The Lion King One Shot 

(Ahadi and Uru's Reign)

Upenda was so grateful for the chance to live. But she was even happier because she had actually met a hyena with a glimmer of good in him. Her spirits rose and her heart soared. But her mind forgot how much danger she had gotten into that day. 

So upon a trip to the watering hole a few months after their meeting, she glanced at her reflection and saw her face staring back at her. It was then, by some strange feeling, that she decided to go back and find Thimba. To thank him and see if their encounter had by any chance saved his soul, and turned him to good. 

A grin spread across her face as she stared into her sparkling blue eyes and thought about the possibility that Thimba may be a good hyena. 

That night, she snuck out again and escaped to the border under the cover of darkness. She knew that most of the hyenas didn't live in te Graveyard, but rather on the east side of it. So she trotted over to the edge of the Graveyard on the east side as quietly as she could.

This time, Penda had rolled around in the deep mud near the hippo's pond to cover her scent so she could try to be undetected by the other bad hyenas. 

There was a lot of bustling activity around the dens as it was the season of nocturnalisum for the hyenas. She noticed this pack or "clan" was pretty large compared to some of the others.

She spotted some of the hyenas playing with the young, and a few others were going out to hunt. Some were even having a normal conversation. There was only the full moon to shed light upon the scene, but it was enough for Penda to locate Thimba. It seemed that Thimba and his friend Kuua were going out with a group of adult hyenas. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but she knew they weren't the hunting party because the party had already left. 

Penda watched the small group intensely and noticed all of them were males except for one single adult female. She tilted her head and wondered what they could be doing. The circle of hyenas erupted in cackles then stalked off into the nighttime. 

She was afraid of getting caught, so she bolted back home and went back to the den for the night. 

Every other night for the next five moon cycles (almost a month each) Penda left the den and went to watch the hyena clan do their normal duties. As the time passed, Penda and Thimba both grew into older animals and entered their late teen years. Penda turned into a beautiful young lioness and Thimba became more roguish and tough looking. 

Some nights Thimba would watch the young, other nights he would leave with the mysterious group. And every other night Penda hid behind her special rock and watched him intently. And every night she went, she would fall deeper and deeper in love with Thimba, hoping one day they would meet and he would share her love. 

One night, after many visits, Penda fell asleep behind her rock, dozing off after the long day she'd had. But when she awoke, the moon had almost disappeared and a pink line was on the horizon. She gasped loudly, remembering this was a night that Thimba left with his group. That night she had decided to stay until they had returned, but she had fallen asleep after her long day.

She saw the dawn almost ready to break and she panicked. She darted off towards Priderock, galloping to reach the den before someone realized she'd left. 

But on her way, she crashed into someone, causing them to both tumbles to the ground in a heap. She opened her eyes and they met those of Thimba. 

"Thimba!" she gasped loudly, a smile crossing her face as she saw his deep brown eyes.

"How do you know my name?" He asked, lifting himself off the ground. 

"We've met," she replied. "However, I don't think I ever told you my name."

"How did we meet? You're a Pridelander!" He hissed. 

"A Pridelander you showed mercy to," Penda said.

"I am Thimba, the dark prince of the Graveyard, I don't show mercy to anyone." he growled. 

"You don't remember me?" Penda asked, knowing he would if he tried.

Thimba stepped forward and examined her fur, her paws, and her tail. Then he stared deeply into her eyes, recalling the night so long ago that he did indeed show mercy.

He stood back and lowered his eyes to the ground. 

"So why have you come back? To taunt me?" Thimba asked.

"No, I was actually. . .watching you. Since that night, I found out you could indeed be a good hyena." she said with a smile on her face.

Thimba saw the look in her eyes and realized she'd fallen in love with him. Being a hyena with a glimmer of good in him, he felt a twinge of guilt. 

"Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked, knowing.

"Because, Thimba, I-I," she hesitated.  "I love you, Thimba."

He didn't return her stare but continued to advert his eyes to the ground. 

"You won't," he replied. 

"What?" Penda asked, her face showing her confusion. 

"I said, you won't love me." 

"Why?"

"Becuase of what I've done."

Penda furrowed her brow. She tilted her head sideways and took a few steps to come face to face with him. 

She lifted his head with her paw and made him look at her. His eyes were filled this time with shame and a little pain. 

"What's wrong?" Penda asked him. 

Thimba lowered his eyes again and frowned. He shook his head from side to side. 

"Go home," he demanded. 

She looked at him for a moment more, then gave him a kiss on his forehead. He drew back and she took off for home. Before she galloped fully away, she turned back and said, "My name is Penda," 

Then she resumed running back to Priderock.