I even failed, that don’t mean, that I don’t want to.” Said Scar some day. When that was? Nala remembered, that those days she was exhausted, hungry and thirsty... but happy with all her heart. And if history went some other way... “No!” she whispered and shook her head, just like she wanted to shock those memories of. “I’ve made right choice. Simba is the rightful king and nothing would change it!”
She followed her son.

*

“What a feast!” smiled Hawaa, looking on Nuka’s preys.

That were two mongooses, about ten desert rats and ten or some quails. In call of lioness there was no sarcasm – for Outlanders such a meal was real score. Of course, it was just a after-training snack, on the real hunt, they all used to come at dusk, but some energy after exhausting practice was necessary.

Outlanders were lying before entrance to Golden Hall, resting and chatting quietly. Only Nuka was walking and serving them meal. Because he hadn’t participated in skirmishes, he was quite refreshed and vigorous. Lionesses were receiving portions of meat with gratitude.

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t get more, but those sneaky rodents seem to be dried out during last season...” when he came to his mother, he whispered her

“I saved it for leader of winning team.” Said Nuka with smile.

“Yesterday, when I lost, you said, that those who lost require more calories and you gave me another smack.” She notice.

“I’ve caught it in my overtime. Come!”

They went to small basin, nearby Golden Hall. It was favourite place of Nuka and Hawaa, when they spent a lot of time as cubs... and later too. There were another three quails. Nuka gave them to lioness with gallant smile.

“This time I paid for dinner!”

Three quails later, they were laying in basin, hugging themselves. Hawaa almost felt asleep, weary because of hard training and cuddled be lion. Nuka was just murmuring with contentment, but suddenly, he said with serious voice.

“Hawaa... Mother said, that Kovu will be king, if he kill Simba... Right?” but he didn’t wait for answer, but continued. “So if... someone other avenge Scar... maybe he will inherit the throne?” Hawaa opened her eyes, amazed by this idea. She knew exactly, what Nuka was intending. “Just... Maybe, that person will surprise everyone and do, what he wasn’t expected to?”

Lioness thought with both fear and hope. “He really want to be king... and I want it too, because I love him. If I only could help.”

The same time Nuka was muttering in his mind.

“Throne... Who cares about that? But it’s only way to show Hawaa and mother, how I’m really worthy! I must find some way to kill Simba... For you, mom. You would be proud of me... And for you, Hawaa... You deserved to be queen.”

04 – Rouge squadron

Prideland bordered with The Outlands on north. Northwest from kingdom spread The Great Desert, northeast – The Mighty Jungle. West from lion’s land was savannah, a little drier that fertile Prideland. On south, savannah become wetter, at least in rainy season, that on southern border of Priderock’s domain, it changed to Southern Swamps. Looking on southeast, lion could see miles of plain, similar to those near Pride Kingdom. And what was on farther east? Well, almost no one from Prideland never interested in that and except few reconnaissances, made by Golden Lionesses, in times of Scar, that was unknown land. But anyone, who wished to look there, could see the green hill, spreading to the horizon. Despite of theirs beauty, hills are unfertile, so they had no inhabitants. Usually.

“Well, well, well...” said red-maned lion with dark-grey fur. “What we’ve got here? A fine place to stay...” he turned to his companions. In rays of raising sun, the top of hill seemed to burn with fresh green. It looked tempting, especially for exhausted wanderers. “Gentlemen, this will be our new home!” Speaker was leading three younger lions. Two similar looking males with brown manes and sandy furs and smaller one, with black mane and darker colour of coat. All three smiled to leader and two twin-looking lion replied.

“Sounds great, boss!”

“Right...” redmaned turned to darker lion. “And what do you think, Amini?”

“Looks nice, Horen...” said he, with uncertain voice. “But I see no herds to hunt and no torrents...”

Leader, called Horen, burst in laughter and went to two other lions.

“Daki, Laki... listen to him.” He pointed Amini. “He is youngest, but he have head in right place! He looks not only on this... decor... but he thinks about really important things. For example, what we will eat.”

“If he is so wise...” started first lion.

“...he’d probably find something tasty.” Finished second, both of them burst in laughter.

“Ow, stop it!” gasped Horen. He turned to Amini. “So, our prophet... Where are animals?”

Dark lion was gazing on plains for some time, then he scratched his ear with paw.

“For now? Nowhere.” He replied with wondering voice. “Maybe some remnants of old herds. But...” he looked into sky. “After such a heavy rains, herds will surely return from dried swamps...” he pointed southwest. “... that probably are real swamp now... and come there, on savannah.”

Twin-looking lions looked on themselves, than asked Amini.

“How...” started Daki.

“...do you know?” finished Laki.

Amini smiled and again pointed on savannah.

“Because, almost all tasty creatures live on plain. Why? Because it’s easier for them to run there and it’s harder for us to sneak. Now, the swamps started to be dangerous...” he stopped, gazing on some point on horizon. He raised his paw to face in order to cover his eyes from the sun. “Look there! A mountain... at least, big rock. If there is some lion pride in this land, I’ll bet it lives on it.”

Horen laid on the ground and closed his eyes. Lion was probably sleepy, after long journey in night. He replied with weary voice.

“Who cares... We won’t mess with any pride... You know the rules.” His companions nodded. “No prides, no fighting for leadership. If we are not welcome, we don’t go inside.” Then he smiled. “Well, of course, if there is no king, but only lionesses, we could consider accepting the invitation.” All four giggled. “But if we see that someone already is there, we’ll just hang here.”

“What about food?” asked Daki

“And water?” added Laki. Horen yawned, clearly bored.

“Don’t bother yourselves now. It’s time to sleep. We shall see, if we can hunt here. I’m sure, it won’t make those locals upset. Meanwhile...” he yawned once again. “Goodnight, gentlemen... Or better to say good day, but I mean, that...” he lost his point, but finished with sleepy voice. “Whatever. Just I’ll get a nap.” In next second, he was sleeping.

His companions decided to do the same.

*

“Ow, it’s useless.” Said Simba with irritation. “Let’s go back!”

He was leading lioness patrol and decided to return on Priderock. After two days of searching, they saw just few Golden Ones, almost caught two, but even they managed to slip from the ambush. So in evening of third day of his reign, king judged to cease searching. Savannah was wet, and running through it was hard and exhausting. Also, Simba was just tired of constant tracking. He wished to rest... And then ran of with Nala in some remote place. Far from Outlanders and far from own pride. To have a little calmness.

“Are you sure?” asked Nala with uncertain voice.

“Yes, I am, darling.” Replied king. “I don’t know, what those lionesses did to you, that you hate them so much, but I promise, that when they trespass borders of our kingdom, I’ll teach them respect to the queen.”

“Yes, of course.” Agreed Nala, but she still wanted to make sure, that Golden Ones were helpless. “Thank you.”

Simba stopped and turned to his mate. He licked gently her cheek and whispered.

“It’s a past. Just a past. It won’t be back.”

Then he turned to four other lionesses, running nearby and roared. It was a signal to return. So all pack from Priderock started to speed in home’s direction. Golden Ones were safe... for some time.

*

“Mom?” asked Hawaa, when Simba’s party returned to cave.

“Yes, my sweet?” said Kilia, cleaning her daughter with tongue.

“Is the hunt over?” cub looked on lioness with inquiring stare.

“Yes, for now it is.” Replied mother, surprised by daughter’s curiosity.

“But I see no aunt Zira, and mr. King...” Kilia immediately put her paw on Hawaa’s mouth. “MMhm?” murmured surprised cub. “Mommy, what are you doing?” asked, when lioness freed her.

“Hush, baby... You must listen to me.” Whispered to her ear. “We have new king now.”

“So where is mister Scar?” asked cub with quite scared voice. “And where are those funny dogs that were living next to us?”

Kilia grabbed her daughter in mouth and went outside. In entrance they met Simba – lioness bowed slightly and Hawaa asked shyly.

“Hi! I don’t know you! But maybe you know, where went...” she stopped, when her mother shook her. “Ow, mommy, it hurts!”

But Kilia just ran out from cave and went on cliff on other side of Priderock.

“Mom...” whispered Hawaa. “Isn’t a private chamber of king Scar and aunt Zira? They might not want you come inside...”

Lioness entered Scar’s cave and put daughter on royal bed. Then she looked in eyes of cub.

“I’m sorry, my dear, but it was necessary.” She said. “I must explain you few things...” she sighed, didn’t know, how to start. “The king is gone.”

“Where he went?” asked Hawaa.

“To... some distant place. And queen Zira too... and probably hyenas as well.”

Pupils of cub’s eyes extended and Kilia noticed tears.

“But... that mean... aunt Zira went somewhere and even didn’t say me goodbye?! No, I don’t believe! I don’t believe, she went without Nuka!”

“Nuka went with them too.” Said Kilia, feeling cold in her throat. She had no idea, that her daughter was so close with Outlanders.

“I WANT PLAY WITH NUKA!” cried Hawaa and burst in tears.