A/N: Really don't have too much to add this time. Making good on updating on time, always a plus. And I think I've been doing good in responding to my reviewers.
More buildup in this chapter. So far, I'm estimating the next one to be out around the 2nd-3rd of July.
Till then, read and review this one.
Sundown was approaching. Simba was pacing back and forth, occasionally glancing at the massive yellow fireball to see how much time he had left.
"You're being far too antsy you know." Scar was flopped over, lounging near the edge. "The pride simply adores you. Worst thing is they recommend you cast me out into the wastes."
"Those snide comments aren't helping." He wanted to growl, yet felt as if it would be going through the motions at this point. Scar couldn't aggravate him as easily as before. If there was anything positive to be had, it was knowing that his stoic attitude could drive Scar up a wall faster than clubbing him over the head.
"Of course not." came the irritated response. As expected he made no effort to hide the discontent from his voice. "All the same, you do have an unbearable tendency to over think these things. Granted this isn't some small little deal... the rate things are going you'll have grey hairs in your mane before me."
"Right." Simba sighed. "I will worry at least about the effects of this the kingdom. That is what separates me from you."
Scar snarled. "Want to run that by me again?" then he saw the faint change in expression, showing that Simba was struggling not to smirk. He'd been played, beaten at his own game. "I despise when you do that."
"What? When I outsmart you?"
"Seems that you're amused because you got the better of me for once."
All Simba could do was chuckle.
"Of course. As the saying goes, simple things do amuse simple minds." That was enough to put him back in a better mood. Shame it was at the expense of his nephew's current state of mind. No matter, it couldn't be helped.
Shwari was beyond frustrated. Of all the lionesses she had to pick to try and convince, these had to be among the most stubborn. Sarabi and Sarafina were trying their paw with a few others, but these two in particular were some of the most vitriolic in their opinions and criticisms. Also the most paranoid, though obviously with plenty justification.
Moto lost her closest friend. It was during the battle against Licha. Shwari remembered that well. Moto blamed Scar and his negligence for allowing it to go so far. For not stomping out the rebellion before it ever had a chance to even become one in in the first place. For having the audacity to allow the hyenas in at all.
That said Shwari felt the same pain, if not greater. The lioness was a friend of hers as well. Since they'd been cubs themselves they'd gotten along well.
Moreover, she was the parent of Shaka. Shida was her daughter by blood, but Shaka might as well have been with how close they had grown. Shaka never held the death against Scar for some reason. Not as much as she could have. It was one of her true flaws. Being far too understanding and forgiving for her own good. Sadiki would always be missed.
Samaha. Now that was a very angry, bitter lioness. There was a lioness that probably had more reason to hate Scar than almost anyone. If at any point there was a person more outspoken than Shwari herself, it would have without doubt been Samaha.
She had a mate from outside the pride. One who hadn't even crossed far into the lands. He'd met Scar, and while he made no mention of desiring a place in the kingdom...much less anything more ambitious Scar didn't like it, and gave him a stern warning to mind his place. As well as his distance from the females. Apparently the hyenas took orders too far and tried to maul him, and he'd left the kingdom out of fear for his life and Samaha's.
Not without leaving her with cubs. Scar hadn't intended things to be like that. The damage was done though. Of course that did not stop things from getting worse. Of the three children she'd had only one was alive today. The Massacre of Pride Rock was when they lost their lives. Hardly more than cubs themselves, trying to stand up to grown hyenas was suicide.
That was perhaps another reason Nuka lived. Samaha never got over it. Scar, for once in his mad descent into lunacy had acted with respect, sincerity and compassion. Yet it wasn't quite enough...even with the knowledge that he'd lost a son of his own, Samaha wouldn't be placated.
She was the lioness currently hissing back at Shwari. "It doesn't matter. He can not be trusted. By us or anyone else. I still say Simba is a damnable fool for considering this. That...or maybe Scar tricked him into this half baked scheme. That lion has a knack for it. Especially since he's the one guilty for murdering his brother."
Moto nodded in agreement. Then she thought of something else. Of the revelation that Scar was also greatly wronged. Simba had no reason to lie...Sarabi even less so. "What about those things Mufasa did to him?"
Samaha looked surprised. "What about that?"
"Mufasa wasn't right for doing it. He told his father one thing...and then turned and did the opposite...by turning around and lying to everyone."
"So what are you getting at? That we should just blindly forgive Scar for his crimes...pretend he was actually justified in any way? He could have done better...could have told the pride himself where Mufasa wronged him. What did he do though...I'll tell you!" her teeth were bared now. "He planned and plotted...tried to kill Simba more than once...then he killed his own brother...made our current king think he was the guilty one. Banished Simba as a cub. Who in their right goddamned mind would ever consider giving him any more than scraps?"
Shwari found herself growling as well. "Because we can't keep living like this. All of you know that I still do not like him, but if Simba can find enough reason to put up with...even work with him...then this should be given a chance. At the very least, with Simba reigning him in...he might finally be able to pay his dues. To give back that which he has taken."
The younger lioness, Moto...she still wasn't all in. "Sadiki died because of him. If he'd been a proper king...he'd have acted sooner...with what he knew he should have stopped them. Could have easily. I didn't like that hyena witch matriarch...but if he'd have even listed to her...Licha would have failed."
"You know she was my friend as well. And she was Shaka's mother. Even if it isn't through blood, it might as well be. Do you think she would want you mourning over her for the rest of your life...holding onto a grudge?" The small light furred female wasn't sure she was getting anywhere. These two were so obstinate.
"A grudge? That monster is responsible for what happened to them. My son and daughter are dead...and he and his line live on. So why would I ever forgive that?" Her pale grey fur was starting to turn a reddish shade from the setting sun. She didn't want to make this decision at all. Scar didn't deserve another thought from her unless it was one of contempt.
"I know what you've lost. And I'd be lying if I said I understood. But this hate is going to get us nothing...Scar lost a child too...I dislike having to say this...but have you ever thought that maybe all the things in his life made him who he is today?" Part of her felt sick for defending him. That was something that went against every fiber of her being. Things had changed though...more than she had ever expected. Both her daughter and Shaka...no...they were both her daughters now...each had worn away at her resolve...to remain grounded in the past.
Shwari had begun to see that not everything to do with him was bad or evil. That a lion like Scar wasn't as terrible as she'd long since convinced herself. If he could do as he did...if he could produce a good upstanding young lion in Nuka...then maybe he wasn't beyond redemption after all. The story of Mufasa...and his own wrongs were the final straw.
Samaha didn't agree. Clearly not with the deep scowl on her face. "I didn't think you were that soft or foolish. Of course you could never know my pain. Scar though...with all that he did...losing his son was his comeuppance...if only he'd lost his mate...if she'd been shredded by those hyenas...then maybe we'd have one less bastar-"
It all happened so fast. Shwari heard Moto roar. Then the lioness was charging forward, barreling into Samaha and smashing her into the ground with a tremendous amount of force.
"I hate Scar. Don't think that I don't have every reason...but damn it all you idiot of a lioness...did you hear what you were saying?!"
There was a growling sound from Samaha. "Of course. isn't the first time I've thought that...how...how could you blame me for thinking it when I know you have had similar thoughts?"
"Yes! And it was him I wished that fate on, not the innocent ones." Her grip on the other lioness remained firm. Shwari decided enough was enough. Letting this play out wouldn't do anyone a bit of good.
"Break this nonsense up." She directed a glare to Moto. "Off of her."
Stifling a snarl, she complied. Soon as she'd stepped back Samaha leaped back several feet, teeth slightly bared.
Figuring it was for the best she stepped between the larger females. "Never thought I'd play this part...but you both need to clear your heads." Her gaze settled on the older lioness. "Especially you. Like I said, I can't say I know precisely what it would feel like...but don't you dare forget I still have children and that I've experienced loss. Do you want to know what could happen if you hold on to this bitterness?"
As she spoke she ran her claws softly over the dirt. "You could end up being swallowed by all your darkness...exactly like Scar. You also might not get as lucky as he did, getting a miracle to pull him back from the brink."
That made her snort derisively. "Whatever you want to tell yourself."
"Call me the biggest fool in all of Africa...it wouldn't matter...Shwari isn't entirely wrong. I don't like the idea of giving him a chance. Really. Which is why I'll only do so with a serious conditional."
Samaha's jaw nearly hit the ground. "Are you shitting me?" Shwari nearly laughed at the swear. Normally she was the one to use that type of language. "What could you possibly be thinking?"
"I'm thinking that maybe...Simba appoints a few of us as a sort of...restraint...a group...that can decide if Scar is doing what he is supposed to be doing." Moto had only just thought the idea up in the last couple minutes. It seemed like a very good suggestion, and the only way she'd vote in favor.
"Pretty clever." Truth be told it was a long-shot to have even gotten one of them swayed from a definite no. As stubborn as they were, it was still best to remember that not long ago she held the same mentality.
Gears were turning quickly in the oldest female. "Clever...I'm not sure I'd go with that...but...I think I might add a little piece of my own. Say we suggest to Simba this little collection that Scar has to answer to...one to review his actions...as well as having the power to decide a fitting punishment for whatever wrongs he will do." In her mind it was inevitable that he would err again.
Only this time, something could be done. "Of course that doesn't mean I will vote in favor. Never. But if Simba has enough marbles in his head to shake around, he might agree. If so, I will simply abstain from making any sort of vote."
Very slyly the light furred lioness smirked. "Yes...I think this is the best way to do it." The best for the kingdom. And the best way to keep the despot from ever daring to abuse his limited authority.
Soon enough they were out of sight and earshot. Zira was a little surprised Nuka wanted to deal with her alone. "So then. What exactly prompted that?"
"Not really wanting to have Chaka around in case y-you do something crazy." It wasn't like he liked the idea. Not at all. His mother was very hard to predict, so this could well end badly.
"So you want to protect him did you?" Rhetorical question of course on her part. "Of course you did. You are still weak. Wanting to shelter the whelp...when all I wanted was to talk to my eldest son." The last word was said with disdain and a twinge of bitterness.
He had to scoff at that. "Now you acknowledge that. Is...is it because you care...or are just impressed I lived through that f-fight?"
Which prompted her to sneer. "As if you get to question me." Part of her didn't want to admit the truth. "You lived...which means you are something more than I gave you credit for...yet still a weak cub in the end...wanting to be just and fair. Is it any wonder that had that flea ridden imbecile never returned, that Kovu would have been the heir?"
"Then it's a good thing Simba did, isn't it? Otherwise...who knows what you'd have turned him in to." Nuka was very nervous by this point. One wrong word and she could lash out. It was hard to keep himself from shaking. Even still he felt the statement had to be made. Kovu was young...and could easily be made into a monster.
Her eyes narrowed. Then she bared her teeth as if to threaten. When the young lion didn't immediately drop to the ground in terror she stopped, laughing softly to herself. "Nuka...my...how things have changed."
"Are you surprised that I'm not about to faint from fear?" His heart was still beating quickly. Like he expected something to happen at any moment.
Zira took a step closer, prompting him to nearly jump. "Wouldn't be the first time...me taking one step towards you could make you nearly wet yourself not long ago...it's almost commendable that you have moved past that."
Strange. He managed to laugh at her cold statement. "You can't let any of your past go." Of course he knew that about his mother. "How weak are you...m-mother when you can't even face me without seeing him?" It was a long shot. One that was as likely to piss her off as to do anything else.
"Insolent little whelp." With a snarl she closed the several meter gap between them to less than a foot. "I bet you wouldn't have survived the things my family has. You...you are the weak link in my line." Nuka seemed to want to hold his ground...but she could see exactly how afraid he was. His heart was beating faster...she could faintly hear it as close as she was...his fur was on edge too.
"Trust me...I'm not going to give you a sob story about my life being terrible...the opposite...for most of my life I lived well..." This seemed bizarre. Like their confrontational exchange just took a step far out into left field. "Still without a pride to help us...it was a constant battle for survival. Why do you think I've managed to live in the Outlands?"
Her son was still bewildered. "What does that h-have to do with right now? What does it have to do with you treating me and everyone else like pawns?"
"Plenty. By the time I was your age things just worked like that. My father treated everyone but me that way. You wouldn't have made it." her expression was hard to gauge. "Too merciful...too soft hearted...the only thing you are good at is being lucky."
An idea struck her. It would be amusing to see if she was right. "So soft in fact, that I bet you wouldn't lay a paw on me, even if given the chance. You certainly have every reason to strike out."
His blood went cold. Like ice in his veins. More than once she'd said used that on him in the past, and no matter what it always ended with him being either screamed at or getting a beating. Often both. He was much bigger than back then... though still hardly two thirds her size...enough to do damage if he struck quickly and with precision.
Of course in his mind she deserved it. More than once he'd imagined, that if given the chance he'd fight back. When push came to shove...he was a lot less certain. And not only because she could likely still rip him to shreds with relative ease.
"I...of all the things mother...how could I do that?" his whole body betrayed what he really thought, as all his muscles were tensed...as if preparing for a possible life or death situation. Nuka did not want to make the first move...if Zira did come at him...then he'd do his best to fend her off and run.
Hearing those words made her stop for a moment. Briefly she questioned herself...what was the point of this? When it dawned on her that she had no idea what any of this was about...Zira did what came natural to her. She pressed on.
"Come now. I'd like to see what you've learned...supposedly Scar has taught you how to fight...and you can beat Vitani regularly...you even stood up to that demented creature...no small feat. So what is a little test against me going to hurt?" her teeth were showing, as she looked at him with a predatory grin.
"You'd know something about demented..." he let the words out without even realizing what he'd said. When he saw her raise her paw he scrunched his eyes shut...then snarled loudly at her. A few seconds and no blow fell.
Cautiously he opened his eyes, hardly even realizing that his own teeth were flashing back at her in a menacing manner.
It almost got her to feel pity for him. Nearly made her feel guilt. But not quite. "So I take it you thought I was going to strike you. When will you learn that I'm not predictable?" Zira asked rhetorically. "Still...I wonder what it would take to get you to lash out..."
Nuka took a single step back. His guard was up as a precaution. "Is this...is this a-a damn game to you? To get a reaction out of me?"
Something about it caused her to ask herself that very same thing. Or perhaps she'd been questioning her self the entire time and had been ignoring it. Grinding her canines together in an attempt to banish those invasive ideas, Zira forced a smile. "Does it even matter?" a deep frown replaced the look. Such an expression felt far more familiar to her. Said a lot about her past when such a thing felt natural.
"I don't think so. And I won't have you turn this back around on me you little whelp." For some reason the anger she was trying to display didn't feel the same. Something about it felt a little less genuine. "Always with your nonsense...reminding me far too much of what things were like."
Oddly enough that seemed to be more of a trigger. Enough to get him a lot more worked up than before. "Because I remind you of Furaha? Is that what this is all about...mother?" When her scowl darkened Nuka drew his own conclusion. "I don't get you...why you could do any of the crap you've done...how am I any l-less of a son than Kovu...or less of a child to you than Vitani?"
"This has nothing to do with them!" Zira hissed sharply and suddenly. "They weren't born yet...do not bring them into this matter!"
He got closer this time. "And I was barely more than a newborn!" At any point he couldn't recall being quite this angry. Especially not in such a way. "What right do you h-have...to treat me like trash? Might as well named me that since you obviously never felt an ounce of love for me!"
A loud slap echoed across the grassland. The lioness absentmindedly noticed that her claws were still sheathed. How fortunate for Nuka, who snarled at her the second his shock wore off.
"That is even more proof." Briefly he raised his paw as if to strike back. Only his senses returned to him...and he opted to do otherwise. "That I'm right. That all you can do is lash out."
"Damn simpleton of a cub. Believe it if you wish, but I know that I do love you." Her breath caught for a moment. Did she really say those words? Surely this was some mistake. Clearly she'd said something given the way he was looking at her. It was all meant to be in past tense. She once loved him. "Doesn't even matter...things will never be as they once were. You'd be fooling yourself to think they could ever go back. Too much has changed."
His mind was torn between the bitterness felt over her actions towards him...and of the sympathy he had for her still Not to mention astonishment at what he thought he'd heard her say. "I don't t-think the future is that written in stone...mother...maybe we can make it better than our past...if we aren't too stubborn to try."
Part of her wanted to scream at him. Especially since Zira knew full well the statement was directed at her. Biting back her temper and words she offered a quick nod of the head. Almost imperceptible.
"Perhaps, or perhaps not. I only know that maybe you're not the only fool standing here." Then she shook her head. "Or maybe we're not fools at all...just victims of fate. Either way...I've had enough talk for one day. For now...I think I'll go...leave you at peace. Before your father comes looking."
Nuka didn't argue or question it. Part of him felt relieved to see her go. Another though was more confused than ever. A small part dared to wish that she never left him in the first place.
Translation:
Moto: Swahili for flame or fire.
Sadiki: Swahili for trust.
Samaha: Swahili for forgiveness.
