Circle of Life Ch. 2

The young Hyena-Lion ran past Acacia grove, said a quick hello to Juhudi the Giraffe leader, and continued on his way to his destination. The animals of the Savanna watched as he rushed away. Wherever he was going, it was somewhere important.

And soon enough, he got there.

The enormous gourge stood before him, Its jagged rocks making towers in its center. Askari looked around at the Scenery. ' I can't believe Mom used to live here..'  he thought to himself, 'Well, It's not going to explore itself.' Spotting a small path along the side of the cliff, he began to climb down to the bottom. Now Askari wasn't the type to wander away for no reason.

And he had a reason.

His father had told him about the outside lands, but not about what lived out there, and Askari was going to find out what did.

As he made it to the bottom, he could see no sign of Grass or any living Plants. He wrinkled his nose in disgust. The Lion-Hyena walked through the canyon with curiosity on his mind.

And he didn't notice the large ears Sticking up from behind a rock.

--

"Hello?"

Askari called to see if anyone was there. The only thing he could hear was the echo of his call.

Along with the faint sound of footsteps.

He looked around to see if he could find the source. Not a single soul was seen as far as he could see. As he sniffed around, he could catch the scent of something. It definitely had fur, according to the scent.

Also according to the scent, it was very close.

Like right behind him.

He turned and saw the source of it.

The sight of the creature made him jump in surprise. Askari had seen every animal in the pridelands, but this animal was nothing like he had ever seen. The animal was a whitish- brown in fur, with brown eyes, and a tail bushy and large. It was also very, very small, about the size of a Lion cub. And the most distinguishable fact about this animal was the ears. These ears were the largest ears Any furry mammal had ever had.

As Askari fell backwards after being spooked, the creature began to laugh.

"Yeah, I got that effect on newcomers." He chuckled as he stood on top of Askari.

Askari glared at the animal and stood up, "Hey, you shouldn't scare people like that!"

"Eh, I'm a fox," The animal shrugged, "It's kinda what I do. Sorry, pal."

Askari's calmed down as he approached the fox, "No problem, I suppose." He smiled kindly and spoke again, 'Anyhow, I'm Askari."

"Call me Harige." The fox nodded, before he began circling the newcomer, "Now tell me, Askari, What would the son of Kion be doing in the Outlands?"

Askari looked confused as he too began circling, "How do you know my dad?"

"Technically, I don't know him," Harige went on, "But I have heard of him, his reputation practically goes through the Backlands. I've seen you and your sister with him before, I just had to know your name."

"Wow." Askari blinked. He always knew his dad had a record of going beyond the Pridelands, but he never thought he had been to the Backlands. He had almost forgot to answer Hariges question, "Oh yeah. Well, I just felt like going out and see the Outlands. Do you live here?"

"Actually no," Harige shook his head, still circling his new aquantaince. Before he said more, he ominously looked from side to side to make sure they were alone. "Can you keep a secret?"

Askari nodded, "My lips are sealed."

As the circling stop from each other, Harige leaned in and explained to Askari, "I'm on a mission. Ya see, I'm lookin' for A lion named Kiara."

"Kiara? Wait, that's my aunt! You must be looking for her!" Askari exclaimed.

"Yeah ueah, that sounds like her," Harige nodded, "See, A friend of mine needs to see her. There's trouble brewing for her in her home, big trouble."

Hearing this, Askari looked concerned, "How big?"

"Gorilla big."

This was the first time in a while Askari had heard the mention of a Gorilla. Usually, the only Gorilla he would hear about was King Sokwe, the Gorilla king of the Theluji mountains. Other times, he would hear his godfather, Bunga, talking about his hangouts with Sokwe's sons, Majinuni and Hafifu. But hearing about a Gorilla hurting someones home came to a surprise to him.

"Gorilla?"

"Yeah," Harige continued, "Gotta be, like, 10-feet tall, and that's while he's on all fours."

"Wow, that's big..." Askari looked down, growing worried. He then looked up as he spoke again, "Well, don't worry, Harige, I'll tell my au-"

Harige was gone.

But he did hear someone nearby. A throat clearing. And one that wasn't for clearing out Phlegm.

And as he turned around, he saw that it was someone he didn't expect, or desire, to see.

His father.

And he did not look happy.

"Well thus should be good....."

(Hey guys! The description for this chapter is the same as the last one!)