Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews everyone! I really appreciate them! -Alexa

Chapter VII: An Acquaintance

The Pride Lands? Dead and empty? With nothing but scavenging, hungry hyenas and a horrible king forcing the lionesses to hunt when there is nothing to hunt? Nala didn't think it could be possible. She had never seen a day that the Pride Lands were not lively and bright. Surely, Sarabi was wrong.

But Sarabi was wise and no one could question that. Nala sighed. Could she run away? No. Where would she run away to? The hyenas would surely come find her, and perhaps harm her. She wouldn't get away with it, at least not until she was older. Would someone come along and help them? No, there would be no lion who would want to rule the pitiful lands. How could the future of the pride change so drastically after one incident?

She lied down on the peak of pride rock and stared over the savanna, her paws dangling over the edge. It was rather high, but she was not scared. She rested her cranium on down on her legs as she watched the sky brighten. The day was approaching.

Sarabi had already returned back to the cave, and lionesses were gloomily coming out of the cave. Nala had discovered how lazy the hyenas were unless Scar had given them a chore to finish. She heaved a sigh and closed her eyes.

"Beautiful view, isn't it, Nala?" a familiar, yet distinguished voice said from behind her. It was Scar.

Nala's eyes jolted open at the greeting, as she was slightly startled. She pinned her ears and stared at her paws. "Oh... umm... Yeah, it's beautiful," she replied softly.

"And to think, I rule it all," Scar sighed with happiness. Nala cringed at his words, realizing how he made it sound more awful then Sarabi had.

"Uh... Scar," Nala whispered, "you're going to take care of the Pride Lands, right?"

Scar laughed. "My dear Nala," he began, putting a paw around her, "of course. I will always take care of the Pride Lands. Why would I want to harm them?" he grinned that creepy grin that always sent chills up Nala's spine.

Nala smiled slightly at his remark, and she tried to believe that what he said was true and that Sarabi was just full of it. But in her heart, she knew that Sarabi was right, and that he wouldn't be as great of a king as Mufasa would have been.

Or Simba.

"Now, don't cubs usually go around and carry on with their playing on days like these?" Scar inquired.

"I don't have anyone to play with," Nala whispered.

"Oh, oh, I'm sorry. I forgot. Yes, it is still quite a tragedy, isn't it?" he said with a forced long face.

"And I'm pretty tired... I... guess that I could go down to my mother later..." she said a little louder, making Scar smile.

"Do as you please, my little Nala," Scar said. "Farewell." He turned around and walked back to the rest of his business.

Nala sighed. 'And this might be one of the last times I see the Pride Lands like this,' she thought. She scampered down the slope of Pride Rock and to her mother, who was with Sarabi. Once Nala was closer, she noticed that they had more company. There was another cub; a male, looking about her age. Maybe older. She pinned her ears as she approached them.

Sarafina didn't notice Nala right away. It was Sarabi who said, "Oh, hello again, Nala," and they both looked at her.

"Oh, good morning, darling," Sarafina smiled as she nuzzled her daughter.

Nala grinned, but uneasily with the other cub. "Good morning..."

Sarafina and Sarabi exchanged looks and then gazed down at Nala.

"Nala, we'd like you to meet someone..." Sarafina said, and there was a touch of hope in her voice. Nala cocked her head at the other cub, who seemed sort of shy. "This is Lisani..."

Nala blinked and half-grinned. "Oh... hi," Nala said softly.

"Hi," he said, a bit shakily as well. He seemed nervous and soft-spoken. Nala sat down to rest on her haunches.

Who was this cub? Why was he here? Is he going to be part of the pride? Nala studded the cub further.

He had a bit of a slender look, but still a bit muscular. He was a grey lion, which was rare and rather odd. He had an off-white underbelly and tips of his paws. The sun seemed to give his fur a blue sort of shine.

Sarafina leaned over to Sarabi's ear. "I hope all goes well," she whispered.