Chapter 2.

'Everything you see exists together in a delicate balance. While others search for what they can take, a true king searches for what he can give'.

The barren wasteland of the Outlands or Shadowland was as it always had been, heavily eroded with few trees or plants and with little water. The exiled lions lay around

waiting for the lionesses to return from hunting. Nuka the last cub of Scar sat scratching his neck while he waited for his Mother Zira to return. Life had been hard for him

since Simba had killed Scar and had them exiled. He had been hoping his Mother would have brought him back to the Pride Lands but of course that never happened. Looking

behind him he saw his half brother Kovu and his half sister Vitanni still sleeping. Standing up he stretched and was about to stretch his legs when the grumbling hunger pain

made him sit back down. He hadn't eaten anything in two days as all the food went to the cubs and the chosen one Kovu.

Zira who had just arrived back with the other lionesses dragged the antelope she had killed over to her cubs and allowed them to feast. When Nuka approached the antelope

her paw struck him causing him to fall back. "Are you a cub Nuka?" Are you the one chosen to defeat Simba? Your Father may have accepted you but he's dead now and we

need a lion stronger than you".

Nuka looked at his Mother sadly and walked away from her and the cubs. He was the disappointment in his Mother's life and no matter how hard he tried he could never

impress her. Coming to a stop he realised he had wandered aimlessly into the Pride Lands. Feeling his heart begin to race he looked around at the place he once called home.

Realising it wouldn't hurt to take a stroll he wandered through Pride Lands until he came to a stream where he took a drink. Hearing paw steps he cringed in on himself fearing

it to be his Mother. Not feeling a blow from her paw or claws he turned around and came face to face with a lioness he hadn't seen since before his exile, Sarabi.

Sarabi looked at the skinny lion in front of her. He had the lean frame and hair colour of his late Father. The ribs jutting out of his side showed he hadn't been eating well and

the scars on his neck showed abuse. Seeing him begin to shake in fear Sarabi smiled at him and said "hello Nuka. You've grown since I last saw you".

Remembering everything his Mother had told him since his they had been exiled Nuka trembled and stuttered "I'll leave right now. I'm sorry, please don't tell Simba or my

Mother".

Seeing the fear evident in his eyes Sarabi shook her head and dragged the antelope she had killed earlier to him. "No need to be sorry Nuka, I'm not angry and I'm glad you

came home. Now eat with me as I'm sure you're very hungry". Nuka looked at her shocked and not wanting to make her angry he joined her and they ate in silence.

When they had finished Nuka looked at his aunt and said "thank you for dinner Aunt Sarabi. I'd better be going home before my Mother misses me but even I find that hard to

believe".

Saddened by what he had said about his Mother Sarabi said "why return to the Outlands when you could return with me to Pride Rock.

Nuka scratched his neck before replying "Simba would never allow me back in the Pride Lands. I was exiled and if my Mother found out she'd beat me into next year".

Sarabi shook her head and said "you were just a cub when your Mother took you to the Outlands. My son Simba will hear your plea and you won't be alone as I will advocate

for you. Before the stars shine tonight you will be apart of this family again". Hopeful yet hesitant Nuka followed Sarabi back to Pride Rock wondering what lay ahead of him.

Zira paced back and forth seething from what a fellow lioness had told her. Nuka had betrayed them and returned to the Pride Lands. Standing in front of her pride she said

"Nuka has betrayed us and he has betrayed Scar's memory. When the time comes for Kovu to kill Simba remember this betrayal and make sure Nuka is destroyed. Rip him to

shreds". The lionesses cheered and Zira smiled before returning to her cave where her cubs lay sleeping.

Simba sat beside Nala below Pride Rock as he listened to Nuka's plea. He remembered Zira leaving with the cub but what he found upsetting was that she had mistreated the

cub because he wasn't what she had wanted him to be. Looking down at his young cousin he said "Nuka I hereby lift your exile as you had no choice since you were only a

cub. I am sorry for everything you had to go through. Welcome back to the Pride Lands cousin". Nuka smiled and was allowed pass the lionesses that stood in front of their

king. He was home but deep inside him was the worry that Zira would come looking for him.

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