As the Pride Lands slipped deeper and deeper into the raging drought, the herds slipped further and further from the grasps of the lionesses. The hunting party would travel for days and days, far away from the Pride Lands, just praying to find something. Even the field mice were growing scarce.

The lionesses were weakening as well. One by one, they began to fall to the seething, agonizing effects of the drought, slipping into madness, then delirium, and at last, surrendering their spirit to the Great Kings. Rafiki had been called on more than one occasion, almost always delivering the now common final rights. Agonizing loss and continual starvation was driving Sarabi into a deeper and deeper depression. Scar continued to flaunt about the cave, caring little about the starving pride, and denying to himself that he was starving as well.

The hyenas were also growing restless. Before Scar had put his deadly plot for leadership into effect, he had promised the hyenas plentiful food and unlimited water. Some began to resent the rule, and found that they had been better off in the graveyard. Even then, they weren't starving. They could always feed off the dead elephants that came into the lands. But now, in the Pride Lands, Scar and his drought had driven them off.

Sarabi decided it was time to approach Scar about the drought. She stepped off the dry, cracked ground and onto the stone slabs of Pride Rock. They burned under her paws from the intense heat, but she did her best to ignore it. She tiptoed into the cave to see Scar lying down in the coolness of the cave, with Zira licking his fur. Sarabi looked at the pampered King, thoroughly disgusted. She quickly hid her emotions and spoke up about the issue.

"Scar, it's been days now since we've had anything to eat," Sarabi stated. "For some it's been longer. We've searched the entire perimeter of the Pride Lands, ventured far beyond it, and still have found nothing. Many of the lionesses of my party have expressed concern Sire."

Scar didn't even look up at her as he groomed his paw. He raised a paw to Zira instructing her that he was clean. She bowed and made to walk out of the den, forcefully pushing past Sarabi on her way out. Sarabi growled low in her throat, but quickly regained her composure. The last thing she needed was to start a fight.

"Sire," Sarabi began again. "We need instruction. We can't go much longer-"

"Since when is this my problem?" Scar snapped. "You lead the hunting party, it is entirely your responsibility! I can't come to your rescue every time you fail to catch the pride a meal!"

"I have done all that I can," Sarabi stated, not wanting to raise her voice. "You are correct, it is my responsibility. But the King is still obligated to make the decisions when the hunting leader is unable to do so."

Scar just narrowed his eyes and grunted. "What do you want me to do about it?" he asked, a hint of annoyance in his voice.

Sarabi glared angrily. "I think it's time we left the Pride Lands," Sarabi said. "We must find somewhere that will satisfy us and feed-"

"No!" Scar snapped as he stood up from where he lay. "Absolutely out of the question!"

"What?" Sarabi said. "But the pride has to eat!"

"They will eat!" Scar growled. "And it is YOUR job to see to it that they do! We won't have this conversation again. Now get out!"

Sarabi glared and turned to leave. Suddenly she stopped. She turned around and glared angrily at him. "You are going to kill this pride."

Scar exploded in furious anger, and struck her hard in the face. "GET OUT!"

Sarabi winced in pain and gritted her teeth. Her world went fuzzy for a moment as she staggered out of the cave. Nala raced to her side and helped her stay standing.

"I heard the commotion," the young lioness said. "Are you alright?"

Sarabi took a breath, and with one eye still closed, she looked at her with a smile. "I've had better days," she replied.

Inside the cave, Scar examined his claws intently. He looked over at the corner of the cave to see Nuka sleeping quietly. He had reached his cubhood, but was unlike a normal cub. His fur was sparse and grew in clumps, giving him an awkward appearance. A black, scraggly tuft of fur was growing on his head, and he had a very bony body. Scar was absolutely disgusted with him, and refused to call him his son. Because of Scar's disownment of the cub, Zira came to the conclusion that the only way to please her mate was to ignore him too.

As Scar shook his head in disgust, Zira padded through the cave. She noticed what Scar had been looking at and sighed deeply.

"I will always regret that I failed to give you a suitable heir," Zira said with shame, bowing her head to Scar.

Scar sighed. "The fault still goes to Sarabi that I do not have an heir to the throne," Scar replied.

Zira growled. "I wish you had killed her," she hissed angrily. "I cannot produce an heir because of her! And she seems to have recovered from your punishment already."

Scar snorted, but he realized she was right. Even through the death of Sarafina and the others, Sarabi had held true and stayed strong for the other lionesses. She was the light of the pride, and always spoke encouraging words to the members of the pride. They looked on her as a lioness of strength and wisdom who had overcome the greatest of obstacles. Zira had once overheard Kala planning a mutiny, and make Sarabi its leader. After telling Scar, he had brutally attacked Kala and left her near dead. That was the last time there was ever an attempt on the king's life.

"Perhaps we should make Sarabi suffer, carry a load she will always regret," Zira said with a grin, her teeth glowing in the sun.

Scar cocked his head. "What kind of punishment?"

Zira grinned. "Sarabi is the reason I cannot give you an heir," she said. "Make Sarabi suffer by being the one to give you the heir!"

Scar was confused. "What?"

"Get Sarabi pregnant with your cub," Zira stated. "I remember her swearing that after Mufasa's death, she would never meet with or mate another lion ever again. How better to make her suffer not only to mate another lion, but to have to bear your child? She hates you so, it will be the most agonizing and painful experience of her life."

Scar thought about this, and looked at his mate. "Will it not upset you that Sarabi may indeed be the one to provide me with a suitable heir? And that you will not be the one?"

Zira smiled. "I want you to be happy my love. Do what you must do."

Scar grinned. "However, the cub will be taken from her after she has had time to bond, and you will become it's mother," Scar said. "You and I will teach it the ways of ruling a kingdom, and to hate her...yes, hate her intensely. What kind of hurt can you get by being hated by your own child?"

Zira snickered. "It is the perfect plan."

"Yes...indeed."

Zira then decided to bring up another serious note. "Kala has been disappearing lately. For especially long periods of time I have started noticing her absence."

Scar sat down. "Oh?"

"Yes, so I decided to follow her one night. Not far outside the borders, I noticed Kala spending time with a rogue male. I could tell upon further inspection that they were mates. I don't think it's long before Kala will be expecting."

Scar snorted. She had probably told the male all about how his rule had been. Perhaps he would try and take the throne? He pushed that thought into the back of his mind, and shook his head annoyedly.

"We shall wait," Scar said. "But monitor her movements. See what happens."

Zira nodded. "Of course my love."

Scar pondered this. "If Sarabi fails to produce me an heir, perhaps Kala will provide me," he said. "She shall be punished by being denied her cub as well. It works out perfectly."

Zira grinned. Her malicious smile was carried back to her mate, and the two nuzzled eachother.

Scar looked outside to see that it had grown dark. He squinted to see Sarabi bound off of Pride Rock, and make her way over to the waterhole. Alone.

"In the meantime," Scar said. "I believe it's time that I went and paid Sarabi a little visit."

Zira grinned with glee and vengeance, then nuzzled her mate. "Good luck."

Scar smirked, and bounded out of the cave, silently following the unsuspecting lioness.

Sarabi let out a deep sigh and slowly trotted out to the waterhole. Her muscles ached from the hunt, and she was intensely hungry. She looked up at the starry sky and searched the stars as she walked. There. There it was. The night of Mufasa's burial, Sarabi picked out the brightest star in the sky, the one that shined the brightest. She called it Mufasa's light, and always saw it as the last memory she had of her beloved mate and son. She took a deep breath and continued her walk down to the waterhole. She often thought of how much time had passed. Nala was now a young lioness, and looked so much like her mother. But inside, she could see Kito's pleasing personality and humor. She knew how proud he would have been of her. After Sarafina's death, Sarabi took her in almost as her own daughter. Nala had truly loved her, because it was her last shred of memory she had of Simba. And Sarabi was the only light the lioness had left during these times of tragedy.

Sarabi at last reached the waterhole and sat quietly in front of it. It was almost completely empty now, save for a soggy puddle. She looked at her reflection in the puddle, lit by the golden moon. Her tail twitched softly, and she slowly bent her head for a drink. It felt cool and refreshing, relieving her parched tongue. Suddenly she heard a loud rustle behind her. She whirled her head to see a small hump in the bushes. She pinned her ears and narrowed her eyes, waiting to meet her attacker. Suddenly, out of the bushes, came a dark pelted male. The scar on his left eye immediately told Sarabi who it was.

"Scar? What are you doing out here at this hour?" Sarabi asked curiously.

Scar said nothing as he drew closer to her, a smirk crossing over his lips.

Feeling terribly uncomfortable, Sarabi began to step backward. She lowered her body and looked nervously up at the lion.

"I wanted to come see you," Scar purred softly.

Sarabi became more nervous and edgy as Scar continued to advance towards her. It was then that she realized what he was trying to do. She swallowed hard and her eyes widened in fright as Scar drew within inches of her face. She could feel his hot breath against her face, and she immediately turned and broke into a run.

Running as fast as she could go, Sarabi raced onward. She could hear Scar bounding right behind her, just inches away. She passed through the brush, not knowing where she was headed, and not really caring. But Scar gained quickly. Sarabi was a bulky lioness and though she was fast, Scar being thinner, was much faster. Suddenly he pounced, landing right on top of her. She fell to the ground on her stomach, giving a loud oomph!

Scar grinned with malice as he held her down. Sarabi struggled to get loose, but Scar held too tight.

"Now now, this won't take long," Scar hissed.

Sarabi screamed in terror and lay utterly helpless, for she was too far from Pride Rock to be heard.

The next morning, Nala looked frantically for Sarabi. Searching the Pride Lands far and wide, the lioness called out her name. After hours of searching, Nala came up empty. At last, she saw a limp lioness lying on her side in the grass.

"Sarabi!" Nala cried as she bounded over to her.

She bent down and nuzzled the weak lioness. Sarabi winced with pain, then met Nala's tearful, worried gaze. Sarabi smiled, trying to break Nala's fears. Sarabi licked the lionesses' forehead and slowly got to her feet.

"Are you alright? What happened?" Nala asked worriedly.

Sarabi sighed. "It's nothing, I'm fine dear. I simply got lost last night after I left the waterhole. I couldn't see anything, so I just went to sleep on the grass. Apparently I overslept," Sarabi said with a slight chuckle.

Nala sighed, and the two ventured back to Pride Rock. On their way back, Sarabi felt tired and strange. Suddenly, a large cramp caused the lioness to grit her teeth in pain and stop walking. She shut her eyes as she waited for the pain to cease. Nala prodded her, wanting to know what was wrong. Sarabi calmed the lioness and convinced her to go on, and meet her back at Pride Rock.

Sarabi lay there for a moment, trying to gather her thoughts on the events of the previous night. She was terrified, and the realization had at last hit her that she was not invincible to the cruelty and the malice of Scar. But she did not understand why he would force himself upon her. He hated her, just as much as she hated him.

As another surge or pain hit her, and Sarabi yelped suddenly. What was the matter with her? Suddenly, Sarabi found the answer, though it terrified her to think. She fell into panic and fear, but somehow managed to regain her composure. Scar had wanted an heir, and would even stoop as low to get it from Sarabi if he had to. He had done so, she realized. As the strange new emotions ceased, Sarabi realized she was pregnant...pregnant with Scar's cub.

A/N: Oooo cliffie! Sorry it took a while to update! It was my sweet 16th birthday this week, so I've been busy. And yea, I know how some of you are wondering about the whole deal with Zira not bein able to have healthy cubs, and then the whereabouts of Kovu and Vitani. You'll just have to wait and see! hint: Don't go focusing on Sarabi just yet ack! I spoiled it didn't I? Lol! Toodles!