A/N: Hey! Thanks for those great reviews, feels so nice to hear from you all again, I really have missed you. So, this chapter isn't the rip em' up, action packed chapter you're all waiting for, sorry, it's coming, but this is just a set up in order to get to the crazy part. I haven't communicated very clearly that this story is going to be VERY long, we aren't really near the whole epic save the Pride Lands battle yet. We still have a lot of ground to cover first and then after that, I would like to narrate Uru's life as Queen and the birth of Mufasa and Scar. So, yeah, we've got a way's to go! Anyway, hope you like this shorter chapter, yes it is a filler, but it has important character development and setting transitioning points in it. Enjoy!

Chapter 24: Operation Rhino Charge Part 2

Part II: The Mountain Pass

They'd been traveling for two days, Ahadi had been right to prepare them for high endurance, for they had not eaten since their departure from Jewel Valley and had only been granted a few hours of rest each day. But despite the hardships and the lack of food, so far, everything had been pretty boring.

The thick jungle forest had been much large than Uru had previously thought, but soon the leafy enviornment that cushioned her paws on a soft, velvety undergrowth, gave way to a hard, rocky landscape as they neared the mountain pass. The cool air grew even colder as night fell and the silvery light cascading down from the thin crescent moon created an errie illumination of the thick fog that was enveloping the snow-capped mountains.

"Halt!" Ahadi sharply ordered from his place at the front. "We rest here tonight."

(Noon the Next Day)

They were now halfway up the steep mountain. Before sunset, they would be beyond the pass. It had now been three days since she'd eaten ad Uru could feel her strength beginning to ebb away.

The terrain was treacherous, not only did she have to carefully navigate across rocky hills and steep cliffs, but the temperature was bone-chillingly cold. Glancing ahead, Uru saw Ahadi instruct the lead lions to begin carefully making their way across a narrow path. On one side, the path hugged a steep cliff face, but on the other, was a deep drop off. One misstep and that would be the end of it. One by one, the lions made their way across, and finally, it was Uru's turn.

"Be careful Night Hunter." She heard Dameii say as she placed her paw onto the path.

(It was against a strict code of conduct to address any of your fellow troops, whether they be superior or subordinate, by their name or nickname.)

Dameii had taken Ahadi's place at the foot of the path instructing each lion when he (or she) may proceed. She gave him a weak smile as she carefully set off on the path. Placing one foot in front of the other, she began inching down the narrow ledge, not allowing herself to look down. The miniscule rockslides that gave way when she upset a pile of loose rocks unnerved her, but she forced herself onward until she came to what appeared to be the opening of a small cave. She knew this was the way the others had gone because she detected their fresh scent trail. So, inhaling the cold air in deeply, she slipped into the tunnel.

It was cold and damp inside and she had to slighly crouch so that her head wouldn't hit the top of the enclosure. Unable to see at all, she began to inch her way forwards.

(Several hours later)

The darkness that enveloped her seemed never-ending, and even as she tried to keep her mind on her mission and remain calm, she could feel dread pulling at the back of her mind and sending her heart wildly thumping in her chest.

"The sooner I'm out of here, the better." she thought.

And just then, Uru felt her feet give way underneath her as her body tumbled down into an abyss of darkness. She gave a loud scream when something hard scraped her shoulder. As she continued falling head over heels, she registed light and warm air. Coming out of the tunnel, Uru hit the ground with a hard thud.

"Right on time."

Looking up, Uru saw Ahadi and some of the males ahead of her in the formation waiting at the mouth of the tunnel, which was now located above her head. Ahadi approached her, and looked over her over. Upon seeing nothing more than a minor scrape, he spoke.

"Over there you will find food and water. Try to get some rest."

Uru nodded and headed toward a group of males gathered around a pile of fish. One of them tossed a couple to her and Uru gratefully tore into the scaly creatures.

After she'd eaten, Uru found a small rock that she could lay on. The terrain was still quite rocky and hilly, but it was covered in thin vegetation and large trees grew out from the mountainous soil. A small spring bubbled near her and strange birds sang in the distance.

Uru lay so that she was facing the tunnel mouth. Every so often, a lion would fall out and Ahadi would give them the same instructions he had given her. Finally, the last lion in the line up rolled out and after a few more moments, Dameii followed.

As Uru watched the two brothers talking, she couldn't help but subconsciously compare the two.

Dameii's features were much smoother and possessed a youthful light about them. His deep blue eyes were always dancing, always laughing. It was his sweet, cheerful tone and calm presence that made Uru always feel safe with him, always secure, and always warm.

Ahadi, on the other hand, stood a great deal taller than Dameii. His large frame exuded raw power. Ahadi's presence carried an electric current with it that intimidated everyone who encountered him. Not to mention his temper was explosive. But it wasn't that Uru thought he himself would harm her or would allow harm to come to her, she just didn't feel safe with him. She felt insecure, as though he could see beyond her defenses and fronts and into her fears and nightmares. Yet, despite all that repealed her from him, Uru couldn't help but admit, even if only to the darkest part of herself, that his power and shadowy presence attracted her. And she couldn't help but shiver when she thought of those flashing emerald eyes, for despite their brightness, they carried a deep darkness within them.

A/N: So, what did ya' think? We really focused on one character here, that being Uru, with little to no interaction with the other characters. I wanted to focus on internal emotion, did you feel the emotions that Uru was going through during the journey or was it bland? Also, what did you think of her comparison between Dameii and Ahadi?

If you can imagine a lion that has Mufasa's strength and powerful presence, along with Scar's cunning and dark aura, you would be looking at Ahadi. That's how I kinda put his personality together. Of course, Ahadi is a dynamic character and he has a lot of time to grow and change during the story, so we will have to see what Ahadi our beautiful Uru accepts as her mate.