[Open] Circle of Life

[Baya]

A breeze rolled over the dense white and old bones of a variety of creatures, as it also pushed almost black dust around in tiny whirlwinds. The moon cast its' beautiful rays upon the elephant graveyard, much of it being sheltered by small mountain ridges and cliffs. Several creatures stirred about from rats to vultures in search of scrap off the old bones.

In Scar's old den, there were no longer any Hyenas as was during Mufasa's reign, but a small pride of lionesses and a single lion. A lion banished for attempting to take what was rightfully his, and denied by his father of all people. Sitting atop a large ridge over looking the lionesses who slept below, was this lion.

The moonlight peeked in through holes along the top of the tall rock den, bouncing off his amber eyes and giving it a sort of glowing red effect. As he stepped out to the edge of the ridge to get a better look at the lionesses, the scar along his right eye became visible. It was gruesome and fresh, barely healing three weeks after he was struck by his father.

His name used to be Nuka. He used to love his mother, and deep down, his father. He used to frolic and play as a cub. He used to enjoy life and its' many pleasures, until he realized what potential he carried. His grandfather, was none other than the infamous Taka or 'Scar' as he was labeled. He had ruled pride rock prior to Simba, and had the throne yanked from beneath him. Now, Kovu sat atop the throne; Atop HIS throne!

Being born to Baya and Vitani, little Nuka was always treated the same as his other siblings. Ukame received a bit more attention from Baya, but that was because she was his only little girl. One that he wanted to protect out of her resemblance to their mother. Oh, how mindless Ukame was. She always got herself into trouble. Then there was the arrogant and goody-two-paws Tuli. He took more after his mother with his discipline, but after Baya in looks and even strength.

Who did Nuka take after? It was easy to guess, and something very much feared by all the pridelanders. When he reached adolescence and grew increasingly impatient with the fact that he should be king, his darker emotions began to manifest themselves through violence and masochism. He would start fights between lionesses, almost always Outlanders. He had made a leap for Kovu's throat out of an impulse of hatred and anger, and was banished out here by his own father. Oh how he loathed Baya!

Nuka looked down at them with his amber eyes, as his well groomed black mane blew when a gust of wind came through the den. The lionesses that were here with him today were those that supported his anger and hatred. Those that believed it was not Kovu's right or Simba's to take the throne when murder and conflict were factors in their ascension. They admired him, looked up to him and took after him as if he were their king. It made him feel important. It made him feel wanted.

He noticed one of them awoke, and quickly padded up alongside him, also looking down at the other lionesses. Nuka didn't care enough to turn and face her.

"Why don't you sleep Nuk-"

"Never call me that again." He snarled, turning and gripping her muzzle shut with his paw. His chest heaved. Yes, named after his mother's older brother he was. A weakling and an outcast of the family, he had heard, was the legacy of the older Nuka. His death was one of unimportance and failure. He wanted a name that suited him alot better, and proclaimed the lionesses to call him by it.

"S-Scar. I'm sorry. I meant Scar. You should sleep...your eyes are tired." She said her voice shaking out of fear. Scar quickly released her from his grip and looked back down at them without much of a word.

"Why aren't you listening?..." She murmured as she sat beside him and gently nudged his cheek.

"I can't sleep. I have nightmares and I have too much on my mind..." Scar murmured in response, his ears flat against his head. It was true, all that had occurred in the last little while was driving him mad. Cast aside by his parents, failed at his attempt at the throne, and the loss of his siblings' defense. All in one day. It drove him to madness each and every night.

The lioness gently lowered Scar to the cold floor with her paw and laid alongside him, placing her head over his. "It's ok, Scar. Just...just close your eyes. Please. If you do not have the strength, we cannot defeat them..."

How could he not give into that logic? Was it possible to simply ignore her kind words and actions? Oh, he didn't care! He gave in to sleep, just so the damned thoughts that plagued his mind might not hold him captive.

//

The grass of the pridelands swayed with a coming breeze, as the moon hung over head. Most of the pride was in the den sleeping, while there was one sitting outside at the edge of priderock, just gazing out into the horizon. That lion was none other than Baya, the warrior of the outlands.

A few weeks before, he had finally banished his son after much thought because of his violent tendencies and bitterness towards everyone. It hurt him more than anything to do it, and he knew it hurt Vitani regardless of how she tried to hide it. The scene played through his mind many times, and how his heart broke when he had scarred his son as his father had scarred him in the desert many years ago.

"Daddy?" A quiet and gentle tone said from behind Baya. He remained silent, still looking out into the horizon in thought. The young adult lioness, her fur tan brown like his and her eyes purple like her mother's, padded around Baya so their eyes met.

"Daddy...what are you thinking about? Nuka? Why are you out here everynight?" she asked, a look of concern clear on her face. Baya looked down, his eyes filled with both sorrow and fatigue. What had he become? He promised he would never do what his father had done onto him, and he had just sent one of his son's away!


"Go into the den Ukame, I don't want you to-"

"This IS about Nuka then." Ukame said with a frown as she nuzzled his neck. "Stop hurting yourself over it dad. You had to do it. You had to. He was becoming crazy dad..." Ukame whispered, Baya feeling tears beginning to stain his mane. "It isn't your fault...It's mine...I should've tried to talk to him more...I should-"

Baya nuzzled his daughter, trying to sooth her guilt. "It was no one's fault but mine. Just mine..." Baya murmured quietly.

[MissAmberMarie]

Vitani herself had felt a little different, with Nuka gone...things were safer, but everything felt out of place. She got to her paws after a little lie down and walked outside, to find Baya and her daughter talking She sat and listened, it was about Nuka. She looked to the ground, she hated the way Nuka behaved but she had still in a way lost a son

She continued to watch the pair, she heard that Ukame felt responsible for Nuka's behavior...and Baya trying to soothe her guilt, it was hard to watch without interfering, but they were having they're time together. Once Ukame had finished, she would have a talk with her mate, a talk she had been meaning to have since Baya made Nuka leave.

[Baya]

Ukame rarely cried, and she felt rather silly for finally breaking loose in front of her father of all lions. Though surprisingly, he comforted her, until her sobs had turned into quiet hiccoughs. Baya used to be so rough with his cubs, but now his heart was so open and his embrace so warm and full of love. Ukame just didn't want to leave, but she knew her mother was not too far off, waiting to talk to him in private.

She removed her head from under his and gazed sadly into his sorrow filled eyes. Clouded with confusion and hatred for himself too, were the emerald green eyes of the mighty Baya. "Dad..." Ukame said one more time, wiping one last tear from her face with her own paw and nudging her nose in the direction of Vitani. Baya looked over, and his ears flattened slightly. He knew he might just be scorned for feeling the way he did by Vitani, but he was going to stand his ground. He was a terrible father.

"Ukame. Don't worry about Nuka. There is only two out comes to all of this...and I will achieve one or the other. The burden is on me." Baya murmured as he walked over to Vitani, looking sadly into her eyes now. She was a direct reflection of her daughter, save the tan fur. Baya wanted to move in for a nuzzle, but didn't know how she'd react. "Good evening." Baya whispered, with a faint smile.

[MissAmberMarie]

"Evening...how are you feeling?", Vitani questioned her mate, even though it was obvious by looking in his emerald eyes. She watched her daughter go back inside the den. She sat down, gazing up at the now dark sky and the few glittering stars before looking back at Baya with her bright purple eyes, which were reflecting the moonlight.

[Baya]

Baya sat down next to her, and looked up at the stars again. Everytime him and Vitani used to have scruffs for fun, they'd always end up on their backs looking at the stars. This was just nostalgic. Baya's ears flexed back as he looked down a few moments after. "Did I do the right thing?" He murmured, feeling uneasy asking Vitani of all lionesses. She was his mate, and her opinion was more important than any other in his eyes.

[MissAmberMarie]

Vitani wrapped her tail around her paws, she decided she'd say her honest opinion.
"Baya....I think you did do the right thing. Nuka's behaviour was awful, there could of been deaths...my own brother attacked", she stopped for a moment, shaking her head in shame, "It's going to be hard for us all, Baya...you are actually protecting your other children, who knows what Nuka would do".