Hello everyone! It's me Rogue Lion!

Yes I'm still writing works. No I'm not giving up on any of my writings. I'm still committed. I've heard your cries and read your reviews and so I give to you all a massive chapter! Big thanks to BlackRaptor007 for pitching in and being my co-writer in this series. The other projects I don't mind doing myself but for this specific story I want extra hands on board in order to honor the memory of Kiara032 and starting it for us all by giving me the plot and helping set up the chapters to begin with.

Another big thing I'd like to announce if you don't already know is that I now have a Youtube channel as well as a for people to watch my productions and contribute to help support me and my work. Information will be at the end of the story if you're interested, but until then guys I hope you enjoy this next chapter of "In a Perfect World"

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Chapter 15 Know Your Enemy

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After leaving Rafiki's tree, Kiara began to head back to Pride Rock with Simba and Nala in tow. Although relieved that the young lioness wasn't hurt, Kiara was somewhat upset about them lying to her just to get out of being grounded for a little bit.

"Kids, we need to talk." Kiara told them, getting both cub's attention. Nala looked apologetic while Simba looked like nothing was wrong.

"What's wrong Aunty Kiara?" the young prince asked her while giving her a little smile. Kiara, however, didn't look amused.

"I really didn't appreciate you lying to me about Nala's paw," she said with disappointment, "I thought she was really hurt."

"So, did I!" Simba interjected which earned skeptical looks from both Kiara and even Nala. Realizing this, he gave them a nervous smile and said, "It… just turned out she wasn't hurt that bad."

"Simba…" Kiara sighed like a disgruntle mother who was trying to get a lesson into her cub's head, "Lying is a very good way to get you into trouble. Need I remind you about the Graveyard?"

"Hey! I didn't lie about that."

"Seriously?" Nala groaned in annoyance as she elbowed Simba in his ribs, "Simba, you said we were going to the waterhole to see a 'cool place'!"

"And we did, technically," Simba replied as he gave his signature toothy smile to Nala, "We had to pass up the waterhole to get to the Gra-" though Simba was treating this casually, he looked back at Kiara who was glaring down at him. Seeing how seriously she was looking at him, the young prince thought about what he was saying. He did kind of mislead Going to the Graveyard did put her and Nala in danger and was probably not a good example to use in terms of misleading people.

"Oh… right." he slowly stated, catching on to what Kiara was trying to tell him, "Sorry Aunty." Kiara let out an exasperated sighed as they neared Pride Rock. When she was little, she was more oblivious to the world around her which got her into trouble. Yet after living with her cub father and mother, she realized why he was so protective of her when she was younger: he used to seek out trouble deliberately.

Taking a deep breath, she sighed and mumbled under her breath to herself: "Was I as bad as you, Daddy?"

Soon they made it back to Pride Rock, yet before they could make their way up the steps, the Major Domo himself stopped them.

"Ah, Kiara! Young masters! There you are!" Zazu greeted as he flew down and hovered in front of them, "I've been looking all over for you. I was under the impression that you two were… ahem… detained until further notice?" of course Kiara knew that was Zazu's fancy way of being grounded. While Nala nervously drew in the ground with her paw and Simba scratched the back of his head sheepishly, Kiara stepped in for them.

"There was an accident earlier," She gave Zazu a similar guilty smile, "This little angle played a bit too rough with Nala." As she spoke through gritted teeth, she put a paw on Simba's head and ruffled it hard. He in returned let out a small uncomfortable groan as she rubbed him hard. It was one thing to make him uncomfortable but she was touching his mane. No one, besides his mother and father, was allowed to touch his mane. Still, he knew if he protested then she could spill the beans on what really happened out there.

"Yeah, that's right," he played along, "I played a bit rough with Nala. But Rafiki fixed her paw up."

"Oh well I'm glad you're all alright." The hornbill replied, "I suppose that means you didn't get to see the newcomer."

"Newcomer?" Kiara asked with a raised eyebrow, "What newcomer?"

"Oh, right! A little while ago, Scar brought in a new lioness to the Pride." Zazu explained to the trio, "Mufasa has sent me to patrol the lands and make sure that all of our pride is accounted for while he judges the newcomer and see if she's worthy of staying." Though the cubs found this conversation rather boring, Kiara was a bit intrigued and concerned. It was one thing to have a new lioness invited, but by Scar?

"Where are they now?" she asked.

"In the den in the upper level," Zazu replied, "Now if you'll excuse me, I got a lot of flying and patrolling to do. Take care now!" and with that, the hornbill took to the skies and flew off into the savanna. The moment she left she looked back at the cubs and gave them a serious look.

"I'm going to go see what all the fuss is about. Just try to stay out of trouble from now on, ok?" though the lioness was being serious, both cubs now looked at her with skeptical faces. It made the golden lioness a bit unsettled by having these cubs look at her that way.

"What?" she asked, not understanding why they were staring at her in silence.

"I thought you said that lying gets you in trouble?" Nala pointed out.

"I did. Why are you-"

"You told Zazu that Nala's paw was hurt when it wasn't." Simba cut her off, "So technically you kind of lied to him about what we were doing."

"I- but- that doesn't- you-" Kiara stuttered over her words as she was flabbergasted by what Simba and Nala were doing. She covered for them and now they were putting it in her face as if she did something wrong? Unbelievable!

"That's not the same thing as what you two were doing!" she exclaimed in annoyance.

"Oh? You hear that Simba?" Nala asked him with a sly grin, "When we grow up, it'll be ok to go behind people's backs and not tell them the whole truth."

"Yeah," Simba smirked as he saw Kiara's face twist from being calm and collected into being angry and annoyed, "What kind of example is she setting for us poor, impressionable cubs who don't know any better? For shame."

Kiara growled as she stuck her muzzle in their faces, hoping to get a reaction out of them, only to see them both smile at her like the cocky cubs they were.

"You're both evil!" she said, unable to control herself anymore. Her outburst however was met by both cubs licking her on the nose and running off towards one of the lower dens to play.

"Love you, Aunty!" they said in unison as they laughed and ran off inside of Pride Rock. Kiara blinked a few times before realizing that both cubs played her by using her own words and actions against her. It would have been cute had it been done to someone else.

"Asked and answered, Dad." she said to herself as she put this all behind her and headed up Pride Rock, "I wasn't even half as bad as you were."

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Having put the conversation she had with the cubs behind her, Kiara proceeded to make her way up Pride Rock to the main den. As she approached, she saw most of the pride gathered outside of the den and watching from afar. Nearing the group, the lionesses Sarafina and Akina spotted her.

"Kiara, there you are!" Sarafina said in a hushed tone, "Where were you?"

"Long story. Doesn't need repeating." Kiara rolled her eyes as she ran up to them, "But what's going on right now. I heard there's a newcomer?"

"See for yourself," Akina gestured to Kiara to come closer. She did so, hearing voices inside of the den become louder and louder.

"This is very unlike you, Scar," Mufasa's voice echoed from inside the room, having a stern deep tone to his words, "bringing in rogues from our borders is not your style."

"Really? I find it unlike you to be hesitant towards a newcomer," Scar's cool and casual voice said from inside the room, "I've vouched for her myself. Doesn't the word of a Pride Land's prince mean anything anymore? Or is it only those who will inherit the throne have any say in the matter?"

"That's not what I meant. I-"

"Of course, it wasn't," Scar cut him off as Kiara peeked from around the corner to see both them and Sarabi talking amongst one another. The stranger was there to, but her body could not be seen due to the brothers being in front of her.

"I told you her story. What more must be shown for her to seek sanctuary in our lands?" Scar pressed adamantly.

"I thought you were the cautious one," Sarabi replied as she stood beside her king, "How do we know that what you say is true?"

"Simple, she told me herself." Scar replied as he stepped out of the way to reveal the lioness in question. Kiara's eyes widened when she saw who it was. It had been months, from another time period, but she recognized this lioness all the same. That firm, muscular form, that slender jawline, that streak down the center of her forehead, there was no mistaking her.

"Yep, there she is." Akina scoffed as she watched beside Kiara, "can you believe this girl? What was her name again? Zira? What kind of lame false name is that?"

"It's not a false name." Kiara said quietly as her eyes remained fixed upon the lioness. Her comment however made Sarafina and Akina look at her in surprise.

"That has to be a joke, right?" Akina said in disbelief, "Who would name their kid: hate?"

"Do you know this lioness, Kiara?" Sarafina asked Kiara, finding it interesting how she was looking at her.

"N-No." Kiara stuttered out as she looked back at them both, "At least… not yet." Having said that, she looked back at the group and listened as they continued their conversation.

"King Mufasa, live forever," Zira spoke up in an elegant tone and bowed before him, "I assure you that Scar speaks the truth. I know it has been many moons, but you knew of my father and his rule. I am merely a product of his methods."

"And I suppose you have come to me for help with this family affair?" Mufasa asked her, noting how she acted before him.

"No, my king." She picked her head up as she spoke, "I care little for my old life… my old kingdom. I wish to start a new life here in the Pride Lands." As she spoke she placed a paw on top of Scar's and to everyone's surprise… he smiled. He wasn't the type for such affection or allowed others to show it to him.

Mufasa was silent for a moment as he motioned for Sarabi to follow him. everyone on the sidelines watched as the Lion King and his queen talked amongst each other, wondering if they would accept this rogue that Scar, of all lions, brought to them. The moment their backs were turn, Sarabi gave Mufasa a doubtful look.

"I don't know about this." She whispered to him.

"Just because my brother is the one vouching for her?" Mufasa asked.

"No, because he's vouching for her and is ok with her touching him with her paw."

"Sarabi…"

"I'm sorry Mufasa," Sarabi huffed in frustration, "but something about this feels off to me. Just seeing your brother smile is just… just…"

"Unnatural?" Mufasa finished which earned a disgruntle nod from his mate. Mufasa looked over his shoulder at Scar, only to see him smiling at Zira who was looking at him lovingly as well. Seeing this he looked back at Sarabi, "Dear, you know he hasn't been himself ever since his guard days. This is the first time in a long time he's actually looked genuinely happy. Not to mention the one he's helping is a not just a normal rogue."

"He hasn't been one to change overnight. You truly believe that accepting Zira into our pride will bring your brother back?" Sarabi pressed.

"You know I don't have the answer to that," Sarabi said gently in a hushed whisper, "but it would be far worse if I gave up hope for him. My brother aside, I will not turn away a lioness in need of sanctuary, knowing what she's been through. If I didn't believe that others can become more than they were now, then I would not be a fair king, would I?"

There was a moment of silence as Sarabi thought on what her mate said. She didn't like this situation but she would not argue with him. Shaking her head she nuzzled him.

"That big heart of yours is going to be the death of you one of these days." She said half-jokingly. Mufasa simply nuzzled her back and said: "Last I checked it was this big heart that won your heart back in the day."

"It was… though the mane helped." Sarabi said as she twirled a bit of his thick red mane with her paw.

After a moment, they came back to Zira and Scar while the pride watched in uncertainty on what Mufasa was going to do.

"Well Scar," Mufasa said in genuine surprise, "it seems you've done your good deed for the month. Zira has my blessing to join the pride, though as per customs we will be observing her for the next few days."

Upon hearing this, Scar gave him a smug smirk while Zira bowed her head in respect at the king.

"Thank you so much, your highness." She said gratefully, "You have my eternal gratitude."

"Yes, yes," Scar waved his paw dismissively as if he wanted to move things along, "Now if you don't mind, I'll be showing Zira around our fair kingdom and get her settled in."

Mufasa nodded, allowing this as Scar lead Zira out of the den. The pride began getting out of the way for them both as they left. Some like Sarafina congratulated Zira on joining and wished her the best, while others like Akina scoffed and rolled her eyes, skeptical about a lioness being recommended by Scar of all people. Yet through the crowd, Zira looked to the side to see Kiara just staring at her and for a brief moment their eyes locked on each other. Kiara found a wave of mixed emotions fill her mind as she watched Zira, her father's future rival, pass her next to Scar.

After they passed everyone and headed down Pride Rock, both Zira and Scar's faces turned from happy, to scowls. They were both glad that the planned worked, but even moreso that they didn't have to put up that façade anymore.

"So, the golden one," Zira asked Scar as he brought her to where she would be staying, "That was Kiara?"

"Yes." He replied simply.

"She was looking at me funny," Zira growled.

"Don't take it personal, my dear. She looks at everyone funny." Scar mused as he stopped by a field of long grass with her.

"I see now why you want her dead." Zira huffed as Scar placed a paw on her shoulder.

"All in good time my dear, all in good time."

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Later that evening, Scar left Zira to interact with the rest of the pride while he returned to his quiet corner on the other side of Pride Rock. The day was exhausting and he was eager for it to be over. Yet as he rounded the corner, he was surprised by what he saw. Kiara, the golden girl herself, was sitting in his spot. It would appear as if she had been waiting for him. At first he stopped abruptly in surprise, but when he realized it was her he composed himself.

"Is there something I can help you with?" he asked her bluntly.

"Tell me why?" she asked him as he slowly walked passed her until his back was facing her.

"You're going to have to be a bit more specific." He said as he flopped down on the ground as if he was trying to get some sleep.

"Why did you bring Zira into Pride Lands? We don't even know where she came from or what she wants." She told him.

"Weren't you paying attention at all during are conversation?" Scar groaned as he rubbed his forehead with his paws as if he had a migraine, "If it's answers you're looking for then why not ask her yourself? Why are you bothering me?" Kiara then walked around him until she stood in front of the black maned lion, causing Scar to look up at her in annoyance.

"I know you're up to something," she told him point blank to his face, causing him to look amused.

"Ha! Do you now?" he scoffed before turning his back to her once more, only to have her jump in front of him again. By this point he realized she wasn't about to go away that easily.

"You can fool everyone else but you can't fool me." She tells him as he slowly stands up and stares at her with his deep green emerald eyes.

"Look, I honestly don't care what conspiracy theories you come up with about me." He told he point blank, "But right now you're cutting into my beauty sleep. How about you make like a zebra and get lost?" he gave her a sly smirk before turning and walking away. Kiara glared at him as he did so. She was facing him, telling him right to his face that she was onto him and yet he just turned her back on her like what she said meant nothing? How? How?!

"I'm not an idiot you know!" she shouted out, "You think you're all high and mighty and that no one sees what you're up to. Well I do. So, you can drop the act, Scar!"

Scar froze in his tracks.

An eerie silence fell over the room as Kiara stood there glaring at the dark lion while he in return stood there and said nothing. He just blankly looked out at the savanna as it turned to night and recalled a conversation he had long ago… where those exact words were used.

"I'm not an idiot you know! You think you're all high and mighty and that no one sees what you're up to. Well I do. So, you can drop the act, Taka!"

Scar took a deep breath as he let out a low growl, trying to compose himself before turning around and glaring at Kiara.

"Why did you say it like that?" he asked her with a low rumble to his voice. This time it was Kaira's turn to be confused.

"Like what?"

"That!" Scar growled as he walked over to her, "out of every way you could have said that sentence you had to say it that way… like she said it!" Scar stopped for a second before taking a few deep breaths and composed himself. He couldn't let his emotions out, not now… not like this. If she didn't respond to the question then it was likely she didn't truly know what she was saying. And the last thing Scar needed was to expose himself out of raw emotion.

"What is it you want from me?" he asked her, anger and frustration emanating off of his body so obviously. This caused Kiara to smirk at him.

"I want you to know that you're not as secretive as you think you are." She said in a cockiness mirrored by Simba, "You're actually pretty easy to read."

"Easy to read?" Scar repeated with absolute disgust as he watch Kiara's smugness grow ever more, "Oh this I got to hear. Please, do tell."

"What's there to tell?" Kiara mocked, "You're just a sad old lion who's jealous of his brother just because you can't become king like he is." Kiara half expected Scar to flip, to lunge at her, to shout and roar in anger, however… he did none of those things. In silence, Scar walked up to her before gruffly grabbing her paw with his own and picked it up.

"H-Hey!" Kiara gasped in shock and was about to slice him, but stopped when she saw he wasn't attack her. He was… looking at her paw?

"Hmmm…" Scar mused as he looked it over, "claws are sharp, filed nicely in fact." He then put the paw down before circling her slowly, eyeing her pelt intensely. Kiara would stand still and look as Scar circled her, not sure of what he was doing.

"Pelt it spotless." Scar stated as if he was some kind of prosecutor talking to a witness, "If I didn't know better I'd say you were cleaned by Sarafina personally. But you clean yourself, don't you?"

"Of course, I do. What's that got to do with-"

"Furthermore you get up thirty minuets ahead of all the other huntresses, around the same time my brother awakens in the morning. One could see this as the desire to be close with Mufasa, but you're not after something so scandalous. No… you simply enjoy his presence and his instruction."

"What I do with my time is my-"

"Not to mention you spend countless hours with my nephew despite him not being your child and no one asking for you to dedicate your time to the royal family so freely. Though you could easily be betrothed, considering your youthful age, experience, and prestige, you neither press for it nor bring it up which leads me to the conclusion that is not your goal either."

By now Kiara had had enough. This was not how this was supposed to go. She had came here to try and intimidate Scar and to assert herself as someone for him to be weary of, but now here he was circling her and just telling her things she already knew.

"Is there some point to this or do you like to hear yourself talk?" she asked in annoyance.

"The point is this, Kiara." Scar stopped in front of her, now looking down at the lioness to show that he was in charge and that he wasn't amused, "You claim you know me, but you do not. You claim to understand me when you understand nothing. I on the other hand see you for what you are." As he spoke he leaned in closer and closer, causing Kiara to back up out of nervousness and fear until finally her back hit the wall.

"You, Kiara, are but a child. A child who grew up in royalty. You were taught to keep yourself well-trimmed and well groomed, to be polite and inquisitive and courteous, but you couldn't do that. Whether by how you were raised or lack of raising, you weren't fit for the life of a princess. You got into trouble, trouble that put others around you in danger and now you see yourself in my nephew which is why you watch him like a hawk, wanting him to keep from making your mistakes. He's not your responsibility, he's your emotional support cub, just like Mufasa. You don't look to him as a lover or a mentor, but rather a father figure, built in the image of the one who had and raised you. Daddy's little girl, never good enough, never enough to make him truly happy, knowing that one little slip will lead him into disappointment and despair like no other."

As he spoke, Kiara saw events from her childhood pass inside her mind as Scar spoke. His words would make events and feelings bubble to the surface, of putting Kovu in danger, of wondering off, of disobeying her father. All the while Scar's voice grew ever louder as he was now screaming in her face.

"You claim to know me little lioness?! Well I know what you are: a washed up daddy's girl who left her old life because it was too much to bare in order to start a new one, only to build the foundations to another failure of a family! You're no princess, no aunt, no friend to my brother. You Kiara are a fake, a phony, a FAILURE!"

Smack!

On that last note, Kiara couldn't take it any more as she slapped Scar across the face with her paw and rushed out of his den as fast as she could into the night. Scar stood there for a moment and rubbed the spot where she struck him. His jaw was sore but he had a feeling his words hurt her deeper than her strike at him. As he looked out at the savanna where Kiara ran off to, a proud and sinister smile came over his face.

"You shouldn't have gotten involved with this family, child," Scar mused out loud as he once again laid down on the stone for and got comfortable, "Because very soon, you're going to lose them."

To Be Continued...

And Thus ends another chapter of In a Perfect World! I really enjoyed writing Scar for this chapter. He's just one of those fun clever and witty villains you can play around with. Still though, poor Kiara. Hopefully she'll be able to bounce back from this. The last thing the Pride Lands need is for her to give up so soon.

Anyway I hope you all enjoyed! I'm sorry for the long wait. I'm trying to do better with it. I just want my work to have quality to it. Also if you want to support and chat with me and keep up to date with my writing projects and what I've got going on in the creative department.

My : The Treasure Den.

It has all the links you need to see what I've got going on in my creative works. And soon you'll get to see behind the scenes look at video productions I'm working on in YouTube as well as looks at chapters and series that I have done/will do in the future.

So that's just about it for now. Thanks again everyone and until next time this has been Rogue Lion, Signing off

(Salutes Audience)