Disclaimer: I do not own any of the original Lion King characters (sigh)
A/N: ok, I know the last chapter was bad, and I hope this one's better.
Aza's Point of View
"Have you thought of a punishment yet?" Efia looked at her leader hopefully. She felt utter dislike for the member of her "group" that was Simba. A devious grin slowly crept across Aza's face.
"What if we take it out on his daughter?" Efia purred her approval.
"I like that idea." Aza turned to see Tupac entering the den. She nuzzled her mate, purring.
"Will we kill her?" asked Efia eagerly returning to the subject of Simba's punishment. She disliked Kiara as well as her parents.
"No. That's not devastating enough," Tupac growled. Efia was surprised, but did not question her king. Aza's eyes lit up.
"He will relive his worst nightmare." Tupac and Efia frowned.
"What's that?" Aza related to them the story of Mufasa's death with building excitement.
"Another will die because of him," she growled, "in the same manner as Mufasa!" Hastily, she told Efia to get Banzi, Shenzi, and Ed, the hyenas involved with Mufasa's assassination.
"You will tell them," she instructed, "that they must be ready at any time. Tell them it concerns Simba." Efia nodded and raced off, with Homa at her side.
"Brilliant plan," Tupac remarked when they were gone.
"Yes, I thought this was much more of a punishment than being exiled – getting away from here. Yes, Simba shall live here in pain. My father shall have his revenge." She roared triumphantly.
"Mother, mother!" two young voices chorused. The sound of paws hitting the ground echoed through the den.
"How many times have I told you?" she growled, "don't run so heavily!"
"We're sorry!" Kali whined softly.
"But guess what!" Tano yelled, unable to hide his excitement.
"Yes?" Her son smiled.
"We just saw a big lion and he was walking through the Pride Lands!" he said all in one breath.
"Oh?" Tupac looked at his son. "Get Mohatu, Jahari and Chisulo. We will see who this lion thinks he is." Many of the lions, Aza realized, had become content with her rule. She had blinded them with kindness. She had given Vitani and Chisulo permission to have cubs, even.
"Kali, will you please get Qwara and Marali to come here?" she asked. Tano had left at Tupac's bidding. The young cub bounded away. Aza had another brilliant idea. Qwara and Marali were quickly summoned. Bikila and Kanoni played with Kali and Tano, who had returned and Tupac had left.
"I would like you two to be in charge of the cubs during the day," she said frankly. The two lionesses nodded. "I will tell you when this will start, and I'll make an announcement to everyone soon. You will only have to watch, and sometimes entertain them. Is that alright with you?"
"Of course!" they chorused enthusiastically. Marali soon left with Bikila and Kanoni in tow. Tano and Kali trotted out after them.
"Wait!" Aza told her friend as the lioness was about to leave. "I'd like these children reared to hate Simba. Tell them stories about how his father died because of him, and how he murdered Scar."
"I'll make sure of it," Qwara assured her, and left. Aza padded out into the bright sunlight. Tano approached her.
"We scared that lion off. He shouldn't give us anymore trouble," he growled proudly. With that he joined the other lions and trotted away.
"Aza!" Aza sighed and saw Ulu racing towards her.
"What is it?" she inquired when the young lioness had reached her, panting.
"You won't believe it," she breathed, "Kiara's had cubs!"
Another cliffie! Hopefully more suspenseful that the last -)
READ AND REVIEW!