Simba had been gone three days. The pride male had left for the edge of the territory to teach Kovu about territory patrolling. The dry season was wearing on and herds were becoming less. Fifteen lionesses were working together to feed the pride and the cubs, but without the help of the males larger prey would be nearly impossible to catch.
Kiara brought down a zebra, causing a feeding frenzy. Sarabi snarled at a younger female and swiped a paw at her. Tensions were rising, causing even the most gentle females to lash out. Nala tore a leg off the zebra and ran off to eat it alone. Tawny had two cubs to feed, so she fought for a place to rip into the meal. The zebra was gone after only 20 minutes, proof of the hunger ravaging the pride. The lionesses all laid down to rest. Meanwhile, the hungry hyena pack lay in wait. The lead female lunged for a cub, causing all-out war between the two species. Claws and teeth flashed, fur flew, and cries were uttered as the figthing continued throgh the night.
Sarafina limped away, driven from the pride by yet another dinner brawl. She left along with three more lionesses, diminishing the pride to eleven. Two cubs had died in the attack, leaving only one, Tawny's. Vitani, hunting alone, is fatally wounded, and in the same hunt a bystander is killed. The remainig ten lionesses called for reinforcements, and Simba came charging to the resue. He and Kovu helped replenish the food supply, keeping the pride alive for another year.