CHAPTER 13. REUNION

Next day: 1700 hours

Simba lazed behind the television all day, watching the news and other programs. One of the major headlines in the news was that the American government denied the Prideland Resistance any support, fearing they may be getting themselves into another Vietnam-like situation. Simba sat back and sighed, according to the TV his previous homeland had been torn by war and it's economy was down; meaning the country was in it's worst state in history. Simba tried not to think about it, he had lived too long in happiness to concern himself with it now. Simba turned the TV off and walked outside to where Timon and Pumbaa were preparing the barbecue Timon had promised.

"How's it going guys?" He asked enthusiastically. "Good, the salad's ready, and the steaks should be ready in a few minutes." Pumbaa answered. Simba looked over the cooking, it all looked pretty tasty as usual, but he noticed the salad was missing it's usual cucumber. "Hey Timon, I think you forgot the cucumber!" Simba said. "Oh shit, would you mind going inside and cutting some up for me?" Timon asked. "Yeah sure." Simba picked up Pumbaa's huge kitchen knife and walked back inside, Timon followed him in. "I just need to get the table cloths from the closet." Timon said to Simba as he walked towards the corridor near the front door. Simba turned away from him and made his way to the kitchen to cut the cucumber.

Outside, Pumbaa cooked the steaks by himself, whistling The Lion Sleeps Tonight. He flipped the meat normally but then something caught his eye; there was some movement coming from the jungle opposite the mansion. I swear I saw that bush move. He thought, a little frightened. Just your imagination Pumbaa. He thought again and got back to work.

Meanwhile in the jungle opposite the mansion, the sniper exhaled in relief. She had just narrowly avoided being spotted. Thank god for this ghillie suit. She thought. The sniper checked her surroundings; there was no one outside except for her and the fat man cooking about fifty yards away from her. Might as well take the kill. She thought and drew her rifle. She looked through the scope and zoomed in on the lone man behind the barbecue, she lined up the crosshairs carefully and steadied.

Pumbaa had finished flipping the steaks and was about to start seasoning them but something bright shined in his eye. He shielded his eyes from the sudden light and looked up to see what the source was. His gaze was brought back onto the same bush he had seen move a few moments ago, except this time the bush was different. It was in the shape of a man crouching and the source of the light was coming from the sun reflecting off...The scope of a rifle pointed straight at him! "JESUS!" Pumbaa screamed and dropped to floor. BANG! The bullet knocked his chef's hat clean off his head, had he not dropped to the ground he would have been dead for sure. Shit! There goes my cover. Might as well go loud now. She jumped out of her hiding spot and aimed again, but again missed due to Pumbaa running around crazily. Stay still God dammit. She thought and fired again and again, missing each time. Pumbaa ran frantically for the house in a zigzag style, putting off his attacker's aim. Almost at the house! Pumbaa thought as he ran but then something caught his foot, sending him sprawling. It was a tree root he had forgotten to cut, and now his foot was caught in it. Pumbaa desperately tired to yank it free, but it was no use. The sniper caught up with him and pointed the rifle at him from point blank range. Pumbaa flinched and waited for the dooming sound of the gunshot. The sniper squeezed the trigger but nothing happened. Shit, I'm out. I would have been better off if I just let him go and went for the objective. She thought and drew her machete to finish him. She raised the giant blade and prepared to bring it down on his neck, but out of nowhere a large muscular man with a kitchen knife appeared, he leapt over Pumbaa and knocked the machete out of her hand all in one motion.

Simba glared at the camouflaged warrior and started slashing at her with the knife, the sniper was to quick for him though, and she dodged his attacks skillfully. She then grabbed his arm and judo-flipped him over her shoulder and onto the ground. Simba was quick to recover though and was immediately back on his feet, ready to fight. The sniper swung a punch at him, which he ducked skillfully. He used her missed punch against her and before she knew it, Simba's fist slammed into her mouth, sending her tumbling backwards. The force of the blow also knocked the hood of the ghillie suit off her head, revealing that his attacker was actually a woman. Simba paused a little, unsure of whether to keep fighting or give in. The sniper used this split-second advantage and before Simba realized his mistake, he was on the floor at the mercy of the sniper.

The sniper held her blade at his neck, and then hesitated. Oh my god, that's Kingfish, crap, he'll never want to come back with me now. She thought and looked into his eyes, he seemed awfully familiar. Simba stared back into her bright blue eyes. I only knew one person with eyes like that: Nala. The more Simba looked at the woman the more he saw through her camouflage face paint and began to realize who his attacker was. "Nala is that you?" He asked confused. She immediately leapt off him and backed off a little. "Name and rank." She said firmly, still thinking that he was still some sort of P.O.W (Prisoner of War). "What? It's me Simba." He said calmly. Simba, that can't be right, he's dead. She thought initially, but the more she looked at him, she slowly began to see that he wasn't lying; he looked exactly like an adult version of the boy she used to know. It all makes sense now, that was why Weaver wanted him so badly. He's going to replace Scar as rightful leader and he will have no argument. The people will kick him off. She thought. Her shock suddenly turned into joy for her long lost friend, she ran up to Simba and wrapped her arms around him. Simba struggled against her at first, still wary but eventually gave in and hugged back. "I'm still here." Pumbaa said, still on the floor. "Okay what's going on here, what was the screaming about, why aren't you fighting anymore?" Timon suddenly appeared, holding his vintage hunting rifle, Nala pointed her weapon at him but Simba put his hand up. "It's okay he's with me." Simba said quickly. "Timon this is Nala, my old best friend!" Simba exclaimed happily. "Friend? Hold on, I heard Pumbaa screaming and some gunshots, and when I look out the window, you two are going at it with knives." He pointed at Simba and Nala. "Yeah, what was with the attempt on my life?" Pumbaa asked angry. "Well I was sent here to rescue Simba." Nala explained. "Rescue him from what? We're not terrorists, we've been the guys looking after him for the last nine years." Timon said insulted. "Well I'm sorry, our intel was off." Nala apologized. "Intel? What's your job? MI6 or something?" Simba joked. "Actually I work for the PRF, as a spy and soldier. So close enough." Nala informed them. Simba's jaw dropped. So that's why she could fight so damn good.

Timon marched over to her. "Well we don't want any part in your blasted war, and I don't know about the Pridelands, but in our country it's considered very impolite to try and kill people for the sake of it." Timon snarled at her. Nala gestured towards the machete on her belt and Timon stepped back and shut up, she then turned her attention towards Simba again. "Wait till everyone finds out you've been here all this time, and your mother, what would she think?" Nala shook her head as he spoke. "Hold on, so why does everyone back at your old place think you're dead?" Timon asked Simba, he was about to answer but Nala spoke first. "Well nine years ago, he was the son of the King, but then something happened on the freeway and both of them were supposedly dead. That's when his uncle took over and established a socialist government." Nala said solemnly. Timon took a moment to take that all in. That guy on the radio never died, we've been living with a lying Prince all these years! Timon thought, shocked. "So you were a prince? And you never told us?" Timon asked. "Hey I'm still the same guy." Simba said desperately. "But with power now that you're dad's gone. Hell, you're a king now!" Timon exclaimed. "I'm not the king, I was gonna be at one stage, but that was a long time ago. "Simba.." Nala started, disappointed, but Simba cut her off. "No, I'm not in a position of power. Scar's your leader so deal with it." Simba said and started to walk away. "Simba, we need to talk." She said to him quietly. Timon walked up to him to but Nala ushered him away. "Could you excuse us for a few minutes?" She politely asked. "Hey whatever she has to say, she can say it in front of us, right Simba?" Timon turned to him, hoping he would agree.

Simba thought for a minute before deciding that was not a good idea, he hadn't seen Nala in years and could use a little time with her, alone. "Maybe you better leave." Simba said to Timon. Timon looked at him shocked and walked away from him sadly. "You think you know a guy..." He said to himself before joining Pumbaa inside. He took one last look at the sun starting to set, then walked inside. The steaks are going to get cold, what a waste. Timon thought about the barbecue they were meant to have.