala's mother agreed. "I'm sure your son sees her among the stars."

"Yes…" He laughed huskily. "Who knew he would be the one looking upon me, though my time is near."

"We'll do all we can to help her." Tojo insisted. "Just like we would do anything for you."

"Yes, anything." Sarafina agreed reverently. "King Mufasa."

The morning sunlight hitting him showed a tired, ruffled-looking lion with white striked on his mane and nose.

To be continued…