TMNTTLK lover; Only time will tell.

Young Athalia watched from between her father's paws as the four young lionesses head to the hunting fields. The golden cub looked up with worry amber eyes. "Papa? Will Nala be alright?"

Mufasa looked at his daughter and smiled. "I'm sure she will. After all, I trained her."

Athalia giggled as she was being tickled by her father's red mane as he bend his head to nuzzle her. Even though her mother forbid her from being around the tawny lioness, she did anyway. From the first time she ran into Nala it was a big sister, little sister relationship.

The father and daughter moment was cut short when Shenzi and her two companions walked over. Athalia squealed before she hid behind her father's leg.

"Mufasa, his and her royal highness wish that you accompany us on a border patrol," said Shenzi.

Mufasa sighed deeply before looking at his daughter. "Why don't you play with Mheetu and Nuka."

Nuka was born a few weeks after Athalia. His mother, the headstrong and firey Zira. No one knew untill she went into labor. The reason why? Zira was raped by none other than King Scar. The dark tan lioness' own cousin. Scar told her that he needed a releave from his mate and she denied. So he took it, with little Nuka being the outcome. Which Scar denied, making Zira seem like a crazy woman.

The golden cub nodded before scampering off towards where her friends were. Mufasa smiled before looking at the hyenas and sighed deeply.

"Let's get this over with."

The four came to the edge of the Pridelands where the hyenas stopped. Mufasa looked at the three with a raised eyebrow. What surprised the golden lion was that the seemed most stupid hyena spoke up.

Ed cleared his throat before looking at the ex-king. "The queen has a hit on you."

Mufasa as well as the two other hyenas looked at him with wide eyes. Shenzi shook her head and turned to her mate.

"You could talk?"

Ed nodded, the stupid look slowly disappearing. "I just choose not to." then he looked towards Mufasa. "Queen Sarafina wants you dead for being friends with her daughter."

Banazi looked at his brother-in-law. "She didn't say that." then looked at his sister, who shrugged.

"She didn't have to. Listen we're doing this because Athalia needs her father. She can come visit only if to keep this to herself."

Mufasa sighed before lowering his head. "I think it's best she thinks I'm dead. So she be less confused."

Ed looked at the lion with sympathy. "I'm sorry. I wish we didn't have to."

Mufasa nodded. "Just tell my daughter I love her."

"Will do."

Mufasa turned and walked over the border with a heavy heart.

...X...

Nala hid in the dry, dead grass. Her slim body completely hidden. Her green eyes moved across the area trying to find anything but nothing met her eye. A deep side left her mouth as she realized she has to go behind the border for prey. She took a few deep breaths before running towards any direction. Hoping there was food wherever she was headed.

...

As the sun began to set Princess Nafia, Kula and Vitani returned with kills. Scar smiled proudly at his oldest. He wasn't even concerned that Nala wasn't back and the sky was getting dark.

"Scar, we should send a search party?"

Scar growled at Sarafina. "We will do no such thing. Nala knows the rules. Besides, we seen this coming."

"Scar that's not the point! She could be hurt!"

The rich brown lion snarled. "That's her problem."

Sarafina watched in disbelief and shock as her mate walked in the cave like everything was alright. The creamy lioness sighed deeply before following the king into the royal den.