Author's Note: Sorry for the wait, with my Christmas break done and school starting again, I been busy. Thanks for the reviews.
Chapter Twenty-One: Returning
Another day had past and the clan back at the pride land was getting restless from the lack of food, water, and the poor condition the land was in, and the news to Nuacka's death and Shenzi disappearance was spreading.
"This is not good" Info said, pacing back and forth while Silet watched her with a frown
"With Shenzi and Nuacka gone, we have no leader and without a leader the clan will go out control"
"Not really" Silet said
"What do you mean?"
"Over the months of living in this condition of lack of food and water, they were easily brainwashed by Zira and her pride to believe that Scar is their new leader. With us working for Nuacka and Zacuru, we also fell into the trap"
Info stared at the young hyena, her face was in sheared depression because she believed that Ed and the rest of the trio were dead. "Are we going to die, Info?"
She sighed and walked over to her "Silet, I know I haven't been the nicest hyena to you over the years due to thinking what was best for you and for Gossip and me, but I'll tell you this, no matter what happens we'll make it through it together"
"You really mean that" She asked
"Yeah, you should too, you just gotta have your light"
"Should I, since I don't see the point anymore when everything around me is dead or dying"
Info sighed again since Silet did have a point, she snapped out of it when Gossip came rushing it with a terrified look on her face.
"What wrong" Info asked
"We got to get out here" Gossip panicking "NOW!"
"Why what going on" Info asked
"Its Zacuru, he knows about Nuacka's death and he just lost it. I was walking around and I spotted him with blood all over his body and he was just muttering about he was going to find and kill Shenzi" She said trying to take a deep breath
"Metal Illness must run in the family" Info said to Silet, who nodded.
"He knows that Shenzi was the one who killed Nuacka, but I over heard him saying that was going to find the other three scents that were around the dead body"
"Other three scentes" Silet said
Info's eyes widened when she got it "He looking for us"
Gossip nodded "We got to get out of here, or least find a place where there's a crowd"
The other two nodded and ran out of the cave "If we get back into the pride lands, we'll be safe for now" Info said
They quickly took off and were almost at the border when Silet grabbed them and hid behind a pile of bones.
"What was that for?" Gossip shouted
"Ssh, I see him"
The female trio peeked around the pile of bones and was horrified when they saw Zacuru. Gossip was right, he was covered in blood, some of it wasn't from him, and seem to be out of it and muttering things to himself. He suddenly stopped, sniffed the air and grinned "I know you're out there Info, Gossip and even you, the little pest"
They hid behind the bones again, trembling in fear, "what are we going to do" Silet said
"Oh spies, come out, come out, wherever you are and I'll make the death quick and painless" Zacuru growled
Info started to sweat, Gossip was biting down her lip to prevent her from making a sound and Silet was tearing up from fear. Zacuru sniffed the air again "Ran off to your cave, I'll get you there" Zacuru said and ran off.
The female trio exhaled and stood there for a minute to calm down before running out of the graveyard and into the pride lands.
Shenzi dips her face into the cold water to wash off the dried blood from her face and hair. She lifted her head and started wiping her face with her paws while Ed rushed over and started drinking water as if he hasn't had any his whole life.
Banzai sat by a small tree, shocked and stunned from what Shenzi told him when they were walking back to the river. She told him what's been going on when he was gone and he couldn't believe he wasn't there when those events happen especially that one event that will never leave his mind anytime soon.
"Notwital and Blahatha" He said again before bursting out laughing "I can't believe I wasn't there to see the look on their faces"
"It wasn't as funny as you think Banzai" Shenzi said as she was fixing up her hair "The look on Silet's face was so unforgettable and she thinks you and Ed are dead"
"I know, but it's just like you said with those names they can no longer spy on us" He said
"I guess, but I doubt they still want to work with Zacuru" she said.
She walked into the water, making sure she stayed close to the edge, and laid down to clean up her wounds. Ed sat down next to the edge of the river, burped then smiled from getting water into his stomach to help with his sore throat.
"You must've been thirsty Ed?" Shenzi asked
He smiled and cleared his throat, he was glad to see his friends again and that fact that Alzon was gone.
"Speaking of Ed, there something I need to know" Banzai said
Ed stood very still as Banzai walk over to him and looked at Ed straight in the eyes. "Banzai what are you doing" Shenzi asked as she walked out of the river and shook her body to dry up.
Banzai looked at Ed like as if he was examining him "say something"
Ed gave him a confused look as well as Shenzi "Banzai, you and I both know Ed can't talk"
"No, I heard him say mother before Alzon attacked us" Banzai said "so I know he can talk"
"It must have been your imagination" She said
"No, it wasn't, I know you heard him too, right?"
"Maybe I did, but yet I was dizzy from blood loss so I didn't know what to believe last night"
"He can talk" Banzai said then looked over at Ed "come on Ed, I know I heard you say mother"
Ed continues to stare at his friends and grew very nervous when they were waiting for him to do or say something.
"Talk" Banzai said "just on word"
Shenzi could tell that Ed was getting nervous by the second "come on Ed, if you can then say you can, just say something" She said
Ed felt his little brain hurting from the pressure of his friends till finally something clicked in his mind and said the first thing that came to his mine "Ze . . . bra"
Shenzi and Banzai's eyes widened "oh . . . my... God" Banzai said before he fainted.
"Ed, you actually said a word" Shenzi said
"I can say more words, but I don't know if I'm just talking in my head or laughing" Ed said
Shenzi couldn't help, but smile and hug her friend "Ed, you're actually talking, after how many years, when did this happen" She asked
Ed shrugged "I think it was when that lion scared me and I just felt something in my throat unclogged"
Shenzi smiled "you know, it was really sweet how you called my mom your mother"
"She always was my mother since she raised me"
"Well, you always been liked another brother to me"
Ed smiled and started to clear his throat again.
Banzai got up from the floor and shook his head "Is that your real voice" he asked since Ed's voice was deep and scratchy.
Ed shook his head "my throat just really, really hurts"
"Well, for the mean time, just don't talk, we don't want you to lose your voice again" Shenzi said
He nodded and stayed quiet "so when is he allowed to talk again" Banzai asked
"Whenever his throat gets better or when all this is over" Shenzi said "whatever comes first"
"Well then, what do we do now" Banzai asked
Shenzi thought "you guys want to take a nap"
They looked up at the sky, it was only the late morning "sure, I could use a few extra hours of sleep" Banzai said
Ed laid down and frowns when he saw Shenzi and Banzai cuddling together before they went to sleep. He misses Silet, even her name was just as beautiful as she is and couldn't wait to get back to pride rock and finally be able to tell her that he loves her. He yawned and laid his head on the grass and drifted off to sleep.
Shenzi didn't sleep for very long when someone works her up by poking and shaking her. She quickly opened her eyes and spotted Ed trying to say something, but lost his words. She looked up at the sky and it was already the late afternoon.
"Ed, what is it"
Ed grabbed Shenzi's head and turned it around and she was shocked to see another lion running over to their spot. "Shit"
Shenzi quickly woke up Bnazai and before he could say anything he was dragged onto his feet and all three hid behind a thick tree and bush.
"What's going on?" Banzai asked
"Ssh, another lion is coming" Shenzi whispered.
"Do you think its one of Zira's pack, looking for us or Alzon?" Banzai whispered back.
They placed their heads down and peaked through the grass and saw a young adult male lion walking over to the river. He took a few deep breaths as if he been running all day and bent over to drink some water.
"That not one of Zira's pack" Banzai said
"If I didn't know better, the male kinda looks like Mufasa" Shenzi said
The three looked at each other and shook their heads "Nah, that impossible" she said.
The male lion licks his lips to wipe away any drops of water off his chin and laid down for a minute to rest a bit. He been running all night and all day and just wanted a few minutes to rest and regain his strength for the up coming battle he knows will happen.
"Ok, very quietly, we'll sneak away from the lion and run back to the pride lands" Shenzi said
"We'll get there faster if we run nonstop" Banzai said. The only reason it took him a long time because he was walking slower then normally and he had to carrying extra weight since Todei was out cold.
"Can you guys run?" She asked
Ed nodded and Banzai did too "what about you, you got hurt pretty badly last night"
She smiled "I'm more concern if you two would slow me down"
The males gave her a sour look then grin and ran off, away from the desert and back to the pride lands. It was the late evening when they return to the Graveyard, the only reason they went there first because Banzai wanted to see the place where Nuacka was killed at.
Yet, something seen differently about the place, whatever it was Shenzi could feel it running down her spine.
"I don't know why, but this place seems spookier then the last time I was here" Banzai said
"You're right, something doesn't seem right" Shenzi said
"Well, lets go see Nuacka then we'll go find your brother and tell him we're all ok" Banzai said
"Ok, we fought around our skull" she said then sigh "the skull didn't survive"
They started walking over to their home and Banzai spotted something a few meters away. "Shenzi, you said you fought Nuacka by the skull right?"
"Yeah, weren't you listening" Shenzi said
"Then whose that" Banzai pointed
Shenzi looked over at whatever Banzai was pointing at and saw a hyena's body on the floor covered in blood. She took a few steps over to it then rush over when she realizes who it was.
"Shenzen!" She screamed
Shenzi stopped next to her brother, he had cuts and bruises all over his body and was covered in dried blood. A large stain surrounded his body which told Shenzi that he was like this for a while.
Banzai and Ed stood next to Shenzi and were shocked, Banzai lean over to Shenzen's face to see if he was alive.
"Is he?" Shenzi asked
"He's alive, his breathing is weak, but he's alive" Banzai said
"Quick let's take him back to the cave" Shenzi said
Banzai laid down, letting Shenzi and Ed slide Shenzen onto him then Banzai stood up.
"Is he too heavy?" Shenzi asked
"No, he's very light for his age" Banzai said
"He hasn't eaten much eaten much in weeks" Shenzi said "none of us has"
They quickly went back to Shenzen's cave and Banzai placed Shenzen down as carefully as he can. Shenzi swallowed a large lump in her throat and kept herself from crying as she started wiping the blood off her brother's face.
"Shenzen, Shenzen, can you hear me?" Shenzi whispered. "Please say something, please"
Banzai and Ed sat there, not knowing what to say or do "Shenzen, please, don't leave me" Shenzi said again, shaking him.
Shenzen started to cough and slowly opened his eyes to see the trio looking down at him. The first he did, he struggled to get up while screaming out his girlfriend's name "Balean! Where is she?"
"Shenzen, you're alive" She said, hugging him, but quickly pulled away when he hissed in pain.
"Shenzi?" Shenzen looked at Ed and Banzai. "Banzai? Ed? Am I dead too?"
"No, they're alive" Shenzi said then frowns "what happened to you"
Shenzen shook his head to get rid of the daze "Balean, we got to find Balean" he said
"What happened to you, please tell me?"
"We were walking, trying to find you when we bumped into Zacuru and he seems so out of it. Then the next thing I knew he attacked me and wouldn't stop screaming "she killed her" over and over again. Balean ran off, but she returned and told him to stop then I was stuck in the head and past out. He must've gone after Balean and I don't know how long I was out"
Shenzen tried to get up, but collapsed to the floor "Shenzen, you're too weak, stay here we'll go find her"
"Shenzi be careful, Zacuru is crazy" he said
"I know, it runs in his family" Shenzi said
"Just stay deep inside the cave, you'll be safe" Banzai said
Shenzi, Banzai and Ed ran out of the cave, leaving Shenzen to regain his strength "Shenzi, be careful"
They search around the graveyard, but something still seems strange "where is everybody" Shenzi said
Even though the hyenas were allowed in the graveyard, most of them still spent their time in the graveyard to sleep or to get away, but the whole place was empty.
"Something doesn't seem right" Banzai said
Ed stood there, a little freak out from the whole things that he didn't see someone walking up to him. A paw patted him of the shoulder and he screamed at the top of his lungs. The other two turned around to see Ed, coughing again and hissing in pain from his sore throat and Balean, smiling weakly at them.
"You guys are not dead" she said weakly.
Shenzi smiled, but it quickly faded when she noticed a giant bite mark on her side and a few scratches. Balean smiled "I escaped and hid for a day, I was too scared to come out"
Shenzi walked over to Balean "are you ok"
She nodded "yes, is Shenzen ok"
"He is, he back in his cave" Shenzi said
Balean sighed in relief "thank god, Zacuru just lost it and after he attacked Shenzen, he came after me. I don't know what was wrong with him, but he kept on saying that someone Shenzen knew killed his mother"
Shenzi froze, Zacuru found Nuacka's body and no doubt picked up her sense. "Balean, where is everybody" Banzai asked
"Before we encountered Zacuru, Scar came by and told us that today he was going to speak to Sarabi about why she hasn't found food. And he said if she didn't give him the answers he wanted he's going to kill her"
"This is bad" Shenzi said
"Why" Banzai asked
"If Scar kills Sarbai, the lioness might go on a rebellion and who do you think is going to be caught in the middle.
Banzai knew "the clan"
"Exactly" Shenzi said
"What do we do now?" Balean asked
"Balean, go back to Shenzen and make sure he stays alive, Me, Banzai and Ed are going into the pride lands and gather up the clan" Shenzi said "because tonight, we're leaving this place"
Balean nodded "we're really leaving this place"
"Yes, but stay inside your cave, and don't worry Zacuru is probably in the pride lands."
"Ok, thanks Shenzi" she said and ran off to the cave where Shenzen was at.
"Come on" Shenzi said
The trio walked out of the graveyard, and Balean was right, all the hyenas were gathered around the pride rock with Scar standing on top of the rock. They saw Zira sitting down with her back turned, blocking their way from walking over to the clan. If Zira saw them alive and well, they know that she'll make them pay for killing her brother.
"How are we going to get past her?" Banzai asked
Shenzi looked around and spotted a path going up to the rock where a dozen of hyenas are watching for the event that is about to be unfolded. "Let's go up to the rock, we can get the ones up there to leave and grab the others' attention" she said
Banzai nodded and the three snuck off as quietly as they can to make sure Zira didn't hear them and walked up the path to the top of the rock. They were greeted by some of the hyenas, some were shocked to see them alive while others looked worried and sad.
"Hey, where have you three been" a male hyena said "we heard rumors of you guys running away and that Nuacka is dead"
"It's a long story" Banzai said
"But that not the point, listen to me, I need you to-" Shenzi was interrupted
"SARABI!" Scar roared
The male hyena, along with the others, gathered over to the edge of the rock and looked down to see the lioness, Sarabi talking to Scar.
"This is just great" Shenzi pouted
"It gets worst" Banzai said pointing over at Ed.
Ed couldn't help himself and went over to the edge to see what was going on. "Idiot" Shenzi said and walked over to Ed with Banzai following her. "Ed, what are you doing, we need to get the clan out of here" Banzai whispered
Ed wasn't paying attention to Banzai and continues listening to Scar and Sarabi's conversation. Shenzi was about hit Ed and dragged him away from the edge, but when her eyes caught Scar smacking Sarabi across the face Shenzi froze.
Lightning struck and they all heard a roar and turned around to see another lion on the rock. (That was the same lion from the river) Shenzi thought
Whoever it was, she noticed it brought fear into Scar's eyes . . .