CHAPTER 4
Looking down at her sleeping face Scar took note of how peaceful she looked resting within his arms. Warmth filled his chest as he watched her turn into his chest, her small pale hand reaching out to touch his tan chest over his heart. That act made him smile, holding her a little tighter to him. He simply sat there gently stroking her cheek with his thumb, enjoying the moment of peace.
Placing the babe in the makeshift bed, he shifted into his lion form and curled around her placing his head close to hers. He quickly fell asleep after that.
Morning came quickly, too quickly for Scar's taste. He needed to take the small cub to pride rock. Although he found himself fond of the little cub it happened to be for her best interest for he could not, no matter how he wished he could, take care of her properly. It secretly amazed him how attached he became to this child in the manner of a few hours. He could not care for her in the way she needed at this moment; she was nothing but a babe that needed a lioness to provide her with the proper nutrition.
It had crossed his mind, briefly, to take her to the outlands where his "pride" of outcasts lived but he couldn't bring himself to take her to such a place. It was dark there, most didn't care for any others needs than their own, and he doubted that any of the lionesses would be so willing to nurse a cub that wasn't their own. But his brother's pride were different for none of them were outcasts and they had never felt the sting of betrayal like those of his pride had.
So it became his only choice. Hopefully he would still be able to see the little cub every once in a while. He couldn't explain it but he found himself caring for the cub as if she were his own.
With a large yawn and a quick stretch, he shook out his luscious mane. He looked out to see that it was still raining and from the looks of it, it was going to stay awhile.
Still feeling a little tired he quickly shook out his fur before stretching again with one final yawn.
The little cub had shifted in the middle of the night back into her lion form, no doubt unable to keep it up when sleeping. He was still impressed and he had no doubt that she would one day be a very powerful lioness when she grew up.
Though he wished to keep the cub a little longer he knew that when she woke up that she would be hunger and the only way she would be able to get food was by being nursed, something he couldn't and never would be able to do. Her only chance at a good and healthy life was for him to take her to his brother's pride.
Not wishing for the small cub to get sick he wrapped her in the blanket a few time while being careful in being able to let her breathe. He then set her in another blanket which he used so as to carry her, much like how the fabled stork brought people their babies. With the blanket in his mouth he slowly made his way towards the entrance of the cave, not really wanting to get wet.
With a groan he left the cave, moving quickly but not running so as not to wake her up, Scar made his way to pride rock. The rain had lessened from what it had been the night before but it was far from over, no doubt going to linger for another day or two.
In little less than an hour Scar appeared at his old home. His eyes darkening and his heart filling with hate as he looked around. He shook as he came under the large rock, not wishing to wait for his brother in the rain. His brother no doubt knew that he was here thanks to that pesky bird of his. The longer he stayed within the shadow of his old home, the darker his mood became.
Lying down, Scar pulled the cub to him, laying her between his front legs. She slept peacefully, undisturbed by the weather. He found himself becoming jealous, his brother's pride didn't deserve such a sweet and pure creature. A low growl rose in his chest at his growing anger.
At the sound the small cub stirred from its sleep with a whimper. The sadness of the sound caused Scar to feel guilty for disturbing her. He purred softly rubbing his cheek against her head; try to ease her sadness as well as to apologize.
He didn't understand why he cared for the cub so deeply, maybe because he could relate to her after all they had both done something wrong from birth. The difference was that he had lived through the hate whereas she had simply been abandoned, it would be her blessing and curse. She would be saved from being thrown out of her pride and becoming an outcast, yet she would be left with the unanswered question of why.
Nuzzling the cub and offering her a gentle purr. "I won't be far," he whispered the promise. And he wouldn't, he would not abandon her, even if he were not around he would watch out for her and offer her anything he could.
The moment was interrupted by a gruff, and purposeful, clearing of one's throat. Lazily Scar turned a glare up towards his brother. Rustic red hair fell flat against his broad shoulders, his deep crimson eyes leering down at him. His brother was large in shape with thick muscle lining his massive form; one would doubt they were related when compared. Mufasa embodied perfection for their species; he was powerful in every meaning of the word and considerable good looking as declared by all the lioness within the pride. Wearing deep burgundy pants the waistline came up past his hips cover his navel while draped lazily over his chest was a fur lined shae.
"What right do you have trespassing!?" squawked a shrill male voice. Peaking around Mufasa stood the cowering bird Zazu, his thin form half the size of Mufasa's. Feathered hair stuck to his forehead in a mix of silvery blue and black, while yellow and red marked his snowy cheeks lining his black eyes.
A low growl erupted from his chest, the sound caused the small demon to shriek while hiding behind Mufasa. As much as the sight amused him the cry that met his ears made them drop.
"Shh it's alright," he whispered a purr at the back of his throat as he nuzzled the demon babe.
"A cub!?" Zazu shrieked making both lions turn glares in his direction. Under the heat of their irritation the bird demon shrank into himself and looked away.
"What is the meaning of this Scar?" Mufasa asked, although it sounded as a demand. And it no doubt was, the larger of the brothers had always been that way, when he spoke he wanted answers.
"What does it look like?" Came Scar's sarcastic reply only for his brother to growl angrily. "It's a child, what else,"
"And why have you brought it here?" He asked looking down his nose at the two.
Scar forced himself not to growl, he didn't wish to fight, a fight he would almost always lose because of his brother's physical prowess. "She is not it, and I brought Kagome here because I had found her within your lands. She is incapable of caring for herself at this time and after all, it is your place to care for those within your territory," he stated dryly. This would no doubt be the only way to get him to accept the cub but he had to ensure Kagome would be cared for even if he was forcing his brother to take her as his ward.
There were a huff and Scar shifted, scooping the cub into his arms he held her while staring straight into his brother curious eyes.
"Zazu take the cub and have Layhla begin caring for the cub," the bird looked to Mufasa in awe and when the lion looked down at him he scurried to complete his orders. Shaking the demon stood in front of Scar his arms outstretched to take the girl with actually taking her from him.
Looking down at the cub tired blue eyes blinked up at him and a paw came up gently patting his chin. He couldn't stop the amused huff of air. The cub seemed to be so intoned with the world around her. His heart clenched tightly as he passed her along, not at all ready to let go but know he had to.
Once he had the girl he looked as if he would drop her, his thin arms barely able to support her. He turned on his heel and scurried away, Scar could only watch sadly as she was no longer in sight.
"Layhla? She'll be good to Kagome right?" He asked compelled to ensure the cub's safety.
Mufasa nodded. "Yes, Layhla recently lost her own cub while birthing, she is more than capable of caring for the girl though," he stated flatly.
Scar stared at his brother. He was forcing Kagome upon a woman in mourning, the woman could very well become violent or upset as she had to care for someone else's cub while hers had perished. It didn't sit well with him but he kept his opinion to himself, he'd just have to check in on her regularly.
"Worry not brother, the girl is now my ward and will be cared for,"
"For how long though?" Green eyes narrowed bitterly causing crimson to glare back at him. Turning on his heel he began what would be his journey home but was stopped by a large hand gripping his shoulder. He glared at the tanned appendage before jerking his shoulder, forcefully removing the tight grip the demon had tried to use to keep him in place.
"Sarabi and I didn't see you at the presentation of Simba,"
"When was that again?" he asked in an innocently mocking tone while rolling his eyes. There wasn't any reason for him to have been there, it was nothing more than a reminder how far he was from being King, a position he should be sharing with his brother.
"Yesterday," he growled.
"Really? Oh, I feel absolutely awful," the mocking tone silly dripping from his false sympathy. "Must've slipped my mind,"
There was a squawk forcing the two to look back at the returning Zazu, Scar rolling his eyes at him. "Yes, well, as slippery as your mind is, as the king's brother, you should have been first in line!"
"I was first in line. Until the little hairball was born,"
"That hairball is my son and your future king," Mufasa growled.
"Oh, I shall remember to practice my curtsy," there was another rolling of green eyes forcing the larger lion to glare at his brother while a low growl rumbled in his throat as Scar turned away ready to leave.
"Don't turn your back on me, Scar," his growl in forcing the warning.
Looking over his shoulder green eyes clashed definitely against the raging crimson of his brother. "Oh but perhaps it is you who shouldn't turn your back to me,"
Mufasa lept forward, flash stepping in front of the shorter lion demon as he leered down at the male threateningly. His clawed hand twitching. "Is that a challenge?!"
Scar gave a humorless huff as he walked around him both of them maintaining eye contact. "Temper, temper brother. I wouldn't dream of challenging you, again,"
"Why not? You scared," The bird taunted.
"I wouldn't wish to be gifted with another scar anytime soon," Scar snarled while stalking the smaller demon, forcing him to shrink backward. "Besides as far as brains go, I've got the lion's share. But sadly when it comes to brute strength it seems at the shallow end of the gene pool," With a glare pinned to the bird he huffed. The bird was filled with nothing more than hot air and not worth the breath he had just wasted on him.
Turning his eyes lingered on his brother who had never taken his eyes off of him. Jumping from the small edge he shifted midair and simply sulked away.
Zazu sighed relief. Although Scar wasn't the strongest lion, he sure was stronger than himself, and it wouldn't take much more than a swipe of his claws to end his life. " There's one in every family, sire - two in mine, actually - and they always manage to ruin special occasions,"
Mufasa watched after his brother, guilt flashing within his crimson gaze. No matter what the past could not be undone, now much older he regretted how he had acted towards taking control of the pride his father's words having weighted heavily on his young mind. He could have actually used his bothers help now more than ever with controlling the large territory. "What am I going to do with him?" Even if he could, an apology at this point would probably do more harm than anything, but he would have to begin that process of healing his relationship with his brother.
"He'd make a very handsome throw rug," Zazu gleamed.
"Zazu!" The lion chuckled before clapping a hand to the birds back.
"And just think! Whenever he gets dirty, you could take him out and beat him,"
This forced a hearty, booming laugh to erupt in Mufasa's chest the sound echoing the cave as they made their way back inside.