Scar peers sullenly towards the hyena border, glancing at the two lionesses with him. 'They're getting along tonight... sort of,' he thinks, then sighs again, still unsure how he'll tell Shenzi his loss of the Kingdom. Zira pads along slightly off to the side, using her previous job to hide her displeasure of Sarabi and Scar, Akase drags herself along, one painful step at a time, she looks, quite the mess...her flesh in several areas are torn and bleeding long lines of a bright scarlet 'paint', her blood there, and splashed with the lifesfluids of those who'd met the fury of her claws and rows of teeth unleashed. Some of the carrion eaters had picked up her trail, and she could hear them following from behind, hoping, waiting, for her to collapse...it was more a sheer feat of will that she'd managed thus far without giving into the loss of blood, and sheer exhaustion. But, she had to tell them, she had to get back-- the news... grave and shocking, so much so she herself couldnt quite fanthom it all! Her breath was ragged in her throat, and as the water hole came into sights, she gave a half-pitiful roar. May'ii didnt deserve to die that way. Sarabi trots along beside Taka as she keeps her gaze focused all around, not paying much attention to her sister. Scar's ears perk towards the roar, and he snaps to attention as he spies Akase, breaking into a sprint without so much as a word to Sarabi or Zira. He has to get closer before he's sure, but he'd doubly stunned when he does recognize her. "Akase?" he breathes, slowing as he draws near. "What happened!?" Zira's ears fly up at the sight. She instantly searches the horizone for anything following. Sarabi raises a brow as he takes off suddenly and watches him as he heads off, quickly following him. Once she catches up to him and sees the other lioness, she gasps in surprise. "Kings..." Akase continues walking, as if she wasn't able to stop, afraid to stop because if she did, she'd not have the strenght to get back to "Ahadi...I have, to tell..." pausing as she spoke, lifting her head wearily to focus on who'd spoken to her. Ah yes... "May'ii..." Her voice is raspy, disjointed...she continued to walk on, each step painfulled. "She...Brutus." Growling, it bubbled in her throat, finally, "She's gone...Brutus... he's, killed...her" Scar's eyes widen... "Mother?!" he asks. He practically leaps in front of Akase. "Where is my mother?" he demands. His body is incredibly tense, and his face keeps changing, fear, anger, and disbelief vying for dominance across his features. "What did he DO to her?" Zira's ears hear the name Brutus and she snaps into alert mode ready to bolt over the border, "Those mangey rouges! It's time to end this fracacy!" Sarabi frowns, having never trusted the hyenas at all. "Ahadi is at the water hole getting a drink." She glances to her companions. "You're not gonna just run into the graveyard are you?" Zira turns and growls at Sarabi, "And why not? This calls for retribution! If we wait they have time to set up an ambush." Scar isn't listening to Sarabi's sensible talk, or Zira's reckless talk. Everything he has is focused on Akase's answer... the confirmation of what he doesn't want to believe that he heard. Akase almost looks as if she'd walk right into Scar, coming to a lurching halt instead...she sways a bit,lowering her head again, unable to keep it up. "I'm...sorry, Taka." She coughs, clearing her throat for the lot it would do. There is sadness in those sky-hued eyes, as she'd gaze up to him. "I tried...were, outnumbered." Did she have it in her, to tell the not so young cubling what had truely transpired? To ruin the image he had of his mother? "...She, he..." Trying to figure out how to tell him, without shattering that delicate mirror. "We were in graveyard...Brutus," Shaking her head, she couldn't bring herself to lie. "He surrounded us...and sought her out himself." Sarabi was heard after a fashion, she had to go on then... Scar's eyes narrow and his jaw clenches, so tight his teeth might break. He knew where she'd gone, he'd once followed her himself. He never let on, and now.... "Go to father," he snaps - it's an order with the last coherancy he can manage. The young lion's body explodes, and he's across the border almost without thinking, his muzzle opening in a deep roar that will carry the entire long distance that he must cover. Sarabi growls at her sister, "You can go and get yourself killed if you want to, but it's wrong. Nor will it bring May'ii back. You know how many hyenas are there, what chances do you think three barely adult lions are gonna have with a bunch of blood thirsty beasts who have already killed one adult lioness and seriously injured another?? Use you head for once, Zira!" Zira sees Scar leaping out of the corner of her eye, she shakes her head at Sarabi with a roar and takes off catching up to Scar's heels. Pridelands - Edge of the Elephant Graveyard ------------------------------------------- The fresh life of the savannah comes to a quick end here, the ground goes dry and grey here, the ground crumbling and the grasses becoming scarce. Just ahead you can see a large elephant skull, and beyond that the ground drops into the graveyard itself. It's a silent, foreboding place that makes your fur stand on end - a warning, perhaps, of the danger that may reside there. Akase can't do much to stop the younger lion, not now anyways...another time with her regained strength she might have attempted to beat him back with claws sheathed, not this time however...and she'd try to call him back, unable to do much else. Sarabi sighs and shakes her head, she'll follow, to make sure they didn't end up dead, but she refused to put claw to flesh, unless she was forced. Elephant Graveyard - Skull -------------------------- This is the skull of a huge elephant, long ago dead. The air here is quiet and foul, and the skull looms like a silent sentry at the entrance to the elephant graveyard. It's sockets are hollow, and you can see that it's large enough for most smaller animals to easily get into... might it be worth checking out? There is also a ledge on either side of the skull where you can descend right into the graveyard itself. Scar skids to a halt abruptly, surprised to spy the large hyena all the way out here. Seemingly alone...? It was always hard to tell - the hyenas hid too well. Was he chasing Akase... or just waiting...? No matter, his eyes narrow and his ears flatten against his head, which he lowers, moving towards him. "Where," he growls loudly, "is my Mother?" Zira skids to a halt beside Scar, growling and waiting. Her hackles raised high in warning. A pair of eyes not belonging to lions and hyenas watch, silently, amongst the littered bones and dying trees. They narrow, slightly...such violent disruptions are not welcome here, even the hyenas that claim this as territory are only tolerated by the spotted wraith that weaves itself amongst the more solid remnants of the deceased. But for now, those eyes only watch the perpetrators of chaos, perhaps waiting for them to leave again. The hyena is... confident. Smirking, he shows is teeth - still stained with blood - to the young lion. "May'ii?" He asks, slowly, savoring the moment, knowing his hyenas surround him like a protective blanket. "May'ii's... how shall I say this. May'ii is dead. There. I've said it!" He laughs... if a laugh could be called evil... this one was close. Meanwhile, Shenzi sits in the dark shadows, looking up every once in a while to make eye contact with General Cayo. He smiles to her, assuring her to wait... "You're a fool for coming here alone, young Prince. You've forfeighted your life." Brutus steps forward, still smirking. "I hope you are prepared to die in the same way your mother did." Scar snarls as the hyena moves, crouching further, his claws digging deep into the ground. "You're the fool," he snarls. "You may easily defeat me... you may even be a match for two of us... but you can't stop three lions. We are not cubs, and I will see my mother's death satisfied in your blood." Zira's growl intensifies as her her eyes narrow menacingly. "Poor, poor misguided lion. Do you think I'm alone?" Brutus shakes his head, looking at the ground briefly before sulfur-colored eyes look up again. "Don't you realize that I command hundreds of hyenas? I could have thirty here in five seconds, with a simple call." Proudly, the hyena looks around him, and is somewhat surprised that he doesn't see the hundreds of eyes that he should see. Perhaps they're hiding better? Nevertheless, his resolve does not waver. "You wish to fight me, Taka? Taka, 'King' of the pridelands? Ha. You shall lose, if you try. You shall lose anyway, because I'm not going to let you leave." Tensing, Shenzi narrows her eyes at her father. He'd hurt Taka. He'd /killed May'ii./ Nobody hurt her Taka, and got away with it. /NOBODY./ And if this meant usurping her father... that would be what had to happen. There was simply no other way. After all... love was blind... Zira's head archs back in a loud roar! "ROOOOOAAAR! Nobody will kill Taka while I am here, Scumbag!" Scar's eyes narrow further. He doesn't know what exactly he'll do if the hyenas come - he doesn't command them. But he does have a single Ace left up his sleeve - Shenzi still thinks he's King. This runs through his mind, and he smirks. He still has a chance, and whether it was real or not, he'd soon find out. "Your days of 'letting' anyone end now, Brutus. Three against one.. and if we get your throat before you yell, who will come to your aid?" He creeps forward again, trying to maneuver into a pouncing range without being in range of an easy swipe. "You used my mother for a free ride. But it's over now." That's it... he tenses, ready, hesitating just a moment as Zira roars. Sarabi had come up slowly behind her sister and Taka, hearing all the taunts and threats batted back and forth. She groans at Zira's showing off and pads up to Taka to whisper softly to him before anything happened, "Taka, please, let's return home and let your father handle this. We're no match for them, you know it, he knows it." Scar snaps back to Sarabi, his eyes never leaving the hyena. "We're not going anywhere." Zira's own legs shorten to get the best stride... "Whoop! Whoooooooooop!" The laughing call echos across the graveyard... Brutus doesn't hesitate a second as Taka delivers his bold speech. The leader smiles momentarily, expecting the rush of hyenas to surround him. There is a slight shuffling behind him, but the noise of hyena feet never comes. Baffled, the smirk on Brutus' face dissolves, and the hyena stands alone... Alone..... They had been given orders. Rushed orders, but orders nonetheless. A whispered command from Shenzi has spread through the clan like wildfire. Shenzi was the leader now, not Brutus, on order from the General himself. And the militant unit of the Kikuto'Kao (Hyena Lands) Were loyal to their General. Some of them tense forward a bit, so used to serving Brutus... but they stand their ground. Sarabi frowns, perhaps seeing him in a new light, but she hides it well. She knew Zira was dying to kick hyena rump, but in her heart and soul she knew this wrong. But... since no one seemed to be coming to the hyena's aid, perhaps they could take him. "Just, promise me if more show up, we're out of here." Zira doesn't hesitate...she takes the last bit of ground before the hyena leader...open jaws aimed for the throat! Scar hears the shuffling... and sees the lack of response. The baffled look on Brutus' face is enough, and he launches himself at the hyena leader. His mind briefly registers surprise that Zira is a split-second ahead of him, but he hasn't time to focus on the thought, going for the large hyena's head, to bring him down for the death blow. Brutus stumbles back, momentarily at a loss for what to do! He hasn't been in a fight in... Kings knew /how/ long! Instinct kicks in, however, and he leaps forward, missing Zira's fatal neck-bite but catching her teeth on his shoulder. Stunned, he nearly falls right into Taka, and rolls slightly as he falls. The hyena patriarch struggles to rise to his feet. Zira's stride recoverd with dust riden slide...she turns around and rushes back at the hyena with a roar! Seeing the hyena down, Sarabi knew it would take all of them and so, she jumps into the frey, hoping to prevent the hyena from getting to his paws. Scar turns, his claws spraying pebbles and dust as he rebalances for another leap at the hyena King. This time his claws are out, and he swats hard at the hyena's head and neck. He doesn't possess the strength to knock the hyena over, but it's a good strong swing regardless Brutus is hit in the chops... a blessing in disguise, perhaps? For his eyes focus on the advancing lioness... the one called Zira, and amid the added blows from Sarabi, he manages to open his mouth, hoping to bite down on something... anything... even an /ear/ would do at this point. Something to fight off the attack! Desperate, he whoops to the clan again... ...Still, nobody comes. Shenzi's eyes tear a little, memory returning to her puphood... there were times that her father actually acted like a father, and not a tyrant, and though those times were rare, she missed them. Almost tempted to give the order to the troops to advance, she keeps quiet - her love for the lion far outweighs the love of her father. Maybe the patriarch should have been nicer to his children. Zira scream/roars as a chunk of flesh is torn from her ear in the midst of an ill aimed charge! She backs off for a moment before recovering... using the pain to fuel her aggression. She dives into the foray, joining Scar in going for the neck at all costs! The hyena's insistance to attack *something* in front of him gives Scar the opportunity he needs. He leaps onto the hyena's back, his claws digging in while a mighty roar blasts right into it's ears. His forelegs slip around the hyena's neck, tugging back under his jaw, hoping the distraction is enough to bare the 'yena's throat to Zira's recovery charge. Brutus howls as the lion jumps on his back; Taka was heavier than he looked... almost too much for the huge hyena to support. Nearly deafened by the roar, and scared witless by it, Brutus' legs collapse, and he falls. Hopefully this will cause Taka to let go. Hopefully, Brutus will have a chance to retreat and regroup. Unfortunately, he turns his neck upwards to Zira, exposing it fully. Having not fought in some time, he has no clue that he's just given the lioness an opportunity of a lifetime. With Taka's leap, Shenzi turns her eyes from the battle. She didn't need to see her father's death...... Sarabi's ears flatten at the scream, recognizing her sister's voice, but she has her paws and claws full in her attempts to keep Brutus from rising and being more of a threat to her beloved Taka. Zira's jaws open wide as they can go and she dives with her full weight at the posed throat before her! Her teeth clamp down tightly on what lies between! She holds on as tightly as she can...hoping Brutus won't fight too much now! Scar is dislodged by Brutus' unexpected drop, and rolls free, but even as he rolls to his paws he sees Zira's jaws, fully clamped on the hyena's throat - but how small her muzzle looks there! He snarls and leaps forward again, joining Sarabi in holding the hyena, snarling deeply, claws and teeth working at the fur and flesh. He knows that grip... instinctively... the grip of a successful predator. The strangling, trachea-crushing grip of a hunter. His eyes widen briefly as he suffocates, while his body is being torn apart. If Zira were to bite a little harder... she'd reach the life-vein that was the only thing keeping him alive. Brutus draws in ragged, airless breaths while kicking all his legs, trying to fight the lions off. Zira's jaw wrenches a bit tighter and she thrashes violently backwards attempting to kill in her bloodlust! Scar snarls and bites at the back of Brutus' neck, through his mane to the powerful muscles there, aiming to have him draw his head back even farther for Zira, knowing as long as the hyena doesn't get up now, he's finished, but hoping for just a few moments with the hyena helpless before him, his eyes wild with anger and his own bloodlust. Sarabi bites and claws at the hyena's legs as he tries to fight to get up. It wasn't going past her that it was Zira giving the death bite, but she couldn't bring herself to do more. It doesn't take much longer; He was already on his way out. With the last snap of Zira's jaws, that life-giving vessel bursts, and he feels the blood leaving his body. /No... this can't be happening.../ How can he, a hyena in his prime, be defeated by yearlings? And yet... he's overcome by a strange calm. Was this what May'ii felt like? Brutus' eyes widen at the revalation that he is dying... Zira's jaws unclamp, despite the fact that he's nearly finished off she insanely goes back for the neck... Scar feels the hyena's body, almost 'snap' as the vein is torn, feeling the muscles begin to fade. His muzzle comes up, even as Zira goes for the hyena again, he knows the victory is theirs, and the feeling rushes through his body. "How does it feel?" he hisses into the hyena's ear. "Defeated by cubs?" He sneers gleefully, his voice exceptionally low, so as to be unheard by any other. "Such a stupid, ugly species. I'm insulted that one like you killed my mother. But you know... you'll be seeing her again, and I *know* she's waiting for you." Knowing she was no longer needed, Sarabi rises up and moves away, sickened by the whole thing, especially the bloodlust Zira seemed to enjoy. Scar doesn't let up... he wants the last thing the hyena knows to be his voice. "I only wish I had the time to repay you for all the things you did to her, for all the time you stole her away from me. But in a way, I know you've been repaid." He smirks widely. "If you'd only been nicer to your own daughter, this night may have gone much better for you. You destroyed my family, but you've been destroyed by your own. Die knowing that nobody will miss you." "Uhh.... You...." Brutus coughs, eyes widen as he throws up blood... "See... in..." He wheezes, vision closing in on him. He wants to say so much, but his time is so short. As his blood seeps onto the ground, he emits one final word... "Hell........." Taka can take it how he will... It doesn't matter. Brutus is already dead. Scar climbs off the hyena, spitting once on the corpse. "Zira... he's gone." His voice is loud now, more so than it would seem necessary. "Leave him here to rot," he adds with disgust. "His bones can join those of these other worthless creatures." Zira's bloodied, open jaws hang over the neck of the hyena a moment longer to be certain he is indeed gone. Her crazed eyes snap up to look at Scar and she nods shortly in reply. Her torn ear is dripping with blood, a mark of battle. It is now that Shenzi emerges from the shadows... Her yellow eyes narrow slightly as she reguards Taka, but then she nods once, as if in approval. As one, the hyena ranks surge around her... hundreds of them. They had been there the whole time... She begins, softly at first, but her voice picks up volume. "Let it... be known by all that my father is dead. I assume leadership of the Kikuto'Kao." It's a simple acceptance speech, but a powerful one. Scar looks around again.... expecting to see Shenzi. His eyes run over Sarabi, and he notes her confused, disgusted expression. He notes Zira's crazed look of satisfaction, and her ear, torn open. But he responds to neither one, yet, the anger is still there, the rush of victory races through his veins. And then... Shenzi appears, as he'd expected. He returns her nod, but does not speak - this is her ceremony. Zira's eyes narrow, and her body retenses as the hyena's emerge...she watches the new leader warily... Sarabi's ears flicker at hearing Shenzi's voice now. Somehow she was not surprised to hear it, or know that the hyenas had been there. It was the way of the Circle... perhaps it was even planned. Hyenas were never ones to be completely trusted, as May'ii apparently had. Feeling more confident now, she continues. "Let it also be decreed that no hyena shall set paw nor fang to the killers of Brutus the Traitor. I proclaim Taka, Zira, and her sister, Sarabi, under our protection. If ever they are in need... we will come to their aid. Also, let the name of my father never be spoken here again." From the distance she's at, only the closest hyenas can see her eyes tearing. Love hurt... Scar takes the cue, stepping just one step forward, and speaking loudly in response. "The Matriarch is kind and generous," he announces. "Let it be known that the Pridelands approves of Shenzi's leadership, may it be long and prosperous. Cooperation between our Prides will be the order of the day." Zira s ears fly up at this. She pads forward to join Scar at his side as his gaurd. It isn't the happiest of days for her... Shenzi merely nods once to Scar, eyes looking to Zira and Sarabi in turn. Without saying another word, she melts back into the shadows from which she came. Some hyena lurkers stay on the rocks surrounding the dead Brutus, looking on questioningly, but none seem to harbor any hatred or malice toward the lions. After a few moments, most of the hyenas have disappeared entirely. Sarabi sighs softly, how could Taka act like this knowing he was not the future heir and had no say in these matters anymore. She didn't know what to do, or think or even say. Should she mention this fact out loud? Or just watch and wait as the truth emerged, as it certainly would. Zira nods to Scar, "Well done." Scar stands, solidly, solemnly, as if at attention, until the last hyena steps out of sight. Then he turns around, back towards the Pridelands, his shoulders falling slightly. "Our work here is done," he says quietly, his voice losing much of the edge. "We need to return to the Pridelands. My mother is dead, and ..." He grits his teeth.. he will not allow himself to break down here. Later... he will need much support. Ahadi has arrived. Scar is standing near Sarabi and Zira, his shoulders slumped, looking exhausted but in relatively good shape. Brutus lies dead, behind him and off to the side, the dust still settling. Zira is injured, her ear torn nearly in half, but otherwise in good shape, and Sarabi suffered only minor bumps. All three have the heavy scent of the hyena, and his blood on them. Rushing inwards now, a little too late though still with a mix of emotions on the face of this Lion King he seems to be panting, as if terribly tired from a perfect sprint from the top of Pride Rock to here, the eyes of this royal lion seems to survey his surroundings. "Taka... TAKA!" He shouts, angry, yet concerned. The concern of a father evident in the lion's words, his shouts, his cries and pleas. He wants to know all about it, he wants to see what the heck these kids are doing. These small lions. He just heard from Akase and she told him everything. Finally he seems to shed his eyes to the youths. "What do you think you are doing!?" He says, half scolding, half angry, and a small portion of him relieved that the hyena responsible for the death of Pride Rock's Queen is also dead. Scar's tiredness melts at the angry accusation, and he pulls himself up, his shoulders squaring. "What YOU should have done YEARS ago, father!" His eyes burn, meeting Ahadi's gaze dead on. Zira does not flinch, she is unashamed of what she was part of. Her stance widens and becomes firmer beside Scar. Sarabi, for lack of knowing what else to do, but knowing her place was beside Taka, moves over to the young lion's side. Her ears flatten against her head at the loudness and anger in their voices and she lightly nuzzles Taka's side. Zira's eyes catch the nuzzle and she finds it very hard to hold back the snarl. Ahadi growls right at his son! "It is not your place to tell Me what I am to do!" He looks at Zira, taking an aggressive stance after the King is upset? Tisk tisk, "Get back to Pride Rock. Now... all of you!" The Lion King growls, clamping the jaws of his teeth shut and hard, trying to hold back the acid in his words, the tone that he is taking. Right now the little love-scandal fiasco is not what concerns him, even if Scar has two lionesses liking him. "All of you! NOW!" He roars again, loudly, harshly and full of a deep resonating anger. Trifle with -The Man- now? Scar growls right back. "We're NOT going ANYWHERE!" he snarls, the second time this night. "When we do things YOUR way, lionesses get KILLED. Did you even KNOW that Mother was working for the hyenas, bringing them food? You didn't even care to wonder! It's YOUR fault she's dead!" Acid voice indeed, this is teenage rebellion at it's worst, and Taka holds nothing back from his voice, or his stance. He looks more angry at Ahadi than he did at Brutus. Zira's own head ducks down as her ears fall back against her head. "Would you have us all be killed by ignorance?" Apparently there is an entire change in the lion's demeanour as he approaches his son. His defiant son. He's upset about the Queen as well, but he's not about to fight about it in the middle of the Elephant Graveyard, but what he sees is a son that is defying the King of the Pridelands. The best hunting grounds, the nicest watering holes. Pride Rock is a wonderful place to be and this lion is the ruler of it. He wanders to his defiant son, until he stands nose-to-nose with him, surely unheeding of the lionesses that support these actions. "No... I did not..." he says in a low voice. "If I did, I would have stopped him myself," his hot breath can be felt against the muzzle of Scar's now. "Go... back now Taka. Or ..." he doesn't even say it. Sarabi watches father and son fight with words instead of claws for exactly one round between them both before she couldn't handle it any more. Not after all that happened. "This is getting us NOWHERE!" she yells out and races out as fast as she can. Sarabi heads towards the border. Scar's eyes contine to meet his father's, defiant including the 'Or', until his attention is snapped by Sarabi's rapid departure. He watches her until she turns, out of sight, and then lowers his gaze, turning to follow her. He takes a few steps, then lifts his head back towards Ahadi, his eyes clear and locked onto his father. "I don't believe you," he says, then turns back towards the border, plodding slowly back towards home. Zira watches Sarabi run off with a snort. She strides beside Scar, her eyes conversing with him silently. Ahadi just watches the lions leave. "You do not have to, I speak the truth..." he says to the retreating back of his son. He does speak the truth, "I did not know, I would never allow lions and hyenas to coexist, to hunt for each other. Akase will tell you." If the adolescent hears, he gives no external sign. The only movement of his head is the acknowledgement of Zira as she joins his side. He continues walking. He doesn't want to talk to his father anymore - two strikes already. One more and... dangerous thoughts. Best to just keep walking. Zira heaves a sigh and shakes her lowered head as she pads alongside Scar, the tension finally leaves her body, and the pain of her torn and bleeding ear finally setting in. Pridelands - Scar's Quarters ---------------------------- This room is dark.. even when the brightest sunlight illuminates the pridal cave. Your eyes need a moment to adjust to the light, and then you can look around. The room is in some disarray, with some bones scattered here and there, and a ragged pelt in the corner, with the heavy scent of a lion, likely used as a bed. It doesn't seem as friendly nor inviting in here, and you feel as though you may be trespassing. Scar snarls as he stalks into this room, recently claimed as his own, and he paces angrily. "Why does he do that? He takes everything away from me, lets my Mother be killed, and then tries to INTIMIDATE me? He thinks being King makes him Aiheu? Zira's head shakes sharply in reply. "He was so uncaring, more intent on securing his position of authority then seeing that you had done the right thing." Scar continues his restless pacing, every step a hard hit against the stone. "You were wrong, Zira.. it isn't Mufasa I need to watch out for. It's my own father. Neither of us even saw it!" He stops abruptly, squeezing his eyes tight. "Oh, Kings, why couldn't it have been HIM instead of HER?" Zira is about to snort at the phrase of being wrong when she sees you stop... your pain is read by her. She exhales the breath she'd saved to rebuttle and pads to you, attempting to nuzzle your cheek. "Because, the circle has not choosen his time yet...but it will come, Taka...it will come." Scar doesn't draw away from the nuzzle, but the tears begin to flow through his tightly squeezed eyes, and his body grows weak against you. "Oh, gods, Zira, she was everything to me... why? Why couldn't she stay home? I always asked her to!" His head tilts upwards, and he chokes once, "She'd always look at me, and her eyes would be sad, and she'd say that she hoped she could stay home, very soon." Zira licks the tears from your face softly, her own voice takes on a motherly tone. "Hush now...we can't undo the past..." Scar lowers himself to the ground, his face in his paws. It's the first time he's permitted anyone besides Mufasa to see him cry, and he doesn't even feel the usual shame. He mourns his mother openly, appreciating your gentle licks, although he doesn't move to make them easier. "She'll never stay home again," he sniffs, softly, "and I'll never know why she was working with them. Except..." His ears flip forward. "Oh no..." Zira's comforting licks continue for a while, she begins to speak as you sniffle, "She's home fore..." but she is cut short by your continued words, "What?...what is it, Taka?" The lion shudders once under your attentions. "She knew," he says softly, then continues more loudly. "Oh, Kings, Zira, she knew! She was going to have the hyenas kill Father. That's why she was feeding them! The hyena General... he told me, but I didn't believe him." Zira breath stops in her chest, eyes widen in revealation. "Tha...that's terrible!" Scar seems overly confused, but his anger at his father is still fresh. "Because she knew he hated me, because she knew he was a terrible leader. She always told me he wasn't doing his job, but I never put it all together before." His breathing his deep and rapid - a confusing array of emotions wash over the young lion. "She died... trying to save the Pride..." He tries to reason it out - it has to be noble. Zira's ears flip about as she tries to sort it out, at one motion it retears the scabbed ear and she whinces, "Ahh!..." lowering her head and looking sideways in annoyance she huffs a sigh. "What are we to do then? Save the Pride and kill Ahadi?" Scar shakes his head. "We can't do that - you know the laws about spilling Royal Blood. And I can't challenge, either... Mufasa is the named heir and I would have to defeat him as well, and..." he sighs. "I don't think I could defeat either of them alone." He notices your discomfort, the pain in your ear, and blinks lightly. "It's been a difficult evening," he tells you, "and I ache all over." Still, he pads closer to you, and begins to lightly clean your ear, wanting to help the wound heal more effectively. "I should like to let it all go... and think about it in smaller pieces. First I must mourn my Mother, she was a wonderful lioness and we'll never see another like her. No other thoughts or words of treason in her name until I've properly respected her memory." Zira's head nods forewards slowly, she winces a bit at first as your tongue cleans her ear...but after a bit she simply lies there, a shudder running through her born of the attention she is convinced should be denied her. "As you...wish... Taka."