Author's Notes:
Thanks for the reviews! To Starzinmieyez - I'm not saying "no".
I'd also like to inform you that I'm leaving for two weeks tomorrow, so don't expect another chapter sooner than in three weeks' time.
Enjoy!
Back in the trio's skull, Shenzi laid Banzai in the spot he usually took while sleeping, then turned to the other two.
"Shenzi, I can explain-" T began, but Shenzi raised a paw, silencing her.
"I told you it's not gonna be easy, but our dispute can wait," she said harshly. "You may not know the full extent of Banzai's feelings towards Gituku since you never actually saw them standin' against each othah – save for the battle at Priderock, but the circumstances were different then. Now, I want ya to listen carefully. Gituku's not leaving this graveyard without company, so I want you to go to Maumbu and organize a group that will patrol our border with Pridelands, day and night. Ed will go with ya for everybody to know you're repeating my exact words."
"What about the inner graveyard? He could escape that way," T remarked.
"It's a long way to go, he would need at least a day to get anywhere," Shenzi continued, never dropping her stern tone. "And we'd notice that because you're gonna go an' check on 'im every single day. With escort, don'cha worry, but I doubt you're gonna like it anyway."
T nodded, acknowledging the new chore obediently.
"Now go," Shenzi said lighter. "You caused quite a stir in the graveyard, but even this doesn't qualify you to undergo Banzai's madness once he recovers. But take your time during this appointment and I should have him right where I want him, ok?"
"Sure," T said.
Ed nodded his head and both left, leaving their two friends alone.
"Heck of a proud leader my mother would be now," Shenzi muttered to herself. "Letting a murderer back into the clan, knocking cold my…" she hesitated for a moment, but decided it wasn't a good time for such thoughts, "…friend."
She examined the place she hit Banzai in. He was sure to feel this for a few days; she had to put much strength into the blow to ensure knocking him out immediately – Banzai was quite a scraper and a lighter one might not have been enough.
She lay down near him, deciding to wait until he regains consciousness. There was much to consider for her, so she could use the – for once – silent company of Banzai.
The sudden reappearing of Gituku only added to the rising pile of problems. Of course, it was still better than back in the days when she unstoppably had to deal with clan's hunger – but she was too focused on the contemporary problems to notice that.
Gituku had to leave somewhere – and though she doubted he would have problems finding a place for himself, there was always the possibility that he'd kick somebody out of their home… but he was too smart to do such an obvious error. He could threaten somebody to get hold of their abode. And even if he did find a place for him without causing much problems, he was bound to be a reason for new complaints; who would want a neighbor who betrayed his clan?
Whomever Maumbu and T would choose to stand guard at the graveyard's border, won't be exactly happy either; and with the width to cover, that meant dozens of hyenas.
T's escort for her visits had also had to be chosen carefully. Banzai was an obviously wrong choice, so was she; Ed could be provoked by Gituku as well. Kamau wasn't a good pick either, since his attitude towards Gituku was unclear. The guardian had to be strong, but calm… and hold no personal grudge against Gituku. He may have looked miserable, but when it came to Gituku, Shenzi knew better than to trust the appearance.
Suddenly, it hit her: Bongani! Good fighter, undoubtedly loyal, calm as a toad in the sun…
Her train of thought was stopped as Banzai groaned and coughed after taking a deep breath.
"What happened, where is he?" he asked in a raspy, barely audible voice. "And what's up with my throat?"
"Sit up, Banzai," she commanded.
She walked up to him after he obeyed. So close, that Banzai raised a brow at what was she up to. Only after she had laid her head on his shoulder and wrapped her front legs around him, did he understand.
"Wow, I thought those dreams ended long time ago," he said silently.
"About those questions you had," Shenzi ignored his words. "I spared Gituku and let him stay in our clan so that he could prove he's back to normal."
"WHAT?" Banzai screamed gruffly and tried to break free – but Shenzi had him in a firm lock. "How could you believe that scum, that unworthy excuse of a hyena, that, that…"
"Ok, that's enough," she interrupted him. "It is a shocking decision, but I know that you will trust in it, understanding that I wouldn't take it if it wasn't right."
"Yes," he said faintly.
"Sorry honey, can't hear ya."
"I said yes, I trust in your decision," he repeated, louder this time.
"That's better," she said, releasing him.
As soon as she took a step back, he leapt towards the exit from the skull – only to trip on the purposely placed Shenzi's leg.
"Banzai, Banzai, when will you finally understand you cannot surprise me?" she smirked, blocking the only exit from the skull. "Now listen, and listen carefully: until Gituku does something stupid, you are not to touch him."
"What if he provokes me?" he asked, but Shenzi didn't answer, noticing he started thinking hard.
"Until?" he finally stuttered. "Not IF?"
"See, you did listen to me," she smiled. "The only purpose Gituku might have had in returning here is preparing some revenge, I know better than to believe all this »everybody can change« stuff."
"Yeah, he wouldn't change even if he was turned inta human," Banzai smirked. "Though it's nice to think about him that way."
"A human, huh?" Shenzi said, letting him pull her into this one. "Could there be worse?"
"Yeah, a meerkat."
After they collected themselves from a fit of laughter, Shenzi continued, "So, once more: don't you attack Gituku, I wanna find out as much about his plans as possible. And as long as Gituku believes we fell for his stupid trick, he's more likely to have somethin' slip outta his mouth. Plus, with T as my spy, he's doomed and she can think I supported her all the time."
"Well, great for ya. So, uh… anyway… what are you doing next?" he stammered.
A quick, unwanted thought crossed her head. It included them being alone, with T and Ed instructed not to interrupt them until sunset… and went away, shooed by the bigger, stronger part of her mind.
"I should go and help T and Maumbu set the guards," she said, barely stopping from sighing; she almost wanted the thought to come back.
"Shenzi… do you think we could… they will…" Banzai started, but as she turned her head to encourage him to end, he waved it off, "Eh, never mind."
"Never mind then, it is," she said under her breath, leaving.
"Great," Banzai mentally slapped himself, "now what do I do?" Suddenly, his eyes lit up. "Hey Shenzi, wait up!" he bolted after her.
They found T and Ed sitting in front of Maumbu's den and discussing with him, just as Shenzi wanted them to. T looked at Banzai suspiciously after noticing them, but seeing they're both calm, she refocused on Maumbu.
"… so we could find one or two volunteers more, but I say it's better to start walking around and giving them appointments now. The sooner we have this job done, the sooner will I be able to sleep semi-peacefully."
"I see you're quick," Shenzi said, sitting next to T.
"Just what I wanted to say," T replied, looking at Banzai.
"How many names have you come up with?" Shenzi asked Maumbu.
"Over twenty," he replied, "should be more than enough for one shift, but you'll have to find replacements, too."
"I know, that's all I wanted you to do: compose a group that will do until I have time to find more. So anyway, who's first on your list?"
"Bongani," Maumbu answered matter-of-factly.
Shenzi smiled, "I'll save you some trouble then. I've just been to visit him and he agreed to both his appointments."
"Both?" T asked, perplexed.
"Yup, he's gonna accompany you during your visits."
"Oh."
"Well, who's next? I want to have them standing guard as soon as possible," Shenzi said, turning to face Maumbu.
"Before I start – won't it be better if we split up? This way we'll be done in no time – there's four of us, since Ed doesn't count."
"Doesn't count to what, dad?" a new voice asked from behind him. "Hi, Shenzi!"
Everybody looked at the newcomer, soon to recognize her as Kapuki, Maumbu's oldest daughter.
"Nothing that should interest you," Maumbu said a bit sharply. "And how many times did I tell you, it's »Matriarch Shenzi«."
"Come on, Maumbu," Shenzi smiled at the young female. "Just because you always wanted us to refer to you as »Mr. Maumbu, sir!« doesn't mean we want revenge."
"On others," Banzai added so silently that only Shenzi could hear him.
"You're planning something apropos of that returned murderer, aren't you?" Kapuki asked, her voice dripping with excitement. "Can I help?"
Shenzi looked at her, astounded. The deduction was extremely quick.
"Why no-" she started to say, but Maumbu, despite the respect he usually showed towards her, cut in and snapped, "No, Kapuki. Go home, mother's been waiting for you for over an hour."
"But-"
"Now."
"You know," Kapuki said in an offended tone, turning to leave, "this trick stopped working a few years ago. See you guys!"
Maumbu watched her enter their den, then looked at Shenzi, who was giving him a weird look.
"I support you as a matriarch, Shenzi," he said, "I don't stand against your decisions, even if they sometimes seem out of place. But keep your paws off Kapuki, I'll decide when she's ready for such duties."
Ed cackled and babbled something to Banzai, loud enough for everybody to hear… which proved to be a mistake.
"Why, you…" Maumbu growled and pinned his younger brother to the ground.
Shenzi simply directed her eyes at Banzai.
"He said something along the lines of »Will I live to see it?«" he translated.
Sun was already setting over the graveyard when Shenzi finally stood at the border, near one of the chosen outposts, and smiled.
"I want to see Gituku trying to sneak this way," she said.
"Not gonna happen while I'm here, matriarch," the hyena chosen to guard from here saluted.
"Very well, next shift is to change you at dawn, until then… stay alert."
"Uh… if I may," the guardian spoke up. "Are we to stop or inform you about anybody else crossing the border?"
"Not unless they are rabid predators, willing to take over the graveyard," Shenzi smirked.
Seeing there were no more questions, Shenzi started to leave with Banzai, T and Ed. They had been busy the whole day, recruiting hyenas for the new duty.
"I say, let's call it a day," the matriarch said lightly.
"It will be tough with Gituku around," Banzai muttered.
"Oh, stop being a sissy, Banzai," Shenzi sighed.
"I am not. Things just happen around Gituku, that's all I'm saying."
Kamau and Abeni were also headed home, having spent the day just as they planned, visiting several hyenas, not only friends and acquaintances. They had almost forgotten about Gituku – only to be reminded of him as they spotted their den.
Abeni shuddered, "What if he's waiting for us inside?" she asked quietly.
"I'll force him out, one way or another," Kamau replied. "He's only one big-mouthed brawl addict."
"I know," Abeni tried to smile. "But it's so unlike him to use such concealed threats…"
"You're right, he was never one to play with words. It only proves he had no true intention of hurting you," Kamau said as they stopped in front of the entrance to their home. He looked at Abeni and stepped right in.
"No Gituku here," he said reassuringly.
She entered the den hesitantly, looking around herself suspiciously. It was much too dark inside for her liking and it must have shown in her features, because Kamau sighed.
"Cheer up, dear," he said. "Imagine Gituku's face when he gets to see the effect of our plan."
Finally, Abeni laughed, having imagined the said picture. As Kamau joined her, she looked around herself once more. She was back home, in the comfortable place she shared with a skilled fighter. What wrong could possibly happen?
Night had fallen over an hour ago and the graveyard slowly silenced. All the cubs were sleeping and the adults were either sleeping with them or talking silently, not to wake them up. Only on a rare occasion did someone walk around, enjoying the coolness offered by nighttime hours.
Only one vaguely visible female hyena seemed to stroll between the silent abodes with a distinct aim. She passed several of them, not even stopping to look at them, then took a sharp turn and entered an undistinguishable den after looking around herself to assure no-one seen her.
Inside, she barely made a step prior to stopping stiff. In front of her lay two hyenas. One hyena, she corrected herself, and one corpse. The living one was unconsciously dealing blows of no strength and making slashing moves with retracted claws to the dead body beneath him. He was completely covered in blood – and it wasn't hard to guess whose it was.
"Gituku, you idiot," the newcomer said quietly, coming closer to the massacred body and its torturer afterwards.
"Wow," she spoke conversationally, "you really created a new definition for the word »mutilate«."
Unseeing eyes looked at her and, to her amazement, there were tears in them. The awkward moment lasted for a minute, after which the blood-smeared male started to gain focus. He looked at her consciously and smiled, revealing that his teeth were just as stained as his muzzle.
"Monifa," he muttered hoarsely.
"You beast," she smirked, "You really served 'im some gnawing pain, huh?"
At that, Gituku turned back and his smile faded. To a stranger he might have looked emotionless, but Monifa could say Gituku was stricken with sadness. Nonetheless, he stood up and motioned to the body.
"Let's dispose of this rubbish."
The night was pitch dark and nothing could be heard around as Gituku and Monifa went through the graveyard, speaking in whispers not to draw unnecessary attention.
"Have you seen those guards? It will be easier than we ever thought," Monifa said.
"Yeah, those morons are so oblivious," Gituku agreed, "just as they've always been."
"Anyway… where are we going?" she asked, looking around, but since so many families moved after the alliance with lions was had been formed, she couldn't recognize where they were.
"I told you, you'll see when we get there," he replied, turning to a den on their right, "and I'm keeping my word."
She went inside right after Gituku and her muzzle immediately spread into a malevolent grin.
"I knew you'll like this," he mumbled, smiling almost as widely as her.
"Like it? Gituku, I love this. Finally, we can make it up to them for all this time they missed on starving and fighting for life in wastelands."
In front of them, Abeni twitched lightly in her sleep. Kamau was sleeping peacefully.
"You should have seen our dear Abeni's face when I told her about you," Gituku whispered.
"Wait 'till you see her face when I'm finished with this double-crossing tart."
They shared a wicked laughter, then stepped forward.