Scar's words kept in her mind. They kept being repeated. Run away. That would save her. But Sarafina would catch notice and wonder where she was, Mufasa would go looking for her the second they didn't see her anywhere in the Pridelands.

The Pridelands were counting on her and Mufasa, continue on the Circle of Life. They were the ones with the Pridelands' future in their paws, making sure the reign of Lions went on. But what was stopping the other animals on a rebellion? They could easily overtake them and have a different spices rule. They didn't because they knew how wise and brave the lions were. That's what they were told when they were young.

They had to continue on the Circle of Life, they were the Pridelands' future.

But yet she didn't love Mufasa like that, despite how he felt towards her. Uru and Ahadi had seen it in her eyes countless of times, as did Sarafina and Haki. It wasn't a secret, but they couldn't change it. It was all up to Uru and Ahadi's choice. They needed someone for their son, and Sarabi was the best choice due to her wisdom and courage.

Mufasa loved her deeply.

"Rabi, you look like you want to run!" joked Sarafina while laughing.

"What if I do?" Sarabi replied and Sarafina's green eyes widened. Her jaw dropped and before she could say anything, the future queen rolled her eyes. "I'm joking, 'Fina. I'm not going to run away."

Sarafina nodded slowly but thought about her words. For a moment, Sarabi sounded serious. But the lioness wouldn't dare to run away. The Pridelands were her home, her heart, her everything and it was where her Pride was. She couldn't leave her Pride behind for a life she so desperately wished for, that would be abandoning everything.

They all knew what happened when you abandoned your Pride; you couldn't come back. It was like exiling yourself to being forever alone. You wouldn't survive out there without a Pride, and those who did, it was rare for them to be accepted into a Pride.

The creamy lioness smiled at her friend, her eyes showing happiness. "I have some great news!"

Sarabi arched a dark eyebrow as she laid down. "What would that be?"

"Haki." Sarafina purred at the lion's name. "He's asked me out."

Sarabi's eyes widened. "Really? That's great, 'Fina!"

"It is, isn't it? I just hope Naanda won't be too upset. I know how she likes Haki."

Sarabi rolled her eyes. "She'll get over it. I'm sure of it."

Sarafina could only purr when she saw the light golden lion coming into view with Mufasa at his side. Haki grinned when he saw her and moved quickly to nuzzle his girlfriend, Sarabi watched with a happy smile for her friend as did Mufasa.

But for some reason, when Mufasa nuzzled her, all she could think about was Scar. She winced at the image and shook her head. There was no way. She and Scar were just friends. He was a lone rogue that was looking for a Pride, soon going to be talking to Uru and Ahadi.

But when would that be?

"Sarabi?" Mufasa said, snapping her out of her trance.

"Hmm?" Sarabi replied as she looked at him.

Mufasa shifted on his paws. She felt like she wouldn't like this. "I want you to be more careful when you go for walks. Father says he's scented a rogue in the Pridelands."

Sarabi's eyes went wide as she realized who it was. "A-A rogue? Here? In the Pridelands?"

Mufasa nodded and Haki gave his girlfriend a look that clearly meant he wanted her to be more careful as well. Sarafina nodded before licking his cheek, thankful for the warnings.

"Don't worry, I'll be careful." Sarabi purred to Mufasa.

Mufasa sighed with relief. "Thank you, now, how 'bout we all for a walk?"

*TP & TR*

It's been two weeks since Scar came into the Pridelands and met Sarabi. During those two weeks, he hadn't spoken to the King and Queen, but instead had been getting to know Sarabi. They two had grown close in terms of Friendship.

Sarabi would often come to him in terms of her unhappiness with Mufasa and whenever they fought about something, Scar would be there so she could use his shoulder to cry on. No one else knew that she knew the rogue that King Ahadi had scented.

He had become good at hiding as well. Once Mufasa had came to get Sarabi due to his mother wishing to have a queenly lesson, and Scar had to hide before the Crowned Prince had found him. He had only came out when the two had left.

"How well have you two been getting along?" Scar had asked one day. "Last time you visited me, you were crying your eyes out."

Sarabi only gave him a quick answer of they were fighting a lot more, but it would get better soon.

Of course the rogue didn't believe her words. But he didn't speak another word on the matter knowing she would shut down the second he spoke about it once more. Instead, he just allowed her to cry on his shoulder, happy whenever she was.

Everything was going fine until she just couldn't take it anymore. Sarabi decided to call it off - the wedding - knowing she wouldn't be happy with the Prince. She found Ahadi and Uru alone and took a deep breath before padding towards them.

"I don't want to marry Mufasa."

Ahadi's green eyes snapped towards her in shock. "What suddenly brought this up?"

Sarabi lowered her eyes to the ground as she sighed. Uru smiled sadly at the lioness before moving over to nuzzle her in a family manner. Somehow, she always expected this would come.

"Somehow I figured." Uru told her and it surprised both her mate and Sarabi. The queen shrugged as she sat down, flicking her tail over her paws. "You never did seem happy and comfortable whenever Mufasa nuzzled you."

"But Uru! Who will Mufasa marry?" asked Ahadi, his eyes wide.

Uru sighed heavily. "We all know that answer; his heart lies with Sarabi."

"But mine doesn't!" Sarabi snapped. "I can't marry him! I just can't!"

Ahadi sighed as he looked down at the young lioness, feeling horrible for her. "My dear, as much as we want to end this, we simply can't! If we allow Mufasa the freedom to marry whoever he wishes, he'll pick you."

Sarabi lowered her head. "I'm screwed either way."

"We're so sorry." Uru whispered to her.

"No... it's okay, just..." Sarabi turned to leave as the first thing she thought was to find Scar. "I just need to be alone for a little while."

Without allowing them to answer, she ran off.

*TP & TR*

Sarabi had found Scar eating away at a bone from his last meal he had hunted. She didn't care about that as some tears began to fall down her face. The short cry of his name made the rich brown lion look up at his friend.

Right away, he stood up, forgetting about the bone as he allowed her to cry on his shoulder. After listening to her tale, he understood. So, she had tried to end the marriage arrangement, but couldn't considering how Mufasa would pick her no matter what.

He couldn't help but feel sorrowful for her.

"I'm sorry, Sarabi." Scar whispered to her after she stopped crying. "I wish I could do something to help you."

"No, it's okay."

Scar sighed as he gave her a friendly nuzzle. "Is there anything I can do?"

Without saying a word, Sarabi thrusted her head underneath Scar's chin, making his green eyes go wide.