Chapter 8: Old Forgotten Memories Part One

Over the next several days Pride Rock had become more lively and tense with the presence of the newcomer.

"EVERYBODY SETTLE DOWN!" Sarabi shouted trying to calm everyone down. Everyone was in a frazzled mess.

This new lioness, Zira had been causing a bit of an uproar... So to speak. Ever since Scar brought her back things had been getting a bit more... interesting... to say the least.

She had this odd twisted air about her. The kind that felt wrong, and uncomfortable. Fortunately for them said lioness was currently with Scar taking a tour of the Kingdom.

"I DON'T TRUST HER!" said one of the lionesses, looking upset.

Sarabi looked at her calmly and replied "I know how you feel, but we can't know for certain what her true intentions are if we don't give her a chance!" She said with authority. The lioness slowly nodded and backed down.

Sarafina walked up to her friend looking as unsure as the rest of them. "Sarabi are you sure this is a good idea?"

Sarabi looked at her best friend and shook her head. "No, I'm not. But we have to give her the benefit of the doubt!" She said trying to sound reassuring.

"Is someone talking about me?" Came a voice from behind. The Pride froze and looked towards it immediately. There standing at the entrance was Zira looking smug.

"ZIRA!" Sarabi said in surprise. "I thought you were out touring the Pridelands with Scar!?" She said trying to get over her shock.

"We finished up early!" Zira replied boredly. "Besides he had some business with the hyenas to attend to!" Sarabi narrowed her eyes. What kind of business could he have with them that he couldn't share with the Pride?

Before she could ask any more questions Zira spoke up again giving Sarabi a twisted smile "Oh Sarabi, I'm surprised you didn't recognize me!" She said in a taunting voice. Sarabi looked at her in confusion, as did the rest of the Pride. Did she know her previously?

Zira shook her head and continued "I've been here for only a few days and you still don't remember who I am?! Pathetic!" She said mockingly.

"I think I would've remembered someone like you!" Sarabi stated bluntly, not sure what to think. There was something off-putting about her. Something familiar but she couldn't quite place it.

Zira gave her a calculating smile "Well then maybe you'll remember THIS!" She suddenly leaped at her and before Sarabi could react, she found herself pinned to the ground unable to move. The other lionesses' got into an offensive position, ready to attack the outsider for attacking their Queen. Zira let a cruel laugh. "Just as I thought! Same old Sarabi! Still can't hold her own in a fight against me!"

Sarabi's eyes narrowed before going wide with recognition. She finally recognized her from years earlier. "IT'S YOU!" She said, her eyes going wide. "You're the cub from the gorge!" She almost shouted.

Zira backed up allowing her to stand up. "Ah, you FINALLY remember me!" Zira smiled wickedly.

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...Years Earlier...

Four young cubs and a small hornbill were looking for a place to play.

Taka had suggested they play at the gorge.

"I don't think this is such a good idea!" Sarabi said cautiously, feeling nervous. A much younger Zazu who sitting on her shoulder nodded in agreement.

"What's the matter Sarabi? You scared?" Taka mocked.

"Leave her alone Taka!" Mufasa growled getting between him and her. The two brothers glared at each other.

"Guys! GUYS! Please! Let's just try and get along!?" Sarafina said trying to stop a fight from breaking out.

Taka eventually broke eye contact with his brother and sneered. "Yeah, whatever!"

Just then they heard a cry. " SOMEBODY HELP ME!" they stopped what they were doing and listened. It was coming from the gorge. "PLEASE SOMEBODY! ANYBODY!" Down below was a cub being cornered by a pack of jackals. There were four in total.

"No one's coming to save you, little girl!" Said the head, Jackal. She was this close to snapping her jaws around the young cub... when something hit her. She shook her and looked down at the projectile. A rock?! The jackals turned around to see who had the gaul to enterupt their meal. Up on the ledge, they spotted four cubs and a small bird staring down at them in defiance. Zazu was hiding behind Mufasa's leg.

"Zazu! Go get help!" Mufasa shouted.

"Heh?! Oh! Yes at once!" Zazu saluted and took off back to Pride Rock. This was a perfect opportunity to test the strength of his wings.

The head jackal growled in annoyance. "AFTER THEM!" She barked, the others nodded and took off after them. The cubs without hesitation all took off in different directions. "I'll handle this one!" She said turning her head back to face the defenseless cub, only to be met a scratch to the face. "AAAGH!" She cried out in surprise. She growled turning to face the cub again, only to realize she was gone. She growled again. "WHERE DID SHE GO!" She said looking around.

"Over here~!" Came a taunting sing-song voice. She turned around expecting to find the cub. Well... it was a cub... just not the same one from earlier. This one had a mischievous grin on her face. She growled once more. How DARE she mock her! 'I'll fix her wagon!'

She got ready and began to chase down the cub. Sarabi took off quickly, running in a zigzag fashion. She knew she had to act fast or else... she really didn't want to think about it.

She ran up the side of the cliff making sure to be extra careful as to not slip on any wayward rocks. The Jackal in blind rage was starting to catch up. She was going to make that little brat suffer severely.

Just as she was about to bite down on Sarabi's tail, she found herself being hit in the face by a powerful force, sending her flying. She landed with a hard thud back at the bottom of the gorge. She looked up weakly to see what had hit her.

There standing with a strong angry glare was the King of Pride Rock himself.

King Ahadi.

Sarabi and the cub from earlier were both safely standing behind his leg. When did he get there? The jackal wondered to herself.

Behind him up on the cliff stood the rest of the Pride, her pack nowhere to be seen.

"You're pack is gone!" He said warningly. "Now get out of here before you end up joining them!" He threatened, baring his teeth.

The jackal looked up at him in shock and disbelief. Without a word she weakly pushed herself up off the ground and took off, never to be seen or heard from again.

Ahadi watched her leave then looked at the cubs at his feet with a disapproving glare.

The two cubs smiled up at him sheepishly, one out of fear and the other out of embarrassment.

He simply snorted and shook his head. "Come you two! We can talk more about this when we're back to safety!" He said making his way out of the gorge. The two cubs looked at him in shock but began to follow him anyway.

Sarabi turned to the new cub and smiled sheepishly "Hi there! My name is Sarabi! What's your name?" She asked trying to lighten the mood a bit. The cub looked at her in surprise not expecting the other to introduce herself so suddenly. Especially since they just met not only a few seconds ago.

She hesitated, biting her lip before looking back at her. As if it took all her strength and courage she finally opened her mouth and said only one word. "Zira!"

A/N And that's it for now. Stick around for part two ;) Hope y'all enjoy =D

To Arika, firstly I added more yelling because this is MY fanfic, NOT yours. You want less yelling, you can write your own. Secondly, I wrote these scenes with the character's personalities in mind and yes they DO yell a lot. Lol. But thanks again for reviewing, I really do appreciate it :)