The Lion Guard: The Northern Crocodile

Chapter 32

It's been hours since the confrontation between Masika and Zaire occurred, and despite everything that just happened, mostly everyone went back to what they were doing earlier.

Except for Makuu.

Instead of sticking around to keep an eye on things, Makuu decided to follow Zaire and find out where he was heading. Makuu knows that Zaire is hiding something else from Masika, and he has a pretty good idea as to what it is. He recalls what Nneka told him, about how the spirits of crocodiles that are killed outside the natural law haunt their murderers, and that Zaire suffers from the effects of this curse.

Makuu knew it was a long shot, but he had the feeling that he could get through to Zaire because, in his own way, he understands him.

It didn't take Makuu long to find Zaire, since all he had to do was follow the claw marks, which led to Miziumu Grove. It was then and there that Makuu watched from the cover of the grove as Zaire improved upon his fighting techniques by himself.

{What in the world has gotten in to him? Well, the best way to find out is to ask him.}

Taking a deep breath, Makuu walked out from behind the rock pile - the one that the Royal Family occupies during ceremonies held in the grove - and into the clearing, only stopping when Zaire spun around and faced him.

"Oh, it's just you," Zaire breathed, having recognized the other crocodile. "What are you doing here, Makuu?"

"Aside from making sure that you don't get yourself killed before admitting the rest of the truth to your sister, I wanted to have a word with you in private," Makuu replied, making it perfectly clear that the current matter wasn't up for debate.

"Regarding what, exactly? You saw and heard everything that happened back there. I spilled the truth to my sister. What more is there to say?"

"You only revealed one of your secrets to Masika, and I have a pretty good idea as to what the other secret you're hiding from her is."

"Now how could you possibly know any of my secrets, Makuu? No one could even begin to guess what I'm hiding!"

"Except for Nneka."

At the mention of the Crescent Valley leader, Zaire stiffened, clearly uncomfortable.

{Got ya, Zaire. I knew that would get under your scales.}

"Well, mentioning her certainly caused quite the reaction," Makuu mused. "What's the matter, Zaire? Afraid that Nneka told me about your other secrets?"

"Depends on what she told you," Zaire replied hesitantly.

"That you broke one of the rules of the natural law and are now haunted by the spirits of the ones that you killed. Yes, I do know about your 'inner demons'. Now, mind telling me the entire truth? And for Pridelands sake, don't leave anything out."

Zaire, much to his displeasure, was very much well aware of the fact that Makuu was not going anywhere until he heard what he wanted to know.

"Very well, Makuu. If you want the truth, then you will get it."

***

"I was and still am a curious and ambitious crocodile, and those traits of mine have landed me in plenty of trouble over the years, but when my brothers were killed trying to claim leadership, and since my sister had no interest in any of the float's affairs, I realized that I had no competition and was on a clear path to leadership. I finally had something to focus on. Something that would hopefully keep me out of trouble, or at least the kind of trouble that I often found myself in.