DISC: I DO NOT own any of the characters from Lion Guard. They belong to Disney.
Enjoy!

"Sisi Ni Sawa"

Chapter 2

Finally, after another hour, the two friends made it back to Kion's home.

"I see the lair!" Kion cried joyfully.

"It looks nice," Jasiri commented.

"It's awesome!" Kion affirmed.

"Kion! Kion! You're back! You're okay!"

Kion was almost knocked over by Bunga.

"Bunga, I'm happy to see you too. Can you let me up?" Kion pushed to get free.

"Sorry," Bunga blushed. "What happened?"

"I'll tell you later. There's someone I want you to meet," Kion stepped back so Bunga could get a good look at Jasiri.

Bunga gasped when he saw her. He yelped and ran behind Kion.

"Kion, buddy, did you hit your head out there? That's a…a…"

"Hyena," Jasiri said helpfully.

"Her name is Jasiri," Kion replied.

"What is she doing here?" Bunga wondered, still hiding behind his friend.

"She's going to live here. She's my new friend," Kion explained.

"She's what!" Bunga squealed.

"My friend," Kion repeated. He turned to Jasiri, "Siri, come here."

Jasiri joined them.

"Bunga, Jasiri, Jasiri, Bunga," he introduced.

Bunga peeked out from his hiding spot.

"H-hi," he stammered.

"Hey!" Jasiri greeted. She raised her eyebrows, "You can come closer. I don't bite unless you mess with my friends."

Bunga shuddered but came out of his hiding place.

"Bunga, relax. I wouldn't bring her here if I thought she would hurt you guys," Kion assured his best friend.

Bunga nodded. He tried to stay still as Jasiri sniffed him.

"Do you usually smell like peppermint?" she asked.

Bunga laughed, despite himself.

"That was an accident," he replied.

Jasiri nodded. She turned to Kion.

"So where is this sister of yours?"

"I'm not sure," he replied. "Let's go inside the lair. My Mom can fix your shoulder."

Jasiri stayed where she was.

"What if she doesn't…" her voice trailed off as she suddenly felt lightheaded. Shaking it off, she took another step forward. As she took a third, she fainted.

"Siri!" Kion cried in alarm. Turning to Bunga, he ordered, "Stay with Jasiri. I'm going to get my Mom!" with that, he ran into the lair.

"Kion! You're okay!" Nala ran to her son and licked his head. Nuzzling him, she started purring in relief. "Your father and I were so worried! He's out looking for you now. What happened?"

"I'll explain later. I'm fine. A new friend of mine needs help. She was attacked by Janja!"

"Oh my…where is she?" his mother asked.

"Out here, but there's something I need to tell you," Kion tried. But his mother was already two steps ahead of him literally. Taking a deep breath, he ran after her. Getting to Jasiri's side, he nuzzled her worriedly. "Hang in there, Siri," he whispered. Turning to his mother, he anxiously asked, "You'll help her, right? She's hurt because of me. Mom, please…" he could feel tears welling up.

"Of course I'll help her, son," Nala assured him. With that, she carried the injured hyena into the lair. Kion was next to his new friend in a flash.

"Can I stay with her?" Kion asked.

"Of course, sweetie," Nala set Jasiri down. Gently, she examined the wound.

Jasiri let out a yelp.

"Shh, Siri, it's okay," Kion soothed.

"Is that her name?" her mother asked.

"Her name's Jasiri," Kion replied.

Nala nodded.

"I need to get some violet salve." She returned a few minutes later. Spreading a substance across Jasiri's injury, Nala sat back.

"What now?" Kion asked.

"Now we wait," his mother replied.

"This is all my fault," Kion hung his head.

"Honey, come here," Nala beckoned.

Kion obeyed. He let his mother comfort him.

"What happened?" she gently asked.

"She saved me from Janja and his gang. That's how she got hurt!" Kion sobbed.

"She protected you," his mother licked his tears.

"Yeah," Kion confirmed. "And I don't deserve it."

"What do you mean?" Nala was taken aback by her son's words.

"I…I was really mean to her when we first met."

"Not all hyenas are alike. There are good ones out there," his mother counseled.

"That's what grandfather Mufassa told me," Kion relayed.

Nala nodded.

"He's right," she agreed.

"Will Jasiri be okay?" Kion asked again.

"You really care about her," Nala observed, "she should be fine after a day of rest."

Kion sighed with relief.

Just then, Jasiri started to stir. She tried to move, but Kion got to her first.

"Siri, no. You need to stay still," he advised.

"Hey, Kion," Jasiri greeted. Gazing around, she gasped, "What happened?"

"You fainted," Kion answered. "You're gonna be okay. My Mom's been taking care of you."

Jasiri's gaze wandered to a lioness sitting nearby.

"It's nice to meet you, Jasiri," Nala gently greeted.

Jasiri frowned.

"I'm sorry for causing any trouble."

"No need to apologize, sweetie. You're no trouble at all. I want to thank you for helping Kion today."

"You're welcome," Jasiri replied. She yelped in pain.

"You'll feel better soon," Kion soothed.

Jasiri nodded. She closed her eyes as exhaustion came over her.

"I'm not going anywhere," Kion assured her.

"Thanks," Jasiri whispered as she fell asleep.

"No problem," Kion said. With that, he kept watch over his friend.

Just then, a familiar male voice called out.

"Nala, I'm back! Did Kion come back yet?"

"Yes!" Nala called back. "We're in here."

Simba joined them a minute later. He nuzzled Nala before turning his attention to their son.

"Kion, what happened! Bunga, Ono and Fuli came back yesterday and told us you were separated from them in the outlands. How did you find your way out?"

"Jasiri helped me," He replied.

"We owe her a lot," Nala chimed in. "She really protected Kion."

"Jasiri? Who's that?"

Kion indicated the sleeping hyena in the corner.

Simba shook his head.

"You made friends with…she's…"

"Dad, please, Jasiri isn't like the other hyenas. She's my friend," Kion insisted.

"You need to give her a chance," Nala added. "Besides, she's hurt. She's not going anywhere until tomorrow."

Simba eyed the creature on the floor before glaring at her.

"Fine. But tomorrow, she's out of here," with that, he turned and left.

Kion turned to his mother.

"Mom, can't you do something? Jasiri doesn't have anywhere to go. The other hyenas threw her out of the outlands after she helped me. Please!"

"I'll talk to your father," his mother assured him. "Will you watch Jasiri?"

"Yeah," Kion resumed his spot. He just prayed his mother would be able to get through to his father. Glancing down at Jasiri, he let a few tears fall. Had their friendship started, only to be torn apart before it even began?

"Kion?" Jasiri whispered, breaking him out of his thoughts.

"Hey, Siri, I'm here," he got closer and rested a paw on her uninjured side.

"I'm thirsty," she admitted.

"I'll be right back," Kion stood and left the lair. Returning a few minutes later, he set a coconut down. It was hallowed out and full of water.

"Thanks," Jasiri drank for a few minutes. Resting her head on her front paws, she tried to get comfortable. Seeing the tear tracks on Kion's face, she tried to cheer him up. "I'll be up and running around with you in no time."

"It's not that," Kion sighed.

"Then what's up?" she asked.

Kion hesitated. He didn't want Jasiri feeling worse than she already did.

"Kion, talk to me, please?" she requested.

"Okay," Kion took a deep breath and explained what just happened with his Dad.

"I should go," Jasiri stood, only to fall back on her haunches.

"No, you can't!" Kion jumped up. "You need rest."

"I don't want to cause any trouble for your family," Jasiri argued.

"You're not," Kion tried.

"Kion's right," a male voice joined the conversation. Simba entered. He frowned as he locked eyes with both of them in turn. "Jasiri, I owe you an apology. Nala explained everything. I'm sorry I jumped to conclusions. I want to thank you for helping my son. For that alone, you are welcome to stay as long as you need. And once you're better, the pridelands are your home."

Jasiri looked at Kion for some direction.

Kion smiled. He jumped up and ran to his father. Nuzzling him, he grinned. "Thank you so much, Dad."

Simba nodded.

"Thank you, You're Majesty," Jasiri finally said, "it means a lot to me."

"You're welcome," Simba nodded. "Get some rest. Hopefully by tomorrow, you'll be back on your feet and Kion can show you around."

Jasiri nodded. She resumed her position and closed her eyes once again.

"Are you hungry?" Kion asked.

"No," Jasiri mumbled.

"Okay. Just sleep. Sweet dreams, Siri," Kion whispered.

"Thanks," Jasiri said as sleep found her. As she drifted off, she relaxed for the first time that day. Maybe, just maybe, this was the start of a new beginning for her.

Kion smiled as he watched Jasiri sleep. He realized She had been right. When Kion looked deeper, he saw more similarities than differences. They were the same.

"Sisi ni sawa," he said softly. "Siri, I promise you, I'll help my friends see it too." And that was one promise Kion was determined to keep, no matter how long it took.