Chapter 1: The After Math

The walk back was a long and silent one. They had just gotten back from the Elephant Graveyard after everything was said and done.

It was already very late in the evening by the time they got back. Mufasa was very disappointed in all of them. Simba and Zazu especially.

"Zazu!" Mufasa called.

Upon hearing his name, Zazu came and landed next to him. "Yes, Sire?" He asked nervously.

"Take Nala home!" Mufasa ordered "I've got to teach my son a lesson." he said narrowing his eyes, causing Simba to duck down in the grass.

Zazu did as he was told and flew up to the cubs "Come Nala!" He then turned to the Prince "Simba!?" He sighed "Good luck." With that said, he then turned and proceeded to take Nala back home.

Nala looked back at Simba one last time before following the Majordomo.

As the two made their way back to Pride Rock, she began to think over everything that went down that day.

They were almost killed today and all because someone told Simba about the Elephant Graveyard. Who told him about it anyway? What was the point? Were they trying to get him killed?

Moreover, they weren't very nice to Zazu either. I mean, it's not like they haven't done it before and won't do it again... but still...

Nala felt kinda guilty about how they treated him. She looked up towards him "Hey, Zazu? Listen, I... I'm sorry about earlier." She said trying to apologize about what happened.

Zazu huffed "I'm the one who's sorry. I'm obviously not doing a very good job at watching you if I can't even get you to listen to me." He said a bit harshly.

Nala looked back down in shame and the two continued the rest of their walk in silence.

Zazu felt awful about the days events. Simba and Nala were almost killed today, and all because he wasn't able to watch them properly. He felt like such a failure. He should have never had told them about their betrothal.

When they got to the den, they were greeted with a bunch of worried face's. The two found themselves being bombarded with questions left and right.

"Are you alright?"

"Where were you?"

"What happened?"

"Are you hurt?"

"Where's Simba?"

"We were so worried about you!"

"Ladies, ladies please let them talk!" Sarabi said, at last, causing everyone to quiet down. "Go ahead Zazu. Tell us what happened."

Zazu nodded and proceeded to tell the Pride what happened. Nala hung her head low as he did. Now they're in trouble. Zazu's going to tell them it was all their fault.

"It was my fault!" He said, at last, causing Nala to look at him in surprise. Wait, he's taking the blame?! But why? She thought for sure he would blame her and Simba for this whole mess. "I didn't watch them closely enough! They were my responsibility and mine alone. I will accept whatever punishment you see fit." he said bowing his head low.

He braced himself for whatever the Queen had in store for him. He didn't flinch, he didn't cry, he didn't even shiver. He stood completely still.

Nala sat there completely dumbfounded, still trying to process what was happening.

Sarabi and Serafina shared a look and sighed. The Queen simply looked down at him and smiled. "I think what you went through today was punishment enough." She said kindly.

Zazu and Nala both looked up at her in surprise.

"B-but madam I..." Zazu started.

"...Did everything in your power to protect them, and for that I thank you." She smiled at him reassuringly.

Zazu didn't quite feel the same way but accepted it for now. He still needed to apologize to Mufasa for losing track of the kids.

It wasn't until sometime later that night when Simba and Mufasa got back. They were both in high spirits. Sarabi came up looking worried.

"I heard about what happened. Is everything alright? How is he?" She asked.

"He's fine." Mufasa smiled reassuringly.

"Oh, I'm so relieved!" She smiled, sighing in relief.

"I'm ok mom! Dad and I talked about the great king's of the past!" Simba said excitedly.

"Did you now?" Sarabi said sending a knowing smile towards her husband.

Mufasa chuckled "Yes we did." He'd been meaning to give him that heart to heart talk for a while now.

Simba yawned "Goodnight Mom! Goodnight Dad!"

"Goodnight son!" they both said at once.

Simba smiled up at them and rubbed against their legs before running off to join Nala and the other cubs.

"Mufasa may I speak with you alone for a moment?" Zazu spoke up.

"Of course you may!" Mufasa replied, and the two of them walked out of the den.

Zazu cleared his throat. "Sire?! I wanted to apologize for earlier. If I had been paying more attention to what the children were up too, we wouldn't have ended up in that mess." He said with his head hung low. "I take full responsibility for my actions."

Mufasa simply smiled and even let out a laugh. He could never stay mad at him.

Zazu looked up a bit confused and offended "I'm serious!" He huffed, crossing his wings.

"I'm sorry." Mufasa continued to laugh a bit. Zazu huffed again and turned away. Mufasa finally calm down after a bit, as his chuckles finally came to a holt. "I'm not mad at you. A bit disappointed but I'm not mad."

Zazu looked away in shame.

"But... You did do your best to protect them, and for that I'm grateful." He said smiling down at him.

Zazu looked up in surprise. He almost smiled, but he still felt pretty bad about what happened, so he let his head hang low. Mufasa's smile shrunk and he shook his head.

"Let's go inside and get some sleep. We can continue this conversation tomorrow!" He said, letting out a yawn. Zazu nodded and followed him inside. Maybe after a good night's sleep he'll feel a bit better.

A/N Don't worry I am working on finishing my first story and I am working on a sequel to Lion King AU, I just wanted to get this one out first ;) XD I hope you enjoy =D