Simba is seen this afternoon, sitting stoically beside the torrential
downpour, fur shining dark gold in its shadow. His fur is clean, but not 
wet; he is strong but not overfed. He seems to be studying the sky, where 
nothing lurks, and preparing... for something.

Nala pads down from the promontory, looking around. She smiles a bit at
seeing Simba there. Lately, she hasn't known how to act around her friend. 
Not that he's been distant... just different. She heads over to him and 
sits down a few feet from him. "Hi, Simba."

As for the resident white lion, Amiri seems to just be sitting along the
lower-edge of the promontory. The outcropping of rock acts like a shield 
against the driving rain and keeps his fur dry from the constant downpour. 
He's been pretty enigmatic lately, maybe he's just been taking the time to 
observe things and make sure it's all in order before Simba makes his 
move, who knows?

Simba has been different of course, and he knows it. He nods
accommodatingly and chuffs very lightly. A thin level sound comes out to 
greet Nala, but no words are formed with it. He falls steadily, gracefully 
to the ground and takes the step necessary to give Nala a light brush with 
his furry cheek.

Nala nuzzles Simba back gently before she looks around the lands. Finally,
she spies Amiri under the outcropping and she smiles brightly to him, "Hi
Amiri." 

Amiri lifts his eyes upwards as the lioness greets him, he flashes a soft
smile back towards her and nods his head a little bit. "Evening Nala, I 
hope you're doing well?" He asks softly, likely already knowing the answer 
to the question from the smile on her face, though he asks anyway. 

Nala smiles, "I'm fine, thanks. And you?" Her aqua gaze looks him over, 
she had been wondering where he was lately.

Amiri lifts his shoulders up in a light shrug, "Well enough, I suppose." 
He replies while shifting his attention away from her aqua eyes and 
towards the looming form of Pride Rock, his own sapphire orbs narrowing 
faintly as he exhales to himself. "I've just had alot on my mind lately, I 
suppose you could say."

Simba walks over to join them. He knows the same currents of thoughts are 
coursing through their minds as well as his own. When are they going to 
come? When is Scar's lack of food going to destroy him... now that the 
hyena patrol is destroyed, it should not be long. His eyes and spirit are 
slightly sad as he steps behind Amiri and exhales just as plaintively. Yet 
he keeps his head high.

Nala nods, she understands that completely. She is worried herself, but
tries not to dwell on it.

Amiri isn't really certain what he should say to either of them. 
Ultimately he's aware that this is something the two of them have to 
handle on their own. After all, this is their pride and not his 
own.....the biggest brunt of the problem is on Simba's shoulders, 
something Amiri hopes he'll realize and rise up to meet.

Shenzi arrives from the center of the valley.

Simba shakes himself out, sensing that the rain is only going to get worse
before it gets better. He stands like a statue, wondering if the rain is
anything like his life, or like the story of these lands he knows and 
loves.

Nala sighs quietly and moves away from the two, over toward the waterfall.
She didn't know if any of them were up for this.. how could /anyone/ be
prepared for something like this..

Simba turns quietly to examine Amiri, wondernig what he is thinking. His
eyes look over the white lion's body, up and down... and then turn away 
again. He moves as if to cough, and a quiet cough is heard... followed by 
a whine from Simba's throat, and then silence. He smells the air again... 
could it be?

Shenzi saunters toward Kopje slowly, thinking about home. Thinking about
what Sarabi had said... and thinking about Scar. Her eyes are partially 
lidded and she seems... angry in a way. 

Amiri doesn't seem to notice Simba looking at him, or the sound the
younger lion makes upon glancing away. For the adult, things seem to be 
slowly falling into place, for good or for bad. All that's needed now is 
for the wheels to start to turn once again and for destiny to take it's 
course.

Nala dips a paw into the water, watching the ripples it makes in its wake.
She sure wishes she could see what the future held for them all... She 
sighs, turning back around and noticing Shenzi had arrived. "Hello, 
Shenzi.."

Simba turns his attention toward Shenzi. Beating the dry ground in front
of him, sheltered from the rain by an outcropping below the waterfall, he
invites the hyena in.

Amiri flicks his ears at the mention of the hyena's name, he looks up and
over at Shenzi for a second. He seems to recall her from a while earlier, 
being the hyena who was intending to nab Vitani and make off with her from 
right under Scar's nose. 

Shenzi shakes off her pelt as much at she can before she joins Simba.
Still sopping wet, she regards all those present with her sulfur-colored 
eyes. Besides a brief greeting, the hyena is silent, calculating... just 
like the old Shenzi.

Nala didn't like the looks of this at all and she slowly pads over to the
group, sitting down, wondering why she suddenly had a knot in her stomach.

Simba doesn't move toward Shenzi now that she's come. He makes a quite
moan in her direction, though, a kind of primal acknowledgment from one 
whose throat is slow in healing. But his thighs are tensed in the golden 
afternoon light. He knows something is going to happen soon.

Amiri tilts his head in the direction of Nala as she slips over towards
the group, a concerned frown etching itself across his snowy muzzle. He 
isn't sure what's wrong with her, but the way she's carrying herself 
doesn't seem at all normal. Quietly he rises to his feet and pads over to 
her, leaning down to nudge her cheek affectionately and murmur into her 
ear. 

Nala nuzzles Amiri back, and mrrs quietly to him.

Amiri tilts his head to the side at Nala's reply, his ears folding back
against his head as he releases a soft sigh from his throat. "Well...." He 
begins while glancing away for a second, then dipping his head down to 
nuzzle his chin against the top of her head. "I wouldn't worry about it 
too much for now, if anything happens we'll deal with it when it does, 
Nala."

Nala nods her head slowly, feeling safe with Amiri there beside her. "I'm
just praying it won't..."

And Simba is watching the sunset now. The fire plays in his eyes... he
knows his true nature. He is on the cusp of full adulthood.
Simba wanders casually over toward Nala... determined to keep himself
occupied while the storm passes. His paws plant themselves just before 
her... his neck is curved forward over his protruding chest. He smiles, 
and looks into her eyes.

Nala had been lost in her own thoughts as she sat beside Amiri. She slowly
blinks her eyes as she sees Simba before her. She smiles a bit to him, 
lightly nuzzling him.

Amiri takes a couple of steps back, he glances between Nala and Simba,
smiling slightly to himself before he decides it's probably best to leave 
the two alone. He turns and makes his way in the opposite direction of the 
two young leonines, just in case they have something to do or discuss.

Simba seems to sense that Nala's thoughts are elsewhere, so he doesn't try
to play or do anything more than cuddle. His knees fall casually limp as 
he settles against her, looking outward. A flicking ear listens to her 
heart, and then comes back to Simba's head, peaceful as the falling rain.

Shenzi is sitting uneasily by the cascading water, ears turned toward the
pridelands. She shakes her head and traces a claw through a puddle. When 
will the wait be over. "Are we going to go?" She asks to no one in 
particular.

Simba's other ear attends to the hyena... he realizes she must be
addressed and satisfied, as hyenas, unexpectedly right-sided as they may 
be, are volatile. Simba nods, flicking his tail toward the west. But he 
draws it back coverd with rain... and lets the dripping water explain that 
they must wait out to storm before proceeding.

Being ignored. Something Shenzi is used to. Tense, the She-hyena leaves
the protection of the underside of the ledge and goes out into the rain, 
sprawling herself out under it. That ought to cool her off.

Gesten watches the new comer white lion softly, a little tense but he
isn't threatening and Nala seems to somehow vouch for him, but that still 
doesn't make Gesten easy at the moment.

Simba glances toward Shenzi and waves toward her. Since this makes no
noise, and he cannot make any of his own, he walks out toward her, 
accepting the rain as his fate. 

Scar has arrived.

Shenzi sighs to herself quietly as Simba approaches. She stands and looks 
at him, sadness on her face, but anger in her eyes. "What are we going to 
do?" she asks, obviously not expecting an answer.

Simba takes the last step to Shenzi' side and licks her face... a silly 
gesture, in the heavy rain.  But it leaves a matted place... a place she 
can remember in the minutes... perhaps, in the years ahead.  He stares 
meaningfully at her... and then turns.

Scar comes very slowly down the path from the border, limping badly, and 
making no effort to conceal himself. His eyes burn and his ears are flat 
against his skull, yet his body is slumped and weak. He pauses, upon 
seeing the group, as if trying to decide whether to stay or turn around.

Nala watches from under the outcropping. She raises a brow as she sees a 
form off in the distance, "There's someone coming and they look hurt..."

Shenzi's eyes widen as, first Simba licks her, and then she sees... 
Someone.. She blinks, turns to Simba... then back to the form in the 
rain...

Scar draws closer, although his movements are clearly more hesitant. 
Though thinner than usual, his figure becomes recognizable soon enough.

Simba watches the figure through the rain, judgements forming and 
wavering, and forming tentatively again in his mind.  Is it a lion?  It 
is.  Is it Scar?  He stands firm where he is, not moving forward... 
watching Nala, Amiri, Gesten through the corners of his eyes.  He lifts 
his hindquarters and stands with quiet power, as he has so often in recent 
times.

Amiri perks his ears up, so much for his quiet thoughts as they've once 
again get shattered by reality. He shifts his attention towards the 
approaching figure, carefully reclining onto his haunches as he glances 
over towards Simba, Nala and the others. o O (What now?) He thinks to 
himself, o O (For some reason this just doesn't feel right....) As for 
Scar, Amiri's never met the lion but of course it isn't exactly hard to 
put the name with the face, if you catch the drift.

Nala takes a few steps closer until she was at the very edge of the 
outcropping, but was still safe from the rain. She was surprised to see it 
was indeed Scar limping... Perhaps someone had already overtaken him and 
took over the lands..

Gesten watches the new arrival with narrowed eyes and confusion, standing, 
ready to attack faster then one can blink, rumbling deep within his chest, 
calling out with a hated snarl, "That's close enough Scar... what do you 
want?"

Simba looks back at Gesten, just a touch hurt, but letting the king of the 
Valley speak as he will.  He shakes his mane dry from another few moments 
and looks between Scar and Gesten.

Scar stops at Gesten's voice, casting his angry gaze at the lion. "Do not 
interfere," he snarls. Though his body is weak, he clearly has enough 
strength to fill his voice with anger, although pain tints the words. His 
eyes turn towards Simba. "I come to speak with my nephew."

Shenzi growls to herself. It is Scar... She narrows her eyes and backs up. 
He probably came for his cub! But... no... he would have come to her den 
for that... She moves to stand in front of Simba. At least for the time 
being... 

Gesten lets his head turn toward Simba, keeping one eye on Scar, "Do you 
want to speak to him?" he asks in a very low voice, "What do you want to 
do?" he seems to correct. 

Amiri is strangely somewhat calm despite the tension that's running 
through everyone around here. For one, Scar is apparently wounded and the 
white lion would hope Simba wouldn't let his thirst for vengeance take 
hold of him at this moment, if the young lion fought and defeated Scar 
now, he'd be no better than the older and more evil lion....at least in 
Amiri's eyes. 

Simba nods graciously to Shenzi, but will not be blocked by her.  He 
motions for her to stand back... and gestures for Nala instead.  His soggy 
paw heavily pats the mud forming besides him as he looks at Nala's face. 
Nala looks back at Amiri, then looks back toward the dark lion, "Thanks to 
you and your mate, Scar, Simba can't speak. So why do you suddenly want to 
talk to him?" 

Scar's head turns back towards the lioness. "This doesn't concern you, 
either, Nala." He spits the name out with clear distaste, but it's already 
growing noticably weaker. "Must I answer to each of you or will Simba come 
forward on his own?" 

Shenzi steps aside, still growling. Ooh, how she wants a piece of that 
lion! The scar over her own eye burns...  

Simba has already come forward.  Now that Scar's identity is clear, 
despite the sorry state of his body and the water in everyone's fur, he is 
at full attention.  This encounter has been expected... though not quite 
so soon.  But he continues to gesture for Nala to come forward... 
obviously, as an interpreter. 

Amiri opens his mouth to say something, then decides better of it, for the 
moment he'll just remain in the background as he is. If things get out of 
control, then he'll step in....but from the look of things it doesn't 
appear that blood will need to be shed, at least not tonight. "......." 

Nala sighs a bit, and pads over to stand beside Simba. "I will interpret 
for Simba." 

Scar nods to Nala, and Simba, and takes another limping step forward. 
"Send the rest away." he orders. "This is not for their ears." 

Simba looks dubious, but hardly hesitates before turning his head back 
over his shoulder and nodding to Shenzi.  He feels comfortable with what 
is, as it is... whether or not he feels fear is another, disconnected 
story.  He nods also to Gesten and to Amiri. 

Amiri flicks his ears slightly at Scar's words, a part of him feels a 
little uncertain about this whole situation but he knows nothing will be 
resolved if he sits around. He turns about on his paws without another 
word and slips off into the savannah grasses. 

Nala sighs quietly as Amiri leaves, but she knew that this was really 
between Simba and Scar. 

Shenzi looks between Scar, Simba, and Nala, waiting for the chance to 
act... or something. 

Simba shakes his head hard now in Shenzi's direction.  He motions toward 
the path upward to the lookout plateau... the perfect place to watch a 
confrontation. 

Nala looks over to the hyena, "You have to leave, too, Shenzi." 

Shenzi leaves. 

Scar watches as the others step away, finally looking back towards Nala 
first, rather than Simba. "It does affect you, Nala, so I will tolerate 
your presence. But I'm not pleased... your disappearance destroyed Nuka." 

Simba frowns.  He tilts his head and raises one ear in inquiry toward his 
uncle. 

Nala sighs a bit, "I'm sorry I had to hurt him... I just couldn't stand 
what you were doing any longer." 

Scar advances again, moving with apparent difficulty until he's barely 
more than a paw's length away. He disregards Nala, studying his nephew 
now, appraising eyes running over the younger lion's body and face. He 
stands somewhat unsteadily, balancing on three paws with the fourth held 
just off the ground. Finally, a single word, "Simba." 

Simba nods evenly.  A low, throaty growl of a word comes from his mouth, 
like a roar, only muffled by injury and by drear rain.  "...scrr..." 

Scar looks as though he'd like to pace, but instead he sways once, 
regaining his balance and holding his place. The rain soaking through his 
fur makes his state more evident - his body is thin. Only his eyes hold 
any of the strength of his past, and even they are confused. But he speaks 
again, with a deep sigh. "A long time ago, Simba, I made a pact with a 
young lion, who had lost his father and was dearly frightened for himself. 
Do you remember that young lion?" 

Nala frowns, but holds her place, her gaze traveling between the two 
lions. Simba looks out over Scar's shoulder, seeing something and nothing 
at once... distracted unduly by the question.  He slowly forces his head 
back and nods it once, cautiously.  He lowers his posture by an inch and 
shifts his footing as the dirt slips beneath him. 

Scar raises an eyebrow, moderately confused by Simba's shifting. But he 
continues, unable to do little else now. "That lion promised me that he 
would never return, and in return, I promised not to kill him." He glances 
at Nala as he finishes this statement, to see if there is any response. 

Simba winces in a very slow moment, lowering his glance.  He does not nod 
this time, but his gesture makes clear his assent.  His neck rises at the 
same time, a sign of anger beginning to dominate over the memories. 

Nala watches Simba, "He remembers, yes.. what is your point?" 

Scar sighs heavily, though whether he catches the signs are unclear. He 
looks to Nala with clear irritation, then back to Simba. "Since your 
return, Simba, the Pridelands have suffered. Some spoke of a balance being 
upset, and blamed me. In the end, who was at fault didn't matter." The 
anger is fading from his voice as he speaks. "I had a promising son who 
would rule without the prejudices forced against me, and you took his 
bride. You took nearly all my lionesses, then you corrupted my guard so 
that they left. Finally, you took my daughter. Yet everyone believes that 
you are a better, and more just King than I or my blood could ever be." He 
waits for response. 

Nala blinks. "Wait a second.. Simba did not take your daughter!" Of 
course, she hadn't seen Simba in awhile... would that be something he'd 
do? She looks back to Simba, waiting. 

Simba does not give him the pleasure of one.  He  looks up again and meets 
Scar's eyes without passion, without heat or cold.  His wordlessness suits 
him well here, for he has nothing to say to Scar... all he wishes to do is 
wait, to see what stories Scar has twisted up for himself, and to read 
them like tracks... 

Scar looks back to Nala, and lifts his injured leg a bit. "I got this, 
trying to recover her from your hyena friends. They ambushed me and I 
would be dead if Sarafina had not intervened." 

Nala narrows her eyes, "I'm sorry about your daughter, Scar.. but if they 
took her it was their own doing. We would never have let them do something 
like that." 

Simba looks to Nala and nods in agreement with her objection.  He knows 
nothing of Vitani's abduction... although he isn't surprised to hear about 
it. 

Scar nods. "But when I was in charge of them, I was responsible for all 
their actions." He shakes his head, and turns back to Simba. "Before I 
tell you why I have come I will have an answer to the rest of the charges, 
Simba." He turns his head some. "No shame? No anger? No regret? No 
indignation that I blame you?" 

Simba feels that this question is genuine, and closes his eyes.  He is set 
to take his time in answering, since the rain seems to slow time down a 
bit... and Scar, injured as he is, is no immediate threat.  He thinks over 
the past, weighing each option.  Heavily, he brushes each one off, like 
welt of rain.  When he opens his eyes, he is facing Scar directly.  And 
with a motion of his head, he indicates "No." 

Scar nods slowly, evaluating his nephew very carefully. "They're all 
fools," he comments, finally. "You are no ruler. They see Mufasa in you, 
and it blinds them to the truth. I knew my brother better than any of 
them, and you lack his conviction and his understanding of life." He 
smirks just a little. "Though perhaps you lack his naivete." He holds a 
moment, his expression fading quickly, and his eyes lowering to the 
ground. "Leave us, Nala." 

Nala raises a brow, then looks to Simba to see if that was what he wanted. 

Simba does not even look at Nala for a few moments.  He is fascinated by 
Scar's words, in a detached way only recent weeks have given him.  To 
understand what Scar values in a King... to see what he treasured in his 
own brother, his own murdered brother... this gives Simba pleasure.  And 
he never expected to take pleasure from such a source.  It strikes him as 
a painful thing to swallow, but he swallows it--Scar is an individual who 
needs to be listened to.  And mourned for.  And in that moment, with his 
eyes full of rain and sunlight, Simba achieves his full growth.  He is 
adult now.  He looks at Nala and nods, sending her back. 

Nala nods her head and turns, padding off back up the promontory. 

Scar holds his position for a very long time after Nala leaves, looking at 
the ground, the slowing rain still dripping off his muzzle and mane. His 
eyes are closed, and he remains still, only his mind working. At what, 
there's no outward indication, but when he finally lifts his head again, 
his yellow eyes open to a dull, tired color. "You know that I killed your 
father, Simba. With Zira at my side I threw him from the cliff. It was the 
right thing to do, though you'll never understand why." 

Simba needs only a small effort to keep from quailing, from biting his 
lip.  Yes, he knows.  He has accepted and knows, and these words that Scar 
has given him, these words that claim righteousness... they were to be 
expected too, and they must be met.  So Simba raises his head, letting his 
smooth neck, marred only by a faint scab, carry water beneath his 
thoughts, and his even eyes.  He waits for Scar to continue. 

Scar nods at Simba's response, though he half expected attack. He 
continues, his voice distant, his eyes wandering slowly. "Mufasa beat me 
at everything I ever attempted. He won the Pridelands, he won your mother, 
he won the love of the pride. Even in death I lived in his shadow, but 
believed that it would pass on, and I would prove myself." He looks back 
to Simba finally, his eyes locking with the young lion's. "And now, 
through you, he has defeated me again. I am King of the Pridelands. But I 
..." he stops now, his eyes breaking away, his teeth gritting together. 
"Prove your worth to rule," he finally continues, no longer looking at 
Simba. "Take back the Pridelands from me." He looks at the lion for a 
moment, then lifts his head higher. "I have nothing left to fight for." 

Simba holds himself with pride as he takes in these words, these 
confessions by his own ears, and hears the request, which he interprets as 
such, and not as a challenge.  Simba moves his front left and back right 
legs forward, assuming a straddled position.  He turns his muzzle upward, 
as if in complacent resignation, and his eyes burn steady once more...  

Scar shivers as Simba draws near, and before he slams his eyes shut, the 
fear in them is evident. "Pray for me," he whispers, "I fear what will 
happen next." Still, he holds his place, his head lifted and his throat 
exposed to the lion. 

What Amiri would think, Simba ponders, would be that in killing Scar, 
Simba would have proven nothing but his equality to Scar.  He would be on 
a level with the one who murdered his own father, and thus Simba would be, 
in a way, the murderer of Mufasa.  And Simba thinks of Nala, who trusts 
him to do the right thing always, to face up to any responsibilities he 
has earned, or been born to.  And Sarabi, his dear mother... what would 
she think?  It has been so long, thinks Simba as he rebalances a step 
farther forward, as he approaches Scar softly, so long since I saw her.  
What will she think when she sees what I am equal to... 
...What, indeed, am I? asks Simba, with his maw wide.  What is this change 
of evil called life, this receptacle for guilt and way of passing it 
dutifully along?  What kind of King... will be this one whose teeth close 
around an older lion's neck, the neck of family, of self-blood. 

Scar's eyes open as he doesn't feel the fangs, and he peers at Simba. "Why 
do you hesitate?" he asks, his voice quivering. "So long as I live you may 
not return to the Pridelands. Take what is rightfully yours!" It's a jab, 
his voice desperate. 

Simba's thought make his motions so calm as to be soundless under the 
patter of the rain.  He reaches for Scar's throat, and with a single surge 
of energy from tail to teeth, cuts the voice short.  This act is Simba's 
enlightenment.  Equal he may be to Scar, but that is life, for all are 
lions, and no lion is anything but.  And, so, the Prince Simba takes his 
uncle's life away. 

Scar gasps as the jaws close on his throat, a strangled cry escaping with 
the last of his air. His eyes go wide and the fear in them is almost 
unbearable, and yet, the elder lion does not struggle. His body begins to 
fade, and as it does, the fear fades from his eyes, replaced, at the last 
moment, with gratitude. His lips move though no words can escape, and he 
thanks his nephew for the escape, his last mortal deed. 

Simba hears this unspoken gift of gratitude as his muscles strain and his 
mouth fills with the sweetest, yet least welcome blood he has ever tasted.  
He is hardly inclined forward at all, yet his muscles are strained more 
than in the most strenuous dash.  He hears these sounds and feels their 
meaning, and as the warm blood grows cold in the rain's prison, he cries.  
And Simba closes his eyes. 

Scar's spirit rises, but he will not be remembered as a great King. Still, 
his last sacrifice saved his soul, and he is granted existence over 
oblivion. Though on the mortal plane he will never be seen again, finally, 
he is at peace. 

Banzai has arrived. 
Banzai comes running at an observant trot, acting on a feeling and hoping 
for action.  He winces at the rain, but doubles his pace, seeing two 
leonines crouching over each other in the open. 

Simba falls to the ground and opens his mouth to the sky, begging for the 
clouds to cleanse it.  Even now, the rain is subsiding... but there is 
water enough to slick down his tainted fur, and to empty the blood onto 
the ground, where it wil remain.  He continues to cry without noise.

Pawsteps are heard as Nala returns from the promotory. She saw a bit, but 
not much of what happened. She emerges from the outcropping to find Simba 
in tears and Scar dead. She sighs quietly to herself...  

Banzai stops short.  He's never seen the like of this... never ever.  A 
lion crying... this isn't his scene.  He turns away... looking for Shenzi.  
He needs comfort from confusion. 

"Simba?" Nala asks softly as she moves to his side. 

Simba hears Nala and stretches out toward her.  He opens his eyes and 
blinks several times.  There is so much that seems to be falling away, 
within... so much that these blinks are clearing him of.  He pushes 
himself up to his feet, and turns past Nala to face Scar.  This dead 
creature is so small without the unrivaled kind of life Scar's spirit gave 
it.  The body is so weak, like a joke, a mere starved cub pretending to be 
an adult.  Yet memories leave Simba with so much more... 

Nala moves beside him, looking down at the dead body, "You killed 
him...... didn't you?" 

Simba nods, hating the gesture.  He wants to speak, and affirm directly 
that he did this deed.  He wants his voice to ring.  He had no regrets 
about the past, when Scar asked him... but now he seems to seethe with 
them.  But all he can do is nod, and try not to run from Nala. 

Nala sighs softly, "Simba... I don't know what to say... I really thought 
you were above the revenge bit..." 

Simba's tears dry up more swiftly as he listens to Nala.  He feels hurt, 
but not in any way he can argue with.  He pulls himself away from studying 
the dead form and looks toward Nala, very much alive.  And he sighs, right 
in her face, as if challenging her to accuse him... of anything at all. 

Banzai slinks cautiously away past the waterfall, where he's sensed his 
sister.  He's seen enough, and he doesn't want to know everything now.  
His stomach is too weak. 

Nala doesn't accuse, she doesn't do anything. If Simba was proud of what 
he did, fine. She was above petty name-calling. She knew Scar would end up 
dead, so it wasn't so much his death. She was dreading the aftermath. 
Without a word to Simba, she turns away from him and moves away, the sight 
and smell getting to her. 

Simba knows how Nala feels, or hopes he does.  The sight and smell are 
getting to him, too, but he owes his uncle a minute more in their 
presence, and in the presence of all the evil that surrounded them in 
life.  He tries to comprehend... to soak in what Scar had done to his 
psyche, and to reverse it.  The stench of the hungry mingles with the 
stench of recent death... and Simba squeals in pain, raising his head to 
keep down his impulses.  Again tears streak his face, and again they dry.  
And he remembers Scar's claim--that Mufasa's death had been for a 
righteous cause.  The identity of that cause is what Simba strives to 
find... and in the sight of his uncle whom he always knew, though never 
fully, he finds all the answer he needs. 

---

Zira pads in quietly, her ears drawn flat to her skull. Something’s not 
right here...
Zira pauses and sniffs the air cautiously. Suddenly her body becomes 
rigid....

Nala stretches out slowly as she begins to awaken, not aware of someone 
else being there.

Zira stalks forward even more carefully.... her eyes fall upon Scar and 
she just freezes right to the spot!

Nala rolls over and her eyes widen as she sees a familiar form beside the 
body. 'This is not gonna be fun...' she thinks to herself and silently 
moves off the rock, watching Zira.

Zira pads forwards after a quick glance around... she is breathless upon 
reaching Scar's form... devastated at finding him ... dead.

Nala peers out from behind the rock. The last thing she wanted was to face 
this lioness alone... but if she had to... She would wait and watch. 

Zira's face is a frozen mixture of expressions. Everything from dread, 
fear, sorrow, anger, all rolled into one mangled ball. She lightly paws at 
his form, quietly asking. "Scar..... Scar.... no, you can't be... you just 
can't be..." 

A breeze kicks up in the area, blowing dust and leaves around the lioness 
and her loved one... 

Zira's eyes fill with tears. After a long moment of realization she lifts 
her muzzle to the empty sky and roars her throat sore. 
"Nnnnnnnnooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!" It echoes off 
of the rocks and drowns the thunderous falls for a moment before fading 
away like her mate. Her head falls to look at him, and she looks totally 
gone... abandoned.... again.... 

A voice on the breeze? So distant it can't possibly be real... maybe 
echoes of her pained roar. Yet it calls her name... 'Zira'.... 

Zira's ears catch it... but her heart is too pained to reply. She just 
stands there, letting the breeze shove her coat about like a plaything. 

Nala blinks at the roar and quickly hides behind the rock. 

The voice comes again, calling her name softly. This time a direction can 
be made out - off to her side. And in that direction, it's edges muted as 
though seen through a thick fog - a shadow.  

Zira's eyes gaze unfocused at the shadow... somehow she knows... "Scar.... 
what happened? Where did we go wrong?" 

The shadow's edges remain unfocused and indistinct, yet with the 
recognition, some of his features can now be made out. His face, even the 
scar across his eye, if you know to look for it. His eyes glow faintly, 
making the rest of his spectral body appear dim and muted. "Zira," he 
whispers again, as though speech were difficult. "It... wasss... too much. 
I.. came to Simba." 

Zira, as though in a trance does not seem to respond with her normal 
aggression. "... but it doesn't make sense.... we had it all planned...." 

The spectre nods, just a bit. "You... must carry on. So our children can 
grow up strong." 

Zira nods slowly, her glazed over eyes falling to the ground. "What's 
next? Now that you're gone?..." 

Scar's image has grown stronger, and he's more obvious now, his words 
stronger. Still, he seems to sigh softly, the glow in his eyes fading a 
moment, as if they closed. "I'm sorry, Zira.. I tried for you, but I could 
not win. Be strong... and succeed where I could not." 

Zira's eyes close on a tear and it wells over and falls to the ground 
making a tiny puddle. "I.... will try." Her voice is hardly there... 
barely a choked off whisper as she gazes upon Scar's form one last time... 
she heaves a heavy sigh and turns to go.... 

Scar watches as the lioness turns from him for the last time, and as she 
does his form begins to fade anew. Sadness? Regret? It seems to cross his 
face for that last moment before it fades back into shadows. "Be well, my 
love," calls the voice. "Be strong." 

Zira's muzzle raises to the sky, her back turned to him.... one last roar 
rips from her throat, growing in strength with it's time.... then fading 
away... as Zira leaves the lands .... but her mind is now racing... she 
must get her daughter back, and secure the lands... or face banishment... 
Simba's scent was here! 

---

Shenzi's Cave
-------------
This is the lair of Shenzi, leader of the hyena clan. The light in here is dim, 
yet you can make out the forms of several flat-topped rocks, and also some 
stalactites hanging from the ceiling. Draped over one of the larger flat-topped rocks
is what appears to be a dusty old lion pelt. Hey, the clan's leader has to have
some comforts, right?

Shenzi is awake, eyes heavily burdened with lack of sleep. Her paws are draped 
over Vitani.

Zira stalks in, ears laid back, muzzle forward. Her eyes are bloodshot and strained 
from lack of much of anything but strain!

Vitani lies soundly snuggled 'twixt Shenzi's paws, awake but on the verge of falling 
asleep. Her lids flutter lightly and she sniffles a small breath, then smacks her 
lips and rolls her shoulders with a murr.

Shenzi's eyes widen, her ears perk forward, and she watches as Zira stalks in. 
Afraid for her life, she tries to back against the wall, but finds she can go no 
farther.

Zira's eyes flow briefly over her cub insureing that she is alright... then they
go directly to the hyena. A crooked smile crosses her face. "Well, now if it isn't
a double-crossing hyena! Shenzi, if my mind serves me correctly."

Shenzi's movement causes the cub to stir, and Vitani lifts her head with a slight
mrrowl of protest. "Aunny Shenzi I'm tryin' ta sleep-" but her voice is cut short 
by that of another. "Wh-who'r you?" she mews, trying to focus her eyes on the 
grown lioness who's motherly smell has not yet registered in her developing mind.

Zira's eyes do not leave the hyena for a second though she speaks to her daughter, 
"I'm your mother, Vitani."

Shenzi doesn't say a word, but instead, places a leg in front of the cub. She 
growls lightly, afraid that Vitani will be hurt...

A wind stirs up, making small, circular eddies in the cave - although it's odd 
that this cave should have such a breeze in it. The tiny whirlwind moves towards 
the center of the cave, suddenly beginning to darken, casting shadows, until it 
forms a dark shadow itself.

Zira's scowl begins to form, she is about to speak when the wind catches her 
attention... "If you know what's good for you hyena... you'll return her to my 
care without a fuss." 

Vitani's eyes widen, and slowly she rises to her feet. "Mum?" she mewls, glancing 
quickly to Shenzi, then back to Zira. "Mum?" she repeats, not moving an inch.

Shenzi looks down at Vitani, then at Zira. "But..." She begins, sighing. The wind 
stirs up dust, and she blinks when it swirls into her eyes. She looks at the ground. 
"But I care for her..."

The shadow begins to condense, impossibly. A pair of points light up nearer the 
top of the shadow, and then they move to face the young cub. A voice comes from 
the shadow, as though it sees only one in the room. "Vitani..." it rumbles, still 
disjointed.

Zira stands by, looking hard at Shenzi, but remaining quite. She knows what is 
going on.

Vitani shivers slightly, the fur on the nape of her neck standing on end. Her 
ears flicker to the voice, but she has no clue as to where it's come from. 
"Shenzi?" she cries out, seeking protection, still nervous at her mother's appearance.

Scar's shadow grows denser, until he's standing there, solid as in life, but much 
darker, except for his eyes. He comes forward, his paws making no noise on the
stone. "Vitani," he repeats. "Do you remember your father?"

Shenzi's eyes narrow slightly, looking at the shadow. The shadow that speaks. The 
shadow that calls for her cub... Scared, she hold Vitani close, nuzzled in her
fur. "What's going on?" her voice trembles, as she sees the shadow materialize.
.. sort of.

Zira's voice speaks rather softly, restrained, "A mistake is being corrected, 
Shenzi. Let her go."

Vitani lifts a paw and clasps it around Shenzi's foreleg, trembling. She remembers 
her father by smell better than by sight, and she hardly knows him hardly at 
all (*knows*... she don' know he's dead yet) ...and yet she knows she -has- a 
father. Looking to the shadow, the cub jerks her head in a nod. "Yeah..."

Scar focuses on Vitani, drawing near to her. "Vitani, listen to me. You will grow 
up to be strong and very wise. You will be needed to keep a voice of sanity in
difficult times - and your mother needs you. If she is wise, she will listen to
what you have to say."

Zira's focus is on keeping Shenzi from harming her daughter.. the last shards of
a legacy, because of this she does not get the full impact of the words, they 
hardly register.

Shenzi looks at Scar, at Vitani, at Zira. "Scar..." She whispers. She still holds 
Vitani, but lightly now. "I... but she... calls me Aunty Shenzi..."

Zira's words are cold but quiet. "But she's not yours."

Scar's gaze abruptly shifts to Shenzi. "I know, Shenzi... you have tried to do 
what you felt you must.. to make amends for your past. Do not carry this mistake 
out to it's conclusion, you can not fathom the range of effect it will have."

Vitani's lip quivers, and her brow furrows tightly. "But I don't wanna leave Aunny 
Shenzi neither!" the cub cries, blinking back the threatening tears. The words 
passed between Shenzi and Zira hardly reach her ears, so taken is Vitani by the 
spectral mass before her.

Shenzi's jaw drops. It /is/ Scar... being... nice? No, that wasn't the word. She
looks to Vitani. Bends her neck down so that her eyes are level with hers. "You
have to Go..." she begins. 

Zira's throat clears having heard her daughters plea. Looking dirrectly at Shenzi. 
"Then perhaps a certain hyena needs to change her ways, again!" Her eyes are narrowed.

Scar's gaze slips back to Vitani again, but as Zira's words pass the spirit seems 
to hold, waiting.

Vitani looks to 'Scar', his image reflected in her large, moist eyes. Entranced,
she seems to lose track of all time for a moment, and during that moment something 
happens within the cub that only later she may recognise as a certain type of 
growth. When the moment passes, however, Vitani turns her body to Shenzi, lifting 
herself up onto her hind legs to pull her paws around the hyena's neck in a tight 
embrace. "I won' forget you, Aunny Shenzi..."

Shenzi nods briefly to the cub, not expecting to ever see her again. "I won't 
forget you either, my Vitani," she whispers...

Scar nods some, not looking away from the cub. "Zira... you may take Vitani home. 
Raise her well, you will need her one day."

Zira's lips raise a bit towards Shenzi, quietly she growls, "*MY* Vitani." Extending 
a paw she gently takes the cub to her. Then looking towards Shenzi she nods
stiffly. "If you wish to see her again you need to prove your loyalty to me. You 
already betrayed her father, I won't have you betraying her as well."

Scar turns to face Zira. "Enough, Zira, this will be settled at a later time. You 
have much to do - Simba will soon come to you, you must be ready to receive him."

"Loyalty?" Shenzi asks. "I don't owe loyalty to anyone..." She begins. "I want to 
live my own life... I don't want to be anyone's lackey..." She looks pointedly
to Scar's shadow.

Vitani's paws remain extended as Zira takes her away from Shenzi, a tiny tongue 
sneaking out to lick away a tear. She doesn't protest any more, in fact she doesn't 
even speak.

Zira's form turns back towards the door. "Very well. Come Vitani. We must return
to Pride Rock to secure our legacy before it is stolen again."

Scar looks back to Shenzi, meeting the gaze she sends to him. "You have your lands, 
Shenzi, you have everything here that you need. Only you can make that a success."

Shenzi looks to the ground after Scar speaks to her. She just lost one of the only 
things that mattered to her... "Scar." she says again, as a means of dismissal. 
Her eyes briefly turn to the departing lioness, and the cub. How could she argue 
with a dead lion? He'd haunt her for the rest of her life...

It pains Vitani to not be carried out of here... to leave on her own four feet. 
She looks back to Shenzi one last time, a giant promise in her eyes... the promise 
to see her once again. And then she turns her now tear-stricken face away, away 
from Shenzi and her ghostly father, who's fate she is still unknowing of. Head 
bowed, the little lioness follows her mother.

Scar watches as Zira and Vitani leave, yet he doesn't seem to be fading. Rather,
he just remains, disturbingly unmoving.

Zira catches the emotion between her daughters eyes. "Vitani, we have much to talk 
about. You have no idea what transpired before your birth, or even the circumstances 
surrounding it. There are reasons why things turn out the way they do. I
will be your teacher... if you are willing to learn." Her eyes are soft towards
her daughter, her voice has only a touch of command in it.

Shenzi Hears the words of the lioness, yet looks to Scar again. Why is he remaining? 
She begins to panic, shifting restlessly on her paws. She wonders brifly if
she can attack a lion ghost.... her heart and mind fill with anger...

Vitani nods her head, stiffly, and continues padding away a little way behind her 
mother, sadness weighing heavily on her heart.

Zira allows her daughter to walk...

Zira has left.
Vitani has left.

Scar turns his head back as the others move away, looking at Shenzi. His eyes merely 
glow, and offer no insight as to what he may be thinking, but he does speak. 
"Shenzi, I know why you did everything you did against me. I hold no grudge 
against you, and you should know that you have done the right thing here today. 
Many who do not even know you will benefit."

Shenzi blinks, calming just a hair. "Benefit?" She echos. "Who?" She takes a step 
toward the ghost lion, eyes wide with questions.

Scar's edges begin to blur as you step towards him, yet he remains solid and his
voice still strong. "Zira's pride..." he replies softly. "And perhaps Zira herself, 
if she is wise." His head tips a bit, and he smiles as he blurs a bit more.
"I can't see everything."

Shenzi looks into Scar's eyes. "Why did you do what you did?" she asks, hoping 
for the answer to that question before he leaves. "Why did you use my clan... Me?"

Scar holds silent for some time as his figure continues to distort, details fading 
back into the shadow until only his glowing eyes could be made out. "You were
my only friends," he finally replies, his voice softer. "The only ones I could 
trust."

"Friends?" she wonders outloud... "But I thought... At the end... We were the 
enemy..." She feels really bad now, having abandoned him when he needed them...

The shadow begins to break apart now, the breeze scattering the absense of light
until only a few final gusts scatter a last bit of dust. A final word is heard 
on the breeze as Scar ends his existance on all planes, the last thing he needs 
to give, and to have, to be free - "Forgiveness..."

Shenzi nods her head once as Scar disappears, both accepting, and giving, the 
word he uttered...

.......