Chapter 2: A Simple Chat.

The next morning...

Nala approached Zazu while he was cleaning himself. She sucked in her breath and then let it out slowly before opening her mouth to speak.

"Zazu? Why did you take the blame for something me and Simba did?" She asked still puzzled.

Zazu stopped cleaning and looked at her confused "I didn't take the blame. You two were put into my care so that made you my responsibility!" He said as a matter-of-factly.

"I don't... understand!?" Nala said still confused and tilting her head to the side. Zazu sighed and shook his head.

"It was my job to keep you kids safe. My responsibility. And I failed to do so." He said looking down, still feeling quite ashamed of himself. "Why would I blame you for something that was clearly my fault?" he asked feeling a bit curious.

Nala didn't know how to answer that, she didn't know what to say. She sat there letting it all sink in. The only thing that did make itself clear was that Zazu blamed himself for what happened.

Before she could think of anything to say, Mufasa showed up. "Zazu!? Come along. We need to talk!"

"Yes, Sire!" Zazu replied and flew up and landed on his shoulder.

Nala watched as the two of them left, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

"Hay Nala!" Simba called out, pulling her back to reality. "You wanna go hang out?" He asked hopefully. She still seemed to be upset about yesterday. Maybe he could cheer her up!?

Nala looked at him and shook her head. "No! I... I need some time to m-myself. You go on ahead and have fun ok? I'll talk to later! Bye!" she then turned around and took off, and didn't look back.

She needed some time to get her thoughts together, after everything that went down yesterday and last night.

Simba looked down disappointed and sat down. "Bye..." he replied, even though she was already out of earshot. He sighed. 'Maybe Uncle Scar want's to hang out!?' Feeling a little better, he decided that it was a good plan and took off to go find him.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Mufasa and Zazu had gone on patrol together and had been walking for a good few minutes in silence before Zazu decided to speak up.

"Sire?! I... I don't think I'm fit to be your advisor anymore!" He said looking down shamefully. "I couldn't even watch the children properly!"

Mufasa sighed and shook his head "Zazu! I'm not going to fire you just because of one mistake! I told you last night I'm not mad at you! Just disappointed."

"I know." He sighed softly. "It's just that, I can't even get them to listen to me." he sobbed as tears came to his eyes. "Much less keep them out of trouble. I'm useless in a fight!" Zazu then proceeded to cry and cover his eyes with his wings.

Mufasa hated it when his friend was like this. Zazu was never the most confident animal he knew, especially when it came to his skills as a guardian. Though the only times he ever got like this was when he was reminded of his family.

Zazu finally began to calm down some and grew quite. The two continued to walk in silence.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

It was sometime in the late afternoon by the time Simba finally found Scar. What was he doing at the gorge?

"Hey Uncle Scar!" Simba called out.

Scar jumped slightly, not expecting anyone to show up. He turned around, spotting his nephew heading his way.

He had been busy setting up his trap, making sure everything was in place. He smiled when he realized that part of his plan delivered itself right to him.

"Ah, Simba I was just about to come get you!" He said smiling.

"Oooh really?" Simba said excitedly.

"Yes. Come with me!" Scar said and began making his way into the gorge, Simba happily close behind.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

It wasn't until about an hour or so later after Zazu calmed down when Mufasa spoke up again. "Zazu I need you to promise me something."

"Sire? Yes of course! Anything! What is it?" Zazu asked curiously.

"I want you to promise me that you'll always protect the children no matter what!"

Zazu looked stunned "B-but Mufasa!? I..."

"If something happens to me I want you to be there to make sure nothing happens to them."

"But you saw what happened yesterday! I wasn't able to do anything right. I couldn't even..."

"Zazu!" Mufasa Boomed, shutting him up. "I trust you." He smiled at him kindly.

Zazu looked shocked at first but then smiled back before looking down in thought, a frown on his face. "I still think you're asking the wrong animal for the job."

Mufasa actually burst out laughing at that. The laughter was so contagious, even Zazu couldn't stop himself. The two of them calmed down after a little bit. "Well then I guess I'll have to to start looking now won't I!" He joked.

Zazu stopped laughing and straightened up "I promise. I will protect them with my life!" He said proudly, with a newly filled determination and confidence.

"Good to hear!" Mufasa smiled. Zazu smiled back his confidence rising again.

The two continued their walk in a more comfortable silence, when something caught the hornbill's eye. He turned his head to get a better look at what it was.

"Oh look, Sire! The heard is on the move." He said, wondering what could have set them off.

Mufasa turned his head to see for himself "Odd!?" He said confused.

"Mufasa!" Scar came up looking panicked "Stampede! In the gorge! Simba's down there!!!"

"Simba!?" Mufasa said suddenly worried.

What happened next would change their world forever.

A/N Thank you BIGTLKSWFAN for reviewing =D XD I hope you enjoy it ;) Fun fact in my head the gorge scene was supposed to take place a week later but I ended up changing it to make the story flow better ;) That and that's how went it went down in the movie so there's that XD Oh Question: Should I remove the 'I Just Can't-Wait to be King' Prologue at the beginning? Let me know and I'll remove it if you think it should go. The reason I ask is because I added it not knowing whether or not it should be in there or not.