[Open] Lion King III: Scars of the past

[Baya]

Taka really wanted to go back, but he figured he had to make some sacrifices to make Nala happy again. Taka quickly bounded after her intently as she ran into the barren wasteland. "Be careful Nala! My mother told me about rogues, if we get too far away from pride rock we'll get into rogue lands!" Taka shouted from behind Nala. That was actually what he was more afraid of right now. He heard rogues were vicious, anger and hate filled creatures. They were shunned from their own prides, and have grown bitter because of that.

[Polkadot]

Nala slowed down at the mention of rogues, letting Taka catch up. So, he'd decided to come. Was that friendship or what?
"Really? Well, we'll just have to be careful. Rogues are dangerous, but we're two fed adolescent lions, so we should be fine."
Nala gracefully sprang onto a raised slope overlooking the wasteland. With her sharp, aqua eyes she scanned the landscape. There were a couple of large shadows, but no danger, as far as she could see.

[Baya]

"Yeah, you know rogues are fed too right?" Taka said with a raised eyebrow. He smiled however, considering her self confidence. No one was strong enough to go against some rogues. Taka wouldn't say that though because he didn't want to be negative like his father. He quickly walked up beside Nala looking at the barren landscape.

"Wow...If I lived in a place like this...I'd be full of hate and anger too." Taka said quietly looking at several of the desert plants below, as well as the white bones of some unfortunate animals. He shuddered at the sight, and looked to the sky. The strange smell was strong, meaning it was just about to rain.

[Polkadot]

"Yeah, they do, but only on the skimpy animals who are stupid enough to leave the Pridelands. I mean, home is like paradise compared to this place..." Nala was in awe. How could lions, such fearsome beasts, live in a scraggly wasteland like this?
"Me too." She agreed with Taka's comment. What if they did live here? Would she be crazed and angry? Probably. Although, she could never imagine Mufasa or Sarabi exiling her - for one, she'd never do anything worth exile, and two, she was like their daughter. Scar, now, was a different matter - the way he acted, Nala wouldn't be surprised if he exiled Taka, his own son. Of course, if he did, she'd do everything she could to support him and feed him and keep him happy.

[Baya]

Taka sighed quietly as droplets of rain began to fall on top of them both. He gazed out at the harsh lands, wondering how hard all those rogues actually had it. It was probably an eternal hell for them, never being able to happy like he was. Sure his father was a tyrant, his mother was a sadist, and he was a useless lump. At least he didn't have to live the life those rogues did.

"You still wanna explore?" Taka asked in a monotone.

[Polkadot]

Nala felt drops of moisture hit her pale, creamy fur - she tilted her head back, enjoying the cooling, calming effect of the droplets.
"Yes... let's go home, before this gets heavy. And... it's okay, Taka. Don't feel depressed or anything, you're not unwanted. We all love you." She gave him an extra-special smile, before turning and walking back to level ground.
"Um... Taka... which way is home?" The adolescent lioness was confused - in every direction was a wasted, barren land. No sign of the towering Pride Rock, or lush, green landscapes. Uh oh.

[Baya]

Taka smiled at what she said. Hearing it from her really made him feel better. It sort of made him think that it wasn't him they hated, it was the fact that he was Scar's son. It was nothing about who he was, but who his father was. Taka could understand why they'd hate scar, because deep down Taka had a root of hatred for his father. He didn't talk about it, or show it much, but he really wanted to see his father suffer as much as everyone else.

Taka's eyes widened as she asked that. "Oh great king's above..." Taka said quietly. "We are LOST?!" Taka shouted as he looked around quickly. He was having a mini-panic attack. Taka frowned slightly as he looked to the west and saw a tiny rock cave protruding from the ground. "Come on! We gotta get out of the rain." Taka said as he lead Nala to the tiny cave.

The cave provided them with shelter from the rain, and was filled with old animal bones. There was an old scent of lion and hyena in here, but it was too faint to be recent. Taka looked down in remorse.

"It's my fault...It's all my fault. If I didn't suggest we go out here we'd be home right now." Taka murmured feeling shame for his stupidity.

[Polkadot]

"No.. no!" Nala's jaw dropped in shock. How could Taka blame himself, when it was her, being reckless and stupid, who had dragged him here?
"Don't you blame yourself, Taka! You wanted to go home - I was just idiotic, as usual, and dragged you into this wasteland. It was 100% my fault, okay?" Her voice was firm and strong, unwavering. She wriggled; this cave was so tiny, it didn't deserve to be called one. There was just enough space for the two lions to fit, and move a little, but not much. So there they were, squashed together in a tiny cave, with the rain pouring relentlessly, while their parents - excluding Scar - were worried sick at home.

[Baya]

Taka shook his head. "You're not idiotic. Not at all. Idiotic would've been that you knew we'd get lost and ran. You didn't know. It's not anyone's fault ok? Let's leave it at that." Taka murmured. At least they weren't cold because the size of the den was pushing them close together. They shared body warmth. Taka just laid there, and looked at the raindrop from the cave, trying to think of a way to get back home.

"Got any idea's on how to get back?" Taka asked quietly looking to Nala.

[Taka]

''Need any guide right now?'' - A dark voice came from outside the cave.
"If you don't, I'll have no problem to go away" - That half-smile appeared again.