subjects rebelling in such a manner," he murmured ominously. "But if you wish to leave… I suppose I cannot stop you, now can I?" he finished levelly, returning to his lackadaisical tone.

"And one more thing, Scar," Sachin growled, baring his teeth. Scar's eyes drifted back down. "I'll be back." He swore before turning and wading his way through the crowd that had gathered. He paused as he passed Nala. His eyes stared at her imploringly. He asked her one last time. "Come with me," he pleaded. It felt as if her head were made of stone for all the effort it took her to shake her head one last time.

******

She directed her gaze at the stars, then at the tree to his right. Anywhere but his eyes. "Yeah," she balked. "It would have been different." She steeled herself, then finally faced him. "But you made your choice, and I made mine."

Immediately she regretted it. Those damn eyes, she cursed. Every time she looked him in the eyes, she felt like she was drowning in their depths. She tried to pry herself away, but she was hopeless. Her mind had thrown her sense of judgment overboard at first sight of Sachin.

"But you're not content," he remarked, a frown playing at the corners of his mouth. He broke from her trapped stare as he circled her slowly, seeming to flow around her as water flows around a rock. "I've missed you," he continued. "We could help each other, Nala."

Nala weakly shook her head, trying and failing to clear her head. Her mind ambled off again, wondering how it would feel to run her paws through his fur. His voice seemed to swirl around her head. "I was so happy when I was around you Nala, and you were so happy too," he said softly. "Can't we be happy together again?" he implored.

Nala bit her tongue. Enough fantasizing! She chastised herself violently. "No, I have Simba!" She conjured up her most blissful moments with her mate. The day in the jungle… the air teeming with life and the world around them in perfect harmony as they plunged into the water and into their young love… the image blurred and reformed itself as she yelled at Simba, disgusted by his cowardice and unwillingness to return to the Pridelands.

His words weaved through her ears. "You know you don't love Simba."

The sunsets spent on the promontory, beating chest to beating chest. The land sprawled before them as if painted by the most skillful hand… the feeling of revulsion as Simba's silhouette stood tall, arrogant, fateful on the same promontory, denouncing Kovu even as his daughter's cries drowned out Kovu's horrified gasp.

Nala stirred, trying to clear her muddled mind. "No, Simba came back! He… he came back for us! He deserves me!" she stumbled. Doesn't… he?

"But do you deserve him?" he whispered in her ear. "You deserve more," he breathed. "More than he can give you." She shivered, clasping her eyes shut as his muzzle brushed softly against the wisps of hair on her ear. When her eyelids raised themselves, they were face to face. Hers, trembling and breathless. His, calm and caring.

"Nala," he whispered her name. The seductive note in his voice had evaporated like a drop of water before the blazing sun. In its place was a deep, heartfelt sincerity. It was Love, forged in the flower of youth and nurtured ever since.

The night breeze cocooned the two lions. Nala saw Sachin's face draw nearer. The forest was silent but for the frantic, desperate beating in their hearts. His eyes loomed before her, the moonlit sparks twinkling. She felt his breath caress her nose.

Her shaking finally stopped as she closed her eyes. She sensed control of her body returning. Her mind cleared, the veil of haze lifting.

Nala leaned in.
 

xxxx

Well, there it is. Originally intended as a oneshot, but you never know. ;]

It actually turned out being a whole lot more trouble than I thought (things get complicated fast when you try to fit a character into the TLK universe like he's been there all along) but I hope you guys liked it. At the very least, I learned that Timon and Scar are both boatloads of fun to write. Thanks for reading! Review if you like. ^^