Sarafina spent that morning alone, trying to clear her mind and calm herself down. Since she found out she could annoy her friends she decided to do it, that way nobody would be bothered by her explosion of feelings. It was something that happened to her since she was little, being her mother the only one who could understand her as it was a characteristic she inherited from her. Nala, fortunately, didn't. Nala was just like her father, always in control of her emotions and only showing them in a blast of rage.

Sarafina shook her head, trying to erase the memory of her parents. Their images hurt her deeply as she lost them being very young. When that happened, Sarafina had to survive on her own. Because where she used to live was very different from here. In the Pride Lands the lionesses where like a family, they support each other. Yes, they didn't trust her at first, but she could let it go due to the conditions she arrived. The treatment was still better than in her original pride. Back there, the only friends she ever made were her parents; the other cubs… Well, let's say they were never interested in her. As she was so sensitive, the other children used to make fun of her and even the adults spread the rumour that she was very protected by her parents and she was a spoilt brat. Sarafina hated the comments she heard sometimes, and she tried to forget them.

As she grew, she exerted herself to become the better hunter in her pride and finally have the respect of her pride sisters. She made it. And she was wrong: all went worse that day. Not only the other lionesses who remained in the pride were then jealous of her and her skills, but they ignored her even more. Just the leader of the pack, who was the son of his father's best friend, seemed to be interested in her and her lonely condition. Sarafina, so eager to feel love again, immediately felt attracted to him, and she trusted in him. She didn't mind then if the others hated her for being the mate of the leader; she felt happy.

But, as if her life was some kind of sick joke of the Universe, she overheard a conversation when she was about to give birth to her beloved daughter. Sarafina felt her ex-mate strange in his behaviour when she said she would love to have a girl instead of a boy, but she didn't pay it any attention, believing it was just the nerves for the fact he was going to be a father. That afternoon, he went on patrol with one of the lionesses who hated her the most. She didn't want to remember her name or aspect, she tried hard to forget her, but her voice was inside her head, making her remember the horrible conversation she thanked to have overheard, seeing the true intentions of her ex-mate. With a fake tone, the lioness congratulated him for his paternity, and he just growled, a thing that made her want to know more about what was going to come next. She was able to forget the conversation, but not the summary: he only wanted a heir, a male heir, one he thought would be able to rule.

Sarafina felt the world froze in that moment. She felt betrayed and hurt; she wanted to scream at both of them, especially when she heard that mean lioness laughing at the thought of her face when she realise it, saying she was a clueless good for nothing. The tears immediately felt down her face and Sarafina didn't think when she turned around and left the lands who belonged to that horrible being. She didn't want to know about any of them anymore. She preferred to raise a cub all alone before take the risk to lose it if he didn't like it or was a girl. It was night when Sarafina was finally far away from the pride she was raised in. She didn't have anyone else there, no one who loved her truly. Looking at the stars, she thought her parents would guide her to a safe place. And so, a few days after, she found herself in the lands of King Mufasa.

It didn't start well but again, she couldn't blame any of them. In fact, they treated her better than she was ever treated back at home. Then, it came the day when Mufasa told her she could stay and with time she became a good friend of Sarabi, who, she discovered, was the nicest lioness she could ever met. She forgave all of them easily once they became a team, and when she saw how Mufasa worked, she liked the place even more, especially to raise her child. Scar helped her to stay, saying he would take her as a mate. Of course, she was afraid of what he could do to her, the treason still burning in her skin. But when she went to talk to him, the only response she received was that he didn't want to do anything with her as a couple, that she was free. She never told him she knew it was all his doing, not Mufasa's as the rest of the pride thought, to let her stay. Until that Krismasi night. To be honest, that was the first time they truly talked.

As the days went by, Sarafina saw Scar wasn't popular among the lionesses, and they always had a bad thing to say about him and his strange personality and thinking. Sarafina thought maybe the dark lion suffered the same thing she had passed in her cubhood, and that created a feeling of pity towards the King's brother. Saying she liked him was lying, but it was true she would love to be his friend. Because the only thing she needed all that time was a friend who would listen and support her, no matter what; who would love her for who she was, who would accept her flaws and virtues. So, she decided to be that to Scar, to make him see he wasn't alone. She let Nala play with Simba even when he was with his uncle, a thing the lionesses didn't do until they saw the young cub liked to be with him and Scar didn't do anything to her. Sarabi, who never felt any affection for her brother in law, also started to trust him a bit more, and wasn't that worried any time Simba wanted to spend time with his uncle. Mufasa, in once occasion, thanked her for what she had done, and she didn't know what to say.

When she wanted to know more about the relationship the King and his brother had, she never receive an answer, only the certainty that no one knew anything about what happened between the two lions. Sarafina didn't have siblings, but she could feel how sad it was when a brotherhood became cold and distant, and the trust between brothers die. Because she had always had a lot of empathy towards others' needs. She tried to know more, but she never felt truly safe around Mufasa, as she still was afraid of what he could do if she bother him with a problem or a misbehaviour, and even if she felt better talking with Scar, she never felt enough strengths to ask him directly.

A noise made her stop. Carefully, she lowered her body to the ground, hiding herself among the grass, and she started to walk slowly, trying to catch any sound again. The seconds passed whilst her heart hit her chest violently; she felt the thoughts running in her head rapidly, trying to find a solution if there was an attacker out there, wanting to steal her prey; or worse, thought she was trying to steal it from them. She breathed in and out a few times, and when she heard another noise again, she immediately leapt on the invader.

Teeth bared, she pinned her opponent to the ground, easier than she thought, especially when she saw it was a lion and not another female like her, or even a hyena. The lion was petrified when he saw the ferocity in her features, and he couldn't even say a word. Sarafina took a look at the new arrival. Possessor of a darker pelt than Scar's and a brown mane, he looked at her a bit scared with dark blue eyes.

"I'm sorry, I didn't want to frighten you" he apologised.

At that, Sarafina looked at him confused. He seemed sincere. She got off him, thinking nothing bad was going to happen, and she looked at him more carefully as he got up. He was brawny, but not as much as Mufasa, and his mane was a lot thinner than the King's, with a seductive fringe that fell on his right eye from time to time. A warm feeling appeared in Sarafina's chest, and she even felt her face burning. She didn't have to think too much to know she was blushing. She looked at the ground, trying to erase it, not wanting to look like a fool in front of the lion.

"You didn't scare me…" she said then, raising her head with dignity. "I… I only thought you were someone trying to take my prey" she explained, still refusing to look at him.

"What prey?" asked the lion confused.

"Well…" she said now looking forwards. A bit ashamed, she saw there was no more animals in there. "For sure they just ran away when they saw us. But they were there…" she said looking at the grass, the blush increasing.

"If you say so…" said the male shaking his head. "I'm Kuvutia, by the way" he introduced himself.

"Sarafina" she said with a nod. "Excuse me, but I need to go back to my pride" she said, turning around.

"Wait, do you know where Pride Rock is?" he asked, taking one step forwards. "I had to go there to meet someone, but I got lose while I was exploring the lands…" he explained feeling like a fool.

"Oh, yes… I live there" said Sarafina looking at him with a tender smile. "I'll guide you!" she proposed happy.

"Thank you!" said the lion now walking beside her.

Both felines started to go to Pride Rock. Not a word between them, but for some reason, none of them felt tense or the need to say something. Sarafina felt the lion looking at her, and again her heart started to beat fast. It never happened to her. A sudden feeling of heat taking over her that made her feel suffocated.

"Aren't you feeling hot?" she asked suddenly.

"Hum… No…" said the lion, casual.

"Oh, maybe it's just me… I ran a lot for the hunting today" she lied.

"Well, I'm glad I bumped into you" he commented. "But I hope your sense of direction is better than your hunting skills" he added laughing.

At that, Sarafina stopped and looked at the lion with anger. She felt the blood boiling inside her. In a normal situation she would've cried, hurt, but right now she was prepared to defend herself like a beast. Because you could tell Sarafina whatever you want, you could criticise her, tell her she was too sensitive, too tiresome, too whatever; but never ever tease her with her hunting skills.

"Beg you pardon?" she asked infuriated.

"Well, I don't want to make you feel bad, but… Really? You are not returning with a simple antelope?" he joked.

"…" Sarafina went to him and pinned him to the ground once again. "Listen, egghead, I'm bad at a lot of things, maybe, but I have always been the best hunter in any pride I've been" she said, feeling proud of herself.

"I think that is because you and I never lived in the same pride, then" commented the lion, with a cocky smile.

"Do you want to prove it?" she challenged.

"I'd love too, but I have more interesting things to do…"

"Yes, like lying and running away from a challenge, like a real mal" taunted Sarafina.

"Look, ma'am…"

"Ma'am?!" repeated the lioness offended.

"Well… Lady?" he said tilting his head.

"Come on, you damn show-off, let me see your skills" she challenged again, feeling more offended than before.

"I am not going to lose my time with a crazy lioness who can't accept the truth" said the lion. "And, get off me!" he said, pushing her off.

"This crazy lioness was guiding you to Pride Rock!" she reminded him.

"Please, miss, I'd still find the way without you"

"Oh, yes?"

"Yes"

"Oh, yes!?"

"Yes!"

"Then, go ahead, because I'm off here!"

"If you go I'll follow you, you stupid"

"… Then I'll run!"

"Why does that change anything?" he asked.

"Because I'm faster than a cheetah when I want to!" she said, prepared to run.

Kuvutia laughed funny: "You're more conceited than a peacock…"

"You talk too much but you don't prove me anything!" she said, angry.

"I don't have to prove you a thing!" screamed the lion.

Both of them started to get closer to each other at each thing they talked.

"Of course you have! You offended a lady!"

"I told the truth to a lady!"

"This lady could kick your ass if she wanted to!"

"Do it, then, be brave!"

"I don't need to! I have manners!"

"I can see it…"

"Now are you calling me impolite as well?" she asked rolling her eyes. "Useless, liar, conceited… Do you have more praises?"

"Only if you have more stupid things to do and say"

"Ooooh, now you're going to get it!"

"Oh, yes?"

"Yes!"

"Oh, yes?!"

"Yes!"

Sarafina didn't know how it happened, but after fifteen minutes she found herself lying next to Kuvutia after sharing an intimate moment. None of them said anything for the first minutes, feeling now very uncomfortable. The lioness was the first one who talked.

"Nobody has to know this…" she said very serious, looking at the lion.

"Agree" he said nodding.

"Good"

Silence…

"Saray…"

"Sarafina"

"That… Are you going to show me way or…?"

"Oh, yes…" said the lioness getting up, and then she pointed in front of them with one paw. "You see that big rock over there?"

Kuvutia sat up as well and took a look. "That giant and amorphous rock?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes. That is Pride Rock" she said getting up and shaking herself.

"Oh, so much trouble for that piece of junk?" he asked being now on his feet as well. "You could've said it to me before"

"…"

"Well, goodbye, Soraya"

"Sarafina!" she corrected him with a frown.

"Yes, yes, I knew it!" he lied, running away from her.

"And do not say anything about what happened!" she screamed.

"What?" he asked, stopping in his tracks.

"I said please do not say anything about what happened!"

"You didn't say 'please'!"

"… If you heard me why did you ask?!"

"Because bothering people is my favourite hobby! Byeee!" he screamed, running again.

"… Maybe it's not that bad if he can't remember names properly…" she said to herself, sighing.


"You're going to what?" asked Sarabi with eyes wide, blinking perplexed.

"To marry" repeated Dwala with arrogance.

Nobody spoke a word; they only shared glares of surprise.

"But does the groom know it already?" asked Sarabi.

"Of course he does!" said the older sister angry. "He asked for my paw, and all" she explained sighing.

"If I don't see it I can't believe it…" muttered the Queen.

"But we didn't see anything yet" commented Simba.

"True, true" she said nodding. "But my mother hasn't said anything yet, so I suppose I'll have to believe her"

"Sarabi…" started to say Mchumba.

"How comes you're going to marry and I didn't know it?" asked Leo offended. "I am your father! You should have tell me the first!"

"Dad, you were kilometres away from home" said Dwala with a cocked eyebrow.

"So? You come, say it, and then leave. It's not that difficult"

"Well, I'm here now, aren't I?" asked the lioness rolling her eyes, tired.

"My little princess is going to be married!" said Leo with teary eyes.

"There he goes with the crying again…" whispered Mufasa, annoyed.

"It seems like it was twelve years ago when you were born!" said Leo, crying his eyes out.

"In fact, it was nine years ago…" corrected Dwala a bit insulted.

"…Are you sure?" he asked.

"I think I know my age, Dad!" complained the lioness.

"… You should think about start taking care of your aspect, daughter, you seem so much older than that…"

"…"

"Leo!" said Mchumba with reproaching him.

"Then, how old are you?" asked the lion looking at Sarabi.

"Six and a half"

"Why do you have to say "and a half"?" asked Mufasa.

"Because I like to say things exactly as they are"

"But, Mum, when you're talking with the others females of the pride you always say you have just turned six years old" commented Simba, confused.

"… Those are females' things, Simba, you don't understand it…" said the Queen with a faint blush.

"But I'm a female and I don't understand it" said Nala with a frown.

"Me neither" said Tama.

"… Adult females' things" said Sarabi looking at the wall.

"Stop taking years off while I'm turning old like a normal animal, Sarabi; one day we could have a problem" said Mufasa shaking his head in disapproval.

"Only Sarabi could steal my spotlight in that way… It's my wedding what we were talking about" said Dwala looking at her sister angry.

"I'm sorry…" said the Queen rolling her eyes, offended by the remark. "Tell us then, Dwala, who is the poor soul who asked for your paw?" she asked with a cocky smile.

"Very funny" said the lioness with a frown. But it quickly faded away and was replaced by a smile. "Kuvutia"

At that moment, Sarabi's whole world froze. The others just fell silent. Mufasa took a look at his mate, wanting to see how Sarabi take the news.

"Did someone just say my name?" a male voice said from the entrance.

"Kuvutia!" said Dwala happy, going to nuzzle him with affection.

"Oh, you also came…" commented Mufasa with a fake smile.

"Sarabi, dear, are you alright?" asked Leo with a confused look.

"Mum?" said Simba tilting his head to the right. "Mum, if I can go play outside with my friends, say nothing. Nothing? Alright" he said prepared to walk out.

Mufasa stopped him by stepping on his tail. "No, smart aleck…"

Sarabi looked at her sister, starting to have a tick in her left eye. Baring her teeth, she stormed out the den.

"Oh, you're leaving?" asked Dwala with a fake tone of worry.

"I'm thirsty!" she said angry.


When she arrived at the waterhole, Sarabi kicked some pebbles, taken over by rage. She wanted to slap her sister so badly… That was a low blow, even for Dwala.

"I'm going to smash her face in the wall!" started to scream the Queen. "And let's see if after that she still has that stupid smile!"

"Sarabi?" a voice asked.

The Queen pinned her ears, feeling ashamed. She didn't want any of the lionesses to see her in that state. She was taught to be always calm and quiet as she was the King's mate. Turning around, she saw it was only Sarafina. Sarabi sighed, feeling relieved. Sarafina didn't judge as the others, so she felt safer knowing she could at least vent her sorrows with a good friend.

"Are you alright?" asked the blue-eyed lioness worried.

"No" was the sincere answer the Queen gave her.

"What's wrong?"

"My sister is going to marry…"

"Oh, but that is good"

"…with the lion I liked very much when we were young"

"That is bad…" rectified the lioness. "But you shouldn't be affected for that… You're with Mufasa and you're happy, right?"

"Of course, but with this she broke the deal of never go out with the ex of a sister" said Sarabi, sitting down infuriated.

"To be exact, she isn't going out with him… They're going to marry" said Sarafina taking a seat beside her.

"Which is worse" said the Queen. She sighed, tired. "I know I shouldn't be like this, but, damn it, she didn't even like Kuvutia when we were young. She didn't pay attention to him until he started to be interested in me… That's the mean and disgusting being she is"

"Wait, what was his name again?" asked Sarafina with eyes wide.

"Kuvutia" said the Queen looking at the grass with a frown. "Oh, it's not only that. One time…"

"Wait, again, sorry…" interrupted Sarafina with a nervous giggle. "Kuvutia, right?"

"Yes"

"That is the lion who is going to marry your sister"

"Yes"

"Your sister. The crazy one?" she asked, swallowing afraid.

"The only one I have" said Sarabi with a cocked eyebrow. "Are you alright, Fina? You're turning pale!" she said worried.

"Yes… Yes… Yes, I… I just need to drink water…" she said getting up and walking away.

"But, Fina, the waterhole is right beside us!" said Sarabi with confusion.

"… Yes… Yes… But… I like the other side more…" she said, circling the waterhole. "This is a bad joke…" she commented under breath.

She hadn't just broken a rule of the kingdom by doing what she had done, but also with a lion who was the fiancé of her best friend's sister. Her best friend's crazy and emotionally unstable sister. Things couldn't go worse… With a shook of her head, she tried to be positive. If he was going to marry her, for sure he wouldn't say a thing, and she wouldn't either.

"Fi, are you sure you're fine?" Sarabi asked.

"Yes, I'm coming, don't worry" she said, drinking a bit of water.

No one needed to know, it will be her secret. Because, there was no way someone would figure it out.


So, a bit of Sarafina's story at the beginning. I based it in a personal thing that happened to me (about being different from others and all, not the final part) and I think I wrote it as a way to vent a bit.

Thanks to all the favorites, followers and reviews! It all means a lot always! =)