My Version: Uru

Well I finally decided to try and use Paint Tool Sai to make a render and I have to say that I like the final result more than those made in Paint.NET. Anyways, I've had to scrap chapter 2 of Whispering Winds (yes I actually plan to continue it) and had to fully rewrite the whole plot due to several changes for character's motives. I decided to go over the family tree's and realised that I din't have a clear image of Uru or even knew her personality. So why don't I stop rambling and actually get to my version of her story.

Originally the outlands were similar to the pridelands, lush green lands where prey wandered the plains and hunters ,such as the Mbala Pride, protected their borders from unwanted guests however this didn't mean that the two prides lived peacefully alongside each other. During the reign of queen Hafsa and king Mohatu hostility started rising between the neighbouring prides. Eventually the king of Mbala pride decided to send a spy into the pride. A weak spot was found in the young prince Ahadi and the king chose to send a lioness who would be able to warm up to the prince. They chose Uru, the daughter of the head guard of the pride, to complete the mission although some protested due to her already having a mate in the pride. Uru crossed the border a few days later and was soon found by a border patrol. The lioness lied about being a rogue and the king welcomed her into their pride. Although some pride members became suspicious about her trained team hunting skills that she showed even though she claimed to be a rogue her whole life the king decided to look past it. Just like the pride had planned, Uru managed to become close with the prince and eventually became mates. The elderly king died from old age soon after and the queen stepped down from her place, leaving Ahadi and Uru to take the throne. After some time the new queen gave birth to two heirs, Taka and Mufasa. Even though the lioness had no feelings towards her new mate she still loved her cubs and wished that their father was her true mate in Mbala pride. Once the cubs started eating prey she continued her secret night meetings at the border with her mate. A problem arose when the queen was revealed to be expecting another cub however no lion knew that this time the cub wasn't Ahadi's. The day came when a young lioness was born. Although the cub had the dark stripe on her head like her mother, her pelt was dark tan which neither of her "parents" had. The cub was named Zira and with each day she grew it was more and more visible how different she looked from Uru and Ahadi. This time the lioness started bringing her daughter to meet her real father at the border but things took a turn when Ahadi caught his queen with the Mbala Pride hunter, Shida. Even in the dark Ahadi could see the same thin, lanky built, tan pelt and bright red eyes that Zira had and it didn't take him a mere second to understand what was going on. The next sunrise the queen was banished and she left with her daughter. Zira grew up in her mother's pride although she was fully aware of her half brothers across the boarder. Surviving got hard as the lands began to dry out and prey left. Before long most of the Mbala pride left, some became rogues while Uru and Zira stayed in the newly formed outlands. As time passed Uru met with her younger son, Taka, once more and introduced him to his sister. Seeing how lonely the prince was Uru chose to use this and turn her cub against his father and pride. Soon Taka grew into a young lion and with a planned attack the three of them took down the king, Ahadi. During this time Zira weaved her way back into the pride as a loyal follower of Scar although most saw them as mates, not knowing their blood relation. By now Uru was getting old and eventually died of old age.

Of course most show Uru as a caring lioness but I like to mix things up. Uru's manipulative personality was passed down to Scar and Zira which eventually led them down their paths. Talking about the looks Mufasa got his mother's golden fur and round nose. Zira got the dark stripe down her head and the overall chin shape while Scar carried Uru's fluffy cheeks and piercing green eyes. These aren't her full colours due to the fact that I was trying to make it seem like it was dusk but they aren't very different. If you want to use this design feel free to message me and I'll send you an image without all the different lighting. ^^

Uru, Scar, Zira, Ahadi, Mufasa, background, original lioness image: Disney & SNA
Render, design, story: CloudyPawz