With surprise lost, Simba forewent silence and let loose with an earsplitting roar that shook Griz'nik's bones. The hyena cowered as the king loomed over him, his eyebrows beetled together in anger.

"Where is the cub Habusu?" Simba snarled. "Tell me and you will be shown mercy."

Griz'nik gaped senselessly. "Sire?" he sputtered. "All they told me is to watch for strangers. They don't tell me why. Please let me go. If they find out I failed, they'll kill me. I just want to run away. Give me a chance, please?"

"Let him go, " Simba said. Turning, he padded into the graveyard proper. The mist was burning off quickly as the sun began to make its prescence felt, but steam and vapors concealed the shadows as he made his way among the bones. A shape hove into view as Uhuru emerged from his cave, yawning.

"Sire! " he said, surprised. "What an honor." The Incosi c.o.c.ked his head curiously as he looked at Simba's grim visage. "No news on your missing child, I'm afraid."

With a snarl, Simba bounded up to him nose to nose and bared his teeth. "What in G.o.d's name do you think you're doing with our cub? Did you think we wouldn't find out??"

Uhuru shook as he stared at the ma.s.sive fangs that were only inches away from his face. "S-Sire? I don't understand-"

Isha padded up to join them. "Liar! Where is my child? What have you done with him??" She scanned the area frantically. "Habu? Habu, it's Mom! Oh G.o.ds, answer me! " Her voice echoed, mocking her. She turned back to Uhuru, her ears laid flat in anger. "What have you done with him?"

Overhead, on a jutting lip of rock, Shenzi sat quietly, her sides heaving with barely suppressed laughter. "Oh MY, " she thought, "This is too good! Uhuru looks like a whipped pup! " She bit her lip to keep from giggling her head off. After a few minutes, she regained some semblance of control and returned her attention to the scene below.

Uhuru huddled in the alcove where Simba and Isha had backed him. "Sire, please! I don't understand! It's not my fault! I helped you once, risked my life for you! "

Simba started to speak, but Isha cut him off. "It's obvious you don't understand, " she hissed. "Let me spell it out clearly. If my son is not brought before me immediately, I'll rip you and leave the meat for the jackals."

Uhuru bared his teeth at her, growling. "Fine, then. Rip me. Aiheu will avenge my innocent blood."

Isha raised a forepaw, but a voice stopped her. "Now, now, my dear; such conduct is not very ladylike." Rafiki tapped her extended claws with his staff. "Put those away before you hurt somebody."

"That WAS the idea, " she snapped back. "He won't even admit his guilt, Rafiki. Can you believe it?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Is it possible that he has no guilt?" The mandrill turned to Uhuru. "Peace, my friend. The truth will out."

Uhuru said, "Forgive me Sire, but if the child was here, I'd at least show him to you. That way, I'd have a tangible threat; I can't hurt something I don't have."

Sarafina stepped forward. "Oh, really, " she grated. "Then what was that lion cub doing in the north esacarpment of the graveyard last night? Don't deny it; I saw him myself, ringed about by at least a dozen guards."

Uhuru was aghast. "Oh G.o.ds! " He trailed off for a moment, his brow furrowed in thought. Abruptly his whole form slumped, and he looked at the ground for a long moment. "Sire, I was not ready to be Roh'mach. You chose me out of grat.i.tude, but that cannot make me a great leader." Lifting his gaze, he looked up to the ledge where Shenzi sat in the shadows. "I know how it may have happened. But should any harm befall the child of Isha while he is in my care, I will take full responsibility. I offer my life in exchange."

"I want to believe you, " Simba said. "I really do."

"What do you have that I want? Why would I kidnap one of your children? I'm already Roh'mach. I might understand a jealous rival trying to undermine me." He glared at Shenzi. "By the G.o.ds, I'll help you tear them apart when I catch them."

Simba nuzzled Uhuru. "Forgive me." Then he glared up at Shenzi. "Are you responsible for this?"

"And what if I am, cubby? What are you going to do about it?" Her voice was full of contempt. "Touch me and your little babykins is going to be tonight's dinner."

Isha took a sharp breath as Simba strode forward angrily.

"What do you want?"

Shenzi laughed. "Are you that dense? I want that pathetic excuse for a Roh'mach replaced. We need someone more qualified."

"That someone wouldn't happen to be you, would it?" Simba rumbled.

Her eyes widened in mock surprise. "Why, dearie, I thought you'd never ask. I'd be delighted to volunteer."

"I'm sure you would, " he shot back. Simba roared loudly enough to shake the bones on the ground. "I will not be dictated to by anyone, especially you. You helped Scar kill my father, and by G.o.d I either get Habusu back or I'll rip you."

"So she helped kill Mufasa too?" Uhuru confronted Shenzi. "Let's end this here and now. I call on the G.o.ds to witness our Shih'kal. I challenge you to the death."

Deathly silence fell as Shenzi stared at Uhuru, openmouthed. "What? You can't do this! "

Azuba stepped forward. "But he has, " she said coldly. "Accept the challenge, or forefit your claim as Roh'mach."

Shenzi looked around at the other hyenas. The challenge had been witnessed, and she faced only two paths. "Very well. I accept the challenge." She spat at Uhuru's feet. "Fool. You would have lost your t.i.tle. Now you lose your life."

"Really?" His eyes bored into hers intently. "We shall see."

SCENE: TO THE DEATH.

Shenzi began circling Uhuru slowly, sizing him up. The male was not as well built as Skulk, but his quickness and agility were well known. One of the reasons Taka had chosen him to guard Rafiki was his ability to quickly think his way out of any situations that might have arisen; Shenzi faced an opponent who matched her own intelligence, and that made him doubly dangerous.

Uhuru sat quietly, keeping a wary eye on the bigger female. He was trying not to show it, but deep down he was terribly frightened of this hyena; she had already shown in the past what she was capable of. Fighting to remember all his mother had taught him about combat, he kept his head low to the ground, trying to give her the smallest target possible.

She suddenly floated toward him, jaws agape as a snarl ripped the air. Twisting desperately, he flung himself out of the way, sending her crashing to the ground. Befor he could react, however, she was up and away, out of reach.

"Oooh, quick little one, aren't we?" She leered at him, panting. "How long can you keep dodging before my teeth find your throa-" Her sentence ended in a shriek as he darted forward. She copied his move, spinning out of harm's way, coming to rest with her legs braced for action.

Uhuru returned her smile. "You'll find I'm full of surprises." He charged again, his jaws closing on her shoulder, tearing away a chunk of flesh and hair. Gnashing her teeth in pain, Shenzi drove forward with her hind legs, using her greater weight to bear him to the ground. He writhed like a snake under her, wriggling away from her snapping jaws and escaping her grasp to stand before her again.

He began circling her now, his face grim in the dim light. She staggered in a circle, feeling the blood running down her foreleg, her shoulder ablaze.

Skulk cursed inwardly as he saw her face. She had gone in overconfident, sure that her superior size would intimidate Uhuru, but it had backfired, and she was now paying the price; the fear on her face indicated that it would only be a matter of time before she went down under his onslaught. The rules of Shi'khal were strict, however; there was nothing Skulk could do to interfere. Glancing over, he saw the lions watching the fight, utterly absorbed in the combat taking place before them. His eyes fell upon Isha, and a grin spread across his angular face.

There might just be a way to solve this problem after all, he thought. He glanced around furtively, and seeing everyone's attention fixed on the fight, he melted into the shadows and disappeared, heading off towards the elephant graveyard as fast as his legs would carry him.

Though his departure had been flawless, his arrivial did not go unnoticed. Scrambling down from atop the skull where he had been sitting, Bashak sped across the open area where the clan held its meetings to where Losara sat. "Mama, " he said breathlessly, "he's comin'! "

She nodded, a disgusted look on her face. "I expected as much. You remember what to do?"

He nodded eagerly. "Uh-huh."

"All right, then let's get moving." The pup shot away towards the far end of the graveyard as fast as his legs would carry him. Losara turned and trotted over to the entrance, where she sat down, waiting.

Skulk's form slowly emerged from the dark. "Greetings, Losara."

She nodded. "Skulk? Why are you not with Shenzi?"

"Things are not proceeding as planned. I'm here to rectify the situation." Brushing past her, he headed towards the skull which sat in the distance. "Our great and glorious Roh'mach challenged Shenzi to the Shi'Khal, which she immediately has proceeded to lose." He looked at her sidewise. "I plan to give the lions a little incentive to solve our problem. Uhuru pledged his life with the cub's. Let's hold him to that promise."

She trotted past him, cutting him off. "What are you doing?"

"I'm going to plant his little carca.s.s right in front of our glorious Roh'mach. Then I can sit back and watch the fun begin." His eyes narrowed as he saw her cut in front of him again. "You'd be well advised not to get in my way again, wench, " he said, his lip curling back to reveal his fangs.

"Idiot! You don't have to worry about that anymore." She sneered at him. "Your foolish choice of guards has already been his undoing." Her face pinched in sorrow. "G.o.ds, can't you hear it?"

He stared at her, puzzled, and c.o.c.ked an ear. Faintly, he heard a distant wailing coming from the northern escarpment where the lion cub had been incarcerated. Eyes widening in realization, he looked at her in shock. "NO! "

Tears sprang to her eyes. "I tried to stop him, but he was too strong." She was abruptly knocked aside as Skulk took off, heading toward the distant skull. Picking herself up, she laughed softly. "Idiot." Shaking herself, she padded off after him.

Griz'nik stood stoically at the mouth of the skull, trying desperately to ignore the horrible sounds coming from within.

"Almighty Roh'kash! " he muttered, "why does stuff like this always happen when I'm on duty?" He gritted his teeth as a drilling shriek issued from inside the dank recesses of the skull where the cub was imprisioned. Kh'tel had ordered him and the other guards to stay outside while he went in there to "interrogate" the prisoner. Judging from the sounds the cub was making, Griz'nik doubted if Kh'tel was in there making polite conversation. He felt a m.u.f.fled impact thorough the bone at his back, punctuated by an abrupt CRACK. A horrible scream resounded from inside. The guards looked at him, their eyes wide.

Griz'nik winced and shook his head in sympathy. "G.o.ds, that's gotta HURT."

Skulk ran like one posesssed, the cries of the cub filling his ears, lending a desperate urgency to his straining muscles. As he neared the escarpment, he saw the other guards ringed around the skull, various looks of disgust and glee on their faces. Abruptly, the cries from within the skull ceased, and Kh'tel emerged from the mouth of it, licking his lips in obvious enjoyment.

Skulk bounded up and confronted him immediately. "What the devil are you DOING?! " he screamed.

Kh'tel shrank back, frightened. "Calm down, Skulk. Our little guest decided to get antsy, here, so I had to take care of him." He frowned deeply. "I tell you, though, lions are almighty tough to stomach." He abruptly held forth with a tooth-rattling belch.

Skulk stuck is head into the mouth of the skull. Peering about, he made out vague bloodstains on the inside walls. Casting his gaze down, he saw a small tuft of golden fur, ruffling gently from his breath. Emerging slowly, he glared balefully at his companion. The corners of Skulk's jaw clenched tightly as he fought to repress a shriek. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"

Kh'tel stared at him blankly. "What's wrong with you? Don't tell me you liked the little furball?! "

"No, imbecile! But at least with a body I could have proved he was dead! I could have solved all our problems with one stroke. Now I've got to figure out how to make them think he's dead! " Skulk sat seething for a minute, then brightened. "It's a long shot, but it just might fool them." Ducking his head into the skull, he s.n.a.t.c.hed up the small bit of lion fur lying on the ground. Emerging, he shouldered past Kh'tel roughly as he stalked away, grumbling, but stopped abruptly and looked back. "Hold it, " he said, peering at Kh'tel intently. "You finished him off awfully quick."

The corner of Kh'tel's mouth twitched slightly. "Well, uh, he was kinda small-"

Skulk shook his head in disgust. "You greedy slob." A peevish note crept into his voice. "Couldn't you have saved some for me?"

Kh'tel grinned shame-facedly. "Sorry."

Skulk stared at him a moment longer, then trotted away quickly.

Kh'tel held the grin until the sounds of his footsteps had faded away into the night. Rounding on the remaining guards, he bared his teeth viciously. "Well, what are you laughing at? Dismissed! Go on, get lost! "

Grumbling, the others slowly dispersed. He watched them carefully until the last form had vanished into the dark. Creeping over to a secluded alcove, he sat quietly, listening. Several long moments pa.s.sed. Satisfied, Kh'tel whooped a sigh of relief and turned around. "C'mon out, kids."

Habusu's head emerged from an eye socket above him. "Did it work?"

"Yeah, kid. Now come on down here, quick." As the cub clambered down the face of the skull, Habusu giggled softly. "I can't believe he fell for it! "

A dark shadow detached itself and trotted over. Losara nuzzled the cub gently. "Rho'kash bless you for what you have done tonight, Kh'tel. For now, however, we have no time to celebrate. Bashak! Come on! "

The pup skittered out from behind a concealing rock. "Where are we goin' Mama?"

"We're going to take Habu home, my son, " she said, grinning. "I'm afraid it's way past his bedtime."

Shenzi's breathing had begun to come in great ragged gasps of air. She shook her head, fighting to clear her vision as she staggered about, bleeding from half a dozen wounds. Across from her, Uhuru panted rapidly, a nasty gash on his ribs giving evidence of Shenzi's prowess in the prolonged battle. But his confidence showed clearly now; the other hyenas merely waited for the combat to draw to its inevitable conclusion. Outside the circle, the jackals had begun to gather, smacking their lips in preparation for the feast which would follow, for neither lion nor hyena will eat the dead bodies of Roh'kash's Chosen Ones; they are corban to all but the lowliest of scavengers.

Shenzi caught Uhuru's eye and gave a silent snarl of defiance; she did not intend to sell her life easily. She slowly gathered her strength, preparing for a final spring. It would leave her wide open for attack, but she would get at least one clear shot at his throat before she went down.

Uhuru's paw struck her high on the face, sending her sprawling. A paw slapped down on either shoulder, pinning her neatly to the ground. She saw the starlight gleaming off his fangs as he prepared to tear out her throat. Closing her eyes, she prayed it would be quick.

Skulk shook his head in despair as he rejoined the circle of his bretheren. "I am saddened by the heavy burden of the news I bring, but it is my duty to inform you, Roh'mach."

Uhuru c.o.c.ked an ear toward him, but kept his gaze locked on Shenzi, wary of a trick. "Speak up, Skulk, and be quick. What do you want?"

Skulk strode forward and spat a mouthful of golden fur into the circle before the two combatants. "There is all that remains of the lion cub. One of Shenzi's traitorous guards decided to have him for a snack."

Complete silence fell, broken only by the sound of Isha's sobbing. Uhuru looked at the fur disbelievingly. "You mean..."

Skulk nodded sadly. "I'm afraid so." He staightened and cleared his throat. "I'm afraid that once the combat is complete, you will have to be executed, milord. You did swear your life with that of the cub's, and I will not wrong our mighty king with lies such as Shenzi has spoken."

Shenzi glared at him in shock, a smile spreading slowly across her lips. You sneaky little cur, she thought. I didn't know you had it in you. She shook her head. If only I'd known earlier....

Sudden movement caught her eye as a tawny shape padded past a gap in the circle. "Hey, Shenzi! "

"Shut up, Habu, " she snarled. Freezing, she did a double take. "Habu?!! "

Skulk gaped at the little form. "What? But he-, I mean, you..?" His eyes flared with rage as he stepped forward, growling. "No matter. I'll deal with you myself! "

"STOP! ".

All movement ceased as Isha bludgeoned her way through the circle to stand next to them. Interposing herself between Uhuru and Shenzi, Isha gently but firmly separated them.

"My son has been rescued, Uhuru. There is no need to finish her." She turned to Losara and Kh'tel, who stood protectively over the cub. Uhuru stared for a moment, disbelieving.

"Outrage! " one of the crowd yelled. They turned to look as one of the hyena priests stepped forward. "You cannot interfere with the Shih'kal! "

The hyenas moved to close in, but they had barely gotten one paw forward before a familiar shape dropped into the circle.

"Wait just a minute, friends." Rafiki brandished his staff, warning the hyenas away. "The Shih'kal is indeed inviolable; no one may interfere. One way or another Shenzi must die."

Isha felt the blood drain from her face.

"But, " he continued musingly, chin cupped in hand, "If Shenzi concedes defeat, Uhuru gets to pick the method of Shenzi's death, does he not?"

"He does, " the hyena priest said.

"And if it were something slow, like being sealed alive in a cave, would that do?"