A Hyena's Tale Ch. 6

Night had fallen on the Outlands. Other than the sounds of small Frogs and Crickets chirping, the whole territory was quiet. The Two Clans that were living here were all sound asleep.

Well, not every Hyena.

For several hours now, Janja had been awake. He sat at the entrance of the small den Jasiri had given him to live in. Granted, it was small, but it wasn't too small for the likes of him. In fact, even though he didn't want to admit it to the female Hyena, it was the most comfortable den he had been in for a long time. But the comfort of the den wasn't what was keeping him awake.

He was watching for something.

And something he saw.

The sight of his younger brother heading past the watering hole was the first thing he had seen up since the clans went to sleep. It was also exactly what he was watching for. And judging by the pace of which Tombie was walking, he was very eager to get to where he was going. Now Janja hadn't seen Tombie for many years, and not that he cared or anything, but he was curious about Tombie's intentions.

And what better way to find out than to follow him?

--

He made his way up the pathway that scaled the side of the Canyon side. Tombie had his fur especially cleaned up. The long white mane flowed as he made his way to the top.

And the Hyena he was hoping to see was already at the cliff side where they agreed to meet.

And she looked breathtaking.

Madoa's purple mane glistened in the moonlight. Her eyes looked exactly like the stars above them, and her fur looked its softest and fluffiest. Needless to say, both Hyenas were awe struck at how each other looked.

"W-wow, Madoa," Tombie stuttered, "You look great."

"So do you," Madoa smiled shyly, "I was almost convinced that you wouldn't show up."

"What?" Tombie looked as if he were asked an impossible question, "I would never forget about you, Madoa." He walked over and sat by her, both of them looking out at the view. The scenery wasn't as colorful as the neighboring Pridelands were, but it was always better at not.

But there was one sight that stood out. And not in the good way.

There was only one other bright light that lit up at night in the Outlands, and that was the light of the Volcano. For what must have been several months, the red fires inside seemed to have grown larger and wilder. Clouds of smoke could be see leaking from the top.

Tombie stared out at the Volcano with a worried expression. "Well, there's Scars new crib."

Madoa turned her head to her date with a look of surprise, "You know about Scar?"

"Oh yeah, I've known for a few months now. but that's ok, because I know that someday soon, he and his little flunkies are goin' down."

Madoa's expression calmed down, "You seem so confident, Tombie. You must've fought the Army before."

Tombie shrugged, "Nah, only today when I saved Janja from that Croc." He took a breath in before speaking in a worried tone, "Today, I got lucky, But next time, It might not be just one Croc."

Now Madoa wasn't usually one to ask personal questions of anyone, but this was an exception, "Tombie, I need to know something. Why DID you save Janja? You told me and Jasiri all the horrible things he did to you when you were pups, and that he left you for dead. So... why?"

This was a very difficult Question to answer for Tombie. ''Why did I save Janja? Why didn't I just let that overgrown Anole have his way with him? He didn't deserve it, he's still kinda a jerk Isn't he? Yeah. But, if I did, I'd lose the only family I got left.....''

Tombie breathed in before giving his answer, "Well, Madoa, I could have left him to become the new rug for Scar's Throne Room. And yes, I do remember what he did to me. Then again, if I did leave him, how could I live with myself? How could I eat? How could I sleep? I would be just like Scar. A Murderer. He may not have deserved it, but he's still family, and someone has to look out for him."

Many words of wisdom had been spoken by many an Animal, but this answer was the one of the most smartest and most relatable thing Madoa had ever heard. "Tombie, that had to have been the most bravest thing I have ever heard."

"There's also something else I'd like to say too." Tombie let out another sigh before closing his eyes, spilling his entire guts out, "Madoa, after the tie we have spent together in the past, my mind said stop, but my chest said, 'Tombie, why try to deny it? you ain't felt this good in a while, now. Let it last.'" He paced around slowly, "Madoa, you're the Spots on my pelt, the mane on my back, the Tickbird to my Rhino, and the... and the... Aw, to heck with it."

He then held her paw. As he kept going on, He didn't notice that her widened eyes were already sparkling as she listened to him talk. From the look of things, she had an idea on what he was about to tell her.

'The point I am trying to make is that, Madoa, I lo-"

His words were interrupted by something. He looked down and saw a finger at his lips, shushing him. And this finger originated from one paw, which originated from one arm, which originated from one animal.

Madoa.

No sooner than she shushed him, that it happened.

The feeling of the finger at his lips was replaced by another feeling. Other lips. His eyes widened as he felt them against his own. Tombie couldn't believe it. The Hyena who he had been visiting for the past year was kissing him! He had wanted to do this for a month. Now that he was doing it, he couldn't do anything but melt into it.

And melt he did.

--

He watched as the two embraced. Janja had watched the whole conversation. He narrowed his head and quickly shook his head in disgust. How long had Janja been away from Tombie? This was just gross!

As he thought on it, there was something else he thought of.

And it wasn't what was happening with his brother.

What Tombie had said earlier, 'He may not have deserved it, but he's still family, and someone has to look out for him.' It was something Janja hadn't heard from anyone in years. A fellow Hyena was standing up for him! And not just any Hyena, but his brother! The one he had always pushed around for liking fish instead of Big meats as a cub, who he always bullied to no end, and had even left him to die! Despite this, he was saying that he was still family to him, and that that he would look out for him.

This got Janja to thinking, '' 'If tombie's gonna be lookin' out for me, why can't I look out for him? Yeah! I'll be there for 'im, I'll protect 'im, and all that stuff big brothers do, whatever it is. I'll be the best big brother ever!''

Janja then made his way back to his den. He curled himself up as he closed his eyes, ready for some sleep.

He knew that tomorrow, things would be different between him and Tombie.