"Haiba, are you okay?"

No. Definitely not. Never again. I won't b e okay for ab out a b illion trillion years. Don't even b other asking.

"Of course I'm okay," Haiba assured Nala, noticing the concerned expression on her face. He gave her one of his cheesy grins for added effect. "Same as always."

Simba, Nala and Haiba were sat on the edge of Pride Rock, watching the evening sunset. It didn't take Nala long to notice that Haiba wasn't his usual self. He'd been far too quiet for the past few days. Something strange was up with him…

"I don't know." Nala shrugged. "You've seemed kinda… distant lately. You sure there's not something wrong?"

Everything's wrong. I hardly even see the point anymore. Why do I even help people if they're just going to die in the end?

"I'm fine," he insisted. "Seriously. You sure you're not becoming overly suspicious?"

"I'm not being suspicious," she said. "It's just that ever since that whole thing with Binamu, you've been—"

"Don't talk about her," Haiba snapped. "Don't mention her ever again!"

Simba and Nala gave him a surprised look. They both knew. It didn't take the smartest cub on earth to figure out that his sudden change in mood had something to do with the untimely death of his cousin a few days ago. It was a horrible incident, and not one that they wanted to discuss, but Haiba was clearly having trouble taking in the circumstances.

Obviously, there was something very wrong that he wasn't telling them.

"Haiba, if there's something wrong, then you know you can tell us," Simba told him kindly. "We're your friends."

For a moment, it seemed as if Haiba was going to explain the situation to them. But instead he scowled. "There's nothing wrong! Just leave me alone!" And with that, he stormed off, leaving Simba and Nala both utterly stunned.

"What's eating him?" Nala asked, surprised at how violently angry he had reacted to Simba. "I just don't get it."

Simba narrowed his eyes in thought as he watched Haiba march away. "It must be something to do with his cousin," he mused. "You know—when she died on that mountain."

"He couldn't do anything," Nala said. "She got stabbed right through the chest."

"And you were crushed by a boulder," Simba retorted. "But you were saved by that… that mist stuff."

"But… why me instead of her?" Nala wondered.

"You had more of a chance," Simba replied. "At least, that's what I think. You were more likely to live."

"Maybe…" Nala agreed softly. "But I'm still worried about Haiba. It's obviously affected him more than we expected."

"We've never lost anyone like that," Simba said. "Not really. Sure, we've had a few scares, but it's always worked out."

"Hmm," Nala nodded. She felt sorry for Haiba. The poor guy, losing a cousin so suddenly. And it seemed like they were making such great progress, too. For such a horrible thing to happen, well… it had to have broken Haiba's heart. "Maybe I should go talk to him."

Simba shook his head, getting to his paws. "No, I'll do it. You never know—he might try to hurt you."

"What?" Nala laughed at the prospect. "Haiba wouldn't ever do—"

"You sure?" Simba interrupted. "I mean, what did it feel like when he was angry?"

Nala thought for a second, as an unexpected chill tore through her body. "It felt… scary," she admitted.

"Exactly," said Simba. "He doesn't get mad often—but when he does, he could be dangerous. I'll talk to him, just to be on the safe side. You wait here."

"Oh, I'll be all right," Nala assured him. "Besides, it's about time I spoke to my mother. I think I've hardly said a word to her since that whole Family of Blood thing."

"Uh, Nala?"

"What?"

"Your eyes are glowing red."

"Huh?" Nala blinked, and her eyes returned to their normal colour. "But—but I thought I got rid of that."

"Then why is it still happening?" Simba questioned.

"I don't know," Nala moaned, covering her face with her forepaws. "There has to be something wrong with me.

Something in my blood. I've got a father who's an evil wizard and a mother who's half-vampire. Can my family get any weirder?"

"Consider yourself lucky," Simba retorted. "I've got a mom and dad who don't listen to anything I say. And the rules they're giving me are just ridiculous."

King Mufasa suddenly spotted Simba as he headed out of the den. "Simba!" his father boomed. "You're only supposed to blink once every day! You're grounded for nine years!"

Simba frowned at Nala. "You see?"

"Grr…" Haiba growled, as he sat on the high branch of a tree on the outskirts of the Pride Lands. It was situated on the top of a cliff, overlooking the flatlands that led up to the jungle. "Can my friends be any stupider?"

Couldn't they just keep their mouths shut? Why did they have to be so pushy? His inner feelings—or, to be more precise, inner torment—was to be kept to himself. He didn't need their opinion or approval of it. All he wanted was to be left alone.

Preferably for ever.

"Idiots…" Haiba sighed, closing his eyes. "All idiots…"

A light breeze ruffled his fur. It actually managed to provide some comfort. The climate was just perfect for him in this particular area. He'd picked it especially in case there was ever a time when he wanted to be alone. Right now, it was turning out to be a big help.

His emotions were out of control. He felt angry. Angry at Simba and Nala for not minding their own business. Angry at Hago for cursing the place that had killed his beloved cousin. Angry at life for being so unfair.

And he felt sad. Saddened by Simba and Nala's lack of faith in him. Saddened by Binamu's loss. Saddened by the misery that had tormented him relentlessly for the past few days.

He felt like he was about to burst into tears. So much so that he put a paw to his cheek. Sure enough, he felt something wet. He had been crying without even knowing it. The sadness was just leaking out. He couldn't stop it. Emotions were like that. They controlled you—not the other way around.

Haiba blinked his eyes open, and stared at the setting sun. The sky had turned a light purple colour. For some reason, he wished that it would remain the evening for ever. He didn't want the night to black out his world.

Plus there was that unpleasant… feeling in the air. He couldn't describe it, but he had the suspicion that this night in particular was going to be nasty. Not in a weather sense—he'd seen enough stormy nights to last a lifetime—but in a different sort of way. Either he was going crazy, or something evil was lurking around the Pride Lands. Ready to strike.

That's stupid, he told himself. Stop b eing so pathetic. You're weak, Haib a. You'll always b e weak until you take control.

Pushing such silly thoughts out of his mind, he instead returned his attention to the misery that he was suffering. I'm sorry, Binamu, he thought. I'm so sorry. I should have b een ab le to save you. I could have done b etter. I should have done b etter. Haiba bowed his head in shame. But I'm just a… weakling. A stupid, pathetic weakling. I should have died instead of you. I would have given my life so you could live. You deserve it.

He just couldn't shake off the guilt. Binamu had died unfairly, and he felt responsible for it. She had been impaled through the chest with a sharpened stick—but he could have prevented this. He should have been watching her. After all, wasn't he trying to improve their relationship? Wasn't protecting her a big part of that? Wasn't it the right thing to do?

Of course it was. And he'd failed. He'd just sat there, paws covered in blood, as he watched Binamu bleed to death right in front of him. She'd apologised for the rude manner in which she had treated him, but he was beginning to think that maybe she was right to after all.

I'm sorry, he thought, for what felt like the millionth time. His eyes flickered shut. I'm sorry…

Haiba fell away into a deep slumber, dreaming of death and the sadness that accompanied it…