Prompt from TheDragonSaver: Shenzi X Zazu (both from Lion King). During a chance meeting at the Tree of Life, the two reflect on how the Pride Lands have changed since Simba became king, and come to realize that they had more in common than either realized.

…

The pair stared at one another distrustfully, one of the ground, and one in the branches.

The only sound that could be heard, was the wind rustling through the leaves and the cry of other animals in the night sky.

The animal sound was welcome actually, especially considering how the Pride Lands used to be a few months ago.

As the silence got tenser and tenser, Shenzi eventually snapped. "What? Not going to tell me to get the hell out of the Pride Lands? Not going to tell me I don't belong here?!"

Zazu remained silent, staring down at her before sighing wearily. "Why bother… you wouldn't listen, and the new King and Queen are far too busy to deal with one hyena."

It was easy to guess what he was implying.

"So we'll have some new cubs running around soon?" Shenzi asked, "That was something I never understood about Scar… he seemed to believe he was immortal, he didn't really think about taking a mate until near the end."

"Hmmm, I remember."

They both did… they both remembered how Scar lusted after Nala, driving her away from the Pride Lands, where she then found Simba.

"He told us he would be a good king…" Shenzi then whispered, "… we were struggling to survive away from the Pride Lands and he knew that…. He knew how hungry we were. All we wanted was an equal share of the food. We were all friends since we were children… we thought he was our friend, but he was more concerned about himself. It was all about him, and we didn't see that until it was too late. He tried to blame us for everything!"

"I know…" Zazu's voice was sympathetic, having witnessed practically everything from behind bar, "… and that's why you- "

The sentence remained unfinished, but Shenzi knew what it was going to be.

That's why you killed him.

"He was ruining the Pride Lands…" She whispered, "… we didn't know he would go so far."

"…. You didn't know he was going to force the lionesses to over-hunt?"

Shenzi shook her head… even if hyenas were scavengers by nature, she knew about the dangers of over-hunting. But she was so consumed by the thrill of being as powerful as a lion, that she didn't pay it any heed.

Yes, she and the other hyenas were back in exile…. But life was better now.

"Maybe we have something in common after all."

At her curious frown, Zazu smirked down at her, an uncharacteristic, malicious glint in his eyes.

"We're both glad that he's gone."