Chapter 23

Shaking his mane, Scar gave the stars overhead only a cursory glance before settling down to groom himself. Pulling himself away from Molly had been difficult and even now he fought the urge to go back into the cave for her. He wanted her, more intensely than he had ever wanted anything. His imagination conjured up a scene of him coming up behind her, her back arched, inviting him. Her eyes as she turned to him were pleading, begging- Sighing in frustration, he tried to calm his nerves by focusing his thoughts on his fur.

The sound of someone approaching and a scent on the wind had Scar up on his feet and glaring down the path. Coming around the corner, Sarabi paused a moment at the sight of him before continuing towards him.

"What does my brother want now?" Scar growled.

"Mufasa is dealing with matters of the kingdom," she replied, sitting several feet from him, "I came to speak to you myself of a more personal matter."

"And what would you have to speak to me about?"

Sarabi glanced behind him, then back to him, "Our past."

Scar leered at her, "Our past? Are we going to reminisce about how you and Pacha betrayed me? Or how you immediately ran to my brother after we were exiled? What fond memories, yes, we must catch up."

"I will not apologize or explain myself to you, Scar," she lifted her chin proudly, "Pacha was a mistake and you would have been also."

Scar gave a dark chuckle, "If you came here to try and hurt my feelings, you'll be very disappointed."

"No, Scar. I came to try and stop you making the same mistakes all over again."

"Molly isn't like you, Sarabi. I don't have to worry about her."

"No, but you're still you. Your anger and hate eat away at everything good in your life. Pacha was the focus then, and he is again now. But the effects of that malice ripple out into your other relationships. Molly will feel those ripples soon enough, just as I did, and she will resent you for it."

"Hmmf," Scar turned to regard her with his scarred eye, "Trying to push the blame of your actions on me? I wonder at your sudden interest in Molly, your protectiveness is touching."

"This isn't about her. This is about you choosing to change. You have the choice to deal with Pacha peacefully."

"Peacefully?!" Scar couldn't keep the laugh out of his voice, "After he tried to have Molly killed? Why would you even think to ask that of me?" Then he narrowed his eyes, "You…no. You're not here out of concern for Molly or my dark soul. You're bargaining for the life of Pacha," he gave a slow, wicked grin, "Not still in love with him, are you?"

Sarabi looked him in the eye, "You're a fool. What I would ask of you is to make peace so that this new pride is no threat to ours. Mufasa forgave you, he could forgive Pacha as long as you both agreed to live here in peace. I cannot risk this feud between you two escalating into a war."

He stared. She couldn't be serious. "You're mad," he took a step towards her, and said in a deadly quiet voice, "If you think I'll bring that snake into this place, you are horribly mistaken. The next time I see Pacha, I will kill him."

"Is that your answer to all things you hate? Kill them?"

"You're still alive, aren't you?" He took satisfaction in how she flinched at that.

Composing herself, Sarabi rose to her feet regally, "Very well. I see I'm wasting my time." She turned to walk away. Just before disappearing around the corner, she said over her shoulder, "Be careful, Scar. That anger of yours pushed me away. Don't let it push her away too," and then she was gone.

…

Molly woke to a bright morning, yawning widely, she felt much better. Licking at her wounds awkwardly, she wondered at this body's ability to heal. The deeper cuts and bites were still tender, but the shallower slashes had mostly healed, rough scabs the only sign of injury. Standing, she looked to the entrance of the cave but didn't see Scar. She made her way out, sitting at the entrance and looking this way and that.

"Scar?" she called, voice scratchy.

The sound of claws against rock and skidding pebbles brought her attention up. Scar leapt down from a thin ledge above the cave. He gave a slight smile, "Welcome back. How are you feeling?"

"Much better," she returned the smile, "Thirsty though."

He nodded and moved towards the path Rafiki had lead her up before, "Come, I'll show you the stream. Are you hungry?"

Molly felt her stomach growl in response, "Yes."

"I'll bring you something," he continued walking in front of her even when the path widened enough for them to walk side by side. Molly felt like she had a better hold of her urges today, but it was still difficult to resist rubbing up against his flank. The path opened up to flat land where other lions were lounging in the early morning sun.

Scar walked past without acknowledging them. Molly felt their eyes on her and heard murmurs as they passed, but couldn't make out what was said. She didn't feel like introducing herself here the way she had with the hyenas. These lions didn't watch her with open curiosity, but open hostility. Swallowing, she closed the space between her and Scar so that her nose was almost bumping his tail.

"Calm, Molly," he said softly.

Easier said than done. They reached the stream and Molly quenched her thirst. She was pleased that she'd finally gotten the hang of drinking with her tongue. She'd hate to make a fool of herself in front of the Pride.

"I'll be right back," Scar said, giving her the briefest rub of his chin on her forehead, "Show no fear. You are safe."

Not trusting herself to speak, Molly gave a reluctant nod. She was terrified of being left alone, but she knew the others would think it odd that she needed Scar with her at all times. She'd promised to have his back, how could she do that if she was too afraid to function? Straightening as he left, she glanced around as nonchalantly as possible. Several lionesses had returned to normal daily activities, but a cluster of them were still staring at her openly. Ignoring them, Molly began grooming herself.

As she maneuvered her head around to attempt to lick her shoulder, she saw that the cluster of lionesses was headed her way. A sleek, gray-brown lioness with bright eyes lead them. Molly continued with her grooming until they reached her. Creating a semi-circle around her, they made her nervous. Instinctively turning her front to them and remaining sitting, Molly hoped Scar would return soon.

The gray-brown lioness stepped forward and smiled sweetly, "So you're the little lost lioness Scar picked up?" her voice betrayed the smile on her face. Molly tried to keep her hackles from rising. Calm, she told herself.

"Scar found me and has been very kind."

"That's good," the raspy sneer in the others voice made Molly want to give her a good swipe. "I assume he's chosen you as his mate?"

"Yes," Molly felt a slight thrill at the confirmation.

"But not claimed you yet?"

Molly wasn't sure how the others could know, but she guessed it was written in her scent. Scar had commented that other males would be able to sense her not being attached to him, but she didn't think it would matter to a lioness. "I was injured," she attempted an explanation.

The other gave a slow smile, "You're sure he's not just using you? Pretty young thing like you could be a very easy tool to make Sarabi jealous."

Molly shrugged, "Scar has no interest in Sarabi."

"No? Then why their moonlit rendezvous last night?"

Blinking, Molly shook her head, "I don't know," she was losing her patience with the high school drama antics of this lioness, "Do you have a point to make?"

The lionesses gathered round exchanged looks, then turned back to their leader. The fake smile had slipped from her face and she glared openly at Molly, "You aren't worthy of him. You're an outsider. A filthy trollop. You-", she cut off and glanced past Molly.

Turning her head, Molly saw Scar approaching, a large wildebeest leg dangling from his mouth. He came up beside her and laid it at her feet, then glanced at the lionesses that had begun backing away. He nodded to the lead lioness dismissively, "Zira."

Zira bowed her head slightly, her body language changed in an instant, "Scar. It's good to see you home again."

"Pride Rock is not my home," he responded, then turned to Molly, "Eat, you need your strength."

Molly settled down to bite into the leg while keeping an eye on Zira. She didn't like the way the lioness was looking at Scar.

"I trust you were being welcoming to my mate?" Scar arched an eyebrow at Zira.

Licking her lips, she nodded, "Y-yes, Scar."

Molly opened her mouth to argue, but Scar spoke over her, "Good. Because it would go very badly for anyone who wasn't," he swept his eyes over the group then stared emerald daggers through Zira, "Very badly."

Backing away, Zira and the others murmured their apologies for being a bother, then turned and all but ran from him. Scar sighed and glanced down at Molly.

"Are you alright?"

"Fine. Zira, was it? She was very keen on pitting me against you. Said I wasn't worthy."

"Zira has ambitions," Scar scoffed, "They make her foolish."

"I didn't think you had a fan club," she teased.

He raised an eyebrow at the phrase.

"Oh never mind," she chuckled, "She and the others seemed to be in favor of you."

"Zira maybe. The others only follow her because they are not worthy of being in one of the higher hunting parties. Sarabi and Sarafina are picky about who they choose for their groups."

She stared up at him, "She said you and Sarabi met last night."

Settling down opposite her, Scar grimaced, "Unfortunately yes, Sarabi came to try and get me to make amends with Pacha. I told her I refused," he glanced over her wounds, "It is far too late for that."

"Sarabi wanted to make peace? But she and the others defended me. They killed that other lioness. Why would she suddenly want peace?"

"I have my suspicions," he nodded for her to continue eating, "Sarabi could still harbor feelings for Pacha."

Molly swallowed the mouthful she had and shook her head, "I don't think so. When I told her about Pacha, she froze and looked worried, maybe even scared."

Scar frowned and glanced up at Pride Rock, "She said the same thing as my brother, that they couldn't risk getting involved in a war," he trailed off and was lost in thought. Molly focused on filling her belly and left him to his thoughts. She couldn't understand why Mufasa and Sarabi weren't willing to chase these intruders out of their lands. Trying to decipher lion logic felt impossible.

Scar sighed heavily, rolled onto his side and closed his eyes. Molly smiled down at him. He looked so peaceful, lazing in the sun. A breeze played with his dark mane and he cracked an eye open, "You're not eating."

"Just enjoying the moment," she raised her eyebrows innocently, "We haven't had time to just be in several days."

"Hmmf," he closed his eye again but a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

Returning to her meal, Molly wondered how many more moments like this they would have in the future.

Phew, Scar's starting to have some spicy thoughts huh? O_o

I apologize to any Scar/Zira fans... I never really liked Zira, hence why there's an entirely different OC paired with Scar in my fanfic. XD I can't express enough how much I appreciate everyone still reading. I hope you're all still enjoying it!