Author's note: Don't hate me from the last chapter, I'm only human. Also sorry for the wait

Happy Late Halloween- Let the darkness fill your soul (evil grin)

Chapter Fourteen: Depression

Night fell and Shenzi started getting worried. Banzai still hasn't shown up to the dried up water hole or at the skull. She paced back and forth next to the skull, waiting and to get the pain she feels in her heart out. Hours has past and still no sign of him.

(Banzai, where are you) she thought

Ed sat there, watching her pacing back and forth and worried as well. It wasn't like Banzai to be late and even if he was he would have been home by now.

"Come on Ed, we're going to go look for him." she said

Ed nodded and followed her as they walked around the graveyard and the pride lands. They asked ever hyena they can find but none of them didn't seem to know where he was. All the hyenas expect for five.

Zacuru waited for Alzon to return with Info, Gossip and Secret somewhere deep in to the grave yard. His mother, Nuacka, was talking to Zira furthered away from where they were sitting.

"Do you think he got the job done" Zacuru asked

"Probably, and Scar believed the lie about Banzai running away" Info said

"Yeah, I don't know why he always wanted those three alive" Gossip said

"It was something to do with that scar, from what I heard" Info said "what do you think Secret"

The oldest one of the three looked at her friend and noticed she lost her color when she was staring at something from behind her. Info turned around and her jaw nearly dropped when they saw Alzon.

His mouth, paw and bits of his fur was stained with fresh blood. Secret went pale and looked away not saying nothing. "yikes" Info whispered

Alzon growled and walked over to his sister "their dead" he was all he said then sat down and started licking the blood off his paw.

"What happen" Nuacka asked

"Ran off to the desert and with one strike they die instantly" Alzon said

They all smirk expect for the female trio who were stunned a bit they actually did it. Secret was horrorfid and started walking away.

"Secret, where are you going" Info shouted

When her young friend didn't answer, Info went after her. Gossip rolled her eyes and followed them as well. Nuacka shook her head "Alzon did you enjoy the kill" she asked

Alzon just smirked "I think that was a yes" Zira said "why do you asked"

"Well, I'm just asking because there are two more hyenas that need to go"

"Which one are you talking about" Zacuru asked walking over to them.

"Who else, Ed and the little nuisance" Nuacka said

"Secret! You can kill her, sure she an annoyance but she a good spy" he said

"If you looked at her lately, all that been happening is getting to her, pretty soon she'll snap and spilled out everything to Shenzi" Nuacka said "I mean everything, from you hiring them to spy on her, to her mother's death, to killing the ones she loves, do you want that to happen my son?"

"No...but...what about the other two" Zacuru asked

"Just say the two lovebirds ran away with each other" Nuacka smirked

Zacuru only thought was (she very clever)

Info blocked Secret from taking another step forward "what is with you" she asked

Secret looked at the floor "nothing wrong, you know how blood creeps me out" she said

"You're lying, now tell us what the hell is wrong with you" Gossip shouted

Secret continued looking at the floor "again nothing is wrong"

Gossip pushed her against a large bone which stunned the youngest one "now you listen to me, I know you, I know how you think and I know the gulit about what is going on is tearing you apart. And I know how such a pest you can be and I know we had this conversation before" she growled "if you talk we are through, you can kiss our lives good-bye. Do you want us to be killed like Shentana was, DO YOU"

"I told you,Iwon't tell" she said

"Gossip, let her go" Info shouted

"Yes you will, I know you, you will open that big mouth of yours!"

Info got between the two and back Gossip away "leave her alone, we're all under a lot of stress" she said looking at them as they calmed down "but it doesn't help turning against each other"

"But she will tell, I can see it in her eyes" Gossip said

"I not going to tell anyone" Secret said

"Yeah, you're the one with the big mouth not her" Info said

"There you go again with the insults, at least I'm not a-"

"Guys"

They all nearly jumped out of their fur and turned around to see Shenzi and Ed looking at them in a strange way.

"Shenzi, hi, what brings you here" Info asked keeping her cool

"Have you seen Banzai anyway" Shenzi asked

Secret went cold but her friends stayed calm "no, we haven't seen him why" Gossip said

Shenzi frowned "well, I haven't seen him in hours and I'm getting worried"

"Again, we haven't seen him" Info said

"And I thought you knew everything" Shenzi said "but thanks anyway"

They remind quiet till Shenzi and Ed left "that little bitch doesn't even know what the hell is going on around here" Info said shaking her head. "Lets go home, I think we all need a nap"

"Fine by me, let her suffer" Gossip said

As the two walked away, Secret sigh and followed them believing things are about to get worst. (Please, don't let it get worst) she thought

Shenzi continued waiting for Banzai to return home all night til her brother came by to see her still up and Ed sleeping in the skull.

"you need to get some sleep" he whispered as he sat down next to her.

"He still not home" Shenzi said

"Why don't you sleep and I'll stay up waiting for him"

She shook her head "no, I want to wait" she said

Shenzen gave her a nuzzle "please, for me"

Shenzi frowned but nodded "just walk me up when he comes back"

"I will, now get some sleep" Shenzen said

Shenzi walked in to the skull and laid down next to Ed, who was sleep soundly, and stared out of the entrance (where are you)

The cold wind blew through the sand and his freshly open wounds. He shivered from the cold and the pain. He opened one of his eyes to see if the coast was clear. All he saw that it was night with a full moon and that fact that there was blood everywhere.

He laid there was a minute because he couldn't feel anything but pain and the coldness. His mind was fuzzy from what had happen a few hours ago.

All he can remembered was being hit by that lion, hearing the spraying sound blood then everything went dark. He didn't want to move but he had to get a better view of the area. He struggled on to his feet hearing fresh blood dripping on to the dirt.

Finally he was on his feet...for a second til falling again to the ground. He tried again but this time sat down and tried to get his thoughts straight. He was cut all over and had a deep gash on his stomach that went up to his neck. His fur was covered in blood and he had a splitting headache.

The wind blew again and he shivered, it was so cold and painful when sand partials blew in to his open wounds. As he sat there he started remembering what happen. He was trying to get away from the lion but Todei held on to him to prevent him from leaving. Then when the lion hit him all he felt was pain and something warm running down his fur. He collapse to the floor and "play dead" like Ed would do. After a few minutes of being beaten he laid there and everything went black.

(Todei?) He thought and looked around.

He couldn't find Todei anywhere but he did spotted a large puddle of blood then a trail of it heading even further away.

Banzai looked back at Pride Rock, he could return to Shenzi, no doubt she was worry sick about him but...

(It was all part of Nuacka's plan) he remembered Todei said

"Todei knows something" he looked back at pride rock again "and I'm going to find out what it is"

He got on his feet, stumbled a bit then slowly started following Todei's tracks (please don't be worry) Banzai thought as he took another look at the pride lands(I'll be back)

He didn't know how long he had walk but the sun was barley rising when he found Todei. It seem the hyena dragged himself for a couple of feet before collapsing to the floor. Banzai walked over to him and noticed how badly shape he was in. He was cut all over like he was and was covered head to paw in blood.

Banzai leaned his head down to his mouth (he still breathing) he thought.

Banzai stared at him without of clue what to do.

Days past and Shenzi sunk in what it seem like an endless depression. Banzai still haven't returned and she still doesn't know what happened to him. Everyday she laid on top of a flat rock watching the days go by and waiting.

Ed sigh, he didn't know what to do to cheer her up when he depress as well. He couldn't believe Banzai would just disappear like that.

"Look at her so depress for her lost love" Nuacka smirked to herself.

She walked over to Shenzi who was deep in thought and smile "why so down Shenzi" she asked

Shenzi kept staring out in to the dead land "Shenzi? Hello"

"What is it, Nuacka" she said in a sad voice

"Why so down" Nuacka asked

"Have you see Banzai" Shenzi asked

"No, I haven't see him in days" she said "but why so down, he probably ran off or search for a new place to live"

"NEVER!" Shenzi snapped as she quickly stood up but it didn't made Nuacka flinched "he would never leave without telling me" she said (or without me)

Nuacka's face darken a little "when can you get it in her head that Lackeys like to travel, he stays in one place til he gets bored or it dies like what been happening. Then he leaves searching for a new place"

"Stop saying he left, you don't know him" Shenzi said but this time she didn't raise her voice.

Nuacka shook her head "maybe it's you that don't know him well" she said leaving "stupid girl"

Shenzi's eyes widen when she heard those words (stupid girl)

(the truth is right under your nose and you don't know cause your stupid)

(Stupid girl, stupid girl, stupid girl)

(SHUT UP) Shenzi shouted in her head.

All went quiet as she watch Nuacka going back to the graveyard. She head Ed whin and she looked down at him from the rock frowning. "You don't think Banzai left do you?" she had to asked

Ed frowned and shook his head. "Thanks that all I need to know" she said lying down on the rock again. Ed sigh and sat there waiting with her.

Shenzi wasn't the only one whose been feeling down, Info noticed the change in her young friend. It seem that all her color was gone, she had dark circles under her eyes and never smile anymore.

(The pressure is getting to her) Info thought

She stared at Secret who was sleeping in the dark corner of their cave. "What with her, she been sleeping for two days now" Gossip said

"Leave her alone, she probably still shook up from you yelling at her" Info said

"I had to say something, you know what kind of hyena she is" Gossip said

"Yes I know, but she not going to tell a soul" Info said "but you yelling at her like that is not helping either"

Gossip turned away not saying anything, showing her friend the horrible scars on her back she got for knowing too much.

Info shook her head knowing her life could end that quickly if any of them talk, she had to make sure she keeps Secret close to her so she would do any thing stupid. She looked out of the cave the night was here.

"So you haven't seen him at all" Shenzen asked

Zacuru yawned "no, I haven't seen him in days, now if you're done can I please go back to sleep"

"Sorry my friend but Shenzi hasn't move from that rock in days and she thinner then ever and I still don't know what happen to Banzai" Shenzen said sighing, he was so stress out.

An idea click in to Zaucuru's mind (alone, depress and vulnerable) he grinned

"What with you" Shenzen asked

"Nothing" he said "look get some rest, I'm sure Banzai would return one of these days, all you and Shenzi have to do is to wait"

Shenzen raised an eyebrow, he wasn't about that grin of his but he nodded "ok, sorry for disturbing you"

When Shenzen was out of his sight, Zacuru took off looking for Shenzi, thinking she could use some company.

The clouds covered the night sky again just every other night. Shenzi missed to stars and she smiled when remembered talking to her father's star or just staring out with the boys.

"Where are you Banzai" she kept asking, all she told him was to meet her at the water hole when he wakes up from his nap.

"Where did you go" she asked.

She sat down on the rock again, Ed left back to the skull to sleep like she order him to so she can get some alone time. A cold breeze flew through her fur and suddenly had an aching feeling in her heart. Then it started pounding and something told she should run before something bad happen.

"Hello my dear"

Shenzi jolted up and turned around to see Zacuru grinning at her and it wasn't a nice grin either. "What do you want" she asked

"What, can't I see my fiancé especially when she so depress about that fact that her friend ran off"

"He did NOT ran off" Shenzi said

Zacuru jumped on to the rock and sat down next to her "and what makes you think he didn't"

"He's my friend and we been together our whole lives" she said

"You know I'll never abandon you" he grinned "who wanted to leave this beauty. You know you're very beautiful right" he said

"So I heard" she said then noticing he was scooting to her a bit. "Is there something you need" she asked scooting away from him.

"No, I just wanted to be with you, is that so wrong" he said

"I guess not, but I'm just want to be alone right now" she said

Zacuru just grinned and move closer to her "come on, everybody loves to have company with them"

Shenzi jumped off the rock "fine you stay there, I'm leaving" she said taking off hoping he would stay and not follow her but he did. Shenzi could hear his footsteps and she started to get nervous.

"Stop following me" she said

"Give me a reason why" he said still grinning, she hated that grin.

"Do I have to hit you again to show you I'm not joking around" she said

She stopped when Zacuru blocked her path and walked closer to her. She walked backwards til she lean against a dead tree. (What is he doing) she thought.

"Shenzi, why must you always play hard to get" he chuckled

(Oh shit, don't tell me he getting any ideas) she thought but stayed calm "who said I was playing"

He smiled and lean over and whispered in to her ear "you know if you're sad, I know a way to make it all better"

Shenzi's eyes widen and pushed him away "what ever idea you have in mind, forget it and go away" she threaten him but he didn't move.

"I said move" she growled

"And what if I don't, I can do whatever I want" he said

"Not to me you can't" she said

"You keep forgetting my dear, the minute you were born you were promise to ME and Me alone. And I'm not going to let some lion, a dead land or another male be in my way from what I want" he said

"And you're forgetting what I can do to you if you lay one paw on me" she said "now move"

He just grin and tackle her to the ground in less then a second. She slammed to the ground hard and was pinned, she can actually feel his claws digging in her flesh. (He not going to force me) she thought

"I'm not some weak male like your friend Shenzi" he said "and I always get what I want"

"Get your filthy paws off me!" she holler hoping someone would hear her but she was too far away from the grave yard and the clan. She struggled to get away but like he said he was stranger then any other male.

"Don't struggle, this is natural for future mates" he said leaning over to kiss her

"I said let me go!" she screamed and bit him right in the shoulder hard.

Zacuru whined in pain as he back away with her still holding her grip on his neck. She let go when she tasted blood and ran off. Zacuru laid down as warm blood ran down his shoulder. He started to lick it and couldn't believe she actually did that to him (I'll get you next time, just wait and see)

Shenzi ran back to the skull and found Ed sleeping in it. She quickly wiped the blood away from her mouth and tapped Ed on the shoulder "Ed wake up" she said

Ed opened his eyes, yawned then looked at her "come on, we're going to go sleep in my brother's cave"

Ed gave her a confuse look "don't asked quesitions, just come on" she said

He got up and followed her as they went over to Shenzen cave. Shenzi peeked inside and saw him sleeping with his girlfriend. She envied him for a second then walked over to him.

"Shenzen, Shenzen wake up" she whipsered

Shenzen's eyes opened half way "Shenzi, what is it"

"Sorry to wake you but can Ed and I sleep here for tonight" she asked

"Of course, there plenty of room" he smiled then yawned

"Thank you" she said

Ed walked in, yawned, fell to the floor and fell asleep again. Shenzi laid down between him and her brother and stared out the cave. She felt safer with her brother around but she still stayed up all night making sure Zacuru wasn't looking for her again and wondering what happen to Banzai...