Hyenas of the Outlands
Hello everyone, welcome to my Hyenas of the Outlands one-shot; man, I'm terrible at openers. I mentioned this story in the ending author's note of my Roar of Manipulation's bonus chapter and those of you reading this who might have read that, thank you for reading once again. This is an idea I've had for a while, to explain how Zira stole Jasiri's clan's watering hole, had some extra funny scenes, mostly from Nuka by the way, and to see more of Jasiri's clan, who I've introduced in my other LK/LG fanfics. Speaking of my other LK/LG fanfics, for those who might be curious, this story is connected to my Scarred Pride fanfic universe not my Roar of Manipulation universe. Anyway, this is going to be the last thing I write for a while, after working on Roar of Manipulation non-stop for over half a year, I want to take a much needed break. I'll let you all my plan for my next story at the end, but for now, enjoy this story and don't forget to leave a review, it would be much appreciated.
In the Outlands, lived jackals, vultures, and especially hyenas and all of them were usually bad. However, not all of them were. There was a small clan of hyenas who lived in the Outlands, who contrary to belief were relatively friendly to those they met. It was currently the middle of the wet season and the wet season brought two things, rain and life. With the rain came coolness in the air and water, which helped vegetation grow, which brought grazing animal herds, which brought food for predators.
All that in turn made the neighboring lands, the Pride Lands a paradise, but not here in the Outlands. The Outlands were rocky and drier than a dry bone with there being barley any water and even less vegetation. It all made the Outlands a nearly inhospitable place where no one wanted to live. These hyenas however didn't mind since unlike all the other animals in the Outlands, they actually respected the Circle of Life, knowing to be thankful for whatever food they found and to preserve it instead of greedily eating it all at once without planning ahead. The watering hole that they lived near help a lot to.
Four of them were coming back from a very successful hunt. They had caught twelve rats, one for each of them and their eight other fellow clan members back home. One rat for each member of their small clan, especially small, malnourished rats that were nearly nothing but skin and bone didn't seem like much, but in Outlands standards to have one of anything for everyone was a prayer answered. The youngest of the four hyenas, looked to her mother and even said so.
"I still can't believe we found enough for everyone back home mom." she said happily.
"Yes Jasiri, I can believe so either." her mother replied.
"Oh, I can't wait to see the look on everyone's faces when we get back." Jasiri's older sister, Madoa said.
"Yeah, they sure will be surprised." Madoa's friend, Baruti said.
The four hyenas continued on home in silence. They were just a few minutes away from home when suddenly, Jasiri and Madoa's mother stopped and her nose twitched. Jasiri noticed this a came to her mother's side.
"Mom, what is it?" Jasiri asked.
"Don't you smell that?" Jasiri's mother asked.
Jasiri turned and sniffed the air, catching the unmistakable scent of lions nearby. That got Jasiri wondering, what were lions doing here in the Outlands? As far as Jasiri and her clan knew, all nearby lions lived in the Pride Lands and rarely if ever ventured into the Outlands. Jasiri once encountered a lion cub in the Outlands, but he had been in there by accident and doubted he would ever come back in by choice. She thought for a moment that it was him, but she smelt more than one lion and none of them smelt like him.
Jasiri and her mother looked at each other and nodded; they could smell and hear these lions around the next corner, which was they safest way for them to get home. The only other way for them to get home was to pass through Janja, the leader of the only other hyena clan in the Outlands' territory and their clans didn't get along since Janja didn't respect the circle of life like them and they'd rather avoid a fight. Jasiri and her mother wanted to get a look at these lions, to see if they were dangerous or not. They looked back at Madoa and Baruti, telling them to stay there. Jasiri and her mother set down the rats they were carrying and edged towards the next turn and carefully peeked around to get a look at these lions.
There were three lions and much to their surprise, they weren't adult, they were cubs, well, one of them was a teenager. They appeared to be arguing about not finding anything to eat and the older of the three, a scruffy and bony lion seemed to be worried about going back to their mother empty handed.
"I'm telling you two, we can't go back to mother without anything. She'll be very unhappy about it." the teenaged lion said.
"But Nuka, mom said this was only training." the youngest of the three, a brown-auburn furred cub with a brown mane tuft and green eyes said optimistically.
"But she said that we'd only pass this test if we brought back something to eat and we haven't found anything." Nuka said.
"Come on, Nuka. I'm sure mom will understand as long as we say we tried really hard, so it's not like she'll punish us." Kovu said optimistically.
"Speak for yourself, you little termite. Mother, would never punish her precious chosen one and little demon, but she'll definitely punish me since she'll blame our failure on me." Nuka said.
"Especially when I tell her you were slacking off, leaving me and Kovu to do all the work and that I overheard you saying that you were gonna steal whatever Kovu caught and take all the credit for yourself." the other cub, a girl, laughed with a smug smile on her face.
"You'd better not, tattletale!" Nuka threatened.
"Slacker." the young cub replied smugly.
Jasiri and her mother pulled back and looked at each other confused. They weren't sure whether to consider these lions a threat or not. Jasiri's first thought was that they weren't and to help them with their food problem, but Jasiri knew as a hyena she had to be careful around lions since their kind hated each other and that older cub gave her a bad feeling. Jasiri was more than willing to spare rat for them and she knew her mother would to and maybe her sister. They had a few scraps back home that Jasiri would be content with, but Jasiri also wondered why these cubs were hunting for their mother and not the other way around.
However, while Jasiri was thinking these things through, all her mom heard and saw was three young lions trying to find food to bring back to their mother. Jasiri's mother was the matriarch of their clan and while most matriarch were looked at as tough, hardened, stoic, commanding, and no-nonsense hyenas who looked after no one but their own clan, Jasiri's mother was almost the exact opposite of that, being that she did care about the wellbeing of those outside her clan or even species. So, being the ever-generous hyena that she was, she turned towards Jasiri and her other daughter, and Baruti behind them.
"Jasiri, Madoa, Baruti, come on. Let's greet these three lions." Jasiri's mother said.
"Uh, Matriarch Liwa, are sure it's safe. I mean, these are lions we're dealing with." Baruti said nervously, not wanting to get into a fight with a lion or having them steal any of their hunt.
"Oh, Baruti, they're just cubs, what harm could they do?" Liwa said naively.
"But mama…" Madoa began to protest, just as nervously as Baruti.
Jasiri walked up to her sister and gave her an assuring smile.
"Just stick close to me and mom, okay?" Jasiri said.
"Okay." Madoa said, smiling back.
Jasiri and her mother, Liwa took the front while Madoa and Baruti took the rear. Just before they turned the corner, Baruti asked Liwa what she intended to do and she said she intended to help the lions with their food troubles by giving them a rat. Baruti protested against it since they needed these rats for the clan, but Liwa stated that she was just going to give them one or two and reminded him that they still had a couple of scraps back up, which would make up for them, which caused Baruti to relent. The four hyenas turned the corner to three young lions, who were still arguing and hadn't noticed them.
"Uh, hello there!" Liwa shouted out to the three young lions.
The three young lions instantly stopped arguing and looked to see the four hyenas that had come across them. The two youngest ones just looked surprised while the oldest one looked scared.
"HYENAS!" Nuka shouted in fright, jumping several feet into the air and behind his younger siblings. "Kovu, Vitani, protect me."
While Jasiri laughed at the sight, Kovu and Vitani gave Nuka a weird look as if asking 'are you serious?' Kovu stopped giving his brother a weird look and looked towards the hyenas.
"What are you hyenas doing here?" Kovu asked.
"Looking for trouble, that's what." Vitani said.
"And they're going to eat us." Nuka whimpered, shaking like a leaf.
"Oh, shut up and don't wet yourself Nuka." Vitani said.
"Hay, they have a bunch of dead rats with them." Kovu said, just noticing the hyenas' bounty.
Vitani and Nuka looked, noticing the rats as well. Nuka instantly thought that if he stole at least a few of those rats or intimidated the hyenas to hand them over, he could take them to his mother with the hopes of impressing her and making Kovu and Vitani, especially Kovu look bad. Forgetting his previous fear, Nuka leaped over his younger siblings and marched towards the hyenas.
"Those rats, give them to me!" Nuka demanded.
"Uhh…" Baruti said nervously.
"And wipe that stupid grin off your face." Nuka said, referring to Liwa, who had been smiling this whole time.
Jasiri growled towards Nuka to warn him to back off from her mother. Nuka fearfully shrunk back for a moment, before glaring back at Jasiri, also growling. Liwa pushed herself between the two young animals to stop them from going at each other.
"Easy little ones, there's no need to get so worked up." Liwa eased.
"Who you calling little, shorty?" Nuka snapped down at the adult hyena.
"Alright than, Nuka wasn't it, my daughters, Baruti, and I overheard you having troubles finding food for your mother." Liwa said.
"Yeah, and those rats will do nicely." Nuka said.
"Why are you three hunting for your mother instead of her hunting for you?" Jasiri asked, the thought still on her mind.
"Nunya!" Nuka replied. "Now, I'll ask again. Give me those rats!"
"We were already planning to offer you some." Liwa eased before she glanced at Jasiri. "Jasiri, do you mind if…"
Jasiri while still watching Nuka from the corner of her eye nodded. Liwa smiled at her daughter before turning towards Madoa, asking for two of the rats she was carrying. Liwa handed the rats to Nuka, who rudely snatched them away and observed them.
"These won't do at all. These rats are basically nothing but skin and bones." Nuka said.
"Just like you." Vitani snickered.
"Give me the rest!" Nuka demanded.
"But we can't do that. We've got a clan with two little pups to feed." Madoa protested.
"I don't care, give me the rest willingly or I take the rest by force!" Nuka demanded.
"How about instead of threatening us, you be thankful that we even gave you anything at all?" Jasiri said.
Nuka glared back at Jasiri.
"You think you can take me hyena! You have no idea who you're talking to." Nuka said, getting in Jasiri's face.
In response, Jasiri snapped at Nuka, almost biting him. Nuka jumped back with a shout.
"Yes, I think I can and I also think you can't take on four hyenas at once, even if your brother and sister came to back you up. Now, why don't you be a good little lion and get them and take those rats that we kindly gave you back to your mother." Jasiri advised with a grin.
Nuka scowled at Jasiri.
"Alright, you little monster. Kovu, Vitani, let's go home." Nuka said.
Nuka turned around and walked back to his younger siblings. Jasiri felt better now that Nuka was starting to leave. That lion was like a dangerous, aggressive dog who was just barely held back by a leash and Jasiri wanted to get to the safety of her clan's home to hopefully never run into this lion ever again. However, not seeing this lion again wouldn't be happening anytime soon as her mother's generosity towards these young lions or more specifically her naivety, hadn't diminished yet.
"Wait, Nuka, and Kovu and Vitani, right, do you and your mother have a good water source?" Liwa asked.
"No, of course we don't. Do you forget where we live. I'll give you a hint, it rhymes with shmoutlands." Nuka said. "You think I don't know what you're up to. You ain't got no water source, you're just trying to lead us to your place so that you can ambush and kill us so your clan can have a feast of lion meat. Typical of hyenas."
Vitani suddenly elbowed Nuka's jaw to shut him up.
"Nuka, big brother. This hyena doesn't seem like your typical hyena. I mean, she did give us two rats to take back to our mother and she's even being kind enough to offer us some water as well." Vitani said.
"Yes, we live near a watering hole, the largest in the Outlands and we'd gladly let you and your mother have a drink from." Liwa said.
"You hear that Nuka, a large watering hole that they're willing to SHARE with us." Vitani said.
"A large watering hole? Why share it when we could just…" Nuka tried to say until Vitani elbowed him in the jaw again. "Oh, riiiiiight, SHARE it with us."
Jasiri frowned at Nuka and Vitani. Vitani turned towards the four hyenas and tried to give them a sweet and innocent smile.
"Sorry about my brother, he's kinda the family idiot and can talk nonsense stupid things sometimes." Vitani apologized.
"It's alright little one." Liwa assured. "Now, why don't you get your mother while my daughters, their friend, and I wait here for you."
"Of course, we'll be right back." Vitani said.
Soon after Nuka, Vitani, and Kovu left, Madoa came up and confronted her mom.
"Mom, what were you thinking?" Madoa asked.
"Madoa, sweetie, they're just cubs and they need help. So, does their mother." Liwa reasoned.
"But mom, we don't know them or exactly what they're troubles are and if it makes them a danger to us." Madoa said.
"And I really didn't like that Nuka guy or the way he and his sister were talking." Jasiri said, backing up her sister.
"Yeah, me neither and Baba won't to. Seeing lions coming into our home might very well give him a heart attack." Baruti said.
"Now, you three, I understand your worries, but when hearing of animals who are having troubles, it just isn't right to turn your backs on them. The biggest problem in the Outlands is that no one helps each other, not the lack of food or water. If we all just came together and acted as a community, this place can be more livable than others think it is." Liwa said.
Jasiri sighed as her mother said that, knowing she was right, but still thinking she was being a little too naïve here. Her mother did have a big heart, but like her father said, sometimes her heart could be too big for her own good. She just hoped that these lions thankfully accepted her mother's generosity and didn't selfishly take advantage of it. Besides, if they did try anything, she was certain her clan could take on one full grown lioness and her cubs. After ten minutes of waiting, Nuka, Vitani, and Kovu came back with their mother.
A skinny lioness with grayish-tan fur, a cream-colored underbelly, blood red eyes, a dark stripe down the center of her head, and notch in her right ear.
"Oh, miss hyena, we're back!" Nuka called out to them.
Nuka and his siblings' mother came up to the four hyenas, smiling at them.
"Hello, you must be the hyenas my little ones ran into." she greeted.
"Yes, we are. Well, we more ran into them." Liwa corrected. "We overheard them talking about hunting food, but not finding any. So, we gave them a couple of our rats."
"Yes, and I must really thank you. It's not often that we come across animals as kind as you, especially hyenas. I would have hunted for them myself, but it's been so long since I last ate that I just couldn't muster up enough strength to do so." the lioness said.
"Huh, I thought they were on some sorta hunting test, because that's what I overheard them say." Jasiri pointed out.
"Oh, yes my dear. You see, I was planning to teach my youngest cubs to hunt soon, but I couldn't since I've been so weak lately. So, when my little angels offered to go hunting for me, I decided to have my Nuka be in charge of their first hunting lesson and it was coming time to where I was going to put his hunting skills to the test with a solo hunt. It was killing two birds with one stone." the lioness said.
"Hmmm. Nuka seemed to think you'd hurt him if they came home without any food." Jasiri probed.
At hearing that, the lioness laughed and began to rub the top of Nuka's head with her claws.
"Oh Nuka. Always being so overdramatic, you silly boy." the lioness laughed as she roughly petted the top of his head.
"Yeah, I'm an overdramatic and silly boy." Nuka said through clenched teeth while grinning too hard.
The lioness stopped petting Nuka's head and turned back to the small group of hyenas.
"Anyway, my cubs told me you also offered us water from your watering hole." the lioness pointed out.
"Yes, our clan lives just by it and you're more than welcome to use it." Liwa said.
"Thank you, we really appreciate it… I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I didn't catch your name." the lioness said.
"I'm Liwa and these are my daughters, Jasiri, Madoa, and their friend Baruti." Liwa introduced.
"Well, it a pleasure to meet you four. You've already met my cubs, Nuka, Vitani, and Kovu and my name is Zira."
"Well, come on and follow Zira. We're almost home and I'm sure our clan would love to know we have guests." Liwa said.
"Thank you, Liwa." Zira said before secretly evilly chuckling to herself. "Naïve fool."
The two groups walked on for a few minutes eventually coming close to Jasiri's clan's home. They stopped a little ways outside from where they lived, Jasiri suggesting that it was better if she, her mother, sister, and Baruti came in alone first. When they came into the little area, they called home, Jasiri saw the hyena she always saw first whenever she got back home, the clan chief and her father, Baba and instantly ran up to embrace.
"We're back Baba!" Jasiri shouted as she ran up to her father, calling him by his name.
Baba gently laughed as he pulled out of his daughter's embrace, a fore leg still around her shoulders.
"Jasiri, you know I hate it when you call me by my name and would much more prefer to be called dad like all children call their father's." Baba said.
"But Baba means dad, so while not technically, I'm still calling you dad." Jasiri reasoned with a laugh.
Baba just laughed back and embraced his daughter again before going over to greet his wife and other daughter, while Baruti's parents, Bakari and Crocuta went over to greet him. When they saw the bounty that Jasiri and the others had brought back, the three were really impressed. They all brought the rats into the alcove in the rock that's entrance was covered up by vines that served as the clan's home, where the other members of the clan waited.
"Aunt Mrithi, Uncle Dawa, Wema, Tunu, Njaa. We're back and we brought food." Jasiri called out to the remaining five members.
At their names being called, the five hyenas, three adults and two pups, no older than a month, came to see what Jasiri and the others had brought back. They all got excited once they saw the haul of rats they had brought back, Jasiri's aunt and father's sister, Mrithi, said that with these and the few scraps they had, they'd have enough to get them through the day and a bit of tomorrow.
"We did originally have one rat for everybody, including Wema and Tunu." Baruti said.
The members of the clan, who had stayed behind, except for the pups, looked at Baruti once he said that.
"You had twelve? Where did the other two go?" Baba asked.
Their father asking this caused Jasiri and Madoa to look towards their mother along with Baruti, which caused everyone else to look at her.
"Liwa, why are Baruti and the girls looking at you like that?" Baba asked his mate.
Liwa smiled nervously at her mate.
"Uh, we have guests Baba." Liwa said.
"Guests?" Baba questioned.
"Please excuse me a moment." Liwa said.
Baba took a few steps after his mate, stumbling over his words, asking what was going on and who these guests were. Baba looked towards Jasiri, hoping to get some answers from her. Jasiri just smiled and laughed nervously. The entire clan walked out of their little cave and waited for Liwa to bring them their guests. Everyone was shocked to see Liwa escorting four lions towards them.
They all looked at each other fearfully, not sure what to say or do next. After a few moments, Baba plucked up the courage to confront his wife about this.
"Liwa, what are these lions doing here? Are they the reason you're two rats shorter?" Baba asked.
"Yes, they are Baba. You see, Jasiri, Madoa, Baruti, and I came across them not too far from our home." Liwa revealed, which seemed to have startled her mate at hearing that there were lions so close to their home.
"Did they steal from you and if so, why would you bring them here?" Baba asked, getting frantic.
"No, no they didn't steal from us. You see, we came across Zira's cubs. They were hunting for her and were having no luck. So, I decided to give them two of the rats we caught." Liwa explained.
"Why would you give them two of the rats you caught when we need those for the clan?" Baruti's mother, Bakari asked.
"And why were her cubs hunting for her instead of the other way around?" Mrithi asked.
"That's exactly what I thought to." Jasiri said to herself.
"Easy Bakari and Mrithi, I gave them mine and Jasiri's and Zira was too weak to hunt herself, so her cubs decided to hunt for her. Like I said before, they were having no luck, so I decided to lend a helping paw" Liwa said.
"But Liwa, what are you and Jasiri going to eat?" Baba asked, sounding concerned for his mate and youngest daughter.
"It's okay dad. Mom and I will be fine with the scraps we have." Jasiri said, trying to calm her concerned father.
Baba look from Jasiri to Zira and her cubs.
"But that still doesn't explain why you brought these lions here when you already helped them with their food problem." Baba pointed out.
"Well, I also offered them to have a drink from our watering hole." Liwa said.
Baba took another moment to look from his mate to Zira and her cubs.
"I assure you Baba, they aren't dangerous. They just want a little help to get by for the day." Liwa assured.
Baba just closed his eyes and sighed.
"Show them to the watering hole." Baba said.
"Oh, thank you for you and your wife's kindness sir." Zira thanked.
Baba just timidly and quietly nodded in response. Liwa began to lead Zira and her cubs towards the watering hole. Baba tried to go with her, not fully trusting Zira and her cubs for some reason, like his youngest daughter. Jasiri however, came walking besides him, placing a paw on his shoulder and smiling at him.
"I'll go with her dad. You stay here and eat." Jasiri said before continuing after her mother.
Madoa than came walking past her father and after her mother as well.
"I'll go with her to. Just watch over my rat and make sure not to accidently eat it as well." Madoa joked, hoping to get a smile out of her father.
Madoa did, but only for a quick moment. The small group of hyenas and lions set down the trail that led to their watering hole. Jasiri and Madoa glanced back at their father, who was glancing over at their mother and disapprovingly shaking his head. Jasiri and Madoa looked at each other, knowing their father wasn't happy with their mother bringing complete strangers where they lived, nor was the rest of the clan. Jasiri and Madoa's clan wasn't like all other hyena clans.
Hyena clans were matriarchal, always being female led and all females being above all the males, but Jasiri and Madoa's clan wasn't like that. Yes, their mother was the matriarch, but everyone looked towards Baba as a leader more than her even though he was a male. Everyone loved Liwa, but she wasn't exactly the best leader material. Like mentioned before, she had a big heart, but as Baba sometimes put it, even though he hated to, his mate's heart was sometimes too big for her own good and was very trusting to the point where she was naïve and not cautious enough around strangers like Zira and her cubs and sometimes she didn't take things seriously enough. Her personality had never got anyone in the clan in any serious trouble through, so no one really complained much.
Jasiri herself was very much like her mother and most of her views came from her, but she had her father's wisdom and leadership skills. Other than being complete strangers, Jasiri had no real reason not to trust Zira and her cubs, especially since Zira had been so nice and polite to them, but she just had a bad feeling in her gut for some reason. She just hoped her mother hadn't made a mistake by inviting this lioness to their home and offering her and her cubs the chance to drink from their clan's watering hole. The two small groups of animals finally made it to the watering hole and Zira and her cubs stared at it in awe. A giant lake of clear water that at its widest point was least three full grown elephants across from their tail to the tip of their trunk pointed out.
This was more water than Zira had ever seen in her life at once, it even rivaled the Pride Lands' largest watering hole.
"I would have never thought in all my years that the Outlands would have this big a water source and that your small clan has it all to themselves." Zira said.
"We don't keep it all to ourselves." Jasiri firmly stated. "Any animal in the Outlands that wishes to drink from it can drink from it freely, we're just the only animals out here that have decided to live close to it."
"Oh, I'm sorry my dear. I didn't mean to sound rudely envious and offend you or anything." Zira apologized.
"It's okay." Jasiri accepted even though she hadn't felt offended.
"Even in the dry season when it gets hot, especially so for the Outlands when it dries up to half or a third of it's size, it's still a very impressive and reliable source of water." Madoa said.
"I'm sure it is." Kovu said, he and his siblings still mesmerized by the watering hole.
"Well, what are you all standing around for? Go on Zira, you and your cubs drink till you drown yourselves." Liwa joked.
Zira took a moment to laugh before encouraging her cubs to drink with her. Jasiri and her mother and sister decided to drink alongside Zira and her cubs, standing a few feet apart from them. The seven animals drank in silence for a few minutes before Zira lifted her head back up, sighing. She then turned towards her cubs.
"Oh, Nuka, Vitani, Kovu. Why don't you three go back to the clan and wait for me there and maybe play with those two little pups while I talk with Liwa and her daughters?" Zira suggested.
"Oh, sure mom." Nuka said, winking before going off with his younger siblings.
Zira watched her children as they ran off along with Liwa and her children, who had just finished drinking as well. When the three young lions were out of sight, Liwa turned towards Zira.
"So, what is it you wanted to talk about Zira?" Liwa asked.
Zira turned towards Liwa and smiled down at her.
"Liwa I just want to say that for a little hyena you have just have such a big heart." Zira said.
Liwa smiled in response to Zira's remark.
"Perhaps too big a heart." Zira further said, her face suddenly becoming unfriendly.
"Huh?" Liwa exclaimed.
Zira than suddenly pounced at Liwa. Seeing this, Jasiri reacted within a microsecond, pouncing at Zira herself to try and defend her mother from the lioness. Zira just used one of her paws to pin Jasiri to the ground while using the other paw to do so with Liwa. Madoa looked on, shocked, too scared to do anything in case it made Zira feel threatened enough to hurt her sister and mother. Liwa stared up at Zira shocked, wondering why she was doing this.
"Zira, what are you doing?" Liwa asked.
Zira turned her full attention to Liwa.
"I'll go straight to the point so that I don't have to waste my breath on you filthy creatures any longer." Zira said down to Liwa, who looked hurt at the lioness' insult. "You and your clan's watering hole is now mine."
"What!" the three hyenas shouted.
"Are you hyenas deaf or just stupid like all your kind are? I said your watering hole is all mine now." Zira reaffirmed.
"Grrr! I knew there was something I didn't trust about you from the moment I met you and your cubs." Jasiri growled.
Zira chuckled down at Jasiri.
"Very insightful of you my dear, but it appears unlike you, your mother was too much of a trusting fool to not realize all that politeness was just an act, but the thankfulness is genuine though. Thank you for showing us to your watering hole so we can steal it." Zira mocked.
Jasiri growled and snapped her teeth at Zira for insulting and mocking her mother.
"Zira, please, you can't do this." Liwa said.
"Oh, but I'm afraid I can." Zira said.
"But, Zira, there's no need to steal the watering hole. There's plenty for our clan and you and your cubs." Madoa tried to reason.
Zira scowled up at Madoa, who fearfully backed up.
"And let you contaminate the water more than you already have with your filthy hyena mouths? No thank you. I already feel sick form drinking beside you stinking creatures." Zira said.
"But Zira, we have pups, not even a month old yet. They need the water." Jasiri said.
"Why do I give a damn?" Zira asked.
While still holding Liwa down, Zira grabbed Jasiri by the neck and tossed her oven to Madoa. Jasiri skidded across the ground, stopping at her sister's paws, who helped her up. Jasiri glared at Zira and moved towards her snarling, ready to attack.
"Ahh, ahh, ahh." Zira tutted, shaking a single claw at Jasiri. "You wouldn't want to do anything stupid that would end up getting your poor mother hurt, right?"
Jasiri growled at Zira's threat. Zira forced Liwa onto her paws while holding her roughly by the neck.
"Now, we're all going to head back to my little ones to see how they're getting along with the rest of your clan." Zira said.
At Zira saying this, Jasiri, Madoa, and Liwa looked nervously in the direction of where the clan was. Zira commanded Jasiri and Madoa to walk in front of her slowly while she led Liwa forward. Seeing they had no choice, Jasiri and Madoa obeyed. When they got back to the clan, the three hyenas were met with a scene that sent shivers down their spines. Their clan and Zira's cubs were at a standoff and Nuka was holding down Wema and Tunu.
Vitani, despite being much smaller, growled at the clan, warning them to stay back while Kovu looked on at the whole thing in dissatisfaction, obviously not having known of his mother's plan. They didn't dare make a move on Zira's cubs with Nuka, who they already saw as unhinged and unpredictable, holding the pups down. Mrithi and Dawa were freaking out at seeing their crying pups in danger. Jasiri, seeing all this, furiously growled over at Nuka.
"You'd better not hurt those pups or else." Jasiri warned, baring her teeth at the teenage lion.
"You're not in a position to make demands hyena, because I'm holding all the cards here. LITTERALLY! HAHAHA!" Nuka laughed, braver than he would usually be since he had Wema and Tunu as meat shields.
"Go join your other clanmates." Zira told Jasiri and Madoa.
The two sisters did as they told as to not risk their mother and cousins getting hurt. Zira grinned at seeing this and walked forward.
"Now, I'm sure my cubs have told you, but we're taking over your watering hole. So, I want you all to leave and leave behind your rats and whatever scraps you may have." Zira announced.
"But you can't…" Baba tried to speak up before Zira interrupted him.
"And I suggest you all leave now without a fight or further arguments or me and my cubs might just have to show you how serious we are with your matriarch and pups." Zira advised.
Everyone looked from Liwa to Wema and Tunu.
"Alright." Baba sighed on the entire clan's behalf.
"Good." Zira grinned. "You should all count yourself lucky. On any other day, I would have just slaughtered you all like the insignificant dogs you are, but I'm feeling unusually generous today because of your matriarch's previous kindness and showing me your beautiful, dazzling, miraculous watering hole; you'd all best remember that by the way. Now, all of you just walk out of here and once you're out of sight, we'll let these three go and let them come to you."
The clan didn't argue and they all left, Jasiri taking a moment to lock eyes with Zira. Zira grinned at the young hyena as they stared each other down intensely. Wema and Tunu cried out for their parents and the other clan members, their young minds thinking the clan was abandoning them to these mean lions. The clan soon was out of sight and after a minute or two, Zira and her cubs let Liwa, Wema, and Tunu go. Liwa sprinted away from Zira and looked towards Wema and Tunu.
"Wema, Tunu, come to Aunty Liwa." Liwa gently encouraged the terrified pups.
Wema and Tunu did as they were told and ran over to Liwa, who hugged them with her foreleg and nuzzled the tops of their heads with her snout. She than cast a dirty look over at Zira.
"You're a horrible lioness." Liwa stated. "I show you a kindness that no one else in the Outlands might have and you spat in my clan's faces."
Zira chuckled at Liwa's statement.
"These are the Outlands Liwa. There's no room for kindness." Zira stated. "As my oldest son would say, it's every animal for themself out here and if you haven't come to realize that yet than you're an even bigger fool than I thought. Now, run along and catch up with your clan, who I don't think will be very happy with you by the way."
Liwa didn't say anything and just picked up both Wema and Tunu and ran to catch up with the rest of the clan.
"Adios hyena!" Nuka shouted before going into crazy fit of laughter.
Vitani just rolled her eyes at her brother while Kovu grunted, not liking what they had done to Liwa's clan at all. Liwa ran until she caught up with the clan, who were all worriedly waiting for her and the pups. She gave a frantic Mrithi and Dawa their cubs, who they hugged very tightly.
"Oh, mom." Madoa said as she hugged Liwa along with Jasiri and Baba.
The four hyenas continued to hug each other for moment before they pulled away to see to the rest of the clan.
"Is everyone alright?" Liwa asked.
"Alright? Alright? No, we're not alright Liwa!" Njaa said.
"We just lost our food, our watering hole, and our home to that lioness." Bakari said.
"A lioness that YOU brought here." Crocuta said.
Hearing this, Jasiri walked up to defend her mother.
"Hay, now that's a little uncalled for Crocuta." Jasiri said.
"It's the truth Jasiri. Your mother brought that lioness into our home and showed her our watering hole. That lioness only knew about it because of her. Your mother is the reason we just lost everything." Crocuta said.
"Errr. No, she's not." Jasiri said, even though she knew Crocuta is right.
"Yes, it is." Bakari said, supporting her mate. "We know, she knows it, and the others know it. Right Baba, Mrithi, Dawa, Madoa, Baruti."
Jasiri looked around at the others that Bakari mentioned, seeing the looks on their faces. She could see that they all agreed with Bakari and Crocuta, but they just didn't want to say it. Everyone looked towards Baba, wanting him to decide what they were going to do next. Baba looked at everyone and sighed.
"Well, let's just find a place to hold up for tonight." Baba said.
Everyone than began to move on, searching for a place to stay for the time being until they found out what to do. As they walked on, Jasiri glanced back at her mother, who was trailing behind everyone, feeling bad about letting her clan down. Jasiri felt bad to see her mother like this. She looked so sad and she had never seen her mother sad. She was such a bright soul with so much energy and it had been dimmed by Zira and her clan blaming her for their situation.
Jasiri couldn't deny that her mother showing Zira a little too much naïve kindness was the reason they were in this situation, but she wasn't mad at her. Jasiri walked over to her mother, who had her head lowed, and walked beside her. Jasiri hooked her snout under her mother's chin and lifted her head up a smiled at her, remembering her mother teaching her to smile no matter the situation as even that small a gesture could keep yourself and other's going at times like this. Seeing this, Liwa softly smiled back and nuzzled Jasiri, knowing that despite what the rest of the clan thought of her right now, her youngest daughter would have her back.
After searching for nearly an hour and a half, the clan found a place to stay for the night. It wasn't a good place they found since it had no cave or any sort of shelter, so they were out in the open, but the clan was tired and hungry and Baba knew they had to stop for the night. Baba looked up at the sky to see they had just over another hour of daylight left, so he got his sister, Mrithi, her mate, Dawa, and Crocuta to go on a hunt with him to hopefully bring the clan back something to eat. Liwa got up and insisted join the four, but Baba turned and irritably snapped at her that she's done enough for one day. Liwa obeyed, hurt by her mate's words.
Jasiri and Madoa watched as their mother went and curled herself in the corner of some rocks. They had been asked by their aunt and uncle to watch over Wema and Tunu, who were still pretty shaken up by the whole ordeal with Zira. Jasiri asked Madoa if she could handle the pups herself while she went to sit with their mother until the others got back, which Madoa said she could. Jasiri went over and did so, which made her mother feel a little bit better. Baba and the other came back a little over an hour later with one measly lizard and a bone with a tiny bit of meat on it.
The entire clan immediately decided that Wema and Tunu should be given what Baba and the others caught. Madoa gave the pups back to their parents, who ripped the scaly skin off the lizard and began feeding its meat to the two pups. As they did, everyone else began to settle in for the night. Liwa tried to lay up against her mate, but as she did, Baba scooted a few inches away from her, which made her sigh sadly. Jasiri and Madoa, who were lying beside each other, looked at each other.
"I understand everyone's not happy with mom, but I think they're being too harsh on her, even dad." Madoa said.
Jasiri didn't say anything and just thought for a moment. She couldn't let this go on, she had to do something, anything to fix it. After a minute of thinking, Jasiri decided what she was going to do. Tomorrow, she was going to go back and try to reason with Zira and if they didn't come up with a compromise, she was going to get her lion friend, Kion to help. Kion was the son of the king and queen of the Pride Lands and the second born, which meant he was blessed at birth with the magical Roar of the Elders, which she had witnessed him use on Janja and his clan.
When they first met, they hadn't gotten along at first, but after Kion hurt his leg, which was kind of Jasiri's fault, she helped him through the Outlands and they had quickly become friends, Kion saying so when she and his friend Fuli had almost gotten into a fight over a misunderstanding. Kion had also said before that if she ever needed his help to just ask for it, which she had laughed off at first, but had come to realize that he meant it when he saved her from Janja and that she'd probably need it now. Jasiri relayed her plan to Madoa, which she scoffed at when she mentioned Kion. When she came home after meeting Kion's friends, she told everyone about them. Everyone had laughed it off, not believing it, thinking Jasiri was joking, everyone except her mother, who praised her for her newfound friendship with a lion like Kion, and her father who didn't know whether to believe Jasiri or not, but leaned more towards believing her and worrying for her and wanting her to be cautious around any and all lions.
Jasiri quickly affirmed to Madoa that her friendship with Kion was real and that no matter what, she was going to go through with her plan. Madoa knew better than to try and stop Jasiri, knowing how headstrong and sometimes stubborn she could be and that when she had her mind set on doing something, she wouldn't stop till she accomplished it. So, Madoa just asked Jasiri that whatever she did to please be careful, which Jasiri smiled and laughed, quickly telling Madoa that she was starting to sound like their father before she promised that she would be careful. It was then that Jasiri suddenly felt something wet hit her nose, Madoa to. The two sisters looked up as it soon started to rain on the small, unsheltered clan of hyenas.
How ironic, just when for once, they didn't want it to rain in the Outlands. The rain went all for most of the night, making the clan unable to get any sleep, which didn't help their attitude towards Liwa.
When morning came, no one in the clan had gotten any sleep from being rained on during the night. Some clan members were licking at some still wet rocks, trying to at least get a tiny bit of water before the sun dried it up. Baba, Mrithi, and Dawa went on another hunt and Jasiri and Madoa were tasked with watching over Wema and Tunu again. Almost as soon as the three left, Jasiri looked over at her mother, who was still remaining distant from the rest of the clan. Jasiri decided it was time to put her plan into action.
She let Madoa know, who once again asked her to be careful and wished her luck. Jasiri nodded and ran toward the watering hole to try and reason with Zira. Like Jasiri expected, Zira wouldn't bend to any compromise Jasiri made and told her to get out.
"You know, I like you, Jasiri. So, doing me a favor and don't even think of coming back a third time." Zira said.
"Yeah, because next time we'll kill ya." Nuka said, butting into Zira and Jasiri's conversation.
"Nuka, please let me handle this." Zira said.
"Yes, mother." Nuka said submissively.
Zira turned back towards Jasiri.
"Face it Jasiri, your clan's watering hole is ours now and you're never going to get it back. So, run along now." Zira urged.
"This isn't the end Zira, because I'm getting my clan's home and watering hole back TODAY." Jasiri said.
"On your own? I don't think so." Zira smirked.
"Not on my own, no, but I have a friend who can help me get it back. A friend who is a lion." Jasiri stated.
Hearing this, Zira laughed, not believing it much like Jasiri's clan had when she first told them of Kion. Zira reached out and pinched Jasiri's cheek.
"Oh, I'm sure you do my dear." Zira said.
Zira let go of Jasiri's cheek, who then rubbed it. Jasiri suddenly felt Zira slide the side of her paw underneath her chin to lift her head up and make her look into her blood red eyes.
"Now my dear, run along and get your LION friend." Zira dared.
Zira than took another moment to laugh at the idea of a hyena having a friend who was lion, which she didn't know would come back to bite her. Jasiri took her chin away from Zira's paw, still staring intensely into the lioness' eyes. She left, mumbling something very nasty to Zira under her breath. Jasiri would rather this whole thing end peacefully, but she could already tell that it was going to come to Kion having to use his roar on Zira and she honestly couldn't wait to see it. Jasiri made her way to the Pride Lands and was almost there, but unfortunately ran into Janja, Cheezi, and Chungu, who were planning to go into the Pride Lands to cause some sort of trouble.
The three bullies decided that the Pride Lands could wait and turned their attention on her. Jasiri easily beat them like always, taking it easy on Cheezi and Chungu, but not so much with Janja. She angrily and brutally beat down Janja, giving him a black eye and a bloody lip and nose. Janja begged for mercy, saying that he gave up. Jasiri backed off, telling Janja that she wasn't in the mood for his macho hyena crap today and to get out of her sight.
Janja did as Jasiri said, running off whimpering with his tail between his legs. Jasiri honestly felt bad for what she did, not for beating up Janja and his friends since they were asking for it, but for taking her anger from today and yesterday out on them since she wasn't raised to be like that. She shook it off and continued into the Pride Lands to look for Kion. She snuck through carefully so as not to be spotted since hyena's weren't allowed in the Pride Lands. However, she was suddenly spotted by a gazelle, who started to panic.
"Awww crap!" Jasiri exclaimed.
Jasiri carelessly hurried up to find Kion, thankfully he and his best friend Bunga were close by and had been playing baobab ball until the gazelle had alerted them to her presence. She warmly greeted them before Kion asked what she was doing in the Pride Lands. She briefly told Kion about Zira stealing her clan's watering hole, Kion and Bunga being confused about hearing there were lions in the Outlands. Kion instantly agreed to help, which Jasiri was beyond happy to hear. Kion told Bunga to go let the rest of the guard know he was going to help Jasiri before they set off, Jasiri urging them to hurry since she had been spotted.
They were silent for most of the journey until Jasiri finally broke the silence, saying she was kinda worried that he wouldn't help. Kion laughed, asking why he wouldn't and reminding her that they helped each other before.
"That was different. Last time the bad guys were hyenas. This time they're lions." Jasiri pointed out.
"They probably don't realize there are good hyenas in the Outlands." Kion said with a naivety that kinda reminded Jasiri of her mother. "I had that problem at first to."
Jasiri chuckled softly.
"That's true. It did take a while for us to trust each other." Jasiri said, remembering their first meeting fondly.
The two friends continued on to where the clan was staying.
"We're just down here." Jasiri said.
Jasiri and Kion came into where the clan was staying. They saw Madoa playing with Wema and Tunu, playfully growling at the two pups. Madoa suddenly noticed Jasiri out of the corner of her eyes and much to her surprise, a lion just about her own age beside her and eagerly walked up to them.
"Jasiri, you're back! Whoa, you weren't kidding. You really are friends with a lion." Madoa said, unable to take her eyes off Kion.
"Kion, this is my older sister, Madoa." Jasiri introduced.
"Nice to meet you, Madoa." Kion greeted, offering the other hyena a smile.
"Uh, yeah. You to." Madoa said somewhat nervously.
Kion than noticed Wema and Tunu, who had run to hide behind a rock as soon as they saw him, were staring at him fearfully with their tiny ears against their heads. Kion took a step forward and greeted them, assuring them they didn't have to be afraid of him, but they just continued to cower despite Kion's gentle approach.
"You can't blame 'em. All they know are bad lions." Madoa stated.
"Like the ones who took our watering hole." Jasiri further stated.
"Well, that's why I'm here. I don't know why those lions are in the Outlands, but I'm sure I can clear things up. Lion to lion." Kion said optimistically.
"I hope so. Wema and Tunu need the water." Madoa said hopefully.
"We all do." Jasiri nodded.
"Then there's no time to lose. Let's go Jasiri!" Kion said.
Jasiri and Kion than set off for the watering hole. As they left, the rest of the clan came beside Madoa, including her father and aunt and uncle, who had arrived back before Jasiri and Kion had.
"So, that was Kion." Baba said.
"Jasiri was telling the truth, she actually did make friends with a lion." Mrithi said.
"And the son of the king and queen of the Pride Lands." Dawa said.
"He looks exactly like Jasiri described him." Liwa said.
"You think he can actually get us our home and watering hole back?" Baruti wondered out loud.
"Jasiri thinks he can and she's never wrong. So I'm certain he can." Madoa said optimistically.
"Humpf. You and your sister are too optimistic, just like your mother." Bakari said.
"Mom." Baruti spoke up.
"What if Kion can't get us our watering hole back and what if he's not what Jasiri thinks he is?" Bakari said.
"What do you mean by that?" Madoa asked.
"What if he decides to side with the lions. Even when hyenas are in the right and lions are in the wrong and other lions are forced to play devil's advocate, lions always seem to stick together." Crocuta said.
"Huh, I never took you for a racist against lions, Crocuta or your wife." Njaa said.
"We're not, but it's the truth. History has shown us that." Crocuta argued.
"Well, I think you and your wife are wrong. Kion will come through for us, I just know it." Liwa stated.
"You were wrong about Zira and her cubs and look where it got us. Who's to say you'll be wrong about this lion as well, your daughter to." Crocuta pointed out.
The clan than went off to do their own things while Madoa, her parents, uncle, and aunt stood where they were. They looked at each other and then in the direction Jasiri and Kion went. The clan wasn't racist towards lions, but they did prefer not to interact with them since lions always seemed to judge hyenas before they got to know them. Liwa was the only hyena in the clan that encouraged Jasiri to while still being careful around them, to interact with lions while the rest of the clan while not trying to stop her, still advised against it, Baba the most out of worry for her. Other than Liwa, Jasiri's family weren't sure if Kion was exactly the lion Jasiri thought he was, but they were nowhere near on Crocuta and Bakari's side and just hoped that Kion was their champion like Jasiri assured them he was.
Meanwhile, while Jasiri was leading Kion to the watering hole, the young lion was thinking about what he'd say to these lions to convince them to share the watering hole with Jasiri's clan and what to do if things got… nasty. He wondered exactly how many lions there were.
"Hay, Jasiri, exactly how many lions was it that took over your watering hole?" Kion asked.
"Four lions. One adult lioness and her three cubs, one a teenager and two about your age, just slightly older." Jasiri explained.
"Really, just one lioness and her cubs?" Kion questioned, expecting at least two or three more adult lions than that.
"Yeah, Madoa, our mom, our friend Baruti, and I were just coming back from a very successful hunt when we came across the lioness' cubs. They were apparently hunting for her, but weren't having any luck. So, my mother decided to give them two of the twelve rats we caught and offered them to come and take a drink from our watering hole. So, the cubs went to get their mother and we brought them to our watering hole. That's when they stole it." Jasiri explained.
"What exactly did they do to steal it? Because, don't take this the wrong way Jasiri, but how could one lioness and her cubs steal from a clan of twelve hyenas, seven of them being adults, ten if counting you, your sister, and that other young hyena I noticed with the rest of the clan?" Kion asked.
Jasiri stopped and sighed.
"We weren't expecting it. The cubs acted hostile towards us at first, but I didn't really blame them since like you, they've probably never come across good hyenas before. As for their mother, she acted so thankful and polite towards us. I had no real reason to, but I didn't trust them from the beginning for some reason, but I let my guard down. Zira, she sent her cubs back towards our clan so that she could talk to my mom, but then she pounced and pinned her and I to the ground, saying she was going to take over our watering hole and refused to share it. She let me go and held onto our mom and led up back to the clan, where one of her cubs were holding Wema and Tunu down. We couldn't do anything without risking them and my mom, so we had no choice but to leave. The clan and I had to leave out of sight before they let Wema, Tunu, and my mom go." Jasiri explained.
"I'm really sorry to hear that happened Jasiri. It must have been a scary situation, not being able to do anything with loved ones in harm's way." Kion sympathized.
"You have no idea Kion." Jasiri said.
Jasiri than suddenly started to angrily growl, baring her fangs.
"My mom is the one who brought Zira and her cubs into our home and everyone is mad at her for us losing our watering hole over it. Hyena matriarchs, even the nice ones can come off as hardened and stern, but my mother is one of the kindest, sweetest, and most big-hearted animals around and Zira took advantage of her generosity. If anything happens to her, Wema, Tunu, or anyone in my clan because we can't get our watering hole back, I'm coming for her!" Jasiri angrily stated intensely, almost sounding like a hyena with a death wish.
Kion stared at Jasiri, shocked by the intensity and fierceness in the kind hyena's voice. Back when he first met her and he accused her about not knowing about the circle of life just because she was a hyena, she had looked and sounded nowhere near even half as angry as she did now.
"Well, you don't have to worry for much longer Jasiri. I promised you that I'd do whatever I can to fix this and I will. Like I said, this all might just be a big misunderstanding." Kion tried to assure his hyena friend.
"I do want this whole thing to end peacefully Kion, but don't act so naive. Remember, I taught you not all hyenas are bad and it's the same for your kind, not all lions are good. Like the lion Scar, he was a lion and he was far from good." Jasiri stated.
Kion nodded, knowing Jasiri was right, but he still hoped that these lions weren't as bad as Jasiri's story made them sound. The Outlands were a hard place to live and maybe it had just made these lions desperate enough to where they were willing to do bad things to survive along with the fact that they didn't know Jasiri and her clan were friendly hyenas. Maybe Kion wouldn't be able to get these lions to see Jasiri and her clan were good and to share the water with them, but he was at least going to try. Kion decided to change the subject to something happier.
"Those two little hyena pups back there, what were their names again, Wema and Tunu?" Kion asked.
At the mention of those two pups, Jasiri's mood instantly became much brighter.
"They're my and Madoa's cousins. My Aunt Mrithi is my dad, Baba's sister and my Uncle Dawa is our clan's healer, he joined the clan just a month before Madoa was born." Jasiri said as she began walking again with Kion by her side.
"What about the other hyenas in your clan, they all related to you as well?" Kion asked.
"Oh, no, no, no, no, no." Jasiri laughed. "The only members of my family in the clan are my sister, our parents, uncle, aunt, and Wema and Tunu. The other hyena in the clan my and Madoa's age is Baruti, there's his parents Crocuta and Bakari, and finally there's Njaa. Njaa is the oldest member of our clan and the only one without any family relations."
"Well, they all seem really nice." Kion said.
"They all are, for the most part. Especially Wema and Tunu." Jasiri said.
"Those two are really cute and I just don't get it. Looking at two little hyena pups like them, you wouldn't expect to see the face of a, as Zazu would put it, an evil, slobbering, mangy, stupid poacher." Kion said.
Jasiri laughed at that.
"Well, that's exactly what we hyenas say when we see little lion cubs like you." Jasiri said.
Jasiri reached out and grabbed Kion's chin between her claws.
"Today, cute and cuddly lion cub, tomorrow, vicious, coldblooded hyena killer and as far as Wema and Tunu are concerned, that's what you are." Jasiri joked before laughed.
"Well, maybe when I get your watering hole back, hopefully they'll warm up to me." Kion said as he pulled his head back.
"Oh, I'm sure they will." Jasiri said.
Jasiri and Kion continued on, nearly at the watering hole.
"We're nearly there Kion." Jasiri said.
"Good, the sooner we get there, the sooner I can fix this. The sooner I fix this, the sooner I can get Wema and Tunu to like me." Kion said.
"I just hope we can find a way to fix this peacefully like I said. Don't get me wrong, I love a good fight every once in a while, to get the adrenaline pumping, but I'd much rather avoid one if possible." Jasiri said.
"Well, don't worry Jasiri. Solving this problem peacefully is my goal." Kion assured.
"Just be on your guard Kion. I can just tell that this Zira is more dangerous than she appears." Jasiri said.
"Well, all species have their perks Jasiri. Honey badgers like Bunga are fearless and the best companions you can have in a fight. Hyenas like you know how to have a good time and get a laugh out of everyone and put a smile on their face. As for lions, lions are pretty reasonable." Kion said. "Once we get to the watering hole, I'm sure we can work things..."
But before Kion could finish his sentence, a mangy teenage lion with brown fur and a scraggily patch black tuft of mane pounced on Jasiri from out of nowhere.
"We told you to stay outta here, hyena!" the lion said.
The lion than bared his teeth, planning to sink them into Jasiri's neck, but Kion quickly reacted and pounced on the lion himself, sending him on his back.
"Hay! Back off!" Kion angrily demanded.
The older than stared up at Kion, scared out of his mind.
"Huh? Who, who are you?" the lion asked fearfully.
"Name's Kion, who are you?" Kion demanded.
"Nuka!" a new voice shouted out.
Kion looked to see a lion cub with brown-auburn fur, a brown mane tuft, and emerald green eyes jump down to them from a rock.
"Hey, Nuka!" the lion cub called.
"Kovu! Tell him to let me up." Nuka begged.
"A friend of yours?" Kion asked.
"He's my brother." Kovu sighed.
"That's right! So, you'd better let me up!" Nuka demanded Kion, sounding braver now that he had his younger brother to hide behind. "It's two against one now!"
"It's two against two." Jasiri corrected, coming to aid Kion.
Nuka was able to push Kion off of him and then he and Kovu and Kion and Jasiri began circling each other. Nuka looked towards Kion, wondering why he was siding with a hyena.
"It should be three against one. What kind of lion are you?" Nuka asked with disgust. "Siding with a hyena!"
Kion ignored Nuka and decided to try and figure out what he and his brother were doing in the Outlands.
"What are you two lions doing in the Outlands? Why aren't you in the Pride Lands?" Kion probed.
"Like our family's welcome there." Nuka scoffed.
"Why wouldn't you be?" Kion asked. "I'm sure my dad would welcome you there."
"And who's your dad?" Nuka asked.
"Oh, you know, the king of the Pride Lands, Simba." Jasiri revealed.
"Simba?" both lions exclaimed, Nuka with surprise and a touch of fear and Kovu sounding hopeful.
"You really think he'd allow us into the Pride Lands?" Kovu asked hopefully, taking a few steps forward.
"I don't see why not. Especially if you give Jasiri's family their watering hole back." Kion said.
"Back to the Pride Lands? That means I can see Kiara again." Kovu said, much to Kion's surprise.
"You know Kiara?" Kiara asked.
"Yeah, Uh, it was a while ago. We gotta take him to see mom." Kovu told Nuka.
"Oh yeah!" Nuka said, getting ideas. "She's gonna want to meet the son of Simba."
As Nuka said that, he stood on a small rock and got into Kion's face. Unfazed, Kion walked forward, causing Nuka to fearfully back off as he stood on the rock.
"The name's Kion." Kion reinforced.
"Okay, Kion." Nuka said with a sneer before looking towards Jasiri. "Hyena. Let's go."
Nuka and Kovu turned and began to lead Kion and Jasiri to the watering hole.
"C'mon Jasiri. You'll see. This whole watering hole thing's gotta be a misunderstanding." Kion said.
Jasiri groaned at Kion's continued statement about this whole situation being a misunderstanding.
"Wow, he's even more naive than my mom." Jasiri thought to herself.
The four young animals continued to walk on for a few minutes before Kion decided to ask what he was already sure of.
"So, I'm guessing these are two of the lions who stole you're watering hole?" Kion asked.
"Yes. Green eyes there seems pretty much harmless, the exact opposite of his brother there." Jasiri said.
"Nuka? Oh, please. You saw him, he's a coward who only has a backbone when he has someone to hide behind and can't even take on a lion half his size and age." Kion said.
"Yes, but still, I'd be careful around him." Jasiri said. "As for the other lions. Vitani is the same size as Kovu, but she was brave enough to growl at my entire clan while Nuka held Wema and Tunu down and Nuka called her a little demon, so I'm sure she's no stranger to a fight. As for Zira, well, she's obviously the most dangerous, so be careful around her."
Kion nodded as they continued on. They soon came to the watering hole where Kovu introduced Kion to Zira and Zira did so with herself and Vitani. When she asked what brought Kion to the Outlands and Jasiri revealed she did and that they were friends, Zira admitted that she had underestimated her. Jasiri than revealed that Kion was the leader of the Lion Guard, which intrigued Zira and soon caused her to ask Kion why he didn't just use the Roar of the Elders to give Jasiri's clan the water they needed. Zira convinced Kion to use the roar on a cloud and when he did, the cloud to started to rain, which surprised everyone.
Zira convinced Kion to come and talk with her alone, lion to lion. Kion agreed, Jasiri telling Kion before he left that she didn't trust Zira. Kion understood, but said that he hoped by doing so, he could solve this whole thing. As they left, Nuka growled at Jasiri, Zira telling him to play nice. Jasiri looked at Nuka and smirked.
Zira told him to play nice, but she hadn't said anything about her playing nice. Jasiri quickly turned around and snapped at Nuka, almost biting him, causing him to jump behind his younger siblings for protection, which in return caused Jasiri to laugh.
"That's right, Nuka. Let's play nice." Jasiri said.
The four young animals waited around for a while, waiting for Zira and Kion to come back. Nuka eventually got frustrated, becoming tired of waiting. He jumped down from the rock he was standing on and began to charge towards Jasiri, but Kovu jumped in between his brother and Jasiri.
"Nuka, don't start anything. Mom said to play nice!" Kovu reminded, ready to fight his brother if he had to.
"Don't worry, green eyes. Any game your brother wants to play, I can play better!" Jasiri said confidently.
Nuka, leaped over his brother, insisting that he wasn't planning to play. Jasiri growled and bared her teeth at Nuka as she got into her fighting stance. Nuka was about to throw the first swipe until Zira suddenly came back, without Kion, and called out his name. Nuka looked back to see his mother glaring at him.
"Mother!" Nuka laughed nervously. "Uh, nothing's happening here."
Nuka than wrapped a foreleg around Jasiri's shoulder in an attempt to look all buddy-buddy with her.
"We're just playing nice." Nuka said, grinning nervously.
Jasiri scoffed and backed out of Nuka's embrace, causing him to fall flat onto the ground.
"Where's Kion?" Jasiri demanded.
"Kion and I have reached an agreement." Zira said.
"And what's that?" Jasiri asked suspiciously.
"We agreed that the watering hole belongs to lions only." Zira revealed.
"What?" Jasiri exclaimed, shocked. "Kion would never agree to that!" Jasiri defiantly denied.
"He's a lion, my dear and we lions stick together. Now, for the last time, leave and do not return!" Zira demanded.
Jasiri growled up at Zira, wanting to lunging at her and sink her teeth into her face, but she'd be no use to her clan if she got herself killed.
"Fine! I'll go!" Jasiri growled angrily.
Jasiri turned around and walked away, which Zira grinned at. Seeing this, Nuka laughed at her.
"Yeah, yeah go cry to mommy you little baby! Lions one, hyena zero! You lose, we win! You lose, we win!" Nuka shouted at Jasiri as she left. "Nyah, nyah, nyah, nyah, nyah!"
Jasiri growled at Nuka's mockery of her as she left. Nuka turned to his siblings.
"I hope she goes back to wherever her clan is staying, cries like a baby and sucks her thumb claw, like this." Nuka said, who then proceeded to suck his thumb claw loudly.
Kovu and Vitani looked at Nuka with perplexed faces.
"You're not related to us are ya?" Vitani asked Nuka.
Zira cleared her throat to get her cubs' attention.
"Come children, let's get back to Hasira, Kisasi, and the others to see if Kion has accepted to align himself with us." Zira said.
Meanwhile, Jasiri was slowly and sadly making her way back to her clan. She didn't understand the situation at all. She thought Kion could help, she thought Kion would help her, but he couldn't. He had sided with Zira, deciding that lions should stick together. She had no idea how she was going to even begin to explain this to the clan. She was suddenly pulled out of her thought when she heard the footsteps of other animals. She looked to see it was Kion's friends, Bunga, Beshte, Fuli, and Ono and ran over to them.
"Lion Guard, what are you all doing here?" Jasiri asked.
"I know Kion said he'd be fine." Bunga said.
"But we think he might be in trouble. Do you know where he is?" Fuli asked.
"Yes." Jasiri said, her ears sadly going flat against her head. "He joined Zira and her family."
"Zira?" the Lion Guard exclaimed.
"Hapana! Rafiki was right." Ono said.
"You know Zira?" Jasiri asked.
"We've heard about her." Beshte nodded.
"And Kion wouldn't want to be any part of her family." Fuli said.
"Yeah, she's really, super-duper, big bad news. She's a lioness who was loyal to Scar when he was still king." Bunga revealed.
"Zira was loyal to Scar!?" Jasiri gasped.
Jasiri growled, angry with herself, now realizing Zira had lied to her.
"Ugh! I knew it. I should have never believed her!" Jasiri said.
"Well, come on. Let's go save him before something bad happens." Fuli said, running past Jasiri.
"Right behind ya sister." Jasiri replied, running after Fuli with the rest of the guard.
The guard came to the watering hole with Zira and her cubs nowhere in sight. Jasiri sniffed around, catching a scent and telling the guard to follow her. They eventually came to a cave and followed the scent into it. They came to a back entrance and saw Kion surround by Zira and her lionesses.
"Oh no, I didn't know that Zira had more lionesses. I thought it was just her and her cubs." Jasiri said.
"Oh, come on, we can take 'em." Bunga said, cracking his knuckles.
"Are you sure about that Bunga?" Ono asked.
"Of course, we just gotta get them away from Kion and all grouped up so that he can use the roar on them." Bunga strategized.
"Sounds good enough to me. Let's go!" Jasiri said.
Back outside, the cave, Zira gave Kion one last chance to join them. Kion was all out of ideas on how to escape, he thought this was the end until he noticed Jasiri and his guard members in the cave. Kion grinned and looked at Zira.
"Zira, I do have something to say. Till the Pride Lands end…" Kion said.
On cue, the rest of the Lion Guard finished their battle cry.
"Lion Guard defend!" Bunga, Fuli, Beshte, and Ono shouted.
"What the!" Zira exclaimed as she and her pride looked to see the four young animals and Jasiri charging at them.
"Surprise!" Jasiri shouted with a laugh.
The Lion Guard and Jasiri than began to round up Zira and her lionesses. Vitani got into a short but vicious fight with Fuli, Fuli eventually managing to pin Vitani down and make her group up with her mother, siblings, and pride.
"Mother, I'm scared." Nuka fearfully whimpered, which caused Zira to look at her oldest child with disappointment.
Despite being backed up against the wall, Zira looked at Kion's Lion Guard, which she found laughable.
"So… a Lion Guard with just one lion. Pathetic! Stand tall, my pride sisters. We have this ridiculous group of animals outnumbered.
"Doesn't matter Zira!" Bunga shouted towards the lioness before turning towards his best friend. "Go ahead Kion, use the roar!"
"I… I can't. That's how Scar lost the roar. He used it against lions." Kion said with a look of defeat.
Zira smirked hearing this, her lie about Scar using the roar on lions and losing it was working.
"That's not why he lost it! It was 'cause he used it for evil. Remember when Rafiki told us?" Bunga reminded.
"Of course. You're right!" Kion said, his face brightening up at the memory.
"No!" Zira angrily shouted. "That's not true. I know the roar's powers. Listen to me, Kion…"
"Oh, I've listened to you, Zira." Kion interrupted. "Now, you listen to me. As long as I'm around, you're not welcome in the Pride Lands or the Outlands."
"You… You wouldn't!" Zira furiously shouted at the top of her lungs. "We're lions."
Kion didn't listen however and used the roar to send Zira and her entire pride away, except Kovu how had edged out of the way just in time. When Zira and her lionesses were gone, Kion walked towards Kovu, wanting to talk to him. Kovu however ran, shouting for his mother to wait up for him. When Kovu was gone, Kion turned back towards his friends.
"Thanks guys, you came just in time." Kion said.
"We're glad we did Kion." Fuli said.
Without warning, Jasiri rushed forward and threw a forepaw around Kion's shoulders, pulling the surprised lion cub into a hug.
"Whoa! Easy there Jasiri." Kion said, hugging back.
"Kion, I'm so glad you're alright. I was worried when Zira came back without you" Jasiri said.
"Well, don't worry. I had a little struggle with Zira's lionesses, but other than that, I'm fine." Kion assured her. "What about you, did she do anything to try and hurt you when she went to get her cubs."
Jasiri shook her head.
"No, she didn't, but she said that you joined her and decided that the watering hole should belong to them only." Jasiri revealed.
"She said that?" Kion replied, angrily looking in the direction of where he roared Zira and her pride, glad that he had done so.
"Yeah, and I actually believed her until your friends came and told me about her, that she was a Scar loyalist." Jasiri said.
"Yeah, Zira mentioned him to. She and him were apparently very close and he told her about the roar. She tried to make me think he lost his roar because he used it on lions, not just because he used it for evil." Kion explained.
"Oh Kion, I'm so sorry that I believed her. I never should have doubted you." Jasiri apologized.
Kion smiled and placed a paw on her shoulder.
"It's okay Jasiri. When Zira talked with me. She tried to make me think that lions should rule over all other animals, using force and threats. She tried to make me choose a side, lions or hyenas, but I told her I'm on the side of the circle of life and any and all animals who respect it." Kion explained.
Jasiri smiled and pulled Kion into another hug.
"I knew I could count on you, Kion." Jasiri said.
"Thanks, Jasiri, I'm glad I could be counted on." Kion said. "Now, why don't we go get your clan, I'm sure they're dying to get back to their watering hole."
Within the next hour, Kion and Jasiri went to gather the clan and bring them back to the watering hole, which Kion had instructed his friends to watch over until they got back. When they got back, the clan was so excited to see their watering hole there's again. They all ran for it, drinking and splashing in it like young hyena pups. As the clan did so, Jasiri, Kion, and his guard members looked on with pride. Glad to see they relit a spark the clan hadn't felt for a long time. Madoa, who had been floating on her back in the watering hole's shallows, came out and shook her fur before walking over to Kion and Jasiri.
"Hay Madoa." Kion greeted.
"Hay Kion, I just wanted to thank you so much for getting our clan's watering hole back." Madoa said.
"Of course. Jasiri is my friend and I'd do anything for a friend and their family." Kion said.
Madoa smiled and chuckled.
"I know Jasiri believed in you, but I'll admit I had my doubts." Madoa admitted.
"And now?" Kion asked with a smile.
"I'm glad she has you for a friend." Madoa said.
"Thanks." Kion said.
"Me to. I'm glad to have all of you as friends." Jasiri said, looking towards the rest of the Lion Guard.
"Back at ya, Jasiri." Fuli replied on behalf of her and the rest of the guard
Wema and Tunu, who were being watched over by their mother, suddenly came to the group and up to Kion, seemingly unafraid of the young lion now. Kion smiled and leaned down towards them.
"Hey, little ones. I'm not so scary now, huh?" Kion asked.
Wema and Tunu took a moment to look at each other before the pups suddenly took off running and hid behind a rock, leaving Kion somewhat disappointed. Jasiri and Madoa laughed at the sight.
"Oh well." Kion said, deciding to just laugh along with the sisters.
"Take it as a compliment. You are pretty fierce." Jasiri said.
"Thanks, but hay. While me and my friends are still here, why don't you introduce me to the rest of your family Jasiri?" Kion asked.
"Not like we'd even let you leave here without doing so." Jasiri said.
Jasiri and Madoa gathered up the rest of the clan and eagerly introduced them to Kion and his friends. There was the eldest member, Njaa, who was much skinner than the other members. The only other young hyena in the clan Jasiri and Madoa's age, Baruti, who had blue eyes and star shaped spot on his forehead and his parents Crocuta and Bakari. Jasiri and Madoa's aunt and uncle, Wema and Tunu's parents, and clan healers, Mrithi and Dawa. Mrithi, was Jasiri's father's younger sister and had an overbite with pushy lips and Dawa unlike most of the clan was light grey, had dark blue/grey eyes, and one tooth protruding from his upper lip like his son Tunu and a tuft of darker grey fur on the center of his head, falling just slightly between his eyes.
Finally, there were Jasiri and Madoa's parents and the clan leaders, Baba and Liwa. They all were eager to meet and thank Kion for what he did for them. When Bakari and Crocuta were about to thank Kion, Madoa put them in the spot light.
"Oh, and Kion, speaking of those like me who had doubts still, I think Crocuta and Bakari have something else to say than just thanking you as well." Madoa said.
Crocuta and Bakari looked wide eyed at Madoa.
"Oh, and what's that?" Kion asked.
Crocuta and Bakari looked back at Kion nervously and then at each other before going back to Kion.
"Kion, right after you and Jasiri talked with Madoa, the entire clan talked about you." Bakari said.
"And Bakari and I made our opinions clear that you might not be the lion Jasiri thought and has said you were. We thought that you might side with Zira since when it comes to problems between lions and hyenas, lions always stick together, no matter if their party is in the wrong or not." Crocuta revealed.
A small look of animosity plastered itself to Kion's face at hearing them say that.
"Well, you two are entitled to your opinions, but…" Kion began to say.
"But on our way here, Jasiri told us everything and of your and Zira's conversation." Bakari revealed.
"And…" Crocuta said, taking a moment to clear his throat. "And, we're glad that Jasiri is friends with a lion like you."
Kion's face instantly became much softer at hearing that and his smiled at the two hyenas.
"Thank you and you're welcome, and I hope one day you'll say the same to a lion who didn't just get you your clan's watering hole back." Kion said.
Crocuta and Bakari nodded with dignity and stepped back for Kion to have proper introduction with the rest of the clan. Kion turned towards Jasiri and Madoa's parents, aunt, and uncle.
"And you four are Jasiri and Madoa's parents and uncle and aunt, right?" Kion asked.
"Yes, we are." Baba said on everyone's behalf. "And it is a great thing you have done for us Kion.
"Yes, after being the one who brought those lions here, it's good to see a lion like you help us get it back." Liwa said. "I only wish we had had the opportunity to help more than just leave it all to you and that we had some way to repay you and your friends' help…"
"Your thankfulness is reward enough." Kion assured.
"Hmmm. Jasiri told us many things about you at first, but she forgot to mention humble as well." Liwa said.
Kion grinned at Jasiri, hearing that and she grinned back.
"Although, I do wish Wema and Tunu would have taken more of a liking to me for helping." Kion half joked, turning back to face the clan.
"Oh, I think Dawa and I can help with that." Mrithi said, looked towards her mate.
Mrithi and Dawa broke away from the group and went over to their pups, still cowering behind the rock. Mrithi picked up Tunu and Dawa picked up Wema and brought them over to Kion. Despite the scared looks on the pups faces, Kion smiled at them and leaned towards Tunu.
"Hay there Tunu." Kion greeted the pup.
Although Kion made his voice sound gentler than the last two time he tried to make nice with the pup, Tunu didn't take it as friendly. Overwhelmed with fear, Tunu shot forward and bit Kion on the nose. Although it didn't really hurt, Kion still yelped and everyone gasped, Mrithi accidently letting go of Tunu. Tunu held onto Kion's nose for a second or two before the pup lost his grip, Kion caught him before he fell and gently set him on the ground before gripping his sore nose.
"Oh, Kion, are you okay?" Madoa asked, concerned.
"Yeah, I'm alright. It barley even hurt." Kion assured.
Jasiri gently took Kion's paw away to look at the bite mark on Kion's nose. It was just a flesh wound and didn't even bleed despite the marks being red.
"Sorry, we should have warned you that Tunu is kind of a biter." Jasiri apologized.
"And he knows better." Mrithi said, angered by her son's action.
"No, it's my fault. I shouldn't have gotten so close." Kion said.
"That still doesn't excuse what Tunu did." Mrithi said.
She pointed to a rock and told Tunu to go sit on it until she said otherwise. When Tunu didn't, Mrithi smacked the pup's rump enough to make him yelp and obey her command. As she did so, Jasiri took a glance at Wema.
"Wema isn't a biter like Tunu, but I wouldn't take the chance if I were you." Jasiri advised.
"Yeah, I'm just gonna have to visit more often to make them like me." Kion said.
"Yeah, good idea." Jasiri agreed.
Dawa set his daughter down, who ran to sit with her punished brother.
"Come Kion, let's get that nose of yours patched up quickly." Dawa said.
"Oh, you don't have to do that. Tunu barely broke the skin and it isn't even bleeding. Save what you got for when you really need it." Kion assured.
"Nonsense. A flesh wound or not, it still needs patching up. Better safe than sorry." Dawa insisted.
"You'd better let him do it, otherwise he'll hold you down and patch your nose up by force." Jasiri advised with a laugh.
"Okay." Kion agreed.
Dawa and Mrithi quickly led Kion back to the clan's den, thankful to see that the area where they kept their medical supplies hadn't been disturbed by Zira. They quickly mashed up some medicinal flowers, using it to plaster a leaf to Kion's nose before leading him back to the others.
"Okay, I think we're even now. I helped you all and you helped me." Kion said, tapping his bandaged nose as he walked back up to the others.
"Glad to hear." Jasiri laughed.
Kion than turned towards his Lion Guard.
"Well, come on guys. We should be getting back home." Kion said.
Kion began to lead the Lion Guard back home to the Pride Lands, but Jasiri stepped forward and called to Kion.
"Kion wait, why don't you and your friends stay for a bit?" Jasiri offered.
"I don't know Jasiri, me and the guard should really get back to the Pride Lands. We've been gone for a long while and what if Janja is attacking?" Kion said.
"Janja? Oh, don't worry about him." Jasiri laughed. "I came across him as I was coming to get you and let's just say that he might be sore for a couple days."
"Oh, now I've got to stay to hear about it." Kion said. "But, just for an hour incase anyone else is attacking the Pride Lands."
"Alright, just for an hour." Jasiri agreed.
But an hour turned into two and into three, during which Kion talked more with some of the other members of Jasiri's clan, especially her sister, their aunt, uncle, and parents. Needless to say, they all took a liking to Kion, listening to his stories about him, his family, and his Lion Guard, and could see why Jasiri liked him. Kion talked with Jasiri about finding a way to ask his dad and sister about how Kovu knew her and about Zira's lionesses without revealing he went into the Outlands and fought them. Jasiri gave him the idea of saying that they caught Janja sneaking along the border and while chasing him back into the Outlands, they spotted some of Zira's lionesses and overheard them talking about her and her cubs, which piqued his curiosity and fighting Janja was an easy way to explain his bandage. Kion thought Jasiri's coverup story worked and decided to go with it.
Eventually, Kion decided that he and his friends should get back to the Pride Lands, Jasiri, Madoa, their parents, uncle, and aunt seeing them off.
"It was really nice to finally meet you, Kion." Liwa said.
"Your friends as well." Dawa added.
"Thanks, it was nice to meet you all as well." Kion said. "Although I wish it could have been under much better circumstances."
"Me to, but I am glad you could finally meet my family Kion and thank you again for helping us." Jasiri said once more.
"Like I said, you're my friend and as one if you ever need my help, I'll be there." Kion assured.
"Same here." Jasiri replied.
"Feel free to stop by anytime you want to visit Kion." Baba said.
"Thank you, Baba. I'll be sure to stop by as often as I can and hopefully to get Wema and Tunu, especially Tunu to get to like me to the point where he won't bite me again." Kion said, getting a laugh out of Jasiri's family.
"Well, he and Wema will have to start liking you, your friends to, because I think I'm able to speak for the entire clan when I say all five of you are official honorary members of the clan." Liwa said.
In response to that, Jasiri and the rest of her family nodded in agreement. Kion and his friends were surprised to hear Jasiri and her family say that they considered them honorary members of the clan for helping them.
"Well, uh, thanks Liwa." Kion said, not real sure what to say.
"Well, it's only right Kion. You saved Jasiri from Janja and his clan and now you've helped all of us and Jasiri has really taken a liking to you and helped you as well, and I'm sure you two will be helping each other in one way or another for years to come." Liwa said.
"You know, it's kinda funny. Lions and hyenas usually being sworn enemies with each other or at the very least tolerant with each other and other animals being scared of hyenas, always thinking they're going to eat them, but now me, a lion and my friends are honorary member of your clan." Kion said.
"For someone like Janja maybe, but we hyenas don't always think about food and eating whatever we see and can get our jaws on." Madoa said with a small laugh. "Jasiri showed that when she didn't gut you while you were stuck in that thorn bush Kion."
"I don't know about that Madoa. Kion and his friends do look pretty tasty." Jasiri joked.
Jasiri than began eyeing Bunga.
"Uh, why are you looking at me like that?" Bunga questioned suspiciously.
Jasiri suddenly began to walk towards Bunga while licking her lips.
"Whoa!" Bunga exclaimed.
Bunga jumped up onto Beshte's back, safely away from Jasiri.
"Uh uh, you don't wanna eat me." Bunga said, waving his hands.
"Yeah, not unless you want to get horribly sick Jasiri." Fuli said.
"And your aunt and I don't want to have to clean the cave floor of any vomit or di… well, you know." Dawa said.
Everyone than laughed, Kion saying that it was time they got going. They said farewell to Jasiri and her clan, promising to stop by and visit again soon. As they left Kion thought about he and his friends bringing them some meat tomorrow to make up for the rats Zira had stolen from them. Jasiri and her family went back to spend their time around the watering hole. A few minutes after Kion and his friends left, Liwa was the only one drinking, as she was the entire clan gathered up around her.
Liwa turned around to see them all looking at her. Immediately, she thought she knew what they wanted to talk about with her.
"Look everyone, you don't need to say it, I know what happened was my fault. I took pity on Zira's cubs and naively put too much trust in them and her, which led us getting our watering hole stolen and I'm sorry." Liwa apologized.
"That's not what we were going to say Liwa." Baba said.
"Huh?" Liwa exclaimed, looking at her clan.
"You were right, you know. If Jasiri had listened to us, we'd all probably have one paw in the grave right now. You encouraging Jasiri to interact with lions lead to her making friends with Kion and his friends and that came back to save us when we really need animals like them to help us." Baba said, the entire clan nodding as he said so.
Liwa smiled at hearing her mate say that and seeing the rest of the clan agreeing with him, assuring her that they all had forgiven her.
"Thank you all, I'm glad to hear that." Liwa said. "Listen, I know you all think I don't know this, but I know you look up to Baba as a leader more despite calling me matriarch. I want you all to know that and that I don't judge you for thinking so, because truthfully, Baba is a better fit for leader of the clan than me."
"Your right mom, but it's not just like that." Madoa said.
"Madoa's right Liwa." Njaa said. "We all care about you as a leader as well.
"Yes, back when we were all cubs and we left our old clan with our parents, we did so to get away from a leader who we thought wasn't making the best of decisions, deciding to make our own small clan." Crocuta said.
"Yes, and you're not perfect as a leader, but you're a kind matriarch who has at some hard times kept us going and there's not many matriarchs like that in this world." Bakari said.
"And it's not just Baba, but it's also you that had helped raised Jasiri to be her best self. She has your kindness and Baba's leadership ability." Mrithi said.
"Yes, without you, Jasiri wouldn't have become the hyena who we know will become one of the best matriarchs there has even been in a hyena clan one day." Dawa said.
Liwa smiled and went over to embrace her clan, knowing they all meant what they said. When they pulled out of the hug, Jasiri looked around happily at her clan. They had their home and watering hole back, they knew about and accepted Kion and his friends, seeing them as honorary clan members, everyone forgave her mother for getting them into this situation, they all looked forward to the day when she became matriarch, and all that made Jasiri feel like the luckiest hyena in the Outlands.
THE END
And that wraps it up everybody, Jasiri's clan has their watering hole back and are on good terms with each other again and they consider Kion and his Lion Guard as part of them. That scene where Tunu bites Kion's nose in fear of him, I've had it in mind for a long time, originally planning to have Jasiri mention it in my Lion Guard: The Rise of Lord Kifo story, which will most likely still happen, I still just wanted to write this fanfic and I think it was worth it with getting to know more of Jasiri's clan a for all the back and forth between Jasiri and Nuka and Zira. The Rise of Lord Kifo, that's my next planned story to upload by the way, I had like four or five chapters written out before I decided to hold off on it for a while to focus on Roar of Manipulation. Anyway, thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed it, good day/night, please leave a review, continue to stay healthy and God bless.