A/N: Wow, this story is literally pouring out of my head, I just can't get it typed fast enough. I know, I know, it's the middle of the week and I have a Precalculus test tomorrow, so why am I not working on that huge pile of homework instead of writing fanfiction? Because sometimes, you just have to do a little of what you want to do. It's not going to matter when I am dead and buried if I passed a math test or not! What's going to matter is if/ how I made the most of my life! So there haha! Anyways, I hope you guys are enjoying Book Two so far, in the next couple of chapters we're going to be moving out of the unofficial part one. I know you guys are anxious to meet Ahadi and see Dameii, and we will be running into those two soon! I really like how this story has turned out so far, and I'm excited about where it is going.

Chapter 9: Let the Fun Begin

The matriarch accepted her clan's punishment with a calm manner, too calm really, and to the utter shock of the Pridelanders, she and her guards left Pride Rock without bowing to the king and with a slight skip in their steps. When she and her guards had put a significant distance between themselves and Pride Rock, she turned back and looked at the gigantic structure, where she could just make out the king's outline, who she knew, despite the distance was giving her a piercing glare.

"Well, it worked." she told her guards.

They are nodded in agreement.

"Oh, Mohatu, you fell right into my trap. You enjoy playing king while you still can, for trust me, your time is ticking." she said.

"Your grace, what are we to do now?" one of the guards asked in uncertainty.

"You." she said pointing to one of the guards. "Send word to Kambili that all went as planned and that I will be joining him soon."

"Very well, mi'lady." they hyena bowed before he parted to perform his task.

The matriarch soon arrived where her clan was gathered, awaiting to recieve the judgment passed by the king. As she stood to address her clan, words that Kambili had spoken to her previously rang in her ears,

"When your clan is exiled, you will not tell your people about the band of hyenas that murdered the Pridelander cub. You will only tell them that Mohatu chose to punish the hyena clan because of a lack of hunting space for his own lionesses."

"My dear ones" she began, "Today, we have suffered a great injustice at the paws of this greedy and selfish king of the Pridelands. Without accurate evidence and with false witnesses, the king has banished our clan, claiming that we overhunt and prevent his lionesses from acquiring enough food for his pride. My people, we are to be punished because of the greed of this tyrant and his spoiled pride. As you know, we have always strove to maintain the balance of the circle of life, never taking more than we need, and now these lions, who themselves are the true overhunters, have banished us from our home, throwing us out into a wasteland to suffer. But do not fear, for we will survive this, and will one day rise up and reclaim what is rightfully ours. I only ask my dear ones, is that each of you put your undying loyalty in me as we face these dark times."

The hyenas gasps of dismay quickly morphed into cries of anger toward Mohatu and his pride, along with many pledges of loyalty to the matriarch. She smugly watched as her clan shot acidic glances in the direction of Pride Rock.

"Your grace, it is nearing sunset. Where are we to move the clan?" a hyena asked.

"The elephant graveyard. Move out now." the matriarch ordered.

"But your grace, there is little food and no water resources there!"

"I don't believe I asked for your opinion, I said move out NOW!"

The hyena scampered off to begin gathering the clan for the short journey to the dreaded wasteland. However, as the clan began to move together, a large group of lions appeared in the distance.

Mohatu watched angrily as the matriarch left Pride Rock. As gossip buzzed in the air, many of the gathered animals began to return to their respective homes, and after a few minutes, the pride too, began to disperse around Pride Rock. Uru however, remained in her spot and listened to Mohatu and his council speaking.

"You did the right thing Mohatu." Raoul said.

"I hope so. But I still can't stomach the idea of sentencing that entire clan, children included, to waste away in the Outlands." Mohatu said sadly.

"Mohatu, they don't have to stay there, I'm sure that many suitable territories exist beyond the Outlands." Zuria put in.

"Yes, but sadly, many that could support such a large clan are already claimed, and most animals don't take too kindly to hyenas. No, I'm afraid it's going to be very difficult for them." Kelsh said.

Eme looked at her mate, Kelsh, rather angrily, and said, in a tone harsh for her docile nature,

"Look, Mohatu did the right thing. Those hyenas have had it coming to them for a long time. And they are more than capable of finding a suitable home for themselves. Mohatu put the safety of his pride first, and that was a virtuous deed. Thank you Mohatu, for ensuring the safety of our kingdom, our pride, and most importantly, our children."

And with that the little lioness excused herself from the council meeting. Kelsh, her mate, soon followed suit, calling out her name and offering frantic apologies.

"I think she pretty much said it all." Izogie commented.

"Yeah, well, I don't feel at all bad for those pesky mutts, and who does that she-hyena think she is, the Queen of Sheba? Pfft, and anyways, she didn't seem to really care that much when you banished her and her clan." Kanya said.

"Yes, did anyone else notice that she seemed kinda, happy, that she had been exiled?" Strawberry asked.

"No, she just has too much pride to show her fear, I'm sure." Zuria said.

The lions discussed the days events for a few more minutes before Mohatu noticed that sunset was fast approaching.

"Raoul, Izogie, I want you to lead a troupe of lions down to the hyena clan's territory to make sure they don't cause anymore trouble. Then I would like a border patrol to ensure that everything is secure and all of them are gone."

"Yes, Mohatu, we will start gathering lions right away." Raoul said.

"Thank you." Mohatu replied and then dismissed his council.

After the other lions had left, Uru watched her father from her perch. He gave a long, sad sigh before turning his head to the sky and closing his eyes, almost as if he were in prayer. Uru quickly descended from her perch and approached the large male.

"Daddy...are you alright?" she said quietly.

"Roo." he said opening his eyes.

"You know you did the right thing today, right?"

Mohatu gave a long sigh,

"I would like to think that I did, but right now, I'm not so sure."

"Hey, those hyenas committed murder. You gave the matriarch a chance to hand the criminals over and she didn't. If this is anyone's fault, it is her's." Uru said.

Mohatu gave his daughter a weary smile and was about to nuzzle her when an angry shriek caused them both to jump.

"I KNEW IT! I knew you were cheating on me! Oh, how could you, especially now that our daughter has just died, and it's your fault, she was waiting for you last night, and you abandoned her!"

It was Kalli, who had awoken from her drug induced slumber. Clearly, the young lioness still had not recovered from her disturbed mental state, as she was still convinced that Mohatu was her long lost mate.

"Kalli, I'm sorry, but I am not your mate. And your daughter was murdered by hyenas." Mohatu said.

"OHHH, you LIAR! Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP! I DON'T WANT ANYMORE OF YOUR LIES!" she screamed in rage.

"AND YOU, you little tramp, this is all your fault, my daughter is dead because of you!" Kalli said turning on Uru.

The older lioness moved as if she were going to attack Uru, but Mohatu stepped protectively in front of his daughter. But just as Kalli began to lunge, she stumbled and then simply blacked out, her head hitting the solid rock with a thud. Uru and Mohatu stood still, too shocked to move. Mohatu recovered more quickly, and moved to the fallen lioness, and gently easing her onto his back, he carried her into the den. Uru watched and waited, she had never seen anyone just completely lose their mind in such a way. Her father finally emerged from the den, and came over to her.

"You ok, Roo." he asked.

Uru gave him an angry look and said,

"This is all those dirty hyenas fault. Look what they have done to Kalli!"

Before Mohatu could respond however, Zaza landed and informed him that the Raoul, Izogie, and the other lions were ready to depart.

"Roo, why don't you go with Uncle Raoul and Uncle Izogie? It'll get your mind off of all of this."

Uru nodded her head in agreement, and started to move down the path off of Pride Rock.

"Hey, Roo!" her father called after her, "Be careful."

Uru smiled before catching up with the already moving troupe of lions.

"So far, so good." thought Uru as she watched the last of the hyenas make their way over the border into the Outlands.

The matriarch stood at the edge, waiting for all of her clan to cross over, before she followed. Several times, the princess had caught the suspicions looks that the matriarch was shooting her way. Finally, all of the hyenas had cleared the border just as the sun was disappearing over the horizon. The matriarch shot Uru one last malicious look before she headed off after her clan. When she was far enough away she couldn't help but chuckle to herself,

"Oh, little princess, the fun is just about to begin..."

A/N: Whoa, so we know that the hyena matriarch is working with Kambili, but what do they want? Poor Kalli, she really has lost her mind. What do you guys think is going to happen next? Any guesses, I would love to hear them, even if you think they're wrong! Thanks for your feedback and support, you know I love you!

PS: I keep forgetting, please go to my profile, and vote for the book covers for the next three stories! I would really appreciate it, and if alot of ppl participate in this one, I may do some involving characters from both Heart of a Lioness stories! Thanks!