Chapter Ten: We Stand Together

Janja wandered through the Pride Lands that afternoon and made his way to Flat Ridge Rock, which was located on the border between the Pride Lands and the Outlands. When he reached the rock, he climbed atop it and stood gazing into the Outlands. It had been months since he’d lived in the Outlands, and strange as it seemed, there were things about the Outlands that he missed. He missed his old den, the steamy geysers and the heat provided by the ages-old volcano. He wouldn’t give up the life he had now to return to the Outlands, but sometimes he just felt like taking a trip for nostalgic reasons. As he was daydreaming, he was interrupted by a familiar scent. He perked up his hears and heard footsteps approach him from behind.

“Jasiri,” he said aloud. He turned and saw Jasiri behind him. She was smiling as her mane ruffled in the wind. “Janja,” Jasiri said, “Thought I might find you here. Still missing the Outlands, are you?”

“No place like home,” said Janja. Jasiri walked up to him and they both stood gazing into the canyons below. “I miss it too sometimes,” said Jasiri. “Even though I will admit that the Pride Lands are more beautiful.”

Janja looked over at Jasiri and said, “I understand that today is a very special day for you,” he said. “Congratulations on becoming the new clan leader.”

“Oh,” laughed Jasiri. “Thanks, I guess. It’s a big responsibility.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world, love,” said Janja.

“Are you sure about this, Janja?” asked Jasiri. “I don’t want you to tie yourself down just because of me.”

“Jasiri, you mean the world to me,” Janja said. “I want nothing more than to be by your side, no matter where life’s paths may take us. You’ve always been there for me.” He laughed. “Jasiri, you’ve changed my life.”

“I may never have been so bold if it weren’t for you Janja,” said Jasiri. “So…you’ve changed my life too.”

The two hyenas leaned closer for an embrace when suddenly, they heard a loud laugh come from behind a nearby tree. A large, lean hyena emerged from behind the tree. It was Wajinga.

“Soo,” he said, pacing in front of the couple. “How long has this been going on, Janja?”

Janja glared at Wajinga. “Really, Waji, this is none of your business.”

Wajinga feigned pity. “But I’m part of your clan, and this just isn’t somethin’ a fella keeps from another, especially since…” he smiled suggestively at Jasiri- “I’ve got plans myself with this one .”

Jasiri’s eyes widened. That’s right, she thought. ''Wajinga always did have a thing for me''.

Janja raised himself up and stood between Wajinga and Jasiri. “Waji, go home,” said Janja. “Jasiri deserves your respect, not that kind of attitude. “

“I’m in no rush,” said Wajinga. “It’s only mid-afternoon. I think I’ll stick around for awhile.”

Janja snarled. “Jasiri, let’s go,” he said. He motioned for Jasiri to head in the opposite direction, but Wajinga sprinted toward them and jumped in front of her.

“Jasiri,” Wajinga said, “is this what you really want? A guy like Janja, ordering you around?”

Jasiri glared seriously at Wajinga. “Janja’s not ordering me, he’s only protecting me,” she told him, “from hyenas like you.”

“Oh, come on Jasiri! Do you want to live with a hyena like Janja, who tells his pals to ‘shut up’ and calls them ‘fur brains’? This hyena has no respect for ''his own clan''. What makes you think he’ll respect you?”

“Ha!” Janja laughed, “That’s a good one Wajinga! Respect for the clan? Says the hyena who catches some prey and doesn’t bother to bring it back to share with the rest of us! That’s a real friend!”

Then, as if things hadn’t gotten worse enough already, Cheezi and Chungu came running toward them from a distance. They skidded to a halt when they saw Janja, Jasiri and Wajinga.

“Janja!” Cheezi shouted.

“Ooooh, look!” Chungu said. “He’s with” he whispered to Cheezi-“Jasiri”.

The two hyenas laughed, rolling onto their backs and giggling like they’d just heard the funniest joke in the world.

“Cheezi, Chungu,” said Wajinga, “A clan is only as good as its leader, they say. So if Janja wants to break up the clan by deserting us, then how about we show him what will happen if he does such a thing?”

“Whaddaya wanna do, Wajinga?” Cheezi asked.

Wajinga lifted his paw up over his brow and stared into the distance. “I see a herd grazing just beyond the watering hole,” he said. “Looks like a mighty good dinner if you ask me.”

“No,” Janja said sharply. “You guys can NOT do this today.” “Why not?” asked Wajinga, detecting signs of nervousness within the clan leader. “It’s as good a day as any.”

“Wajinga, we’ve made it this far with the Pridelanders, we can’t go back on our promise. We take down one animal at a time-not whole herds. That’s part of the deal, remember?” Janja asked.

Wajinga laughed. “Course!” he shouted. “But what you fail to realize is that you’re the one making this decision. You pledged loyalty to this clan years ago, and now you’re thinking about taking back your word. Hey, Janja it’s your choice. You stick with us, we keep the promise to the Pridelanders. You desert us, we break the rules. So do you stand by us, or the Heshima Clan?”

Janja’s eyes widened with fury. “You will not decide my destiny, Wajinga!”

In a rage, Janja leapt onto the older male, who was now a full-grown adult, and threw him to the ground.

“AHHHAHHHAAA!” Wajinga laughed loudly, “Playin’ rough now, leader?” he taunted. “Well, it’s not gonna be like it was that time in the Oultands-“ Wajinga lifted his head, opened  his mouth and slammed his ferocious bite into Janja’s front right leg. There was a loud crunching noise right before Janja groaned in agony.

“NO!” Jasiri shouted.

Janja fell backward, leaving himself vulnerable to Wajinga’s second attack. Wajinga jumped onto Janja and extended his claws, raking them across Janja’s face as the younger hyena clenched his teeth in pain.

Janja strained with all his might to lift upward and land a bite to Wajinga, but he had underestimated him. Wajinga laughed. “Janja, spare yourself the humiliation and accept it! I’ll even let you still lead this clan if you’ll keep your word and forget Jasiri!”

Janja shouted, “Wajinga, it doesn’t have to be this way! You have to understand-“

“Understand what?!” Wajinga shouted. “That you’re about to ruin my life-and your clan’s life-for her?”

He kicked Janja hard in the stomach and stepped off of him. “Pathetic!” he shouted. “Leader of the clan.”

Jasiri was frozen. What is wrong with me? She thought. Why didn’t I do something to stop Wajinga!

She felt tears form at the edge of her eyelids and begin to pour out, streaming down her face. ''Oh, I hate myself! How can I lead the clan if I cannot protect my love, my only love''! She choked, and Wajinga looked at her, smiling.

“Wajinga, don’t..” Janja spoke, lifting up slightly, “don’t you touch--…Jasiri..” But it was no use. The hyena slumped back down onto the ground; barely able to keep his eyes open as the blood from the open wounds rolled down his face.

Wajinga walked over to Jasiri. “What’s wrong Jasiri?” he asked, glancing over his shoulder at the bruised Janja. “Haha! Some leader, right?”

Jasiri sniffed. “Wajinga, you are-“ she started.

“I’m what, Jasiri?” Wajinga asked. “According to the Heshima Clan, the matriarch’s mate must swear to protect her with his life. He must be willing to die to save her. If Janja is truly your mate-your protector-well, then..”

He looked at Janja again. “He must be willing to die for you. You are okay with that… right?”

Jasiri’s eyes widened. “He does not need to die for me,” said Jasiri, lowering herself as she prepared to pounce on Wajinga. “Any battle that Janja fights is MY BATTLE AS WELL!”

She leapt onto Wajinga, pinning him to the ground and locking him into a fixed position. She bit down into his fur with her sharp teeth. Wajinga yelped loudly, “AAH! Jasiri, what are you-“

Jasiri continued to bite and kick at the older male, who was clearly thrown back by her strength.

She landed a kick into Wajinga’s side, and the hyena landed with his face buried into the ground. “Uuugggh…” he groaned. “Why…”

Jasiri loomed over him, her eyes wild with anger. “Wajinga,” she spoke in between clenched teeth-“Go home. And don’t you dare mess with any of the herds in the Pride Lands.”

Wajinga got up slowly. “Very well, Jasiri,” he muttered. “I’ll do what you say. Whatever.”

Wajinga limped slowly into the distance, leaving Cheezi and Chungu watching in amazement. Jasiri stood triumphant over Wajinga and the battle was over.

“Whoa,” said Cheezi. “That was awesome!” They then broke into a run, chasing after Wajinga who was already far off into the distance.

Jasiri raced over to Janja, who was limp on the ground. He opened his eyes slightly and looked up at Jasiri. “Jasiri..” he whispered. “Are you all right?”

Jasiri smiled. “Janja, I’m sorry,” she said. She began to cry. “Janja please, forgive me, I don’t know what was wrong…I…”

Janja was finally able to muster enough strength to lift himself up. “Jasiri, nothing’s your fault,” he said.

“I should have interfered sooner,” Jasiri cried, “this never would have happened to you if I hadn’t been such a fool! You could’ve gotten killed!” She slammed her paw into the ground angrily.

“Jasiri, it’s going to be okay,” said Janja. “We made it. We won. Together.”

Jasiri sobbed and buried her face into Janja’s chest. “Aww, now, stop that would you!” said Janja.

He lifted his paws up and brought Jasiri’s face to his. He pressed his lips against hers, which surprised her for a second, but she accepted it. After a few seconds, Jasiri pulled away from him and said, “It’s getting late. I have to meet my clan for the preparations. In fact, I’m probably already late, but given the circumstances, I’m sure they will forgive me.”

Janja smiled. “Can’t we just have a few more minutes?” he asked.

“No Janja,” she said. “I really do have to go.”

“Okay,” said Janja, “Go on, I’ll see you soon.”

“Looking forward to it,” Jasiri said. Then, she paused. “Janja, who will treat your wounds? Oh, Janja, you have to come with me. My clan will know what to do.”

“But I haven’t officially been accepted into-“ Janja started.

“That doesn’t matter,” said Jasiri. “All that matters is that you’re hurt.”

Jasiri then led Janja back to her clan’s den.