A/N: I'm sooooooooo sorry I didn't update! I went to Mexico. Heres the next chapter. Again, my apologies. Thanks to people reviewing. I luv ya!

"Nalani, you cannot mean that you love him," Kasim said in disgust.

"Why can't you accept the fact that there are other lions than you!" Nalani said. "I have found more care and compassion in two days with him than I have my entire lifetime with you and this pride."

Kasim eyes widened then narrowed, yet he said nothing. Nalani almost immediately regretted her choice of words.

"Kasim…" she began, but the great lion turned from her.

"Go," he said finally. "Be with your pride. I want no part of it."

Aminah and the other lionesses looked disapprovingly onto Nalani. "I take it you won't join me, either," Nalani suggested, without the slightest bit of hope within her.

"We would never join you," hissed Aminah. She and the others followed Kasim back into the cave.

Nalani turned back to Scar. "I tried," she whispered quietly.

"I know," he said, nuzzling her. "And what you said…about finding love…"

Nalani turned away slightly in embarrassment. 'Why can't I just hold my tongue?' she thought.

"I have found it, too," Scar continued. "And now we have to go back to Pride Rock."

"But we mustn't tell Simba," Nalani fretted, as they started back on the return journey. "Now officially our King, for he is still wary of you."

Scar nodded. "He takes after his father."

Nalani looked down. "I never knew Mufasa."

Scar nodded again. "He was my brother. He was older and more respected. Stronger than I was and more protective. Mainly of me. Seeing that I didn't get into trouble."

"Which brings me to my next point. If it isn't rude, may I ask how you got that scar?"

"Of course. I was in a fight with another lion. He challenged my family's name. Of course, being the weaker one, I had a few injuries."

"So, your nickname was just Scar, then?"

"Correct. My actual name was Taka."

"They both suit you. But Scar's more…dangerous."

Scar grinned. "I thought so."

The two lions continued walking, as the sun began to set on the horizon. Nalani yawned. "Are we almost there?"

"Almost," Scar said.

When they arrived back at Pride Rock, Nalani could never feel more relieved. "I think I've done enough walking to last me a lifetime," she said, smiling.

Scar and Nalani took their last journey up to the cave where the lions slept. Simba welcomed Nalani in, but looked warily upon his uncle.

"Please, Simba," Nalani said, gazing up at him.

Simba sighed and let Scar in, who gave a weak smile. Nalani also smiled and curled up next to the dark lion. She fell asleep almost instantly.

The next morning, the bright sunshine stirred Nalani from her slumber. She stretched, pawing the ground with her claws.

Noticing that Scar was already gone, Nalani decided to stroll around outside, forgetting about her mental note about never walking again.

Suddenly, in the distance, Nalani saw the figure of a lion running closer. She immediately recognized it as Aminah.

'What does she want?' Nalani thought, growling to herself.

When Aminah arrived at the large rock, Nalani went down to greet her. But Aminah did not look her usual self.

"What's wrong?" Nalani asked, purely out of interest rather than concern.

"Kasim!" Aminah shouted, panting. "He is wounded! By the waterhole! Come quickly!"

Simba and the lionesses had heard this commotion and at once reacted. "Simba, you cannot go," Nala said. "You are not well."

Simba ignored her and started running, Aminah close behind him. Nalani could not find Scar, so she, Nala, Kiara, Kovu, and the lionesses followed their king.

They came to the waterhole which seemed to hold an unnatural murkiness, and there they saw the limp, unmoving body of Kasim.

"No!" Nalani said. She ran to him and put her head up against him. "He is still breathing. But only just. Kasim, what happened?"

Kasim struggled to say something, but only a wounded sigh escaped him.

"Please, Kasim, who did this to you?" Nalani tried, her eyes shining.

Kasim lifted his head in a last attempt at life, but it dropped back onto his paw. Nalani waited, but he did not lift it again. She cried silently.

"Oh dear," said Scar, as he appeared out of nowhere. "What have I missed?"

A/N: There ya go – kind of a cliffy. Did scar do it, did he not? I actually don't know either. This story can either go happy – ending with cubs and love n stuff, or it can go sad – backstabbing, killing, etc. HELP! If you have ideas, please leave it in a review, or email me: thanks so much!