A/N: Thank you all so much for the reviews and alerts. Here's ch 10 for ya and as usual see ch 1 for disclaimer. Enjoy.

Ch 10 A Small Hitch

As Scar raised his paw to end Simba's life suddenly Zira grabbed his paw, stopping him. "What the Hell are you doing?!" Scar hissed, yanking his paw away.

"Scar I've been thinking," Zira said, making sure she kept her voice low. "And well I'm just not ok with killing Simba."

"Zira," Scar snarled. "You don't want to challenge me on this."

"Just hear me out Scar," Zira pleaded. "What if instead of killing him we sort of take him in. You know mold and shape him to our standards. That way he'll be more like our cub than Mufasa's."

"There no way Sarabi will go for that," Scar declared.

"Then don't give her a choice," Zira said. "Just tell her its either we take Simba in or he's out along with Tojo and Malka. Can't have to many males around now can we?"

"Zira I don't have the authority to do that," Scar pointed out.

"Yes but Sarabi doesn't know that," Zira pointed out. "Trust me Scar this is the best thing for everyone."

"Hmm," Scar said, rubbing his chin on thought. "You may have a point Zira. Very well that's what we'll do then."

"I'm glad you agree with me," Zira said with a smile.

"Simba come here," Scar called out, using a commanding yet not to rough voice.

"Yeah Uncle Scar?" Simba said, bounding up to Scar.

"Its time to begin your lessons," Scar declared. "Now the first thing we're going to do is go over what Mufasa has already taught you."

"Well," Simba said, wrinkling his brow in thought. "Dad said that we should always respect the Circle of Life and that every animal is important and plays a role in the Circle no matter how small. So we should have respect for all animals."

"That's wrong!" Scar boomed, surprising Simba.

"Wh..what do you mean?" Simba asked, the confusion clear in his voice. "My Dad said..."

"Simba lets get a few things straight here," Scar said, putting his paw under Simba's chin and forcing him to look at him. "Your father isn't King anymore. I am King and I determine what's right and wrong. And if you still want to be heir to the throne then you'll listen to me and not question me. Understand?"

"B-but I thought you were just temporary King," Simba stammered.

"No," Scar lied. "I'm not temporary King. Simba I though your mother would have told you by now."

"Told me what?" Simba asked, his voice low.

"Your father isn't going to get better," Scar lied. "Rafiki said that his brain will never fully recover from the injuries he sustained."

"Oh no," Simba whispered, his amber eyes wide. "This is all my fault."

"Yes," Scar said, without emotion. "And that's why you can never let your mother or anyone else know that you know the truth. Wouldn't want them to get even more angry with you."

"They're angry with me?" Simba said softly.

"Why wouldn't they be?" Scar asked. "After all if it wasn't for you Mufasa never would have gotten hurt."

"B-but I didn't mean for it to happen," Simba stammered, the tears coming down his face.

"Oh my dear boy I know that," Scar said, pulling Simba close and patting his back. "That's why I want to teach you myself. I'm the only one that knows what really happen and is truly on your side. Well me and Zira."

"You're not mad at me Aunt Zira?" Simba asked, looking at Zira.

"Of course not dear boy," Zira said, giving Simba a nuzzle. "And don't worry dear boy I would never replace you like your mother."

"What do you mean?" Simba asked, the confusion clear in his voice.

"Why your mother is having another cub," Zira informed the young Prince. "Didn't you know that?"

"No," Simba said, shaking his head. "Why wouldn't Mom tell me?"

"Probably because she doesn't consider you family anymore," Scar said like it was no big deal. "At least that's my only explanation." Just then Sarabi came running onto the scene.

"Simba there you are," the tan coated lioness said, panting for breath. "You're..."

"Are you having another cub?" Simba demanded, causing Sarabi's eyes to widen with surprise.

"Who told you that?" Sarabi asked, looking at Scar and Zira.

"Does it really matter?" Simba asked roughly. "Are you and Dad having another cub or not?"

"Well yes," Sarabi said. "But..."

"And you didn't feel the need to tell me?" Simba demanded, his voice shaking with emotions.

"Simba I..." Sarabi began. "Its just that with everything that's going on with your father I..."

"Oh," Simba said softly, thinking Sarabi didn't tell him because she was angry at him. "Its ok Mom. I get it."

"Good," Sarabi said with a smile. "Come its time to go home."

"Oh come now Sarabi," Scar said. "Its still light out and will be for hours."

"Yes I hardly think its fair for you to keep Simba all cooped up in the cave," Zira chimed in.

"Zira," Sarabi growled, glaring at the younger lioness. "I'm Simba's mother and I know what's best for him. Now come along Simba." Without another word Sarabi picked Simba up by his scruff and carried him away.

"We'll fix this once we get home," Zira said, glaring at Sarabi as she walked away. Scar said nothing. Instead he let out a low growl and walked away. "Where are you going?" Zira called out.

"To the Outlands," was Scar's reply as he disappeared into the shadows.

TLKTLKTLK

Meanwhile Sarabi had arrived back at Pride Rock and placed Simba on the ground. "Hey Simba," Mufasa said with a smile. "Did you have fun today?"

"Yeah it was ok I guess," Simba said with a shrug. "Would've been better if Mom would've told me about having another cub though."

"Simba!" Sarabi hissed, giving her son a look.

"You're pregnant?" Mufasa said, his amber eyes huge with surprise.

"Yes Mufasa," Sarabi said. "We're having another cub."

"Oh," was all Mufasa said. "I guess I should be happy."

"But you're not?" Sarabi said softly.

"Not really," Mufasa answered with a shrug. "I honestly don't care."

"Mufasa!" Sarabi cried out. "That's a terrible thing to say! How can you say you don't care about your own cub!"

"Sarabi" Mufasa said, rolling his amber eyes. "That cub isn't mine. I'm just a cub myself silly. I can't have cubs."

"Oh," Sarabi said with a sigh as she realized Mufasa was back in his cub state of mind. "Well I should let you rest Mufasa." With that Sarabi gave Mufasa a nuzzle and stood and walked away. Simba got up and followed his mother outside.

"Mom?" Simba began.

"Simba you had no right telling Mufasa I was having another cub!" Sarabi shouted, causing her son to jump.

"Mom I'm sorry," Simba said, his voice shaking. "I though he knew already."

"Well he didn't," Sarabi snapped. "I didn't want to tell him because I knew it would confuse him and make him revert back to his cub self. And that's exactly what happened!"

"Mom I didn't mean to.." Simba began. But the tears prevented him from speaking and he ran away from his mother.

"Sarabi," Sarafina said, coming onto the scene with Asha and Jasiri right behind her. "That was uncalled for," the creamy lioness continued.

"Yes you can hardly blame Simba for what just happened," Asha put in.

"I know," Sarabi said with a sigh. "I feel awful. I need to find him and apologize." Sarabi took a step but a wave of dizziness over came her and she stopped and shut her eyes.

"I think you should rest Sara'," Sarafina said gently. "All this stress isn't good for the cub."

"I suppose you're right," Sarabi said with another sigh. "I should rest." With that Sarabi went inside the cave to rest.

TLKTLKTLK

Simba ran until he couldn't catch his breath. Flopping to the ground the golden cub realized he was right at the gorge's edge. Putting his head on his paws Simba began to cry. After a few minutes he felt a paw on his shoulder. Looking up Simba saw Nala sitting there.

"Simba what's wrong?" the creamy coated cub asked. "Did something happen with your Dad?"

"No," Simba sniffled, wiping his eyes. "But my Mom hates me."

"Simba that's not true," Nala said, shocked that her friend was saying this.

"Yes it is Nala," Simba hiccuped. "She didn't tell me that she was having another cub and she got really mad at me and yelled at me. She's been doing that a lot lately. She's hates me and I don't blame her."

"Simba I'm sure your Mom doesn't hate you," Nala tried again.

"Nala you don't understand," Simba said softly.

"What?" Nala asked when Simba didn't continue. "What don't I understand Simba?"

"N..nothing," Simba said quickly, remembering Scar's words from before. "I'm sorry Nala. I'm just upset that's all."

"Its ok Simba," Nala said with a smile. The creamy cub stared at Simba for a minute and could tell that he wanted to tell her something. "You know Simba," she began. "You can tell me anything and I won't tell anyone. You know that right?"

"Yeah I know," Simba said with a smile. "But I'm ok Nala. Really I am. Can we just forget about it please?"

"Sure Simba," Nala said, knowing it would be pointless to push the matter. "Lets go find Tama, Tojo and Malka and play."

"Good idea," Simba said. With that the two cubs raced off to find their friends.

TLKTLKTLK

Meanwhile back at Pride Rock Scar and Zira had returned from their meeting with the hyenas. The King and Queen then went in search of Sarabi. "Sarabi may we spake to you?" Zira said.

"What do you want?' Sarabi snapped, glaring at the couple.

"Not here," Scar said, indicating the sleeping Mufasa.

"Can't it wait?" Sarabi asked, the irritation clear in her voice. "I've had a ver stressful day and I don't need anymore from you."

"No it can't wait," Scar snapped.

"Very well," Sarabi said, standing and following Scar and Zira to the other side of the cave. "Alright what do you want?"

"Only to tell you that you have one less thing to worry about," Scar said simply.

"Scar," Sarabi said with irritation. "What the Hell are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about Simba," Scar said, causing Sarabi's eyes to widen. "We're going to take him off your paws my dear."

"What does that mean?" Sarabi growled.

"It means," Scar said. "That Zira and I will be taking Simba and raising him ourselves."

A/N well there you have it folks. Ch 10 complete. Did you enjoy it? Let me know in a review please.