A/N: Thanks for the reviews, they are appreciated. Just wanted to say that I love you guys and I hope that Book Two will bring us even closer as fellow readers, writers, and Lion King fans. Thanks again for your amazing support!


Chapter 6: The First Strike

"Did you complete your mission Commander?"

"Yes, Kambili. Sala is dead, and her forces have been scattered. They pose only a minimal threat at this point."

"Very good. That will be all Commander."

"Sir, some of my spies were able to gather some, well, rather interesting information."

"Well, out with it. I haven't got all day."

"You see, sir, we discovered that Sala's children are still alive."

Kambili stood silently for a moment, almost as if in contemplation.

"Sir, do you wish to abort the mission?" the Commander asked.

"NO! This changes nothing. We will continue with everything as planned."

"Would you like to have them found and brought to you?"

"No, not yet. Thank you commander. Tell the sergeant I will be out momentarily to inspect his new troops."

"Very well sir."

As the Commander excited the dark cave, a younger lion entered and nodded his head respectfully to Kambili.

"Sir, the hyenas are requesting an audience. I can assure you that they are fully prepared to perform any task you ask of them." the young lion said.

"Send them in. We are ready for them."

"Yes sir."

As the younger lion excited the den Kambili called after him,

"You knew they were still alive didn't you?"

"Sir?" the younger lion asked.

"Sala's children. You knew they were alive."

"Uh, well, I, uh, had my suspicions, but no hard evidence that it was them."

"Hmph. Send the hyenas in."

After a moment four dark furred hyenas entered the den. One, the matriarch spoke,

"Kambili. Now is the perfect time to strike the Pridelands. Sala is gone and Mohatu suspects nothing." she said.

"SILIENCE, you flea bitten fool. I did not ask for your opinion. You will do as I say." Kambili snapped.

"With all due respect sir, it is greatly disrespectful for you to command our matriarch in such as way. You insult the entire hyena clan. We will not honor the allegiance if we are not treated as equals." one of the male hyenas said.

With a vicious roar, Kambili lunged at the hyena, but before the mangy creature had time to even yelp, Kambili had ripped his throat out. Tossing the limp body aside, Kambili looked at the matriarch and her guards, the blood of the dead hyena still dripping from his square muzzle.

"You take orders from me, no questions, no opinions. Understand?" he said.

The matriarch quickly nodded her head in understanding.

"Good. Now, this is what you are going to do..."


"You ok Roo?" Mohatu asked.

"Yeah, Dad, I'll be ok as soon as I can get some water." Uru replied.

Mohatu laughed, perhaps he had pushed her a little too far bringing her all the way out to the southern border, but Zaza had reported a concern expressed by the wildebeest clan leader, and at this time of season, the wildebeest herds usually gathered near the Great Southern River.

"Don't worry Roo, we'll stop soon. I've got one more stop to make and then we can head home."

"Thank goodness." Uru said as she sped up her pace to keep up with her father's long strides.

"Hey Dad, will I have to really do this every day when I'm Queen?"

Mohatu laughed again,

"Well, it depends. Usually, the king is responsible for patrolling the borders and meeting with clan leaders who are at large distances from Pride Rock."

"Meaning?" Uru asked.

"Meaning if you are not married when you become Queen, then yes, you will be responsible for this." he said.

"And if I am married, am I only in charge of the hunting parties?"

"Well, Roo, that will be one of your responsibilities, but you will also be in charge of most diplomatic issues, addressing subjects that request an audience at Pride Rock, and to assist expecting lionesses."

"Good grief. How can I do all of that alone?" Uru asked exasperatingly.

"Honestly, you can't. That's why Kings and Queens are supposed to work together, it's just too much for one lion or lioness."

"I see." Uru replied.

Just as Mohatu was about to reply Zaza landed in front of them,

"Good afternoon Zaza." Mohatu said.

"Good afternoon sire, princess." Zaza said with a smile.

"Hello Zaza." Uru repiled.

"Sire, the cheetah who wished to speak to you is waiting just on the other side of these termite mounds."

"Oh yes, thank you Zaza. Will you please let her know that we are on our way?"

"Of course sire." Zaza said before taking off again.

"C'mon Roo, there's a small watering hole and a bit of shade near the termite mounds. You can rest there while I speak with this cheetah."

"Isn't it a bit odd that she would need to speak to you so urgently that it couldn't come through the clan leader?" Uru asked.

"It is indeed. I have a feeling it has something to do with the hyenas. They have been growing more restless lately." Mohatu replied.

Uru gave him a worried look,

"Hey, it's ok Roo. It's not time to worry yet." he said.

Uru nodded her head as they reached the end of the termite mounds.


Kalli sighed as she called her young daughter's name.

"Kilima!"

"Oh, where is that cub."

Kalli was starting to get worried. She had been looking for Kilima for nearly an hour and had searched almost every crevice of Pride Rock, but still, there was no sign of her young cub. As Kalli approached a group of lionesses, Zuria caught the worried look on the young mother's face.

"Kanya, there is something wrong with Kalli." she said.

The dark furred lioness looked up from the rock that she was catching the last rays of afternoon sunlight on and yawned.

"Probably just looking for that silly cub of hers." Kanya said.

Kanya casually put her head back down on the rock, it wasn't unusual for cubs to be missing, most of the time they intentionally hid from their mother's around bath time.

"I don't know, she looks very worried." Zuria replied.

By that time, the dark cream lioness had approached the two friends,

"Hello Kalli dear, what seems to be the trouble?" Zuria asked.

"It's Kalima, I've looked all over Pride Rock, but she's nowhere to be found." Kalli said urgently.

"How long have you been looking for her?" Zuria asked.

"A little over an hour." Kalli answered.

Kanya and Zuria both looked at one another,

"Alright, we'll organize a small search party. Don't worry Kalli, we'll find her."

"Oh thank you." Kalli replied.


It had been nearly three hours since the group had been looking for the small cub Kalima, and still there was no sign of the young cub. By this time, everyone was getting worried, and it took all of the Zuria and Illanga's power to comfort the increasingly distraught mother. Decideding to widen the search, the lions had spilt up, Kanya and her mate Strawberry headed north, to comb the border near the elephant graveyard.

"Oh Kings, it reeks of hyena over here." Kanya said.

"Yeah, I don't see how it's possible for an animal to smell so horrible." Strawberry agreed.

As the two continued along calling the young cub's name, Strawberry caught a familiar scent on the wind. Following a trail that smelled strongly of hyena, Strawberry rounded a small boulder, and looked down into a ditch. His heart caught in his throat as he realized what the smell had been, blood. For there, in the ravine was a small pack of four or five hyenas, and in the middle of their circle, lay the lifeless body of a small lion cub. Strawberry gave a roar of rage and sent the hyenas scrambling away, but just as he was about to give chase Kanya appeared beside him.

"Oh God." she said before turning away from the grusome sight.


"What did she say Dad?" Uru asked as she and her father began to head back to Pride Rock.

"She had seen many of the hyenas coming in and out of the elephant graveyard." he answered.

"Do you think they're going to try something?"

"It's very possible, we'll just have to be on our guard." he said.

Uru nodded in understanding.

The sun had nearly set and Uru couldn't believe how tired she was, all she wanted to do was sink down on the cool rock of the den and close her eyes. As the stone mountain loomed ever larger, Zaza suddenly swooped down in a rather frantic manner.

"Sire, you need to come quickly."

"What's the problem Zaza?" he asked.

"It's one of the cubs." Zaza answered before taking off into the sky.

Mohatu didn't hesitate and bounded after the bird, Uru ran as fast as she could to keep up with him.

As they followed Zaza, Uru noticed that they were heading north, toward the elephant graveyard. Coming closer, they could see a group of lions gathered above a small ditch. Uru felt her heart skip a beat as she caught the smell of blood. Her dread increased still more when she heard the frantic screams of a lioness.


A/N: A little shorter than last time, so what do you think so far? I will put a quiz on the next chapter, I just don't have time right now. While this is the last update until next weekend, I will gladly respond to every review or question throughout the week. Thanks again!