A/N: Ok, I know that I need to be working on school stuff right now, but I just can't stop thinking about this story, I just really want to see what happens. The way I write, the story tells itself to me, sometimes when I get to a chapter, a character will do something or say something that changes everything I had planned about the story. And usually the emotion that I put into the storyline is what I am feeling at that moment. It's so weird, but writing fanfiction is very relaxing, I really do enjoy it. Anyways, thank you for last chapter's reviews, here is the next chapter.


Chapter 7: The Decision

Uru's blood turned cold as she and her father approached the group of lions, which by now was almost the entire pride, save some of the elders and cubs. One of the lionesses, Kalli, was collapsed on the ground, weeping over the mutilated body of a small cub.

"No, No, NO, NOT MY BABY!" Kalli was growing hysterical as her frantic shrieks pierced the air. Holly and Zuria were doing all that they could to calm the young mother, but noting could console the distraught lioness.

Uru thought she was going to be sick when she looked at the bloody and almost unrecognizable form of the little cub. Uru had cubsat little Kalima many times, the little cub was always so sweet and playful. Uru just couldn't believe that something like this could've happened. Who was responsible for such a gruesome crime, a rogue... Dameii? Uru pushed back the thought of Dameii being the murderer, but if he was the culprit, Uru knew she would never forgive herself for helping him.

Mohatu looked down at the crime scene, the ditch was full of fur and blood, and it reeked of hyena. Shaking his head, he looked up at his pride, all of whom were looking at him for answers.

"Who is responsible for this?!" he demanded.

Strawberry stepped up to the angry king,

"Mohatu, it was the hyenas, I saw them myself, but when I got here it was too late..."

Mohatu nodded his head, so it had been the doings of the hyenas, just as he had concluded. It saddened him to think of such a young life savagely stolen away, and it angered him to know that the hyenas dared to lay a paw on one of the pride members, especially a cub. He walked over to the grieving lioness and whispered something gently in her ear. The lioness seemed to calm down, and with the help of Zuria and Holly, she climbed to her feet.

"Take her back to Pride Rock and send for Rafiki, he will be able to give her something to get her through the night." Mohatu said to a couple of the lionesses.

As soon as Kalli had been led away, the pride instantly began asking questions and shouting out demands, many of them were calling for war. When Mohatu tried to speak, his voice was drowned out by the desperate voices of the angry lions. Suddenly, the angry king gave a thunderous roar, silencing the crowd,

"Rest assured that this crime will not go unpunished. But for now, I want you return to Pride Rock and try to get some rest. I'm also calling for a meeting of the council tonight. Tomorrow, we will prepare for the burial ceremony and address the hyena clan with this crime. Dismissed."

Though a bit shocked at the usually gentle king's now harsh demeanor,the lions, slowly, but surely, began to make their way back to the stone mountain.

Knowing that her father had a lot to deal with at the moment, Uru caught up with Holly who was walking with Azir.

"Hello, Uru." Holly said.

"Hey honeybird." Azir smiled sadly.

"This is just...horrible." Uru replied.

Holly and Azir nodded their heads in agreement.

"She was such a sweet and lively cub..." Holly said.

Uru gave a shudder when she thought of how dangerous a situation they were in, were the Pridelands really not safe anymore? Holly saw the worried look on Uru's face,

"Now don't you worry dear, everything will be just fine, your father knows what he's doing."

Uru nodded and followed her grandfather and Holly into the den.


"HOW DARE THEY! I ALLOWED THEM TO STAY IN OUR KINGDOM AND THEY BRUATLLY MURDER ONE OF OUR CUBS!" Mohatu angrily roared before the council members.

"Mohatu, I do not believe that it was the entire clan's doing. It was only that small group that has been giving trouble for years. " Zuria put in.

"Yes, but it is the responsibility of the matriarch and her council to do all in their power to prevent things like this." Mohatu replied.

"Well, if you ask me, that stuck-up matriarch never seemed to care much about making her clan obeying the kingdom's laws." Kanya said.

Mohatu continued his angry pacing in front of his council. Present was Zuria, Kanya, Illanga, Eme, and their respective mates, Raoul, Strawberry, Izogie, and Kelsh. Mohatu had organized the council soon after Jolina's death, knowing he would need guidance and advice from the group of lions who had helped to found their kingdom. Tonight the council had met on top of Pride Rock, at the summit, to ensure complete privacy. With full and unquestionable knowledge that hyenas had murdered a cub of the Pridelands, it was on the councils' and king's shoulders to decide the fate of the hyena clan.

"Mohatu, as much as it pains me to say so, we cannot let our pride be in danger. Ever since the attack on the leopard clan leader, the hyenas have been nothing but trouble." Zuria said.

"And their leaders have done nothing to cooperate with you or enforce the laws." Raoul interjected.

"Sir, if I may, I believe that the safety of our pride and the other inhabitants of the kingdom must be put first. This was a cold-blooded murder of an innocent cub, the punishment has to be severe." Strawberry said.

"I agree Mohatu, and we cannot ignore the negative results of the hyena clan if they are not punished. If the lionesses feel unsafe, they will leave." Illanga said.

Mohatu stopped his pacing and paused for a moment, deep in thought. Then he turned and addressed his council,

"You are all right, this kingdom has seen too much tragedy as it is. As king, I must put the safety of our pride above political repercussions. The hyena clan has ignored my warnings for too long, and now they will all have to pay the price."

All the lions of the council nodded in agreement.


A/N: Well everyone there it is. Sorry it took a little longer to update. So, what did you think, this chapter was shorter than many previous ones, but the impact of the feud with the hyenas carries on to Simba's time, therefore I hope that this seems like a big deal. Tell me how I did and thanks for reading!

As many of you know, my grandfather has been fighting terminal cancer for just over a year. He passed away this past Thursday, Valetines Day. I would like to dedicate the remainder of this story to his memory, although he, nor any of my friends or family know that I write fanfiction. He was the best grandaddy ever and I will miss him with all of my heart. But he has gone on to a better place, where he will never be sick again.

RIP Grandaddy, 1943-2013, I love you and will miss you.

To my readers, thank you again, your support has been so uplifting, I treasure you all dearly.