PAST

Bright and early in the morning, Scar stretched and yawned. He glanced over to his left and smiled. Zira was sleeping peacefully beside him. For once in his cold, devious life, Scar felt a fluttery joyful feeling in his heart. He successfully won Zira over; he couldn't possibly have asked for a better companion. Zira, though over a decade younger than Scar, possessed the wisdom, inner strength, confidence and dignity of an old female who's gone to hell and back…and survived through it all. Scar walked over towards a wall and began sharpening his nails. The screechy sound disturbed Zira's sleep.

"Oh, Scar you startled me," she murmured.

"I'm sorry, dear," Scar said." I didn't mean to wake you."

"It's alright," Zira responded, in the middle of a yawn.

Scar walked back over towards her and cuddled with her.

"I can't believe I made love for the first time last night," Scar said, smiling." I'm glad that I shared it with you."

"It was just as much my pleasure as it was yours," Zira told him.

"So, you don't think I'm pathetic for remaining a virgin for so long?" Scar asked.

"Not at all," Zira assured him." I think it's wonderful."

The couple rejoiced in their new love together. For a very long time after that, Scar and Zira were completely inseparable. They talked, dined together, walked together, bathed together and slept together. Scar was proud to have found a lover as magnificent and astonishing as Zira. She meant the world to him. Scar, indeed, possessed a large load of dark hatred in his soul but there was a small spot of light embedded in the core of all that darkness. That 'spot of light' was called 'love' and he reserved it exclusively for Zira.

Zira was very much in love with Scar as well. Although she did try her best to make time for her sisters, her nieces and her new best friends, Sarabi and Sarafina, there was nothing she valued more than being with Scar. She had finally let her guard down to return the love she was getting from him.

One morning, Scar walked through the savannahs towards the carcass of an elephant the pride brought down. All of the lionesses and hyenas have eaten their fill. Normally, Scar felt as though he was entitled to the first bite simply because he was the king, but being that he overslept this morning, he didn't make a huge fuss. Zira stood alone by the carcass and smiled as her true love came towards her.

"Good morning, my love," Zira greeted him." Sleep well?"

"Yes, sweetheart," Scar replied.

"I made sure everyone saved you your favorite parts…..the intestines," Zira said.

"Thanks darling."

Scar helped himself to his breakfast. When he finished eating, Zira helped him clean remnants of the meal from his face by licking his snout. Scar looked at Zira all over. She had an unusual yet beautiful glow to her fur; and it didn't just come from the sunlight.

"Zira, you look very full, darling," Scar commented.

Zira looked down at her slightly puffed-up belly.

"My tummy isn't big from overeating, Scar," she said, with a slight chuckle.

Scar was a bit confused." What do you mean?"

"I'm pregnant," Zira revealed.

Scar's jaw dropped in mere amazement. He couldn't believe his ears.

Did Zira just inform me that I'm going to be a father? Scar thought. I'm going to have a cub? An heir to the throne?

Zira interrupted his thoughts." Honey, please say something."

"Well Zira….I'm happy, I'm shocked," Scar responded." This is the greatest thing that's ever happened to me."

Zira was very happy to hear Scar say that.

"I'm so full of joy," Zira stated, with tears in her eyes." I've been given a second chance at motherhood and this time…I know this little one will be safe and protected. When he or she is born, we'll be the proudest parents alive. I love you, Scar."

Scar smiled at Zira for a few seconds and then said." Well, since we're expecting a cub soon, we must welcome it into the world the traditional way. So, if you love me, you would do me the honor of being my queen…will you marry me, Zira?"

"Yes Scar," Zira replied, full of emotion." Nothing else in the world would give me more joy."

They embraced each other firmly.

Moments later, they walked side by side through the grasslands, dwelling in their love for each other. They stumbled upon two of Zira's nieces, Nia and Afua, wrestling with each other and playing a game of "predator and prey". Zira nearly tripped.

"Children!" Zira scolded them.

"Oh, sorry Aunt Zira," Afua said.

"We were just playing around," Nia added.

"It's okay, sweetheart," Zira said.

"Will you girls do your Uncle Scar a favor?" Scar asked.

"Okay, sure," Nia nodded.

"Find your mommies and aunties and tell them to gather everyone together," Scar told them." Your Aunt Zira and I have an important announcement to make."

"No problem!"

Scar and Zira smiled at the two cubs as they hurried off to do as told.

A little while later, Scar and Zira stood together on a large, rocky platform that served as a natural 'stage'. The lionesses and hyenas served as the audience.

"As King of Pride Rock, I have an announcement to make," Scar declared." As a matter of fact, I have an introduction to make. Hyenas and lionesses, feast your eyes on my darling, the love of my life, my bride-to-be, your future queen…..Zira!"

Since lions don't clap, they gave their round of applause by roaring out loud. The hyenas cackled and cheered. Zira humbly yet proudly beamed as if to say 'thank you'. Zira's sisters and nieces were very excited for her. Sarabi and Sarafina were happy for Zira as well; however, they had mixed feelings about the engagement. For some reason, they both felt as though Zira could have done much better than Scar.

Nevertheless, they also took into consideration how Zira felt about him and it was tremendously obvious that she was truly in love. Therefore, if marrying Scar would make Zira happy, how can anyone not be happy for her?

The next day, Zazu was sent by Scar to seek Rafiki. When they returned, a wedding ceremony was performed. Once again, there was a lioness/hyena audience. Similar to the traditional human wedding, Shenzi, Banzai and Ed stood beside the groom(Scar) and Sabra, Sadaka, Pulika, Badu, Sarabi and Sarafina all stood the bride(Zira). At last, Zira and Scar were officially married, therefore, making Zira a queen.

This was undeniably the happiest day of Zira's life. She was the new queen, married to her true love and pregnant with his cub. She couldn't have asked for a better blessing. However, little did she know, her happiness and her love for Scar was bound to come with a huge cost. To make matters more complicated, Zira was dangerously in love with her new husband. The things she'd do or say to please him would be frighteningly unpredictable. Why did Zira believe that she belonged to Scar? How can she rationalize this? As far as she was concerned, her heart was under Scar's spell and he was the only one for her. Will Zira be willing to lose her confidence, her dignity and most importantly, her soul in the name of love and in the name of 'Scar'?