We Are The Same. We Are Together

Chapter 2

Kion woke with a start when he did not recognize his surroundings. He felt the hard surface of a flat rock underneath him, but it was difficult to see beyond his paw reach. He tried to hop up onto his paws, but an excruciating pain along the backside of his leg made him tumble back to the smooth ground. He gritted his teeth, but extended his claws when the sound of movement came to his side. Without the ability to run, he would have to fight whoever was coming closer to him. He turned as quickly as he could on an injured leg and raised one of his front paws, ready to swipe down.

"Whoa, there, trigger claws. It's only me."

Kion froze with his paw in mid air, only bringing it down when the paw of another gently and slowly relaxed it back to the ground. Kion sighed a bit in relief when he recognized the smiling face of one of his closest hyena friends.

"Jasiri," Kion relaxed himself and smiled to the friendly face, "I'm sorry. I just got startled... where am I?"

Jasiri grinned, waving a paw in front of his face, "Can't you tell? Do lion's have poor eyesight? We're in my clan's den."

"What," Kion's eyes were finally adjusting to the sea of shadows as other hyena faces rose to the surface. Some of them were asleep, the pups especially, but a few were wide awake, watching Kion and Jasiri, "When did I... How did I end up here?"

"After your little skirmish with Janja, you passed out from some nasty wounds," Jasiri explained, circling around Kion and examining his body, "We brought you back here to help you recover. It seems most of your scratches on your side healed up, but your leg... It's still needing to be kept clean."

"I see," Kion felt a little uncomfortable from being examined so close. He never likes feeling helpless, especially when it comes to recovering from any injuries he would accumulate from protecting the Pridelands. His mother always made him rest and trust that the Lion Guard can manage with his absence, "How long have I been out?"

"Well, it's still the same day if that's what you're asking," Jasiri walked over to the entrance of their den, one that was covered by a door of vines, "But... it's not exactly day anymore."

Jasiri moved the vines out of the way, allowing the darken light of a full moon seep through into the den. Kion gaped, limping over to Jasiri and looking out from the small shelter out into the freezing desert of the Outlands.

"Hevi Kabisi," Kion's whispering only added to the chilly breeze blowing the dust over the barren fields, "It's nighttime?"

"Well what do you know, lions do have good eyesight," Jasiri chucked, letting the vines close again to block the cold air from coming in.

"I can't believe it," Kion slowly came to the realization of what night meant, "Oh no. My family, my friends! They think I must be lost in the Outlands. I have to get back home now."

"Now," Jasiri's normally sly and playful smile slowly flipped into a disappointed frown, "Kion... You're hurt. You need to rest."

"Look, I appreciate what you all have done for me," Kion looked over at Jasiri, trying to speak in a convincing tone, "But my family and friends are probably searching for me right now, which leave the Pridelands vulnerable for an invasion."

This only deepened Jasiri's scowl, "Kion. The Pridelands will be fine. Do you really think everybody is out searching for you? With the so called wise king and queen, you'd think they'd be smart enough to not send everybody."

"Well... yeah," Kion pursed his lips, his own annoyance growing, "But the Pridelands needs the Lion Guard. All of the Lion Guard. I have to be there to protect it."

Jasiri finally growled at him, a snappy attitude replacing her concerning one, "Fine! Go back to your precious Pridelands! Just don't let us hyenas hold you back, you know, the ones who saved your life!"

Kion bobbed back at Jasiri's raising voice. His eyes were widen and his words stuttered to find structure, "Jasiri... It's not... I didn't mean it like that."

Jasiri just made a scoffing sound, turning away from him and walking to the back of the den, away from everyone else. She laid down on the ground with furrowed brows and a death glare facing towards the wall.

Kion just stared, his maw ajar and eyes showing his shock while they stared at the back of Jasiri. His thoughts became consumed by hurt that Jasiri's words implied. His thinking became interrupted by another voice of Jasiri's Clan.

"She isn't really angry at you, Kion."

Kion glanced over at the speaker, Madoa, Jasiri's sister. Madoa first met Kion when he came to aid them from Zira's evils. She use to hold resentment for lions, but when she met Kion and his willingness to not side with just lions, but with the Circle of Life, she warmed up to him.

Kion took a deep breath, to help reset him from the stun Jasiri put him in, "Really? She sure can fool me."

Madoa assured him with a small nod, "She really cares about you, Kion. You're one of her first friends outside of the clan, and after all you've done for us, she feels indebted to you."

"Why should she? She's part of Nature just like all of us and protecting all who respect Nature is what the Lion Guard does. Sisi ni sawa."

"Do you think lions are the only ones with pride," Modoa smirked a bit at her own joke, but it was short lasted when she became serious again, "You know, when we brought you into our home to keep you safe while you recover... she willingly volunteered to keep your wounds clean."

"She... She did what," Kion went looked at Modoa in disbelief. Of course, he knew Jasiri was a selfless, jovial, bold hyena, but the idea that she would openly volunteer to tend to his scrapes and injuries like a nurse felt out of character to him.

"Just keep that in mind, Kion. There is more to her than you realize... But I'm not going to stop you from leaving. The rest of us need to sleep. You may stay or go, it's up to you," with that, Madoa returned to the pups of the clan, circling around them and keeping them warm in their sleep.

Kion, on the other hand, did not move from where he was standing. He looked over to Jasiri, still keeping her back turned to the rest of the den. Kion thought of what Madoa said about Jasiri tending to his needs. The idea of Jasiri constantly by his side and licking his wounds to keep them from becoming infected made the lion cub feel oddly safe and comfortable. Despite how hard it was to picture such a scenario, Kion smiled at the feeling of a close friend doing whatever she could to help him get better. After quite a long time of contemplating, he finally decided to walk over to Jasiri, speaking softly to her.

"Jasiri... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. I'm truly grateful for what you did for me today. Madoa told me how you were there to care for me when I needed it most. I... I never would have guess you'd be the one to be so caring towards me. Not to say I find it odd... in fact, it's a little flattering," Kion could feel his face darken, feeling glad that little light could reveal his face, "Just know that you're not the only one who worries. You are a good friend to me, and I protect my friends no matter what. I don't want you to feel like you owe me anything. You don't. I'll come to your aid and be by your side through any danger you might face just as I know you'd do the same for me... Jasiri?"

Kion looked over her shoulder, his already blushing face growing redder when he realize he has been talking to a sleeping Jasiri this whole time. He chuckled awkwardly before laying down next to her, "Thank you, Jasiri. Sleep well."

He yawned and grew tired himself, closing his eyes to return to a slumber. Not realizing that Madoa was still awake, listening to his apology and explanations. She smiled to herself before she relaxed her head, thankful that her sister has a friend like Kion looking out for her.

(To Be Continued...)