Time for another chapter! Sorry for the slow update. Life happened and I did not have any time to write until today. I don't want to be a nag, but PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW! I'd really like to thank everybody who reviewed the last chapter. Well, I have done enough blabbing, so without further ado, here is the next chapter!

DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING

Every true, eternal problem is an equally true, eternal fault; every answer an atonement, every realization an improvement.

-Otto Weininger

In the Savannah plains of Africa, a maneless lion lay on the soft green grasses, resting his eyes, but not falling into slumber.

"Gaudium?"

The former killed looked up to see Mufasa walking towards him. His red mane was gracefully flowing behind him in the wind. Gaudium chuckled and responded with the first line he could think of.

"Sup bro?"

Mufasa chuckled. "I'm going to see Scar about his absence at Simba's presentation. You interested in joining me?'

Gaudium chuckled lightly. "Sure. It'll be good for him to see that someone inexplicably evil can become nice and fluffy again."

Mufasa then sighed in exasperation. "Come on! You have got to stop beating yourself up over that!"

Gaudium shrugged. "Old habits die hard; as do I. Come on, let's just go see Boo-Boo now!"

"Boo-Boo?"

Gaudium rolled his deep, sapphire blue eyes. "I am NOT calling him Scar. It's Taka, but if he REALLY wants to be named after a wound, I 'll call him Boo-Boo. It's better than Scelus."

Mufasa rolled his eyes before chuckling at his youngest brother. "You are too much, you know that?"

"That's what Illya always tells me, but I never know for sure."

The two lions chuckled, before heading off to the cave where the secluded lion made his permanent residence.

Meanwhile, Scar was lying down on the ground inside said den, talking angrily to himself.

"This isn't fair at all! I should be king, but now Mufasa has a little brat!" A small mouse then began to scurry across the floor of the den, only to be captured by the large paw of Scar, who then picked up the little creature by the tail.

"Life just isn't fair. You are so small, and I am never to be king. Oh well. Adieu."

Scar was about to eat the small rodent when a loud, and incredibly annoying voice made itself known. "Didn't your mother tell you not to play with your food?"

Scar dropped the mouse in surprise, causing it to run out of the lion's view. The black-maned lion grumbled in annoyance. "Oh look Zazu, you made me lose my lunch!"

Zazu rolled his eyes before clearing his throat. "Well you'll be losing a lot more when the king gets here! He's raving mad about you missing the presentation!"

Fed up with the small bird, Scar got into a pouncing position, and Zazu gulped in nervousness.

"Scar…don't look at me like that!"

Scar didn't bother to listen, and enclosed Zazu in his mouth. The evil lion was about to swallow when another voice entered the den, this one deep and booming with fury.

"Scar, drop him."

Zazu's beak began to protrude from Scar's mouth. "Impeccable timing Your Majesty."

Scar gagged, and dropped Zazu, who fell in a heap on to the ground. Gaudium chuckled in dark amusement at the sight.

Scar now began to pace around. "Well, if it isn't my older brother, coming from above to mingle with the measly commoners. And you brought…" Scar stopped and stared in awe at Gaudium, whom he obviously recognized. "Company."

Mufasa narrowed his eyes. "Sarabi and I did not see you today at the presentation of Simba. Would you please care to explain?"

Scar feigned guilt, and spoke. "Oh, that was today? I feel awful! It must have slipped my mind!"

Gaudium rolled his eyes. "Taka, my brother might just be trying to find the light in you, but I know better. I speak sarcasm. Hell, two days ago, I was a suicidal maniac with homicidal tendencies, and I still made the ceremony. You should have been first in line!"

Scar growled at Mufasa. "I WAS first in line! At least until the little hairball was born!" The pissed off lion now turned his gaze toward Gaudium. "And how DARE you challenge me?"

Gaudium again rolled his eyes. "You forget who your talking to. You know, the former Kingslayer, greatest fighter in history. Now, I'm never going to be going back to that lifestyle, but I think that I would be willing to make…an exception, perhaps."

Mufasa spoke again. "And that hairball that you mentioned is my son!"

Scar rolled his eyes and began to walk way. "Don't turn your back on me Scar!"

Scar grimaced at the statement before responding in annoyance. "Oh really? You shouldn't turn your back on me!"

Mufasa growled, and began to charge towards Scar, but was restrained by Gaudium. "Was that a challenge?"

"Temper, temper. I would never DREAM of challenging you."

With that, Scar left the den. Mufasa turned to see Gaudium whispering to Zazu, who was on the ground laughing uncontrollably.

"What is so funny?"

Zazu stopped laughing for a moment and turned to the king. "Gaudium said that Scar would make a REALLY nice throw rug."

Mufasa stared at Gaudium in shock. "Brother!"

"What? I said that I'm not killing lions anymore, not that I no longer have an incredibly dark sense of humor…"

Mufasa chuckled, and now the trio exited the den. Gaudium eventually split apart from his eldest brother, and he went to find Illya. He saw her lying next to his mother by the watering hole.

"Hey Illya. Hi Mom."

Illya walked up to maneless lion and licked his cheek. "So how are you getting along with everyone?"

Gaudium sighed. "Well, things are going great with Mufasa and the other lionesses, and Taka seems to be even more of a bitch than he was when I left!"

Illya cracked up while Uru looked at her son in shock. "Gaudium! Language!"

Gaudium rolled his eyes. "Mom, I'm a grown lion. I can say what I wish. And like I told Mufasa, I may not be a killer, but not by any means have I gotten rid of my dark, vulgar sense or humor."

"Grown and vulgar or not, I am still your mother!"

"Touché."

Well, I do believe that is all that I am going to write for now. Like I mentioned previously, PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO KINDLY LEAVE ME A REVIEW. I will have the next chapter up whenever I possibly can, and I will see all of you next time! Bye!