Chapter 8: The journey begins

'Yeah, the ground will take time to heal, but the aardvarks are happy. There have been no complaints from any of the animals, so the guard clearly picked a good spot.' Simba explained. He was sitting on pride rock together with his beloved Nala. Both were enjoying the sundown. It had been a crazy day, there was almost war on the pride lands. But the lion guard had dealt with it exactly how they are expected to; Strong, but with no harm. Preventing war, keeping the peace.

'Good to hear Simba.' Nala responded with a nice smile on her face.

Both took a deep breath taking in the nice evening fresh air. Life was good, considering the circumstances.

Rafiki now approached the two sitting at the edge of the well famous pride rock. He seemed to hold some excitement within him. 'Simba, Nala.' Rafiki whispered, so no one could listen in on the conversation. 'What's going on Rafiki?' Simba asked his good friend. 'He is starting to wake.' Rafiki responded. Both parents were surprised, but also relieved. 'You mean he's responding?' Nala asked.

'He's about to.' Rafiki revealed.

'When can we go?' Simba asked.

'One of you can go, two at the same time would be too much right now. I'll leave you too it.' Rafiki said, proceeding to leave pride rock going to the lion guard lair to continue his painting.

Both stayed quiet for a moment. 'I have so many questions.' Simba said.

'Remember, this can be hard for him, it's too early to find the answers you are looking for.' Nala reminded Simba.

'I don't know what to do.' Simba said.

'Kion needs his mama.' Nala told Simba. Clearly suggesting she'd go in. Simba looked at the entrance to their den, somewhere inside Kion maybe finally moving again. 'Okay. Go to Kion. Take care of him.' Simba responded.

'You know I will.' Nala said, hugging Simba before walking into the den. Simba returned back to watching over the pride lands, nervously.

Meanwhile at lake matope

'Oh yeaaahhhh, this is the life.' Bunga commented, laid down onto the lake Matope waters in ultimate relaxation mode. Beshte too was in the water, Ono relaxing on his back.

'Nothing better indeed.' Fuli commented, stretching her legs for even bigger relaxation, though, she quickly got up soon after.

'What's wrong Fuli?' Ono asked, spotting the fast movements from the cheetah.

'I hear something.' Fuli commented. 'Like a cry for help.'

'Ah man, I just got into place.' Bunga complained.

'Let's not rush it. Ono, can you have a look?' Fuli asked.

'Affirmative.' Ono responded, flying away immediately. He scanned the land and quickly heard what Fuli was hearing. An animal was yelling for the lion guard, hiding by a tree. Ono landed beside the animal; it was another bird. 'Oh Ono thanks for coming so fast!' The bird said, very anxiously pacing back and forth. 'What's the matter?' Ono asked in response.

'Hyena, there is a hyena. Just standing there, in the grasslands, near the outlands!' The bird explained.

'Okay, thanks for letting me know, the lion guard is on it.' Ono said to the bird. He then flew in the directions the bird gave him and quickly spotted a hyena standing there. It wasn't Janja, but it didn't look like Jasiri either. Ono flew back to lake Matope to let the other's know. 'Guys, there is a hyena in the pride lands!'

'Who? Janja? Jasiri? Cheesi, Chungu?' Bunga asked.

'I didn't recognize the hyena.' Ono responded.

'You sure your eyesight is okay?' Bunga asked.

'I'm serious. The hyena wasn't moving or anything, just standing there.' Ono explained.

'Hmm, weird.' Fuli commented.

'So no threat right, can't we just leave it? Maybe one of the aardwolves forgot to return home during the day.' Bunga said.

'Aardwolf or not, we have to check it out.' Fuli said. 'Let's go.'

'Ahhh Fuli please!' Bunga said. Beshte took Bunga on his back, Bunga clearly annoyed by the interruption.

The team quickly arrived at the grassland, assessing the situation from a distance.

'Oh, it's actually standing still.' Bunga commented, surprised by the sight.

'Weird, any more idea's Ono?' Fuli asked.

'None, I do not recognize this hyena from anywhere.' Ono said.

'Doesn't Jasiri have a clan of her own?' Beshte commented.

'Oh yeah that's true.' Fuli realized.

'Still, why would any of her hyena's be hanging around in the pride lands, they know their territory well.' Ono commented.

'I'm gonna ask.' Fuli said.

'But what if it's a bad hyena?' Bunga asked.

'Then we'll deal with it, right?' Fuli responded.

'Right.' Bunga said, smelling himself. 'Oh yeah, that hyena will not forget that.'

'No stinking until Fuli says so.' Beshte commented.

'I'll try.' Bunga joked.

The lion guard approached the hyena. Quickly the hyena heard the incoming sound and turned towards them. The hyena seemed afraid, but didn't run away.

'Hey, who are you?' Fuli asked. The hyena stayed quiet for a bit, looking at everyone in the group. She then spotted the mark on Fuli's shoulder, and then saw it on the other animals too. 'Is that the mark of the lion guard?' The female hyena asked.

'Yes, that's why we want to know what a hyena is doing here.' Bunga said.

'I, I need to talk with the king.' The hyena said.

Bunga bursted into laughter rolling along the ground.

'Bunga!' Fuli exclaimed angrily at the honey badger, who quickly recovered.

'Are you from Jasiri's pride?' Fuli asked.

'Yes! I'm her sister. My name is Madoa.' Madoa said.

'Why didn't Jasiri just come here?' Fuli asked. 'That would cause far less trouble.'

'She didn't want to go. I went against her orders, but I am desperate, I don't know where else to go. Is Kion around?' Madoa revealed.

'Bunga, go tell the king a friend of Kion is coming, the rest, stick around, but not to close.' Fuli ordered the others. Everyone quickly disappeared, soon Fuli and Madoa being alone slowly making their way to pride rock.

'So, can I ask what this is about? Fuli asked.

'I know that hyenas are not liked here. I'm not here for food, nor shelter. The outlands are our home. But the part of our territory that was taken over by lions was our water. We have some very young and weak cubs in our tribe, they need water. But Jasiri didn't want to tell me anything about how any deal with the lions went, so I guess we are not getting our land back.' Madoa said.

'Jasiri didn't tell you what happened?' Fuli asked?

'No.' Madoa answered.

'Kion was attacked by the lions. Those lions loyal to scar.' Fuli explained.

'To SCAR! I didn't know that existed. That is horrible. I'm sorry our problem led to that, is he okay?' Madoa asked.

'He's in a long road to recovery. But really, it's not your fault, nor Jasiri's. We were not informed about these lions and yeah, things went wrong. But putting the blame on anyone that doesn't have blood on their hands is useless.' Fuli said.

'This does explain a lot. Jasiri has been acting so off, I think she blames herself.' Madoa said.

'If so, someone needs to talk to her.' Fuli said.

'I certainly will, we need her, especially with the lack of water and loss of land.' Madoa explained.

'I can understand that. I stand before the idea, let's hope Simba understands.' Fuli said.

The two arrived at pride rock. Madoa in shock by the mighty structure that was pride-rock. She had only heard stories of the many events that took place at this rock, from generations of leaders to the rise and fall of Scar, so much history in one place.

'Simba wants to meet with Madoa, we can go up.' Ono said.

'Wait, we are actually going up there?' Madoa said with big surprise.

'That's how things go here.' Fuli said. 'Come.'

Madoa followed Fuli up pride rock. Th view was unlike anything she had ever seen for. It was picture perfect. A big lion standing right on the edge, watching over.

'Your majesty, Madoa from the outlands is here for you.' Fuli told Simba.

'Thank you, Fuli.' Simba responded. He turned around and looked at Madoa. 'Your majesty.' Madoa bowed down in respect.

'Thank you Madoa. So, I heard you wanted to ask me something?' Simba asked.

'Yes, your majesty. I don't really know how to say it, I only just learned about what happened, best wishes to Kion.' Madoa said.

'Thank you.' Simba said.

'Because the problem with the lions couldn't be fixed, us, Jasiri's clan, are without water. I don't ask for food or shelter. All i'd want to ask is if the little cubs in our clan could get some water somewhere in the pride lands. There is not much in our territory and they cannot find it themselves.' Madoa said.

'That is a big request.' Simba said. 'I hear that Jasiri is the clan leader, why isn't she here for this request?'

Madoa knew that telling the truth would mean risking a no, but she couldn't lie to a king, right?

'I know it sounds dumb and stupid, but i am here against her orders. Jasiri is not in a good place mentally and cannot take care of the clan properly. The only reason I'm still here is because I'm desperate. The little cubs need to drink, if that means that the lion guard escorts them, I'm fine with it. I just need the cubs to be okay.' Madoa admitted.

'Going against clan orders can get ugly.' Simba said honestly.

'I know, like I said your majesty, I am desperate.' Madoa said.

'Let me ask you a question. Why can I trust Jasiri's clan of hyenas, whilst the guard is constantly fighting off Janja's clan?' Simba asked seriously.

'Trust is not something that can be earned by words, only through deeds.' Madoa responded. 'But if you must know. We respect the circle of life; we don't take more than what we need. We can only survive by life existing around us.' Madoa explained.

'I just find it hard to believe why hyenas would think that way.' Simba said.

'Do most lions outside the pride lands respect the circle of life?' Madoa asked, knowing the answer.

'Point made.' Simba responded.

'Your majesty, may I?' Fuli asked.

'This is a bit of a private conversation.' Simba responded.

'Then ask her how much she knows Kion.' Fuli told the king.

The king turned his attention to Madoa.

'Jasiri talked about being friends with a lion and that they helped each other, i couldn't believe it myself until he came to our home right before he and Jasiri went to the lions. So, to answer the question, i don't know much about him, just the things Jasiri has told me.' \

'Please your majesty, not just me but the entire guard can explain.' Fuli said.

'Im interested now because you seem to take her side, why?' Simba asked.

'Look, a while ago we got into some problems during a rescue, and Kion ended up stuck in the outlands. We later heard him use his roar and then he told us this. Jasiri guided him through the outlands safely, then she got attacked by Janja's clan because they were enemies and Kion saved her. Two have been good friends ever since. Kion learned to not judge someone by their looks and Jasiri learned not all lions were selfish.' Fuli said.

Simba looked at her confusedly.

'Can I add something, please.' Everyone looked surprised at Bunga, who was the one to ask the question. "Seriously Bunga?' Simba said, not taking the honey badger very seriously.

'Look your majesty, I may or may not always be paying attention. But I was there when Jasiri came for help yesterday. The two are great friends, almost as great as me and Kion are.' Bunga said.

'Get to your point.' Simba said, hoping this wasn't going to waste his time.

'What I know is that Kion told them that in his eyes Jasiri and her hyenas were always welcome if they would have any problems. He himself offered to talk to you about letting them stay here. But Jasiri said their home is their home even when it's hard. But i could understand that if there is literally no water to find for young cute cubs, one would think about accepting that offer.' Bunga explained.

'I understand your majesty that you'd want to wait until he himself could confirm this, and i don't mean to rush an answer, but the cubs can't go without water for more than another day. So i'd ask for an answer before tomorrow night.' Madoa said, she seemed to get more desperate, having no idea what Simba was going to say.

Simba sighed. 'If Kion would welcome you with open arms, then so should we. BUt, let this be very clear. If i find out, that there is any lie, or anything wrong, you all would be banished from ever coming here, understood?' Simba said.

'I understand your majesty, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I'll do my best to cause no harm.' Madoa said.

'And if all is well, we will make sure too your majesty.' Fuli responded.

'Thank you, Fuli. I trust you and the rest of the guard to keep this situation in line, I will take care of the details surrounding this.' Simba said. 'It's been a long day, we should all head to sleep.'

'Agreed!' Bunga said before sprinting away like his life depended on it.

Fuli guided Madoa back towards her territory, right on the edge the two stopped one last time.

'Thank you so much for the help today, it is really apreshiated.' Madoa said.

'I can't believe i'm saying this but thank Bunga, i really thought Simba was gonna say no until his addition.' Fuli said.

Madoa smiled. 'Well, thank him for me then. And when you can, thank Kion. Without him we wouldn't have Jasiri and we'd be lost right now.'

'I defenately will.' Fuli responded with a smile. 'One more thing. If i were you i would talk to Jasiri, tell her about this. Officially, this wouldn't be allowed with permission from both leaders.' She added.

'Yeah, i will, see you tomorrow.' Madoa said before disappearing into the outlands.

Meanwhile in pride rock during this entire previous part of the story:

Nala entered the cave, she went to her son. 'Mom?' She heard Kion say. She could see he barely had energy to open his eyes, mostly recognizing his mom by smell. 'I'm here Kion, I'm here.' Nala responded. Carefully hugging her son. 'Ahhhh, it hurts.' Kion said softly. 'I know.' Nala said, hugging her son more. She saw he was in much pain, especially his back left leg. It had three very deep lines engraved in it, showing a lion really got it good. Seing Kion so hurt was of course emotional for Nala, and for anyone who would see him in this state. But in this case, Nala stood strong, her son needed her support. Nala laid down beside Kion, Kion leaning against her as far as he could. 'You're safe now.' Nala told him. Kion seemed to relax from this moment, soon after falling asleep by his mother. Nala stayed, licking and hugging him, making him feel as safe as possible. The road to recovery is long, but not impossible.

(To the people who know what I was up to, around this time. Yes, I did write part of this chapter partly blind XD)