Chapter Seven: Brothers Reunited

Mufasa sat on the ledge of Pride Rock, looking out into the surrounding lands with a determined gaze. Zazu flew down and landed clumsily beside him. The bird chuckled as he found his footing.

"Well, I'll have to practice that a bit more, won't I?" he said. He looked to Mufasa when he didn't respond. "Mufasa? Are you all right?"

"You're dropping too quickly," the lion answered without looking away from the Pridelands. "Try coming down gradually next time."

"I'll have to try that, then . . . What are you doing out here alone again? Your father and mine went off on a walk. Why didn't you join them?"

"I'm waiting for Miru to come back."

Zazu exhaled heavily. "It's been nearly a year, Mufasa. He's not coming back. Even the baboon said . . ."

"Rafiki said he was going to try and make a name for himself. My father won't even speak of him."

"Well, perhaps that's for the best. Not to be rude to the royal blood, but he is far from king standard. You seem to have inherited the better genes of the family."

"He's my brother, Zazu."

"All the same, he seemed . . . questionable to me."

Mufasa finally looked away from the horizon. "What do you mean by that?"

"Your mother insisted he was meant for something great, but I think he had some sort of . . . I don't know, evil to him."

The lion laughed. "Oh, don't be ridiculous, Zazu. My father was never very close to Miru, but he's not evil."

"Put that matter aside for now, Mufasa. You know, your father is readying to step down from his position and allow his son to take his place."

"Don't remind me."

"You are soon to be a king, Mufasa! I must say, I am quite proud of you, Sire."

"You don't have to be so formal. We've grown up together, Zazu. You're my friend."

"All the same, I am to be your messenger. I am to overlook all of the happenings in the Pridelands."

"I know all of that, Zazu. You need to calm down. All of that will be arranged when the time comes . . ."

"He's a bird, Mufasa," a voice said behind them. "They never stop panicking. It's their instinct."

The two turned see a thin, dark-furred lion walking up the ledge toward them, a pale scar showing visibly over his eye. He stopped short and sat down. Mufasa squinted hard and widened his eyes in surprise.

"Miru!" he exclaimed, bewildered.

"Hello again, brother," he answered simply.

Mufasa walked around him, laughing. "Look at you! You've grown."

"It has been a year."

He sat down in front of his brother. "I'm so glad to see you again, Miru. Where have you been?"

His brother shook his head. "Finding my fate. I've made a few changes as well. I'd prefer it if you called me Scar. It seems suitable, doesn't it?"

"Scar? Why change your name? Our mother loved your name."

"Well, it was time I made a name for myself, no pun intended. How have you been?"

Mufasa glanced at Zazu, who was huffing with disgust. He glared at the bird. "I've been fine, as good as I can, I suppose."

"He'll be declared king by the end of the year," Zazu proclaimed.

"Is that so?" Scar said. "Congratulations, Mufasa."

"Thank you," he answered uncomfortably. "I was wondering when you would come back. I didn't want to . . . Well, I was afraid to accept the offer since you weren't here."

"It's all right. Father would've never given me a second glance. I bet he hasn't spoken of me since Mother died."

"Well . . ."

"Yes," Zazu said haughtily. "In fact, the whole pride hardly noticed your leave. No one seemed to mind."

"Zazu!" Mufasa snapped.

"Let him talk, Mufasa," Scar chuckled. "Birds never learn to shut their beaks, do they? Well, go ahead, give us your insight of my life. Let's hear it, Zazu."

"I believe you're here only because you heard of your brother's reign," Zazu explained, his glare focusing on Scar. "You have always been jealous of him and now you are hoping to reveal him to be in rule of the pride."

Scar laughed loudly. "Beautiful attempt, Zazu, but you haven't come close. I could care less what happens to this pride. My brother has always been the better lion and I have accepted that."

"Then what's your purpose?"

"I wanted to see my dearest father before he retired. I wanted him to see his boy one more time."

"His Highness is not dying. He is merely retiring."

"Nevertheless, I am not sure where fate will lead us, so I should enjoy his company while he is still here."

"You are nothing but a conspirator against this pride!"

"Enough!" Mufasa shouted, silencing him. "Zazu, like it or not, my brother is still a part of this pride and I don't want to hear any negative comments of what he's done in his time away!"

"Thank you, brother," Scar bowed to him. "Your Highness."

"Come along . . . Scar. The pride will be happy to see you." He glared in Zazu's direction before walking toward the cave.

Scar held back, eyeing Zazu in disgust. Zazu puffed out his chest challengingly.

"Watch your tail, bird," Scar warned as he stood to follow his brother. "You never know when a predator might be there."

Zazu watched him leave, a cold chill ruffling his feathers. He took off irritably, wondering how his friend could be so trusting to a lion like that. But blood was blood. Mufasa had no choice but to trust him. Zazu just hoped the blood relation wouldn't interfere with the future king's practical thinking.

A/N: Cue the evil music! I think that's the way you spell "cue," am I right? Anyway, I'm having the greatest time writing this and hopefully I'll keep the chapters coming up steadily. Special thanks to Mirage of Sarabi, I never knew their dad's name!