A/N: Wow. It's been a while and I'm sorry. My mother had an operation and I've had to care for her. She's better now. Anyways, onto the story!


"So, this Hakuna Matata thing, what is it?" Simba asked.

Timon smiled and said, "Hakuna Matata. It means 'no worries'."

Simba snuggled closer to the warmth his new friends created and sighed.

He was grateful for some warmth and shelter. The three got used to each other rather quickly and he liked his new friends. Although, he still missed Nala and worried for her.

Timon and Pumbaa had taught him how to eat bugs and worms instead of meat. Sometimes he would crave it, but he would never think of eating either of them; they had saved his life.

"So, uh, Simba," Timon began.

"Yeah, Timon?"

"Tell us about your family. What happened?"

Simba looked away. The incident with Sefu had happened only two days ago, and he was grateful they had given him time to recover from the shock and fear. He took a deep breath.

"Well, my pride was going on a sort of trip and...and my best friend's dad betrayed us."

"How?" Pumbaa asked, curiousity in his voice.

"...It turned out he had his own pride and they abushed us...Uncle Scar was right." He said that last part in a whisper and Timon and Pumbaa barely heard him. They had heard Simba mention his uncle in his sleep, along with a certain Nala and his father and mother.

Timon paused a moment before asking, "Was all your family..."

"Killed?" Simba offered.

"I was going to say hurt."

"Yeah, right."

"Well?"

"No. Uncle Scar stayed at Pride Rock and..." Suddenly, a thought occured to Simba and he smiled.

"I got it! We'll go to the pridelands, find Uncle Scar, and we'll all overthrown Sefu!" he announced. Timon and Pumbaa looked at each other before returning their gaze to Simba.

"Not that it's not a great idea, Simba, but...perhaps your uncle..." Timon paused, unsure of how to let Simba know what he was thinking.

Simba's smile was beginning to fade as Timon's became more serious, "What? He what?"

"Well, if this Sefu guy is as bad as you say he is, and he has a pride of his own, and your uncle is all alone...Don't you think Sefu may have...killed...him?"

Simba felt his heart clench and his mouth drop. No. His uncle was too determined and enduring to have died that way. He knew. But...it was a possibility. No, more than that. It might as well be truth. Who was he kidding? If his father, the king, couldn't take Sefu out, than how in the world could his uncle? Sefu probably already fed him to the hyenas for all he knew. Scar was probably only bones by now...

"NO. My uncle's very strong. And smart. He wouldn't let Sefu get the best of him. I know." Simba said confidently.

"But, Simba-" Pumbaa began.

"NO. We're going to the pridelands. And we better get going if we want to get there before nightfall." With that, the young prince made his way out of the jungle. Timon and Pumbaa, having promised to care for him, followed soon after.


"So, what now?" Tumaini asked Sarabi.

The two had gone into the jungle once Sarabi felt she could walk. They were very exhausted and hurt, but they were healing. There was still no sign of Mufasa, or Simba. And fortunately, none of Sefu's pride either.

Sarabi exhaled, "Well, we could return to the pridelands, but I'm sure Sefu has probably taken over by now. And we are not yet strong enough to fight back. Plus, we are out numbered. The only thing we can do is stay here, recover, and...wait for a miracle."

Tumaini frowned. She had never heard her friend be so negative. But her words rang true; there was nothing they could do.

Tumaini sighed, "Well, I am going to hunt us something to eat. I'll be back before sundown."

"Are you sure?"

"Sarabi, we haven't eaten since two days ago, and I'm sure there is not another lion in the jungle besides us. You should stay here, so you can heal sooner."

"Alright. Be careful."

Tumaini nodded before disappearing into the jungle. Sarabi sighed. She knew her friend was strong and brave, but sometimes she also wished she wasn't.


"So, your uncle's name is Scar or..." Timon was lying on Pumbaa's back as the three made their way through the jungle.

"I'm not really sure. No one talked about it and I never really cared." Simba said.

Timon nodded thoughtfully. It was an odd name to give someone. Scar. He was probably a bad guy with that name.

Suddenly, Pumbaa stopped. Timon felt the lack of movement and turned so he could see Pumbaa's face.

"Hey, Pumbaa, why'd ya stop?" Timon asked.

"I sense there's trouble nearby." Pumbaa clarified.

"You've got to be kidding me. There's nothing dangerous hiding in the bushes, Pumbaa."

"It's getting closer! Timon, what if it's a lion?"

"We've got Simba."

"Timon-"

"There's nothing wrong, PumbaAAAHHH!" Timon pulled his arms out in front of his face as a large brown object pounced on Pumbaa.


"AAAHHHH!"

Simba turned around, and once realizing neither Timon nor Pumbaa were behind him, began running back down the path. He realized they were probably getting attacked, and he had just walked off on them. He ran faster. And faster. And faster until he ramed his head into the side of something big and sturdy. He bounced off the object, falling backwards.

"Oh, Simba! Thank goodness you came back!" Timon called. Simba look to where the sound of his voice came. He was puzzled once he realized Pumbaa and Timon were up in a tree. A gasp brought his attention back to the threat. His fur brisittled until he saw who it was.

"Aunty!" Simba cried, running into Tumaini's arms.

"Simba!" Tumaini said, nuzzling him. She felt a tear escape her.

"Thank goodness I found you!" She said. Simba looked up at her, tears streaming down his face.

"I missed you." He said, his voice cracking. Tumaini licked the top of his head, "I missed you too, Simba."

"WAIT A MOMENT!" Timon shouted, jumping down the tree, "You know her?"

"Yes! She's my aunt!" Simba said gleefully, "Now we can return to the pridelands and take it back from Sefu!"

"What?" Tumaini asked, worried.

Simba turned to her, "Yeah, I was planning on going back to the pridelands and teaming up with Uncle Scar and defeating Sefu!"

Tumaini swallowed, "Simba...Darling, we don't know what happened to your uncle. Maybe..."

"NO! I know Uncle Scar's still alive. I just do! He's alive and he's going to help us! Please, aunty, please take us to Pride Rock-"

"Simba-"

"We just have to find him and convince him to help us. I know he doesn't really like us, especially me, but maybe we can-"

"Simba-"

"Ugh, but I know it! Please, -"

"SIMBA!"

He was crying again, and so was she. The realization that none of their family was alive hit them hard. Simba sniffled.

"But...I can feel it. I know he's okay. Please, believe me, Aunty. I know. I just know."

Tumaini wanted to believe him, she really did, but she knew life wasn't always so merciful. She had seen Sefu charge back towards the pridelands after killing Sarafina, and had wanted to go after him, but was attacked again. She wanted to believe her brothers were alive, but she knew not to keep her hopes up lest she disappoint herself.

Tumaini smiled down at Simba, "Come, Simba, I'm sure you want to see your mother."

At this, Simba grinned, "Mum's alive?!"

"Of course. Come, she's waiting for us."

They started to head back, deeper in the jungle, Timon and Pumbaa following them.


Sarabi was beginning to wonder if something had happened to Tumaini. She didn't know what to do if she lost her again. She needed Tumaini to keep her on her feet, to keep her sane. She had already lost her family, her pride, her best friend. She didn't need anymore pain.

For the first time since the ambush, she wondered what Scar was doing. She wondered if Sefu had killed him also. She knew it was highly possible, but then again, she also knew Scar was very strong.

He was the younger brother, yes, but he almost matched Mufasa in strength. Scar was certainly smarter than Mufasa, if only because the latter was naive. Scar was also more determined and enduring, but only because he had to be to survive in the pride.

Sarabi closed her eyes.

She remembered how horrible Ahadi had treated the younger brother. She had witnessed it many times before. She had once tried to stop the king, but Ahadi had shouted at her.

He was not a bad king, it was just that he let his anger and temper get the best of him. And more times than not, Scar was the only one there to let his anger out on. When he got his scar, she had felt sorry for him, had tried to comfort him, but he had growled at her the same way his father had. He began to isolate himself from everyone, including his mother and Sarafina, who were the two closest friends he had.

Even when his father died, Scar was not happy. He held a scowl on his face for the entire day, and Sarabi knew he was sad also. Queen Uru died a few years later, and this time, Scar did roar along with the rest of the pride. Tears were as visible as the sun in the sky and she knew he felt alone once again.

Sarabi shook his head. Memories like those were always painful to recall. Nonetheless, they were important if she wanted to understand Scar.

Like the other night, she heard noise coming from the jungle. She sat up and got ready to attack, but immediately relaxed when she saw a small golden brown lion cub.

"Simba!" Sarabi cried. Simba ran to his mother. She began to nuzzle him and shower him with kisses. Two days was like two years for the mother and son.

"I missed you, mum."

"I missed you too, Simba."

"I want you to meet my friends Timon and Pumbaa." Simba pushed Timon and Pumbaa towards his mother and aunt. They shook in fear at being eaten but greeted Simba's mother nonetheless.

Sarabi raised a brow but didn't have time to question Simba's new acquitances before Simba interrupted her.

"Mum, I think we should go back to Pride Rock, find Uncle Scar and get rid of Sefu!"

Sarabi was taken aback by Simba's sudden bravery, and said, "Simba, it's too dangerous. And what if-"

"No, mum! I know Uncle Scar's alive. He's going to help us. Please! We can't let Sefu take over that easily...Dad wouldn't have wanted us to give up." Simba said.

Sarabi looked at him. She did not want to lose her son again, but he was right. Mufasa would have wanted them to fight. But only if they could.

"Your father would have wanted that. But not if we were out numbered and unprepared. He would not want us to risk our lives like that. Especially you, little one." Sarabi replied.

"But...We can't let him win! He killed the pride! He killed Nala! Please! I know we can do it."

"We don't have enough lions to fight, Simba."

"But Uncle Scar will help us. He's smart and good with planning. Mum, please, I know we can."

Sarabi turned to Tumaini for support. But instead of having her sister-in-law on her side, Tumaini stood besides Simba.

"Alright, kiddo, you lead the way." She said.

"What?! Tumaini-" Sarabi began.

"Sarabi, Simba's right. We can't give up just like that. Sefu has to learn that he messed with the wrong kingdom." Tumaini interrupted.

"We can help you if you want." Pumbaa offered. Simba smiled, "Perfect."

Sarabi sighed, accepting defeat, "Alright, but at the first sign of danger, you will return here, where it's safe."

"Hah! I laugh at the face of danger! HAHAHA!"

"Simba..."

"Fine. I'll come back when it's too dangerous."


A/N: Although this is an AU, a decided to keep some of the events from the real movie. I hope you guys can forgive my late update, and I hope the chapter was worth the wait.