Author's Note: SO sorry I haven't updated this in forever! To make up for it, I'll write a big long chapter for you all! -Alexa

Chapter XIII: Lisani's Dilemmas

Nala cautiously entered Scar and Zira's den, but approached them calmly. She stared at Zira; she was lying, breathless, on the ground, with her eyes closed. Her breathing had calmed down from earlier, but she was still having trouble with strength. Her cranium rested on her forepaws as she lie on the floor, Rafiki hovering over her with concerned eyes. She then met Scar's glare with a calm look. He was obviously furious.

"Nala," he began, his voice shaking with anger- but he restrained from striking her. "You… you… Nala- if this ever happens again, I will make sure you are to leave Pride Rock and never return!" Scar threatened.

And I'm supposed to be disappointed in that? Nala wondered, but bit her tongue so she wouldn't say anything.

"You don't understand the circumstances we are in now," he growled. "Now, not only have you injured your queen- but possibly the future heir as well!" he roared. Nala was not concerned about injuring Zira, for Sarabi was the only queen Nala really saw or knew. But, injuring a prince- or princess- could get you in serious trouble.

"Well, Nala," Scar said, "You will be punished for this. You cannot get away with killing a prince!" Scar was always convinced his cub would be a boy.

Nala narrowed her eyes at Scar, and said harshly, "You should have told that to the wildebeest."

Scar gaped at Nala and gave her a surprised, yet stunned, expression. Then he smiled and said, "Now, Nala, that was quite different…"

Nala only glared at him. There was something eerie with how he was acting now. "Those wildebeest killed the king and the prince! That is five times worse than what I've done! And, the hyenas spooked the wildebeest- and then you let them live with us!" Nala fired back at him.

"It's not their fault!!" Scar roared.

After a moment's pause, Nala rose her eyebrows and asked calmly, "Then whose was it?"

Scar stood motionless for a few seconds. "Nala…" he said, beginning to unfreeze. "It was an accident Nala. An accident."

"And I wanted to injure your cub on purpose," Nala growled sarcastically as Scar narrowed his eyes at her. She turned around began to walk out.

"Don't you turn your back on me, Nala," Scar hissed.

But she continued to walk until his voice was unable to be heard.

"So, what happened?" Lisani asked Nala later once they met up again.

"Oh, nothing really, just another argument with Scar," she sighed. "…Rafiki said that I may have hurt their cub, too…"

"Uh oh," Lisani said. "Nala, you know you've got a big problem, right? If their cub ends up really being hurt, you could get in a lot of trouble…"

"Yeah, I thought about that, too. The thing is though… Simba and Mufasa died! From wildebeest! That were startled by hyenas, who are now living with us," she blurted out so that her words ran all together. But somehow, Lisani was able to catch them.

Lisani just stared at her for a while, then whispered, "…Maybe Scar never liked them," he suggested.

Nala gazed up at him with her eyes wide open. "That's… ridiculous! What gave you that idea?"

"Scar did," Lisani answered, still speaking softly and slowly. "He used to take me on those walks all the time… talked about how glorious being king was… and how when Simba was born he thought all of his dreams were washed away," he explained.

Nala just stared out into nothingness, slowly shaking her head. "Scar…" she sighed.

Just a moment after she spoke those words, Lisani gazed up at Pride Rock and saw Scar walk to the top, looking at Lisani in the eyes. It was a signal for Lisani to come to him. Lisani noticed him and then turned to Nala. "Well I'd, uh, better get going," he said.

"Um, alright then. I'll just be here, probably, if you come back. See ya."

Lisani nodded goodbye and then hurried to Scar's den.

"Lisani," Scar greeted, smiling, as he entered his den.

"Yes?" Lisani asked. "What'd you want to talk to me about?"

"Lisani, are you aware of what Nala has done?" Scar questioned, an eyebrow raised.

"Yes… she told me."

"So why are you still even socializing with her?"

Lisani didn't speak.

"Are you on her side?" Scar demanded.

"No, your majesty," he answered. "She's just fighting… literally… for what she wants. I can't say I wouldn't do the same."

Scar nodded, thinking about this answer. "But you haven't. Good boy," he praised. "But, she did sincere damage to your queen and possibly to your future king."

Lisani turned his gaze to the ground.

"Lisani… do you…" Scar smiled. Perfect, he thought.

Lisani looked up at Scar, knew what Scar was asking and trying to answer it without opening his mouth.

Scar walked over to the front of his den and looked out into the Pridelands, beckoning Lisani over next to him. The lion did as he was told. Scar was apparently and obviously looking down at Nala and Lisani did the same. He felt uneasy inside.

"She could be yours one day," Scar said, looking at Lisani. Lisani just had his gaze fixed on her. Scar let him think about this before continuing. "But," he said, breaking Lisani's gaze on her and looking at him, "if she doesn't learn how to stay in line, it could never happen. She is not being careful, you know that. And if she doesn't start, there may be a day where neither of us will ever be able to see her again…" Scar said, in his fake yet believable saddened voice.

Lisani turned his head and eyes to look at Nala, lying in the field, once more. He sighed.

"Keep an eye on her Lisani," Scar warned. "You can leave now."

Lisani nodded and left, retreating to the main den to catch up on an early nights rest. He had a lot of thinking to do.

Lying to Scar was no fun. Scar thought that Lisani was Scar, but only because Lisani was able to act without stumbling over anything or messing up. He just wanted to be able to be himself and it be alright.

But Nala. Of all things, he thought he was best at covering that up to everyone. Somehow, Scar knew, he figured it out. Perhaps, though, it was good he told Lisani he knew. Now he could protect Nala…

That wouldn't be easy. He knew she had a lot of spunk. But if it comes to her privileges, to banishment, to maybe her life, he would have to try his hardest to keep her alright. Especially if what Scar said was, or could be, true. Then again, is what Sarafina and Sarabi said going to be true? He hadn't thought about it for the longest time. Was it even possible now?

He shrugged and decided to sleep on it. That's what he needed; some sleep, to sort his thoughts. Having trouble though, he rested his head on his paws and stared up at the sky, splattered with stars. He remembered what Nala had told him so long ago, about the kings of the past.

He wondered which one was Mufasa's; and if Simba's was up there. "What would they have done?" he thought aloud, before finally being able to drift off into a slumber and into a dream…

Lisani is standing on Pride Rock, looking out into the remains of the Pridelands. They are dry and the wind is blowing slowly. Suddenly, he hears footsteps behind him.

"Scar?" he asks. "I'm sorry. I was just-"

"Scar is not the rightful king," the deep voice from behind him said.

Lisani spun around and found himself face-to-face with a large, muscular male, with tan fur and dark brown mane and tale. "Mufasa," he gasped. This lion had fit Nala's description of him perfectly. He nodded. "You're the rightful king," Lisani said.

Mufasa shook his head. "No."

Lisani was puzzled. For sure, he, himself, was not the rightful king. When suddenly, he realized Simba was not accompanying Mufasa. "Where is Simba?" he asked.

"He is not with me," Mufasa said, smiling.

Lisani gave Mufasa a confused look and then suddenly, Mufasa faded away.