Chapter 7: A Familiar Face

Scar and Banzai made their way to the edge of the Pridelands. There, they found Shenzi and this rogue Lioness in a standoff. The two were standing there growling at each other, waiting for the other to make the next move.

Ed was off to the side cowering as the two fought. Surrounding both of them were other hyenas watching the fight as it commenced.

"WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON HERE?!" Scar demanded upon reaching them.

The two of them stopped what they were doing and turned to face him.

The lioness herself seemed to be at a loss for words. She eyed Scar with a look of awe and wonderment. Scar ignored this and turned his attention back to Shenzi. Said hyena was panting, covered in scars and bruises. She looked his way, gasping for air. "Scar...! You came here... just in time...! This rogue wannabe was hunting on our turf!" She said catching her breath.

"EXCUSE ME?!" The lioness said outraged! "WHO SAID THIS WAS YOUR TURF?! I thought you were banished to the outlands?!" She said giving her a warning growl.

Scar looked her way as if noticing her for the first time. He wasn't quite sure how, but he's sure he'd seen her somewhere before. Shenzi growled only to have Scar stand in between them. "I did!" He answered calmly. "Tell me are you new around here?" Scar for his part seemed genuinely intrigued by this new lioness. There was something about her that seemed... familiar. To put it lightly.

"No!" She answered a bit more calmly. "I lived here a long time ago, but I left when I was a cub."

Scar's face suddenly became enraged. "THEN WHAT ARE YOU DOING BACK HERE?!" He growled at her in irritation. 'How dare she come into HIS KINGDOM without permission. Who does she think she is?

"I heard the former King was dead!" She said plainly. "I figured I'd come and see the new King!"

Scar for some reason calmed down at this and gave her a twisted smile, letting out a humorless laugh. "Congratulations my dear. You're looking at him!"

She smiled an equally twisted smile of her own in return and bowed her head low. "I am honored to meet you, my King!"

Scar's smile somehow managed to get even more twisted, the hyenas backed away, not sure they were liking where this exchange was going. "May I ask what your name is?" He asked without introducing himself first. She looked up still smiling her twisted smile

"Zira!" She said simply.

"Scar!" He said in return. "Come we can discuss your arrangements!" He said and began making his way back towards Pride Rock. She smiled and began following him. The hyenas looked at each other in confusion but decided to follow them back as well.

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Out on the outskirts of the Pridelands, Zazu had just finished giving the Lioness Sister Trio the message and was giving them one final hug goodbye.

"I'll miss her!" Diku said with tears in her eyes.

"She's in good hands!" Zazu said reassuringly. The trio nodded and pulled him into one last hug.

"You take care of yourself!" Dwala said after pulling back.

"I will!" He gave her one last salute. He smiled at them for what felt like was going to be the last time and took off back to Pride Rock. Once he was far enough away his smiled vanished and was replaced with dread. The thought of returning to Scar's side made him want to turn around and flee, but he knew that wasn't an option. And even if Scar didn't find him what would happen to Sarabi and others? What then? What could happen to Nala if he fled? He shuttered just thinking about it.

Just then he spotted something down below. A familiar face. It was Rafiki waving at him. Zazu thought about it real quick. He still had a few hours before sunrise he could spare a few seconds. But nothing more. Rafiki waited for his friend to land before addressing him. "How are you doing my little friend?" He asked in his usual way.

Zazu sighed and shook his head. "Not well I'm afraid. Scar's got me on a tight leash!"

Rafiki sighed sadly, nodding in understanding. "You better get on back before he does!" He said patting his friend on the head.

Zazu looked up at him in surprise. 'How did he...?' He shook his head and decided not to think about it. "Of course!" He said taking a bow, and got ready to take off.

"Oh and one more ting!" Said Rafiki "I've got a message for Sarabi when you get back!"

"A message? Of course! What is it?" Said Zazu a bit enthusiastically.

"Never give up hope!" He said smiling sadly.

Zazu stared at him for a bit before giving him a sad smile in return "I will. And thank you!" He said as tears came to his eyes.

Rafiki smiled back a bit more positively and whacked him on the head with his staff.

"OW! HAY WHAT WAS THAT FOR?" Zazu spat angrily.

Rafiki let out a hearty laugh "Noting!" He said in higher spirits. "NOW GO ON!" He said laughing.

Zazu despite his headache smiled and started heading back to Pride Rock. Rafiki let his smile drop and shook his head. "Be strong my little friend!" He said in a much softer tone. "Don't let Scar crush out your spirit!" He gave one last look to Pride Rock and started making his way back home.

A/N Kinda ended on a bit of a downer huh? Sorry about that. Hopefully, it'll get a bit cheerier in the future. Who knows. Hope you enjoy =D

To Akira, No this fic is rated K+ or PG, not PG13=T or R=M.