"Reirei's old cave?"

"Yes, Mother", Nusu confirmed, nodding her head as she sat in front of Jasiri, who was tending to Madoa. "Reirei's cave has been abandoned since she died. Why would the jackals continue to hold up there?" Jasiri asked.

"Familiar territory? Who cares?" Nusa asked. "I care, because if this is a trap, our clan will get caught in the crossfire", Jasiri replied.

"Well, you don't have to risk the clan. I'm the tip of the spear, remember? You can just send me", Jasiri shook her head as Madoa raised hers in shock. "No. absolutely not. If it's a trap, you'll get killed and I don't want that on my conscience", she said. "Nor mine", Madoa replied.

"Better me than Dad or you two. My team has just been formed, yes, but this is exactly what I had in mind for it. We fight the battles, so our clan stays intact and on the sidelines. Auntie, you broke your leg trying to protect me",

"That doesn't' mean I want you to die in some stupid act of bravery. Jasiri, stop her", Madoa said, pleading to Jasiri. "You're not going", Jasiri said, stamping her paw down to make the point.

"What if I go with her?" Janja boomed, standing behind his daughter. "Has everyone in this clan gone crazy?" Jasiri asked aloud. "No, but if I'm the one those jackals want, I can keep them away from the rest of the clan",

"Janja, no. I forbid it!" Jasiri shouted, as if her voice was about to break. Janja then nuzzled his mate. Nusu rarely saw this act of emotion from him. it made her somewhat guilty for suggesting the idea in the first place.

"You stupid male. Do you have any idea how foolish you are?" Jasiri asked. "That's why you mated with me, remember?" Janja smiled.

#

Nusu met up with her team and with Janja leading them, they began walking towards Reirei's old cave. Nusu walked alongside her father.

"We're here", Janja eventually said. "How are we going to do this?" he asked. Nusu peeked her head around. There was no one in the circular dead end in which the cave was located.

"Dad, you stay here with Kirafiki. Guvu, you're with me", she whispered. Nusu quietly moved into the dead end, with Guvu behind her. They made their way to the cave where Nusu let out a fierce hyena laugh to scare out any of the jackals. None came out.

At that moment, a voice called out. "You hyenas really aren't that bright", Nusu turned around to see Kisasi, with two jackals who were somewhat bigger than him in size, standing over them.

"I knew giving you this location would be irresistible, but I wanted Janja. Not his oh-so-tragically-misled pup", Kisaszi growled as he jumped down from the ledge. "Where's your father, little pup?"

"Bite me, Kisaszi", Nusu growled. The jackal laughed. "My, my, do we have teeth. I like that in n animal, but I don't have time to waste. I want to kill Janja by day's end, so where is he?"

Nusu didn't answer. "Just kill her!" shouted one of the other jackals. Kisazi ignored them. "Do you have any idea who you're protecting? You're protecting the hyena who killed my mother while I slept in a cave!"

"From what Janja told me, Rerei wasn't exactly worth crying over. She was a parasite", Nusu snarled, trying to keep Kisazi from walking towards the exit and towards Janja. Kisazi growled. "You have no idea what a parasite really looks like. One more time. Where is Janja?"

Nusu stared blankly at him. "I won't tell",

"Maybe when you're screaming for your life, you'll reconsider. Dogo! Kijana!" he began. Nusu spoke aloud. "If you think you're so tough, that you think you can kill my Dad, then prove it to me! Fight me! One on one!"

Kisasi almost burst out laughing. "I respect your ferocity, but do you see me, pup? You won't last five minutes in a fight with me", Nusu could indeed see Kisasi. From his bushy black tipped tail to the dark shades of his tan fur.

But Nusu wasn't backing down. She had found that fire Rafiki had told her about and she was stoking it. "DIdn't tell that to my Auntie Madoa, did you? You were going to kill a disabled creature. Killing me should be a simple matter for you",

Kisasi laughed. "Okay. If you insist, we'll have a fight. If I win, you tell me where Janja is. If you win, I will leave the Outlands with my clan. Jackal's honour",

"Is there such a thing?" Nusa thought to herself.

Kisasi made the first move, roaring and charging at Nusu. Nusu qsimply jumped out of the way and kicked Kisasi into the stone wall, but Kisasi stopped himself from slamming into the wall. Instead, he wrapped around and charged at Nusu. She prepared to kick him, but he was too fast and tackled her onto her back. Nusu kicked him in the chest and struggled to break free, which she did.

"Okay, so you're a bit heavier than I thought", Nusu thought. Nusu charged at him, but Kasiszi simply smacked her aside into the wall. "You're brave, pup. Brave, but stupid. Janja is not worth saving. I was going to leave you and your clan alone, but it seems to me that if they breed idiots like you, they're not worth keeping around!"

Nusu crunched her paw and stood up. Her nose was starting to bleed. "You won't even get to touch them", she snarled. She moved her head downward and charged again. But Kasizi simply shoved her head downward and smashed it into the floor, pushing his enlarged size down onto her head. Nusu was but a teenager, while Kasiszi was an adult jackal.

Kaziszi then bit into her ear. Nusu clenched her teeth as the predator's jaws snapped on. She then headbutted him, pushing him back. Nusu's ear began to bleed from the bite.

"This is just sad. Surrender and give me Janja's location. I don't want to kill someone I don't need to",

Nusu didn't respond. She wasn't going to give up. Hyenas never gave up, not when they fought for their clan.

At that moment, Nusu began to hear rumbling in the sky. The clouds began to transform… into lion heads. "Oh no", Nusa muttered.

"Get down!" she shouted to no one in particular. As she and Guvu did so, there was a guttural roar from the clouds and they shoved Kasizi into the stone wall.

Nusa, blood still dripping from her nose and her ear, stood up. She watched as the lion heads turned back into clouds. Nusu took the advantage and furiously kicked Kisasi in the face, knocking him back into the wall again. Now, his nose was bleeding too.

"That's not fair! You cheated!" Kasisi scowled. "Dogo! Kijana!" Nusu glared at the two jackals, who simply ran away with their tails between their legs.

"Dad, you can come out now!" Nusu shouted. Janja did so, along with the rest of the group. Janj's first priority, of course, was Nusu. "You poor little pup…", he said as he nuzzled her.

"I won. Now you have to beat it", Nusa demanded. "Fat chance!" shouted the jackal. At that moment, a jackal voice shouted Kisasi's name. Nusu turned around to notice the twelve jackals, now healed from Kira's poison, entering the dead end.

"Kira?" Nusu asked. Understanding the signal, Kira flashed his poisonous fangs. "All right! We'll beat it! But we'll be back!"

And true to their word, the jackals bolted out of the Outlands.

Kirafiki slithered towards Nusu. Laughing, he said, "I don't know if you're crazy, stupid or both", Guvu even said "And here I thought Jasiri was raising a coward",

Nusu then passed out.

#

"You silly girl…", was the first thing Nusu heard upon waking up. Madoa was standing over her. "What happened?" she asked. "You passed out and Janja had to practically drag you back here. You are very lucky to be alive. Jasiri thought you were dead when she first saw you",

"Where is Mom?" she asked. "Talking with your friends. They've been talking for a while, so it must be something important. Can you stand?"

Nusu was able to erect herself onto her four legs. The first thing she did was look at her reflection in the Watering Hole. Thankfully, she still had her ear, but it now had a large bite mark on it. Nusu looked up and saw Jasiri walking towards them. Nusu gulped.

"Madoa, can you leave us alone?" Jasiri asked. Madoa complied and walked away. Jasiri's face was blank. She wasn't angry or sad. It was like she couldn't process her emotions.

"Are you okay?" was the first thing out of her mouth. Nusu nodded. "Good, because I have no idea what to do with you. Like I warned you, you almost got yourself killed. And for what? So you could be a big hero, like Kion?"

"No, so I could be more like you and Kion. I want to be a leader like you and a hero like him. I want to prove that I was brave enough to be your daughter",

"I'm only brave when I have to be. Nusu, what you did wasn't bravery, it was foolishness. Do you understand that you could've died today?" Jasiri asked, raising her voice to get her point across.

"Mother, like I said in the Pride Lands, you're not going to be around forever. Someone has to step up and protect our clan. I love Madoa, but she's not like you. I am",

A brief smile came across Jasiri's face. "Well, you're right in that regard. You have a strong care for others and you… like to get involved in scraps when you think something's at stake",

"Where's Dad?" asked Nusa. "He's drinking from the Watering Hole. He's beating himself up over your injuries, but that's not who you should talk to first. I've been talking with your friends. Talk with them first",

Nusu began to walk, but Jasiri raised her voice again. "But, I swear. If you do anything stupid like that again, I will take you off the team",

Nusu nodded. Nusu walked towards her team.

"How are you feeling?" Kira asked. Nusu showed her friends the bite mark. Even Guvu had to seethe in response. "Does it hurt?" Guvu asked. "It stings a bit, but I'll get over it. Mom said you talked with her about something?"

Guvu and Mazini looked at each other. Mazini motioned foe Guvu to speak first. "We've made our objections to the Circle of Life clear, but after seeing you take that kind of punishment for not just that, but your own clan, me and Mazini have decided there must be something worth fighting for in the Circle of Life. We'll stay with you, for now",

Nusu bowed her head in respect. "Asante, guys. I appreciate that. Kira?" Nusu asked. "Like I said, I'm your best friend. I'll follow you anywhere".

"But here's the big question. Will you follow my orders if they come from Mother?" Nusu asked. "That's actually what we talked with her about. We've decided since you were willing to die for her, there must be something good about her. But, we made it clear that we will not tolerate her taking you off the team and giving us orders",

"Is that the crocodile way?" Nusu smirked. "Crocodiles respect strength. You've shown me you have some strength. Jasiri has not", Guvu replied.

"Now that we're still together, can I expect you guys to be at the volcano tomorrow morning? I'm thinking about making patrols daily",

"Yes, ma'am", Guvu replied. "Sure thing", Mazini said. Nusu smiled.

#

Night soon fell. Nusu's stinging ear bite was keeping her awake, so without waking Jasiri or Janja, she snuck out of the Watering Hole for a small walk.

When she walked enough of a distance away from the Watering Hole, she felt a gust of air blow into her behind. "Hello, Nusu", said a soft, but rough voice. "Vitani", Nusu sneered before even turning around. "What do you want…?" Nusu began. Vitani motioned for her to be quiet. "Not here", she said.

Nusu followed Vitani out of the Outlands and right on the border with the Pride Lands. Vitani sat on a nearby rock, her tail swinging in the air.

"So, I will repeat my question. What do you want?"

"I want to help you", Vitani said. "I've kept an eye on you ever since I chased you out of the Pride Lands. Looks like you're taking the initiative. Pretty smart for a hyena. Gotta say, though even I was surprised you took that jackal on. Do you have a death wish?" she asked.

"You sound like my mother", Nusu snarled. "Well, that's because we both agree that was a stupid move",

"Just say what you want to say", said Nusu, shaking her head in much the same way she imagined Janja would if he was listening to the tripe.

"Alright. What do you think of the Outlands?" Vitani asked. "It's home", Nusu said. "No, I mean, what do you really think about it?"

Nusa thought deeply and hard. "It's hard living there. When I got to the Pride Lands, I immediately got jealous. All of those wide open spaces and I'm stuck navigating crevasses in the Outlands",

Vitani smiled. "I don't blame you. You know my family lived in a termite mound before I became leader of the Lion Guard?"

"Really?" asked Nusa. "Yeah. I remember my stupid brother kept complaining about the termites", she said, laughing a bit. "That's rough, but I don't see what's the point of this", Nusu replied.

"Zira was indeed evil, but she knew how to make her presence known in the Outlands. She knew how to survive in it and command respect",

Nusa shook her head. "I don't need any lessons from one of Scar's followers. He's given my family enough trouble", She turned to leave, but Vitani blocked her away.

"Hold on a minute, that's not what I meant. I'm not going to turn you against your family. Trust me, I've had enough experience with that to last a lifetime. But I'm curious as to how you'll lead this group you're putting together",

"I'll run it how I'll run it", Nusa said. Vitani smiled. "You don't have a plan, do you?"

"Not really", Nusu confessed. Vitani said. "I know you're going to hate me saying this, but your devotion to Kion matches my mother's devotion to Scar. You idolize him, don't you? Kion, I mean"

"I wouldn't say that, but my mother brought me up on stories about the Lion Guard, so you could say I want to follow in their footsteps",

"Well, let me tell you something. You can't run your group how Kion ran his Guard. As I'm sure you know, the Pride Lands and Outlands are two entirely different beasts. You need to run your group like an Outlander would",

"You mean how your mother ran your pride?"

"Not exactly, but your group needs to know who's boss. Crush any resistance, so enemies keep their distance",

"I won't rule using force and threat",

"You don't need to threaten them. You just need to command their loyalty. Outlanders only understand respect",

"My mother…",

"Look, I can concede that Jasiri has done a good job, running the Outlands. The Lion Guard is almost out of business thanks to her, but when someone's position of power is threatened, there needs to be an iron fist. Your group needs to be that iron fist. You are at the head of that iron fist", said VItani, producing four claws on her front right paw to make a point.

"How do you suggest I do that?"

"Manipulate them. Make them think you care about them. Give them something they can't refuse",

Nusa drooped her head in thought. "Well, I did offer Guvu my family's watering hole in exchange for his allegiance",

"You learn quickly",

"But Mazini isn't self-serving. He cares about the vultures",

"Nusu, vultures are self-serving. Mazini only joined your group because he was expelled from his parliament. If the vultures offered him a deal, you'd better be prepared for when he takes it",

Nusu looked at her paws. Was Vitani telling the truth? Nusu had only known Mazini for at least a day. Maybe Vitani was right, but Nusu wasn't going to concede to her.

"But it doesn't feel right twisting my team around. They're not pawns. Especially Kira. He's been my friend since I was a pup",

Vitani sat upright on the rock, overlooking Nusu. "Nusu, like it or not, we're sisters of the Outlands. Sisi ne sawa. That is what your hopeless mother says, right?"

"Hopeless?" she was close to asking.

"I was turned from a cowardly cub to my mother's lieutenant. I thought you were just a dumb hyena that Jasiri dragged around, but no, you have potential. Not just that, as much as I think what you did was incredibly stupid, you're actually willing to put all four paws on the ground and stand for what you believe in. that's a powerful trait in a leader, but you just need to be more refined. And if I'm being honest, as long as Jasiri is doubting you, you won't learn from her",

"So I should learn from the lioness who almost took over the Pride Lands with Zira?" Nusu asked. She knew Vitani had long shaken off that part of her past, but Nusu was going to bring it up again and again if Vitani tried to get in her head.

"Listen to me or listen to your mother. Your choice", she said.

"You've definitely given me a lot to think about", Nusa said. "How about this to show my willingness to help you? If you agree to hear me out, let me teach you how to be a true Outlander, then if your group ever needs to go into the Pride Lands, I will make sure the Lion Guard turns a blind eye to it",

"Wait, you're iwlling to go behind your Queen's back to help me?" Nusa asked, genuinely shocked. "Kiara may run trule the Pride Lands, but when it comes to the Lion Guard, my word is the only one who counts",

"And what about your brother? You're going behind Kovu's back too", Nusa reminded. "I'll worry about my brother. You just owrry about the Outlands. So do we have a deal or not?"

"For now, we do", Nusa said aloud. It wasn't like she was making a deal with Scar or Zira. Vitani was one of the good guys, right?

"Go back to the Watering Hole before Janja and Jasiri realize you're gone", Vitani said, motioning for her to go away. Nusu did so, but stopped in her tracks.

"Vitani?"

"Yes?"

"Tell Rafiki I found my flame and that I said thanks",

Nusu expected Vitani to ask what she was talking about, but instead, she said "I will", and continued on her path. Did she know Raifki was a ghost? Nusu made a mental note to ask her the next time she saw her.

Next time: History repeats itself as a hyena helps a lost lion back to the Pride Lands.