Chapter 10: The Tale of Taka

A/N 1: Chapter 10 is finally here, and I am so sorry it took so long. I know you guys were expecting Connor's interactions with the cubs, but as started writing the chapter, I realized I was putting focus on Scar. So, being an opportunist, I decided to tweak the chapter and add in my rendition of Scar's past. I hope you guys like it all the same, and I'll see you at the end of the chapter.

This was it…it was finally official...I, Connor Geigns, was now a prince of the pridelands, and EVERYONE knew it. I can certainly say without a doubt that it felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. Now I'm one step closer to adjusting to my new home and new life.

After the ceremony, I returned Simba to mom, who settled him back in between her arms as he let out a small yawn and fell asleep. I know I could've used this time to relax with my mom and little brother, but right now I was feeling adventurous. It was then that I decided that I would go out and explore my new home by myself.

The opportunity never came to pass however, as I soon caught wind of a rather heated conversation.

"Why, if it isn't my big brother descending from on high to mingle with the commoners." I immediately recognized the first voice as Scar, and quickly hid behind some large rocks, peaking slightly to see that he was talking with...my father?

"Sarabi and I didn't see you at the presentation of Connor and Simba." My said rather loudly towards my uncle, almost as if he was scolding him. Funny, I didn't even realize he was supposed to attend the ceremony. Not that it would bother me either way.

"That was today? Oh, I feel simply awful." As he spoke with mock hurt, Scar brought his paws up towards a back wall in the lower den and dragged his claws down against the stone. It was like nails against a chalkboard it was so loud. I had to cover my ears to try and null the painful noise.

"Must've slipped my mind." Scar said simply as he inspected his now sharpened claws.

"Yes, well as slippery as your mind is," Another voice made itself present, this one belonging to Zazu as he flew right up into the rusty brown lion's face. "As the king's brother you should have been FIRST in line!"

In response, Scar chomped at Zazu mockingly, making the hornbill cower and hide behind my dad's paws.

"Well I was first in line, until the hairball was born." Scar spoke with disdain as he talked about Simba that way while he brought his head down to Zazu's level. Hearing him talk like that about my baby brother started to make my blood boil, but I had to keep myself under control if I wanted to remain hidden.

"That hairball, is my son," My father said with disapproval as he brought his head down to look Scar in the eye and protect his majordomo. "And YOUR future king."

"Oh, and what does that make the human boy then, hm?" Scar inquired slyly about me, making me shiver and cover my mouth to silence my breathing. "Maybe I should see what he thinks about all of this." With that, Scar begins to turn around and take his leave.

"You keep Connor out of this Scar!" Mufasa bellowed at his brother. "My oldest son has NOTHING to do with this!" I couldn't help but let a tear of relief fall down my cheek as I hear my dad defend me like that. While it is true that Simba is the rightful heir to dad's throne by birth, I could care less about being king; I just want to be with my family, and be happy.

"You may say that now Mufasa, but like all humans, he will one day betray you." Scar says as he looks back at his big brother seriously. "So I suggest you watch your back around him, and not turn it on your own kin."

That was the final straw. With a thunderous roar, Mufasa bounded past Scar as he was about to leave and blocked his path, baring his fangs at him.

"Is that a challenge?" My father asked with rage in his growling voice, ready to strike down his own brother if he made one more reckless move. Never before had I seen my dad that angry before...it was scary.

"Temper temper. I wouldn't dream of challenging you." Scar responded as he kept his cool. He knew that he wouldn't a chance against a lion twice his size and build.

"Pity. Why not?" Zazu asked from his spot between my dad's forepaws, eager to hear the excuse Scar would come up with this time.

"Well as far as brains go, I'VE got the lion's share." Scar answered coolly and with pride as he smirked at the hornbill. When he return his gaze to Mufasa however, the expression on his muzzle became one of contempt and jealousy. "But when it comes to brute strength…" Before he could say more, his scowl turned into a frown. "I'm afraid I'm at the shallow end of the gene pool." With the conversation over, Scar sauntered past Mufasa towards the pridelands, the king's glare never leaving his limber frame.

For the next few minutes, I watched my dad sit at the entrance to lower den, his gaze still fixed upon the shrinking vision that was his brother. I couldn't help but feel bad for my dad. I mean, Scar was his brother, his own flesh and blood, and yet he treated my dad like he was some kind of bully or villain. What could've happened to Scar that made him turn out like this?

My thoughts were soon put aside as I hear Zazu sigh.

"There's one in every family Sire; two in mine actually. And they always manage to ruin special occasions." Zazu says as he flies up and perches on my dad's shoulder, letting out a solemn sigh of his own.

"What am I going to do with him?" Mufasa asked rhetorically. I couldn't help but feel he was taking my safety into account when he asked that question.

"Well, for the time being Sire, I would make sure Scar gives Prince Connor a fairly wide berth. I would hate to see anything happen to the poor lad after his last encounter." Zazu advised with a hint of concern. Like I said before, he may be a bit high strung at times, but Zazu truly does care about the wellbeing of the royal family.

"I know Zazu. Speaking of which…" My dad turned his gaze towards the pathway to the main den. "You can come out now Connor."

My eyes widen in surprise as I hear my father call to me. How did he know I was here? And if that was the case, how long did he know I was there for? Sighing in defeat, I slowly stand up from my hiding spot and make my way over to my dad, my head hung low the whole time.

"How long did you know I was watching?" I say quietly as I rub my arm and look over at him, seeing him sport that wise smile I know so well.

"The whole time. You didn't think I wouldn't recognize my own son's scent, did you?" He asks me rhetorically from his spot next to me on his haunches. I can't believe I forgot how strong a lion's sense of smell is. But, if my dad knew that I was listening in, did that mean Scar was aware too? Was that why he brought me up during their conversation? It's not long before my gaze lifts up and catches sight the rusty brown lion shrinking in the distance.

"Is everything alright, my prince?" Zazu asked me as he flew over and perched on my shoulder, breaking me of my daze as I look over towards him. The look in his eyes was more inquisitive than anything else, and it was shared by my father as well. Guess there's really no point in hiding the truth from them; they're family after all, and the days of keeping things to myself are slowly slipping away, just the way I want them to.

"I guess...I guess I'm just curious as to why Scar holds such a grudge against humans. I'm sure it's a touchy subject…but I feel if I learn the truth, I might be able to understand him a little better." I speak as I look out at the pridelands, hoping that the calm of this peaceful day would ease my already troubled mind.

"You have every right to son." My dad says with a sigh. "While it is a rather, disheartening tale, it is one that must be told." I decide to take a seat next to Mufasa as he tells me the story behind Scar's grudge.

"It was only two years ago when it happened: My father was still king, and I was preparing to ascend to the throne when the time came. Back then, Scar went by another name...Taka...the name our mother gave him when he was born, and was driven by his pride and desire to not only impress our father, but to prove he was worthy of being king." I listened on intently, my eyes wide with wonder as I practically envision what happened a couple years back.

"It was that pride however, that nearly got him killed. One day, when our father took us both out on patrol, we spotted something we never would have expected: A group of human hunters along the outskirts of the pridelands hunting a lone water buffalo. We heard about how they could kill from a distance, so my father thought it best to observe from afar and see if they would eventually leave after making their kill."

"Guns…" I take a minute to speak during a pause in the story.

"Hm?" My father looks at me curiously, hearing my little input.

"That's what they're called. Guns are human made devices that fire small metal balls called bullets at speeds fast enough to break skin and bone, and when aimed just right, it can kill in an instant…" I curl up as I explain the weapon, memories of the poachers who took my family away slowly returning to my mind.

"You don't have to hear the rest of the story if you don't want to Connor." My father reassured me as he scooted closer and nudged my legs, letting me know that he was right there for me.

"No...It's fine dad. I need to hear the rest of this anyway." I say solemnly as I look back up at my dad and rest my hand against his mane. Then with a nod, he looks towards Zazu, who was still on my shoulder, resting his wing on the back of my neck comfortingly.

"Zazu, could you go tell my mate that Connor and I will be returning to the den soon?" He asks, earning a confused look from me and a knowing nod from Zazu.

"At once your majesty." With that, the hornbill takes off and flies toward the main cave of Pride Rock.

"Dad?" I look at him with concern. Did something happen? Did I do something wrong? Luckily, those fears ebbed away at the sound of my dad's chuckling and the sight of his warm smile.

"It's alright son. I'm just letting your mother know that we'll be back shortly. You look like you could use some familial company anyway." He finishes with a nuzzle, which I return with a smile. I've learned through my time living with the pride that most of their gestures of affection and greeting revolve around head on contact; not head-butting mind you, (that would be ridiculous), but through nuzzling, kind of like how house cats rub against everything to leave their scent behind.

"Yeah, I could actually. But, I would like to hear the rest of the story first, if that's alright." I say as I rest against my father's frame, who chuckles once more at my inquisitive demeanor.

"Very well Connor. Now, as I said before, my father, Taka and I kept our distance from the humans to see if they would leave once they took down the water buffalo. Unfortunately, my brother lacked patience, and seeing humans in our borders after hearing the stories about them from our grandfather, he ran straight at the hunters, intent on removing them by any means necessary." My wide eyed stare returns as I continue to listen to the story. I found it hard to believe that the sly, sneaky looking predator that was my uncle, would rush head first into danger like that. Then again, a lot can change in two years.

"While he was able to distract the humans, allowing their prey to escape, one of them attacked him, leading the others to try and hold him down. My father and I were able to reach the hunters and scare them off before they could kill Taka...but the damage was already done: he was covered in cuts and bruises, and the one human managed to leave a deep gash on his left eye. While his body was able to heal, his mind was another story. He felt betrayed at the fact that we didn't help him kill the humans, and that we allowed them to cause him such pain. After that, he took on the name Scar as reminder of what happened to him that day, and continued to bare a deep hatred towards humans. I do hope however, with you being here, the dark shell around him will finally start to break." Mufasa finished the story, his sorrowful gaze directed towards the pridelands as he thought about his brother.

"I hope so too dad." I speak up getting his attention as I smile softly after hearing Scar's story.

"It's kinda funny: in a way, Scar and I are alike in the fact that we both had something taken from us by humans. For him, it was his pride and ability to trust, and for me...it was my family. Maybe there will be a way for me to reach him someday. Thank you for sharing that story with me dad." I thank him by wrapping my arms around his neck, burying my face in his mane. "I appreciate it."

"I'll always be here for you Connor." He smiles as he wraps his paw around me in a hug. "Never forget that." To be honest, I don't think I ever will.

Just as we both stand up, ready to head back to the den, Zazu swoops in and hovers before us, no doubt with a return message from mom.

"I relayed the message sire, and Prince Connor." I look over at the majordomo as he mentions my name. "You'll be happy to know that your mother is looking forward to having you spend time with her and Prince Simba." He says with a polite smile as I return it with one of my own.

"Heh, same here, I could use some snuggle time with the little fuzzball."

"Then we might as well get going. Come along Connor." My father calls to me as he and Zazu make their way out. Before I join them however, my gaze returns to the Pridelands, or to be specific, the direction Scar left in. I still couldn't help but wonder where he went during the day that no one knew his whereabouts. Before I could contemplate the matter more, I feel Zazu perch on my right shoulder.

"There there young master. You have nothing to worry about from Scar, and should he try any funny business whatsoever, he will deal with the consequences from your father. Though if it were up to me," Zazu sported a genuine grin as he spoke his opinion. "I would say he would make a very handsome throw rug." This brought out a chuckle from me in response to Zazu's joke, though apparently I wasn't the only one who heard it.

"I heard that Zazu." I turned around to see my dad smirking at us, but I could tell it was directed at the hornbill for his humorous suggestion. Not one to miss an opportunity, I finally decide to add in my two cents.

"I dunno dad, I think he might be onto something." I say with a grin as we start walking. "At least if he ever gets dirty you could take him outside and beat him." At this, my dad and I both chuckle as we make our way to Pride Rock, with Zazu still perched on my shoulder…I'm starting to think he finds that spot comfortable.

Regardless, I wasn't going to let Scar consume my thoughts for the rest of the day. It's true we both had our share of grief with hunters, but unlike him, I didn't let it control my actions. I knew if I was going to continue living, I had to let go of the pain that would hold me back; I had Rafiki to thank for that one. I just hope that someday, I might be able to help Scar get rid of his pain and move towards a brighter future...and pray that he's not too far gone.

A/N 2: Chapter 10, finally done. One again, I want to apologize to all of you for making you wait for practically a month for this chapter. With my personal life being busy lately, I found it hard to inspire myself to write. But I also want you all to know that it was your reviews that gave me the push I needed to get this done. Now, as for the suggestions I received in some of my reviews, some of you will be happy to know that a select few have provided me with inspiration for future chapters. For example, Maua's return: I can say it will happen, but the when will be a surprise, along with many others. With that little tidbit aside, you can now expect Connor to interact with the cubs in Chapter 11, which I will try to get out much sooner. Until then, read, review and enjoy.