A/N: I'm very surprised that I managed to get this one out on time. I'd also like to thank kendramccormick for taking the time to write a review. It is very much appreciated.
This chapter does have a flashback of sorts, and some weird time skips. It does seem a bit wonky,and if anyone else has issues with it I'll definitely go in and change that around. Might do so anyway once I get enough time lined up.
There will be actual timeskips over the next 2-3 chapters, of at least half a years time. Just a warning ahead of time.
Since I've started on the next chapter, it should be up around the 19th to the 22nd of October.
Of course, as always please read and review. Helps keep me aware of things I'm doing right, things I'm doing wrong, and most of all is a big motivator as a whole.
As it always did, time continued on. Very little happened over the course of two months. Scar surveyed the land, as far as his eyes could see. It was nearly as he remembered it. Before he usurped his brother. The trees were the only thing yet to fully recover from the drought, though that was to be expected with how long it took them to grow. Surprisingly they were the things that suffered the least.
It seemed strange how nothing of note had happened since they had first spoken with Kituko and Aja. It defied the pattern of the monster they were dealing with to just idly sit back and do nothing. Or perhaps not. "The pattern..." Scar declared flatly, mostly to himself at that, "The pattern is in the lack of a pattern."
Now he had to wonder what would happen next.
Simba was thinking along similar lines. Both were at opposite ends of Priderock, with the same subject matter on their minds.
"Nala." the lion rumbled. "What do you think is going to happen? It's been quiet for a long time. Nothing strange, no trouble from him or any of his pet hyenas."
Truth be told, the queen figured what she was about to say was wrong. If only it could be that easy. "Maybe he gave up when he figured out that he'd lost those two. Someone else could have gotten him, since he's bound to have a lot of enemies. Maybe we got lucky."
He looked at his mate softly. "I doubt it. We can't get that lucky. Noy with someone like him."
Some days he wished he'd never met Vazio. Ever. It was like working with a big leopard. Or a spotted lion for that matter. Another bossy feline that thought he was better than everyone else.
That was laughable. His species was the only one that really deserved to live. He still had to admit, he kind of liked the Jaguar in some was. The way he could instill fear into a creature was breath taking. Most of his scars were from other battles. Not all of them. Vazio had inflicted more than a few himself, reminders not to displease him. That wasn't the sole reason he himself feared the cat so deeply. There were too many of those to count. He had the loyalty of so many of his associates, true. So did Vazio on the other hand, and that was one of the problems. Make a move and half his army might be turned against him. That would ruin everything.
It was nearly impossible to do anything without him finding out, and frankly he was too nervous to try. Going against the great Jaguar defied every bit of sense he had. Making himself a threat, or worse, allowing Vazio to think him one...seemed like a terrible idea. One that his survival instincts protested against fiercely.
Vazio, last he saw was very angry. That was damn near a couple moons ago if his mind was working the way it should. Aja. Kituko. They betrayed him. After ranting for what seemed like half the morning he vanished. Hadn't seen hide nor hair of him since.
Letting out a demented laugh, the creature decided it didn't matter much. Either Vazio had somehow gotten himself killed, or was cooking up one hell of a party for those filthy lions. If he had to wager a bet, he'd pick the latter of the two.
Suddenly he hissed, a violent memory coming back to him.
'Only instead of him...let some oversized leopard boss you around...pathetic...'
Growling to himself he forced the disjointed images back. He didn't want to hear that from anyone ever. Vazio was nothing like that lion. He was so much better.
Then he smiled to himself as he pictured what his comrade might have planned . "And what'a' party it'll be."
The part where nothing happened. That was what nearly everyone seemed to think.
For Kituko, something of significance did happen. He came and went form the depths of hyena territory frequently. When he did so he took great pains on which routes he took, and kept a detailed memory of them so as to never retrace his exact steps when the situation called for him to move out. His attention to detail was impeccable, meaning he went through great pains to cloak himself and his presence.
A couple days shy of the second month was when he made his one, true mistake. He could hide himself, but even the tiniest loss of blood or fur could be used to track him. It was when he caught the edge of his right ear on a thorny branch that things began to go very wrong.
Something felt off to him. For the last few dozen paw steps he'd felt a slight pinching sensation in his ear. He wanted to think nothing of it. That was foolishness, which he could not afford. Carefully he ran a single paw over it, grimacing when he saw a tiny drying droplet of brownish red. Probably had snagged it the better part of an hour before.
Silently he cursed himself for not paying more attention. His location could well be compromised if even the slightest trace touched the ground. Vazio wasn't as good at tracking as at hiding,but by no means was he a slouch at the former. If that Jaguar noticed anything he could well find whoever or whatever he was searching for. It might take time, but he would.
That meant that this excursion would need to be abandoned immediately. Kituko was confident that he could win in an encounter. He also knew that pride treaded perilously close to the fall. All it would take was one instance where he underestimated him...one thing unaccounted for and the tables could be turned.
Nearly half a mile was spent backtracking, moving along a parallel path several hundred yards away from his original footsteps. Crisscrossing through downed saplings and muddy bottoms. A feeling hit him. A feeling he'd spent years familiarizing himself with. It was a nauseating feeling. Of eyes watching him distantly, feet moving in step with his own. No ground gained or lost. He could keep fleeing, easily with time to get to safety. Which was the biggest problem. It would lead Vazio to exactly where he was hiding and he knew the cat wouldn't dare follow right away. No, it would be worse. It would reveal his sanctuary, putting everyone living there at greater risk. Most problematic, it would give Vazio all the time he needed to form a plan of attack.
Instead of racing to hyena territory, the heart of which was still several miles to the north, he arced to the south. Leading Vazio away, straddling the far southern border of the Pridelands. Less than a thousand feet from the line Kituko stopped.
Heart pounding in his chest despite his wishes otherwise, he focused on making his mind even more blank and unreadable than before. Now the monster was getting close enough, and Kituko dared not chance what tricks he'd picked up.
One minute turned to two. Then to five. That was when he found his patience wearing thin. It was a game, and he refused to play it any longer.
"Beast..." Kituko seethed. "Why don't you come out...or will you play the role of coward today?"
Laughter. Which slowly died as the crackling of footsteps in the damn earth began.
With no grand display Vazio stepped into view. "My old friend. You have no idea how long I've been searching...seeking you out. Disappearing like you did had me a bit...worried for your safety."
"Lies." Kituko spat with venom." Cut the pretense Vazio...we both know the truth."
Anger flashed across Vazio's face. Then it was gone, and the Jaguar smiled." Ah yes. Truth...truth is always in the eye of the beholder. And since I am said beholder in this instance, I think it fair and just that you tell it to me where you've ran off too. After all I've done for your family I think you more than owe it to me." He smiled when Kituko bared his teeth. Now Vazio felt in control of the situation.
Of course, that was how Kituko wanted him to feel. Yes the words displeased him...but his foes biggest weakness his willingness to play with his 'food'. One of his fatal flaws.
"You really think I'd tell you? After all the work done to evade you and your filthy clutches...I'd be nothing short of an idiot if I did so." More his mother's words than his, judging from the reaction elicited, it did it's job well. "No. I'd sooner let you kill me than that. And we both know that is something easy for you to threaten...more of a challenge for you to accomplish."
"Is that so?" His eyes gleamed at the challenge. "You aren't as young as you once were my dear Kituko. At the end of your prime while I'm still fit and full of vigor. I think I'm more than capable of...holding my own against you. Assuming a fight was my intention of course. You know how I abhor violence."
It was like a script, Vazio was doing exactly as expected. Kituko knew one thing for sure when it came to him. The miscreant always rejected the story in front of him, improvising his role in the play. So this had to be something more. Due to that he decided to goad directly, to see if things would continue the way it looked they would. To see if his 'old 'friend' would act as expected.
"Really? If you are so certain of that then why hide behind words? Why not let actions speak for themselves?" This could go many ways. He knew well what Vazio desired. Saw it plain as day. Inevitable as it was, Kituko wanted to skip all pretense.
Vazio closed his eyes, sighing loudly. "As you wish. Only know that it will hurt me so much less than it will you."
As he lunged forward he opened his eyes, glaring sharply. Kituko rolled, ducking beneath. When he stood up there was nothing to be seen. Instead he spun, slashing to his right. It felt like he'd hit nothing but air. That wasn't the case when Vazio stumbled for half a step, the tinniest droplet of blood glistening on the tip of his brow.
Without a sound he moved, snapping at Kituko's face. It was avoided nimbly, at the cost of losing his footing. As he landed he flipped to his side, then back to his feet. A paw struck him across the muzzle, nearly knocking the shaman senseless. Rebounding quickly, he whispered a chant. Soon as Vazio blinked his opponent seemed to shimmer brightly, before disappearing.
"That trick? Didn't you do that one when I told you my little surprise?" Instead of waiting he stepped to the left. As he felt a rush of air a dry laugh escaped his lips. "See how worthless and boring that trick is."
Soon as he finished the declaration he found himself lifted off his feet, and promptly slammed into the rough ground with enough force to rattle his teeth. Kituko bit down, digging into the shoulder above his left forelimb. Vazio growled deeply, thrusting his back paws up and dislodging Kituko.
"So I underestimated you." Vazio glanced at his wound. That would slow him down. It was deep, nearly cutting into muscle.
Kituko nearly managed to find amusement in the situation. "No, I think you overestimated yourself...tried toying with me like so many others...Unlike them I intend to make you regret playing such childish games."
Yes, Vazio knew it would slow him down. Could cost him the fight. As always he would do what he did best. "I don't doubt you or your intention. It's your ability to follow through that I question."
Shifting most of his weight to his uninjured side, he charged the hybrid. Kituko swiped at him, barely missing his cheek. Vazio didn't wish to have any more scars on his face.
Ducking under another set of sharp claws Vazio finally managed to land a solid blow to Kituko's skull, sending him down to the ground. As he was about to go for the throat he felt a slight burning in his eyes. Rubbing them with a paw made the sensation go away. Two steps later his entire face felt like it had been dipped in some kind of acid.
Roaring, he nearly fell to the ground, thrashing madly. Kituko, having recovered his senses, gave a stiff growl. "You don't like that, do you?" He got another roar in response. "I didn't think you would. You thought you got lucky in avoiding the physical strikes...too bad that is exactly what I was counting on. They were there to hide what I was really doing."
Kituko slammed a paw across the Jaguar's face, sending him stumbling backwards. Vazio managed to open his eyes, revealing how bloodshot they now were. Then he smiled. That caused Kituko to hesitate long enough for him to rake his claws across the leopon's chest. More wounds opened, largely superficial. They still clearly brought discomfort.
"You should have never followed me...should have known this would happen." Kituko leaped upon him, slashing him across his face and sides. One blow nearly went to the bone, forcing a pained grunt from the Jaguar. With careful precision he leaned down, biting hard into Vazio's leg. Right below the wounded shoulder. He felt the bone about to give way, before letting go abruptly. The action allowed him to avoid losing an eye, yet allowing his enemy the chance to put several feet between them.
"My friend. Never will you cease to amaze me." His voice was a bit raspy from exerting himself so much. More so from his wounds. Especially his leg, which felt as if something cracked the instant he forced Kituko away. "But I wonder...how much does your family mean to you? Your mother is important to you, isn't she?"
Kituko snarled as he stepped closer.
A grin formed on Vazio's face. "Such a reckless child. Endangering your mother in such a terrible way. Killing me would bring her such pain. I'm very sure of it."
"You dare use that trick? This is what she would want...you know it."
The response elicited a chuckle. "Ah of course. Be that as it may, I ask another question. Would your spawn be happy in the knowledge that daddy caused the death of his own mother? Her grandparent...the one she never has gotten the chance to meet?"
"..." Kituko's face contorted in shock and anger.
"You keep secrets well. But...are they kept well enough I wonder?"
"Sadistic, manipulating bastard!" Kituko bellowed, moving ever closer, no longer watching Vazio's movements as intently as he should be.
"Flattery will get you nowhere this time, much as it makes me happy to hear. I simply can't allow myself to favor you anymore." Now the smirk seemed ear to ear.
As he walked Kituko did not notice how the Jaguar was taking slow, timed steps backward, each one matching his own. "Do you think I intend to leave you alive to do anything?"
"So it is true." Vazio faked a gasp. "You've been holding out...secrets don't make friends...until they are found out. I intend to see just how well you guarded yours...and at the prospect of new company."
It happened in almost an instant. As Kituko was still registering the surprise, Vazio swatted a paw sized clump of dried earth into his face. It took only a couple seconds to blink the dust away. Which was more than enough for Vazio to vanish.
He waited for only a few moments, trying to get some feel for where his opponent moved to. All he got was that Vazio went south and east. In the opposite direction of where she was. Then he let out a terrifying roar, one born of anger, frustration and terror. Terror that everything he held dear was at risk. That somehow Vazio knew...and had gotten into his head once again.
Weariness hit him hard. He wasn't as young as he used to be, and while he made subduing his enemy look easy...it had been anything except that. Now he felt it, knowing that it was going to be a long trip back to the Graveyard. Because first, he had to send out a message...and that meant going elsewhere first.
Simba had spoken with Scar more than once on Nuka, and on how good of an idea it would have been for him to rule alongside his cousin Chaka when the time came. He had expected his uncle would have been delighted about the prospect, which made his reaction that much more surprising. Scar was astonished that such an idea was considered in the first place. His words were of caution, of watching the situation and observing how every little detail was playing out. "Just give it a year or so...then we might consider allowing the cat to come out of the bag..and of course give Nuka a very big surprise...this one I dare say he might actually like."
Those words confirmed to Simba beyond all doubt that Scar wasn't manipulating anything to get his own son on the throne. Which was good. Of course he had brought the matter to his queen as well as his mother. Both were apprehensive, urging observation over immediate action.
Things had been so quite. Nothing from Kituko or Aja in over a week, which was normal. Against his better judgement he had allowed Scar to set up a bit of a meeting with Zira and her rag-tag pride. Right along the border, in a few days time. It was supposed to be a chance for them to state their problems with one another for sure. More importantly it was to discuss strategies on how to best deal with Vazio, on how to be prepared for for whatever he might do next.
To say it was going to be 'to die for' might be an understatement.