Well, here it is. The final chapter of my story. Don't worry. As I stated in an earlier chapter, I'm planning on making plenty of sequels. Thanks to all of you who have given Jagabor a chance.Rahidi is my character(I know I've used the name before, but as you'll see in later stories, there are multiple Rahidi), and is not to be used without my permission. Forgive typos. Most of all, enjoy!(And Review!)

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Hatred and Hatari

Taka and Mufasa pressed up against the tunnel wall, frozen with fear. Guedado and Shakarri crouched lower, baring their teeth and growling at the young cubs. Suddenly, a loud roar came from behind them. Guedado and Shakarri turned to see that they were not alone after all. A lion and his mate stood behind them. Guedado and Shakarri stared at the two visitors, quaking with fear.

"Dad!" Mufasa exclaimed happily.

"Mother!" Taka gasped with relief.

"Oh...Ahadi," Guedado laughed nervously, "When did you get here?"

Ahadi merely roared and charged at Guedado. Guedado backed up slightly and looked around. Out of the corner of his eye, Guedado saw a small beam of light coming from the tunnel ceiling. The old lion stood on his hind legs and clawed at the source of the light desperately, managing to open a large hole in the ceiling. Guedado jumped up and squeezed through the hole, allowing him to escape Ahadi.

"Uru," Ahadi called to his mate, "I'm going after my uncle. You get our cubs to safety."

Uru nodded as Ahadi jumped through the opening to pursue Guedado.

"Guedado!" Shakarri called, concerned for her mate.

Shakarri attempted to jump through the hole to assist Guedado, but Uru caught her in mid-air, knocking her into the left wall of the tunnel. Shakarri got up slowly and roared at Uru. Uru roared back. Shakarri glared at Uru and laughed.

"Uru!" Shakarri cackled, advancing to wards the queen, "It will be my pleasure to send you to hell!"

"I'm giving you one chance, Shakarri," Uru growled, "One chance to leave forever and keep your life!"

"I'm not going anywhere!" Shakarri laughed, "Not when I have the chance to extract vengeance for all that you have done!"

"I've done nothing wrong!" Uru roared, leaping between Shakarri and her cubs.

"Oh, you haven't?" Shakarri laughed, "I could have sworn that destroyed all my hopes and dreams!"

"What are you talking about?" Uru asked in confusion.

Shakarri paced around and laughed, baring her teeth at Uru.

"Oh, where to begin!" Shakarri exclaimed, giving a crazed laugh.

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Guedado ran as fast as he could, his nephew gaining on him quickly. All Guedado had on his mind was escaping Ahadi's wrath. Deep down, Guedado knew that he did not stand a chance against Ahadi. Soon, Guedado reached the pile of boulders that he had used to avoid being seen by hyenas. These same boulders would help him again. Guedado extended his claws and climbed the wall of boulders as fast as he could. Ahadi soon reached the wall and looked around. After Ahadi spotted Guedado, he leaped forward and climbed after the old lion. Guedado reached the top, but knew that from his position, there was no escape. There was no time to climb down the other side of the wall. He was left with two options. Either stay where he was and face his nephew, or jump to his death. Fortunately for Guedado, a third option soon came.

"Ahadi," Guedado called down to the king, "My favorite nephew! Surely you wouldn't cause harm to your dear old uncle!"

Ahadi roared and climbed higher, becoming closer to Guedado.

Keep coming, fool! Guedado thought to himself.

"Please," Guedado called innocently, "Think of all the good times we've had! Remember the time we caught that fish?"

Ahadi roared louder and continued climbing.

Almost there! Guedado thought to himself.

"Isn't there anything I can do to make this up to you?" Guedado smiled, "I know! I can show you fifty things that you can do with a lioness!"

Ahadi roared even louder and climbed more quickly.

Come on...just a bit closer! Guedado thought to himself, his muscles becoming tense.

Ahadi finally was where Guedado wanted him; with half of his body slumped at the top of the wall. Guedado quickly shoved a boulder at Ahadi, forcing the king off of the wall. Ahadi let out a loud roar before hitting the ground below with a loud thud. The king lay still on the ground. Guedado let out a triumphant laugh, before noticing Ahadi twitch slightly.

"Damn it!" Guedado growled, "He's alive!"

Guedado suddenly got another idea. He slowly climbed down the other side of the wall. Once he was half way down, Guedado slashed at one of the boulders, forcing it out of place. He then jumped down and ran a short distance, turning around to see the wall of boulders collapse. Guedado smiled with relief.

"Well," Guedado snickered, "That takes care of that!"

Suddenly, a sound came from behind Guedado. It was a loud voice.

"Ahem," the voice cleared it's throat.

Guedado turned to see a large lion sitting behind him.

"Oh," Guedado said with surprise, "Didn't expect you to be here, Jengo."

"I could say the same to you," Jengo growled at Guedado, "What the hell are you doing so close to the Pride Lands? You're not planning on taking it over by yourself, are you?"

"N...no," Guedado gulped nervously.

"Good!" Jengo smiled, "Because if you were, it would make him very upset!"

Guedado nodded, knowing all too well who Jengo was talking about.

"So what are you doing here?" Jengo asked, suspicious of Guedado's presence.

"Me?" Guedado replied, thinking as fast as he could, "I just came to say hello to an old mate."

"Really? Which one?" Jengo asked with a laugh.

"Shakarri," Guedado replied, "I came to see Shakarri."

"Shakarri, huh?" Jengo said thoughtfully, "What makes this Shakarri so special that you'd want to visit her? I mean, you've had plenty of mates in your lifetime."

"None like her," Guedado sighed.

"Any cubs?" Jengo asked, "With Shakarri, I mean. I already know about the cubs you've had with other lionesses."

"No," Guedado replied, seeming hurt by the question, "Not with her."

"Sorry," Jengo apologized, "I just thought that since you've had at least three cubs with every other lioness you met..."

"Yeah," Guedado sighed, before shaking his head, "Hey, wait a minute! What are you doing here?"

Jengo froze at the question.

"Well?" Guedado asked, "I told you my purpose here. The least you can do is tell me yours."

"Very well," Jengo sighed, "If you must know, I'm looking for a lioness who was promised to me. I hear that she lives in the Pride Lands. Unfortunately, that son of a bitch, Ahadi, won't let me have her!"

Guedado looked over at the pile of boulders and smiled.

"Somehow," Guedado chuckled, "I don't think Ahadi will be a problem anymore!"

Jengo stared at Guedado in confusion, before looking over at the boulder-pile. Jengo suddenly realized what Guedado meant.

"No way!" Jengo gasped with shock.

"Way!" Guedado laughed coldly, "Now, shall we go find your lioness?"

Jengo nodded and began to walk to wards the Pride Lands. Guedado followed the young lion closely.

"So," Guedado smiled, "What's this lioness's name?"

"Zhenga," Jengo replied.

Guedado stopped in his tracks and sat down.

"Jengo, wait," Guedado called to Jengo, "There is something that I should tell you."

"Yeah?" Jengo asked, turning to Guedado.

"Zhenga...," Guedado sighed, "Zhenga is dead."

Jengo stared at Guedado plainly.

"Well," Jengo sighed, showing very little emotion, "That's a shame...did you visit your mate yet?"

"Umm...yeah," Guedado replied, "As a matter of fact, I did!"

"Good," Jengo smiled, "You ready to go home?"

Guedado paused for a moment, thinking the situation over.

Oh, Shakarri can handle herself, I suppose, Guedado thought to himself, She'll be fine.

"Yeah," Guedado smiled at Jengo, "Let's go home."

The two lions ran off to wards their home, neither of them regretting anything.

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Shakarri paced in front of Uru, barring her teeth at the queen and her cubs.

"Let's see," Shakarri laughed, "It's not so much what you did to me. It's more what you did to Zhenga."

"What?" Uru gasped in shock.

"If it hadn't been for you," Shakarri growled at Uru, "Zhenga would be queen!"

Uru stared at Shakarri in confusion.

"She would be queen!" Shakarri continued, "And all would be well! A descendant of Rahidi would once again have the thrown!"

Rahidi! Uru thought to herself, He was the lion from my dream! The one who attacked me!

"But," Shakarri growled, "Then you came along and stole Ahadi's heart!"

Uru backed up slightly.

"You," Shakarri sneered at the queen in disgust, "So perfect. So beloved. None of the others could see what I saw in you. You're nothing but trash!"

Taka winced. For some reason, unknown to even himself, he hated the word "trash." Uru growled and crouched low, preparing to strike.

"I'll never understand everyone's faith in you!" Shakarri growled at the queen, "No matter you did, you were always praised. Everyone believed in you. Yet, no one believed me when I told them that you killed Zhenga!"

"I didn't kill Zhenga!" Uru roared at Shakarri, "Why would I kill Zhenga? She was my best friend!"

Uru looked up thoughtfully, remembering her dream.

"She still is my best friend!" Uru added.

Shakarri cringed. Suddenly, a dark figure with a lioness cub in its mouth jumped through the hole in the tunnel's ceiling. The figure turned to Mufasa and Taka and dropped the lioness cub in front of them.

"Zira!" the two brothers exclaimed happily.

"Mufasa! TAKA!" Zira laughed, embracing Taka.

Taka smiled at Zira before looking up at the dark figure. It was the black hyena that he had encountered earlier.

"Oh," Taka said, not sounding too thrilled to see the hyena, "It's you."

Uru looked over at the hyena and growled.

"Stay away from my cubs!" Uru roared at the black hyena.

Kivuli backed away slowly. With Uru distracted, Shakarri pounced onto the queens back and sank her teeth into Uru's shoulder. Uru roared in pain and quickly shook Shakarri off of her. The two lionesses quickly become embroiled in battle, clawing and biting at each other. Kivuli stepped over to Taka and sighed.

"Do you have any idea how hard it was finding you?" Kivuli asked.

"Why?" Taka asked Kivuli, looking at Zira, who clung to Taka's chest tightly, "Why did you bring Zira? Where are the others?"

"Not to worry," Kivuli smiled, "Your friends are safe with my kin...well, your bird isn't exactly safe. But in our defense, how often do we get a chance to use the birdie-boiler? Oh, right, the cubs. Anyway, I brought this cub just to show you that our deal still stands. Sorry I couldn't bring the hyena cubs. I can't find them anywhere!"

"Taka?" Mufasa asked in confusion, "Who is this hyena?"

"Oh," Taka replied, almost ashamed, "He's one of those prisoner hyenas. His name is...?"

"Kivuli," the hyena introduced himself proudly.

"And you made a deal with him?" Mufasa asked his brother.

Taka nodded slowly. Mufasa simply stared at his brother in shock.

"Taka," Mufasa growled, "Who are you?"

"You know who I am," Taka replied.

"No, I don't," Mufasa sighed, "First you cause a stampede, then you make a deal with a hyena... what's happened to you?"

Taka paused and sighed.

"A lot more than you could understand," Taka said quietly, "A lot more than even I could understand."

Mufasa and Zira looked at Taka strangely. Kivuli scratched his ear and coughed. A loud thud was heard as Uru was knocked into a wall. Shakarri laughed coldly and pounced at Uru, knocking her into the wall again.

"The funny thing is," Shakarri laughed, continuously sending Uru into the wall, "Even though you hurt her, Zhenga remained your friend. She thought of you as a sister! She even wanted to name her cub after you!"

Zira's eyes widened.

"And no matter what I said," Shakarri laughed, finally backing off from Uru, "She remained your friend! She thought that you were the greatest lioness in the world! She respected you more than she respected her own mother! Nothing I did could change that! She was like your little puppet! And that is why it was so easy!"

"W..what was so easy?" Uru asked weakly, having no idea what Shakarri was talking about.

"Oh!" Shakarri laughed, "I see that you still remain oblivious about one thing. I can't believe that you haven't figured it out yet! Well, let me clue you in! I...killed...Zhenga!"

Everyone in the tunnel, with the exclusion of Shakarri, gave a look of shock.

"No," Uru finally said, getting to her feet, "No. You're lying!"

"Am I?" Shakarri laughed.

"You..you couldn't have killed Zhenga!" Uru said through her tears, "You were hunting when she died."

"Hunting?" Shakarri mused, giving a raspy laugh, "Oh, the zebra! I had that thing left over from breakfast! Hey, I needed some way to explain the blood on my claws!"

Uru's eyes widened.

"You see," Shakarri snickered, "When I saw her after she had given birth, I knew that it was my chance! She was weak, exhausted from labor. She was helpless! I killed her so that I could blame her death on you, in the hopes that the others would join me! But they didn't believe me!"

"You're a liar!" Uru roared at Shakarri, "LIAR!"

"Um..excuse me, Queen Uru," Kivuli interrupted, "But she's not lying."

"What?" Uru growled at the black hyena.

"She's not lying," Kivuli said more loudly, "Her laugh...I've heard that kind of laugh. It is the kind of laugh one who is proud of their kills laughs. I know...because I have made that laugh many times, myself."

Shakarri suddenly pounced on Uru, pinning her to the ground.

"Y'know, your majesty!" Shakarri laughed coldly, "I wasn't lying when I blamed my daughter's death on you. I killed Zhenga out of my hatred to wards you. So, in a way, her death is all your fault!"

"NO!" Uru roared, pushing Shakarri off of her.

The two lions become embroiled in battle once again. Zira burst into tears after hearing the truth. Kivuli looked down at the cubs, and then glared at Shakarri and growled. He now knew who was responsible for Sauda's death, and the hyenas second exile from the Pride Lands. Kivuli was livid! He leaped forward and sank his teeth into the back of Shakarri's neck, as Uru clawed at Shakarri's legs. Shakarri roared in pain and shook her two opponents off. Shakarri backed up and stared at the black hyena.

"Who the hell are you?" Shakarri growled at Kivuli.

"I.." Kivuli snickered, "You know what? You look old enough to recognize my full title! I am Kivuli of the Bloody Shadows!"

Shakarri backed away in fear, shaking her head in disbelief.

"N...no," Shakarri gasped with fear, "No...you're dead! My father killed you!"

"You're father?" Kivuli laughed, "I assume your father was Rahidi? Well, not all the legends are completely true. Let's just say...Faraji had a little help!"

Shakarri immediately became enraged and charged at the black hyena, but was knocked over by Uru before Shakarri made contact. Shakarri got up slowly and backed away, looking back and forth between Uru and Kivuli. She was outnumbered, and clearly outmatched. There was only one thing to do. Run. Shakarri began to run from her two enemies, out of the tunnel. Unfortunately for her, Shakarri forgot about the lava-pit, and almost fell right in. She turned back to the tunnel to find another way out, only to see that Uru and Kivuli were close behind her. The three cubs followed the lioness and hyena closely, all of them having the desire to see how it was going to end. Shakarri was quivering, for she knew that there was no way out.

"Come, now!" Shakarri laughed nervously, "Are you two really going to kill me?"

"Yes!" Kivuli growled, stepping forward before Uru held him back with her forearm.

"No," Uru corrected, "I'm sure that even after killing her, Zhenga wouldn't want you dead."

Kivuli hung his head in shame, knowing that Sauda would not have wanted the lioness dead, either.

"Thank you, my queen!" Shakarri exclaimed.

"But," Uru continued, growling and barring her teeth, "I'm sure that she wouldn't mind if I roughed you up a bit!"

Shakarri' eyes widened.

"Oooh," Kivuli snickered at Uru happily, "I like the way you think!"

Shakarri stared in horror as Uru and Kivuli slowly stepped closer to her. She noticed Zira hiding behind Uru's leg.

"Zira!" Shakarri smiled at the cub, "Surely you wouldn't let anything happen to you're own grandmother!"

Zira's looked up at Shakarri, tears flowing down her face.

"YOU KILLED MY MOM!" Zira shrieked at Shakarri, "I HATE YOU!"

Shakarri stared at her granddaughter in shock, before glancing over her shoulder and laughing. Uru and Kivuli stepped closer.

"Good, child!" Shakarri cackled, "Nurture your hate to wards me! Use it to strike down your enemies! Never let go of your hate, Zira! NEVER!"

With that, Shakarri jumped off the side of the platform.

"Shakarri, no!" Uru yelled, running with Kivuli and the cubs to the edge of the platform.

But it was too late. Shakarri was plummeting to wards the pit of lava. Uru, Kivuli, and the cubs looked away as Shakarri let out one final laugh and made contact with the lava. All that was heard after that was Shakarri's screams of pain.

"...Crazy bitch!" Kivuli commented.

Uru nodded and turned her attention to wards the cubs.

"Are you alright?" Uru asked the cubs in concern.

The three cubs nodded, although it was clear to Uru that they were in great pain. She examined the cubs closely, noticing the incision on Mufasa's shoulder.

"Mufasa!" Uru gasped in shock, "You're bleeding!"

"Oh," Mufasa replied glancing at his shoulder, "Yeah. Guedado did that."

Uru shook her head in anger, before giving each of the cubs an affectionate lick. Uru then paused for a few seconds.

"What are you doing here, anyway?" Uru asked the cubs, "Don't you know that this place is dangerous?"

The three cubs hung their heads in shame. Kivuli glanced at them before looking up at Uru.

"It's not their fault, my queen," Kivuli stated, "They were taken by Akida and held prisoner here."

Uru stared at the hyena strangely, though perhaps not as strangely as the cubs stared at him. Uru finally nodded.

"Sounds reasonable," Uru nodded, turning to the cubs, "The important thing is that everyone is okay. Now, let's go home."

The cubs began to follow Uru to the hole in the tunnel ceiling.

"Wait," Kivuli sighed, shaking his head, "It's not safe to go to the Pride Lands yet. Akida is still out there. I was just lucky enough to not run into him."

Uru looked at Kivuli and nodded.

"So," Uru started, "Where should we go? We can't just stay here."

"I'd think the best thing to do would be to go back to the prison-den," Kivuli stated, glancing down at Taka, "The other cubs are there."

"Other cubs?" Uru asked in disbelief, "Show me."

Kivuli nodded and picked up Zira. Uru picked up Mufasa and Taka. The two jumped through the hole and ran to wards the prison-den with the cubs in their mouths.

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Uru and Kivuli arrived at the entrance of the prison-den and placed the cubs on the ground. They looked inside, surprised to see that the den was completely empty.

"What?" Kivuli gasped in disbelief, "Where are the..."

"Hey, there he is!" a voice from behind shouted.

Kivuli, Uru, and the cubs turned to see hundreds of hyenas heading strait for them. Kivuli prepared to fight, before spotting his friends in the front. The hyenas stopped in front of Kivuli.

"What are you doing above ground?" the black hyena asked his friends, "If Akida sees you.."

"You're not gonna believe it, Kivuli," Issa exclaimed, "Akida is gone forever!"

"What?" Kivuli gasped in disbelief, "Are you sure?"

"Yep," Thimba stated.

"And we owe it all to these three!" Eruvu said happily, pointing to Banzai, Shenzi, and Ed.

Ed and Shenzi sat proudly in front of Jozi, while Banzai was unconscious in Kimondo's teeth. Kivuli looked at the three cubs in disbelief, before smiling down at them.

"Well done, whatever you did," Kivuli smiled at the cubs, before staring at Banzai, "What happened to him, Kimondo? Was he attacked by Akida?"

Kimondo placed Banzai on the ground and smiled.

"No," Kimondo chuckled, "He saved Shenzi from death, so she gave him a lick on the cheek. After that, he just collapsed!"

The army of hyenas cackled, Shenzi, and of course Ed, included. Banzai woke up and looked around.

"Huh?" Banzai said weakly, "What's going on?"

"Oh, my son!" Kimondo smiled proudly, "You're awake! You've done so well! I'm very proud of you!"

Banzai stared at his father in disbelief, before fainting again. The hyenas cackled once more. Jozi stepped over to Taka.

"They were inspired by you, young cub," Jozi smiled at Taka, "And your idea about teamwork... thanks to you, we are free from Akida's tyranny!"

"Where are my friends?" Taka growled at Jozi.

"Oh...quite right," Jozi stated, calling over a group of hyenas who placed Sarafina and Sarabi in front of Taka.

The cubs embraced each other, happy to finally be reunited. Ed ran over to Kivuli and smiled with his tongue hanging out. Kivuli looked down at his son and smiled back

"You should be very proud of Ed," Issa stated, "He was very brave."

"I am proud of him," Kivuli replied, "He's the perfect son."

Ed smiled and bit into his father's leg. Kivuli resisted the urge to whack him off.

Jozi looked down at Shenzi, who looked a bit upset.

"Is something wrong, Shenzi?" Jozi asked his niece, "You should be happy. You helped rid us of Akida."

"Akida was my dad," Shenzi replied, "But he got what he deserved. It's just...now I have nobody to look after me."

"Shenzi," Jozi laughed, "We are hyenas! We look after each other! You needn't worry."

Shenzi smiled slightly at Jozi.

"You shall stay with me," Jozi stated to Shenzi.

"Really?" Shenzi asked happily, "You'd let me stay with you?"

"I won't take no for an answer!" Jozi smiled, "I don't have much, but you're welcome to whatever I do have."

Shenzi embraced her uncle. Suddenly, Ajia remembered something.

"My queen?" Ajia addressed Uru.

Uru looked down at Ajia, who beckoned over a group of hyenas. The hyenas were carrying the body of a large lion.

"Ahadi!" Uru exclaimed in shock, running over to the body of her mate and staring at the hyenas, "What happened?"

"We found him under a pile of boulders," one of the hyenas replied, "Luckily, we were able to dig him out as quick as we could. He's not dead...but he is badly hurt. You need to get him home."

Uru looked at the army of hyenas in disbelief.

They saved Ahadi? Uru thought to herself, Even after all that he's done to them, they saved his life!

"Thank you," Uru addressed the hyenas, "Thank you for everything! I must get my mate and the cubs home now, so I bid you adieu. But know this. You're good deeds will not go unnoticed. As soon as Ahadi recovers, a new ere will dawn. And I swear to you; there will always be a home for you in the Pride Lands!"

The hyenas stared at Uru in disbelief as she walked off with Ahadi on her back, the cubs trailing close behind. The silence did not last long, as all the hyenas broke into cheers and laughter.

"Long live Queen Uru!" the hyenas chanted as Uru disappeared from view.

Nyoni landed next to Issa and sqauwked. Issa nodded, and Nyoni flew off.

"What was that about?" Kivuli asked Issa, "I thought that Nyoni was Akida's servant...the enemy."

"No," Issa smiled, shaking his head, "She was never Akida's servant...she was merely Sauda's friend. And any friend of Sauda is a friend of ours! Now, what do you say we celebrate our liberation?"

Kivuli smiled and nodded. This was indeed a time for celebration.

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Uru arrived back in the Pride Lands with Ahadi on her back and the cubs close behind. A group of lionesses ran over in shock and helped Uru carry Ahadi up to the royal den. Uru thanked them and dismissed them, telling them that she could handle it from there. The lionesses nodded and ran back down Pride Rock. Uru placed Ahadi on the den floor and smiled down at the cubs.

"Now," Uru laughed, "What were you really doing outside the borders?"

The cubs looked at Uru in surprise.

"Whatever do you mean, mother?" Taka asked innocently, "Kivuli already told you."

"Come on," Uru laughed, "I know that he was lying. Although he did a very good job of hiding it."

The cubs glanced at each other, as if thinking of a reasonable excuse. But then they decided to just tell the truth, because if they lied, Uru would most likely know.

"Well," Taka began, "I noticed the shadowy area..."

"And we wondered what was out there..." Mufasa continued.

"So we decided to find out..." Sarabi added.

"We thought that it would be kind of an exciting adventure..." Sarafina stated.

"And everything got kind of...out of hand." Zira finished.

Uru thought for a minute, and turned her attention to Mufasa.

"Didn't your father tell you what was out there?" Uru asked Mufasa.

"Well...not exactly," Mufasa replied, "He just said not to go there."

"I see," Uru sighed, "So you all went there out of curiousity?"

The cubs nodded in unison.

"Well...alright then," Uru said plainly, "Just be more careful next time."

"What?" the cubs asked in unison.

"Just be more careful next time," Uru reiterated.

"You mean you're not mad?" Mufasa asked his mother.

"No," Uru replied, "How could I be. I did way more dangerous things when I was a cub!"

"Really?" Sarafina asked with excitement, "Like what?"

"I'm not giving you any ideas, Sarafina!" Uru laughed.

"Rats," Sarafina groaned.

Suddenly, Kumi flew into the royal den.

"Oh, hello," Kumi said politely, "Queen Uru, I presume?"

Uru nodded.

"I am Kumi," the horn-bill said formally, "I come with news for the king."

"Ahadi?" Uru asked, pointing to her mate's unconscious body, "He's a bit...well not in any condition to receive news, anyway. You can tell me, and I'll give him the message when he wakes up."

Kumi looked at Ahadi's body and sighed.

"Well, tell him that Zuzu is fine," Kumi said, before flying off and adding, "Just some minor burns."

Uru stared in confusion as Kumi flew off, having no idea what the horn-bill was talking about. She peered outside of the den, noticing that it was getting dark.

"Well," Uru smiled at Sarafina and Sarabi, "It's getting late. I'll take you two home."

The two lioness cubs nodded and followed Uru out of the den.

"Stay here," Uru called back to the three cubs in the royal den, "Keep Ahadi company."

"Good-bye," Sarafina and Sarabi called to the other cubs in unison.

The three cubs glanced at each other before staring at Ahadi.

"Wow," Zira commented, "He doesn't look so good."

Mufasa stared at his father in concern. Taka merely shrugged.

"You think he'll be okay?" Zira asked.

"Sure he will!" Mufasa exclaimed confidently, "He's a king!"

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Uru quickly returned and began grooming her cubs. After she was done she walked over to Ahadi's body and shook it with her paw. Ahadi opened one eye slowly and groaned.

"What happened?" Ahadi said, trying and failing to get to his feet.

"You were buried in a rock-slide," Uru replied, glad to see that her mate was awake, "A group of hyenas saved your life."

Ahadi's eyes widened with surprise. Mufasa ran over to his father and embrace his father's paw.

"Dad!" Mufasa exclaimed happily, "You're alright!"

Ahadi smiled at his son, before shooting him a stern look.

"Why did you go beyond our borders?" Ahadi asked his son, slightly annoyed, "I told you to stay away from that place!"

Mufasa backed away and lowered his head.

"They were taken by Akida," Uru piped up.

"What?" Ahadi asked his mate.

"They were out playing, when Akida came and captured them," Uru explained, "It was not there choice to go out there. They were cub-napped!"

The three cubs glanced at each other and smiled.

"How do you know this?" Ahadi asked his mate in confusion.

"One of the hyenas told me," Uru replied, "They're really not as bad as they seem."

Ahadi looked at Uru in surprise.

"Uru," Ahadi said calmly, "They took you're best friend."

"No," Uru replied sadly, shaking her head, "They didn't."

Uru explained everything to Ahadi. How Shakarri had killed Zhenga, how she was aided by hyenas, even how she thought that it was time to let the hyenas into the Pride Lands.

"Absolutely not!" Ahadi growled.

"Why?" Uru asked, "The only reason you banished them is because you thought that they killed Zhenga. Now we know that they didn't. So what's the problem?"

"Uru," Ahadi growled weakly, "What good could come of it?

"Well," Uru replied thoughtfully, "If we let them stay here, they won't keep attacking the Pride Lands. And then, of course, there would be no need for them to steal our cubs again. Plus, they would make very good allies. You of all lions should be able to see that. You've fought them plenty of times."

Ahadi groaned and nodded.

"Fine," Ahadi growled, "But you are responsible for them."

"Thank you, Ahadi," Uru nodded, "Now try to get some sleep."

Uru began to run off before Ahadi called after her.

"Where are you going?" Ahadi asked.

"To get the hyenas!" Uru called back happily.

With that, Uru was gone. Ahadi grumbled and closed his eyes. The three cubs curled up together. Within moments, they where fast asleep. As Uru reached the bottom of Pride Rock, she looked up at the stars and smiled.

"Thank you, Zhenga!" Uru called to the heavens.

A cool wind blew in Uru's face, which was most likely Zhenga's way of saying "no problem."

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Taka awoke later that night and looked around the royal den to see that his mother had returned. He yawned and sighed, realizing that he was thirsty.

There is no need to wake up mother, Taka thought to himself, I'll just go to the waterhole by myself.

Taka stretched, slowly stumbled out of the royal den, and ran down Pride Rock to the waterhole. He looked at his reflection before taking a drink. When he had finished, he turned around to walk back to the den, only to see a pair of glowing eyes. Taka immediately became afraid and thought of running, before realizing that he had seen those same eyes before.

"Oh," Taka stated dryly, "It's you."

"You sound disappointed," Kivuli said, sounding almost hurt, "I would have thought that you'd be happy to see me. I have saved your tail on numerous accounts, after all."

Taka rolled his eyes and groaned.

"Where are the others anyway?" Taka asked the black hyena, "I thought that my mother went to get you all."

"No," Kivuli replied, shaking his head, "Your mother is smarter than that. She knew that if she brought a clan of hyenas, the whole Pride Lands would be in a panic. She brought me here because I'm not so easily seen. It's safer that way. We wouldn't want to cause another stampede, now would we?"

Taka growled at Kivuli and began to walk home.

"I'm getting the feeling that you don't like me," Kivuli stated.

"Really?" Taka asked sarcastically, "Where would you get a crazy idea like that?"

"Come on," Kivuli smiled, "We're going to be neighbors soon. Can't we be friends? Here. A peace offering."

Kivuli reached behind his back and tossed a dead hyena cub in front of Taka. Taka stared at it in shock before glaring at Kivuli in disgust.

"How could you?" Taka growled at Kivuli.

"It was picking on Ed," Kivuli said defensively, "It didn't have any parents. It was in pain. I like to think that I did it a favor!"

"You disgust me!" Taka snarled at Kivuli.

"Why is that?" Kivuli asked.

"You're a murderer!" Taka growled loudly.

Kivuli sighed and circled Taka.

"Aren't we all, kid?" Kivuli snickered, "In one way or another, we are all murderers. Think about the stampede you caused. Yes, you may have caused it. But what of those creatures who trampled there fellow animal to death? Are they not killers, too? The truth is, we are all murderers. We all do it at some point. Murder is just a natural part of life. Murder ties us all together. The sooner you accept that, the better."

"...You're wrong," Taka said after a pause, before running home.

Kivuli looked down at the dead hyena cub that lay on the ground.

"Well," Kivuli smiled, licking his lips, "If he's not gonna eat it!"

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Taka sat outside the royal den and thought what Kivuli had told him over.

It can't be true! Taka thought to himself, ...Although it does make sense.

Taka's thoughts were interrupted by Sarafina, who pounced on him, pinning him on the ground.

"Gotcha!" Sarafina laughed.

"Sarafina!" Taka gasped with surprise, "What are you doing up?"

"I can't sleep," Sarafina replied, "What are you doing up?"

"Oh, I just needed a drink," Taka said, pushing Sarafina off of him and getting up, "Why can't you sleep?"

"Today was too exciting!" Sarafina laughed.

"...Yeah," Taka replied.

"What's wrong?" Sarafina asked the dark-furred cub, "You look upset."

"Umm.." Taka began slowly, "It's just some off the things I've seen and heard today."

Sarafina sat down and thought for a moment, before smiling at Taka.

"You know what would take you're mind off of it?" Sarafina asked.

"What?" Taka asked hopefully.

"An adventure!" Sarafina exclaimed happily.

Taka paused for a moment. He then smiled and playfully swatted at Sarafina with his paw. Sarafina ducked and ran away laughing. Taka smiled as she disappeared from view.

"That Sarafina," Taka chuckled to himself, before walking into the royal den and curling up next to Zira and Mufasa.

I know that Kivuli is wrong! Taka thought to himself, I just know it!

With that, Taka was fast asleep, putting Kivuli out of his mind.

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Guedado and Jengo arrived at their home. They were greeted by several lions.

"Welcome back," one of the lions smiled at Guedado.

"Good to be back, my son" Guedado stated.

The lions all walked to wards the dens and conversed about Guedado and Jengo's travels. A lioness walked up to Guedado with a zebra in her mouth. One of the lioness roared at her and slashed her with his paw.

"You stupid lioness!" the lion roared, "The Great Guedado prefers antelope!"

The lioness got up, nodded sadly, and ran off.

"Oh," Guedado smiled, "It's great to be home!"

"So, Jengo," one of the lions smiled, "Where have you been?"

"I went to go get Zhenga," Jengo replied plainly.

One of the lions immediately pounced at Jengo, knocking him off his feet.

"You bastard!" the lion growled, "How dare you!"

"Oh, Rahidi," Jengo laughed, "I didn't see you there!"

"Answer me!" Rahidi roared.

Jengo ran at Rahidi and knocked him over with his shoulder.

"She is mine, Rahidi," Jengo smiled, "She was promised to me! And I would have her right now, if not for you! You cheated me! You had no right to help her escape!"

"She was my mate!" Rahidi snarled, "What was I supposed to do?"

Jengo crouched over and snarled, preparing to pounce. Suddenly, everyone froze as a large lion emerged from its den. Every lion, with the exception of Guedado, bowed. Guedado looked up at the lion and smiled.

"Oh, there you are, Kitimiri!" Guedado smiled.

"Where have you been, brother?" Kitimiri growled at Guedado, "I here you were in the Pride Lands!"

"Oh..." Guedado replied nervously, "I was in the Pride Lands to visit Shakarri."

"That better be true," the massive lion snarled, "For your sake!"

Kitimiri looked down at Jengo and Rahidi, who were glaring at each other.

"What's going on here?" Kitimiri asked.

"Rahidi started it!" Jengo growled, pointing to Rahidi.

"Father," Rahidi whined at Kitimiri, "He was going after Zhenga!"

Kitimiri pounced in front of Jengo and growled.

"Is this true?" the large lion snarled at Jengo.

"W..well," Jengo said sheepishly, "Y...ye...yes."

Kitimiri roared loudly in Jengo's face. Jengo ran away as fast as he could. Kitimiri nodded at Rahidi before walking over to Guedado.

"So, how is Shakarri?" Kitimiri asked his brother.

"She.." Guedado started, "She's fine. Although I hear that her daughter is dead."

Rahidi's jaw dropped, and he hung his head in sadness.

"Well, you're home now," Kitimiri sighed, "We'll have the lionesses hunt extra-hard for a feast."

"Sounds nice," Guedado smiled.

Kitimiri nodded and led Guedado to his den.

"Soon, brother," Kitimiri smiled, "Soon we will strike. And the Pride Lands will be ours. In the name of Faraji! In the name of Rahidi!"

Guedado smiled widely as a lioness walked into the den and dropped an antelope in front of him.

"That's better!" Guedado smiled at the lioness, "Now leave!"

The lioness ran away in fear. Guedado and Kitimiri threw there heads back and laughed wildly. Soon, their time would come!"

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Well, thanks for reading. Thank you for all your support. Thank you to all those who reviewed my story. As I said, I will have plenty of stories that follow this one, but I'm not going to right the immediate sequel until I right one or two different stories, first. Now for the love of God! Review!