Lion King (the Cub Days)

New Day, Old Problems

Simba awoke later than everyone else. He stretched before sniffing the air. He realized that the lionesses' sleeping spots were now cold and only had stale scent. They must have gone out early to try and catch prey.

He padded out of the den and saw his mother and father sitting side by side with their tails intertwined. He thought they weren't looking so he tip-toed down the rockface.

"Where do you think you're going?"

He flinched as he heard his father's voice. He turned around and shuffled his paws. "Er nowhere."

"That's what I thought," muttered Mufasa as he swiped his tail against Simba's pack and led him back up to his waiting mother. "You are going to stay at Pride Rock for three rotations of the sun. That will be your punishment."

Simba's eyes flashed. "What am I going to do here," he gasped in shock as she looked around madly in boredom. "It's soooooooooo boring here!"

Sarabi narrowed her eyes. "It's not that bad," she pointed out. "Beside this is what you earned for trying to face those hyenas alone, understand?"

"Yes mom," Simba sighed as his shoulder slumped. "But what am I suppose to do?

Sarabi tipped her head. "Perhaps you can explore nooks and clefts of Pride Rock that you've seen before," she suggested as she tried to make her voice light and excited.

Simba rolled his eyes. Not likely. He had looked everywhere on Pride Rock and there wasn't anything that he hadn't seen. He would try to appease his mother though so he nodded and sulked away with his tail dragging against the ground.

He suddenly saw a shadow snake around the corner of the rock. He pricked his ears and bounded forward. He could sight of his Uncle Scar that his father had talked to him about.

"Uncle Scar," howled Simba.

Scar turned his head and his eyes narrowed but them lightened. "Prince," he purred as he lowered his head to Simba's level. "What are you doing here?"

"I have to stay here," complained Simba as he hung his head. "I tried to stand up to hyenas."

Scar nodded. "Well perhaps one day you'll be as brave as your daddy and you'll be able to face them down just like he could."

Simba nodded and puffed out his fur in excitement. "Yeah! One day."

"Simba! Where have you gotten yourself to," called Sarabi as she parted her jaws to sense the air. "The lionesses brought back a gazelle."

Simba beamed and his mouth watered. "Run along," urged Scar warmly. "Have fun."

Simba turned and surged forward. He didn't understand why his father didn't like this lion. He was awesome! Who wouldn't like him?