"Stop! Don't do this! Please…"

Simba felt like his heart was ripped out of his chest. He looked horrified as his father was attacked by hyenas. He could hear Mufasa's painful roars echoing around the cave.

The little lion cub was too weak to react. He had yelled so loudly that his throat was burning. And no matter how much he tried to get those ugly predators' attention, it was no use. Clan just kept scratching.

Simba turned his head to Shenzi, who watched the show, grinning manically. She noticed Simba's staring and turned her head back at him.

"Well now, what's the matter little princy? You should be thankful that I didn't bite your eyes out in front of your father!"

Simba could only but stare silently. He felt so disgusted as he realized how much Shenzi enjoyed his panicking.

"I think that's enough! Let's see if his highness has learned his lesson!"

Hearing her command made everyone stop. Simba looked heart beating as the army slowly got off from their victim. Soon Mufasa appeared, lying on the ground, covered with blood and scars all over his body.

"Dad! Are you okay?! Let me out!", Simba hit his forepaws against bones. He was so worried that didn't know if he really wanted to get out.

"Always in a hurry. Well, let's be nice and give a nice father and son reunion!", Shenzi yelled and the threw bones away. Simba pushed her aside and ran to Mufasa.

"Dad! Dad, are you all right? Please, say something!", Simba said while pushing his father's head.

Mufasa turned his head slowly, looking weakly at his son. He tried to say something, but only a painful groan came from his mouth. Simba felt tears appearing to his eyes, as he put his head against Mufasa's.

"Dad…I'm so sorry. This is all my fault…", he whispered.

"So touching!", Shenzi wiped her eyes with her paw. Suddenly, started to approach the two royals. Mufasa managed to lift his paw and he pulled Simba close to him, covering his son with his head.

"Listen carefully", Shenzi pointed the two lions with her paw. "You were lucky today since we leave you alive this time. Think about this as a warning. If you don't start to respect us…", she turned to see Simba. "Your brat won't see another day."

Mufasa stared silently, eyes filled with anger. Shenzi turned her back to the king and his son, commanded her clan to follow her and soon hyenas disappeared into the darkness. When Mufasa was sure that they were gone, he let go of Simba.

Both lions were silent for a couple of minutes. Mufasa examined his wounds, Simba just stared at the ground.

This is so uncomfortable…and I don't know how the hell I can talk myself out of this.

When Mufasa examined his wounds and made sure that his legs were able to take the weight, he lifted himself carefully up. He didn't look at Simba, just started to walk away from the cave.

"Let's go home", Mufasa said, still not turning to his son.

"But Dad, you're hurt. Should we at least go to Rafiki"-

"I said, let's go home!", Mufasa responded angrily. That tone made the lion cub's ears droopy.

"Okay…I'm sorry", he managed to whisper. Mufasa turned his head away and started walking, without responding.

Father and son walked away from the graveyard and slowly towards The Pridelands. Their journey was slow since Mufasa's wounds were still bleeding and his legs were hurt. Neither of the lions spoke, one of them was too angry and the younger one was filled with shame.

This was just like the first time I got here…and ever since things have been nothing but a disaster. I broke my grounding, nearly got me and my best friend killed, insulted her and my father almost died when trying to save me from those hyenas. What kind of hero am I?

Simba lifted his head up looked at the sky. It was just almost night, sunset made the sky reddish-purple. This situation was like a copy from the last time he went to the graveyard. But now he had a feeling that now, this incident won't lead into a warm conversation and to stories about Great Spirits. Simba had never seen Mufasa so angry, or at least he didn't remember his father acting like this.

"Dad, we're pals right?"

"Right."

"And we'll always are together, right?"

"But you're not scared of anything…"

Simba felt that his heart was about to shatter. He couldn't take this situation anymore, but he couldn't show his weakness to Mufasa. But no matter how hard he tried to pretend to be brave and clever, it wasn't enough.

"Dad…I know you won't speak to me, but I want to say that I'm sorry."

Mufasa just kept walking, not paying any attention to Simba.

"And I feel really guilty that I disobeyed you and Mom and took Nala with me."

Still no answer. Simba started to feel angry.

"Would you please listen to me?! I know that you've hurt Dad, but if you just would listen and not treating me like I'm invisible!"

That made Mufasa stop. But he didn't turn his head.

"Alright, fine! Act like a child Dad! And you are saying that I'm like a stubborn teen here! Well, at least it's not a big secret where I got those genes from!"

Suddenly Mufasa turned around and limped to his son, eyes burning. Simba got so scared that he backed away.

"Aren't you having enough Simba?!", Mufasa gritted his teeth. "Since yesterday, your behavior has been anything, but normal! First, you say that we are dead, next you can't suddenly eat meat, come home late from only God knows where and most of all, you break your grounding, nearly get yourself, Nala and I killed because you have some strange issues with yourself! How do you really think that I should react in a situation like this?!"

Simba stared at Mufasa, not knowing what to say. His father was right, his behavior was silly and anything, but logical. He wanted to tell him so bad what caused it, but Rafiki had denied him.

"I…I don't know what to say", he answered.

Mufasa closed his eyes and shook his head.

"Neither do I son. I don't know what wrong your mother I have done that you treat us like this. I thought that we gave you enough love and freedom. But I guess I'm horribly wrong…"

"Please Dad, don't say that! This is not your or Mom's fault! If you want to blame someone, it's me only."

Mufasa opened his eyes, looking at Simba sadly.

"Simba…Nala said that you had a really good reason why go to the elephant graveyard. I want to know what that is."

Simba felt his body getting cold. Not this again. Nala was easy, but refusing to tell Mufasa was a totally different thing.

"I…", he mumbled.

"Yes? I asked you a question son. Why did you want to go to the graveyard?", Mufasa repeated.

"Dad…I can't tell you. I already said Nala this, and I have to say you the same."

Mufasa stared at his son, face filled with shock. He was surprised that Simba was against him. Usually, there was nothing, what they couldn't tell each other.

"Why? Simba, my patience is really done. If you still continue your acting, I don't know what I do."

"But it's the truth! I can't tell you yet! And even if I did, you wouldn't believe me!", Simba yelled.

Mufasa covered his face with his paw. This whole thing was giving him a headache.

"I think that this isn't the right moment to talk about this. I'm tired, hurt and angry. We go home now, your mother and I will have a serious talk tomorrow."

Simba didn't bother to respond. He just rolled his eyes and started to walk in front of his father.

"And you aren't allowed to go anywhere without me or your mother. Not to the waterhole, to play or anywhere! Is that clear?", Mufasa asked.

"Yes Dad," Simba sighed. This was the worst day in his…well, in the second life.

When father and son reached to Pride Rock, Simba was too deep in his thoughts that didn't saw a dark figure looking at him, green eyes glowing. When Mufasa and Simba disappeared to the den, the figure went down from Pride Rock and walked through the grass. Soon, the elephant graveyard appeared before him.

Nice try Simba. Did you really think that I would be so stupid that I would blow my connections with hyenas to two stupid cubs? You maybe got out this time, but your little heart is about silence for good.

But little this villain knew, that his little nephew would be the greatest challenge yet, what he had never experienced before in his life.

TBC...