SIMBA

Ugh, what the hell is she doing here? I kept finding myself asks that same question over and over again in my head. As I looked at the den Nala and her nephew were staying in- MY den I should say. Kenya volunteered it away before I could say anything. Hmp, this is sure someway to start your married life. I took a breath and leaned against a tree, thinking

How did she find her way out here, why? The pridelands are miles away. And then I thought, this can't just be a coincident. This had to be planned, right? like that damn monkey said. didn't he say something about a friend visiting me by the end of the week...well I sure did get that, friendly visit.

"There's just no way." then it hit me, I had to find that damn monkey. Hell, as far as im concerned he's the reason why she's here. Or he at least knows the reason why she is. Maybe he can tell me what the hell is going on-

"Simba." I refocused my eyes to see my mate walking my way. She had a big smile on her face so, I'm guessing things went well for her. Kenya has a big heart, that has a knack about caring for strangers. "Morning babe, I didn't see you this morning. you were up early?"

"Yea, I didn't sleep so well." Referring to our new sleeping arrangements, which is a cramp make-shift den...that's not even really a den for us. when I was younger sleeping on the ground was no problem, I could nap for hours. Now, I can feel every stiff joint in my lower back as I walk around. Again not, how I pictured my wedding night going. "Had alot on my mind after last night."

"I get it and im sorry. I just didn't know where would be a safe place for her to rest with a cub and all. I mean you saw her, She was pretty beat up."

"Yea I noticed."

"But I promise It won't be for very long babe. Look she's already up and moving."

"She is?"

"Yes, even with a dislocated shoulder she's moving around pretty well."

"Oh, that's good..." well, it was like Nala to be tough as a rhino. Still, I wonder how she got so bad, and the little guy didn't seem to have much of anything wrong with him- No Simba no! don't think about her, you'll only get yourself involved into something you don't want to be in! I just need to do my job and avoid her. "What?" I couldn't help but notice the way Kenya was looking at me. "what is it?"

"Are you sure you're okay with this. I know I kind of took over last night with everything going on. I know you were iffy about the whole thing."

"I was just being...caution. After all stranger danger is a real thing."

"I know that. But she seems really sweet. I don't get the feeling she'll hurt us."

"I just think we should be careful that's all."

"We?" I saw her eyebrow raise. " Last time I checked, you told me you didn't want anything to do with helping."

"I don't, believe me. I just don't want you getting hurt. That's all I care about. I know you Kenya. and that big heart of yours can get you into trouble because you love so much." kings, I just didn't want anything to happen to her. and for some reason I get the feeling that it be me, being the one causing her hurt. Because im the one who would have done something stupid...I don't like this feeling at all that I have right now. "Just promise me you won't get close to her, she stays until she's healed and then they leave."

"I won't get close to her, I promise. I just can't understand why her being here is causing you to have a fit."

"I'm not." I protested, what about me wanting to keep her safe is me having a fit?

"Okay okay, I understand. she can stay until she's better and then they leave. Hmp, I just wonder what she's running from."

"What makes you think she's running from something?"

"I can see it in her eyes. she scared and running from something. I told her she was safe here, so she seemed to settle down some. anyways, I need to catch up with my sisters for the hunt. I'll see you at breakfast love." I nodded at her, she licked my cheek before walking passed. "Oh one more thing, I told her she and Roho could join us for breakfast if she wanted to. He really likes you by the way. But When we get back would you mind telling her?"

"Of course... I can."

"Thanks, love, see you when we get back!"...great.

I stood by patiently, waiting for Kenya to get out of sight before I too turned and made my way to the river. I needed to find that damn monkey and fast. he was going to explain to me what the hell was going on.

Once I got to the river, I scanned the area. It hadn't looked like he or anyone had been in the area for a couple of hours. The ground near the water is moist. it usually holds pawprints from all kinds of animals. Right now it seemed like nothing had gone by. shit. that would be just my luck. ugh, I guess I better start shouting there's not much I can lose now. hopefully, the mandrill didn't take my threat to his life too seriously.

"Hey, monkey I mean...RAFIKI WHERE ARE YOU. WE NEED TO TALK. HELLO?!" I looked around, nothing... of all the times for that damn monkey to not show up. when he's been harassing me this whole time "Rafiki...hello? where are you..." ugh...it's this about a bit-

"Ya call meh name son?" Kings finally? I turned around to see him hanging from one arm on an Acacia tree. His long angled staff hung from his other hand. "Ah ya need sumthing?"

"We need to talk." I heard him chuckle before he...like a crazy animal. let go of the branch he hung on. and went falling towards the ground. "Hey what are you?!" before I could finish my sentence he had landed perfectly on his two feet. The hell...that was like 20 ft how the hell did he. kings I don't care, him being an out of this world freak is non of my concern right now." Listen last night-"

"Ah ah ah! stay were yah are. meh don't want to turn into lion food!" he extended his staff, in-between us. Hmp, o guess he did remember that threat. "Rafiki neva forgets!"

"Oh...about that...im not really going to kill you. It was just a figure of speech... I was mad okay?"

"Yah gonna hav ta learn how ta control yah anger son."

"I will...i'm working on it." I corrected. "Look can we please talk. You don't need the staff." I watched him eye me for a second. debating where or not to take that chance. I eased some when he lowered his staff slowly.

"Now wat yah need Rafiki for?"

" How did you know she was coming?"

"She...who she?"

"She? Nala. " now was not the time for him to be playing dumb. "You've been harassing me this whole time saying an old friend would come here. Now she has, but why now,? and why was she in the conditions she's in?...and who's this cub calling her Auntie? Tell me what the hell is going on. I know you know."

" Yah past has come bac for yah Simba-"

"Why, it doesn't make any sense. I left that life behind, I have a new one. I have a mate, a new family now, I've started over. I don't need the past coming back anymore." I watched him eye me for a second. I could tell he was trying to figure out the words to say to me. Hell, he needed to hurry and spit it out. "So tell me what I need to do to stop it."

"Yah can't stop it son."

"What? why not, don't I have a choice?"

"Ha kings don't hav choices, they hav destiny."

"I'm not a king. " I detested " Never was, never will be." fuck, this was not the conversation I had in mind. He's clearly not thinking rationally. "Beside none of that matters now, my uncle's still king and ruling back home. He'd never give the throne to me, thinking that is foolish. If anything he'd give it to my cousin Nuka. more importantly, I don't want it either way! ugh just tell me WHY Nala is here."

"Hmm, dat by boy yah hav to asks her."

"No, absolutely not. You'll tell me."

"Fine suite yah self." Rafiki began to turn and walk away from me.

"hey?..hey im not done yet, where are you going!"

"Rafiki has sum very important thingz ta happen right now?" "

please like what? talking to ghosts?"

"they prefer tah be called sprits but-"

"I don't want to know." the last thing I need is for him to bring up my father. I'm already on edge, if he says anything else about him, I might just snap. I don't know why everywhere I hear his name it just...triggeres me. "can you just...i don't know.." before he started climbing up this Acacia tree. he placed his hand on my shoulder.

"Ya have ta go back Simba." ...What? Back ...what did he mean by back? Is that why Nala's here, so she can take me back to a place I don't belong? "Oh look, dat sounds like ah lion roar. Must be time fa breakfast yeh. Yah best be getting bac-"

"Wait-wait what do you mean I have to go back?." I begged the question, but was cut off again when I strong gust of wind blew. "geeze what the hell..." I peeked my eyes threw the cold wind, to watch the mandrill climb back up the Acacia tree. " But what if I don't go back! I can't just up and leave to help her. what about my family here my life here, am I suppose to just throw that away like she means nothing?! what kind of lion does that!" Rafiki turned to head and looked down at me, I saw his mouth open, like he was about to something. Then he changed his mind... and went back up the tree.

Great...he didn't help at all.

Not going to lie I didn't know how I wanted to start up this chapter lol I was writing at 3 in the morning.

RyanSquad, yea I'd agree that Scar wasn't the best example. You can't say Nuka isn't persistent in getting what he wants.

Wolf heart 22, thank you so much and no worries here! glad you enjoyed the chapter.