Sorry for the late chapter! But hope you like it!
The den Kopa mentioned had a small opening, leading into a small cave like hole in the ground. Once he had pushed Kali into it, the hyena landed on the cold ground with a yelp and glared aw he looked up. It was too high for him to jump. He was stuck.
Once that was done, Kopa made his way to the waterhole for a drink. It was still a few hours before sunrise, but Kopa couldn't bring himself to rest with his mate with these thoughts gnawing at his mind. True, they had caught the beast, but there was still his punishment to think about. Exile was the first thing to cross his mind, but the only one who would be happy with that would be Kali. Kopa would be exiling a murderer, the next cub's blood would be on Kopa's paws. Plus he could find his three leaders or complete his plan in taking over a hyena clan.
Though she did not speak, Nzuri wanted the death penalty. Kopa could see it in her eyes that she did, she and her mate. That was another option. A life for a life, Kopa thought. But he didn't know how to handle this. No animal in the Pride Lands did anything to deserve the death penalty and so it was never done. How would he do it?
Whilst Kopa thought, he hadn't noticed Kweli approach from behind. She frowned as his frustrated look as he stared hard his reflection in the water.
"Your majesty?"
Kopa looked up, his turquoise eyes landed her own. His stern expression disappeared and was replaced with a tired, worried glance. "Kweli..." He sighed as he stretched his tired muscles and turned to her. "Kweli, I owe you and your clan an apology."
"No, sir, it is us who owe you. We should taken precautions when taking in Kali. We-"
"No, Kweli." Kopa interrupted. "In the short time you've been here, I've treated you badly when all you've shone me is kindness, something I have never encountered in hyenas. I'm sorry."
Kweli smiled as Kopa returned the gesture.
But Kopa's smile soon faded as worry set upon him once more and Kweli frowned. "Are you all right, sire?"
After a few moments, Kopa spoke. "No. I have a grieving family, a murderer and I have no idea what to do."
"My... my mother always suggested a good night's rest does wonders." Kweli suggested.
Kopa chuckled. "You go. I have some thinking to do." With that, Kopa bowed and walked away.
He found himself atop a hill, over looking the night sky as stars twinkled above. Despite the stress, he couldn't help but laugh as he remembered the tales his uncle Timon told him about the fireflies that became stuck in the sky.
Kopa sighed as he lay in the cool grass and stretched his tired muscles once more. It wouldn't hurt to shut his eyes for a few moments right? For just a...
"Kopa!... KOPA!!"
Kopa startled awake and noticed Kidogo flying towards him. "Thank goodness we found you!"
Kopa shocked the sleep from his eyes and noticed that it was early morning hours. "What is it?"
The bird panted. "We...we have a situation."
TLK
Kopa followed his majordomo back to the dens where he found most of his pride members and even some other animals gathered at the den. Kopa swallowed as he walked up beside Malka. "What's happened?"
"Kopa! Great Kings, where have you been?!" Malka cried.
"Malka. What. Happened."
The tan kion frowned as he nudged the animals standing in front him and they moved a out of the way to let Kopa through.
The golden lion made his way to the front where he saw Vitani just crawling out of the den entrance. "Tani?" He whispered. "What happened?"
Vitani took a deep breath as she lowered her voice. "Kopa, who did you tell when you put Kali in the den?"
"What, no one!" Kopa whispered. Then he looked around at the staring eyes. "Malka, please clear everyone away." Malka nodded and did as he was told and led the animals away until only Kopa and Vitano were left.
Kopa sighed as he turned to his mate. "I didn't tell anyone. The only ones there were Bluu, the cheetahs- wait, why? What's happened?"
Vitani frowned. "Kali is gone. He... escaped somehow."
"That's impossible."
"Not for him apparently."
"I should have been guarding him. Great Kings! I'm as stupid as a beetle, I should have- he was my responsibility...I-" Then he stopped and shook his head. Past... is the past, he thought, hesitantly. He could feel his eyes dropping and quickly shook his head once more to focus. He needed to alert the hyena clan. I need to do more then that.
TLK
Kweli was resting in the sun with Maji beside her when they noticed Kopa and the entire pride approaching.
Kweli tensed aw Maji stood. "They're going to kick us out." He whispered, fearfully.
But Kweli frowned aw she stood with him and walked over to meet the pride. Respectfully, she bowed before Kopa.
"What can we do for you, sir?"
Kopa smiled. "Kweli, in the past few days, you have shown loyalty and kindness which is much more then we deserve. Over looking the matter of Kali, I have spoken to my pride and we come before you to ask," Kopa smiled as the hyena looked up. "We would be happy if you joined our kingdom."
Kweli gasped smiling as Maji raced up, having heard the whole thing. The sight of the pride also brought the clan in to listen.
"Do you accept?" Kopa asked.
Kweli smiled as she bowed. "We do, my king."
"I will hope that by living here, you will respect the laws and the Circle of Life and do your part in this kingdom."
"We will, your majesty." Kweli smiled.
Smiling, Kopa turned to address the rest of the clan. "Welcome home."
After the welcoming of the hyenas, Kopa felt a bit of the weight lift from his shoulders, but there was still a great problem to deal with. As he walked, he passed where Nzuri was cleaning her last cub with gentle locks while her mate sat close by. Kali got away and there was little hope finding him. Kopa frowned as he sat down. Suddenly, Vitani appeared and nuzzled him.
For a moment, all stress was forgotten, along with the anger and Kopa sighed as he slumped to ground, exhausted both mentally and physically. Vitani lay next him. "Let's get you to the cave. You can rest there." She said.
Kopa nodded as he stood and followed her. The cave was cool and dark and Kopa sighed as he lowered to the floor, eager for some sleep. But before he could close his eyes, Vitani lay next to him.
"There is some good news." She said.
Kopa scoffed. "And what's that?"
Vitani smiled. "You're going to be a father."
Sorry it's so short and don't qorry, justocw will be served, this is not the last time we will see Kali. His time will come.