Ukaidi was calmer when she saw no lions around the places Scar took them; according to her friend, the lionesses were hunting and so they were far away from Pride Rock, which also meant there was no possibilities that they would bump into some of them. Ukaidi was glad about that, and slowly started to be positive. If Scar trusted Rafiki, she will as well. However, her hopes disappeared when they climbed the tree and found a baboon frozen in the place, as he had been walking and stopped abruptly. Ukaidi and Banzai exchanged glares of bewilderment, and even Ed titled his head, no understanding anything.

"Zito, what are you doing?" asked Scar with a cocked eyebrow.

The monkey just looked at them with the corner of his eye: "Sssh, Rafiki told me I can't do a sound, or something at all. He needs concentration" he explained.

"Wouldn't be more comfortable for you to just sit down?" asked Banzai.

"… I can try" he said, sitting up slowly.

"He is not the one we are going to ask for help, right?" asked Ukaidi in a whisper.

"No, don't worry…" said Scar after a sigh. "We're going to see your cousin, Zito. You keep doing… this" he said, not wanting him to intervene in the problem at all.

"Oh, they're cousins… Now, that's not very comforting" commented the female hyena.

"Nonsense, Shenzi and I are siblings and we can't be more different" said Banzai, shrugging.

"Because you are adopted, just like Ed" the hyena reminded him.

"So?"

"…"

"Who are those? Friends of yours?" asked Zito looking at the hyenas curious.

"Yes" said Scar rapidly.

"What are they? Savage dogs?" he asked.

"…Yes" said Ukaidi rapidly, taking advantage of the baboon's ignorance.

"Ooooh" said Zito impressed, trying to touch Ed, who was looking at the baboon with a frown. The hyena sniffed his finger at first and then tried to bite him. Zito fell on his back for the impression: "Hungry savage dogs, I must add!" he said a bit afraid.

"Ed, what have we told you about biting strangers?" said Banzai, hitting his brother in the back of his head. Ed just moaned, sad.

"We're in a bit of a hurry, Zito, so if you excuse us…" said Scar, indicating the others with the head where they had to go.

"Of course! You're in your house!" said the monkey with a smile. "Oh, but do not be too noisy, you could disturb Rafiki"

The hyenas looked at Scar confused and the lion just shook his head, telling them it was useless to try to reason with the baboon, and they climbed to where Rafiki take care of his patients.

Rafiki had been trying to remember something that had happened to him the past few days. Mufasa had explained to him what happened to him, a bit surprised to see he didn't remember anything. That was why he decided to use all the tricks he had, to utilize all the knowledge he possessed to make his memory come back to him. It was strange from him to forget something, especially a kidnap – for him, and for whoever – and that was the part that exasperated him the most: if that villain was powerful enough to play with his mind, then they would have to be prepared.

The meditation was a simple thing to him. Till he was little, his father, Kujali, taught him all he needed to know to be next in line when his time arrived. The most important lesson Rafiki learnt was to be in peace with him and the rest of the world, because that way he would be given the gift of being able to control his emotions and thoughts, a very valuable virtue if he wanted to be the shaman of the King. Within the years, Rafiki became an unbreakable rock, someone who was very difficult to read or corrupt. Someone would think he was so obsessed to get his memories back because of pride, but that was a lie: Rafiki wanted to do his job, to help a great and loyal friend as Mufasa was, and wanted to protect the whole pride, especially the cubs, who weren't guilty of anything.

Rafiki was used to break away from the world anytime he wanted, something that he was able to do thanks to the experience and practise; but even when he was far away from the world around him, he was still there. His body, at least… He could bleed, breathe, and everything that was needed to keep being alive, but if he was hurt he wouldn't feel it, if he was called, he wouldn't hear. His soul was in another place, a peaceful one, a refuge his mind created when he needed to focus on a matter, when the kings wanted him to give them the wise advises they needed to hear. He knew somewhere inside his mind he would find the answer, he would at least remember a little of what happened while he was taken away from his home; because the experience was still there, and no one would ever be able to erase a memory completely from someone's mind.

At first, everything was dark, a thing he ignored thinking that little by little, random images would appear that would help him remember, even if it was the stupidest of things. Any evidence would be significant. But as the minutes went by, he didn't see anything, and that was when he started to worry. However, in the middle of the darkness he was surrounded by, two rubies shone with such a fury that Rafiki felt paralyzed. In the beginning, for fear, but then, for curiosity. He knew those eyes, and, above all, he had seen them with the same fury.

In a blink of an eye, the red of those eyes began to burn as fury itself, and a second after, Rafiki was somehow seeing then an image of Pride Rock. But not the peaceful and green lands the animals lived in; no, it was all the contrary. The kingdom was a dead land which was burning uncontrollably, the great rock that was the pride of royal family for generations was being consumed by the flames, breaking in pieces. None a living soul was visible. The shaman could only hear his heartbeats, resounding through his whole head, creating an annoying headache.

Thankfully, a distant voice called his name, making him come back to reality. Rafiki took great breathes, in an attempt to calm himself down. Just when he was able to breath properly again and regain his composure he realised he had company. At his side, Scar stood, and for his surprise, with a sleeping hyena on his back and three more who were looking at him with cocked eyebrows.

"Oh, Scar, it was only you… with some friends…" he said getting up slowly.

"Are you feeling alright, Rafiki?" asked Scar suspicious, looking carefully at him. "I had to call your name a few times" he said.

"Oh, I'm sorry… I was just… dedicating time to myself" he looking up. Scar wrinkled his nose at that.

"I do that too" said Banzai with a smile. "It's the best time of the day"

"Your whole day is reduced in yourself and no one else…" muttered Ukaidi rolling her eyes.

"Something big had to happen if you're coming here with four hyenas" commented Rafiki looking with a frown at Scar.

"Actually, yes…" admitted the dark lion. Then, he pointed at Shenzi with his head. "She's been hurt by a jackal. I thought you could help her" he said.

"But of course, just lie her in the bed, I'll take care of her immediately!" said the shaman worried when he saw the state the matriarch was in.

Ukaidi was surprised to see the shaman so concerned about her cousin. It was the first time some other animal – apart from Scar – showed them any compassion. She sighed relieved, seeing Rafiki was actually doing his best to heal Shenzi. While the baboon was bandaging the hyena's injuries, they were covered by some concoction by surprise. Banzai and Ukaidi let an "ew" escape their lips, taking a look at themselves and sniffing their bodies. Ed, on his behalf, did the same, but in the end he decided to lick the substance.

"To cover you essence" explained Scar.

"You could at least inform us… 'Hey, I'm going to cover you with a smelly shit'… Was that so difficult?" said Ukaidi angry.

"I usually don't swear" said the dark lion with a smile.

"I don't know, Uka, I like it!" commented Banzai. "Look, Ed likes it as well!" he added pointing at his brother, who was licking his whole body non-stop.

"Ed liked everything" said the hyena with a frown. She hit the hyena in his head. "Stop it, Ed!" she screamed angry.

"Not everything: he hates your screaming… And so do I" muttered Banzai.

"You friend is going to be fine" said Rafiki, coming just in time to silence one nasty reply from Ukaidi.

"Alright, fine, good, then we'll take her…" started to say the female, going in the direction where her cousin was sleeping.

Rafiki stood in her way: "I'm sorry, dear, but she will have to stay here a few days" he explained.

"A few days?" they all said in unison.

"No way" said Ukaidi baring her teeth.

"Ukaidi…" tried to say Scar with a calm tone.

"No! I won't let my cousin here all alone in the lions' lands!" she screamed enraged.

"I understand your point…" said Rafiki serene. "You want your cousin to be fine, don't you?" he asked, kneeling.

"Of course" said the female a bit offended for the question.

"In that case, you'll have to do as I say" said the shaman.

The hyena just groaned, angry: "I've had enough doing as the damn lions say, why would I do the same with you now?"

"Because if you really want your cousin to be fine, you'll have to trust me"

Ukaidi fell silent after that. She was mistrustful by nature; the world made her so. It was extremely difficult for her to trust an animal she had just met. She took a look at Shenzi, covered in leaves, sleeping peacefully. It had passed a lot of time since the last time she had seen her cousin so calm. Pinning her ears, she showed how much she was doubting. She didn't want to leave her, but she didn't want her to feel bad again just because she wanted to leave with her. And she couldn't stay, because it would be very difficult to hide two hyenas in the King's land; besides, she doubted Banzai would be able to be in control of seventy hyenas…

"I'll be with her all the time, Ukaidi" promised Scar all of a sudden. "I know you can't stay, but I'll take your place and accompany her till she's full recovered"

The hyena looked at him and smiled slightly.

"Well, she can stay as well if she wants" said Banzai shrugging. "I'll take care of the pack"

"NO" Ukaidi and Scar said at the same time.

"I love how much you trust me!" complained the hyena offended.

Ukaidi just sigh: "I don't trust you to control so many hyenas, Banzai… But…" she looked at Scar with a tiny smile. "I will always trust you" she admitted.

Rafiki nodded a bit moved. "I'm sure your cousin would be proud of you" he commented.

"Yes… But she would never say it aloud" said Ukaidi laughing.

Rafiki and Scar accompanied them till the feet of the tree, reassuring them Shenzi would be fine. Banzai and Ed seemed to trust more about what they were telling them than Ukaidi herself, but she tried to pretend she finally trust the shaman. Scar, knowing her pretty well, could see it, but prefer to not say a thing. He sighed relieved when he saw them leaving finally.

"We could anything for our friends, huh?" said Rafiki looking at him with the corner of his eye.

"It's been a hard day, Rafiki…" was the only thing Scar say, letting another sigh escape his lips. Then, it was his turn to look at him: "What were you doing when we arrived?"

"I've already…"

"Do not tell me that lie again. I just let it pass because Shenzi needed help" he interrupted serious.

Rafiki smiled a bit: "It is impossible to trick you, right?" he asked with a laugh.

"Years made me an expert in the subject…" said the dark lion, shrugging. "So?"

The baboon just sighed: "I wanted to remember what happened when I was kidnapped. Above all, who did all this to me" he explained passing a hand in the marks that were slowly disappearing from his body.

"And you made it?"

"Almost"

"And that means…?"

"I think I saw his eyes… But then… it was just a horrible image" said Rafiki, knowing lying was useless with Scar.

"What did you see?" asked the dark lion, curious.

"A thing that I hope it was just an image and not an omen…" admitted the baboon sadly.

Before Scar could ask more, Zito's voice was heard near them.

"Oh, your majesty! What a pleasure to see you again!"

"He had to come just now… How I am not surprised…?" wondered Scar rolling his eyes.

The lion helped Rafiki to climb up to where the King and Zito were talking. Scar could easily see how surprised his brother was of seeing him there.

"Scar…" he said a bit uncomfortable. "What are you doing in here?"

"Can't I come to visit the shaman of the kingdom when I need to?" replied Scar.

Mufasa just made a face and rolled his eyes: "I wasn't saying that…"

"Something's wrong, Mufasa?" asked Rafiki rapidly, not wanting to see a fight between the two lions. He had had enough when he had the crazy idea of doing that therapy.

"I just wanted to remind you Amani's burial will be at night" he said with a tiny smile that as soon as it appeared.

Rafiki was in shock a few seconds: "Alright…?"

"Who is Amani?" asked Zito.

"A good friend of us" answered Mufasa quickly, not wanting to give a deep explanation.

"Don't worry, Mufasa, I'll be there… In fact, I think I should be going already" said the shaman, prepared to get out the tree.

"Wait, Rafiki, I'll help you" said Zito, putting himself in front of him. "I don't want you to fall and…"

He started to say, worried for his cousin, not looking forwards, and so he didn't see where his feet were and tripped over them, rolling down. The three animals looked the form of Zito lying on the ground, getting up slowly. When the baboon felt they were looking at him, he faked a laugh.

"Hehe… I was just giving an example of what could've happened…" he excused himself.

"If you say so…" the three of them said, narrowing their eyes.

"Don't move, Zito, I think you need more help than me…" said Rafiki, going down.

"Have you told the lionesses already?" asked Scar when they were left alone.

"No, they were hunting, but I'm sure they've already arrived…" answered Mufasa, looking at his brother with the corner of his eye. "Scar… I would like to talk to you"

"About?"

"Amani"

Scar immediately looked upset at his brother. "Mufasa, don't"

"I really think you need to…" said the King with a worried tone.

"I told you, Mufasa, don't. Stop there" warned the dark lion, on the defensive.

"Scar, I won't ask you for talk about your emotions, alright?" said Mufasa, thinking that would calm his brother down a bit. "But understand that it's strange to see somebody as impassable as you when they're told a friend of them is dead" he finished the sentence smiling, and this time giggling a bit at the end.

Scar just looked at him for a moment and pressed his lips. "Look, Mufasa, listen to me even if it's just this time: you're not in any position to give me a lecture"

"What does that suppose to mean?" asked the monarch annoyed.

"Seriously, just stop there…" said Scar calmly, passing him by.

Mufasa just roared infuriated and stood in front of his brother, angry: "Why do you always have to do the same with me?"

Scar took some air: "Mufasa, I'm telling you in good manners because of the situation. Just… step aside, and let me go"

"You will at least come to the burial" commented the King.

At that, Scar's eyes shone with fury: "Of course I will. What kind of being do you think I am?" he asked with teeth bared.

"The kind of being who skip his nephew's presentation" said Mufasa simply.

"Are you still stung for that? Let it go, Mufasa…" said Scar rolling his eyes.

"… Do you really think you're the most appropriate to teach that lesson?" asked the King.

"How much does it cost you to just let me leave?" asked Scar, overwhelmed. "I told you I'm going to the damn burial. Do I need a notary public for you to believe me?"

"Are you hearing yourself? How can you talk about her funeral like that, after all she did for us" said Mufasa a bit hurt. "You can't even respect the dead!"

Scar supressed a roar: "Listen, Mufasa, unlike you, I don't need to show respect to a grave to show if I love somebody or not; if I didn't do it in life, why would I pretend in death? I'll be there with her, hearing her stories, I enjoyed her company, I always thanked her in life. Can you say the same?" he asked with a frown.

Mufasa fell silent after that. He started to think. It was true, he never said thank you to her after all the times she stood his crying without knowing the reason, after spent so much afternoons with her, afraid of being with his father in case they would see another hyena trespassing the lands. Till the first incident, Mufasa became terrified of being near his father in case he would do something wrong that would send him to that horrible den, away from Pride Rock. He shook his head, trying to erase the memory when he felt the air trapped in his throat. Scar, on his behalf, was tired of waiting and didn't want to keep talking with his brother in a moment like that, and just passed him by, taking advantage of the fact that he was going to say nothing. But before leaving, he couldn't resist to speak his mind.

"Just as I thought" he muttered, angry with him.

Mufasa returned to the kingdom with his brother's words inside his mind. He hated when he was right, but most he hated when he was mean to someone who helped him a lot. Now, he felt as a need to do his best that night, Amani didn't deserve less. Looking forwards, he saw that Rafiki and Zito were already in Pride Rock; the lionesses arriving with the food caught. He took a deep breath and walked to the den.

"Dad!" a childish voice said in front of him.

Hearing his son's voice cheered him up a bit: "Hello, Simba" and both lions nuzzled each other. "How are things over there?" he asked concerned.

"Well… We've just arrived with Ujinga, she's been taking care of us" he explained, walking beside his father.

Mufasa just nodded. Till she arrived, Ujinga became one of the cubsitter of the pride; the lionesses didn't know, of course. It was from time to time, when neither him or Sarabi were able to be with the cubs inside the den during their penalty. He guessed Scar did the same that day. He made a face at the memory of his brother, but tried to conceal it to not let his son see.

"And then we met Malka and his grandmother" kept saying Simba, not noticing his father wasn't listening completely to him.

"Oh, and how was it?" asked Mufasa interested. He wanted the kid to be fine in his lands.

"She's funny. She made Mum angry a few times, and grandpa Leo laughed at her" explained Simba laughing a bit.

Mufasa couldn't help but laugh as well. "No, Simba, I was talking about Malka" he explained.

"Oh… I don't know" he said shrugging.

"What do you mean?" asked the King confused.

"He doesn't talk that much… Well, in fact, he didn't talk at all" said prince, not caring too much.

Mufasa just sighed. He could tell the cub was shy, but he wasn't expecting he was that shy. Another problem to add to the list… When father and son arrived at the entrance of the den, Simba ran playfully to where his friends were, and started to talk. Mufasa looked at him for a moment, and then decided to look for the new arrival cub, but he wasn't there. Frowning, he thought about asking the adults, but saw they were too busy whispering in a small group. He didn't need a lot of time to know they were criticising someone. Rolling his eyes, he decided to go and look for him himself. The first animal he saw when he went down was the grandmother of the little one.

"Usiku, is your grandson with you?" he asked politely.

Raising an eyebrow, the lioness said: "No. I left him in the den" then her glare hardened. "Have you lost my grandson?" she asked with teeth bared.

"… No, of course not…" he lied, feeling really small for the lioness' look.

"Then why did you ask?" she asked suspicious. "Isn't he there?"

"Well…" tried to explain Mufasa.

"You better not let anything happen to my grandson" and with that last warning, she left.

Mufasa looked at her and a shiver went down his spine. He turned around, praying he would find the cub quickly. The last thing he needed was that old lioness angry at him as well.

Joseph94: Thanks! =)

All Hail King Scar: I know I've already answered you, but still thank you again! ^^

Handy-Dandy: Aaaw, thank you a lot for that! u/u