A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed, you'll find out who he is soon enough!
"You are in the lands of King Simba! State your business!" Kovu roared, growling at him.
The strange lion straightened up, looking unimpressed, and quite frankly, a little bored. He rolled his eyes.
"I am Mpita, from the Bahiti Pride, far south from here, in the land the humans call 'Mozambique', on the coast. I am here because I am a hyena hunter."
"A hyena hunter?" Kouv growled. "There's no such thing!"
"If you do not believe me, then I will leave. I just need to know if you have any problems with hyenas."
"No." Simba spoke now. "Many of them died in a battle for this kingdom, and the ones who lived ran off."
"Well then," Mpita crouched down in front of Simba, in the submissive position. "I humbly ask for you judgment, to rest here for up to a moon."
"I will judge you, as soon as my prince," Simba looked at Kovu. "decides whether or not you may stay."
"W-what, me?" Kovu sputtered. Simba smiled and nodded regally.
Kovu looked like he was thinking. Vitani sighed. He was taking a long time. Had it been her, she would have said no right away. He looked too untrustworthy.
Kovu sighed. "What is your decision, Kovu?" Simba asked.
"We will ask Rafiki." Simba smiled. It was a good decision. If anyone knew what to do, it was old Rafiki.
Simba started off toward the old baobab tree. Nala was beside him, and Kovu and Kiara came next, side by side.
Mpita tried to go next, but Vitani snarled at him. She watched him as she followed Kovu and Kiara.
The other lionesses let Mpita go next, then they went. Mpita watched Vitani as he walked. What had he done wrong? He had thought he was in a higher position than her; she was just a lioness. Or was she? She obviously was higher than the other lionesses, maybe lead huntress. As he pondered this, the group came closer and closer to Rafiki's tree.
The old mandrill watched them from the tallest branch. He saw Mpita, and knew instantly who he was. The Great Kings had told him that a hyena hunter with a black mane and yellow body, named Mpita, would be coming shortly, and he should allow him into the pride.
Rafiki smiled, and swung down to greet them.
"Hello, friends! What is it you want from old Rafiki?" he laughed.
"Rafiki, this lion tells us that he is a hyena hunter. We have never heard of such a thing, and we wanted to know if it is true. Should we welcome him into our pride?" Kovu called up to him.
Rafiki laughed his crazy laugh yet again. "Yes, he will be of great help to you!"
Vitani laughed. In her short time here, she had grown to love the old mandrill. She came to his tree sometimes simply to talk to him, and she could trust anything he said. Even if he said that they could trust this lion.
"Thank you, Rafiki." Simba called up. He turned and walked over to Mpita.
"Well, Mpita, it seems as if you may stay with us for as long as you want. Welcome to the Pride Lands." Simba said regally.
"Thank you, King Simba." Mpita said quietly, bowing.
"We will wait for formal introductions until we get to Pride Rock." Simba said, and took his rightful place at the head of the small group. He started back to Pride Rock quickly.
Back at Pride Rock, many of the lionesses were worried for their King. He had been gone a long time, and they had heard Vitani tell him about Mpita. Many paced, thinking the worst.
Taana, an old, large golden lioness, spotted them in the distance.
"There they are!" she cried. She ran off toward the procession, with the other lionesses close behind.
"Taana, everything is alright." Simba said when they reached him. "But there is someone I would like you to meet. Mpita, come here." Mpita looked at Simba, and started walking toward him.
When he walked past Vitani, he eyed her carefully. She growled at him, but let him pass. Poano, Amani, Goani and Enaana walked over to the other lionesses.
"Everyone, this is Mpita. Mpita, the white lioness is Poano, the reddish one is Amani, the large dark brown one is Enaana, the large golden one is Taana, the small cream-colored one is Goani. They're all related. Enaana, Poano, and Goani are all expecting cubs. Mgeni is the light brown one, Nduli is the red one, Nashia is the grayish one, and Dahabu is the light golden one. They were all part of the group known as the "outsiders", followers of Scar. Kovu can tell you about him later. I think the rest of the lionesses are inside the den. Oh, I almost forgot. Mpita, this is Kiara, my daughter, and her mate Kovu. They are the heirs to Pride Rock. This is my mate, Nala, and queen of the Pridelands."
"Over there," he pointed to Vitani, "Is our lead huntress, and princess (by marriage), Vitani."
Now Mpita got it. She wasn't JUST lead huntress, but a lesser princess. "Well, I am very happy to meet you all." Mpita said kindly, but he was watching Vitani.
"You must be tired, Mpita." Nala said.
"Oh, yes I am, Highness."
"Well then, let's all go to bed. You can tell us your story tomorrow." Mpita smiled.
He had been so many places; he was used to telling his story.
The royal family had already gone up on Pride Rock, and was close to the den. Just before Vitani entered the den, she looked back at him. He was surrounded by many of the Outsiders. They all wanted a mate. Mpita looked over to the den, where Vitani was watching him. She growled at him and turned, walking into the cave proudly. Mpita smirked, and started into the den, followed by the lionesses.
A/N: Thanks for reading, please review on your way out! I know, it was prolly a boring chapter, with all those intros, but oh well. By the way, TLK is supposed to be in Kenya, and Mozambique is far south from there, just to let you know!