A Change of Plans [PRIVATE: AC & The Whistlerify]

[AustralianChaos]

Sarabi looked down at her son, feeling her own heart turn into a dead weight in her chest as her son tried to explain what had happened. She looked out towards the west, where the other had said the gorge was...Sarabi knew of the place, and as the sun closed in on the horizon, she made a decision...she had to see Mufasa's body for herself before she could truly believe it. It was not that she did not trust Simba...more that she just had to see that he was dead herself.

"I'm going to take a look," Sarabi said, pulling herself to her feet, taking a few steps before turning back to the cubs, and Sarafina. "You stay here...I'm sure everything has been hard enough as it is...you don't need to see this again."

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Nala saw Sarafina's confused look, telling her that she did not know, and clutched at her mother's leg a little tighter, trying to draw as much comfort from her pale fur as possible.

But when Sarabi declared that she was going to the gorge, Nala was left conflicted. She did not want to go with her, did not want to see Mufasa's dead form...but at the same time, she knew she would have to accept that he was gone at some point. In the end, she simply turned to face Simba, waiting for his decision on whether to listen to his mother, or go back with her. She decided that, for now, she would go wherever he did...Simba needed his friends right now...and Nala could see from the looks on Tanga and Marini's faces, that they all needed each other right now.

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Tanga looked up, sniffling as Sarabi declared her intentions. Mufasa's death was hitting him hard, but he could help but remember that he did not say a proper goodbye to the lion that had been the closest thing to a father he had ever had.

"Sarabi...I want to go with you," he said weakly, moving to follow her. He watched as Sarabi gave him a look that plainly said he disagreed with his decision, but made no other move to stop him, as he looked back at the others, wondering what they would do. "I have to say goodbye," he said to his friends...Marini in particular, so that she would understand why he was leaving with Sarabi.

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Scar waited until he had calmed down a little before turning back to the cave. "Shenzi, I want a word...alone!" he called, gesturing for the two others to wait at the top of the cliffs they had come down as he waited for Shenzi to approach.

[TheWhistlerify]

Simba just got up and looked into the den, wanting some time to think about everything.
Marini looked at Tanga, "Are you sure you want to do this?" she asked wondering why was he wanting to see Mufasa's probably dead body again. She sighed as he nodded her a yes and followed Simba back inside

Shenzi walked over to Scar, leaving her two brothers behind. "Yes Scar?"

[AustralianChaos]

Scar looked at Shenzi, giving the hyena a hard, piercing stare, before speaking. "As you are no doubt aware, things have forced us to have a change of plans. I will still gain control of Pride Rock...the pride needs an adult to rule while Simba grows up...but we cannot risk bringing the hyenas in just yet. We must be patient...I will come up with a way to get rid of the pathetic little fuzzball before he can become king, but Tanga and Marini have complicated things today."

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Tanga and Sarabi walked side-by-side, neither speaking. A couple of times Tanga looked back, part of him hoping Marini, Simba or Nala would come with him, to help him through this, but he did not hold it against them when they went into the den at Pride Rock instead...everyone had their own way of coping with loss...he was doing his, the others were doing theirs.

He looked up at Sarabi, expecting her to say something. But she remained silent, although her head was hanging low, and her tail dragged in the grass as she walked...she was holding on to her emotions...but barely.

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Nala watched for a couple of moments as Tanga left with Sarabi, amazed the lean cub had the courage to go face such a thing again, so soon after witnessing it for the first time.

But she soon turned and followed Simba back inside, sitting beside him. "I...I'm so sorry, Simba," she stammerred softly. "If...if you want to be alone for a little while..."

[TheWhistlerify]

"Should we dispose of the two rascals?" Shenzi asked growling

Simba looekd at Nala and forced a fake smile to his muzzle, "No... It's okay... please stay with me." he asked knowing that Nala might be able to comfort him a little

[AustralianChaos]

Scar looked at Shenzi, but shook his head. "No...no, leave them...it will look too suspicious if too many die at once. We need to lay low for a little while, then strike once the pride has settled down from Mufasa's loss a little."

He could see that Shenzi was eager to argue the point, and so continued on. "Simba is the priority right now...Tanga and Marini's interference was a stroke of chance...nothing more. They are of no threat to us."

He frowned, realising something, before turning back. "Take the others and head back to the Graveyard...I will see you tonight to talk further. Go! I'm sure someone will come to find Mufasa's body soon! I don't want you caught at the scene of the crime...it would be a shame for me to have to kill any of you to maintain my cover."

As he waited for Shenzi to follow his instructions, Scar sat back on his haunches and waited for any of the pride to come to confirm Mufasa's death...when they did, he had his act waiting...

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Nala loked at Simba, a sad expression her face as she pulled her best friend into a soft hug, trying to comfort him as a couple of tears leaked from her owns eyes. "I'm here, Simba...I'm here..."
But she soon found herself crying for their lost king as she held Simba, despite her determination to remain strong.

[TheWhistlerify]

Marini sat a few feet away from Simba and Nala, feeling like what Simba needed at the moment was being with his best friend.
Simba wasn't sure why Nala was crying. "Now what's going to happen?" he asked and remained close to her

[AustralianChaos]

Nala continued to cling onto Simba, using the fact that the hug kept her muzzle close to his ear to whisper to him. "I don't know, Simba...but our parents will know what to do...they always have. I'm sure everything will work out in the end."

But despite her hopeful words...inside, Nala was far from certain. Mufasa had been a symbol of stability and peace in their lives. While he ruled, everything seemed to be perfect...now that stability was gone, and Nala was left unsure of what the future would hold.

As Mufasa's son, simba was technically meant to be the new king, but Nala remembered hearing from someone that a lion could not take over the Pridelands until they were at least two years old...even if they were the rightful king at the time. But what did that mean? Who would rule in Simba's place while he grew up?

[TheWhistlerify]

Simba put his arm around Nala and hugged her even closer. "Thanks Nala." he said quietly and smiled slightly to himself, glad to have Nala as a friend

[AustralianChaos]

Nala smiled at her friend, but otherwise did not respond. She eventually turned and looked over at Marini, who was looking a little left out at the moment.

"You okay, over there, Rini?" she asked, although she did not release her hold on Simba. The prince was holding her so tight she could not have gotten away from him even if she wanted to. Although Simba was her 'best' friend out of their group, she still cared immensely for Tanga and Marini, and would do almost anything for any of them.

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Scar picked up a scent on the winds, which he quickly identified as Sarabi and Tanga approaching the gorge, judging by the wind speed and strength of the scent, they still had a short distance to travel, but time was running out, and he could not afford to have the hyena trio spotted now.

He turned and growled threateningly at Shenzi. "Go, all of you! Sarabi's coming...do you want to be held responsible for Mufasa's death, or do you want to enjoy the bright future I have offered you?"

[TheWhistlerify]

Marini smiled slightly at Nala, "I'm okay Nala, thanks for asking."

SHenzi turned around and led her brothers back to the elephant graveyard