As time went on the pride adjusted well to Mufasa's rule. Even the once outsiders soon became part of the pride again. Mufasa, despite his own worries, was a very good king. Since he became king not many predators dare provoke him. It was a sunny day in the Savannah when Mufasa and Scar sat at the top of pride rock. "Are you sure you want to do this Scar?" Mufasa asked, "You can stay here,".
"I'm positive big brother," Scar said, "after all I'm sure you and Sarabi will be happy if there is a bit more room in the den,".
"Where will you go?" Mufasa asked.
"Just to that mountain on the other side of the pride lands," Scar answered, "it's nice and peaceful there,".
"It's time for noon patrols Mufasa," Sarabi reminded him walking out of the den, "I'm gonna meet up with Sarafina at the water hole,".
"See ya around big brother," Scar said and headed to his new, secluded home.
"Where's he off to?" Sarabi asked.
"He's leaving the den," Mufasa answered as he nuzzled his queen and headed off on patrols. Sarabi reached the water hole and a few lionesses were laying around.
"Sarabi, hi," Sarafina said as she padded over to her.
"Hi Sarafina," she greeted back and then lapped up some water.
"We have a new comer with us today," Sarafina said nodding her head toward Zira who was laying on her side in the sun.
"Wow, she's either at Scar's side or in the den," Sarabi said as she walked over to her, "Hi Zira,".
Zira looked up blocking the sun from her eyes with her paw, "Oh hello your Majesty,".
"No need to be formal Zira," Sarabi said laying beside her, "where pretty much sister-in-laws,".
"But Scar and I have yet to marry," Zira asked confused.
"True, but it could happen in time," Sarabi said, "I can tell he loves you a lot,".
"I love him too," Zira said with a smile.
"So are you staying in his new den with him?" Sarabi asked.
"New den?" Zira asked puzzled.
"He didn't tell you?" Sarabi asked a bit surprised, "he moved out of the lion den,".
"Where is his new den?" Zira asked standing up.
"I'm not sure, but when I left he was headed for the mountain across the land," Sarabi answered as her friend Serafina laid beside her.
"I should go see him," Zira said as she turned to go but then looked back, "thank for letting me know Sarabi,". She nodded and Zira headed off toward the mountain. She reached the mountain and headed up the winding path around it. "Scar?!" she called as she reached the top.
"Over here," Scar answered. She walked over to him. He was sitting at the edge of the mountain den looking out over the savannah. "How did you find me?".
"I was resting at the water hole when Sarabi came over to me and said you had left the den and headed here,".
"You were at the watering hole?" Scar asked intrigued.
"Yes, since mother got sick it's hard to rest with her sneezing and hacking,".
"Is she still not feeling well?" Scar asked.
"No she's getting worse," Zira said fighting the feeling of worry she had.
"Well I'm sure I've come up with a plan that will make her proud once she's back on her paws again," Scar said in an attempt to cheer up his mate.
"You do?" Zira asked.
"Follow me," Scar said as he padded into his new den with Zira right behind him. As they walked in, in the back of the den she saw three pairs of glowing, yellow eyes. "Come on out," Scar ordered and three young hyena's padded out. One laughing like he couldn't really stop. He even had a goofy look on his face. "Zira, meet Shenzi," he pointed to the female hyena, "Banzai and Ed," he pointed to the two male hyenas.
"I think I saw them around the elephant graveyard before," Zira said.
"Yes, with these three promising hyenas we may just be able to end my brother and claim pride rock as our's," Scar said with pride in his eyes.
"Well your brother is out patrolling right now," Zira pointed out.
"They're not ready yet," Scar said, "but, with some time and training they will be and when the time comes Mufasa will be killed,".
A few days later Zira stood outside the cave in the den she and her mother had shared. She was accompanied by Scar, Mufasa, and Sarabi. She paced the den floor as she waited for Rafiki to come out and tell them the fate of her mother. The old monkey walked out with a somber look on his face. Zira's heart broke. "No,".
"I am sorry Zira," he said, "your mother has very little time left. You should go say your goodbye to her now,". Sarabi seeing this scene decided she needed to do it in private.
"Scar, Mufasa, let's all give her some privacy,". The two lions nodded and they all three padded away as Zira walked into the den.
"Mother?" she called as she padded up to her. She was laying on her side on a stone slab. Her coat was paler than usual. Bionca slowly opened her eyes.
"Z-Zira?".
"Yes mother, it's me," Zira said going closer to her side.
"My sw-sweet little girl," Bionca turned her head and hacked a cough, "I'm afraid m-my time is ending dear,".
"Mother no," Zira pleaded as tears formed in her eyes.
"N-now, none of that," Bionca said as she took a deep breathe, "You remember what I taught you and who you t-truly are my child,".
"I will mother, I promise," Zira said as tears rolled down her cheek. Bionca touched her paw to Zira's cheek.
"M-make me proud from up there Z-Zira," and with that Bionca's eyes closed and her head fell as her heart stopped.
"Mother!" Zira collapsed on top of the body that use to be her mother and cried. That night Zira sat at the top of pride rock just staring out into space as Mufasa and Scar argued at the bottom of the rock. Scar wanted Bionca placed in the water just like all royals who passed, but Mufasa didn't feel right about it since Bionca wasn't a queen lioness nor the actual mother-in-law to any royal pride member. Sarabi walked out and set beside her.
"I'm truly sorry about your mother Zira," She said. She just nodded. "I may have some news that might cheer you up," Sarabi said. Zira looked up at her with confusion.
"What news?".
"Well Mufasa wanted to wait, but I gotta tell someone," Sarabi said, "We're withcub!".
"W-what?" Zira asked not sure she heard right.
"You're gonna be an aunt," Sarabi said, "so to speak,".
"Oh, uh well congratulations," was all Zira could bring herself to say, "well it's been a bad day, I'm gonna head home,". She jumped down and went over to the bickering brothers and nuzzled Scar. "Please stop fussing, let her be placed in the grass. The whole circle of life thing,". Scar a little confused nodded and they headed back to their den.
"Why would you have me give up arguing for the right goodbye for your mother?" Scar asked.
"Because we've failed her Scar," Zira said.
"How?" Scar asked confused.
"Brace yourself Scar," she warned looking into his eyes, "You're gonna be an uncle,". With that more tears formed and she rushed the rest of the way home leaving Scar behind stunned.