I do not own Lion King or any of its characters, they are all copyrighted to Disney. Molly is my own creation. I do not make any money from the writing of this fanfiction.

Important AN: Yes, the fanfic is a rated M romance and Molly is human and Scar is a lion, but there is NO bestiality in this fanfic. Trust me, they get around it.

Chapter 1

Molly was very, very lost. Wandering away from the safari group to catch a better glimpse of some baby antelope, she now found herself alone of the African plain. It was beginning to get dark and she knew the best thing she could do now would be to find a safe place to sleep for the night. But this was Africa and that was easier said than done. Wiping a hand across her sweaty forehead, she tried to look around her for somewhere decent. She thought she saw some sort of rock formation ahead, but the mirages had been playing tricks on her all day. Sighing, she began walking again, hoping the shade from the rocks would be real this time.

They were real.

Thrilled when she realized the rocks weren't wavering and were growing bigger and more solid as she neared them, Molly kissed them when she finally reached them. A small dugout underneath an outcrop of rock offered itself as her bed for the evening. Falling to her knees, she curled up in the dirt, hoping something wouldn't come along and eat her while she slept.

Waking in the middle of the night to the sound of a lion's roar, Molly sat up straight and stared with terrified eyes out into the night. A set of glowing eyes stared back, bobbing slightly as the creature walked towars her. Gasping when it came close enough and the moon shone on it, Molly didn't know wether to be afraid or awed. A long, lean lion stood watchig her, his dark fur and darker mane making him blend in with the darkness of the night. Wondering why he had stopped and wasn't eating her organs at the moment, Molly flinched when he roared again.

Head thrown back, he opened his mouth wide, baring his huge teeth. Tail lashing to and fro behind him, he looked possessed. Lowering his head, he found her still sitting there, watching him in awe. Sneezing, he turned to move away, and without a backwards glance, faded into the darkness of the night.

Swallowing hard, Molly remembered to breathe. Laying back on the dirt, she curled herself into an even tighter ball and hoped she was this lucky for the rest of the night.

Waking the next morning, Molly found huge pawprints in the dirt all around her pathetic campsite. A few feet off, she was sure she'd even found the spot where the lion had laid down, but she wasn't a tracker and it could have been a worn spot on the ground. But those pawprints were definitely there. Hoping the lion had lost interest in her and moved on, she dusted herself off and looked up at the burning sun above.

"There's no way I'm surviving another hike during the day," she muttered. Water was an issue though, she had to find some soon.

The sound of running reached her ears and she looked about to see a herd of antelope go running by. Leg muscles bunching and sending them flying, they rushed past her, tails raised high in fear. Behind them, a cheetah zipped along, chasing down the slowest. At the sight of Molly, it hesitated and, deciding on a slower meal, changed course and headed straight for the girl.

"Shit," Molly turned to run, knowing it was futile, but a dark shape jumped from the rock above her head and landed between her and the oncoming cheetah. Skidding to a halt at the sight of the angry lion that had materialized in front of it, the smaller feline turned tail and ran the other way..

Staring at the same dark lion from the other night, Molly felt her world swirl. Exhaustion and heat combined with the thought of being eaten by something soon, caused her to fall backwards onto her backside. Turning at the sound, the big lion regarded her with eery green eyes. Moving closer, it sniffed at her curiously. Blinking, Molly wondered if she was imagining the odd feline smile on the beasts face.

Snorting, the lion turned and walked a few steps, looking over his shoulder at her. Knowing she was absolutely nuts for thinking he actually wanted her to follow him, Molly still got to her feet. Walking behind him as he patiently led her to a watering hole, the lion lapped up water gently before turning to her again.

"I can't drink that," Molly stared at the still water, "I'll get sick."

Growling, the lion paced, then sat on his haunches and stared up at the trees that had grown around the water source. Following his gaze, Molly saw small monkeys among the leaves and fruit of the trees. Fruit.

Grabbing hold of the nearest tree, Molly tried to pull herself up the trunk to reach the first branch. Her fingers were inches under it and she slid back down to the ground in dismay. Yelping when the lions head nudged her behind, she glanced back at him. Bumping her again, he looked up at the fruit. Trying again, Molly felt his head shove up under her and push her more than far enough up the tree. Grabbing a branch, she hauled herself up, wrapping her legs around it. As gently as she could, she dropped as many fruit as she could onto the ground below.

Pacing again as she climbed, the dark lion finally laid down to watch as she settled down to eat. The fruit was delicious, whatever it was, and the juices took her thirst away. Licking some of the sweet juice from her lips and fingers, she smiled at the lion.

"Thank you for saving me."

Giving no indication he understood her, the lion continued to doze and watch her. Tail curling and uncurling with a mind of its own, it was the only thing on him that moved. Molly noticed the scar over his left eye and wondered of he'd gotten it in a fight with another male. It was obvious he had no pride to live with, she hadn't seen a hair of another lion. She'd never seen or heard of a lion like him. His pitch black mane and reddish-brown coat were only the physical half of it. How many lions rescued human women and fed them rather than eating them? He was very unique, and she found herself curious about him.

Edging forward, she moved within an arms distance of him. Watching her through lidded eyes, tail still gently curling, the lion seemed to be waiting for something. Heart in her throat, Molly slowly reached out a hand to him. Making no move either towards or away from her, he held perfectly still as her shaking hand slid into his thick mane. Surprised at how soft and healthy it felt, Molly experimentally twined her fingers in it and smiled when the big cat sighed and leaned into her touch.

"You like that huh?" giving him a little scratch, she almost laughed as his eyes drifted shut and he shifted to give her a different angle. Moving her other hand under his chin, she began scratching him with both hands, marveling at what was happening to her. It was like a dream.