WARNING: this chapter has referances to blood and gore. if this bothers you at all, than please dont read.

sorry it took a while, I have no exuses.

Kion opens his eyes to the bright evening sun beating down on his back. Still feeling somewhat tired, Kion let out a yawn as he stood up to stretch. Scanning the area, Kion notices he is the first one up; looking toward the opening to the termite tower, Kion peers inside. It's looks as if Zira is still asleep along with the rest of the lionesses. With a smirk, Kion turns around to the lionesses sleeping outside the den. He walks up to the nearest lion, who happens to be Cyrus; with a sharp nudge, Kion wakes her up.

Cyrus awoke with a start; realising whom it was, she grunts as she tries to go back to sleep. Kion nudges her a little bit harder. "Wake up; we need to be out of here before Zira wakes up."

Kion watches Cyrus in annoyance as she slowly got to her feet, and took a few minutes to brush off her drowsiness.

"Now, help me wake up the others." Kion tells Cyrus as he nudges another lioness awake.

Soon every visible lion are awake and huddle in front of Kion, all waiting for his word. Kion scanned over his subjects, and admired their forms. Most of the lionesses' are starved, their ribs and some bones visible even with just a glance; field mice don't really satisfy your hunger. And if Kion knew one thing about starved animals, it's that they have a temper and can fight well when they haven't eaten for a while. The more vicious the lion, the better chance they have to take the watering hole; that's one way an Outsider can use their hunger to their advantage.

Kion stands up and passes the lionesses, quickly throwing a que for them to follow him. He and his pride leave the termite tower; and head straight for the hyena's territory.

Several minutes of running, the sun is completely gone, replaced by the moon and stars. Kion and the lionesses stop at the border between the hyena and Zira's territory. Kion takes a deep breath and slowly lets it out.

"So what's the plan?" A lioness breaks the silence.

"We'll wait for a couple hours, and then we'll advance. I'll go first and meet one of Jasiri's clan mates; when I give the signal, you may begin the assault." Kion finishes.

"Alright, and what signal is that?" Another lioness asks.

"You'll know when I give it. One thing though, since the watering hole only has one way in and out, I need a couple of you to hang back and cut off their escape route. Show no mercy!" Kion says through clenched teeth.

"Heard!" A voice behind them responds.

Kion turns to see Vitani; a smirk forms on his face. "Vitani, what a surprise. Zira mad?"

She gives a slight chuckle. "She's pissed. And I'm 'tracking you' right now."

An amused murmur spread across the lionesses.

Vitani's face quickly fell into a warning. "But she wants your mane for disobeying her orders, Kion."

Kion's smirk grew wider. "I'm not worried at all. We'll have the watering hole and when we do, she'll cool down a little bit."

"If you say so." She responds, unsure about the outcome.

Kion nuzzles Vitani and whispers into her ear. "For now, report back to Zira about how we 'went back to the Pridelands' and may have been captured." She looks at him, startled with the little lie.

"What if she goes into the pridelands to rescue you?"

"Me? The one who disobeyed her orders and turned half her pride against her? She won't try to rescue me again; even if it meant half her pride is gone." Kion assures her, playfully nibbling her ear.

"Alright, just send me a message when you have the watering hole?" She heads back into Zira's territory.

"I'll do more than that Vitani. I will personally come get you." He thinks to himself.

Kion turns to his pride. "A couple more hours of rest and we advance." Kion watches as the lionesses find a place to rest.

—-TLK—-

Kion had his lionesses wait in a cave so that he could find one of Jasiri's clan mates without drawing to much attention, telling them to wait for a little bit before heading to the watering hole. Several minutes of searching, Kion finally got approached by three hyenas; all in a defensive position. Kion didn't move or give any indication of being hostile.

"State your business Kion, or else you are to leave these lands."

Kion responds in the most urgent voice he could muster that didn't sound forceful. "Please, it's important, I need to speak to Jasiri."

The hyenas all exchange confused and unsure glances.

"What about?"

"I can't say, it's strictly for Jasiri's ears only."

"You expect us to take you into our clan, after you murdered Kenji?"

Kion, getting a little irritated, made one final attempt to get them to take him to the clan. "Look if I wanted to hurt you I'd have done it by now. And you don't see anyone with me do you? I could care less about your clan, but this affects my pride too and if I don't stop it, it could end up shedding blood on both sides."

The hyenas exchange fearful glances with each other. "Alright fine, but any funny business and we will kill you like you killed Kenji."

Kion did his best to make a relieved face. "Thank you." Kion had to force out.

The walk to the watering hole is longer than Kion remembers, but it could just be his excitement to see an old friend. Kion scans the land, it's not exactly something interesting, but in the distance an old volcano caught his eye. He remembers some old adventures from his guard days, specifically the place where Janja and his hyena lived, and where he met Scar, and is unintentional resurrection. Old memories flooded back, but he pushes them away, not wanting to remember them.

Several more miles, Kion follows the hyenas into a small ravine. During the day, the ravine can create a lot of shade; perfect to keep the sun off his pride and himself. They can also be used for great hiding and ambush places if need be. If he and his pride can successfully take this land, than survival can get a lot easier. But even if he manages to take the ravine and watering hole, there's still a food situation that he's going to need to deal with. But now is not the time to worry about that, water and better shelter is the first priority.

Finally, after going deeper into the ravine and lots of turns, the hyenas bring him into a clearing. In the center is a large watering hole; not quite as big as the watering hole in the Pridelands, but bigger than the puddle at the termite tower. Kion eyes rest on the water, it isn't as murky and definitely not going to be as warm.

The hyenas stop and turn to look at Kion; one of the hyenas speak for the first time since their encounter. "Wait here, I'll get Jasiri."

Kion dips his head in forced respect. As the hyena leaves, Kion makes his way to the watering hole. He could feel the eyes of the hyena that stayed with him, the hatred for him,trying to burn a hole through him. Kion helps himself to the watering hole, taking large mouthfuls of water, quenching his thirst. Feeling satisfied, he shakes his mane, getting rid of the drops that ran down his chin and chest.

"Now that you've had your water, do you mind telling me why you're here?" A warning voice sounds behind him.

"Jasiri..." Kion turns towards the hyena, burrowing his claws into the ground so he wouldn't lunge at his target. "... it's been awhile since we've had a 'normal' greeting."

Jasiri scoffs as she watches Kion's face form into a wide grin. "Speak or leave my territory."

Kion's face drops as he makes the best serious face he can. "Not with your clan mates staring into whatever soul I have left." Kion responds as he watches every hyena circling him.

"Fine, follow me into the den." Nodding her head towards a large cave opening.

Kion follows Jasiri, earning himself a few laughs and howls as he pushes passed a couple hyenas. As they entered the caves Jasiri turns towards Kion.

"Give me a reason to not sick my clan on you." She threatens.

"Because if you did, the rest of my pride will come and I won't be able to stop them if I'm dead." Kion threatens back. "You think I'm stupid enough to come alone in enemy territory, Jasiri. And if you so much as make a peep, it'll give them the signal to attack." Kion spits his warning.

Jasiri doesn't look surprised at all; if anything she looks calm. "I knew this day would come when you try and take our home again. You and Zira are the same, and you care nothing for other animals homes. You used to be different but I've long suspected that the real Kion is dead. Dead since you've killed your friends." Jasiri responds.

Kion couldn't help but chuckle. "Since I killed the guard? No, I was alive then; it was when you turned me away when my hatred for you and my father formed me into what I am now." He looks directly into Jasiri's eyes with all the hatred that he's been saving. "You had no respect to a friend who lost his home. Sisi ni sawa, Jasiri; we are the same. Even Kenji realized it, before I put him out of his misery." Kion growls through clenched teeth.

"You were dangerous Kion, that's why you couldn't stay."

"No, I'm dangerous now, not then. I could kill you now; however, I will give you a chance to leave peacefully. If not, we'll take 'our home' by force."

"Is this Zira pulling the strings? Tell her no, this is our home and we will defend it with our lives." Jasiri responds with a growl.

Kion chuckles, "No, I'm not Zira's weapon anymore, as of yesterday, I've broken off from Zira's pride, taking half of her lions with me." Kion's expression hardened. "Be smart Jasiri, most of you will die and I will not hesitate to kill you for my prides well being."

"Our answer is still no. Even if you are a rouge pride."

"So be it." Kion unsheathes his claws.

Jasiri takes a deep breath, getting ready to warm her clan. Before she could, Kion strikes her, ripping the the side of her neck open. Jasiri stumbles, making a gurgling noise as she struggles to breath.

"I gave you a chance Jasiri." Kion sees the horror and shock in her eyes. Kion lunges at her, biting the back of her neck and throwing her into the cave wall. Staring at the body, Kion spits out the taste of hyena blood and scoffs. "Your clan will suffer the consequences of your decision."

Walking out into the night air, Kion draws a deep breath and roars as loud as he possibly can. Every hyena stares at him in horror and disbelief as they see the blood all over his mouth and mane. Several minutes of silence could have gone longer if it had not been interrupted. "AMBUSH!" A hyena near the back howls in fear.

Most of the hyenas turned to fight; the rest scramble to the exit of the ravine, their tails tucked between their legs. Kion lunges at the nearest hyena, throwing him to the ground. Another hyena jumps on Kion's back, making an attempt for his throat; too bad he has a thick mane. He throws his attacker off him and uses his claws to pull him towards himself, the hyena attempts to escape his fate, with no success. Kion smashes the hyena into a nearby rock, breaking the hyenas spine and a few ribs.

The fight between the hyenas and lions lasted longer than Kion wanted, but it soon died down as one hyena fell after the other. Scanning the battle ground, the bodies of the hyena clan littered the ground; and to Kion's relief, not one of his lionesses lost their life. But the wounds to some of his pride mates could not be ignored.

Kion let out a long victorious roar. "Those who are injured, rest now and treat your wounds. Drink from the watering hole, you've all earned it." The lionesses roar their victory with Kion.

Kion knows that this victory was not only victory to take the watering hole, but a victory to a promise fulfilled. He may have earned the respect from his pride, but he's going to need to work hard to keep that respect. For now, he shall retrieve Vitani and bring her home.

—-Several miles from the Outlands—-

A starved lioness struggles to walk forward, a bundle of fur hangs from her mouth as she tries to find a place for her cub to rest for the night. The cub, about six months old buries herself into her mother's chest for warmth and protection. Finally, the lioness sees a tree with a large hole underneath its roots. The mother sets her cub down next to the tree and begins to dig, making the hole large enough for her cub and herself. As the hole got larger, the lioness accidentally uncovers a meerkat hole. A head pokes out cautiously and as the lionesses makes an attempt to grab it, the meerkat quickly disappears. Her stomach rumbles as she grunts in frustration.

"Mama, I'm hungry..." the cub lets out a yawn. "...and tired."

The lioness walks towards her cub with a reassuring smile. "I am too sweetie. We can sleep here tonight and I promise we'll get some food tomorrow." The mother says, giving her cub a reassuring nuzzle.

"Ok..." the cub looks at her mother innocently. "Mama, why did the king at home leave? And why did the new king try to hurt us?"

The mother nuzzles her daughter. "The king didn't intend to leave for long, and sometimes new kings just aren't as friendly as the king we've known before." She responds

"Oh... mama, are we going back for my brother?"

A tear rolled down the mother's face as she remembers finding the body of her son in the tall grass of her old pride.

"Maybe someday..." the mother whispers. "For now let's get some sleep."

The cub yawned again and follows her mother into the hole.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I do have a question though, I need a good name for the mother and cub, any ideas? And as always, leave a comment telling me how i did, and I'm open to ideas on my story if you have one.