he asked for trouble the moment he came

Simba was out on one of his usual nature walks. There was something about nature that drew him. He felt such a strong connection to it. Perhaps that's why he felt more at ease there than he did in the village. He didn't know why he felt this way, but he did. Perhaps it was because the village had a stronger connection to the Queen. He didn't like how she ran things. Her taxes were beginning to become unfair, and she seemed to cut herself off from those she reigned over at times. Simba didn't believe in any of that. He believe to be a leader meant being fair and firm. He believed it mean connecting with your community, being involved with its people and being one of them, not over them.

Simba almost didn't catch the young man before he finished stealing from the Fields. However, he eyed him just in time to witness his last crime. Simba didn't react angrily and rush the boy in some violent rage. That was not how he did things. Instead, he picked up his pace a little and made his presence known when the two were in a more secluded spot.

"You know there's other ways of obtaining food in the Fields," he said. "Such as asking. There's good people there. We help one another out."

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Simba had heard it before. The rebel-types who claimed they didn't need help, that they could make it on their own. He knew they were the ones who needed help the most. Still, Simba wasn't going to force it on him. Simba had a way of dealing with those in the Fields like this. For the most part, his way had worked. He looked at the young man for a moment, then nodded before he spoke.

"I suppose you don't," he said calmly and cool. "You seem quite good at what you do. It was by chance that I caught you. Keep up the good work, and I'm sure one day you'll make a fine profession out of thievery." Yes, it was a bit sarcastic, but maybe it would make the boy think.

Simba did drop the sarcasm and exchanged it for sincerity when Kovu asked if he wanted it back. Simba sighed and shook his head.

"If you need food, it's not my place to take it from you," he said. "I know things are a bit tough under the reign of our queen. I know not everyone is fortunate. Do you have a family that needs food as well? If you won't accept my help, perhaps they might?"

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Simba felt uneasy when he saw the wicked smile on the young man's face. There was something about him. Something dark. Simba was beginning to see less of a young man who needed help and more of one who had cruel deeds on the brain. Was he stealing out of spite... or was there something more to it? Was he a threat to the Fields. Simba couldn't have that.

Simba caught the coconut when the boy threw it back. There was no point in arguing with him over it. If he was as wicked as his facial expression was letting on, he was probably telling the truth. The fact that he next told Simba that the older man didn't want to hear of his family didn't help matters.

"Look, here's the deal," he said. "I am Community Leader of the Fields. I have a family and a community that I am responsible for. I must think of them first. I'll make this as clear as I can to you. If you or any of your family need assistance in any way, I welcome you to come to us. We will see what we can do for you. However, if you are strictly entering this area to cause trouble, then I will not hesitate to retaliate. This place will not become a dangerous one to live in."

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Of course Simba didn't think stealing a coconut was going to be overly harmful. That wasn't what he was trying to tell the young man. He looked at the thief sharply, but not coldly. There was still that gleam in his eyes of one who trying to aid the boy.

"I doubt our community will suffer at the loss of a few coconuts," he said. "However, if the stealing continues and people find they have to worry about their possessions because they have discovered a thief is present, there will be problems. There will be paranoia and unrest, and the community will cease to function smoothly. That is what I think would be 'trouble'."

Simba then sighed when the young man said that he would not be trouble. Simba wanted to believe him, but he hadn't really helped his case by stealing to begin with.

"If you feel you won't be trouble, then you can prove it to me by ceasing to steal from us," he said. "For now I am willing to give you the coconut... and the the rest of the stolen food in your bag as an act of kindness. I suggest you accept it and consider my advice in the future." Yes, Simba knew about the other food. He doubted the thief would have had gone to so much trouble for a coconut.

"I'm Simba Pride," he said. "And you are?"

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Simba was glad to hear that the young man had some honor. He could understand how one would steal food to feed a hungry family, and that such an act was noble to an extent. But usually that was when the person who originally had the food was corrupt and keeping those who needed it from having it. Simba was not like that.

"I'm glad to hear you don't wish to steal things outside of food," he said. "However, the people in my community might still misunderstand what you are doing. In many's eyes, theft is theft. And again, I'm more than willing to share the food with you and those you are with. We have plenty and it is always distributed to those in need."

If the young man did think Simba was some sort of corrupt leader, he wanted that idea taken out of his head as soon as possible.

Simba nodded about the bag.

"You wouldn't go to so much trouble for a few coconuts, would you?" he asked.

Simba then felt sorry for the young man when he called himself "no one." This answered a lot of questions. Something had happened to this one, something that made him give up hope. So he resorted to crime... possibly manipulated by another.

"You're someone," he said. "You simply need to find out who that is again." Simba then thought a moment. "I'll make you a deal. We forget what happened here today if you come and work with me on our current community project. You'll have food, a room, and I'll even pay you. Perhaps you can find out who you are again then."

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Simba studied the young man. He was trying to see what he could make of him, but something stopped him. This told him something. The boy was clever. Whether that cleverness was a good or bad thing was yet to be determined. Simba hoped for the best.

"You're welcome, and like I said, if you need more, simply ask next time," said Simba. He hoped that advice would work. He didn't think the young man a fool, and only a fool would try to steal again after being given the option to ask for aid.

Simba nodded again as the young an spoke of the coconut. He then noticed how the young man looked at him. It was like he knew Simba... or had known of him before now.

"Out of curiosity, have you and I met before?" he asked. "You seem... well again just curious."

The young man said he knew who he was, but Simba still doubted him after he said he was a nobody. Again, he was so hard to figure out. And Simba was surprised when he turned down the job. He sighed and nodded again.

"Fair enough," he said. "The offer is there if you change your mind." Simba then turned and began to walk away before turning back. He had a fair, but very firm look in his eyes. "The next time we meet, I want to be able to greet you in a much more pleasant manner than this time."

(Guessing am wrapping it up for Simba here.)

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