CHAPTER 6 – Zira's secret
For once, Nala was having a pleasant dream. She was a cub again, in the happier times when her best friend Simba was still alive. At the moment she was blissfully dueling him for fun, winning as always, but unfortunately some loud voice and a paw shaking her by the shoulder quickly got her out of her happy memories.
-Nala! Wake up!
Opening her eyes, she saw her mother, deeply agitated and baring a strange, mischievous smile.
-Huh? What's up, did something happen?
-Shh! Keep your voice down, I don't want to wake the others. Listen, have you noticed that Zira's been sneaking out almost every day lately?
Nala had absolutely no idea why her mother woke her to ask such a question.
-Uh, well… yeah, I suppose.
-Exactly! Come on, follow me. Hurry!
With these words Sarafina made a few swift leaps, skillfully climbing a nearby rock. Her daughter, still quite startled, got up from the ground and joined her, taking a look towards a position which her mother was pointing to with her head. Near the line of the horizon, far away from Pride Rock and close to the southern border, there was a lone, brownish spot wading through the bush.
-Is that her? – asked Nala, straining her sight.
-Why yes! Isn't it strange for a lioness to stray so far from the rest of her pride alone? I think that Zira's hiding something and I intend to find out what it is – her mother spoke with malicious irony. She didn't quite know her from this side of her character.
-Since when did you get so protective, mom? – Nala also adopted a tone of sarcasm. Sarafina looked at her, baring her fangs.
-So tell me, are you up for some fun? We can still catch up with her if we follow her track. Then who knows what we might find…
The young lioness smiled. She wasn't a malicious type, but the idea of stalking Zira seamed very interesting for her. Maybe she was hiding things that the pride should know about? And besides, it was a lazy afternoon and Nala was always very keen to new ways of having fun. Not taking long to think, both the mother and daughter left Pride Rock to start their own little hunt. The tracks were clearly visible, Zira was probably in a hurry and didn't pay much attention to cover them. Sarafina and Nala were also surprised to find that the hyenas, who were patrolling the area not so long ago, had left.
-Hm, it seems almost as if she sent them away – the older one of them said, examining the fresh paw prints left on the dry ground. - Well isn't that strange… Zira must really be up to something. I wonder how far is she going to stray…
Both of them continued their stalking until they saw a large hill in front of them.
-On the other side are the Outlands – said Nala.
-Well, let's see what's she hunting for over there. Keep yourself low.
The two lionesses snook up the hill. But when they reached the top, they momentarily hid their heads and slid down the sandy side on their backs, shocked with what they've seen.
-Well I'll be… That little wench! Did you see this too or was that a mirage? – Sarafina laughed out loud and looked at her terrified daughter. – Ha-ha! What, do you want to tell me that you've never seen something like that before? Well, at least now we know that the rumor about Scar being Nuka's father is total nonsense…
Nala looked at her mother, frowning with shock and distaste.
-But… but there were two males there! They have to be the ones we saw then, at the hunt! How could she…? And the other one was just standing aside…
Sarafina laughed yet again.
-Heh, yes, and he did look quite handsome, too. You can still join them if you like…
Nala shook with disgust and hit her mother's shoulder with her paw.
-Stop it mom!
The older lioness just stood up and started cleaning her fur. Her daughter also lifted from the ground and came up to her.
-Do you think that… Scar should know about this?
Sarafina gave her an inquiring gaze.
-Do you intend to turn her in for lying, tricking the hyenas and having her little secret affair? Hmmm… - she deeply meditated on the whole situation. If they did turn Zira in, maybe the king would exile her away with her new friends? She did deserve that, although Scar would still be the main problem. But who were these two lions anyway? They must have been rogues, and they had to be here for a reason. Maybe… just maybe if they liked Zira so much, they would also like the rest of the pride enough to try to take it over? And get rid of the old king? With their help, even the hyenas would be a much lesser threat…
-No, Nala. I have a better idea. C'mon, let's not disturb those love birds for now. Later there will be a time to know our two visitors closer…
AN: Heh-heh, it seems that those of you who thought that Zira is going to fall for the rogues' advances, were right. She likes strength and power, and that is what they have. Sarafina's beginning to think of a plan how to use that strength as well. So what will she and Nala do with the knowledge about Zira's secret? Be patient. You'll find out soon.