5 <= you're here => 7

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"Shayena... what do you think you're doing?"

"I, uuuh... well... I wanted to give my beloved Daddy a treat?"

"We've already discussed this. You don't have to steal meat... You can join the meal at any time, and no one will turn you away. What is it with all this nonsense?"

"But, Uncle Mufasa, I'm allowed very little, and I get hungry again really fast! Why can't I take a small piece with me?"

"Because in our pride everyone gets an equal share of the food. If you take an extra piece, it means one of your brothers or sisters will have to go without instead of you. Why didn't you tell the adults that the food you get is not enough?"

"I tried... But Naanda said that I already eat way too much and I'll soon burst from my own greed! But what am I to do if I'm always hungry?!"

"Hm... Perhaps I should speak with your father about it. It seems someone will have to go out for an additional hunt in the evenings..."

After Pira's tragic death, the burden of caring after Shayena fell onto Scar as her father, as well as all the other lionesses of the pride. And they truly did try to feed the cub and keep her warm... Alas, there is nothing in this world that can replace a mother's love and affection. For one, no one could take on her (already extremely poor) upbringing, since the females had their paws full with daily hunts, keeping track of their own rambunctious cubs, and the like. For another, Scar was far from what you'd call a responsible father, and even though Shayena now lived in his lair, he remained uninterested in his daughter and unaware of her problems. An acute lack of attention, a constant, nagging sense of hunger (even though they honestly tied to feed her to the full), and the pain of losing her beloved mother had their effect on the cub's character and behavior.

Shayena grew to be an impertinent, thieving problem child, who misbehaved a lot and talked back at adults, lied to them, and would often run away without permission, thus inadvertently turning them against her and solidifying the general opinion that the apple does not fall far from the tree. The majority of the pride saw in her a carbon copy of Pira or, even worse, another Scar. And though the royal couple themselves were extremely patient and understanding towards her, the other lions thought here a menace. It was then that the cub got her hurtful nickname of "Little Devil" which would later transform into the more succinct "Shaitan".

Mufasa, Scar © Disney
Shayena, Pira © SickRogue
English translation ©  IronyFerrum