" You...you what?"

Jasiri giggled as Janja looked back with a gape and widen eyes. " I said, 'I love you too'."

Janja took a moment to process what she had just said. His mind was filled with questions and many different emotions. What do I do? What do I do?

" Uhhhh…I...uh…" Janja stammered.

" That's your desperately needed answer to your question from earlier," Jasiri commented. " You could have been more direct you know."

" Uhhh… Sorry?"

Jasiri giggled a bit more. " You really are a mess!"

" I didn't expect you to feel the same!"

" Oh Janja. You need to be around females more often. I thought it was pretty obvious by now."

Janja's ears flattened in embarrassment. " Well I can't help that I've been around males for my whole life."

" That's why I said you need to be around more females." Jasiri said with a sweet smile. She then leaned back forward to lick Janja's nose again. Janja closed his eyes for a moment as she did. Jasiri lifted her paw and pressed her paw against Janja's chin to get his nose a bit closer.

Janja started to become a little less shocked with each small kiss. But even still his heart fluttered in excitement. This was what he never thought he needed.

Jasiri pulled away for a moment. She turned down at Janja, looking directly in his eyes. Her eyes shined in excitement, as it seemed like for Janja. Janja could hear the air move from Jasiri's tail wagging. Janja's tail start to sway as well.

" You better be joining my clan now Janja," Jasiri said.

" Do I really even have a choice now?" Janja turned himself over on his belly to face Jasiri directly with his head lifted. He shifted slightly so he wouldn't bump Jasiri's head. " I mean, it's not like I want to run now. Not from this."

" I wouldn't have wanted you ethier." Jasiri sighed and smiled. " You could be the alpha male of our clan and you could help me lead."

"Why would you need my help?" Janja asked. " You're stronger at leading than I'll ever be."

" Well, if we are going to combine two different clans, it'll be tricky and it might get harder ."

" Well I'll make sure my furbrains will be on their best behavior," Janja leaned in to nuzzle his nose against hers. " You won't have to worry about them."

Jasiri nuzzled back. " That's why I need you."

Janja's tail started to wag faster than before as he felt a jolt of excitement in his heart. " I believe I need you a lot more than you need me."

Janja saw as Jasiri's ears flattened. She glanced away from him for a moment with a sweet smile before making eye contact again.

" You're the best thing I never knew I needed Jasiri." Janja could feel the warmth coming to his cheeks again. " You're so smart and strong. You're everything I wish I was but so much better. You've stuck around by my side when no one else did. And you also opened my eyes to the truth and even saved my life."

" You're too sweet Janja," Jasiri giggled. " You're too much to handle!"

" Well, what could I say?" Janja said softly. He leaned in to lick Jasiri's cheek for a second before saying more. " You're my hero." Janja move his head under Jasiri's, rubbing his cheek against her neck. " And I wouldn't have it any other way."

Jasiri was heistant to say anything more for a moment, her eyes widen in a bit of a surprise as Janja rubbed his cheek against her. She took a moment to process what Janja had said before replying. " I wouldn't want it any other way either."

She laid her head on Janja's as Janja paused in his cuddling and rested his head on her chest for a minute. As Janja stay there, ecstatic thoughts came to his brain. I can't believe this is happening! I can't believe this! Finally! She feels the same way! Yes! We did something right! She actually likes us! How am I not jumping out of my skin? How am I not shouting for joy?

Janja stayed rested on Jasiri's chest for a few moments longer, trying not to lose his composure as he continued to ramble in his mind.

" When tomorrow comes then we can harmonize both of clans, and then we could officially be together," Jasiri whispered suddenly. " Then we won't have to hide it anymore. We won't have to worry about the consequences."

" We could have a future together then," Janja added. " Who knows what could happen now that we're together."

" Well, I'd love to find out." Jasiri lifted her head off Janja as Janja moved his head from under her. Jasiri looked at him with a soft expression on her face. Her face showed nothing more than love and desire for Janja, making more jittery in the heart. Janja returned the expression before moving forward to nuzzle each other's noses again, both of them closing their eyes as they did. " I love you so much," Jasiri whispered.

" I love you more…"

-

Today should be the day.

The fight that would change everything for the hyenas.

And then, if they succeed, nothing could stand in the way of Janja and Jasiri being together.

And if it didn't succeed, it could be the end of the hyenas.

Jasiri and Janja were making their way back to their territories to be prepared for the trap. Janja and Jasiri were still in the Pridelands. They were in a grassland. They were making their way towards the Outlands, which was visible in front of them, while walking side by side.

Janja was rubbing his cheek against Jasiri as they were walking. His mouth had formed a warm smile and his ears were flattened. " I wish we didn't have to leave," Janja whispered.

" Well, after this, it will get better for us," Jasiri said. " Then we don't have worry about these type of situations."

" What can't we just do it without having to fight?" Janja groaned. " I mean, why does Scar have to be there to stop us?"

" I don't know. You tell me."

" Why would I know?"

Jasiri shook her head. " I wouldn't know either."

Moments after, they set foot onto Outland territory. They ran down a steep slope that leads to a path between the Outland cliffs. They could see the volcano straight ahead. The home of the one that wanted to keep them apart. The one that needed to be defeated in order for the two to love without worrying.

To their left, there was a pathway that seemingly went in the direction of Jasiri's territory. Janja needed to get to Scar as soon as possible so going with Jasiri wasn't going to help.

" Is this were we part?" Janja whined with a sudden pout.

" I guess so." Jasiri pressed her shoulder and her cheek against Janja.

" Too bad this has to end so quickly," Janja said.

" Think of it just being the beginning." Jasiri quickly licked his cheek. " It will be better after this trap is set and done. I promise."

" I know you're right Jasiri." Janja licked Jasiri cheek as well. " I guess I'll see you later Jasiri."

" Goodbye," Jasiri said before trotting off on the path towards her territory.

Janja sighed as he saw Jasiri walk away. I really hope this goes perfectly. Janja looked towards Jasiri's direction once more as she went away.

Janja looked on once more before turning forward towards the volcano. " Okay. It's showtime."