Time had passed quickly after Mohatu and Athena's deaths. The cubs had grown dramatically. No longer small cubs, all the young males were starting to show the markings of the lions they were growing into.

The young lionesses were also growing into their adult bodies. With the new growth came new lessons for all the young lions and lionesses. Now old enough to hunt, and to bring a bright proud smiles to Athazar and Sanura's muzzles was that Sarafina came out best huntress with Adela close second.

Mufasa attended his royal lessons, some times with Rafiki when his father or mother couldn't do it.

Scar however, ignored any summons to take part of any royal training. Rafiki, Uru and even Ahadi offered to take the responsibility of training him to be an advisor. But only Princess Isla came, as far as Scar was concerned, being advisor to Mufasa, his second in command was damn well not going to happen.

Scar had stopped caring about being Mufasa's advisor the day Mohatu and Athena died. The brown prince simply found his brother to be an irritating show off not worthy of anything from him. Something Scar had no problem saying to his brother's face, despite the looks of hurt Mufasa gave in return.

Mufasa felt extreme pain by the change in his brother, and missed the closeness they once had. The future king tried everyday, despite Scar's attitude to be there, in hopes of mending whatever went wrong.

But now, it seems like the only one who could keep Scar in check and bring out his good moods, was Isla. She was the only one who could keep him smiling. As Isla liked the company of Mufasa and the others, especially Cassiel but she was the only one who could get Scar to be polite to the others when they were all together.

Scar secretly resented the fake smiles he put on for her when they were near Mufasa. But he would, at the end of the day do anything for her. Unfortunately at the end of the day, Isla wasn't always around. When she was out hunting, or he couldn't stand being near Mufasa even with Isla around, Scar took the opportunity to visit Idris and his hyena friends at the graveyard.

The rest of the hyenas were actually quite pleasant to him, and in return around the hyenas, Scar found happiness and a place of belonging. Even though he cared for Isla above all others, the hyenas offered the brown furred, black mane teen a community in which he was accepted and loved.

Idris following what Athazar told her had done a large amount of damage on him. Slowly Idris and Athazar poisoned Scar's mind about his loved ones. They said that Mufasa was a show-off bully who loves to dominate over him. They said that the others felt sorry for him. They even poisoned mind towards his parents.

Idris told him that Ahadi and Uru only cared about their heir, and cared less for their oldest, unworthy son. All lies were slowly darkening Scar's heart. They were waiting for the right moment to deliver the last peice to the plan.

Athazar and Idris learned, however that they couldn't bad mouth Isla. If they dared say anything negative about the light gold teen, Scar would leave with a snarl.

Idris and Athazar grew concerned about Scar's fondness to the lioness. They could not have complete control over Scar unless he distrust all the members of his pride. All they could do was put doubts in Scar's mind and wait for her to break his heart. And if and when she does, they'll be there to pick up the pieces.

In the Pridelands

"Hey girls."

Sarabi and the other young lionesses looked to see Vanya apporching their spot at the watering hole with a warm smile.

Sarafina narrowed her blue eyes at the dark beige teen. "Where have you been?"

Vanya walked over and laid by Amani before answering her creamy friend's question with a shy smile. "Oh, just with Hunter."

Amani looked at the dark beige teen with a wide grin from Zira's side. "You like him a lot, huh?"

Vanya's ears perked as she smiled at her brown pelted friend. "Of course. Hunter is a great friend."

Amani shook her head and giggled. "Nooo, I mean you like him like him."

Vanya's brown eyes widen at that as her ears pinned a bit. "What?" Vanya laughed lightly before shaking her head. "That's silly. Of course not."

Sarafina sighed heavily, she was really getting tired of this act that her friend thinks got everyone fooled. "Come on, Vanya. You've been gaga for Hunter since we were cubs."

"What?! I-"

Anna giggled from her spot on a ledge. "Oh, 'Ya you know it's true."

Vanya frowned before narrowing her eyes. "Well...so what if I like him? He's a good lion with a greater heart."

Sarafina rolled her eyes before pointing a claw at Isla. "No need to get defensive. The princess has a guy thing too."

Isla lifted her head off the rocky surface her body was resting on. "What? I do not!"

Ahava looked up at the light gold princess. "You and Haru-I mean Scar sure spend a lot of time with each other."

Isla's purple eyes widened. She didn't know what to say. She shook her head and tried to deny what her friends were saying. "Yeah, but-"

Zira spoke up with a small smirk. "Yeah. A loootttt of time with one another."

"It's not like that! He's my brother!"

Sarafina glared at the younger lioness. "Yeah but you're not actually related."

Isla sighed heavily, she never really haven't thought about Scar like that. She has been thinking about Cassiel more than usual but not Scar. Is that even legal? "Look. Scar is a amazing lion and I do care for him a lot but not like that. I don't think I can ever see him pass being my big brother."

Sarafina scoffed before laughing. "Pfft, that's not what he sees."

Isla looked confused. "What do you mean, Sarafina?"

Adela decided to speak and looked at Isla with her brownish rimmed ears forward. "It's obvious he cares about you."

Isla looked down with her ears against her head. She couldn't believe this. Scar can't have feelings for her. She moved her eyes towards Adela with a unsure expression. "You really think so?"

Amani shared a look with Ahava before looking at their light gold pelted friend. "We just assumed..."

"...especially since you're not actually related." Zira added.

Isla shook her head. She really didn't know what to think about that. "No. We're just really close."

Sarafina laughed with a amused smile. "Ha! Good luck explaining that to him."

Isla looked away with a concern look. If Scar does have feelings for her, she doesn't know what to do.

...X...

Prince Mufasa sat on the very top of priderock. The sun was setting and he had a lot to think about. Mainly about him taking the throne when his parents deemed he's ready. But would he ever be ready?

"Hey Princey Paws. What are you doing up here?"

Mufasa froze a bit before turning to look at the adult pale beige lioness that sat next to him. "Um...thinking."

Adela nodded before turning to look at the sun set behind the horizon. "You didn't show for patrol. Haven't for the past few weeks." she moved her orange eyes from the lowering orb to the golden teen lion. "Mufasa, is there something you want to tell me?"

Mufasa turned to look away, even though it was hard to. The sun's golden rays made her soft fur shimmer with light. The rays showed off her sleek legs and body. The light illuminated her body and looked like sparkling gold against her beautiful face.

Mufasa closed his eyes and groaned, this is why he has been avoiding the older female. It's no doubt that he hasn't fallen in love with his best friend, but the worst thing is she's a season or two older.

Adela lowered her eyes before taking a deep breath. "Mufasa...There's something I have to tell you."

Mufasa nodded before turning to face Adela, only to have their muzzles connect. The two stayed in that position for a minute before they broke apart blushing brighter than a shepherd's sun.

"Um...I..." the future king stuttered.

Adela blushed before thrusting her head under the lion's. "I feel the same."

Mufasa smiled before he rubbed his head against Adela's. Adela closed her eyes and purred as she rubbed her head back against his.

AN; Young love. What do you think? I know Adela is quite a bit older and not Sarabi but it's different.