Author's Notes:
Okay, so it has been a long pause. To be honest, most of this chapter has been written long time ago, I just had some problems with typing in the last one. With this one done, I think I'll be back to semi-systematic writing - though it certainly will get slower than in the beginning since you-know-what starts in a week.
For the time being, enjoy the new chapter!
Mornings in the graveyard looked almost exactly the same way every day – a hunting party would gather and leave for Pridelands, while other adults would look after their children or take part in some easier work, like moving huge boulders, because... well, nobody knew why, but since none was ever moved due to insufficient amount of muscle-power, there was no need to explain the motifs. And the cubs would normally try to ditch their parents, celebrate over successful escape plans, then start wondering what to do with their precious free time. Sooner or later, they all ended up back with their parents, asking them for an advice on what to do.
This morning bore little difference. Some hyenas were standing at the border, guarding it in case Gituku decided to leave the graveyard without informing its leaders about it first. Some were sleeping after having done their watch through the night.
Some left their homes to notice the only culprit of all the most recent changes strolling peacefully with a hyena easily recognized as Shenzi's adopted friend of a cryptic name – T. Most of them growled at the sight, but only a few spared a moment to think of some possible reasons for this "pair" to be seen together.
As for the two, they were walking in silence ever since they took off from Abeni and Kamau's den. T was looking around her absent-mindedly, trying to come up with good arguments to use in a quarrel with Shenzi that was bound to arise once she got to know about the form this meeting took. She almost forgot about Gituku, who was walking right next to her and observing her with curiosity.
"I see you're busy," he finally said. Suddenly dragged back to reality, T almost jumped up in surprise at the sound of his voice.
"Sorry," she smiled meekly. "What did you say?"
"Nothing so far," he replied smoothly. "And neither did you. I thought we arranged this meeting to talk?"
"That's right," T agreed, thinking hectically to prepare some plan for this conversation. "Where to begin..."
"Maybe you'd tell me this first: is T your real name?" he asked.
"And why would you like to know?" she answered with a question, immediately growing tense and putting a little more distance between them.
"I... just wanted to thank you properly," Gituku said defensively, honestly baffled by her reaction.
"Thank me?" now it was T's turn to be puzzled. "You?"
"You mean me, the bloodthirsty mutiny leader? Or me, the enemy of all living things, the most awful creature on Earth?" T didn't answer, instead looking at him suspiciously. "Or, should I rephrase it, was your surprise based on the fact that I led the mutiny against your friend or have you just heard too many of Banzai's tales?"
"I've heard enough," she said carefully. "But the deeds I saw you performing were much more convincing," she added reproachingly.
"Yes, I could suppose that," he hung his head. "Nonetheless, thank you, T. For saving me from certain death, for believing in me where no-one else could."
"Well, if you want to thank me properly," she smiled, finally knowing what to say next, "prove that I was right. Get along with the clan, try to undo your mistakes..." she trailed off.
For a moment, they just walked in silence, each looking elsewhere. Then Gituku looked back at T, smiling as though he just got a great idea.
"I'll do whatever I can," he said. "But it will be a pretty tough job, getting others to see I really changed."
"If you did," T added with a harsh tone.
"I assure you, I did. Nonetheless, I must dare to ask one more thing of you, T," he said pleadingly.
"And what would it be?" T asked, feeling curiosity's taking over her.
"Let me tell you my history. Maybe if you understand what had led me to the wrong decisions I once made, you'll be able to get others to believe in my change more easily."
T thought about it. She had to meet Gituku every day anyway, as commanded by Shenzi. A good basis for the conversations to begin was priceless... And it wouldn't hurt either if Gituku believed it was him who initiated the whole process.
"Sure," she nodded.
"Let me just show you where I live so that you won't have to ask others again," he smirked, gesturing to a nearby den. "And I guess we'll see each other... tomorrow?"
"I suppose so," she agreed. "Tomorrow in the morning." A quiet moment ensued.
"Um... I gotta be going, see ya," T finally broke the awkward silence, turning around and leaving for Pridelands. She felt she needed some silent, alone time in the green, peaceful land.
"See you, T," Gituku said evilly after she was out of the hearing range. "We'll see how much you like my version of the story."
Shenzi was pacing around the skull, muttering something under her nose. Banzai, lying where he usually did, followed her moves with his gaze. And Ed, laughing quietly to himself over something no-one else could perceive was gnawing on a left-over bone, probably just because nothing more interesting could be found in sight.
"She otta be here already," Shenzi mumbled. "I specifically told Bongani to report to me with her once they will be leaving."
"See? I told you it only takes Gituku's presence to complicate everything," Banzai said to her.
"I'm beginning to believe you," she answered, still walking nervously.
A few minutes later, someone called from the outside, "Matriarch Shenzi?"
"Bongani!" Shenzi immediately stopped upon recognizing owner of the voice. "Come in!"
"I hope I'm not intruding during something important," Bongani started.
"No, I was just wondering about you and T," she answered truthfully.
"Is that so? I only came here to ask if you know where T is," he replied, perplexing Shenzi.
"She was to meet you long ago," she said, deep in thought.
"Maybe Gituku got her already?" Banzai piped up. Ed whimpered.
"Shut up, idiots," Shenzi snarled. "It has no sense. Bongani," she turned to him. "I suppose you were searching for T for quite some time now, huh?"
"I'm ready to offer more help, if it's needed," he responded, but she stopped him.
"Go ta sleep, ya look tired," she commanded. "We'll take care of our loss."
Only after he nodded and left did she turn to Banzai and Ed, saying, "You guys, go to Abeni and Kamau, that's where she said she was headed. I'll go check the guards, maybe they have seen something interesting... Plus, unless she passed them, she is bound to be in the graveyard."
Both males nodded and the whole trio went out of the skull.
Pridelands and the Elephant Graveyard looked equally peaceful as sun was climbing onto its highest position in the sky. Morning hunts were long finished and heat became hardly bearable, thus stopping everybody from leaving their shady hiding places. The only visible living beings were indefatigable herds of grazing animals... and graveyards' guards, mostly sitting solitarily in whatever amount of shadow they were able to find. On one post, however, a second hyena could be seen...
"Have I told you about the prank I pulled on my uncle when I was eight?" she asked her companion.
"As far as I remember, no," he answered, prior to looking around to fulfill his duty. "Amongst the dozens of pranks you've told me about there was none targeted at your uncle when you had been eight. I can recall five you've done at seven, though," he grinned, earning a playful shove from her.
"You're impossible," she laughed. "Anyway, I took this piece of meat and told him it tasted better when it was hot. He responded something like »It's hard to get anything, so don't be so capricious«. Y'know, it was back when living here was as tough as thinking is for a lion," they both snickered. "So I says: »But I meant it tasted better after I put it into one of the geysers!« He believed me, took a piece of meat and put his whole head into that thing!" laughter erupted from both their throats, only to be stifled after a new, strong voice became audible right next to them.
"So that's why Ed keeps poking himself into those," it said.
"Uh... hi, Shenzi," the female said with an apologetic hint in her voice, quickly composing herself after the shock.
"Matriarch Shenzi!" the male reacted much more respectfully, striking a pose.
"What'cha doin' here, Kapuki?" the clan leader demanded, ignoring the male.
"I... decided to get some experience in guarding the border to have a strong argument against my dad's ones," Kapuki answered quickly.
"Right..." Shenzi nodded, speaking slowly and smiling wildly. "But I must ask you to stop disturbing this absolutely random male. By the way, what would you say if it wasn't me, but your father who came here right now?" she asked, put in a surprisingly good mood by the conversation.
"Holy pachyderm remains!" Kapuki screamed immediately after Shenzi had finished her question, then ran away, leaving Shenzi endlessly perplexed. She turned around to see Maumbu, looking at her crossly and shaking his head lightly. He didn't say anything, instead going after his daughter.
"Weird," Shenzi commented to herself, then remembered why had she come there at first. Turning around, she spotted "the random male" still standing at attention.
"At ease, Azula," she said, addressing him for the first time. "I wanted to ask if you saw T leaving the graveyard, but taking into consideration whom you were with, I won't be surprised if you know nothing," she sighed.
"Miss T crossed the border about an hour ago," he spoke unexpectedly. "She looked a little absent and was alone. After passing my post she went circa there," Azula finished, pointing a direction with his paw.
Shenzi was speechless. It took her a moment to compose herself and ask, "How long had Kapuki been here?"
"More than three hours," Azula replied plainly, but then looked appalled. "You won't get her into trouble for this, will you? Matriarch," he added quickly.
"Be at peace, she's safe. And I must applaud on your vigilance, Azula. Keep on this way and you're bound to get high in my ranks."
"Thank you kindly, matriarch," he bowed. "Oh, and by the way..." he added as she wanted to leave.
"Yes?"
"The Pridelands' king's majordomo landed a few hundred meters down the border, I think it's two posts from here. I know nothing more, but this seemed important," he ended.
"It probably is," she agreed. "Direct Banzai and Ed to me if they come here," she instructed, walking to talk to the hyena who spoke with Zazu.
"Certainly," came her answer. "Good luck, matriarch," Azula added.
"To you too."
"Shenzi! Shenzi!" Banzai yelled, running with Ed to where they were told they would find their friend.
They caught the glance of a guarding hyena sitting beneath a lone tree that somehow made its way almost to the graveyard, now to become an invaluable source of shadow. Then the sentry looked away, continuing to scan the border as she was supposed to.
Only after coming a little closer did the males realize there was a second hyena lying under the tree.
"Finally," she said, standing up upon noticing them. "What took ya so long?"
"Kamau was a bit... uncooperative," Banzai replied. "But ya won't believe what did he tell us after we made him understand it's important."
Ed nodded and Banzai opened his mouth to continue, but Shenzi stopped him quickly, "Wait, wait. Whaddaya mean by »uncooperative«? And what have ya done to 'im?" she asked, the tone of her voice balancing somewhere between concern and uncertainty.
"Eh, don'cha worry. He's just thrown some temper tantrum and I had ta explain 'em what I ask was important," he said as though it was nothing. Ed articulated something in response. "It doesn't count," Banzai replied defensively.
"Are ya sure it's the same Kamau you're talkin' 'bout, Banzai?" Shenzi inquired. "The unemotional, cold-blooded perfectionist?"
"Must have been something pretty unnerving to make him that touchy, huh?" Banzai snickered. Ed spoke up angrily.
"Hey, it's his problems, I don't have to know 'bout 'em," was his response, then Banzai continued, "Anyway, listen ta this: Kamau told us T left soon after she came to visit 'em... But she didn't go alone, guess who was with her?"
"Don't tell me..." Shenzi was astonished.
"Yes, and we checked it by asking some other hyenas in the neighborhood – our dear T and Gituku decided to walk together and talk for a while, then probably parted, but it's not certain," he reported.
"They did," Shenzi confirmed. "I also know where did she go. But there's even more to this situation," she said aggravatingly.
"Gituku's already killed somebody?" Banzai asked.
"Nope. Simba wants to know what is going on in the graveyard… And I doubt he'll be willing to listen long enough to understand why did I let Gituku back into the clan," she explained.
Ed laughed out a question, repeated by Banzai as: "Yeah, what are we going to do now?"
"Banzai, you go and find T, then bring her back to me. She's got much to tell me," Shenzi answered. "I'll go with Ed to talk to Maumbu. He may not be as smart as Rashid was, but he's still one of the best there are; maybe together we'll find a solution of the newest problem."
"Sounds good to me, where should I look for her?" he asked, then, after getting his answer, quickly departed.
"Let's go, Ed," Shenzi said, and soon the guard was left alone on her post again.
"Easy to say, find her," Banzai muttered, passing yet another patch of high grass, then probably the millionth tree he had seen. "It's easier to find food in the graveyard that T out here."
He put his head under two thorny bushes to see what's on the other side, but all he saw was more grass.
"Man, it would probably be easier to find a lion-" he stopped abruptly, as he spotted Simba not far from him. There was no reason to fear him, but instincts had done their part and rest of the reasons why he shouldn't want to meet the Pridelands' king appeared in his head after he was safely hidden behind the bushes he had just examined. Shenzi told him something about the king being interested in the matter of sentry deployment – and he wasn't the right person to explain the situation, even though he was the second-in-charge.
Fortunately for him, Simba passed him by, taking no notice of him as he was preoccupied by a conversation with his majordomo. Despite overhearing several sentences, Banzai understood absolutely nothing from their talk – it seemed as if long, complicated words were mandatory to use for everyone related in any way to the Pridelands' royal family.
Only after making sure the coast was clear did Banzai escape his hideout, returning to the task at hand.
And soon, he was painfully remembered of how hopeless this mission was. He was surrounded by a seemingly endless plain, covered with high grass, thus creating infinite number of possible hiding places. Plus, the burning sun wasn't making it easier.
Taking it all into consideration, Banzai decided to head towards the nearest waterhole – it was a direction as good as any other, but offered at least a short while of rest.
"T?" he called, before setting to look around grass, rocks and occasionally trees again.
After more than half hour, filled – as it seemed to him – with more than half a million possible spots checked, he arrived at the waterhole. Immediately, he bent down to refresh himself with the pleasantly cool liquid.
After satisfying his thirst, he looked up… only to see T lying on a close-by rock, facing away from him. He mentally cursed himself for not coming here in the first place. Still, he was given an errand to run, so he moved towards his friend… until a thought entered his head. As was his custom, he set out to perform it, never giving it a second thought.
T was lying peacefully on a flat stone she had chosen, completely enthralled in her thoughts. The place was chosen very well – the heat was balanced by a slightly chilly breeze, blowing from over the waterhole every now and then. All the circumstances were most advantageous for a quiet reverie.
Already, she had produced some arguments for an upcoming quarrel with her friend and ruler. She was in a middle of pondering over possible scenarios of conversations with Gituku, when suddenly, someone grabbed her by the hinder part of her body.
Startled, she tried to jump up, but the grip was strong. She looked at the attacker with apprehension, only to recognize him as Banzai.
"What… are you doing?" she uttered shakily.
"I heard you're hanging out alone with the types of Gituku, so I figured – if you value yourself so low, I might as well jump on the occasion," he answered, looking at her lustfully.
"WHAT?" T screamed and with a sudden surge of strength freed herself from his grasp. Immediately, she jumped off the rock so that it stood between them.
"Got'cha," Banzai replied, grinning.
T looked at him uneasily, still reluctant to let go of the obstacle between them.
"Y'know if that was a joke, it was one of the worst you've come up with," she told him, observing his reaction closely.
"'Course it was, come on… you know me, T," Banzai replied, trying to calm her.
"Ok… just don't do this again," she demanded, coming closer to him.
"Pretty well what I should be telling you right now," Banzai said. "You've disobeyed so much Shenzi's orders at once, it has to be some kinda record," he added sternly.
"Here it goes…" T muttered under her breath, so silently that even Banzai didn't hear her.
"I could probably tell you off some more, but I won't," that caught her by surprise. "Shenzi'll give ya enough, and by what she said, I'm already sorry for ya."
T hung her head; it seemed everything she did since she had got up today was somehow wrong.
"Well, c'mon," Banzai said, motioning in the general direction of the graveyard. "Your scolding won't get any lighter in time."
"Right," T agreed plainly and they took off.