Hello people! This is one more chapter! We are at chapter 8 and there is much more to come because I have a crazy idea! Chap 9 is already written but I'll wait and see what you think about this one before I give out the punch. Well here we'll see what Rafiki really is about. And you thought there would be no Hyenas? Well you might be surprised. Starting this chapter, everything will have a double sens until you uncover the truth about the Pridelands!(FOR WARNINGS SEE CHAP 1)

ENJOY!

Sebek took off for Rafiki's home He wanted to clear things up with the mandrill before he'd made any false ideas on his intentions. "But I've delayed too much. He must have already made things up in his mind…" He ran a few more minutes when he saw a gigantic baobab tree. "How to signal my presence?"

Sebek turned around the tree a few moments as he thought about a way to signal his presence to the monkey. The tree wasn't small enough for him to climb. He finally decided to roar. After a powerful sound from his throat, he waited.

Simba? A voice called from the heights of the tree.

No!

Kovu?

NO! It's me Sebek!

Arh… you go away. Rafiki busy.

Please I need to talk with you.

Not me. I don't need so.

Just a few moments.

Moments spoil hours.

It means nothing what you just said.

Rafiki doesn't care. Leave Rafiki in peace.

I came to apologize.

No answer. He'd probably hit a weak point. He'd get an audience.

If you climb, I listen to arrogant lion.

CLIMB? I can't climb.

No climb, no talk.

Sebek thought for a moment. Should he even succeed in climbing this monstrous tree, how would he get down?

How will I get down afterwards?

Jump.

WHAT? I'm going to break a leg!

Not Rafiki's problem.

Can I talk from here and you listen?

Rafiki leaves now.

A slim shape jumped from the gigantic tree to another, this one smaller. Sebek plunged forward to follow him from the soil. He ran as fast as the mandrill jumped. He ran faster and faster until he distanced the monkey. He spotted a tree in the mandrill's way and jumped into the branches just before Rafiki landed on the branch.

Both stared at each other for a moment, breathing heavily. Sebek's eyes dove into the monkey's yellow pair and searched any sign of resignation. He found none.

One…minute of talk… won't kill you…. Please, Sebek breathed.

The mandrill seemed to consider it for a while and broke eye contact. He finally jumped on the ground and was followed by Sebek whom's paws hurt from the fall but let nothing show.

I know, began Sebek, that your role in this pride is the one of healing the weakened and ill. I didn't mean to interfere with your affairs. I won't do it again. I am just useless in the moment and I don't want to find a role by stealing another one's. I apologize.

Rafiki's face had softened a little bit as Sebek had humbly presented his apologies. Sebek waited for a reaction.

Rafiki understands. Apologies accepted. You should go. Vitani will worry.

How do you know about…

Rafiki knows everything.

The mandrill made his way to his tree. Sebek sat there for a while thinking of the small but evident hint Rafiki had slipped concerning Vitani's feelings towards him. Obviously, he loved her but this was a sort of confirmation of her own feelings for him. His heart skipped when he heard a roar from behind him. He jumped to his feet and turned around, all claws and fangs out. When he realized it was only Kovu, he felt stupid and watched him laugh out loud at his reaction.

You should have seen your FACE! HA HA HA!

Very funny.

REEEEEEEEEEEALLY!

Ok, ok you got me. What did you want to ask me?

Nothing. I was just searching for you. Simba wants to talk to you.

Really?

He says it cannot wait. Let's go.

Both lions made their way back to Pride Rock and when they arrived, Simba was looking very worked up. He bore a worried face and paced nervously on the platform.

You wanted to see me Your Highness?

I did. I did. Come over please.

There is something wrong Your Excellence?

I think. Well I don't know yet. Come with me I'll show you.

The golden and the bronze feline made their way to the very top of Pride Rock where only the King and heir had access. Simba showed him around and told him where the borders of the kingdom were. He then showed the shadowed area that was the Hyena's territory.

I've been coming here frequently these days, moved by a force I do not control, confessed Simba. This patch of shadow south of Prideland seems to spread wider with each passing days. I sense something weird my friend. Dark forces are at play here.

What do you think it could be Your Majesty?

I don't know. Did you come from south or north?

South, My Lord. Why this question?

What can you tell me about what is south of my lands?

Lands like this one. Sun rises and sets on those lands as it rises and sets on this one. Though there is a darker land not far from my own homeland.

Our outlands are north. Where were yours?

Outlands? We had no such thing.

Then what is this other dark land?

It is a myth more then a reality, Sire.

Seeing parts of my land vanish in shadows Sebek, I think I will believe even the craziest theory.

Right well I will tell you about the Racuna.

Under the burning sun and the blue sky, the King heard a name that was unknown to him. A name he knew he should be fearing but somehow the memory was too far buried. He had a vague flash of a feline form but that could be any part of a far memory.

The Racuna is a spirit that comes down on Africa sometimes on the eve of a big change. It wages across the lands from South to North and spreads it's mischievous mind until it finds a prey.

What kind of prey? Simba asked.

A prey that it can fool into an unwanted purpose. But I know nothing more of it, Sire. All I think I know is that once the darkness engulfs your lands, we must all be careful.

Indeed. We should go down now.

Yes of course.

Sebek followed the King back down to the main platform. A tall zebra stood in front of Nala. She seemed very troubled by the zebra's sayings. As the lions came within earshot they heard:

Yes Handa we will take care of it. Be assured of our complete collaboration.

Thank you Queen of Queens.

The zebra went galloping back to its herd.

What is it Nala? Simba asked.

Handa says he has seen cheetahs walking towards Pride Rock as he went by walking the borders. Hyenas escorted them.

Impossible! There hasn't been Hyenas here for years! Simba said startled.

Hyenas?

The voice came from Kiara who was leading the hunting party that was preparing to leave the den. She and the other lionesses, including Vitani and the older females came over to their King and Queen.

Fear not all of you, Simba said reassuringly. I will settle this at once. Nala, watch over the pride. Sebek, Nephi, Jeyau and Kovu, follow me.

Wouhouhou... What are hyenas doing there? What really is the Racuna? What, what, what, what, what? So many questions! Want the answers?

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KeiraMcJulian