Scar's Survival
Chapter 8 Observations
Over the next several days Scar and Moyo learned the daily routine of Shaba and her Guard. Shaba got up early and headed out alone. The Guard meanwhile split up with each of the four generals taking several subordinates out with him to patrol a particular section of their border. Scar used this time to study the generals. Sala was the fastest of the Guard. He moved at an increased pace and often doubled over his patrols. He was diligent and methodical.
Utiifu was the keenest of sight. He often would skip sections of his patrol because he didn't see a reason to go over flat open areas he could quickly scan with his superior vision. However this didn't make him a slacker. In fact quite the opposite. Areas with dense brush were patrolled repeatedly so that he wouldn't miss something hiding within.
Mrithi was the bravest. His patrolling style was unremarkable. He was always calm and level headed. But if he suspected something unusual he often charged first and asked questions later. Quite a foolhardy approach in Scar's opinion. But Mrithi was a much larger male, on the same scale of Mufasa. Even if he dove head first into an unpredictable situation it would be unlikely that he couldn't handle it. Scar had learned caution and hesitation from being a smaller, weaker male. Something Mrithi had not learned…
Dubwana was the strongest. He was a bully to say the least, a tactic he imprinted upon his young, eager sub: Ukuta. Together on patrols the two were reckless. They knew nothing could possibly threaten Dubwana so they took high risks. They didn't just patrol the boarders. They often would go deep into neighboring territories, marking them. As if daring the Kings around them the challenge them. They were especially bold with the territory directly to the south: the true pride lands of the Great Plains Pride.
Scar saw from a great distance the mighty Choma with his Guard. A dark lion with a black mane. They sent out warning roars to Dubwana. Scar estimated that Choma's Guard was about the same size as Shaba's. Dubwana's patrol party alone couldn't challenge them but he was constantly reminding Choma of his presence.
Scar also observed the personal dynamics within the Guard. Dubwana and Mrithi were equals as the top ranking lions. They never challenged nor submitted to each other. They were a team, although they often disagreed, their brotherly bond united them none the less. Scar envied them. Even though Mrithi could probably be at the top without Dubwana's help, Dubwana none the less supported his brother. Scar wished Mufasa had stood up for him when he was younger instead of just letting him fall to the lowest rank in the pride…
Sala and Utiifu's dynamic was a bit more complex. They were clearly not brothers as Scar had been originally told. They sought out one another when done with patrols. They were overly affectionate, head butting and rubbing heads, grooming one another. Scar concluded that they were a couple. It was rare that lions treat each other as such, having a lioness mate was always the main goal of any male lion. But these two seemed to have been together a very long time. Perhaps they were once lone rogues who teamed up but found one another more interesting than any lioness they came across.
Like Dubwana and Mrithi, Sala and Utiifu were equals in their place as the third highest ranked lions in the Guard. They did not mount each other as one might expect of gay lions. Instead they pleasured one another equally with their tongues, slowly licking and suckling the other until they had satisfied themselves. The others in the Guard tended to ignore the couple back at the den. It was only on patrols that they stood out as generals and leaders. Scar wondered if they even wanted lioness mates… They might, after all they couldn't have cubs with each other…
Shaba was the trickiest to figure out. She was very independent, not going with her Guard anywhere. But where she went was a mystery. Everyone respected her, most importantly Dubwana and Mrithi. Without them holding the Guard in check, Shaba had no power over the motley gang of rogues. She seemed to show no favor towards anyone in her Guard. But Dubwana acted differently towards her, as if he was indeed special. He was always near her, even when it was clear Shaba was annoyed by him. Perhaps he was just overprotective? Or was it something… more?
Scar got his answer one day when he got back from patrol. Shaba was pacing around outside her little cave. She was in a mood, irritated at something no doubt. As the rest of the Guard laid down for the night Dubwana approached her. Shaba hissed at him but Dubwana stood stoically before her. She paced around the massive lion stopping at his tail. Scar watched as Dubwana's tail raised in anticipation and his testicles twitched… Shaba deeply smelled his masculine scent, breathing it in, letting it consume her…
Shaba then rubbed her head firmly against the large lion's package. No doubt to cover herself in his musky scent. She then began to lick the small pink tip beneath the testicles. Causing Dubwana's excitement to grow… He turned around and started licking Shaba's sensitive place under her tail. Shaba growled in irritation and swatted him away, but her lust was too strong at this point, so she simply ran into her dark cave. Dubwana eagerly followed in after her…
"So that's how she controls him…" Scar muttered to himself.
Moyo had observed the exchange between the two but said nothing.
"I wonder if she has promised Dubwana something, in addition to her favors…" Scar continued.
Suddenly a loud roar erupted from the small cave and Dubwana rushed out, obviously flustered. Scar chuckled. It was plain to see that Shaba had chased him out quite unexpectedly…
"Is the Queen not in the mood tonight Dubwana?" Scar sneered.
Dubwana growled at him.
"Leave him alone brother," Mrithi stated. "He's not blind, we all saw it. Just let it be…"
Still Dubwana was clearly seething. He went over and sat next to his brother. Scar's mind went into overdrive: of course Shaba had to offer Dubwana something for his loyalty. Just because the Guard had respected her father's wishes didn't automatically mean they would follow her indefinitely. From what Scar could gather of the situation, Choma had usurped the pride just over a year ago. This fit the timeline that Zira had become pregnant with Kovu, it would have been just before Choma had left his pride, near Pride Rock. That was a long time to go without the Guard abandoning Shaba. And while she had clearly wanted some company… did she really want Dubwana's company? He wasn't similar to her at all. Scar doubted that he was a generous lover given his personality. It would explain her indifference to him when Shaba wasn't in the mood…
Having a mate would surly benefit Shaba. But because of her rejection, she probably thought no one would want her. Or had she tried and Dubwana was the only one who… for lack of a better explanation, could get it up with her? She wasn't very attractive to most standards of lioness beauty. Most lionesses did their best to avoid looking masculine. But Shaba's mane made her look like a lion from a distance. She didn't even smell like a regular lioness because her hormones were so screwed up. But that wasn't her fault. Still, given what little she had, Shaba was making the best of her situation… But it didn't mean that she was stuck with it. Scar saw his opportunity…
Scar stood from his resting place. Dubwana had laid down and was a bit calmer now. Moyo looked at Scar, puzzled. Without a word or glance at anyone Scar walked directly into Shaba's little cave. Dubwana didn't seem to notice at first…
"Ha!" Ukuta laughed, seeing Scar enter Shaba's cave. "That scrawny runt thinks he can please the Queen better than you can Dubwana!"
Dubwana scoffed. "Hum. Let him try. She'll run him out faster than a cheetah. What could that Scar possibly offer her that I couldn't…?"