A/N:

EDIT: Yes, I know it's February now and I still haven't updated. I was super busy that first week but the rest was just writer's block again... I won't abandon this story since I'm so far into it (and that's a bad habit of mine anyways :|) but please bear with me here. I'm working on a chapter and it should be uploaded soon. I might even write a few chapters ahead before I do that. I'd say that I'm about a third of the way done with this... Next story will be more thought out, I promise. :|

Grr, sorry I have been so behind in updating lately. I've got so many ideas for fics, but writer's block... ugh. e.e Whatever, I guess, it just happens. I feel like this chapter is STILL sub-par to what I've been writing lately, but I suppose it's better than nothing. :/ Haven't even touched Ignominious lately; I'm considering temporarily abandoning it until I can get over the writer's block that I have on that fic too. School starts again tomorrow and I'll be relatively busy, but I'll still try to fit some writing time tomorrow.

Anyways, can't believe it's 2012 already! Happy New Year to all of my readers; you guys are awesome! :) This is only my second story and my first fanfiction piece ever, and if I finish it will be the first one I've finished. It's really an experiment for me, and it has gone much better than I thought it would, even though I'm only 1/4 of the way to my goal of 100,000 words (excluding author's notes) which means I have to write... 48 chapters total. Oh dear. Oh dear indeed. O.o *headdesk* Well, we will see if that is possible. Have a lot more ideas and things to add to this.

Finally, I made some changes as far as AU-ness. You know how at the end of TLK Simba shows Scar mercy and tells him to run away? Well, not in this storyline. I changed it so the whole Simba-wants-revenge part of this story makes more sense... Also, part of the Madness of King Scar scene is in here, but changed. And Reldor, I know what you mean about Scar. I've always thought he was the most attractive lion, so it makes sense to me and my strange mind. xD


Chapter 12: The Lion in the Moon

Scar.

The mere name of the dark lion sent shudders up every lioness' spine, but if there were any two individuals living who knew his power to destroy the lives of others, it would have to be Nala and Sarafina. Horrible memories of blood and pain always throbbed in the backs of their minds, and it had done to them irreversible damage. Sarafina was grieved over the Mheetu incident, but to Nala it was entirely different. She had experienced something worse than her mother ever would, at Scar's paws. And so, she decided, Simba would soon have to know the truth about Scar continuing to live. But not now. She wanted to tell Simba, as the memories of Scar had plagued her constantly since she found out of his survival, but she did not for the sake of her mate. That was the only reason that she held back.

Simba had been behaving oddly as before, especially upset over the incident at Rafiki's tree and over Zazu's prolonged and unexplained absence. He would sit in the cave day and night, rarely coming out for any reason, as he reflected over his life idly. Everything had been torn from him, it seemed. He was still bent on revenge, and nothing anyone could say would ever faze him. At least that was how it appeared to be, as no one tried to talk him out of it anymore. Perhaps a part of Simba was still his old, cocky, happy-go-lucky self, but wherever it was, it did not look like it was anywhere close to him then. He hadn't shown Scar any mercy when he had returned, which was strange considering his normally fair and kind nature. He didn't give him the option to flee or to run. Scar was too prideful to ever accept such an offer, especially from Simba, but even if he had wanted to, Simba wouldn't have cut him any slack. After Scar had confessed to killing his father, he had leapt at him and very nearly pinned him, before chasing him up the boulder while trying to kill him. The only time he had stopped attacking him was when he had knocked him off the cliff. Simba didn't want to die in the flames and after he had seen the hyenas he knew he was as good as dead. And yet, for all of his diligence and ferocity, his uncle had lived, and the hyenas had ended up coming back to finish the job, as they had failed the first time… like always. He should have been happy that Scar was dead, but he was not. Horrible nightmares of his father's death wore him down emotionally every night, and as he was not convinced of Rafiki's wisdom concerning him and his father, he was extremely distraught and worried. It was his fault for trusting Scar. He was not able to stop his father's death. He should have tried harder, and not gone into the jungle. He should have killed Scar right then and there, but of course he had been only a cub and had had no idea of his uncle's treachery. He was still, however, convinced that he was to blame for Mufasa's death and that the loss of his father was completely irreplaceable. Though he knew the truth of Scar throwing Mufasa off of the cliff, it changed the situation very little. The guilt still haunted him constantly.

As Simba was already worried about all this, Nala decided to save the truth about Scar's survival for another day. Besides, maybe the hyenas would kill him and finish it after all, and they wouldn't have to worry about it. She calmed herself with the acknowledgment of this possibility, though to be honest she hadn't seen the hyenas at all in a long time and had had no idea about their exact plans against Scar.

She thought about what she had seen in Rafiki's tree, and questions about it filled her mind up. Was there really going to be a battle, or was that just what could happen? After all, Rafiki said the paintings told what may be, not what would definitely occur. But what would cause such a battle if it did happen? Also, why was Zazu there? Was he really disloyal after all? Was he helping Scar or something? There were too many questions, but not enough answers. She didn't know where Scar, Zazu, Zira, the Outlanders, or the hyenas were. They might have been hiding somewhere and waiting for revenge. She just didn't know. As much as she didn't like the idea of revenge, she didn't want Scar to come back at all. He had caused too much damage to the Pridelands and every inhabitant in them, and had destroyed everything that he had come into contact with, including her...

Oh no, she was remembering it again, with too much clarity and vividness for her liking. The darkness of the cave as the moonlight shone faintly outside. The slight damp and wet of the place, with water dripping every so often from the ceiling. Scar's beady eyes looking at her… hungrily. Nala began to sweat. She was next to her mate's side, but she still felt like she was in danger. It was as if it was happening all over again.

Yes, it was dark, horribly dark; darker than it should have been. All she could see in the cave was Scar, his eyes fixed on her, and then his paws grabbed her body. His claws dug in, and it took a moment for her to even feel the pain through her shock and fear. He had grabbed her near her chest, pulling her farther and farther back towards the shadowy depths of the cave… She tried to struggle; she tried to get away. She worked herself into a sweat, confused and trying to understand what had just happened. Scar spoke to her in a voice that sounded soft and seductive.

"Come, sweet Nala… It's written in the stars…"

No. She struggled some more, but he was on top of her now. His claws raked against her sides and something was wrong. Suddenly, a painful, burning sensation shot through her, and she felt as though searing warmth was spreading across her body as she moaned in pain. She felt herself weakening slightly as she stumbled onto the ground, with the lion on top of her. It had to end. What was happening to her?

"We'll create a host of… little Scars!"

She suddenly realized what was happening, and just what he wanted with her. She tried to escape, growling and scratching at his face, but he was still there, not moving. This couldn't be happening. She had to leave the Pridelands, and find help. She had to get away from Scar. And the only way she would be able to leave was to wait… while he did what he wanted with her.

"NO!"

Nala called out audibly in the middle of the cave she and Simba had been resting in. Her flashback was all too real, and it took several seconds for her to remember that it had only been a memory. She had had quite a few recollections of the brief incident with Scar, but was still scared by it each time. She was safe, with Simba, and yet she wasn't reassured. Scar was alive. He could do the same thing… again. She looked over at Simba, who had been staring idly at the wall until she had called out loudly. She had to tell him the truth about Scar being alive. She couldn't risk that ever happening again, even if Simba went completely insane.

"What is it, Nala?"

Nala stood there, still trying to catch her breath. Drops of sweat rolled off of her shoulders and she panted heavily, her sides heaving and her claws digging nervously into the ground. Her eyes glanced up at Simba, a helpless expression on her face.

"Nothing."

She had to tell him the truth, and yet the first thing that had come out of her mouth was a lie. She wasn't sure if she could go on with this. She didn't have to tell him now, did she?

"No, I don't think so. Is something wrong?"

He narrowed his eyes slightly, and she could tell that he didn't believe her. She frowned slightly, not quite sure where to begin.

"Uh, you know when Zazu said Scar was dead, and then he… you know, ran off?"

Simba nodded solemnly. Taking his silence as a reply, she continued.

"Oh well, um, I guess Zazu was wrong. As far as Scar, anyways. What I mean to say is… Scar is alive. The hyenas haven't killed him yet."

Simba furrowed his brows and scraped the ground with his claws repetitively. He looked away for several seconds, distracted.

"So, the coward is alive, hmm? Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go find him."

Nala took a step backwards from him, surprised at his temerity and eagerness to leave immediately despite how dangerous and unplanned it was. He was normally calmer, and less… spontaneous. Simba began to walk right by her and out of the cave. She was going to question him, when suddenly he turned around and looked at her.

"Wait, so why did you suddenly yell like that…? And why did you tell me that Scar was alive now? How long have you known about his survival?"

Wonderful. Of all the questions he could have asked, she was hoping he wouldn't ask that. Oh well, she could lie to him about her flashback. He didn't have to know. She wished she could forget, after all. She didn't want the whole pride knowing.

"Oh, I don't know. I only found out a few hours ago. Now seemed like a good time, I guess."

Simba nodded his head, but still looked confused.

"Well why did you…"

Nala glared at him harshly, somewhat irritated at how he kept asking her the same question. Seeing how his mate was annoyed, he decided to simply let it go.

"…never mind, I guess."

Simba continued on his way out of the cave, walking past her confidently. Where was he going? Was Simba really going to go to the Outlands—by himself?

"Uh, Simba… where are you going?"

Simba stopped in his tracks, and then turned around with a cocked eyebrow and a strange expression on his face, as if his intentions should have been obvious already. Understanding where he was going, Nala groaned slightly. Her mate seemed to be losing more of his common sense every passing day.

"Uh, Simba, you think that's a good idea? We don't even know where he is, and he has all those Outlanders with him. You can't just walk up there by yourself. Besides, it is late. We can look for him another day, and plan more… carefully."

Simba only growled, pacing around the cave a bit restlessly. He would look outside every few steps, wanting to go out there, but the little bit of sound judgment he had left, combined with Nala's pleas, finally wore him down.

"Fine. I won't go—yet. We will start looking for them tomorrow. Mark my words; I will find Scar and I will kill him myself. You can come along, but don't get in my way."

Nala nodded, and was relieved that he wasn't going on what was more or less a suicide mission on his own. She calmed down and nuzzled his mane lovingly. Simba returned the gesture, but emotionlessly and in his strange, half-distracted way. A certain glaze was in his eyes and he was looking off in no particular direction. It was almost as if he was dead. Nala frowned slightly, concerned about how her mate had been behaving. Perhaps there really was going to be a battle after all, which couldn't be good news. What would happen to the Pridelands, with Simba in such a condition and the land under such a drought?

Nala looked outside the cave and at the moon. Tomorrow they would look for Scar, and who knew what would happen after that started. The silvery orb gleamed softly, lighting the land below gently and giving hope to those like Nala, who looked upon it longingly. Someday this would all be over; the real question was whether or not they would live to see the light at the end of the tunnel. As long as they kept their hopes up, maybe things would be all right again, the way that they rightfully should be. A single star gleamed through the darkness of the clear night sky more than any of the others, and after making sure that Simba was settled in the back of the cave and couldn't hear her, she looked up at it with imploring eyes.

"Mufasa, please, if you're there… let everything be all right again. I don't know how much longer we can last. It would be so…" she sniffed slightly as she held back a tear, "nice… if you could still be with us. Could you at least give me some sort of sign to let me know you're listening? Even a blow of the wind?"

She waited alone at the front of the cave, waiting for something to happen, but the night was as still as it had been for days, and not a hint of wind or rain disturbed the peaceful air. She sighed, looking down at the ground. A single tear finally fought its way out of her eye, and after it followed others, before she finally found herself sobbing in the front of the cave. Looking back up at the sky one last time, she hopelessly finished her entreaties.

"And Mufasa… if your son is up there—my brother—could you tell him I said hello? I miss him… every day."

Turning her back towards the sky and heading into the cave, Nala lied down sadly on the floor of the cave. Silently, she began to drift off to sleep. On the edges of consciousness, she was nearly trapped in a peaceful doze when she thought that maybe… just maybe… she felt a rustle of wind against her fur. She smiled, more to herself than to anyone else, and in moments she was calmly asleep.


36 chapters to go if I am going to reach my goal, so stay tuned and don't forget to review! :) More fics on the way soon (hopefully)!