Written by: Caldafox
Story[]
Asante had bid farewell to Kopa, and was now heading home. It had been a rough few weeks for her - she'd reunited with her childhood friend, only to be nearly killed by leopards a few minutes later! Then, when she saw Kopa again, he'd asked her for advice on romance! The last part didn't upset her too much, however. Asante was just glad to be coming home.
She padded across the border to the Outlands and looked around. For some reason, this section of the Outlands didn't look familiar. Huh, Asante thought to herself. I must have taken a wrong turn. She turned to go back the way she came, but then perked up her ears. She heard voices coming her way.
Two hyenas were talking as they walked along. "I still don't see why we have to be the ones to patrol the Outlands, Jasiri." Janja was saying. "There's a bunch of other hyenas who can do the job for us!"
"I know, Janja." Jasiri answered. "But the other hyenas do most of the hunting, and they also report news back to us. So we can give them a break by patrolling for them."
"Alright," Janja said reluctantly. Jasiri smiled at him.
Asante noticed them coming her way, and Janja spotted her ahead. "Hey!" He called out to her.
Asante gasped, then proceeded to walk towards the two fellow hyenas. "Hello there," she smiled. "Hello," Jasiri smiled back. "I'm Jasiri, and this is Janja. We rule the Outlands together. Is there anything we can help you with?"
"How come we haven't seen you around here before?" Janja asked Asante. "I live in another part of the Outlands," Asante answered. "My name's Asante. I didn't know there were still other hyenas living here."
"You've never seen this part of the Outlands before?" Jasiri asked. "I can't say I have," Asante said. "The part I live in is dry, with several termite mounds."
"That's where Zira and her pride used to live!" Janja told Jasiri. "How did you survive over there with them around?"
"I just avoided them," Asante explained. "You must have been lonely without any friends around." Jasiri said, understandingly and sympathetic. "After I met Kopa, I wasn't too bothered being by myself." Asante replied.
"Kopa? Who's that?" Janja asked. "He's the oldest son of Simba and Nala." Asante answered. She smiled. "We were best friends growing up. But I only just saw him again for a few days."
"Kion has an older brother?!" Jasiri thought out loud. "You know Kion?" Asante asked. Janja and Jasiri nodded. "Jasiri and him were best friends growing up," Janja explained. "And me... well, me and Kion were enemies for a long time."
"Wow, I can't believe we all knew the royal cubs." Asante said. "Why don't you come with us, Asante?" Jasiri asked. "You can make yourself at home with our clan. There's lots of other hyenas to be with, and we have a waterhole nearby also for you to drink from."
"Thank you so much," Asante smiled. "I really appreciate your hospitality." "No problem at all," Jasiri smiled back.
The three hyenas made their way towards Jasiri's watering hole. On a hill they climbed over, Asante took one more look back at her old home. She sighed of relief and continued on her way.
They made it to the watering hole in several minutes. Asante took her time, lapping up water graciously.
"Thank you so much, again." Asante told Janja and Jasiri. Other hyenas began coming towards the new member of their clan, sniffing and looking at her curiously.
"Now, about this Kopa guy..." Janja inquired. The three sat down on a large rock. "I met him when I was a young pup." Asante started. "He must have been 6 months old, while I was 7 months old..."
As they talked, the three hyenas became even friendlier with each other. It almost seemed like Asante was either Janja or Jasiri's older sister! They all had a lot in common. Jasiri and Asante both met sons of Simba around the same ages, and were really good friends with them. Janja and Asante were both fierce defenders of themselves and their friends, and they all respected the Circle of Life.
Within a few minutes, it was clear that Asante would become a very useful member of Janja and Jasiri's clan. The hyena pups already loved her, and, in turn, she was kind and gentle with them.
After a few weeks of telling of her past experiences, Janja and Jasiri approached Asante as she overlooked a sunrise. "Good morning, Asante." Jasiri smiled. "We want to thank you for your kindness and openness since you've joined the clan."
Asante smiled at them. "No problem at all," she said. "I'm always glad to help."
"That's why we were thinking..." Janja started, "...would you like to assist us in ruling the Outlands?" Jasiri finished.
"Oh my! It'd be such an honor!" Asante exclaimed happily. "I'd love to help you two! You've been nothing but kind to me."
"Anytime, Asante." Janja said. Him and Jasiri shared a smile.
By this time, all the hyenas in the clan had become very fond of Asante. Asante had become good friends with Madoa, Jasiri's older sister, and Janja's friends, Chungu and Cheezi.
"Tell us about your battle with the leopards again, Asante!" Cheezi asked her. "Yeah, we love to hear the part where you win!" Chungu added.
Asante smiled, having moved past her near-death incident. She now felt grateful that her life was spared, and no longer struggled to bring up the incident.
"So it all started when these four leopards jumped out of the bushes..." Asante began again.
Janja and Jasiri looked over their kingdom in gladness, grateful to have found a new valued friend.
THE END.