Lion Amongst Hyenas

Taaburbuuryet walked through the Outlands, her large paws making barely any sound on the dry ground. She was heading to one of those place, the spots of neutral territory not owned by any lion pride, it was generally a free for all though rogues usually were there for the plentiful prey. But the black lioness was not interested in prey. She came for a different reason, the reason that came from a large cave that reeked with the stench of a lion's bitter enemy...hyena. Taa came to a halt then sat down. It wasn't long before the hyena pack returned, but instead of aggression, they were calm. A few even went up to sniff the black lion's pelt as if wanted to be certain it was she. To the hyena pack, Taa was a member. It did not matter that she was a lioness, it had taken some time and plenty of patience, but after simple tolerance, the pack slowly began to accept her. It was enough that the hyena cubs could be left in Taa's care. The lioness would let nothing touch these cubs and many lions and leopards, as well as a few jackals had fallen under her claws and teeth. The matriarch approached the dark lion and sniffed her. Taa looked the large female in the eye. There was a slight tension, but no violence. Taaburbuuryet was equal to the hyena queen, but she also respected her and knew that things could be different if the hyena wished it. After the greeting ceremony was over, Taa settled down amongst the pack. Their strange cackles were no longer strange, nerve-wracking, or annoying. She thought their language to be much like hers, sounds with body language, words were not important. The hyenas also learned from their odd member. They were fascinated by her desert lion build, so much unlike the Desertlands lions, but most of all...she was much like them in communication. Taa did not speak much lion tongue, instead she used clicks, beeps, and her body. To the hyenas, this was such a wonderful thing, having a lion that understood their ways. True to any outside hyena this would be something of a shock, and they noticed the odd looks from other animals. But to the pack, it mattered not. Taa was an official hyena and member of their Clan and nothing would change that, if anyone protest then they would feel the wrath of the black lioness and the teeth of fifty hyenas. If blood had to be spilled...too bad, at least the pack would be safe and food would be there.