Hey y'all.
I have the next chapter up and running. For those of you who are curious, Jasi is not Zira's relative in any sort of way. She is her own separate character, so please relax. As for the rating, there is some cussing and violence, but it's not super gory so don't worry about that either. Just enjoy the next chapter for what it is.
Onwards now.
Deep in the Outlands Zira was growling in impatience. She was waiting for one of her lions to report back to her with news from the Pride Lands. Since being banished, life had been much harder for her and her followers. There was barely any food or water to go around and then with her newborn cubs, Zira had found it difficult to keep them fed, let alone herself. It wasn't much longer until a young pale-brown lioness with golden eyes appeared before her cowering.
"Jasi! You are late". She bowed her head "F-Forgive me, but I was unable to get any closer w-without b-being discovered".
That wasn't the news that Zira wanted to hear, and the young lioness cried out in pain when Zira smacked her across the face. "You are such an idiot! You were given a simple job and you come back empty handed; I should kill you for your pathetic incompetence!" A roar was heard and seconds later a fully grown lion with dark orange fur, a dark brown mane and golden eyes appeared.
"Zira, get away from Jasi!". She scowled "This little runt is useless! Can't even do a simple job right. Diallo as the lion was named, roared again crouching down low. "I won't repeat myself again, get away from her or I'll make you". Zira tsked in great annoyance before making a quick getaway. Even she knew better than to take on Diallo when he meant it.
"Jasi are you alright?" His voice became much softer, and he approached the still shaking lioness. She wasn't even fully grown yet, still just an adolescent. Diallo examined her cheek; it was red and starting to swell. He made a mental note to have a word with Zira about it. She wasn't getting off the hook with this.
"M-My Lord, I'm s-sorry". Diallo shushed her "It's not your fault, you couldn't help it. Zira knows that it's dangerous to sneak into the Pride Lands without getting caught".
Diallo knew that Zira was simply picking on Jasi. He knew that she knew that to be caught in the Pride Lands was basically a death sentence. Damn that wretched lioness. Was there no end to her evilness?
Jasi winced as she touched her cheek. This wasn't the first injury that Zira had inflicted on her and it wouldn't be the last. Zira was cruel to everyone, but she especially disliked Jasi for reasons that were unknown to her. It had been this way for as long as she could remember, Diallo's soft touch brought her back to the present "Don't worry I'll take care of it, go and find something to bring the swelling down". When Jasi left all Diallo could do was sigh. He was growing tired of it all, fighting with Zira non-stop was wearing him down. He had his reason for putting up with her shit. But Diallo hated the fact that he was still in her debt more than anything. Even before Scar was king, he was already in the evil lions possession and he needed a way out. Diallo didn't know how he would do it, but somehow, he would leave the Outsiders with Jasi and start a new life for themselves someday.
"Zazu, must we go through this every morning" Simba complained as he let out a yawn. The dawn of a new day had come to the Pride Lands and as king Simba had to start his day early. The hornbill flying above him came down to be on ground level with the king. He was going to give him the morning report whether he liked it or not.
"Of course, Sire, it is of upmost importance that you the king are informed of every detail that is happening in the kingdom".
Simba felt like he would fall asleep in boredom as Zazu gave him all the news. He honestly didn't know how his father put up with it practically every day, it was so tedious. It was only when Zazu mentioned the Outlands did he have Simba's full attention "What did you say?"
"I said that just earlier a young lioness whom I did not recognize was seen in the Pride Lands before she scurried away back to the Outlands".
Simba thought for a moment "Was it Zira?" Zazu shook his head "Good heavens no, it was a lioness with pale brown fur but that is all the distinguishing features that I have to go on". Simba was at a loss; she didn't sound like anyone from his pride. Nor could he say that he had ever seen an unfamiliar lion in the Pride Lands so far. If this lioness was a threat then Simba couldn't risk it.
"Zazu have a patrol party scout all corners of the kingdoms. I'll be joining you shortly". The hornbill was quick to fly off and Simba was left alone. For weeks now he hadn't heard a peep from the Outsiders, so why now? Unless they were planning something. Simba didn't want to see any of his family getting hurt, especially Nala. He hadn't even been the king for that long and already he was facing a serious threat.
There had been no sign of any Outsiders when the patrol came back, Simba had been relieved and exasperated at the same time. He didn't even know where he should begin. He needed more information on Zira, so he had decided to ask his mother to tell him everything that she knew.
"Mom I need you tell me everything. I can't proceed forward until I know what Zira is like".
Sarabi sighed "I know my son, let me start at the beginning".
Simba listened attentively as his mother explained Zira's background. She had been a cub when she first met Scar, who at the time was still an adolescent. Having no family of her own, Scar took Zira under his wing and promised her that someday he would make her a royal once he took the throne. Unaware at the time that he was just keeping her for his own personal benefit. He had treated her kindly at first, catering to her every wish; but once Scar took the throne from Mufasa he became cold and resentful of Zira, seeing her as nothing more than a burden, especially when she failed to give him a strong heir. Nuka, their son, had been born weak and frail and Scar simply wouldn't accept that. That was why when Scar began seeking a new queen to have his offspring Zira pleaded with him to stay with her, but Scar wouldn't listen. Sarabi had refused him no matter how many times he tried to convince her. When he chose Nala, he had tried to force himself upon her, but she rejected him and ran off to find help. But Zira found out about it and grew enraged, still her loyalty and love for Scar blinded her and even though she was treated like a slave she remained by Scar's side much to his chagrin saying that she owed him her life when he took her in.
Simba had been giving a lot to take in, for the most part from looking at the opposing perspective he could see why to an extent why Zira was so utterly devoted to Scar; it could only be described as a blind obsession but that still didn't make up for the fact that she was Scar's follower and she refused to leave the past behind.
"Even now Scar's evilness still looms".
Sarabi sighed "Your father tried to give Scar a chance, but he couldn't let go of his hate and in the end that's what destroyed him".
Simba gave his mother a comforting nuzzle. "I'll never be like him". Sarabi smiled softly "I know you won't. But please remember my son, you can't turn your back on the Outsiders, they will look for any opportunity to strike and when they do, they will not hold back".
"I'll have more frequent patrols. I'm not about to risk anyone getting hurt or worse. It's my responsibility to keep the pride safe".
Zazu flew into the den at that moment "Your highness I did a head check, and everybody is accounted for, although I couldn't spot queen Nala".
Simba's heart sunk "What! Where is she?!".
Sarabi stood up, "Simba calm down, I'm sure that Nala is around here somewhere". The king didn't even hear his mother's words. In a flash he was out of the den and following Zazu frantically trying to find his mate. Where could she have gone? Was she hurt? Or something worse, terrible images filled his mind and Simba ran faster looking everywhere for her.
His ears perked when he heard Zazu from above "Sire, I have found her".
Simba didn't hesitate for a second; running full speed he followed Zazu's voice, and he almost had a panic attack when he finally found her.
"Nala! Are you alright?! Are you hurt?! "He was in a frenzy checking his mate for any signs of injury, and the lioness looked very confused.
"Simba I'm fine, I've just been at the watering hole getting a drink".
Nala was taken back when her mate embraced her, she could feel his pounding heart in his chest. "Thank goodness your safe, I thought that something might have happened to you". She raised an eyebrow "Now why would you think that?"
"Your highness earlier there was an Outsider in the Pride Lands, nobody was able to get a good view of them, but a patrol was arranged and I made it my duty to do a count of all members in the pride and as it may be, you were the only one missing when I counted".
Nala had to keep Simba supported before he toppled over, he was completely out of breath. "An Outsider? Really?" Nala figured out the rest and sighed "Zazu go home and tell everyone that I'm ok. I'll stay with Simba". Once Zazu was gone, Nala waited for her mate to regain control of his breathing and once she was sure that he wouldn't fall over she let him sit.
"Simba are you ok?" He took a deep breath "I am now".
She moved closer "You didn't have to come looking for me".
"I panicked is all. When Zazu said that he couldn't find you, I got so worried that you were in danger. I wanted to find you as quickly as possible".
Nala snuggled up to him "I'm right here. It's ok, everything is going to be alright". Simba sighed "Nala I just don't want to lose you. I don't know what I'd do if I did".
He knew that his mate was fully capable of defending herself, Nala had survived years of cruelty under Scar's reign. So, it wasn't like she was completely helpless to begin with. Still, that didn't stop Simba's worries from increasing.
"Let's go home".
Nala followed alongside her mate, she still felt sorry for him. Even though it wasn't her fault that he had panicked; she wondered in the back of her head if Simba could keep it together. It didn't surprise her when the king ordered another patrol. He still had not recovered the shock of thinking his mate was in danger. Nala made a mental note to have a talk with Simba about not becoming paranoid. That was the last thing that anyone wanted.
Back in the Outlands, Jasi was tending to her wounds. No sooner, had Zira gave her some did she inflict more, this time from irritation that she was too slow to keep up with the rest of the lionesses. They needed to move to a different location to try and find more food. Once again Diallo had appeared just in time to prevent Zira from causing any more damage. Somehow, he was always there to defend her, making sure that she was safe from Zira and anyone else that despised her. Ever since she was a cub, it had always been like this. Even the tiniest thing would set Zira off and she would let Jasi have it. It was nothing but sheer abuse. It was even a miracle that Jasi was still even alive, Zira would've killed her long ago had Diallo not made it clear that Jasi wasn't at fault for anything.
She whimpered in pain as she lay down. Grateful that at least for the moment she had found a quiet place to be alone. There were fresh cuts on her side and although the bleeding had stopped, they were still rather tender.
Even if Jasi wanted to, she knew that she couldn't fight back. It wasn't just the fact that she still was not fully grown yet. Even though she knew that if she ever challenged Zira, it was a battle that she simply wouldn't win. So, all she could do was endure the agony and hope that she'd live to see another day. Not that it mattered at this point.
Jasi wasn't like the rest of the lions who were loyal to Scar. She didn't have a hatred for the king of the Pride Lands, nor did she harbor any desire to hurt others. Despite her cruelty from others Jasi had always been nothing more than kind, her heart was very gentle, and she didn't see why this deep resentment had to drive the two prides apart. Of course, she knew better than to say anything out loud. It wasn't like she had much of a choice to begin with. She sighed as she tried to make herself comfortable without irritating her wounds. All she could do was hope that perhaps someday things would be better; that she could live a life that she truly deserved.
She instinctively flinched when she heard Zira's voice in the distance. No doubt that she was angry about something again, she was just glad that she wasn't there to bear the brunt of her anger.
For now, all she wanted was to keep her distance from everyone. If she didn't allow herself to heal, she wouldn't have the strength to see tomorrow. The future was still looking very grim indeed.
I'm going to stop here for now.
I will accept positive creative criticism, for ways that I can improve but I won't tolerate anything negative or hurtful. That will not be allowed. I feel as though I have to say this, for the sake of keeping the story going. So please be mindful when reviewing.
That is all for now.