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

[AustralianChaos]

Scar thought about this for a moment, realising that the possibility of Nala's presence was causing a loyalty conflict in Sarafina...a conflict he had to resolve, and fast. Growling faintly in irritation, he turned back to Sarafina. "Here is my compromise...the mission will go ahead as planned, but you may tell Zira that if Nala is a part of this group, that she is not to be harmed...under my orders. If possible, bring her back to the Pridelands, so she can be watched over. That is my final offer for this...take it, or leave it."

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Ganya smirked at Zira's answer...he liked this lioness already. "A stealthy approach...I like your style! Are you sure the hyenas are up to the task of keeping quiet, though. Shenzi's a good hyena, but most of the others can be rather thick-headed at times."

He finally decided to get to the real point of why he was talking to the leader of this mission. "I have one request, Zira. When the attack is launched, I only ask that you leave the female, Marini, for me. She has caused me a great deal of displeasure, and I intend to return the favour."

[TheWhistlerify]

Sarafina just nodded at Scar and then slowly walked away. It seemed like there was nothing she could do to prevent this.

Zira looked at Ganya, "You're right, they're not. But she is." she said and pointed at Sarafina. "She was quite close to Tanga and Marini... they have no idea that she's been working with Scar the whole time. We'll send her in first, they'll trust her. And when we attack they wont see it coming" She then smirked as he mentioned Marini, "That scardy cat?" she asked and laughed slightly, but then noticed Ganya was being serious about this, "Fine, you can have her.

[AustralianChaos]

Scar watched as Sarafina slowly walked away. He frowned at her obvious reluctance to engage in this mission, but waved the thought aside...she cared for her daughter, that was all. Noting Shenzi seemed to be returning, Scar retreated into the den, and left this small warrior group to plan their assault...by morning, he was expecting news of the rogue group's eradication.

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Ganya looked surprised at this latest revelation. "Are you sure Sarafina can be trusted, then...if she was that close to Tanga and Marini?" He then snorted as Zira passed off Marini's threat level. "Don't underestimate them, Zira...Marini's a pretty face, but she can fight...and I'm certain that she's in some sort of relationship with Tanga...he seemed willing to die to let her get away. We must be cautious about this...they know how to fight, and are very protective of each other. Tanga's wounded, but if he has survived, he may still be in a position to fight tonight."

[TheWhistlerify]

Zira smirked, "She killed the crown prince herself." she then listened to what Ganya was saying. "Sarafina seemed to be a pretty face too. But she turned out to have known about Scar even before he killed his brother." she then turned to Sarafina and the returning hyenas. "Let's go." she said and began leading.

[AustralianChaos]

Ganya's widened as Zira revealed the death Sarafina had been responsible for...but remained silent as Zira started to lead them to the south, at a rate that would have them across the border of the Pridelands, and back to his home, a little after nightfall.

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Sarabi entered their den, finding Simba and Nala curled up nearby. They both appeared to be resting, but that was quickly disproven when Nala jumped up, obviously hearing her come in. "Sarabi! How's Tanga? Is he alright?"

Sarabi nodded slowly. "Yes...yes, Tanga's okay, for now...we're going to try and bring him back to the den now, in fact, if his wounds have healed enough." She quickly shook her head as Nala jumped to her feet. "No, Nala, stay here for now...I want to talk privately with Simba while we head back for him."

Nala looked like she was about to protest, but nodded quietly and sat back down, her head hanging as she prepared for a long, lonely wait ahead of her.

[TheWhistlerify]

Zira in the meantime explained the plan. It was quite simple. Sarafina was to tell Tanga and Marini that she was exiled. They would let her in, Sarafina would get information on how many lions were they and Zira and the rest would attack while they were asleep.

Simba got up and followed his mother, wondering what was it she wanted to talk to him about.

[AustralianChaos]

Sarabi waited until they were a short distance from the cave before speaking. "Simba...for the last four months, I have taught you everything I know about what need to learn to be as noble and just a king as Mufasa was. I have watched you transform from the energetic, troublemaking cub you were into the strong, kind-hearted adolescent you are now." She smiled at her quip about his cubhood ways, before returning to her talk.

"What I want to tell you know is simple...your lessons in leadership and ruling a kingdom are over. I have nothing more I can teach you, Simba. By all rights, you are now ready to rule to Pridelands, and if it weren't for the fact that we would have to fight Scar for the throne, I would ask you to take your place now. You are young, but I've seen the you've treated everyone around you recently, and I know that you are more than ready to be king."

"I'm proud of you, Simba...we've been through a very trying few months, and you've handled it all with a calm and considered approach I think even Mufasa would have been hard-pressed to equal at your age. The only reason we are not heading home is because Scar, weak and cowardly as he is, would still be more than a match for you...and I want you as big and strong as possible before even thinking of facing him."

Sarabi leaned over and gave her son a warm nuzzle and lick. "Despite the dangerous adventures you and Nala kept getting into, you are the son I've always dreamed of, Simba...and no matter what happens, I will always be proud of you."

[TheWhistlerify]

Simba smiled at his mother's words. But there was no denying that he had no idea on how to face Scar when the time came. He then snapped of those thoughts by telling himself that he has Nala, his friends and his mother by his side. "Do you think Tanga will ever fully recover from this?" he asked with a sigh, he was worried about his friend. As much as he tried to remain positive about this, he just couldn't tell if Tanga was going to make it out of it with nothing but scars and a missing ear.

[AustralianChaos]

Sarabi sighed as Simba changed the subject onto Tanga...and his wounds. "I can't be certain, Simba. The wounds on his chest are severe...it is possible there is some sort of permanent, internal damage. I certainly hope there isn't, and Tanga so far has shown that, while he is in pain, there is nothing seriously wrong with him. He also seems to draw strength from Marini, and I've always believed a strong, hopeful mindset aids the healing. If I were to make a prediction right now, Simba...I'd say Tanga's going to bear some horrible scars, but otherwise he's going to be just fine."

[TheWhistlerify]

Simba also thought that Tanga would only bear scars, he hoped so. As the forest grew closer to them Simba remembered the leopard, he hoped that it was the only one and that he wouldn't show up any time soon, at least not untill they got Tanga back to the den. He then thought about Nala for a brief moment, they didn't say anything to each other since they arrived back at the den.