Chapter 17

As noon was coming to an end and began to mix with the evening sun, the kings advisor, Zazu came flapping overhead. He had been flying for hours, trying to locate the king of the pridelands. There he as finally, under a acacia tree, napping, as usual. Yes, Scar naps never seem to fail, but this had the blue bird wonder, how could who does almost nothing, be so tried? "Sire, there you are." He landed a large stone just across from the resting king. "Scar?..hmp, Scar-"

"What is it? can't you see I'm sleeping?"

"Yes, Sire I do see that." He chimed, clearing his thoart.

"Then why do you call yourself disturbing me?"

"I mean no disturbance- I just thought I check in on you, and let you know the important information oi gathered from the morning report."

"Oh, kings…" Scar placed a paw across his face, he did not have time to it meddle with such things. It would be the same report as its always been. "Can't it wait, til later."

"Why no sire, I have some news you need to hear." The brown lion, opened the one eye with a scar across it. glaring up at the hornbill impatiently.

"Well- go on!" he voice was filled with annoyance.

"Right well, Scar the herds are moving out of the pridelands."

"what?" he closed his eyes and opened them again, he must have misheard. Did that bird, just say the herds are leaving the pridelandes?

"Yes, the herds are leaving the pride lands."

"Why?"

"Because of the overhunting, sire."

" what overhunting?" Zazu tried his best to keep a clam disposition, but the way he was acting really got under the major domo feathers. Acting like he had no idea of the overhunting? Please. It was his beast that are causing it.

"With the um, hyenas sire. They have rather large appetites and with the added hunting of the lionesses, the herds are stressed, and the numbers are growing low."

"Are you saying my hyenas are to blame for this?" Scar lifted his head, this was the first time he had actually made eye contact with Zazu, and lets just say, it wasn't too welcoming.

"Well no, but yes, they are Part of the problem." the king let out a small sigh, and placed his head back on his paws.

"I think you're just over reacting Zazu, the herds probably just moved around. This is their home, they aren't going anywhere."

"But-" how could he get this lazy, inconsiderate lion to understand what was actually happening? Is this so farfetched of an idea to him, that his beloved hyenas are the real problem? And yes, Zazu knew Scar had always been fond of the dogs, so fonder, to them then his own pride members. "Sire, if you could talk to them and let them know they need to draw back on the hunting. It'll ruin the natural order- why a lioness today got injured from a buffalo!"

"Sounds like hunting didn't go so well with them."

"No it didn't! they have to split the party in half, just to cover more ground!"

"No one told them to go after a buffalo, didn't they know they didn't have much of chance. It's not like they have the hyenas numbers or strength."

"It was the only thing available on the southern boarder, because they were order to bring in two kills this morning-" Zazu talked in a matter-of-fact tone, like the king didn't already know about the order, when it was he who sent him to tell them.

" Watch it Zazu, don't forget who you are talking to…" a low growl was leaving his throat, so low that Zazu could barely hear it, but he knew the warning was there. It was all over the king face, that he was getting ticked off.

" Right….sorry…sire, I'm just alittle worried that-"

" Don't be, it's not your job to worry about anything. Your job is to tell me what is happening in MY kingdom. And that is all."

"…yes…" Scar was over his nap now and was growing rather irritated being in the bird's presence.

"Fine, I'll tell the hyenas, if that will satisfy you, snice you are so concerned with this problem. Uh, maybe you should become the king then." Like the idea wasn't tempting, Zazu would do a much better job than Scar. But this is the real world, and the kingdom has to be ruled by the pride, to keep order. So him, becoming king will never be a chance. All he can do is whisper in their ears and hope they will listen.

"Yes, it will make me very happy sire."

"Good, now leave me. you've always wasted a good 10 minutes of my time." Zazu cleared his throat again, and watched as Scar placed his head onto the ground. While his head was turned the major domo voiced a few, words to his sleeping king in his head before taking flight into the sky again.

In the vast plains on a still rock, miles out from his old tree, Rafiki, sat alone, in the days stillness, meditating. He had been out here for hours, trying to find a peace of mind, and a way to connect with the great kings. the old mandrill knew something was wrong, he could feel it in his old bones- but finding what exactly was the problem was another thing. All the wise ape knew was that something had to be done, and fast. But in order to make a move, he had to find the answers first. He sat straight, a hummed to himself. "hmmmmm…Hmmmm" traveling deep into his inner conscious until he got the welcoming call he was looking for. A gush of wind brushed him hard. "Mufasa, is that you?" the wind circled back and brushed up against him again. "Of course it is… I ask how are you doing? Oh- you have no time for that? Really, my king, you are in the clouds, what could you possibly be going?!" the grassed with the wind, back and forth back and forth. Rafiki seem to have a mental conversation with his old friend, and what the king was telling him from the together side….was not good.

"My king you sound angry? Why?...of course I know it's because to died early-uh you think I'd forget?!" the wind circled back, hitting him against the back hard. The message was important. "Okay okay okay…w-what do you mean foul play?" asked the mandrill, with his eyes closed. " what exactly are you saying?" the whistling of the wind echoed around him. The seen looked like a small windstorm was circle only around him, his fur moving in every direction. he suddenly held hid staff tight. "w-what Scar…murder…no…no Mufasa you are wrong why would-" the wind ran against him hard, Rafiki covered his face from the blow. "alright alright… but your own brother?…oh no" he went further into his mind, understanding more about the conversation he was hearing from the dead king. It had seemed like Mufasa death was no accident, and that it had been planned for some time. "B-but now what? He is king, and he has your boy, your wife?" the excuses did not let see with the past king. He knocked over Rafiki staff, tossing it across the way. "time? What about time?" the wind began to blow stronger" M-my king…what can I do about this?" he voiced over gushing winds, that soon silent to stillness, and Rafiki was left there again alone.

His eyes shot opened, wide from ear to ear. He could not believe what he was told, or what he thought it was told, it all seemed so fuzz to him now. And strange, almost unreal. Rafiki went over to his staff and picked the stick up. On it side, was a small mark – the shape of a claw that had the same shape of the mark on Scar.

It took the girls till evening to finally arrive back in the pridelands. the trip could have been cut in half, but the two lionesses had started to bond over small conversation, and to rush back home to both of their realties could wait. Vitani had told Nala of her father plan to marry her off to some other pride, an a sign of alliance, but truly, she thought of it was them getting rid of her. the blue-eyed lioness couldn't even think of her mother doing that to her, let alone a father, with his only baby girl? It was harsh, and when she thought about it, maybe she didn't have it so hard after all. Then again, living under Scar rule, with anyone was…hard.

"I'm just going to leave one day and never come back." Voiced the princess.

"Leave and go where? Priderock is all we know."

"Hmp, all you know." She corrected, not in a manner of being rude, however, she did have a point. Nala has know nothing else but the comfort and security of the pridelands, while Vitani had started off in the outlands, ad place no one wanted to be. "I don't need to stay here where I'm not wanting or not even considered…I mean how can you even plan to send your daughter away without even telling her!" Nala shrugged her shoulders.

"I don't know." She paused. "but maybe it'll be for the best. I mean look at this place? It's turning into the elephant graveyard."

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?"

"No, just, maybe look at it in a different light. I can't tell you how to feel, but looking around I can say you may have better options."

"yea well, all my friends are here, so I wouldn't want to leave." Nala gave her a small smile.

"friends?"

"Look, don't make me change my mind about you okay?"

"haha, okay."

"yea, you and Simba are the only one I can really talk to, my mother no help, and Nuka so into himself and you it's ridiculous."

"Yea that's true-" she stopped when she heard all of what Vitani had said, Nuka….into her?" "w-what what?"

"What?"

"Nuka's into me?" Nala ear pinned with embarrassment.

"um duh, can't you tell?"

"…uh no, I mean I just thought that was him being friendly?"

"oh good kings, someone like you will always have lions on your tail, you need know how to pick up the signs."

"Why do you always say that?"

"Say what?"

"Someone like me, I don't get it." Vitani rolled her eyes.

"Nala, you're pretty, smart, have a nice body don't be so naïve, males will be all over you."

"You are just as pretty, and smart and have just as nice a body as me."

"Please…" Vitani chimed in a low voice, after listening to so many insults from her brother. The idea of her being ugly and stupid started to weight on her mind. Nuka wasn't right about most thing…but what if he as about this? He always told her she looks exactly like their father- but with her mother's complexion, and a female version of her father doesn't seem to appealing.

"I'm serious."

"And I'm serious. I know my strong suite and I know what I'm…not so strong at."

"That has nothing to do with strong suite, yea you're… a little rough the edges, but you're you. And that make you special." Vitani raised a brow

"You really had the best cubhood didn't you."

"I uh…"

"Look it's pretty boy- hey Simba!" the lion turned over his shoulder to see Nala and Vitani walking his way. He was so into in his own thinking, he walked right passed them with out even noticing. "Hey whats with the face, kid?"

"face? What face?"

"That face." Retorted Vitani. "That, my face is as long as a zebra face." With a playful chime. "What's up?"

"Nothing, just walking. Where are you to coming from?"

"Hunting." Voiced the blue-eyed lioness.

"Oh, how that go?"

"umm-"

"Let's just say she has a lot of work cut out for her." the two lionesses eyed each other.

"….yea." Nala somewhat agreed, giving her answer. Although still thinking, for her first time, do anything of that nature, she did fairly well-but she won't bring that back up with Vitani. She could always argue otherwise. "Where are you coming from?"

"Oh, uh nowhere, just taking a walk."

"Really, without my annoying brother by your side, how you manage to do that?" Simba rolled his red eyes. "He's like a lost cub without you. I personally don't know how you can stand being around him as long as you are, it's like a unhealth relationship-"

"Bro there you are, I was looking for you!" came a new incoming voice, sounding like, no other, then the new pride land prince. Nuka with his two hounds came walking right toward him. They must have come from the direction of pride rock. "You left me with these fools for too long…" but his eyes didn't leave the red mane male, as he talked about his spotted friends. Who did their best to keep the sub-adult or more like, cub-adult entertained. "What the heck did you have to talk to my dad for that long for, geesh-" then as his love crazed eyes spotted the lioness of his dreams, standing back with his sister. He quickly forgot about Simba and his father, and went to talk about more pressing matters. "Oh, hey Nala….h-how your hunting go today?" he managed to over-come his shy stammering when speaking to her, he was lost in her blue eyes.

"Uh, it went good. Thanks for asking-"

"You know, any time you need help Nala. Me being a good hunter and fighter myself- I wouldn't mind helping you." The two lionesses look to one another, Vitani giving her the ' I told you so look'. Which Nala could not ignore now, it was plain as day…interest in her and now that she fully noticed it, it made things, a little awkward.

" Thanks but uh, I wouldn't want to bother you with that- I know you have other more… important things to do."

"You sure, I can – I mean if you ever change your mind."

"You'll be the first lion I'll look for, Nuka." She lied though her teeth while walking pass him. Her words did seem to stop him in his tracks. Which for her, was a good thing.

"Good king Nuka, pick up your mouth." Teased Vitani, as she pinched her brother cheek, bending his whiskers, much to his annoyance. He quickly swatted her paw away and the two twins soon went at it, with taunting words. Simba stood and watched from a distance.

"Those two are nuts, right." Watching the twins, to his amusement, they could always take his mind off of things.

"You spoke with Scar today?" asked the cream fur lioness, with concerned eyes. Simba had even noticed how close she was to him. Until he finally look at her, seeing himself in her orbs reflection.

"Uh…yea." Was hid dry response.

"About what?" curiosity ran in her eyes.

" Um nothing, why?"

"…I was just curious."

"Well its fine, you don't need to worry." He began to walk away back towards…home, to not think of the matter anymore, but she followed. She walked beside him, the twins, finally noticed they were alone and called to the two, but their calls went on death ears.

"Simba…Simba wait!" she stopped him right in his tracks, by standing in front of him. "What's wrong?"

"What do you mean? Nothing wrong, I'm fine Nala."

" You don't seem fine."

"I'm just tried."

"What did he talk about with you?"

"Who?" she rolled her eyes to his dumb comment. He knew very well who she was speaking of.

"our…beloved king." She didn't hide her annoyance in her voice, when speaking to him. She felt safe enough and far away from the others to do so. "Why did he want to talk with you?"

"He just wanted to talk to me about, stuff."

"What kind of stuff?"

"I don't know, why does it matter?" she heard his annoyance ring in his voice, but she didn't care. When she saw that his behavior would not sway to go away or drop it, he started to give up. "uh…I forgot how persistence you are."

"You must have." They said nothing for a few seconds. Then Nala broke the silence. "look, I'm not trying to get one your nerves or anything, I just want to make sure everything okay with you. I mean…we are still friends, right?"

"yea." But that sounded half-hearted, because he himself didn't know how much of 'friends' they still were.

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay. The last time you talked with him…you never came back home." He could feel and hear the sadness in her voice. " So, I could only assume the worst…"

"What hah, you think I leave the pridelands?" he voiced, in a joking manner, which she did not find at all, to be funny. He could tell from her face as well, he cleared his throat " Um, no I would never leave the pridelands."

"But you had to leave us?" she asked with anger in her voice, looking to him for an answer, and answer she nor his mother was ever given. Simba said nothing. "Sorry. I don't mean to sound like…uh I don't know."

"It's okay, really. I get it, and I'm sorry….I owe you, my mother, everyone an apology, really. I just, didn't know how to…I felt afraid and- uh, I'm really sorry for leaving you, and everyone…"

"Ha…apology accepted." But when she said this, his face did lighten back to his joyful, and spirited Simba she once knew. He seemed weighted down still, by something. "Simba?"

"i…I can't even remember what he looked like sometime." He voiced abruptly, confusing her. "a-and that terrible right…I mean, I feel terrible ha."

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"My dad." Her ears perked up.

"…Oh…"

"That's what we talked about." Which was true, Mufasa did come up in the conversation. "He kept talking about him, like…like he was still here, and I don't know, I just felt weird about it. I don't know, I don't think of my dad as much…if at all really…"

"You…you don't remember what your father was like?" she asked sitting down in front of him.

"…Well I do, but it's blurry sometimes, and I don't know I get him mixed up sometimes."

"He gets mixed up with you?" asked Nala, concerned with the answer he might give, because…who is the only male in his life right now, who he could consider a father figure.

"It's stupid Nala, really."

"No it's not." She voiced. A roar was heard echoing out from pride rock, the hunting party had returned finally. Simultaneous after hearing the call, both yearling stomach went off growling. Which caused the two to laugh. "My moms back, I have to leave…she doesn't like it when I'm away from home. Plus, it sounds like you're starving."

"haha, I could say the same to you." He teased.

"Yea, I was worked like crazy today, I didn't know she would be so intense."

"That's Vitani for you."

"For the first day?"

"Yup."

"Haha…and Simba?"

"Yea? He asked looking to her.

" don't feel bad, about the stuff with your father. A lot has happened to you, to his pride. And I get it, you have to cope with the changes."

"But he's my dad, shouldn't I remember what he looked like?"

"I feel…as long as you remember the things he taught you, then you'll never forget him." Her voice was so sure and made so much sense, and yet, even Simba was having remember with that. "Okay, I gotta go, see ya?"

"Yea, see ya- oh wait!" he voiced. Thinking about what he paused, wondering what he was going to say next. "..how's my mother? Tell her I miss her, and things are okay…" a smile came to the young lioness face.

"I think she'll like that very much. I'll be sure to tell her."

"Thanks."

"…and Simba…m-maybe if you want…or if you can…you can come back home to us? She misses you…w-we all do" she didn't look him in the eyes when she said this, probably fearing what his eyes would tell her, a 'no'. That would hurt her, more than anything. So, she voiced what she thought to his paws. Before he could say anything she had already began to leave.

Bones cracked under their paws, as the trio of hyenas entered the elephant graveyard. "Man, we haven't have to be here for a minute, what a dump."

"Hyenas, get a taste of grass under their, paws, and they become too good for dirt, haha!" voiced the female leader.

"Man, why does Scar what to meet us here!"

"Oh calm down, you don't see Ed complaining, right Ed?" the dumber of the three, nodded his head happily.

"yea whatever!-"

"Aw my friends, you got my message." Scar voice came from the shadows, as she appeared from behind a pile of bones. "Thank you for meeting me."

"What this about Scar? Why couldn't we meet at priderock?" asked Banzai

"That dam bird, would be all in my business that's why. He's like an annoying flea, always tagging along."

"I feel ya, he's always flapping around, spying on us!" voiced Banzai, " I just wanna snap his wings in two! Right Ed." He eagerly nodded his head in agreement.

"Sounds fun, make sure to do that later." He voiced moving on. "I called you three here because I wanted to talk to you all, my training with Simba will begin tomorrow-"

"Yay! the brainwashing begins!-Ow!"

"Zip it fool!" braked Shenzi, Banzai rubbed his side. The three directed their attention back to Scar.

"He's prime subject now, from the looks of it, he's starting to forget who Mufasa even was." Satisfaction all in his voice.

"Yea but what about Nuka? Wont he get mad with all the attention you'll be given Simba?"

"Nuka will not know about this, that's the last thing I want to hear him crying about nor his mother."

"But what will Zira think? I mean you caring some much for him, it looks like you don't care about Nuka as future ruler."

"The future ruler, will always be me, until I can find or make- someone carry on my legacy like it's rightfully should. Nuka shows no promise, and Vitani is a lioness…it's between Simba and my unborn son."

"You trust the kid?" Scar looked up to the dark sky, thinking of an event that happened to him with his brother. " I mean he's too much of Mufasa boy."

"Yes, but my blood runs in his vein too. He has more evil in him than you think, than anyone thinks. Mufasa was his father….and he was the one that gave me my scar, and my name." the hyenas looked to their king, not knowing this information about him. "Yes, my lovely brother took out his frustration on me, when I outsmarted him in front of our father. His brains never took him far, but his bronze did. That's all everyone ever saw in him. Strength, power…a leader they thought they could follow. Huh."

"A bore if you ask me." voiced Shenzi.

"Yes, that's what he was as well. He dreamed easily and never watched his back. But none the less." He paused, and played with his black mane with the tip of his claw. "The workings of my legacy starts now."