: Chapter 2:

Fateful Meeting

Ahadi ran through the Pride Lands sniffing the area looking for any sign of an intruder nothing, blast come on there were almost always invaders everyone was trying to get into the Pride Lands now the one time where Ahadi actually needed one was the one time things were peaceful. What a mockery to him the thought filled him with rage. He continued looking around but still couldn't smell anything come on someone had to be close.

"There's no way things are completely peaceful so come on hyena, rogue just somebody show themselves." Ahadi growled.

He caught a scent then a hyena, perfect he should've known it would be a hyena they never did know when to stay away but that was all the better for him finally time to prove that smug king wrong. Ahadi moved toward the scent it was in the tall grass, aw yes camouflage but Ahadi was pretty good at that as well time to see which one was better.

Ahadi crept into the grass moving slowly through it while taking in his surroundings he heard something moving around him but couldn't tell the exact direction it was coming from he needed to lure the intruder out he moved the grass causing it shake and emit a small sound that would no doubt lure the intruder towards him he had his claws if he was quick enough he could bring the intruder down. He moved slowly forward his plan had worked the sounds were heading his way he closed in on his soon to be prey, they were only a few feet away now was the time to strike. Ahadi jumped from the grass and pounced the intruder however he was shocked to see nothing there but how he was certain they were there, he then felt a paw grab him and place a claw to his neck.

"Hm well look what I caught today a lion cub, how interesting never caught one of those before" A smooth and almost teasing voice said a voice that was clearly female.

Ahadi watched as the intruder circled him before stopping right in front of him. It was a hyena she had blue eyes and was well built especially for a hyena pup but the most definitive expression was the smirk on her face.

"Hm quite the catch lucky me" She said her voice still teasing.

"Hey don't count me down yet hyena" Ahadi said.

"Really never would even consider the thought so I guess it's your move" the hyena told him almost playfully.

Ahadi felt the claws on his neck he knew his next move needed to be timed perfectly or he would see how much blood he had in him.

"You're right you got me" Ahadi said.

The hyena looked at him amused her claw moved just a bit as she did so, "Is that a surrender?" she asked.

"Yeah" Ahadi said he then grabbed her paw pulling it away from his neck slicing the side of it just a bit he then pulled her in only for her to throw herself at him knocking him down before she could do anything he threw her off pulling himself up and staring intensely at her she on the other hand just continued to smirk.

"Nice moves, got any more" She asked still teasing him.

What was wrong with this hyena here they were fighting to the death and she was teasing him about it, did she not realize her life was likely at stake?

Ahadi jumped at her and she moved aside Ahadi swung his paw at her which she deflected before swinging hers at his he caught it only for the hyena to grab his other. They held each other in place each pushing against the others.

"You're pretty good or maybe you're just persistent" the hyena told him.

"There's no way I'm going to let you beat me!" Ahadi declared.

"You hate losing so do I" the hyena told him before flipping him to the ground and placing her claws to his throat.

"But I don't lose" she said.

"You sure?" Ahadi told her.

She then noticed Ahadi's claws were placed on her neck.

"I'll settle for a draw" she told him removing her claws, "why you after me anyway?" she asked him.

"You're an intruder" Ahadi told her.

"And you care because?" She asked him.

Ahadi took a moment to answer that question in truth he didn't care he was just trying to prove himself to the pride to the kingdom prove he could be every bit the lion they were.

"You don't care do you?" the hyena asked him.

Ahadi couldn't help but smile at her response she was right he didn't care and from what he could tell she didn't care either.

"No not really bunch of self righteous jerks think their royal heritage means something." Ahadi told her.

"Aw so that was what you were trying to prove well word of advice kid don't pick a fight unless you're certain you can win, you're lucky the intruder was me a full grown hyena would've just eaten you. She stated.

In that moment it hit Ahadi what on Earth was he thinking he was a cub what did he think he was going to do somehow kill a rogue now that he thought about it it was suicidal who knew he was so stupid.

"I suppose you're right so what brings you here?" Ahadi asked.

"Bored just taking a stroll if you will enjoying a good hunt" She told him.

"You a good hunter" Ahadi asked her.

"Well I baited you didn't I?" She responded.

"True but I got out of your trap" Ahadi replied.

"Should've expected that you would bring that up" she said.

"Well duh I'm not going to admit I was beaten which I wasn't" Ahadi stated.

The hyena chuckled, "I like you kid got pride and you also got some skill" She told him.

Ahadi smiled at the response he had to admit he liked her as well she seemed like his kind of person.

"Yeah, name's Ahadi you got one" he said with a smirk.

The hyena smirked right back, "Kecila, I think mine has a better ring to it" she joked.

Ahadi smiled again she was arrogant, had a sarcastic sense of humor and had a strong sense of pride this really was his kind of person indeed.

Kecila approached him looking him up and down his build wasn't bad for a cub, "So where you from?" Kecila asked.

"I'm from the pride lands but I don't know where I was born or who my parents were and I'm not a part of a pride." Ahadi told her trying to sound strong despite the fact that he hated stated this.

"Aw a street rat a life of freedom and stealing sounds fun" Kecila stated.

"It's got it's perks what about you where you from?" Ahadi asked.

"A simple hyena pack nowhere special really, I come here every now and again to enjoy a good hunt." Kecila told him

"I can relate with that" Ahadi replied.

"I didn't expect my hunt to be a lion cub" Kecila said back.

"Hey you didn't hunt me and certainly not successfully" Ahadi defended.

Kecila was amused by his defense he was so in denial she absolutely had him after all no one so far could actually challenge her though this one was good she couldn't help but wonder if he could.

"Is that a challenge?" Kecila asked him.

"What well no I don't want to have to kill you" Ahadi responded.

"Oh of course you wouldn't well what about a non lethal one whomever traps the other wins." Kecila declared.

"Now that sounds like a challenge I can get behind are you tough enough to accept?" Ahadi asked.

"Oh yes I long for a good hunt go ahead and run it makes the chase more thrilling." Kecila told him.

Ahadi smiled back and took off running he wasn't certain why he was doing this but the idea appealed to him she seemed fun in fact she seemed really fun. He was looking forward to this. Ahadi looked at the grass to see any sign of movement though he now knew that might be a diversion he looked around at all directions waiting for her. Then before he could react she jumped from grass narrowly pinning him down Ahadi dodged it and took off running. Wow that was a close one but not close enough. He then looked back and saw Kecila hot on his trail whoa she caught up fast! Ahadi ran through the grass maneuvering his way through it but Kecila kept on his trail he wasn't losing her any time soon. Ahadi turned around and instead charged right at her wondering if she would back down she didn't instead they came right at each other and jumped at the other they collided in mid air and toppled over on the ground rolling all across the grass on top of each other before rolling to a stop. Ahadi burst out laughing which Kecila joined him he then grabbed her and tried to pin her which she resisted trying to push him down as well but neither budged they pushed on each other as hard as they could and were sent rolling down a hill both laughing playfully as they hit the ground. Ahadi smiled at her which she returned with a smirk.

"You didn't catch me" Ahadi told her.

"Give it time" Kecila responded.

"You sure I'll give you more time" Ahadi asked her smirking.

"I'm usually here during the nights when you're up for a rematch I'll be waiting" Kecila told him.

"I don't know I've got a lot to do during the nights" Ahadi told her.

"Oh you mistake me for asking" Kecila said with pride.

Wow who was this girl such strength such confidence Ahadi had never seen anything like it before lion or hyena. Just wow a hyena giving a lion an order who was she.

"Sorry I'm not one to take orders" Ahadi said though he couldn't hide his smile.

"Then I guess I'll have to hunt you down because one way or another there will be a hunt" Kecila told him with certainty she then gave him a playful smile.

What certainty she was something Ahadi didn't know what she was the only thing he knew was this encounter intrigued him and he needed to experience more of it she was fascinating and he knew there was more he wanted to know. He smiled and nodded at her she gave him a brief wave before turning away not even a real goodbye gesture like she knew he was coming back. Ahadi's stomach felt like it was doing summersaults he didn't know what he was feeling all he knew was this he was coming back he had to come back.

Ahadi returned to his cave where Kilbali was waiting for him.

"Ahadi where have you been all night?!" Kilbali asked.

"I'm fine Kilbali you have nothing to worry about." Ahadi told him, "nice job finally talking to the princess" Ahadi told his friend.

"Yeah she was really nice I don't know I, I want to see her again" Kilbali replied.

"Then go ahead her dad doesn't know anything about you I'm the one he disregards you're in the clear you had a family" Ahadi told him not even caring that he was referencing his lack of a family.

"Yeah I came here they sent me here actually" Kilbali said.

"Why?" Ahadi asked.

"I don't know I was never told" Kilbali replied.

Ahadi brushed it off he really didn't care about any of this stuff right now all he cared about was getting the night over so he could get to the next one, so he could get to his next meeting with her.

"Don't worry about it but don't let that girl go buddy" Ahadi told him.

"I don't plan to" Kilbali replied he then rested his head down.

Ahadi closed his eyes as well his mind filling with thoughts of Kecila just who was this hyena and what was it about her that he found so intriguing.